Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Notes
Volume 42, Issue 11

November 2012

Brothers and sisters in Christ Autumn is the favorite time of year for me. The crisp air, the brilliant maples, the leaves swirling in the yard, jerked up by eddies of wind and deposited, almost always, back onto the patio or porch I just swept ... Like spring, it augurs change but the message is different. Spring is an awakening, a brightening, a warming; it speaks of birth, of life, of strength and suppleness. Sap begins to flow and birdsong erupts, lifting a gray veil to reveal renascent life. Autumn is in many aspects the reverse, yet there is an earnestness to its entrance. The brisk air, though soon to be replaced by dull cold, nevertheless prompts a quickening of the pulse. The sun, though weighted lower each day in its arc, still calls us outside to play, to walk, to gather, and to make merry. Similarly, though the blazing oranges, bright yellows, and rich scarlets will all too soon yield to leafless limbs and yards covered by rustling blankets of brown, their vibrant color signals an alert. Unlike in Baton Rouge (where Carla and I served our first calls), where the summer green slowly and weakly relinquishes its color, here in the Commonwealth nature is more vigilant and heralds us to be the same. The Virginia autumn boldly (yet genteelly and elegantly - !) calls us to attention. The crisp brilliance of October and November not only announces the approaching cold and urges us to prepare suitably; it signals, in a plucky burst, that it will return that the coming darkness, however foreboding, lifeless, dreary, and muffling, will inevitably yield to the resurgent color and life of spring. Even as it surrenders its life to the coming winter, autumn in the Piedmont points beyond the grave, as it were, to the returning spring, as if exhorting us to keep in mind that death has not the final say on this earth that belongs to God. The buds and shoots of springtime easily excite our senses. The true gift of autumn, in its dying glory, is the gift of hope. While a rainstorm unceremoniously canceled my familys annual camping outing earlier this month, I was blessed to nevertheless spend some time in the countryside this fall, first while leading a mens retreat on the shores of Lake Hartwell in north Georgia, and more recently at our annual Mens Oyster Roast on the banks of the Pamunkey. Thanks to the generosity of Brown Pearson, and the culinary skills of Whit Whitley, more than 30 men (and one 10-year-old boy) enjoyed an afternoon of hearty food and relaxed fellowship (combined with some cutthroat competition at the horseshoe pit). As at the mens retreat at Lake Hartwell, the fellowship was seasoned by a solid base of long-timers combined with several more recent arrivals. -continued on page 13-

Share Thanksgiving Day with an International Student

ternational students and scholars are eager to learn more about our culture, to experience the warmth of a home, and to make American friends. Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to show Christian hospitality and friendship. If you would be interested in sharing this special American holiday with a VCU international student or scholar, please contact Matt Hartman (mchartman@vcu.edu, 212-1961 ) or Pam Haney (pohaney@vcu.edu, 828-8309 ) by November 14. A Thanksgiving volunteer form can also be found at http://www.global.vcu.edu/ pdf/American_Volunteer_Thanksgiving.pdf .

In-

Loaves and Fishes Fund Update

The Loaves and Fishes Fund is an opportunity to support local families in need and international mission work. To date, we have received pledges (including the anonymous donor's matching gifts) of $22,332 for this year! At the end of October, we have deposited $17,509.64 into the dedicated account. We are so thankful for everyone's generosity and look forward to sharing more stories with you. We also want to know about families that we might be able to help in the future. Please contact Matt Hartman at 212-1961, or mchartman@vcu.edu if you know of a family in need.

Give the Gift of Dignity This Christmas!

