Entertaining Angels

As you are well aware, Richmond will be hosting Union Cycliste

Internationales (UCI) annual Road World Championships event
from September 19-27. Many thousands will be arriving in our city,
and more than 300 million worldwide will tune in to see the event
(for comparison, last years Super Bowl was the most watched
television event in American TV history it drew 114.4 million
viewers). In other words, its a big event!

Discipleship
Sunday, pg. 2

Fall

Sunday
School, pg. 2

French

Organ

Music
Seminar, pg.
6
Wednesday

Night Supper,
pg. 8

Adventures in
Marriage, pg.
16

APNC

pg. 17

Update,

Volume 45, Issue 9

September 2015

Truth be told, we do not know entirely what to expect. It is difficult to anticipate how the
crowds will move, how traffic will flow, change, and back-up, or what the ultimate impact
on the city will be. Amid all the uncertainties, it can be easy to grow anxious and even
upset. After all, a lot of our habits and routines will be disrupted by visitors!
And yet, the most fundamental thing we cannot forget is that people from every tribe,
tongue, and nation are coming among us for a few days. It is an incredible opportunity to
show forth the love of Christ. I invite you take the time over these next couple weeks and
prepare your heart to be Christs hands, feet, and voice to those in our midst. Pray that the
Holy Spirit would be faithful through you that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control would be evident to all (Galatians 5:2223). After all, as the author of Hebrews reminds us:
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained
angels unaware.
Note: even as preparing our hearts is the most fundamental thing we can do, your Session
has been considering the practical implications of this race for some time, and they have
made a few decisions about which you will want to be aware.
In light of the bike race, the Session has made the following decisions:
1. We will have worship services on September 20 and 27, and WNS will happen on
September 23. Though there will be road closures surrounding us (Monument Ave.
is part of the race course), we should have access to our parking lot. More details
will be sent concerning how to enter and exit on those dates.
2. GCPC and the CDC have split the cost to hire two security guards through the VCU
Campus Police. They will be present on the campus throughout each race day
(excepting the Saturdays when there is no activity at the church) to walk the
property and call the towing company if folks without a GCPC sticker are parked
there. While we want to be as hospitable as possible, there are good reasons we must
be diligent about the parking lot. In part, the lot needs to remain as clear possible to
ensure the safety of the CDC children as well as ensure parking for our CDC teachers
and the tenants to whom we have committed spaces. Moreover, we have opened a
(Continued on page 4)

Christian Education and Discipleship

Join us September 13!
Start the fall off with the fellowship of our whole family, some great pancakes, and the opportunity to see where we as a church will be answering
the call of the Holy Spirit this coming year.
At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, in the Fellowship Hall we will have
a pancake breakfast to celebrate Discipleship Sunday. The staff of Grace
Covenant is looking forward to cooking and serving pancakes to our church family.
We will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall for celebration and reflection on what a new year at Grace
Covenant has in store for each of us.

Please update us!

The church needs to be able to keep in touch with your college students this year. Please provide
Christopher Tweel with the mailing address, email address, and phone number for your college students. Presbyterian Women will continue their special support to our students by lifting them up in
prayer and sending them cards and other remembrances.

You are cordially invited

back to Sunday School for the fall semester!
As our Summer Sunday School ends and we continue to focus on our mission, to train grateful disciples of Christ, what better training could we find than one of GCPCs own Sunday School classes? We
are blessed with wonderful teachers for all ages. This year our own members will be teaching our children and building even stronger relationships with our young families. Our adult classes continue to
grow and bless all of those who attend. However only about half of us are attending a Sunday School
class. Please invite someone you know (members and non-members alike) to come to your Sunday
School class. I never would have come to the Forum Class if Pat Ball and Jane Londrey had not personally invited me. And what a blessed learning experience that has been for me all these years later.
Please invite another member, a friend, old or new, who is not coming to Sunday School, to come. We
begin our fall semester on September 13 with a pancake breakfast prepared for all by our own church
staff in our newly refurbished Fellowship Hall. Please come out that day and find a class that suits your
personal journey for discipleship. If no one else invites you, consider this your personal invitation, from
me.
See you all in Sunday School,
Cheryl Jacobs, Chair of Christian Education
2

