GraceCovenantPresbyterianChurchAsheville,NorthCarolina

www.gcpcusa.org

November20,2016–10:30amCalledtoChrist–CalledtoPrepare

Thefuturebelongstothosewhoprepareforittoday.

~MalcolmX

Prelude JesusShallReignWhere’retheSun arr.Paxton

* CalltoWorship GodhasaccomplishedallthingsthroughChrist,

sothatwemightliveasGod’sownchildren.LetusgivethankstoourmightyGodAndliveforthepraiseofGod’sglory.

*Hymn267 ComeChristians,JointoSing MADRID

*CalltoReconciliation

*PrayerofConfession Godofloving-kindness,weconfessthatattimeswehavenotlovedyouwithourfullhearts,norhavewelovedourneighborsasourselves.Wehaveallowedselfishnessandfeartoclaimus,insteadofextendinghandsofcompassionandcaring.Forourcountlessshortcomings,havemercyonus.Inyourinfinitegrace,cleanseourheartsandrenewourspirits.RestoretousthejoyofyoursalvationandsustainuswithyourbountifulSpirit.Amen.

*AssuranceofForgiveness

* Response

* PassingofthePeace ThePeaceofChristbewithyou. Andalsowithyou.

FaithSharingwithChildren OurLifeTogether(Pleasesignthepadlocatedinyourpew)

PrayerforIllumination NewTestament Luke23:33-43

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Anthem CantanteDomino GiuseppePitoni OldTestament Jeremiah23:1-6

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Sermon “GoodNeighbors” SamanthaGonzalez-Block

SilentMeditation

* Hymn187 Savior,LikeaShepherdLeadUs BRADBURY*AffirmationofFaith(fromtheUnitedChurchofCanada)

WebelieveinGod:whohascreatedandiscreating,whohascomeinJesus,theWordmadeflesh,toreconcileandmakenew,whoworksinusandothersbytheSpirit.

WetrustinGod.WearecalledtobetheChurch:tocelebrateGod'spresence,tolivewithrespectinCreation,toloveandserveothers,toseekjusticeandresistevil,toproclaimJesus,crucifiedandrisen,ourjudgeandourhope.

Inlife,indeath,inlifebeyonddeath,Godiswithus.ThanksbetoGod.

CalledtoPrepare AaronSchnurbusch

Offering(PleaseplaceprayercardsintheofferingplateforthePrayersofthePeople) Offertory OLoveThatWiltNotLetMeGo arr.Peace * Doxology

* PrayerofDedicationGentleandmightyCreator,maythesegenerousgifts,offeredinyourname,beusedforyoursacredpurpose.Equipusthisdaytoinvestinbringinghealing,reconciliation,peaceandcompassiontoourcommunityandworld.InJesus’namewepray,Amen.

PrayersofthePeople Eachsectionoftheprayerwillconclude:“God,inyourgrace” Pleaserespond:“Hearourprayer”TheLord’sPrayer

OurFather,whoartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname,Thykingdomcome, thywillbedone,Onearthas it isinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread;andforgiveus our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead usnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,forever.Amen.

*Hymn268 CrownHimWithManyCrowns DIADEMATA

*Charge&Benediction

* Postlude WhenInOurMusicGodisGlorified arr.Broughton -------------------------------------------------(Forsome,theVoluntaryservesasfestivemusictoaccompanytheirgoingbackoutintotheworld.Othersprefertoremainseatedandlisten.Pleasebemindfulofthesedifferentneedsasyoudepart.Thankyou!)

*PleaseStandinBodyorSpirit.

WegathertoworshipGodwhoislargerthanallourimaginations!WeencourageallpersonstosingthegendernounsandpronounstheypreferinreferringtoGod.

AdventWaitingTheseasonofAdventbeginsSunday,November27.Itmarksatimeofwaitingfor the Incarnation—Godwithus in thebirthof Jesus.What canwedo togetready?

OurCelebrationTeamwillprovideGraceCovenantopportunitiesforallagestoexperiencethedeepandwonderfulmeaningofthispartofthechurchyear.

EachSunday inAdventwill highlight awordandanopportunity to reachoutinto our larger community. Blessings to one and all as we help each otherprepareforJesus’birth.

