GraceCovenantPresbyterianChurchAsheville,NorthCarolina

www.gcpcusa.org

May1,2016–10:30amSixthSundayofEasterCreationCareSunday

Intergenerationalsolidarityisnotoptional,butratherabasicquestionofjustice,sincetheworldwehavereceivedalsobelongstothosewhowillfollowus.

~fromLaudatoSi’,EncyclicalLetterofPopeFrancis

Prelude FortheBeautyoftheEarth arr.KevinMcChesney * CalltoWorship

TheEarthistheLord'sandthefullnessthereof,theworldandallthatdwellstherein.WeliveinGod'sworld,wearenotalone.Wesharethislifewiththeheavensandtheearth,withthewatersandtheland,withtreesandgrasses,withfish,birds,andanimals,withcreaturesofeveryform,andwithallourbrothersandsisters.Godsawallthatwasmade,andbehold,itwasverygood.

*Hymn32 ISingtheMightyPowerofGod ELLACOMBE *CalltoReconciliation

*SungPrayerofConfession (Thecongregationsingstherefrainaftereachpetition)

Whenweforgetourcalling… Fordiscordanddivision… Whenweignoreyourvision… Forconflictleftunsettled…

Forsuff’ringgoneunnoticed… Forprayingwithoutacting… Forpainwehaveinflicted… Foractingwithoutpraying…

Foralltheworld’sinjustice… Forhecticlivesunfocused… Forallofourindifference… Remindusofyourpresence...

Forfoulingyourcreation… Asweforgiveeachother… Yourearthabusedandbroken… Accordingtoyourpromise…

We’reshackledbyourhabits… Deliverusfromevil… We’rechainedtodisobedience… Forjoyfulservicefreeus…

* AssuranceofForgivenessThegoodnewsisthatChristcallsustonewlifeandenablesustobeginagainandagainandagainandagain.Friends,believethegoodnewsofthegospel.InJesusChristweareforgiven!

* Response

* PassingofthePeace ThePeaceofChristbewithyou. Andalsowithyou.

PrayerforIllumination OldTestament Psalm148

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Anthem EmeraldStream SethHoustonNewTestament Romans8:18-21

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Sermon “AllGod’sCrittersGotaPlaceintheChoir” CamMurchisonSilentMeditation * Hymn713 TouchtheEarthLightly TENDERNESS

* AffirmationofFaith(adaptedfromtheWorldCouncilofChurches) WeaffirmthecreationasbelovedofGod.

WeaffirmthattheworldisGod’shandiwork;thatland,waters,air,forests,mountainsandallcreatures,includinghumanity,are“good”inGod’ssight.

Weresisttheclaimthatanythingincreationismerelyaresourceforhumanexploitation.Weresistspeciesextinctionforhumanbenefit;weresistpollutionofland,airandwaters–allhumanactivitiesthatleadtoclimatedistortionanddisintegrationofcreation.

ThereforewecommitourselvestobemembersofboththelivingcommunityofcreationandthecovenantcommunityofChrist;tobefullco-workerswithGod,respectingtherightsoffuturegenerationstoliveinGod’sgoodcreation.Amen.

OurLifeTogether(Pleasesignthepadlocatedinyourpew) IntroducingNewMembers John&JessicaClark Nancy&KarlLitten MelissaShook&KimHottle Offering(PleaseplaceprayercardsintheofferingplateforthePrayersofthePeople) PrayerofDedication Offertory I’veGotPeaceLikeaRiver arr.KevinMcChesney* Doxology

SacramentoftheLord'sSupperInvitationtoTheTable

PrayerofThanksgiving TheLordbewithyou. Andalsowithyou. Liftupyourhearts. WeliftthemuptotheLord. LetusgivethankstotheLordourGod. ItisrighttogiveGodthanksandpraise!

TheLord’sPrayer(fromtheNewZealandPrayerBook)

EternalSpirit,Earth-maker,Pain-bearer,Life-giver,Sourceofallthatisandthatshallbe,FatherandMotherofusall,LovingGod,inwhomisheaven:

Thehallowingofyournameechothroughtheuniverse!Thewayofyourjusticebefollowedbythepeoplesoftheworld!Yourheavenlywillbedonebyallcreatedbeings!Yourcommonwealthofpeaceandfreedomsustainourhopeandcomeonearth.

Withthebreadweneedfortoday,feedus.Inthehurtsweabsorbfromoneanother,forgiveus.Intimesoftemptationandtesting,strengthenus.Fromtrialstoogreattoendure,spareus.Fromthegripofallthatisevil,freeus.

Foryoureigninthegloryofthepowerthatislove,nowandforever.Amen.

TheBreadAndTheCup

Pleasecomeforwardbythemiddleaisle,beginningwiththefrontpews.Takeapieceofbread,dipitinthecup.Returntoyourpewbytheoutsideaisles.Youmayalsobeservedinyourpew.Pleasenote,ALLbreadisgluten-free.