Christian Education and Discipleship

Grace Bible and Forum Classes!
Starting September 20, Grace Bible Class and Forum Class will combine into Forum of
Grace for Sunday School in the Grace Bible Classroom (212).
Many things about these two classes will stay the same. Their dependence on deep biblical
truths and the weekly wrestling with tough theology that all disciples need as a part of
their own daily life. This change comes as a result of many kinds of blessings in our church
family: new spaces for a wonderful and successfully expanding CDC program as well as
the Spirit-led continually Reforming styles of education we experience at the church.
Every year our teachers and leaders work hard in prayerful discernment on where God's urging lies in
our methods and our content; we are excited for another new year at Grace Covenant!

Before Sunday School Gathering

Starting Sunday, September 20, we will begin each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall with an informal
gathering for all those attending Sunday School classes, adults and children alike. We will gather from
9:20 until 9:40, then begin making our way to our individual classes that begin at 9:45. (The nursery
will be open for drop off at 9:15 as usual.) During this informal time together we will share
announcements and concerns and prayers and maybe even sing a hymn to begin our day. There will
be coffee and tea and light refreshments each week as wellwe have missed our coffee and tea this
summer! We may have pretty small crowds these first couple of weeks because of the bike races, but
for those of us who can gather, lets give this new fellowship opportunity a try. This will be good time
for us to show our children how many of us are still attending Sunday School classes, that this is a
lifetime journey of discipleship. I hope you and your children will make this gathering part of your
Sunday every week.

Presbyterian Women
September Circle Meetings Combined with
Salad Supper
Time to kick off the new year of the Presbyterian Women Circles! We
will combine the PW September Salad Supper with the September meeting of the three Circles on Tuesday, September 15, in the renovated Fellowship Hall. We will begin eating at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a salad to
share, and arrive early so we can set up the salad buffet. Beginning at
6:30 p.m., Bobby Hulme-Lippert will lead us in Bible study, using Lesson
One in the 2015-2016 Horizons Bible Study, Come to the Waters. The
Bible Study book will be available at the supper, so dont forget to pick up a copy ($8).
We hope you will join a PW Circle for a year of Bible study, fellowship, and service. The Circles meet
once a month on the second Tuesday of the month; two Circles meet during the day, and one Circle
meets in the evening. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Leigh Savage (evenings 3595737). Hope to see you September 15!

(Continued from page 1)

few spaces to the staff at St. Jamess Episcopal on a couple of the race days since they will have no access
to their parking. Finally, we have opened the parking lot to Beth Ahabah congregants
on the evening of Tuesday, September 22, and the morning of Wednesday, September
23, so that they can park for Yom Kippur services.
3. The CDC will be open MondayThursday during the race. It will be closed on Friday of
that week.

Mission and Justice Ministry

Living Waters of the World (LWW)
By Katie McCullough, Ruling Elder
Did you know?
780 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
Water-related illness is the leading cause of death among
children throughout the world and contaminated water is
the number one health crisis in our world.
In June, Michelle Hulme-Lippert and I attended Living Waters of the Worlds (LWW) Clean Water University, a five-day
intensive, hands-on experience designed to equip mission
team members with the skills necessary for a successful clean
water project. LWWs methodology emphasizes a train the
trainer approach, so that the knowledge we share can be
passed from person to person, and in turn, promote selfsufficiency. Their motto is We dont work for people, we
work with people. This is what makes this mission work so
powerful. We are truly partnering and working side by side
with the individuals in our community of need!
As part of GCPCs team, I attended the CWU 103 course which taught water testing, system installation, operation, and maintenance. To that end, I
spent the week learning how to build a fairly simple water system (see photo) utilizing filtration and disinfection processes that remove bacteria,
chlorine-resistant organisms, and other impurities from the water source.
The system, which includes an integrated bottling station, can process up
to 300 gallons of water per hour. Operational costs are normally only pennies per gallon. Parts are available through LWWs U.S. based fulfillment
center and through local suppliers in each of the networks (including Honduras) they support around the world.
Beautiful setting for our morning and
evening devotions at Clean Water University

Today, there are over 700 LWW systems installed in 25 countries throughout the world. I look forward to working side by side with our partners to
bring living waters to the Agalteca community in Honduras! If you have
additional questions, please dont hesitate to contact me at krmcc1994@gmail.com.
John 7:38 - He who believes in me.Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.
4

Mission and Justice Ministry

Shalom Farms
Join us Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Shalom Farmsa
local food access and community development ministry shalomfarms.orgas we
help ensure that everyone in our city has access to God's bounteous gift of nutritious produce. Please RSVP to Nate McKinnon at nathaniel.mckinnon@gmail.com
or 732-618-7077. 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)!

