Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org April 24, 2016 10:30 am Fifth Sunday of Easter Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina April 24, :30 am Fifth Sunday of Easter Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ from Romans 12 Prelude Trumpet Tune in F * Call to Worship (based on Psalm 146) Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to God all my life long. The Lord executes justice for the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry. Let us praise the Lord by pursuing freedom for all peoples and nations. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. Let us praise the Lord by lightening the load of all peoples and nations. The Lords watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow. Let us praise the Lord by offering hospitality to all people and nations. Alice Jordan

2 * Hymn 307 God of Grace and God of Glory CWM RHONDDA * Call to Reconciliation * Prayer of Confession Lord God, forgive us. Our fear of the future shows neither faith nor resolve; Our longing for justice is overcome by cynicism and distrust; Our dread of being lonely is confused by self-doubt and fear of betrayal. Give us a new vision, O God, of joining the glad company of the trustworthy and true sauntering about putting to shame the deceivers and liars; the mongers of fear, and the pretenders that there is no hope We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. * Assurance of Forgiveness Church, who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ and Christ lived for us, Christ, died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. We are a forgiven people. Let us sing praise to the God who forgives. * Response Hymn 48 Rain Down RAIN DOWN * Passing of the Peace The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Prayer for Illumination Old Testament Exodus 20:1-15 The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! New Testament Romans 12:9-21 The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! Sermon The Ethics of Hodgepodge Jim Lowry Silent Meditation

3 * Hymn 754 Help Us Accept Each Other sung to AURELIA * Affirmation of Faith (from A Declaration of Faith) We acknowledge God is at work here and now when people show personal concern for each other and work to make helping agencies, including the church itself, more compassionate. We believe God sends us to risk our own peace and comfort in compassion for our neighbors. We are to give to them and receive from them, accepting everyone we meet as a person; to be sensitive to those who suffer in body or mind; to help and accept help in ways that affirm dignity and responsibility. We must not limit our compassion to those we judge deserving, for we ourselves do not deserve the compassion of God. Amen. Our Life Together (Please sign the pad located in your pew) Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Prayer of Dedication Offertory Anthem Beside the Still Waters Rollo Dilworth * Doxology

Prayers of the People Each section of the prayer will conclude: God, in your grace Please respond: Hear our prayer The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom

4 Prayers of the People Each section of the prayer will conclude: God, in your grace Please respond: Hear our prayer The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, And the glory, forever. Amen * Hymn 765 May the God of Hope Go with Us ARGENTINA (sing twice in English) * Charge and Benediction Postlude Prelude for Organ Fanny Mendelssohn (For some, the Voluntary serves as festive music to accompany their going back out into the world. Others prefer to remain seated and listen. Please be mindful of these different needs as you depart. Thank you!) * Please Stand in Body or Spirit. We gather to worship God who is larger than all our imaginations! We encourage all persons to sing the gender nouns and pronouns they prefer in referring to God. WORSHIP NOTES: Women have played a role in the life of the Christian community since the beginning of the church. Today s worship includes the participation of the Presbyterian Women, reminding us of their role and influence. The Call to Worship comes from liturgical resources provided in Horizons. Additionally, musical elements of the service also reflect the role of women: Today s anthem is sung by women of the Chancel Choir, and the Prelude and Postlude were both penned by women composers. Our Life Together Thank You! Head Usher: Paul Tescione Liturgists: Mary Lou Nash & Robin Gaiser Thank you to Karen Rohls for the flowers that decorate the sanctuary this morning, in honor of what would have been Karen and Alfred Rohl s ninth wedding anniversary. Session has called a congregational meeting immediately following 10:30 worship on May 1, 2016 for the purpose of hearing and acting on nominations for new Deacons. The meeting, though brief, is very important for our common life.

