Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

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Dec 24, 2017 - Spoken Prayer. Merciful God,. At times we forget your grace, forgetting that grace calls us to change our
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org

December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent



I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. ~ Psalm 130:5-6

Prelude Of the Father’s Love Begotten Mark Hayes Advent Preparation for Worship Sung Prayer Wait for the Lord Chancel Choir & Congregation



* Litany

With the gift of healing, Come, Lord Jesus. With the promise of redemption, Come, Lord Jesus. As the embodiment of love, Come, Lord Jesus. As our long-awaited Messiah, Come, Lord Jesus.

Scripture & Reflection Sung Call to Reconciliation

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26



Richard Coble





















TAIZÉ



O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. When I call, answer me. O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. Come and listen to me. * Prayer of Confession

Silent Prayer

Spoken Prayer Merciful God, At times we forget your grace, forgetting that grace calls us to change our lives, to lead lives of generosity, forgiveness, and restitution. At other times, we mistake your grace for cheap grace, hoping for a easy way out of situations that call for our attention and diligence. On this advent morning, inspire within us the life-changing memory of your love in Christ, and the faithfulness to look for his return in hope. Amen. * Assurance of Forgiveness * Response TAIZÉ

The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise: all my hope comes from God. The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise: God, the well-spring of life. Scripture & Reflection Luke 1:26-38 Samantha Gonzalez-Block

Sung Response





Glory to God



















TAIZÉ











Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Offertory Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus John Turner



Prayers of the People



Come and Fill Our Hearts







TAIZÉ



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.

Scripture & Reflection

Romans 16:25-27



Marcia Mount Shoop



Sung Blessing





In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful

* Benediction & Passing of the Peace * Postlude Divinum Mysterium -------------------------------------------------



TAIZÉ

















Wait for the Lord, Jacques Berthier © 1984 Les Presses de Taize (admin. GIA Publications.Inc.) All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Copyright license Onelicense.net A-724-337. O Lord, Hear My Prayer, Jacques Berthier © 1982 Les Presses de Taize (admin. GIA Publications.Inc.) All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Copyright license Onelicense.net A-724-337. Glory to God, Jacques Berthier © 1979 Les Presses de Taize (admin. GIA Publications.Inc.) All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Copyright license Onelicense.net A-724-337. Come and Fill Our Hearts, Jacques Berthier © 1982 Les Presses de Taize (admin. GIA Publications.Inc.) All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Copyright license Onelicense.net A-724-337. In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful, Jacques Berthier © 1986 Les Presses de Taize (admin. GIA Publications.Inc.) All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Copyright license Onelicense.net A-724-337.





(For some, the Postlude 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.





Our Life Together…





Thank You! Head Usher: Betsy Wilson

Deacon of the Week: Alice Schmitz, email: [email protected]

This year, our Advent Ministry Partner is Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community (AWITSC). AWITSC creates safe spaces for young people of color to express themselves creatively through creative writing and the arts. Programs include "Word on the Street," a bilingual arts and culture magazine for and by youth; Family Voices, a family writing program, and residencies by local Artist Mentors. Our Christmas Eve offering will support the important work of AWITSC.

2018 Flower Chart (on bulletin board next to elevators) Sign up for flowers in the sanctuary! Email your bulletin dedication to Anna Louise at [email protected] and send in your check to GCPC for $45.

Christmas Eve Services

Sunday, December 24 5 PM | A Night Like No Other – Service for all ages Calling all angels, shepherds, and wise women and men: This service is full of joy and wonder with carols, stories of the first Christmas, and all the children of Grace Covenant taking part! Kids, arrive a little early to pick out your costume. Hope to see you there! 9 PM | Candlelight Communion Service The 9:00 PM service will include Holy Communion as we gather to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.

The church office will be closed Monday – Wednesday, December 25-27th.

Sunday, December 31 | 10:30 AM Service only | (No 8:30 service or Education Hour)

The church office will be closed on Monday, January 1st. Creating Sanctuary Team Meeting | Sun., January 14 | 11:45 AM | Indie Room The agenda will include updates on current and new initiatives.

PART (Power & Race Team) MLK Commemoration Pilgrimage | April 2 - 5, 2018 | Memphis, TN April 4, 2018 marks the 50th commemoration of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Power and Race Team (PART) is planning a four-day intergenerational pilgrimage to Memphis to participate in this national remembrance. The cost, payable to GCPC, will vary from $300 - $700 per person, depending on food, lodging, and activity choices. There may be additional food and travel costs not included in this amount. Please contact Amy Wiesner at [email protected]; Susie Wheelis at [email protected]; or Nancy Gaskin at [email protected] with questions. The Racial Justice Book Club | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 12:15 PM | Jerusalem Room This year, GCPC is committing to reading a book every month by an author of color who examines issues of race and justice. In the winter, we will be reading four novels: January - The Color Purple by Alice Walker, February - Sula by Toni Morrison, March - The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and April - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. The book club will be meeting the second Thursday of every month.

Serve

VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Next cook date: January 2 If you would like to join the list of Veteran Restoration Quarter’s cooks and servers please email Anna Louise at [email protected]. By joining you will receive a monthly notification. If it fits your schedule for that date, you will come at 4:15 to cook or 5:45 to serve the evening meal. After serving, you may join the veterans to share the meal & conversation. Email Bill Neeriemer, [email protected], with questions. “Reclaiming Christmas” | Alternative Gift Giving Guide If you are looking for a way to give a gift that keeps on giving and that directly impacts our Ministry Partners, “Reclaiming Christmas” is a great way to do both. We have community partners in Asheville, Guatemala and Haiti. Click on a link to make an online donation directly to the nonprofit of your choice. If you would like to make your donation in memory or in honor of someone this holiday season, you can get a card indicating your gift from Anna Louise in the main office or after 10:30 worship on Sundays in the narthex during Advent season. (If you need Anna Louise to resend the gift giving guide, please email her at [email protected]).

Care

Sisters at the Sea | February 1-4, 2018 | Bodies Alive! | Folly Beach, SC | $180 Are you a women age 25ish-50ish who would like a weekend of connecting and rejuvenating? Mark your calendars for our 9th annual SOS (“save our sanity”/“sisters at the sea”) retreat! Marcia will lead us in spiritual practices, energy work and movement to help revitalize our bodies. Registration ends on January 14th. Forms available at Info Station or online. Scholarships available upon request.

SOS ~ Save Our Sanity | 7 PM | Meets first Monday of the month A social, prayer, support group for mothers of young children! Come with an appetizer or dessert; leave the kids at home. Together, we'll create the fun and support we need as we work to raise our little ones. To be added to the list, email Anna Louise at [email protected]. Next meeting: Monday, January 8 at Amber Cook’s home. A Support Group for Cognitive Impairment | First Wednesday of every month | 12:00 PM | Garden Room | Next meeting: January 3 A support group for those experiencing cognitive impairment or decline. This is a group for people in the early stages of cognitive impairment, whether this means a diagnosis from your physician or just a personal concern that you are having trouble keeping track of things and would like a place to talk about your experiences and concerns. The group will be lead by Paul Rogers, a retired physician in our congregation. Contact Richard if you have any questions.

Grow

There will be NO Bible Study on Wednesday, December 27th. CALENDAR

Dec. Sunday







24 10:30 AM 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Mon.-Wed. 25-27 Sunday 31 10:30 AM Jan. Monday 1

Christmas Eve Worship Family Service Candlelight Communion Service OFFICE CLOSED Christmas Eve Worship OFFICE CLOSED

Prayer List [Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.]

Jerusalem Church congregation; Sherry Harcke (Les and Susan Stradley’s friend); Nikita Norris, Regina Hunter & family (Habitat for Humanity partner family); Betty Weller (sister of Lucy Reiley and Margaret Peery); John Harvey (Penny Harvey’s son); Pat Cocke (Les and Susan Stradley’s friend); Ben Johnston-Krase (Nancy Gaskin’s friend and pastor of the Farm Church); Ron Kaussner (Ron Hawkins’ friend); Betsy Needle (Robin Gaiser’s friend); Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser’s brother); Roy Hicks (Melissa Hicks’ father); Bruce Meyer (Marcia Mount Shoop’s friend); Virginia Bradley; Hettie Lou Garland; Dot Holladay; Jerry Bleckley; Teresa Stern; Cindy Egerer; Gerry Simons; Pat Cheffins; Jana Watts; Serge Kavalhuna; Bob Busey

Mary Mallard, GCPC member, died on Thursday morning. Our sympathy and support are extended to Joanne and Jim Wallis. Please keep their family in your prayers.

Next Sunday, December 31, 2017 First Sunday after Christmas Day

Worship service at 10:30 AM NO 8:30 service or Education Hour

Sermon: “Holding On, Letting Go” by Samantha Gonzalez-Block and Richard Coble Scriptures: Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40