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!

STEP Jobs for Life Childcare This Fall

STEP (Strategies to Elevate People) is having its fall semester of its Jobs for Life program, where participants
learn key skills for thriving in the workforce. We are hoping to be able to help them with childcare during the program. As those who have or have had little ones so intimately know, this is such an essential component for people to be able to participate!
The Jobs for Life program will run every Tuesday night
from September 15 to December 1 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and childcare providers would need to be on
site from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. and would stay with us at Eternity Church (about a six-minute drive from
Grace Covenant) in a separate spot especially for the children, whose ages will range from infant to approximately 13 years old. We should have anywhere from 6-10 children. Dinner will be provided for
the childcare workers and for the children in their care. Also, we will have multiple people on site to
assist if you should have a situation or problemnot expected of course, but offered as a comfort in
your planning. Due to the variety of ages, we would prefer to have three volunteers with us each week.
If you would be interested in joining in this much needed ministry even if you could only commit to
one Tuesday a month please contact Nelson Reveley at nmr2uf@virginia.edu or 387-8094. Many
thanks for your prayers and consideration!

French Organ Music Seminar

In July 2015 I was granted the unique opportunity to participate in this
years French Organ Music Seminar (FOMS), a two-week music study
leave in Paris and Southern France. Since 1986 the FOMS has featured
study seminars throughout Europe where participants hear and play
some of the worlds most magnificent and important historical instruments. This year over twenty-five organists from across America participated in the seminar. Many of these musicians were graduate students and professors of music from some of the countrys leading conservatories. Being in the presence of some of Americas finest organists,
all I can say is, I am glad I practiced for months before going on this
sabbatical!
The seminar began with a four-day tour through Holland; however, I
only participated in the last two weeks of the program. My first responsibility on the seminar was to participate in a Master Class at StSulpice, the largest church in Paris. A Master Class involves a small
group of organists who perform for one another and then are critiqued
by an instructor. It is from these sessions that we learn about technique
and the historical background of many instruments. My critique was
given by Daniel Roth, St-Sulpices organist
and one of the worlds leading concert organists. The following evening I played again at
St-Sulpice, this time being critiqued by Roths
assistant organist.
While in Paris the group visited and played over ten historic organs, participated
in lectures and private lessons, and had the rare opportunity to sit in the organ
gallery at the Cathedral of Notre Dame during a Sunday morning Mass. Throughout the two weeks, special emphasis was given to the organ music of Csar Franck,
since 2015 commemorates the 125th anniversary of the death of the Parisian composer. There were five lectures devoted to the organ works and life of the celebrated composer.
After the first week, the group departed by train to Bordeaux. There, we enjoyed a brief stay and heard two
historic instruments in the old town. The highlight of that brief stop was being allowed into the grand StMichel Church before the building opened to tourists. We were treated to a perfect sunny morning which
flooded the church with brilliant light through the modern and colorful stained-glass windows.
The tour then headed south over the border to San Sebastian, Spain, where we stayed two nights and visited the Santa Maria del Coro Church which houses one of the true untouched Franck organs still in existence. I was fortunate to participate in a members recital on this instrument. Finally, the tour returned to
France and ended in Toulouse (the headquarters of the Airbus) where we enjoyed multiple playing sessions
on the organ at the Basilica of St-Sernin, an instrument considered to be one of the most important, essentially unaltered, organs in the world.
The experience of playing of historic instruments in inspiring worship spaces is one I will never forget.
How enriching it was to play literature on the actual instruments for which the pieces were written. The

professional connections I made were invaluable, and I look forward to keeping in close contact with
many of these individuals over the years. I am truly grateful to have been given this opportunity by Grace
Covenant. It was not a relaxing seminar by any means, but I most certainly returned inspired, enlightened, and recommitted to continue my ministry as an organist.
Thank you, Grace Covenant!
Chris Martin
Director of Music

Chris will lead a presentation on

the French Organ Music Seminar
on Wednesday, September 30, as
part of our WNS series. Slides, videos, and audio clips from the
French Organ Music Seminar will
be featured in the program.