5 The final 8:30 service of the year concludes on May 8 so that the congregation may fully participate in our Pentecost celebration on Sunday, May 15 and Youth Sunday on May 22. The last Sunday we will offer Education Hour is May 22. The 8:30 service and Education Hour for children & adults will resume on September 18. Serve Backyard BBQ at the Veterans Restoration Quarters Tuesday, May 3 For the past 7 years a team from GCPC has cooked and served a hamburger supper for veterans the first Tuesday of each month. You can join them for one evening or long term. After cooking and serving join the veterans at the table to share the meal. Reservations are not required. Come around 4:30 and you will have a job. Global Missions Prayer Partners Sunday, May 1 11:30 AM Narthex What if prayers can unite the world? In May, we begin our month-long prayer partnering with Mark and Jenny Bent-Hare and the folks they work with in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Six individuals/families will be able to sign up to become a prayer partner. They will share prayer requests and continue to pray for one another during that month. Please sign up after worship! Room In The Inn would like to thank ALL of its volunteers. We had over 50 people that helped make RITI a success! Your time and donations are greatly appreciated. Our next RITI will be June Grow Marketplace, AD Vacation Bible School June 20-23, 2016 Marketplace is for children ages 3 years old (by January 1st 2016 AND potty trained) through children who will be completing 5th grade. All forms and payment need to be turned in to Nancy Quick no later than May 15th. They are located in the Information Station and on our website. Youth and adult volunteers are also needed. Heather at hgast@gcpcusa.org for more information Summer Women s Memoir Series 7:00 PM Library Join us for a series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Hosted by Heather Gast, Rebecca Gurney, and Samantha Gonzalez-Block and open to all women of the church. One copy of each book can be found in the newly revamped library annex upstairs in the Memorial Garden Overlook. Please pre-read the books to ensure lively discussion. June 6 I Am Malala Malala Yousafzai July 11 Leaving Church Barbara Brown-Taylor August 8 Lit Mary Karr Care Church Anniversary Potluck / Picnic Sunday May 1 Grace Covenant is turning 63! Come celebrate with us! Bring a dish to share and a chair or blanket to enjoy lunch together immediately following the 10:30 service. Fried chicken and drinks will be provided. We need volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up! Contact David Bailey at or dbailey@unitedwayabc.org or Serge Kavalhuna at skavalhuna@charter.net.

6 Flower Power Planting Sunday May 1 at the Church picnic This year the World Garden (beside the church offices) will be planted with flowers and cared for by the youth and children throughout the summer. Our hope is to provide beauty and fresh arrangements in the narthex. Join us during the picnic as we sow the seeds on this wonderful project. New Member Sunday May 1 On May 1, we will be introducing New Members to the congregation. If membership is something you would like to explore or just have some questions about, please contact Heather Gast, Rebecca Gurney, or Samantha Gonzalez-Block. A huge thank you to everyone who donated to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Our donation total is $2, Circle meetings: # 1-5/3 10 AM WNC Baptist Home 213 Richmond Hill Dr. Leader - Nan Clarke # 2-5/3 7:30 PM Robin Gaiser 7 Governors Dr. Leader - Linda Stirk # 3-4/26 7 PM Grace Hall 57 Greenwells Glory Leader - Keaton Hill # 4-5/5 7 PM Frances Johnson 23 The Old Run Leader - Mary Lou Nash # 5-5/2 10 AM Margaret Kennedy 54 Pinnacle Pl. Leader - Susie Churchfield Prayer List [We are happy to pray for anyone who is in need. Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.] Jerusalem Church congregation; Linda Albin (Les & Susan Stradley's friend); JoDell Hawthorne (Donna Robertson's cousin); Natalie DeVito (Karen Rohls' daughter); Tricia & Steve Minnick (Mary Lou Nash's friends); Susie Moore (Ray Kisiah s sister); Lindsae Becker (Tyler Anders friend); Bob McMillan (Ashley Park s father); Ian Craig (Mary Craig s son); Kathy Dowdle (Karen Rohls friend); Miranda Roop (Cindy Roop s sister); Jose Palacios (Marie Palacios husband); Pam Morrell (Penny Ponder s daughter); Betsy Needle (Robin Gaiser s friend); Debbie Bartlet (Laura Ross friend); Greg Young (Leslie Sharpe s brother); April Alexander (Robbie Hassall s friend); Bob Keever (Cynthia Keever s dad); Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross dad); Penny Mattice (Pete Mattice s mother and Tiffany Kinnaird s grandmother); Bob Coffin (Jeanne Coffin s uncle); Lucille Skaggs (Teresa Stern s aunt); Family of Matt Starr; Scott MacNeil; Emma, Savannah and Summer; Heath & Peggy Rada (Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly); Barbara McLean (Moderator of WNC Presbytery); Barrett & Ali Payne (In Seminary); Jack & Betty Smith; Mimi Aldridge; Susan Stradley; Virginia Bradley; Donald Dossey; Hettie Lou Garland; Jane Lee Vondette; Gerry Simons; Pat Callison; Robert Miller; Mary Mallard Youth News Youth Group "Greenworks Creek Clean Up" Sunday April PM Meet/pick up GCPC parking lot Get ready to make our county a greener, cleaner place! Let's meet at GCPC and carpool to Beaverdam Creek where we will be doing a fun clean up with fellow youth from Grace United Methodist Church. Dress to get wet (wear old sneakers/clothes and bring a towel). We will return to GCPC for an early dinner and pick up. Feel free to bring a change of clothes. This will be super fun!

