A Glimpse

Presbyterian

Women
Circles, pg. 3

Softball

Schedule,
pg.6

Presbytery

Notes, pg. 10
Fellowship

Hall
Renovation
Update, pg.
14

WNS

Calendar
and Menu,
pg. 15

I have heard many reflect with joy concerning the April 19

centennial worship service and celebration. Some likened it to
a wedding where the goodness of God is palpably known
throughout the entire day among friends and strangers alike.
Others compared it to a high school or college reunion, except that the reunion
included every class at once! Still others said it was humbling that God gave us the
opportunity to share in such joy and thankfulness when, truly, it is the saints who
have gone before us that have ensured we are alive and following Jesus together.
Regardless, all agreed it was a day where the joy of the Lord was known.
Now what? Where do we go from such a remarkable day?
I think of Peter, James, and John with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. They
experience the ultimate spiritually-uplifting moment: They see Jesus as his face
shines like the sun and his clothes dazzle in pure white. Alongside Jesus are Moses
and Elijah. Peter decides they need to set up tents for everyone so that the group
can stay on the mountain together. He wants to prolong the time spent in the glow!
And who can blame him?
But the scene quickly turns. On their way down the mountain Jesus begins talking
about how the Son of Man is about to suffer. His words echo those he spoke just
before they all went up the mountain: If any want to become my followers, let
them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matt 16:24). Before
and after the Mount experience Jesus talks of the hard path of true love.
The Mount of Transfiguration was meant to encourage the disciples feed their
souls and show them a glimpse of the ultimate victory of Jesus over death. But the
disciples were not made for remaining on the mountaintop not then or now. We
were made to follow Jesus in the ordinary and the difficult.
While we cant build a tent and keep everyone together just like we experienced on
April 19, we can absolutely be nourished by it. The 19th was a soul-feeding glimpse:
A reunion of humble and thankful saints who will one day sit not just at a
Fellowship Hall meal for a few hours together but at the great banqueting table of
(Continued on page 4)

Volume 45, Issue 4 May 2015

Christian Education and Discipleship

Sunday School
Held every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
The Nursery Crib Room (Rm 103) and Sunday School are available for children ages 2 and up.

The Vanguard Class, Basement, Room B4: (Mens Class) Taught in rotation this class
continues to study how "to be the men that God wants us to be this day," using material
from scripture and the book Sleeping Giant.
Grace Bible Class, Second Floor, Room 212: John Nevin is teaching an ongoing study
looking closely at the gospel of Matthew.
The Forum Class: Basement, Room B7: Dr. Tom Miller will continue to lead the class
through lessons on the theological principle Grace using some material from Phillip
Yancys Whats So Important About Grace?
Good Books Class: Third Floor, Room 303: Lesson facilitated by Nelson Reveley and
Bobby, who will be leading a discussion class exploring good books about God in our
everyday lives. Currently reading Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing up
in Christ by Eugene Peterson.
Youth Mentoring Class: Third Floor, Room 300: Each week volunteers and parents
meet with teens to connect media to scripture in a way that is personally meaningful to
our students. Currently in the book of Genesis!
Toddlers Class, First Floor, Room 102: Taught by Rachel Lee this class focuses on
spiritual development and early access to scripture through play and kinesthetic
learning
Elementary Class, Second Floor, Room 209-210: Taught by Moriah Illsley this
class builds faith in young children and challenges them to apply lessons from scripture to everyday life in school, at home and at play.

Small Group for Parents! The Parents Small Group plans to continue meeting
monthly through the end of May, and all parents/children are welcome to join in.
The next meeting is Sunday, May 24.

Mens Group The next meeting with be May 6. All those interested, meet at the
Bairds house (1704 Hanover) at 7:30 p.m. for fellowship and conversation (topics
will rotate month-to-month). We will end by 9:00 p.m. Questions: Talk to or email
Brian Baird - brian.baird5@gmail.com.

Christian Education and Discipleship

New Prayer Group
Do you have a desire to pray for our church, our nation, our world? A new prayer group is starting
after the worship service on the last Sunday of each month. We will pray in the chapel from 12:30 1:00 pm following the 11:00 church service. Our first prayer time will be on Sunday, May 31. For
more information please contact Itunu Adekoya at 309-310-1424 or historybegins1727@yahoo.com,
Susan Farrell at 359-6222 or susanbarr311@aol.com or Carol Wood at 282-2446 or
ctwood7@gmail.com Please join us!