*Hymn714 GodoftheFertileFields ITALIANHYMN* ChargeandBenediction Postlude He’sGottheWholeWorldinHisHandsarr.KevinMcChesney

-------------------------------------------------ManyandGreat.Text(c)PhilipFrazier1916WaltonMusic.AllRightsReserved.UsedbypermissionofOnelicense.net,licensenumberA-724337

(Forsome,theVoluntaryservesasfestivemusictoaccompanytheirgoingbackoutintotheworld.Othersprefertoremainseatedandlisten.Pleasebemindfulofthesedifferentneedsasyoudepart.Thankyou!)

*PleaseStandinBodyorSpirit.

WegathertoworshipGodwhoislargerthanallourimaginations!WeencourageallpersonstosingthegendernounsandpronounstheypreferinreferringtoGod.

OurLifeTogether…

ThankYou!HeadUsher:BetsyWilson|Liturgist:SusanPressonThankyoutoJeannetteWilliamsfortheflowersthatdecoratethesanctuarythismorning,giventothegloryofGodandincelebrationofgrandsonGuerin’s24thbirthday,May3,andUNCAgraduation,May7;andoftheanniversaryofgrandsonJimmyandwife,Jamie,May2.

TheroseinthechancelisinhonorofthebirthofVivianIsabelBeasleyonApril21st.Congratulationstoparents,JenandJamie,andbigsisters,LuciaandTalia.Aspecialthankyoutoour4thand5thgradecommunionserversthismorning.ThesestudentsparticipatedinourannualLord'sSupperWorkshopafewweeksagoandwearethrilledtohavethemservetoday.Sessionhascalledacongregationalmeetingimmediatelyfollowing10:30worshipTODAYforthepurposeofhearingandactingonnominationsfornewDeacons.Themeeting,thoughbrief,isveryimportantforourcommonlife.ThenominatingcommitteeispleasedtopresentthefollowingnomineesasDeaconsintheclassof2018:MelissaShook,AliceSchmitz,SallyBooher,DeanPressonandPennyHarvey.Thefinal8:30serviceoftheyearconcludesonMay8sothatthecongregationmayfullyparticipateinourPentecostcelebrationonSunday,May15andYouthSundayonMay22.ThelastSundaywewillofferEducationHourisMay22.The8:30serviceandEducationHourforchildren&adultswillresumeonSeptember18.

GrowMarketplace,ADVacationBibleSchool|June20-23,2016Marketplaceisforchildrenages3yearsold(byJanuary1st2016ANDpottytrained)throughchildrenwhowillbecompleting5thgrade.ParticipantsgothroughtheweeklearningabouthowlifewouldhavebeenwhenJesuswasachild.Theytravelinfamilytribes,makebread,getwaterfromthewell,gotothemarketandvisitthesynagogueeachday.Thismulti-churchexperienceisalwaysafavoriteamongourchildrenandfamilies!Also,wehaveamultitudeofvolunteeropportunitiesforyouth(completed6thgradethroughhighschool)andadults(parents,grandparents,etc).Pleaseconsidervolunteeringifyouareable…ittakesover100volunteersaDAYtomakeMarketplacework!Formoreinfo,emailHeatherathgast@gcpcusa.org.Brochures,childregistrationformsandvolunteerregistrationformsareavailableonthewebsiteandattheInformationStation.AllformsandpaymentneedtobeturnedintoNancyQuickbyMay15th.

2016SummerWomen’sMemoirSeries|7:00PM|LibraryJoinusforaseriesofbooktalksfocusingonmemoirswrittenbypeopleoffaith.HostedbyHeatherGast,RebeccaGurney,andSamanthaGonzalez-Blockandopentoallwomenofthechurch.OnecopyofeachbookcanbefoundinthenewlyrevampedlibraryannexupstairsintheMemorialGardenOverlookPleasepre-readthebookstoensurelivelydiscussion.

June6|IAmMalala|MalalaYousafzaiJuly11|LeavingChurch|BarbaraBrown-TaylorAugust8|Lit|MaryKarr

ServeGlobalMissionsPrayerPartners|Sunday,May1|11:30AMWhatifprayerscanunitetheworld?TODAY,webeginourmonth-longprayerpartneringwithMarkandJennyBent-HareandthefolkstheyworkwithintheDominicanRepublicandHaiti.Sixindividuals/familieswillbeabletosignuptobecomeaprayerpartner.TheywillshareprayerrequestsandcontinuetoprayforoneanotherduringMay.Pleaselookforthesignuptableafterworship!BackyardBBQattheVeteransRestorationQuarters|Tuesday,May3Forthepast7yearsateamfromGCPChascookedandservedahamburgersupperforveteransthefirstTuesdayofeachmonth.Youcanjointhemforoneeveningorlongterm.Aftercookingandservingjointheveteransatthetabletosharethemeal.Reservationsarenotrequired.Comearound4:30andyouwillhaveajob.MarketplaceCraftPrep|Tuesday,May10|10AM–12PM|FirstPresbyterianCallingallvolunteers!Oursecondworkdayiscomingupandweneedyourhelp.Wewillbedoingcraftpreptogetreadyforthevacationbibleschool.PleaseemailHeather,hgast@gcpcusa.org,ifyouwouldliketohelp.