7 Next Sunday s Education for All Ages 9:15 AM Special Adult Education Offering May 1, 8, & 15 9:15 AM Fellowship Hall An Inquiry into Things Presbyterian Cam Murchison and Rebecca Gurney While there are deep continuities among all forms of Christianity, specific Christian denominations have their distinctive quirks, questions, and qualities. We will look at how Presbyterianism emerged and developed historically, how it has organized its common life, and some of the distinctive affirmations of faith that have guided it. You re welcome whether you are new to Presbyterianism, whether you have specific questions about some of its quirks or qualities, whether you didn t know there was anything else, or whether you could care less. Pressure Points Library Pressure Points class explores thorny issues that challenge us and the 21st century church. During April and May members of our congregation as well as church staff will lead us in exploring the Problem and Possibility of Prayer. What is your relationship with prayer? What is prayer? All are welcomed to learn, listen and question together. Journeys Jerusalem Room The Journeys class discusses and analyzes everything from scriptural texts, to historical expressions of faith, to current writings. In May we will spend four weeks discussing the life and writings of Paul (Romans). Each class is conceived as a standalone unit, so come as you are able. Tadd Clarkson will be leading the discussion. Bible Study Sunroom Over the course of this year, we will be diving into scripture as we study a book of the Bible together. No preparation needed, just show up. Currently we are studying the gospel of Mark. CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION [Contact Heather or Samantha] Preschool: Parable of the Mustard Seed Elementary: Parable of the Good Samaritan Middle School Get ready for a great morning discussing tough questions about our faith with Ryan and Leah! This Sunday, we will think deeply about the divine and human nature of Jesus. Come ready to explore this together and enjoy delicious breakfast snacks. Senior High Let's journey through the Wired Word curriculum with Sheryl and Amy. This class discusses this week's headlines through the lens of our faith. Come enjoy delicious breakfast snacks and great conversation with fellow youth! Next Sunday, May 1, 2016 Sixth Sunday of Easter Education Hour at 9:15 AM Worship at 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM Sermon: All God s Critters Got a Place in the Choir by Cam Murchison Scriptures: Psalm 148; Romans 8:18-21

CALENDAR April Sunday 24 PW Sunday 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education Hour 11:30 AM Worship 2:00 PM Youth Group 5:00 PM Children s choir Tuesday 26 Presbytery at Montreat 8:45 AM 12 Baskets Cafe 9:00

8 CALENDAR April Sunday 24 PW Sunday 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education Hour 11:30 AM Worship 2:00 PM Youth Group 5:00 PM Children s choir Tuesday 26 Presbytery at Montreat 8:45 AM 12 Baskets Cafe 9:00 AM Prayer Group Wednesday 27 11:00 AM Bible study 6:00 PM Handbell choir 7:00 PM Chancel choir May Sunday 1 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education Hour 9:15 AM Special Education class 10:00 AM New members 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Congregational meeting 11:30 AM Church anniversary picnic 12:00 PM Youth Group 5:00 PM Children s choir

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org April 10, 2016 10:30 am Third Sunday of Easter Calling St. Paul by He Qi The Apostle Paul reminds us that whoso would be a Christian