November27—VisionBe open to newdreams. Be open tomessages of hope and how a new visionemerges from there. Youwill notice something different on our chancel thatwill help us prepare for Jesus’ birth. For the next three weeks gifts will becollected from this special place and delivered to various agencies here inAsheville.While we arewaiting for themiracle of Christmaswe can practiceagainandagainmakingroominourheartsforEmmanuel.

OurLifeTogether…

ThankYou!HeadUsher:BillWolcott|Liturgists:RayShem&IsabelRaustol

WewelcomeguestorganistScottCoatestoGraceCovenantthismorning.Scottisafree-lanceorganistandstudiedorganatAsburyUniversityinWilmore,Kentucky.HeisanativeofAshevilleandworksfortheAdministrativeOfficeoftheCourts.

TheroseinthechancelthismorningisinhonorofthebirthofAramKeaneBakeronFriday,November11th.Congratulationstoparents,JadeandKevinBaker,andsiblings,AvniandRylan.ThankyoutoJeannetteWilliamsfortheflowersthatdecoratethesanctuarythismorning,giventothegloryofGod,withthanksgivingandinlovingmemoryofJeannette’shusband,Al.

DeaconoftheWeek:NanClarke,email:frauclarke41@gmail.comEachweekwefeatureadeaconwhoisavailableforanyneedsyoumayhaveduringtheweek(praying,churchtour,otherassistance.)Thisdeaconwillbewearingapurplesashandwillbestationedinthenarthexbefore10:30worshipandatthefrontofthesanctuaryafterworship.

ElderandDeaconNominationsfor2017TheNominatingCommitteeisseekingrecommendationsfromthecongregationforpersonstoserveasanElderorDeacon.PleasefillouttheenclosedcardandputintheofferingplateorcontactSherrieatsmeehan@gcpcusa.orgbySunday,December4.PleasespecifyifyouarenominatingsomeoneforElderorDeacon.StewardshipUpdateWehavereceived$633,500inpledgessofarforthe2017campaign.Thankyou!TheStewardshipCommittee'sgoalistoraise$760,000inpledges.Weneed$127,000toreachourgoal.Pleasemakeyourpledgefortheupcomingyearbyfillingoutapledgecardoremailinggiving@gcpcusa.orgsothatwecanreachourgoal.

TheStewCrewiseagertotellyoumoreabouthowyourpledgematters.FeelfreetocontactPaulTierneypaul@weavervillereality.net,KateShemkateshem@gmail.com,JoeBrumitjoeb@ncarbys.com,orMargaretTierneymargarettierney6@gmail.com.

SERVERoomInTheInn|December11–18Asalwayswewillofferloveandasafe,welcomingplaceforupto12homelesswomeninourfellowshiphall,startingwithSundaydinneron12/11throughbreakfast12/18.Pleasesignuptobeanovernighthost,toprepareameal,tohelpsetup,transport,orcleanup.Signuphere:http://signup.com/go/kU3i87orinthenarthexafterworshiptoday!Wearealsolookingforarelaxingeveningactivityforthewomen:music,nail-painting,make-upenhancing,massage,story-telling.Letusknowifyouhavegiftstoshare.ContactSusanPressonat4pressons@gmail.comorBethPhilipsenatonthecove@charter.net.GreenOpportunitiesThanksgivingDinner|Tuesday,November22|5–7PMGreenOpportunitieswillhostits3rdannualThanksgivingDinner!Wehopeyouwillconsiderjoiningthisyear!Thecommunitymealisfree,butthenonprofitwillbetakingdonationsatthedoor.DinnerwillbeattheArthurR.EdingtonEducation&CareerCenter,133LivingstonStreet.Tocarpool,pleasemeetinthechurchparkinglotat4:30PM.Moreinformationcanbefoundhere:goo.gl/yBNVoY. Questions?ContactKateShematkateshem@gmail.com. EblenCharitiesToyStoreVolunteering|WestGateShoppingCenter|Wed.,Dec.14&Thur.,Dec.15|9:45AM–8:15PM|MultipleShiftsAvailableThroughEblenCharities,theSaintNicholasProjectallowsfamiliesto"shop"forChristmasgifts,clothes,food,andotheritemsfortheirchildreninourcommunitytohelpensurethattheirChristmasesareabitbrighterandprovidehopeforthecomingyear.GraceCovenantneedsyourhelptocoverallvolunteershiftsonourdesignateddays(12/14&12/15).Signupinthenarthexafterworshiptoday.SteadfastHouseNeedsVolunteers!SteadfastHouseneedsvolunteerstoreadtochildrenfrom7-8PM,whicheverdaysyoucan.PleasecontactJudithWalterat828-398-6985ifyoucanhelp.ReclaimingChristmas-GiftsThatMakeaDifference|AdventatGCPCNineAlternativeChristmasGiftsthatgivetomorethanjusttherecipient.ThesegiftsareawaytohonortheChristChildbydirectlysupportingthoseforwhomheshowedspecialconcern.Pleaselookforour‘ReclaimingChristmasStation’inthenarthexonSundayNovember27,December4,11,and18th.LocalMinistriesinclude:BeLovedHouse,FoodConnection,HomewardBound,Read2Succeed,VeteransRestorationQuarters,ABCCM,Wheels4Hope.InternationalMinistriesinclude:GuatemalaScholarshipFund,HealingArtsMission–Haiti,MarkHareandJennyBent(PCUSA)-HaitiandtheDominicanRepublic.WinterClothingDriveforAHOPE|4DaysLeft!Pleasedonatethefollowingitemsifyouhavethem:handwarmers,gloves,hats/toboggans,socks(menandwomen)andcoughdrops.PleaseputitemsinbinsnearthefrontofthechurchbeforeThanksgivingDay.