Date Night
Grace Covenant is happy to offer this blessing up to our families again
on Saturday, May 23, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A charge of $5 per child
will help defray the costs of child care, though there is a $10
maximum per family with more than two children. Please RSVP to
the church at info@grace-covenant.org or 359-2463 with name of
child and age.

Presbyterian Women
All Womens Circles Meet Tues., May 12
1
PW Circle
7:00 p.m
Ave.
1727 Park
aura Leigh
Hostess- L
Savage

PW Circle 2
11:00 a.m.
Vanguard Room
Hostess: Pat Aldridge

PW Circle 3
9:30 a.m.
Social Room
Hostess: Lynne Norri
s

(Continued from page 1)

Jesus for all eternity. Abundant food, abundant friendship, abundant grace.
May that glimpse of life-in-God together propel us forward for others are surely meant to be at the
abundant table, and so there is work to do.

Mission and Justice Ministry

RISC Nehemiah Action Success!
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
- Amos 5:24
We had an excellent RISC Nehemiah Action back on April 20 at St.
Paul's Baptist Church. We continued our pursuit of justice in our region
as we celebrated progress on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which
is now up and running to incentivize the construction of housing that is
more affordable, especially for those with low income. Ellen Robertson,
member of Richmond City Council, was present to celebrate with us. We
also noted our recent work with local hospitals for the creation of a
scholarship job training program on the north side or east end for entry level health care positions.
Finally, we had the Chair of the Henrico Country School Board, John Montgomery, and the HCPS
Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Kinlaw, present at the Action who expressed: (1) their recognition that there
is a significant problem of elementary students reading under grade level in portions of Henrico; (2) their
commitment to seeking a successful, measurable reading curriculum; and (3) their readiness to join
members of RISC on a trip to visit a school in Baltimore that has seen dramatic increases its students'
reading levels. Mr. Montgomery also highly encouraged and called upon community members to serve as
mentors and tutors in our schools.
Over 1,200 people came to the Action, our largest one yet. We, as part of this racially and socioeconomically diverse host of God's faithful, remain committed to building a powerful communal voice
that can encourage and hold local leaders accountable to take action upon researched solutions to the
root causes of injustice in our communities. We remain united as well in active hope for a Greater
Richmond Community in which everyone, regardless of zip code, social class, or skin color, has access to
excellent education, nurturing community, safe neighborhoods, living-wage employment, restorative
recreation, nourishing food, reliable health care, ease of transportation, and safe affordable housing.
If you have any interest in learning more about this ministry or joining in it, please contact Nelson
Reveley at nmr2uf@virginia.edu.

Mission and Justice Ministry

ONE Justice Conference: Richmond Justice Initiative
Friday, May 15 - Saturday, May 16
Second Baptist Church
9614 River Rd., 23229
RJI (Richmond Justice Initiative) invites you to join in their ministry against
human trafficking. This conference will be a time to come together as a united
church in worship and prayer to the God of Justice, to gain Biblical teaching on
Gods heart for justice and the Churchs role in the fight against injustice as
disciples of Christ, and to mobilize the Church with tangible ways to pursue justice
in our communities. Speakers include Corey Widmer, Bethany Hoang, and John
Richmond.
General admission registration is $65 ($45 for students), but as a sponsor Grace Covenant has a select
number of complimentary tickets available. We would love to have our congregants join in this
conference. If you would like to participate, please contact Nelson Reveley nmr2uf@virginia.edu. For
more information, please see onejusticeconference.com.

Shalom Farms Returns!

Saturday, May 9
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Join us on the third Saturday of the month at Shalom Farmsa local
food access and community development ministry shalomfarms.org - as
we help ensure that everyone in our city has access to God's bounteous
gift of nutritious produce. Please RSVP to Nelson Reveley at
nmr2uf@virginia.edu or 387-8094. Carpooling from the church parking
lot at 8:00 a.m. (and returning by 12:00 noon) is possible if there is interest. Otherwise, you can meet us out on the farm at 9:00 a.m. (1033 Rock
Castle Rd., Goochland, VA 23063)! Our upcoming date will be June 20.

Food Donations Needed!