CareNancyQuick’sRetirementParty|Sunday,May22PleasejoinusforaveryspeciallunchaswecelebrateNancyQuickandher20yearsofservicetoGraceCovenant.Wewillsendherofftoretirementwithloveimmediatelyfollowingworship,meetinginthefellowshiphall.IfyouwouldliketohelpwiththiseventpleasecontactSandraDykesat828-450-5010orSusanPropstat828-279-6901.

PleasejoinusinwelcomingSherrieMeehanastheincomingOperationsAdministrator.ShewillstartonMay2nd,workingsidebysidewithNancyasthegreattransferofknowledgebegins!Sherriehasanimpressiveresumewithgreatexperienceinavarietyofsettingswithasignificantamountoftimeworkinginchurchadministrationandthestaffisveryexcitedtohaveheronboard.

VolunteerRecognitionDay|Sunday,May15|AfterWorship|CourtyardTHANKYOU!THANKYOU!THANKYOU!Wearesothankfulforourchoirmembers,thatmakeourworshipexperiencesomuchstrongereveryweek!WearesoappreciativeforourSundaySchoolteachersthathelpuscontinuetogrowwhetherweareinpreschooloradultclasses!WearesogratefulforthevolunteersthathelpthischurchrunsmoothlyeveryweekandforvolunteerswhocarryourGCPCloveoutintoourcity!JoinusonMay15thasweofficiallysaythankyoutoeveryonewhotakespartinmakingourcommunitywhatitiswithrefreshmentsinthecourtyardimmediatelyfollowingworship.MayisMentalHealthAwarenessMonthThepartnershipforPastoralCounselingcelebratesits20thyearanniversarywithaworkshopthataimstohelpparticipantsbecomebetterequippedtolivewellandhelpotherslivewellinaworldthatisstrugglingtoconnectacrossdifference:BridgingDifferencesinaPolarizedWorld:SpiritualWisdomandPracticalTools@FirstBaptistChurch(5OakStreet,Asheville,28801)|$20(includeslunch)

• May12,2016|6:30–8:30PM|Keynoters:TerryBellamy&GuySayles• May13,2016|9AM–3:30PM|Presentationsbykeynoters,Personal

storiesfromCommunityLeaders,Skills-focusedworkshopsReserveyourseatsatwww.ppcwnc.orgor828-275-7279.Seatingislimited.PrayerList[Wearehappytoprayforanyonewhoisinneed.Concernswillstayonthislistforamonthunlesswehearotherwise.Pleasekeepusupdated.]JerusalemChurchcongregation;LindaAlbin(Les&SusanStradley'sfriend);JoDellHawthorne(DonnaRobertson'scousin);NatalieDeVito(KarenRohls'daughter);Tricia&SteveMinnick(MaryLouNash'sfriends);LindsaeBecker(TylerAnders’friend);BobMcMillan(AshleyPark’sfather);IanCraig(MaryCraig’sson);KathyDowdle(KarenRohls’friend);MirandaRoop(CindyRoop’ssister);JosePalacios(MariePalacios’husband);PamMorrell(PennyPonder’sdaughter);BetsyNeedle(RobinGaiser’sfriend);DebbieBartlet(LauraRoss’friend);GregYoung(LeslieSharpe’sbrother);AprilAlexander(RobbieHassall’sfriend);BobKeever(CynthiaKeever’sdad);BillRoss(JonathanRoss’dad);PennyMattice(PeteMattice’smotherandTiffanyKinnaird’sgrandmother);BobCoffin(JeanneCoffin’suncle);LucilleSkaggs(TeresaStern’saunt);ScottMacNeil;Emma,SavannahandSummer;Heath&PeggyRada(ModeratorofthePCUSAGeneralAssembly);BarbaraMcLean(ModeratorofWNCPresbytery);Barrett&AliPayne(InSeminary);Jack&BettySmith;MimiAldridge;SusanStradley;VirginiaBradley;DonaldDossey;HettieLouGarland;JaneLeeVondette;GerrySimons;PatCallison;RobertMillerOursympathyandsupportareextendedtoTamaraPufferonthedeathofhermother-in-law,MargaretGalovic,inIndiana.PleasekeepTamaraandherfamilyinyourprayers.