GrowUpcoming16for16Events: IntentionalConversation#1|Friday,December2|6:30–8PM|Sanctuary WithTonyJohnsonandotherofficersabouthowAshevilleofficersaredealing withrace.

AdventEvent|Sunday,December4|4–5:30PM|FellowshipHallAllagesarewelcometocomeandengagetheseasoninamyriadofways:makingadventcandlecreationstotakehome,designingyourownedibleadventwreath,makingcardsforourat-homemembers,creatingagroupartproject,orreadingquietlyinasetapartdevotionalspace.Questions?Pleaseemailhgast@gcpcusa.org.

LongestNightService|December18|7PM|SanctuaryOnthelongestnightoftheyear,weareparticularlymindfulofallamonguswhoaregrievingorstrugglingthisAdventandChristmas,andwesetasidetimetocometogetherbeforeGodinthemidstofthatpain.AllarewelcometogatherforprayerfulworshipofJesus,thelightoftheworld,whoiswithuseveninthedarkness.Childcareavailableuponrequest;emailsmeehan@gcpcusa.orgbyDec.11.

ChristmasEveServices|December245PM|ANightLikeNoOther–ServiceforallagesCallingallangels,shepherds,andwisewomenandmen:Thisserviceistrulyatreatwithcarols,readingsofthefirstChristmas,andallthechildrenofGraceCovenanttakingpart!Kids,arrivealittleearlytopickoutyourcostume.Hopetoseeyouthere!9PM|CandlelightCommunionServiceofLessonsandCarolsThe9:00PMservicewillincludefamiliarcarols,scriptureandHolyCommunionaswegathertocelebratetheNativityofourLord.2017WinterWomen’sMemoirSeries|Mondays|6PM|JerusalemRoomJoinusforaseriesofbooktalksfocusingonmemoirswrittenbypeopleoffaith.HostedbyHeatherGastandSamanthaGonzalez-Blockandopentoallwomenofthechurch.OnecopyofeachbookcanbefoundinthenewlyrevampedlibraryannexupstairsintheMemorialGardenOverlook.Pleasepre-readthebookstoensurelivelydiscussionbutcomeeitherway! January30|LoveWarrior|GlennonDoyleMelton

February27|MyBelovedWorld|SoniaSotomayorMarch27|Dimestore|LeeSmith

SistersattheSea|February2–5,2017|FollyBeach,SC|$160Areyouawomenage25-50ishwhowouldlikeaweekendofcontemplationandtogetherness?Markyourcalendarsforour8thannualSOS(“saveoursanity”/“sistersatthesea”/”womenneedingtoreplenishandrejuvenate”)retreat!Thisyear’sleaderwillbeMargaretLaMotteTorrence.ShewillbeguidingusinacloselookatscripturesinvolvingJesus’encounterswithwomenandwhatthatlookslikeforustoday.EarlyBirdRegistrationbeginsnow!!Ifyoureserveyourspotnowwitha$40non-refundabledeposit,YOURECEIVE$10OFFTHEWEEKEND!!!EarlyBirdregistrationsmustbereceivedwithdepositbyDecember11thforthediscount.RegistrationendsonJanuary15th.Scholarshipsavailableuponrequest.