There is an additional way to give to the incredible ministry happening at the
William Byrd House. As we know this ministry for students also feeds them as part
of their plan to increase wellness and success at school.
Pick up a labeled grocery bag and fill it with the listed items! These are items that
this ministry has identified as needed and is a great way to remind ourselves to
continue our contributions. Thank you all for the amazing support you continue to
show!
Drop your filled grocery bags in the basket beside the nursery or in the large cart at
the bottom of the back stars as you enter the basement level.

Mens Softball Team Schedule

CDC Update
Grace Covenant Presbyterian,
This month, I would like to give out a special thank you to Mr.
Martin for giving amazing music lessons to the Pre-K children
every week. Through Mr. Martins hands-on and age
appropriate musical activities, children learn rhythm, pitch, and
creative expression. They even got to share that expression with
the Wednesday night supper crowd on April 22, exposing
parents of the CDC to the wonderful fellowship opportunity of
WNS. This was both educational and furthered our mission to
increase crossover in community between the church and CDC
families!
In keeping with the goal (of both the CDC and GCPC) to increase Grace Covenants presence in the
Richmond area, we always strive for our children to grow through the program and graduate into the
public school system with a love of learning and a foundation for a relationship with Christ. After a few
years of pitfalls and setbacks, we now have a full Pre-K class planning to graduate in 2016! Id like to
give a second special thank you to GCPCs Session and other leaders who made sure that we had the
space to accommodate this class in order to finish their early education years here at Grace Covenant.
This means so much to families, children, and staff, who are all so excited to provide a complete and
quality experience for our community.
In the meantime, 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, breaks, and horn, 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
- Nicole Flournoy
Director of the Child Development Center

CDC Annual Spring Gathering!

With the warming weather its time to start thinking about cook-outs, outdoor
activities, and our annual Sunday School / CDC Spring Gathering! Were
planning to meet here at the church on Saturday, May 16, from 3:00 5:00 p.m.
for fun and fellowship in the way of a bounce house, balloon animals, chalk
drawing, face-painting, and much more! Well be organizing the food a little
differently this year, in that we ask all participants to please bring a pizza dish
to share. Relay Foods has even volunteered to attend and offer tutorials and
samples for healthier (but still pizza-licious) alternatives to this classic American
(but kind of greasy!) meal. So whether you have kids in Sunday school, or just support GCPCs
Sunday school program, we look forward to seeing you there!

May
Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

3
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School
10:55 Worship
Congregational Meeting
12:15 Fellowship Hour
Backpacking trip info meeting

6pm CE Comm.
7pm Worship Comm.

6 pm PW Salad Supper

10 Mothers Day
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour

11

12
PW Circles
(see pg. 3)

13
4pm Care Team
6pm WNS
7pm Justice Mi
Group
7:15pm Chance

Worship Committee
6:30pm Ukirk

Wednesd

6
4pm Care Team
5pm Junior Ch
6pm WNS
7:15pm Chance

*No Children's Church

17
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour

18
Start of fellowship hall
remodel

19

20
4pm Care Team

24 Pentecost
No Sunday School
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
10:55 GCPC Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour
Parents Small Group

25
Church Office Closed
CDC Closed

26

27

6:30pm Ukirk

31
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School in Grace Bible
Class
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour
12:30pm New Prayer Group meeting
8

** Reminder!
May 20 is the deadline for submissions
for our June edition of Grace Notes.

day

Thursday

Friday
1

Saturday
2
26th Annual Spring Gathering of
the Presbyterian Women of POJ
POYJO Team Building

7
10am CDC Chapel

m
hoir

8
7am Morning Prayer
(Sanctuary)

14
10am CDC Chapel

15
7am Morning Prayer
(Sanctuary)
Family Overnight Retreat

16
Family Overnight Retreat
3-5 pm CDC Pizza Potluck

21
10am CDC Chapel

22
7am Morning Prayer
(Sanctuary)

23
Parents Night Out

29

30

el Choir

inistry Small

9-12 noon Shalom Farms

6 pm The People Group Meeting @
Will Maddens

el Choir

7pm Session meeting

28

Sprunt Lectures
May 4-6, 2015
"Liberating Scripture Reading Against the Grain"
Elisabeth Schssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity at Harvard
Divinity School
Preacher: Theodore J. Wardlaw (D.Min., '78), President of Austin Presbyterian
Theological Seminary
2015 Distinguished Alumnus: Glenn Q. Bannerman (M.R.E., '57), Professor
Emeritus of Recreation and Outdoor Education

Richmond Campus Commencement

May 30, 2015,
10:00 a.m.
Ginter Park Presbyterian Church,
3601 Seminary Ave., Richmond, VA

From Our Presbytery

CLERK OF SESSION TRAINING
May 3, 2015
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Swift Creek Presbyterian Church
5900 Woolridge Rd., Moseley, VA 23120
Next Presbytery Meeting:
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Location: King's Chapel,
Held at First Baptist Church, Ashland
10

Centennial Celebration

11

Announcements
Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details
I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that did not have an Ash Wednesday service. The whole idea of Ash

Fellowship
Hour
Openers
and
Wednesday struck
me asClosers
something for other people, and
I really had no appreciation
for it one way or
another until I began serving a couple different Presbyterian congregations which had the service.

May 3 Jake Savage

May 3

Nevin

As many of you know, there is no biblical requirement to hold an Ash Wednesday service or to use ashes

May
10 (though
E. Reveley
May
Cal
Grayrequirement to celebrate Christmas
much as10
there
is no biblical
or Easter
we celebrate the truths be-

hind them year-round). Still, Ash Wednesday has been observed by many Christians for at least the past ten

centuries.
It is the day Sizemore
that marks the beginning of Lent a May
six-week
preceding Easter (Lent, too, is
17periodCardwell
May
17Pete
not in the Bible).

May 24Kent Cardwell

May 24 Baird

Around the tenth century, Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need for repentance, presumably
emulating
the likes of Job who repented in
dust and
(Job 42:6). Notably, the ashes
May
31 ashes
Price
May
31Lloyd
Bostian
were done in the shape of the cross a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to
repent (turn to God) they also spoke of resurrection power and hope.

in May

The first time I had ashes placed on my forehead, it didnt do anything (and never does!). However, the
visible ashen mark helped me consider again my need grace even as the cross-shape prompted me to give
thanks for the Life in which I already stand because of what 1
Jesus
has done
on the cross. The ashes also made
Dave
Malan
me
face
anew
the
fact
that
I
will
one
day
die,
which
renewed
my
hope
and
thanks
2 Pete Sizemore for the hope I have in
The fellowship hall remodel starts
Christ Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with the
2 Lisa Cardwell
Monday, May 18. We will not
Gospel which always cuts to the heart (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.

Dont Forget!

3 C. T. Anderson
have access to the Fellowship Hall or
3 Allison
Hazlegrove
kitchen
starting
that
After
receiving
ashes,on
I went
to day.
research the topic in more detail.
I realized
that while there exists no Bible
4 Diane
verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes,
thereDavis
is a good theological reasoning underpinning the service. In many ways, the service enacts our7
call
to confess
our sins to another, to weep with
Grace
Battle
one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can 7
onlySarah
be appreciated
Oatts by naming, not avoiding, the
darkness).
8 Nancy States
Brent
Corby
To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the 9
ashes.
Indeed,
when calling the people of God
12clothing
Margaret
Cardwell
There will
no Childrens
to repentance,
thebe
prophet
Joel says,Church
rend your hearts not your
(2:13).
The prophet Isaiah likewise
Sunday,
May
10.
14
John
Harris
tells the people to stop fasting and repenting in dust and ashes and instead get up and do justice (Isaiah 58:58). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for
thinking
that McClanahan
they can perform external acts of
15
Eleanor
worship (like tearing their clothes or wearing ashes in repentance)
that
will
take the place of actually giving
16 Wil Dickerson
their hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world. We are wise to avoid any imposition of ashes if
17 Peter Albertis
we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in and of themselves.
17 Mary Reid McCullough
Presbyterian
Women
20forCurt
Kennedy
However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way
many
Christians to know anew our hope
Amara
Tweel
in
Jesus Christ,
ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday 20
service
at 7pm
on Wednesday, February 18th
Salad
Supper
in the chapel. The ashes will be entirely optional you may21
choose
whether orBundy
not you come forward to reRoseMaire
The Presbyterian Women
ceive them. If you do come forward, I will put the ashes on 21
your Jeanie
foreheadKennedy
in the shape of a cross with the
Salad Supper is Tuesday,
words, Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that through the
21 Brian Baird
May 5, at 6:00 p.m.! Circle
service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again
1 will be organizing and
Londrey
that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring22LifeJane
and Life
Eternal.
preparing for this fun event.
22- Leah Soukup
Please bring a salad to share!
25 Erika Tabor
The Birthday Offering will be
27 Katie McCullough
collected.
30 Tony Manning