This year in lieu of our participation in Angel Tree, we will be involved the Pride for Parents Christmas Store, a ministry of STEP. The Missions Committee is seeking donations of new, unwrapped childrens gifts with the original purchase price marked on them. These gifts will be marked down to 50% or less of the original price and made available to low-income urban residents during STEPs 22nd annual Pride for Parents Christmas Store held on December 8. Each year the store assists low-income parents by providing a dignified, affordable opportunity for them to give sacrificially in providing for their own children. The Missions Committee will be coordinating the donations, which need to be received by Sunday, December 2. Excellent gift ideas include: Black Baby Dolls, Electronics, Skateboards, Video Games, Arts & Craft Kits, Toy Cars & Trucks, Sports Equipment, Trains, Doll Accessories, Educational Toys, Building Blocks, Bicycles, etc. Gifts will be collected on stage in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, contact Matt Hartman (mchartman@vcu.edu, 212-1961) or the STEP office at 648-7552 .

Openers/Closers November 4 November 11 Jake Savage Wayne Casey Pete Sizemore Lloyd Bostian

The Journey of a Shoe Box

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate Gods love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

November 18 November 25 Worship Kits Lisa Cardwell

Grace Notes Deadline: November 21 is the Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, deadline for submissions for our December and the childs age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print edition.
out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

Elementary Sunday School Erika Tabor

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you pre- Sunday Fellowship Hour pare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can write a check to Samaritans Purse (note November 4 Carol Wood OCC on memo line) or enclose $7.00 cash and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one November 11 Sallie Leys shoe box, please make one combined donation.

November 18
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and bring to church by Wednesday, November 7. NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK: NOVEMBER 12-19, 2012

Jack & Cherry Corley

November 25

Jan Kessel Ann Pais

Financial Update
While September had five Sundays, its total contributions of $34,000 were just 5.9 percent higher than those of August. Total contributions for the first three quarters of the year were 11.4% higher than those for the same period last year. Total income for September of $50,500 benefitted from $5,000 transferred from reserve funds and receipt of two months rental income of $8,700. Septembers expenses of $58,800 were particularly high due to $14,800 in air-conditioning repairs and $2,600 for a new freezer. For the month expenses exceeded income by $8,300. For the first three quarters of the year current expenses exceeded income by $24,600.

Page 4

Our Five Cents Per Meal offering in September was $268 and our Loaves and Fishes offering was $1,816.

Stewardship Corner
Each time we pray the Lords Prayer we ask God to give us this day our daily bread. This is our request of God. God gave the Israelites their daily bread in the wilderness, enough for their daily needs, and more. We trust that He will do the same for us in response to our prayers. Why can we trust in this? Because we know that He is faithful. We know that He created us and that He will provide for us. Since we expect Him to give us our daily bread, our response to His goodness should be a willingness to return to Him a portion the good things He has entrusted to our stewardship. When the Bible mentions stewardship, it is often in the context of a persons relationship with God. The state of that relationship defines how the blessings He has given us, including our money, are used. Stewardship is a spiritual matter that is an integral part of our relationship with Jesus Christ Stewardship is an expression of faith and a discipline for spiritual growth. The faithful use of our time, abilities, and money starts with an understanding that God created us and we and all that we have belong to Him. Using the gifts He has given to us in the way He intends them to be used is an act of worship. Understanding this leads us to give gladly and generously because we know that everything we have belongs to God. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse is Gods request of us. Not only does He make this request but He also makes the promise that a blessing we will not be able to contain, an overwhelming blessing, will be showered upon us. That is Gods promise to us when we bring the full tithe into the storehouse. If it is not possible for you to make a commitment of a tithe at this time, make a commitment to begin to move in the direction of a tithe by increasing your pledge each year until a tithe is achieved. Doing this is an acknowledgment that God made us and we, and all we have, are His. Please prayerfully consider how you will respond to Gods request. On Sunday, November 18, we will return our pledge cards to show appreciation for the blessings we have received and to ensure that the good things that are happening at Grace Covenant continue to happen in 2013.

Tuesday, December 4 at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary Come hear the J. R. Tucker High School Choir and join us for lunch in the Fellowship Hall

Any questions, please contact Suzanne Sizemore at 288-7757.