YouthNewsYouthGroup“Picnic,Planting&Planning”|OutsideofGCPC(WorldGarden)|TODAYSunday,May1st|Afterchurch(12)-2PMAreyoureadyforfununderthesun?Todayisanexcitingandimportantgathering!Wewillbeginwithourchurch-wideanniversarypicnic.PleasehaveyouthmeetattheWorldGarden(besidethechurch)by12:15pmforour“FlowerPower”plantingprojectandYouthSundayplanning.Pleasehaveyouthbringcameras/smartphonesandplantostayuntil2pm.Seeyouthere!!Onespotleft!!SeniorHighMontreatYouthConference(June12-18)SeniorHighs(incoming10thgraders–collegefreshman),onespothasopenedupfortheyouthconferencethissummer.Thecostis$385.Wewouldlovetohaveyoutakepartinthisexcitingweekwithfellowyouth!EmailSamanthaatsgblock@gcpcusa.orgASAPifyouwouldliketograbthelastspot!InterestedinjoiningthePresbyteryYouthCouncil?TheYouthMinistryCommitteeofthePresbyteryofWesternNorthCarolinaisseekingrising10th-12thgraderstojointheYouthCouncilfor2016-2017.ThecouncilhelpswithplanningmeaningfulyouthopportunitiesandleadstheMiddleSchoolCampGriertripinNovember.Thisisawonderfulopportunitytomeetotheryouthinourareaandgrowinfaithandleadership.ApplicationsduebyMay23th.

NextSunday’sEducationforAllAges|9:15AM

SpecialAdultEducationOffering|May1,8,&15|9:15AM|FellowshipHallAnInquiryintoThingsPresbyterian|CamMurchisonandRebeccaGurneyWhiletherearedeepcontinuitiesamongallformsofChristianity,specificChristiandenominationshavetheirdistinctivequirks,questions,andqualities.WewilllookathowPresbyterianismemergedanddevelopedhistorically,howithasorganizeditscommonlife,andsomeofthedistinctiveaffirmationsoffaiththathaveguidedit.You’rewelcomewhetheryouarenewtoPresbyterianism,whetheryouhavespecificquestionsaboutsomeofitsquirksorqualities,whetheryoudidn’tknowtherewasanythingelse,orwhetheryoucouldcareless.PressurePoints|LibraryPressurePointsclassexploresthornyissuesthatchallengeusandthe21stcenturychurch.DuringAprilandMaymembersofourcongregationaswellaschurchstaffwillleadusinexploringtheProblemandPossibilityofPrayer.Whatisyourrelationshipwithprayer?Whatisprayer?Allarewelcomedtolearn,listenandquestiontogether.

Journeys|JerusalemRoomTheJourneysclassdiscussesandanalyzeseverythingfromscripturaltexts,tohistoricalexpressionsoffaith,tocurrentwritings.InMaywewillspendfourweeksdiscussingthelifeandwritingsofPaul(Romans).Eachclassisconceivedasastand-aloneunit,socomeasyouareable.TaddClarksonwillbeleadingthediscussion.

BibleStudy|SunroomTheBibleStudyclasshasconcludedfortheyear.InMay,wewillbeparticipatingintheSpecialAdultEducationOffering,AnInquiryintoThingsPresbyterian,heldintheFellowshipHallandledbyCamMurchisonandRebeccaGurney.WelookforwardtobeginningActstogetherinthefall.

CHILDREN&YOUTHEDUCATION[ContactHeatherorSamantha]

Preschool:ParableoftheGoodSamaritanElementary:ParableoftheGreatPearl

MiddleSchool&SeniorHighHeyyouth,areyoureadytogetready?YouthSundayiscomingupinafewweeksandweareexcitedtocontinueplanningandcreatingtogether.MeetintheSeniorHighroomandbringyourenergyandideas.Weareexcitedtomakethisyear'sworshipexperienceawesomeandmeaningful.Seeyouthere!

NextSunday,May8,2016SeventhSundayofEasterEducationHourat9:15AM

Worshipat8:30AM&10:30AM

GuestPreacher:PaulRoberts

CALENDAR

Sunday 1 8:30AM Worship 9:15AM EducationHour 9:15AM SpecialEducationclass

10:00AM Newmembers10:30AM Worship11:30AM Congregationalmeeting

11:30AM Churchanniversarypicnic 12:00PM YouthGroup

5:00PM Children’schoirMonday 2 7:00PM SaveOurSanityTuesday 3 8:45AM 12BasketsCafe

9:00AM PrayerGroup 6:00PM VRQdinner

Wednesday4 11:00AM Biblestudy 6:00PM Handbellchoir 7:00PM Chancelchoir

Saturday 7 9:00AM DeaconTrainingSunday 8 DeaconInstallation

8:30AM Worship 9:15AM EducationHour 9:15AM SpecialEducationclass

10:30AM Worship