12

Announcements

Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that did not have an Ash Wednesday service. The whole idea of Ash
Vacation
School
coming!
Wednesday struckBible
me as something
for otheris
people,
and I really had no appreciation for it one way or

We
will be
returning
to the time
of ancient
withcongregations
an
another
until
I began serving
a couple
differentNazareth
Presbyterian
which had the service.
awesome curriculum study from Group Publishing. Mark
your
calendars
for June
26! Werequirement
will be welcoming
our
As many
of you know,
there is22no biblical
to hold an
Ash Wednesday service or to use ashes
students
to
VBS
from
9:00
a.m.
12:00
noon;
there
will
be
a
much as there is no biblical requirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths belarge
snack.
in childcare
forobserved
the
hind midmorning
them year-round).
Still,Children
Ash Wednesday
has been
by many Christians for at least the past ten
summer
are
welcome,
and
will
be
taken
back
into
their
CDC
centuries. It is the day that marks the beginning of Lent a six-week period preceding Easter (Lent, too, is
class
12:oo
noon, if previously arranged by parents. We are
not inatthe
Bible).
looking forward to an awesome VBS together!
Around the tenth century, Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need for repentance, presumably emulating the likes of Job who repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). Notably, the ashes
were done in the shape of the cross a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to
repent
(turn to God)
they aalso
spoke of resurrection
power
and hope.Trail either June 11,
We
are looking
at taking
backpacking
trip on the
Appalachian
12, and 13 or June 12, 13, and 14. This will be a moderate hike which is great for
The first time
I had beginners
ashes placedwho
on my
didnt do
(and never
does!). However, the
teenagers
and even
areforehead,
relativelyithealthy.
Weanything
would plan
on covering
visibleless
ashen
mark
helpedame
grace
even as
the cross-shape
prompted
me to give
a little
than
10 miles
dayconsider
on the again
trail. my
We need
will be
"shelter
hopping"
and look
to
thanks
for
the
Life
in
which
I
already
stand
because
of
what
Jesus
has
done
on
the
cross.
The
ashes
also made
be going North bound on the trail. Our load out point is a mere 2 hours from Grace
me
face
anew
the
fact
that
I
will
one
day
die,
which
renewed
my
hope
and
thanks
for
the
hope
I
have
in
Covenant!
Christ Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with the
which
always cuts
the heart
2:37) and
convicts
even as beautiful
it heals andtrip
binds
up wounds.
IfGospel
you are
interested
in to
some
scenic(Acts
wilderness
and
a prayerfully
in the
VA
mountains, plan on coming to the info table on May 3 after church (in the social room). Stop by,
After
I went to and
research
look
at receiving
the map,ashes,
ask questions
signthe
up.topic in more detail. I realized that while there exists no Bible
verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoning underpinning
theinterested
service. Inwe
many
service
enacts our calland
to confess
our sins
to another,
to details
weep with
For
the group
willways,
have the
a time
of pre-planning
education
on packing
and
of
one to
another,
to know
what
expectand
each
day. anew the Gospel hope (which can only be appreciated by naming, not avoiding, the
darkness).

Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of God
The prophet Isaiah likewise
tells the people to stop fasting and repenting
in forward
dust and to
ashes
and insteadtogether
get up and
do justice
(Isaiahsome
58:5We look
an overnight
with
a campfire,
8). In other words, the prophets are calling
thevisiting
people with
out for
thinking
that chickens,
they can perform
external aacts
of
hiking,
the
goats and
and spending
great
morningashes
together
at Camp.that
After
on place
May 16
we will break
worship (like tearing their clothes or wearing
in repentance)
willlunch
take the
of actually
giving
enough
time
to return
forwise
thetoCDC
open
for those
their hearts and doing the real work ofwith
the Lord
in the
world.
We are
avoid
anyhouse,
imposition
of ashes if
want
to take
part
in that
fun as well! All are invited!
we think they gain us favor with God that
or have
some
power
in and
of themselves.

Family
Retreat
May
15-16
to repentance,Overnight
the prophet Joel says,
rend your hearts
not your
clothing (2:13).