All Circles Meet on Tuesday, November 13

PW Circle 2 11:00 a.m. Vanguard Room Hostess: Cynthia Holmes

ircle PW C cle ng Cir Eveni 7:00 p 15 .m. nue

PW Circle 3 9:30 a.m. Social Room Hostess: Margaret Ca rdwell

s l Jacob : Chery ss Hoste

k Ave 02 Par

Chancel Choir to Begin Rehearsing Music for Candlelight

Want to sing in the choir for Candlelight, but don't have the time to make a commitment to the Chancel Choir for the entire season? Here's your chance! Every year we invite members of Grace Covenant and friends from the community to sing with the Chancel Choir at the annual Candlelight Carol Service. Candlelight this year will be Sunday, December 16, 5:00 p.m. In order to sing with the choir, singers must attend at least four rehearsals (listed below) including the Saturday morning rehearsal prior to the Candlelight service. Contact Chris Martin for more information. We hope to see you at one of our rehearsals! Chancel Choir Candlelight Rehearsal Schedule Wed., Nov. 14, 7:15-9:00 p.m. Wed., Nov. 21, 8:00-9:00 p.m. (Thanksgiving Eve) Wed., Nov. 28, 7:15-9:00 p.m. Wed., Dec. 5, 7:15-9:00 p.m. Sat., Dec. 8, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Wed., Dec. 12, 7:15-9:00 p.m. Sat., Dec. 15, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (mandatory dress rehearsal) Choral Music Up! Good Christian Folk G. R. Woodward O Come, Divine Messiah Howard Helvey As Joseph Was A-Walking Fred Gramann What Child Is This? Paul Lohman On Christmas Night Philip Ledger
Angels from the Realms of Glory Malcolm Archer

O Gracious Light Howard Helvey

Candlelight Carol Service

Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.. Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 1627 Monument Avenue

Chancel Choir Junior Choir Carol Choir Handbell Choir

Reception is given by the Presbyterian Women. Childcare provided.

November
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

4 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30 Elders & Deacons Training 1pm

5 Mens Lunch 12 noon Worship Committee Meeting 7 pm City Church Womens Bible Study 7:30 pm 12 Mens Lunch 12 noon Organ Recital/Steven Tharp 7:00 pm City Church Womens Bible Study 7:30 pm 19 Mens Lunch 12 noon

6 ELECTION DAY! CDC Staff Meeting 6:10 pm Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. Care Team Meeting 3:00 pm Deacons Meeting 6:00 pm Finance Meeting 6:00 pm

7 CC Womens Bible

Study 9:30 am
Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm WNL 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

11 Prayer 9:15 am
Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30 Elders & Deacons Training 1pm

13 Staff Meeting 11:00 am 14 CC Womens Bible PW Circle Meetings see page 5 Study 9:30 am Care Team Meeting 3:00 pm Carol Choir 4:30 pm Admin. Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm 20 Staff Meeting 10:00 am

Junior Choir 5:00 pm CDC Board Meeting 5:00pm WNL 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

18 STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30 25 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30

21 GRACE NOTES DUE!

CC Womens Bible Study 9:30 am 6:00 pm Turkey Dinner Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

CDC PVA Meeting 5:00 pm Care Team Meeting 3:00 pm

Conrad Center 5:15 pm City Church Womens Bible Study 7:30 pm 26 Mens Lunch 12 noon City Church Womens Bible Study 7:30 pm

27 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team Meeting 3:00 pm

28 CC Womens Bible Study 9:30 am

Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm WNL 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

Page 9

Thursday 1 CDC Chapel 10:00 am 2

Friday

Saturday 3

CDC Chapel 10:00 am

10 Richmond Marathon

15

CDC Chapel 10:00 am SESSION Meeting 7:00pm

16

17

22

THANKSGIVING
CHURCH OFFICE & CDC CLOSED

23
CHURCH OFFICE & CDC CLOSED

24

29

CDC Chapel 10:00 am

30

The Sanctuary will be decorated on Saturday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m. Join in the fun! All are welcome we guarantee you will leave with the Christmas Spirit!