CareGriefSupportGathering|Thursday,December1|6:30PM|GCPCYouareinvitedtojoinusforaworkshop,“WritingTowardHealing:AGatheringforThoseLivingwithLoss.”Youdon’tneedtoconsideryourselfawritertoattend.(Andyourlossneedn’thavebeenrecent.)Joinusforanopportunitytoexploreourdeepestfeelingsinasupportiveenvironment.Throughwriting,wewillgentlyreflect,remember,andhonorourlovedones.Andwewilldiscoverinnerresourceswehadnoideawerewithinus.Tosignup,emailrgurney@gcpcusa.org.

Thefacilitator,CarolHenderson,istheauthorofLosingMalcolm:AMother'sJourneyThroughGriefandFartherAlong:TheWritingJourneyofThirteenBereavedMothers.Sheisawriter,teacher,editorandwritingcoach.Carolleadswritingworkshopsaroundthecountryinmanysettings,includinginchurches,withhospicestaffs,andatretreats.Youcanreadmoreaboutherat:www.carolhenderson.comPrayerList[Wearehappytoprayforanyonewhoisinneed.Concernswillstayonthislistforamonthunlesswehearotherwise.Pleasekeepusupdated.]JerusalemChurchcongregation;BobKeever(CynthiaKeever’sdad);KarenArrowood(TeresaStern’scousin);MargoSteyer(Lynne&RickNoble’smother);NatalieDeVito(KarenRohl’sdaughter);KathyDowdle(KarenRohl’sfriend);AnnEverettBelk(MargaretTierney’smother);ChrisDixon(JohnandMarciaMountShoop’sgodson); BetsyNeedle(RobinGaiser’sfriend);GlennRussell(RobinGaiser’sbrother);EvelynMilford(MaryGreen’ssister);MichaelGalovic(TamaraPuffer’shusband);JohnRichardson(JimRichardson’sbrother);FamilyofKathyPowell(PeggyRada’scousin);TalmageFish(PeggyRada’sbrother);BarbaraMcLean(ModeratorofWNCPresbytery);Barrett&AliPayne(InSeminary);Craig,ElsaandJosiePlocica(SherylAikman’sfamily);BettySmith;SusanStradley;VirginiaBradley;HettieLouGarland;PatCallison;GerrySimons;DotHolladay;JerryBleckley;RayKisiah;MauriceStone;JudyBlatchley;BeckyStradley

YouthNewsRegisterTODAYforAtlantaWinterMissionEducationTrip|January13-16Registerforthisadventuretoremember!Inacitywithadeep-rootedconnectiontotheCivilRightsmovement,wewillexploreracialinequality,povertyandfoodinsecuritytoday.Wewillbehostedby"DOORAtlanta"andengageinmeaningfulservicethroughoutthecity.Thistripwillbeablast!TheAtlantaRegistrationformcanbefoundattheInformationStationorcontactSamantha,sgblock@gcpcusa.orgSeniorHigh"FootballWatchParty"|TODAY,Sunday,Nov20|12-4PM|MollydeMattos'house|Meet/pickupatGCPCCourtyardComeforasuperfunafternoonofwatchingthebiggame,playingpinballandPac-man,andspendingtimewithsomeawesomepeople.Sodasandpizzawillbeprovided!Pleasebringextrasnackstoshare.MeetKatieinthecourtyardafterchurchandwewilltraveltheretogether.MiddleSchoolBrunch"MODPizza"|TODAY,Sunday,Nov20|12-1:30PM|MODPizza(873MerrimonAve.)|Meet/pickupGCPCCourtyardMiddleSchoolers,getreadyforayummyafternoon.Thiswillbeatimetohangout,playsomegames,andshareaboutthejoysandstrugglesofschool/family/life.Thisissuretobeagreattime.Bring$10-$15dollarsforlunch(scholarshipsavailable).MeetSamanthainthecourtyardafterchurchandwewillwalktheretogether.REGISTERBYSUNDAY,DECEMBER4th:Confirmation:Classof2017|January-May20178th&9thgraders(&olderyouthwhohaven'tbeenconfirmed),weinviteyoutojointhisyear'sconfirmationclass.Confirmationisasacredprocesswhereyouthdeeplyexploretheirfaithtogetherandconsiderformallyjoiningthechurch.Weencourageyoutotakepartinthisexcitingmilestone.RegistrationformcanbefoundintheInformationStationorcontactSamanthasgblock@gcpcusa.org