However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way for many Christians to know anew our hope
in Jesus Christ, ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on Wednesday, February 18th
in the chapel. The ashes will be entirely optional you may choose whether or not you come forward to reMartha
RubinIfhas
in transition
theput
past
months.
has been
tranceive them.
youbeen
do come
forward, I will
thefew
ashes
on your She
forehead
in thehelping
shape ofRandy
a crossNunn
with the
sition
into
the bookkeeping
position
as she
has been
helping
herthrough
Communiwords,
Consider
yourself dead
to sin even
and alive
in Jesus
Christ
(Rom Amy
6:11).transition
My prayerinto
is that
the
cations
Director
position.
We
are
grateful
for
her
flexibility!
As
of
May
1,
the
transition
period
will
service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again
end
will
be present
hours
week
ourLife
Administrative
Support. She will be prethatand
we Martha
rest in the
promise
of the for
One10who
has acome
toas
bring
and Life Eternal.
sent all day on Tuesdays and half days on Friday. As Administrative Support, Martha is still the one to
whom you turn in receipts and have checks prepared. She will continue to prepare annual and quarterly giving statements. Martha is also still the one you contact regarding your pledge or other contribution concerns. Other bookkeeping/financial duties are under Randys purview. Finally, Martha will
continue providing administrative support in a variety of ways around the office.

Change in Marthas hours

13

Worship
Sunday Morning Prayer
The best way to start a Sunday morning, or any morning, is with prayer. Each Sunday morning at
9:15 9:30 in the Social Room we have a time of prayer and all are welcome to participate. It is a
prayerful time when hearts are quieted and focused on God, joys and concerns are shared, and
prayers are raised in word and in spirit. It is a special time of caring, friendship, and blessing; please
come and pray with us.

Summer Sunday School: Worship in the Church over

Centuries
This summer we will be exploring the history of worship from the early church to the present. What
forms have worship taken and why? What has remained constant? What has changed? And how does
looking to those who have gone before us inform how we worship faithfully today? We hope you will
join in the class! Bobby Hulme-Lippert and Christopher Tweel will be leading the course. On May 31, a
guest Sunday School lesson from Rev. Dr. Ross Mackenzie will also be part of the series (the particular
Sunday in June TBA). Rev. Dr. Mackenzies bio is below.
From 1963 Rev. Dr. Mackenzie was a church historian at Union Seminary for nearly twenty
years. He has served also in pastorates both in his native Scotland and in this country. In 1989
Rev. Dr. Mackenzie was asked to serve as the first full-time director of the Department of Religion of the Chautauqua Institution. More recently he served as director of the department of religion in western New York State, retiring from there as historian emeritus in 2006.

Fellowship Hall Renovation Update

Dear Members and Friends of Grace Covenant,
As you may have heard, our Fellowship Hall will undergo a major renovation early this summer, which
will primarily consist of new flooring, ceiling and light fixtures, newly wrapped columns, and fresh
paint.
We would like to provide an update regarding the timeline: Work will begin in mid-May with asbestos
removal. This should take approximately two weeks. Earlier this year, we had the old materials which
comprise the floor tile and glue (under the current carpet in the Fellowship Hall) tested and the results
confirmed that these materials contain asbestos. The asbestos was tightly bound and, therefore, not
hazardous; however, since we will be removing the carpet to install new flooring, it is prudent to have
asbestos removal experts extract the old tiles and adhesive.
It is our goal to have work begin on the renovation immediately following the asbestos abatement, which
should be the first week of June. The renovation should last 5 - 7 weeks.
We are excited to renew this space, which plays an important role in the life of our church. We appreciate your patience through this process.
Sincerely,
Carson Price, Cal Gray, Cheryl Jacobs, RoseMarie Bundy, Bobby Hulme-Lippert
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STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Marchs contributions of $42,800 were up over one-third from those of
February, but were about even with those of March a year ago after taking
into account contributions relating to prior year pledges. For the first
quarter of this year contributions are down about 7% from the same period
last year. Expenses of $56,300 in March were also down from Februarys
total and included about $8,000 in fuel costs and $2,800 in various mission initiatives. For the
first quarter expenses are up about 16% over the first quarter of last year due mostly to higher
personnel costs.
Marchs income exceeded expenses by $4,900, and for the first quarter expenses have exceeded
income by $41,300.
Our Five Cents Per Meal Offering in March was $92, Loaves and Fishes $255 and Mercy Fund $63.

Wednesday Night Supper

Join the Excitement at 6:00 p.m.
"Celebrating Our Past - Believing in Our Future"
Save yourself the trouble of cooking dinner and come join
us Wednesday nights for a time of growth in fellowship and faith.
Every night we'll have arts & crafts for the kids, timely announcements, worship preparation cards for the coming
Sunday, and either faith-infused live music, a trivia night, or an
excellent presentation! $5 per adult, $2 per child, with $12 max
per family. Our upcoming schedule is below:

May 6- Fellowship & Study on Parables in Luke's Gospel, Nelson Reveley

May 13 - Fellowship & Study on Parables in Luke's Gospel, Nelson Reveley (Justice Ministry Small Group, 7:00-8:00
p.m.)

Menu
May 6: Tuna-fish
casserole, broccoli,
salad, biscuits, and
brownies
May 13: Potato bar
and pineapple upsidedown cake

Food and Faith Summer Series

The Wednesday Night Summer Cook-Outs are back! Dinner will be put together by the hosts (see below), and it will start at 6:oo p.m. About 6:45 p.m., a conversation around Scripture and that evenings
theme will begin. Its casual, and a great time to bring the whole family! We simply ask that you consider making a $3-4 donation per person to cover food costs ($12 max for a family).
June 10
June 17
June 24
July 8
July 15
July 22
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Hulme-Lipperts House
Susan Farrell's House
Reveleys House
Jacobs' House
Bairds House
TBA

2307 Floyd Ave.

1704 Park Ave.
1031 Ridge Top Rd.
1502 Park Ave.
1704 Hanover Ave.

From Farm to Table to Disciples

Hospitality
Ethics
Generosity
Stewardship
Eucharist

The Staff
Bobby Hulme-Lippert
Pastor
bobby@grace-covenant.org
Christopher Martin
Director of Music and Organist
martin@grace-covenant.org
Christopher Tweel
Director of Christian Formation &
Pastoral Assistant
christopher@grace-covenant.org
Nelson Reveley
Parish Associate for Outreach &
Adult Discipleship
nmr2uf@virginia.edu
Amy Kempel
Director of Communications
amy@grace-covenant.org
Martha Rubin
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org
Rex Childs
Seminary Intern
Rex.Childs@upsem.edu
Linda Pitts
Seminary Intern
linda.pitts@upsem.edu
Church Office Hours:
Mon., Tue., and Thurs., 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Wed., 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fri, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon
Phone: (804) 359-2463
Fax: (804) 278-6298
grace-covenant.org
Sundays:
9:15 a.m.
Prayer Together in the Social Room
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages
in the Education Building
10:55 a.m.
Worship Service
in the Sanctuary
12:00 noon
Congregational Fellowship
in the Social Room

GCPC Child Development Center

Nicole Flournoy
Director
(804) 213-0200
director.gccdc@verizon.net
gracecovenantcdc.com

Church 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
James Atchison (16)
Virginia Hudson (17)
ing
Cheryl Jacobs (15)
Caroline Leith (15)
Katie McCullough (16)
Everett Reveley (15)
Lewis Rosebro (17)
Pete Sizemore (16)
Rob Turner (17)

- Finance (C-M)
- Mission (M), Nominat- CE (M)
Property (Co-M), CE
- Administration (M)
Stewardship (M)
- Property (Co-M)
- Administration (Co-M)
- Worship (M)

DEACONS
Itunu Adekoya (16)
Lisa Cardwell (15)
Courtney Clements (15)
Phil Coltrain (16)
Mary Gray (15)
Cynthia Holmes (17)
Jan Kessel (16)
Dottie-Ray Koch (17)
Sallie Leys (17)
Jessica Reveley (16)
Jennifer Schooley (15)
Dawson Watkins (17)

- Prayer (M)
- Flowers (M)
- Visitation (Co-M),
Fellowship
- Glass Office (M),
Deacons Fund
- Meals (M),
Visitation (Co-M)
- Fellowship (M)
- Care Team (M),
Transportation (M)
- Fellowship
(Food Committee)
- Greeters/Ushers
- Justice (M)
- Guests Follow-Up,
New Members (M),
Deacons Fund
- Deacons (M),
Care Team

TRUSTEES:
Caroline Leith (14)
John Roberts (15)
Warren Zirkle (16)

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