I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the prayers, calls, cards, and delicious food I have received since I fractured my knee on September 30. You have helped me feel better every day and the knee is mending as planned. I am blessed to be a part of this loving, caring, and thoughtful Grace Covenant community. I miss seeing you all. Jean Appich

You are invited to the 2012 Fall Crafts Fair featuring fine crafts, jewelry, textiles, gourmet goodies and much more! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Shuttle service provided from Azalea Mall. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Annual Fellowship Fund.

Page 11

Grace Notes

Donate Unused Christmas Cards

Each autumn we donate unused Christmas cards to the Greensville Correctional Center. The inmates are very grateful to receive them and look forward to their arrival. Please leave them in the PW closet in the Parlor/Social Room behind the piano before November 20. For more information, please contact Becky Reeves at rebecca-r@comcast.net or by phone at 355-5579. Thank you.

Wednesday Night Live!

Each Wednesday evening we gather at 6:00 p.m. for table fellowship, followed by a program from 6:30-7:15 p.m. We provide child care for preschoolers, and a childrens program for school-age children. All are welcome! Take a break from cooking dinner and join us for a friendly, relaxing, and inspiring evening. For more information, contact Vanessa Strait in the church office at 359-2463, or info@grace-covenant.org.

Meals for November:

November 7:

Lasagna (both meat and vegetable), garlic bread, salad, Jello and cookies.

November 14: Chicken pot pie, broccoli, rolls, salad, banana pudding. November 21: TURKEY DINNER! Turkey dressing and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, and pumpkin pie. November 28: Baked macaroni and cheese, cooked cabbage, cooked carrots, salad, rolls, and brownies.
All meals are $5.00 per person, $12.00 per family, and $2.00 for students. First-time guests eat free.

Page 12

Grace Notes

November Birthdays
2- Andrew Kennedy 5- Lydia Coleman 5- Eddie Cardwell 7- Belle Pace 10- Margaret Parrott 11- Johnny Norris 11- Emily bell 11- Henry Hubbard 12- Eric Spitzer 12- Forrest Whitley 13- Loretta Albertis 13- Lynne Norris 13- Mary Parrott 14- Beverly Proffitt 14- Hannah Coltrain 16- Mac McClanahan 16- Elizabeth Russell 17- Vivien Chen 18- Elisabeth (Aldridge) Spivey 19- Cole Stepahin 21- Mary Harwood 22- Alexandra Roever 25- Cindy Lasher 28- Ella Appich 29- Janet Chenoweth 29- Helen Holt