NextSunday’sEducationforAllAges|9:15AM

AdultEducationAdventTerm|November27–December18

TheImprov:ResponsiveFaithinanEver-ChangingWorld|JerusalemRoomDuringAdvent,TheImprovClass,hostedbyDeanPresson,willreadAdventandChristmasWisdomfromHenriNouwen.Thisbook,compiledbyJudithA.Bauer,hasdailydevotionalswhichinclude:readingsfromNouwen’sworkandfromscripture,ashortprayer,andthenanAdvent“action.”EachSunday,wewilllookataweek’sworthofshortreadings.Participantscanexpectadiscussion-basedatmospherewhereweprobeNouwen’smeaningandideas,readimportanttextsclosely,andmaybeevenroleplayhereandthere.Someofusmaychoosetocommittosomeofthebook’s“Adventactions.”

AskingtheHardQuestions:PressurePoints|ChoirRoomThisclassexploresthornyissuesandnewideasthatchallengeuswherewelive,attheintersectionofourfaithandtheworld.DuringtheAdventterm,wearereadinganddiscussingBishopSpong’sbookBiblicalLiteralism:AGentileHeresy.

DiggingIn:EncounteringScripture|SunroomDuringAdvent,DiggingInwillstudyWalterBrueggemann’sshortbookNamesfortheMessiah.ChristianshaveclaimedfromthebeginningthatJesuswastheMessiahforetoldintheOldTestament,andinthisbookBrueggemanntacklesthequestions:"WhatweretheMessianicexpectations?"and"DidJesusfulfillthem?”WewillreadashortchaptertogetherduringtheweekandthencomewithourthoughtsandquestionsonSundaymorning.Joinusforatimeofsong,prayer,andlivelydiscussion.

CHILDREN&YOUTHEDUCATION[ContactHeatherorSamantha]

Preschool/Kindergarten:HolyFamily/Advent1Elementary:HolyFamily/Advent1

MiddleSchoolLet'scontinuedivingintoourfaithtogether.NextSunday,wewillexplorethequestion"IsJesustheonlywaytoheaven?"withBonnieandLegare.Enjoyabagelbreakfastandagreattime!

SeniorHighGetreadytolearnandgrowtogether,withteachers,Sheryl,AmyW.andAmyP.Wewilllookatthisweek'sheadlinesthroughthelensoffaith.Comeenjoyadeliciousbagelbreakfastandgreatconversationwithfellowyouth!

NextSunday,November27,2016FirstSundayofAdvent

Worshipat8:30&10:30AMEducationHourat9:15AM

Sermon:“TheWaitingGame”byRebeccaGurneyScriptures:Isaiah2:1-5;Matthew24:36-44

CALENDAR Sunday 20 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM EducationHour 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Deacons 11:45 AM SafetyTraining 12:15 PM SeniorHighFootballWatchParty 12:15 PM MiddleSchoolBrunch 4:00 PM PWCoordinatingTeam 5:00 PM Children’sChoirs Tuesday 22 9:00 AM PrayerGroup 5:15 PM BuildingComm.Mtg. 6:00 PM PropertyComm.Mtg. Wednesday2311:00 AM BibleStudy 11:45 AM Sanctuaryopenforprayer 7:00 PM ChoirPractice Thursday24–Friday25 Officeclosed Sunday 27 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM EducationHour 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM ReclaimingChristmas