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Grace Notes
Volume 44, Issue 5
May 2014
Mutually Encouraged
Last summer, Reverend Samuel Misrowoda and Reverend David Nambu first showed up for worship in the sanctuary of Grace Covenant. Since then, weve enjoyed their company both on Sundays and throughout each week. On May 27, however, they return to Ghana to continue their pastoral ministry. While we will certainly miss their presence, we give thanks for the many blessings God has shared through them. In the fall, they joined in a trip to Shalom Farms. Upon arriving, David remarked, You know, the Lord showed me in a dream that I would see this farm in America. I was meant to come here and serve. They both went on to say how much the farm reminded them of their home, and the blessing it was to serve in a way that God had already shown them. During Advent, the two of them offered healing prayer over many of us at the conclusion of the worship service. Many of you shared that you had never known the warmth of the Spirit working through another in quite the same way as you did when they offered prayer. During Lent, they led a Wednesday evening worship service. Rev. David preached on joy, reminding us that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Samuel then led us in prayer for Grace Covenant and Richmond. Finally, throughout their time here, they have shown up early to the sanctuary on Thursday and Friday mornings, and they have prayed fervently for this congregation, often beginning in manifold thanks and then moving to petitions on behalf of our children and the city of Richmond. I have been humbled by their passion for Gods work among us. In particular, I have been uniquely humbled in the way they have prayed for me. O Lord God, Bobby did not choose this church, you called him. You chose him. Now you equip him. Why do they always remind God that I did not choose Grace Covenant? Ive decided its because I easily forget that truth, and soon try to figure things out in my own strength. I imagine we all do. At a fundamental level, none of us chose Grace Covenant or our following of Jesus. God has done that, which assures us that in our walking God will equip us for the way before us.
BREAD BREAKERS
Please join us for the first Bread Breakers of 2014 on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Dana McKnight. Please bring either an appetizer, main dish, side dish or dessert to share. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Please RSVP 358-8944 211 QUEEN CHARLOTTE RD.
Presbyterian Womens Salad Supper Please come and bring a salad to share Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m.
Birthday Offering will be collected
Hosted by Circle 1
PW Circle 1 le Evening Circ 7:00 p.m. venue 1727 Park A ra Leigh Hostess: Lau Savage
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Thank you so much for all of your support during the Easter season! We had a great month in April talking about spring weather, colors, plants, and animals. We loved learning about new life, and how Jesus loved us so much that he came to the Earth to give US new life! We watched eggs hatch to demonstrate how life is born, and celebrated Gods love for us with songs, egg hunts, and other fun activities. Thank you especially for hosting your annual Easter egg hunt, which I know many families enjoy every year. We hope your Easter was as great as ours! Now with Easter and the spring lessons of April behind us, we look forward to consistent (finally!) warm weather and the transition into our summer program. For May, children will explore the mechanics of how we are able to go from place to place with next months child-favorite theme of transportation! We will learn that humans can travel using their own body power, with their own two feet or even on a bicycle! They will learn what cars are and different parts of the car such as steering wheel, wheels, brakes, and horns, as well as trucks and different uses for trucks such as carrying cargo or performing industrial jobs. They will explore all different types of trains, and learn how trains import and export goods throughout the country, as well as look at airplanes and boats, and talk about how they are used for travel across the ocean. Through the concept of travel, children will also be introduced to the idea of places in other parts of the world, and how things there may be different. We may even get to explore some of the more obscure types of transportation, like hot air balloons, dog sleds, motorcycles, and other fun topics! We are so excited about our transportation adventures!
P.S. GCPC members: Have a unique mode of transportation like a motorcycle or an antique car? Do you have a two-seater bicycle or jet-ski that would be easy to bring to the school? Do you have something else that we havent thought of, and also want to contribute to our Preschoolers education next month? E-mail me at director.GCCDC@verizon.net and we would LOVE to organize a time for you to come share your fun mode of transportation with our ever-curious and easily excited little learners! Thanks again for all of your support. - Nicole Williams, CDC Director
This month Shalom Farms will be on May 17. Join us the third Saturday of every month, for a morning out on the farm as we assist in ensuring local, healthy produce is available to everyone in our city. We will leave from the GCPC parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and return by 1:00 p.m. Bring along a sack lunch. Please RSVP to Nelson Reveley, 387-8094 or nmr2uf@virginia.edu
Giving Thanks
Rev. Samuel Misrowoda and Rev. David Nambu will be going back to Ghana on May 27. Since joining us last summer, they have been an immense blessing to the Grace Covenant family. They have prayed over us, with us, and for us, they have led WNL programs and worship, and they have been incredible friends and encouragers among us. They give us many reasons to be thankful! Some of you have inquired if there is a way you/we can give a special monetary gift to them before they leave. And, in fact, Samuel and David have indicated that the ministries to which they return can use whatever financial support might be available. In light of that, the Session has approved a fund to which you may donate if you would like to support their ministries back in Ghana. Simply write a check out to whatever amount you would like to give and put For Ministry in Ghana on the memo line so that Martha can ensure your donation is properly allocated to this fund. Please make your donation by Friday, May 16, as we will present this gift to them on Sunday, May 18. Blessings in Christ, Bobby
May
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
4 Cycling Race Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am New Members Join! Fellowship Hour 12:15 pm 11 Mothers Day Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12:15 pm
7 Care Team 3:30 pm Junior Choir Party 5:00 pm WNL 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm 14 Care Team 3:30 pm WNL 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm
13 PW CIRCLES see page 3 Staff Meeting 11:00 am Finance Committee Meeting 6:00 pm Worship Meeting 7:00 pm 20 Staff Meeting 10:00 am
18 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12:15 pm
Care Team 3:30 pm Deacons Meeting 6:00 pm Property Committee Meeting CDC Board Meeting 5:00pm 7:00 pm
25 Prayer 9:15 am Fellowship Breakfast 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12:15 pm
Grace Notes Deadline: May 21 is the deadline for submissions for our June edition.
Thursday 1
16
17
GC and CDC BBQ 3:00 pm (end of Sunday School Cookout) Bread Breakers 6:30 pm 211 Queen Charlotte Rd. 24
29
Openers/Closers
May 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 Rob Rosebro Cal Gray Rick Nochta Wayne Casey
May Birthdays
2- Lisa Cardwell 2- Pete Sizemore 3- C. T. Anderson 3- Luke Janney 4- Diane Davis 5- Cullen Peters 7- Whitney Alexander 7- Grace Battle 7- Jason Griffin 7- Will Janney 8- Nancy States 9- Brent Corby 12- Margaret Cardwell 14- John Harris 15- Eleanor McClanahan
Fellowship Hour
May 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 Janet and Tom Miller Dana McKnight Joy and John Nevin Debbie Pritchett
Connections Sunday School Class Starting Sunday, April 27, our Seminary Intern, Luke Woodcock, will be leading the Connections Sunday School class on a brief four-week tour of the book of the Revelation of John. This class will both explore some of the major themes and analyze some of the more difficult or complex sections of John's Revelation. Come join us as we faithfully seek to learn more about this mysterious text that is so strongly debated by Christians!
16- Wil Dickerson 17- Mary Reid McCullough 20- Curt Kennedy 20- Toni Whittet 21- Brian Baird 21- Jeanie Kennedy 22- Jane Londrey 22- Leah Soukup 25- Erika Tabor 27- Katie McCullough 30- Tony Manning
Attention all Grace Covenant families with children and all CDC families!! GCPC CE will be hosting our second annual End of Sunday School cookout on Saturday, May 17, at the church from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars now and plan to come out on that day to meet the other families who make up our church school family. Well enjoy good food and good fun together. There will be games and activities for all our children. Please look for more details to follow this notice. We hope to have another great time of fun and fellowship this year!
We welcome Moriah Illsley! Moriah is here on Sunday mornings teaching our Elementary Sunday School Class. I am currently a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University and am studying Psychology. My passion in life is to serve the Lord with the gifts He gave me in teaching and aiding children. I could not imagine anything better than to play with kids for the rest of my life and plan to pursue a career in Play Therapy. I enjoy sports, dancing, writing, and playing ukulele. I have been teaching Sunday school for over five years now and am overjoyed to be able to watch His little ones grow in their faith.
MID-WEEK FELLOWSHIP
Each Wednesday evening we gather at 6:00 p.m. for table fellowship, followed by a program from 6:30-7:15 p.m. All are welcome! Childcare is available. For more information contact Vanessa Strait in the church office at 359-2463, or info@grace-covenant.org
Meals for May: May 7: Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, and sheet cake. May 14: Potato bar, salad, biscuits, and brownies.
Thank You!
Thank you, Dick and Margaret Cardwell, for hosting the annual GCPC Easter Egg Hunt at your beautiful home on Saturday, April 19. Thanks too to Lewis and Kent and all the Cardwell grandchildren who pitched in to make this such a special day for all of us. Everyone had a great time hunting for the 500 eggs hidden all over your lovely yard, including those three golden eggs. And enjoying all the good cookies and getting pictures taken with the pretty Easter bunny this year. (Thanks, Cameron!) Thank you for adding this fun event to our wonderful Easter weekend! Dear Caring and Loving Grace Covenant Friends, THANK YOU for the cards, flowers, visits, delicious food, and especially your prayers. Knowing you were always there, backing me up, meant so much and that has helped me grow stronger and able to do many activities independently. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon. Grace and Peace, Jean Appich
Memorial Day Sunday School Hour Fellowship Breakfast. On Sunday, May 25, we
will not schedule any Sunday School classes because so many folks go away that weekend, including many of our teachers. Those of us who do not flee the city will gather at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy Christian fellowship and a light breakfast. The Christian Education ministry is happy to serve coffee and juice and bagels and cream cheese. Our children can eat and play and the rest of us can eat and enjoy the company of each other, before we gather for worship. Well do something similar again on Labor Day weekend, August 31. Please mark your calendars and well see you all for breakfast.
Yard Sale for Honduras As you go about your spring cleaning, please keep in mind that one of Grace Covenant's partners in the Honduras mission, Immanuel Episcopal Church in Mechanicsville, will once again be having a yard sale. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the KHISH medical and dental clinics of which Grace Covenant has also been a part since 2005. The date for this spring's yard sale will be May 24. Small items may be brought to GC in the preceding week. For larger items or large quantities, or if you have any questions, please contact susan.pillsburydavid@gmail.com or call 387-2302.
For Honduras
Stewardship Corner
Marchs contributions of $45,000 were up well over a third higher than Februarys, due in part to the month having five Sundays. The total, however, was down slightly from March a year ago after adjusting for contributions received attributable to prior year pledges. For the first quarter of this year total contributions of $127,900 are slightly higher than the same period last year after adjusting for amounts received attributable to pledges made for the prior year. Total income of $164,400 for the first quarter is up about 13% from last year after similar adjustment, due mostly to increased rental income. Despite fuel costs of $5,900 expenses in March of $49,700 were fairly routine. For the first quarter of this year expenses are up about 10% over the same period last year, due mostly to increased personnel costs. For March income exceeded expenses by $6,900, and for the first quarter by a little over $1,300. In March the Loaves and Fishes collection amounted to $1,480, and Five Cents Per Meal $601, including $392 collected as Elite Ate in lieu of an earlier Souper Bowl offering.
YOU C
N HELP
Our church has been giving non-perishable foods items to the William Byrd Community House for several years to help assist their food pantry. The William Byrd Community House maintains a food closet that serves Richmond City and the adjacent counties. When available, their food pantry also provides individuals with the basic household items and toiletries to maintain themselves and their families. These are everyday items that Food Stamp dollars will not cover and may be very costly to a low-income family. We have participated in this ministry by giving non-perishable food items. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month but this is a collection we are able to take every week. Items can be placed in the grocery cart outside the Social Room. YOU CAN HELP in the simplest ways!
Fellowship Activity
PEOPLE Group in June at the RIVAH! PEOPLE Group will be on Saturday, June 22, at Sid Yates River House on the Rappahanock River. Come that afternoon to enjoy the river. We will eat at 6:00 p.m. Hotdogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings will be provided. Please bring an appetizer, vegetable, salad, or dessert to share (enough for 10 adults). We hope to see you there.
-continued from front pageThe reasons for thanks could continue, but it is worth mentioning that Samuel and David have also been immensely grateful to Grace Covenant. At our last congregational luncheon, Samuel and David offered a few reflections of their time among us. You have been their first experience of the United States and Gods church in this country. Some of their highlights? We love how you all eat together. You spend time around the table with one another! This, they said, was something they wished to bring back to their context where such fellowship is less frequent. They noted, too, the joy that the handbells gave them (We have never seen this in worship! they exclaimed). They observed the reverence that our silence in worship allows, and they hope some of that informs their often lively services of worship. While we soon bid them farewell, we know that in Christ will remain forever family with them. They have encouraged us to stay in touch with them, and let them know how to pray for and with us. Indeed, it is my hope that we will continue to be mutually encouraged by each others faith (Rom. 1:12). I look forward to how God continues the good work already begun in our partnership in the Gospel.
The Staff
Bobby Hulme-Lippert Pastor bobby@grace-covenant.org Chris Martin Director of Music and Organist martin@grace-covenant.org Vanessa Strait Administrative Assistant strait@grace-covenant.org Martha Rubin Bookkeeper bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org Christopher Tweel Christian Education Coordinator for children Christopher.tweel@upsem.edu Luke Woodcock Seminary Intern luke.woodcock@upsem.edu Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Phone: (804) 359-2463 Fax: (804) 278-6298 www.grace-covenant.org Sundays: 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon Sunday School for all ages in the Education Building Worship Service in the Sanctuary Congregational Fellowship in the Social Room
Our Elders serve the church as leaders. Our Deacons lead the church in service. Please feel free to approach them with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenants ministries. CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS Jordan Ball (14) Matt Hartman (16) Virginia Hudson (14) Cheryl Jacobs (15) Caroline Leith (15) Katie McCullough (16) Dana McKnight (14) Christof Meyer (15) Joy Nevin (14) Everett Reveley (15) Pete Sizemore (16) Rob Turner (14) - Nominating (M), Finance (Co-M), Property (Co-M) - Missions (M) CE/Discipleship (M), Fellowship (C-M), Administration (Co-M) Worship (Co-M), Evangelism (M) Fellowship (Co-M) Finance (Co-M), Property (Co-M) - Administration (Co-M) - Worship (Co-M) Flowers Fellowship Deacon Fund Meals Care Care and Deacon Fund Greeters and Ushers Visitation
Church Officers
DEACONS Lisa Cardwell (15) Courtney Clements (15) Phil Coltrain (16) Mary Gray (15) Jan Kessel (15) Ann Pais (14) Jennifer Schooley (15) Judy Waldron (14)
Greeter/Usher - Jennifer Schooley (Jan - Apr), Courtney Clements (May-Aug), Erika Tabor (Sept - Dec) Guest follow-up/Inquirer Class - Erika Tabor (14) Justice Ministry - Jessica Reveley (16) Glass Office - Phil Coltrain (16) Moderator - Erika Tabor (14) Secretary - Judy Waldron (14) TRUSTEES: Caroline Leith (14) John Roberts (15) Warren Zirkle (16)
Grace Covenant Child Development Center Nicole Williams Director director.gccdc@verizon.net www.gracecovenantcdc.com