-continued from front pageThere was a similar dynamic in our most recent Inquirers Class. The class ranged in age from 20s to 60s, represented four countries, and just as many faith traditions. Some were seasoned in their faith, some were relatively young, and all took part in re-examining the roots and the meaning of the Christian and Reformed tradition. In all three instances the mens retreat, the Oyster Roast, the Inquirers Class there was the hint of a changing season, grounded in what has gone before and pointing to what lies ahead. Both elements are important. The Pharisees of Jesus time accused Him of spreading a new teaching, one that violated their tradition. His response to them was clear: Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:17-18, RSV). This, indeed, was the integrity of the Gospel: that the new thing which God was accomplishing in Christ was, at its core, not a departure from the God of Israels past, but actually the perfect expression and fulfillment of Gods character. And one of the strongest testaments to that truth is the fact that God sent Christ to the Jews (cf. Romans 1:16, 2:9, 2:10, 3:2; cf. also Matt. 15:26). Gods gift of new life the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ Jesus was given to Gods people in fulfillment of the promises that God had made to them since he called them in Abram (Gen 12:1-3). The new life that God was giving was not a break from the past, but the perfect fruition of all that had gone before, just as the grown woman is the maturation of the girl, and the grown man is the maturation of the boy. No one can deny that the woman is different from the girl, or the man different from the boy. Yet they are different only in maturation, not in character or identity. The Pharisees were fixated on the outward appearance. They would only pay attention to what looked different. They refused to see that the inbreaking kingdom was in fact the maturation of the kingdom that had been promised to them through the millennia by the prophets. Because they placed all their trust in their present practices, they held no hope for the future. But the message of Christ is the message of hope the message that Gods kingdom is in the midst of us, the news that God has fulfilled His promise. He proclaimed that message to the Jews, and He fulfilled that message on the Cross. To be sure, that fulfillment did not look like the status quo that the Pharisees struggled to maintain. Nor did it look like the resurgent Davidic kingdom that the disciples stubbornly envisioned. But it was the only true and perfect fulfillment, and the one in whose light we are called daily to live. Be it with younger men engaging with their elders, or with recent arrivals exploring afresh the Christian faith; with the new Dinners for Six groups, or with the newly-elected Deacons and Ruling Elders; with children about to be baptized, or with the congregation about to make vows to those children for their care, the Holy Spirit is at work at Grace Covenant, daily growing Christs Church upon the seedbed of the saints. Even as the winter chill descends, the maples luminous leaves proclaim and point to the life that the darkness has not overcome. Yours in Christs service,

Page 14

Grace Notes

Third Quarter Statements

Third quarter statements were available in the Narthex during the month of October. Statements left in the Narthex will be mailed by the end of next week. Any statements belonging to Elders or Deacons can be found in the mailboxes in the Glass Office. Over the past four years, on average, contributors have only contributed two-thirds of their pledge by the third quarter. Take a look at your statement and give me a call or email if you have any questions or need further information. -Martha Rubin

Offering Envelopes
Envelopes for 2013 have arrived and will be available to be picked up in mid-December. Envelopes were assigned to members or children of members who long since moved away or no longer attend Grace Covenant. Please let us know if you or a family member falls into that category and no longer needs envelopes. By the same token, if you don't have envelopes and would like envelopes, we will happily assign a box of envelopes for your 2013 contributions.

Sunday Flowers
We have an opening for flowers for Sunday, December 9, 2012. If you are interested in providing flowers for this Sunday, please contact Lisa Gray at 673-0587.

Christmas Memorials
The Worship Ministry offers you the opportunity to give thanks this Christmas by donating poinsettias and greens in memory of a loved one. Names of those remembered will be printed in the bulletin of worship for the December 16th Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service.

Deadline is Monday, December 3.

Poinsettias
The poinsettias are $10 each. Please make checks payable to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and write Poinsettias in the memo line.

POINSETTIAS
IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF __________________________________________________________ BY

Christmas Greens
Donations for greens in any amount will be accepted. Please make checks payable to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and write Christmas Greens in the memo line.
IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF __________________________________________________________ BY

The Staff
Brint Keyes

2012 Officers
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) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Wayne Casey (13) - Property, Small Groups (M); Jack Corley (13) - Finance, Mission Matt Hartman - Missions (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship, Stewardship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M), Stewardship Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship, Nominating DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Team Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund, Nominating Ann Pais (14) - Care Team Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary - Communication Cards Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator - Cards Dawson Watkins (13) - Care Team Carol Wood (13) - Prayer, Communication Cards Sid Yates (12) - Ushering TRUSTEES: Lloyd Bostian (13) Kent Cardwell (13) Caroline Leith (14) John Nevin (12) Taylor Reveley (12)

Interim Pastor
Revbrint@verizon.net 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 James Greene

Temporary Sexton
Christopher Tweel

Seminary Intern

Christopher.Tweel@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

Grace Covenant Child Development Center Nicole Williams

Director director.gccdc@verizon.net www.gracecovenantcdc.com