Grace Covenant Choir Rehearsals Resume in September

hoir
C
l
e
c
n
a
Ch
ay,
Wednesd
er 9
Septemb .
7:00 p.m

ir
Carol Cho
(ages 3-K)
,
Wednesday
16
September
4:30 p.m.

Handbell Ch

oir

Sunday,
September 13
8:30 a.m.

Junior Choir
(grades 1-5)
Wednesday,
September 16
5:00 p.m.

WNS Update
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church renews commitment to sustainable foods for its
Midweek Family Suppers
Richmond, Virginia This fall Grace Covenant is changing the way it serves meals. The focus isnt on
low fat, or low carb, but instead on using fresh ingredients, no processed foods, and ingredients that
reflect a faithful care of the earth and Gods people.
After a summer program focusing on where and how faith, theology, and what we eat intersect, the
church has become committed to eat in a way that supports the practices that work alongside Gods
creation. Sometimes that means organic foods, and sometimes that means local foods.
By working with Relay Foods here in Richmond, the church has developed a brand new menu for the
fall that pairs with exciting programming which supports the overall atmosphere of family-oriented
fellowship.
The church is buying most of the food for this program from Relay because of that companys close
work with farmers who are generally not part of the industrial farming groups that can prove harmful
to the land as well as the growers and pickers who work on factory farms.
This new commitment to how the church provides food is stretching out to other facets including the
Sunday School programs, as well as the Child Development Center, which is also passionately pursuing action that provides the best foods possible, following these same faith-based ideals, for every child
in its program.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, a Reformed congregation, is a PCUSA church in the heart of the
fan and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

WNS Speaker Series

September 16
Charlie Summers has served as a Presbyterian pastor in Washington, DC, Charlotte,
North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. He was chaplain at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and an adjunct professor of Religion at Queens College in Charlotte.
He has had sermons and stories published in Presbyterian Outlook, Christian Ministry
Magazine, Lectionary Homiletics, Journal for Preachers, Charlotte Observer, and Richmond Times-Dispatch. Charlie will be speaking on his new book, Underneath are the
Words.

September 23
Kris Norris is an ordained Baptist minister and PhD candidate in theology and ethics at
the University of Virginia. He is also the author of Pilgrim Practices: Discipleship for a
Missional Church, and several articles in the Journal of Religious Ethics. Originally from
North Carolina, he holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and currently
teaches Christian ethics and public theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. Kris
will be speaking about his new book, Kingdom Politics.

September 30
Chris Martin has been the Director of Music and Organist at Grace Covenant
Presbyterian Church since May 2000. As Director of Music he leads the churchs
music ministry which includes three singing choirs, a handbell choir, and an annual concert series. In July 2015, Chris participated in the two-week French Organ Music Seminar 2015 which took place in Paris and Southern France. Chris
will share his experiences of the seminar and present slides, audio, and video
taken during his two weeks in Europe.

September
Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesd

1
7pm CE Meeting

2
2pm Care Team

9
7pm Start of Ch

16
4pm Care Team
4:30pm Start o
5:30pm Start o
6pm WNSSp
Summers
7pm Chancel C

6
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Time of fellowship in the
Fellowship Hall
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour

13 Discipleship Sunday
8:30 Start of Handbell Choir
9:00 Pancake Breakfast
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour

14
6pm Finance Comm.
7pm Worship Comm.

15

20 UCI Bike Race

8:30 Handbell Choir
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School
10:55 Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour

21 UCI Bike Race

22 UCI Bike Race

Church office and CDC

Closed

6pm PW Salad Supper

7pm Session Meeting

23 UCI Bike Ra

4pm Care Team

4:30pm Start o
5:30pm Start o
6pm WNSSp
Norris
7pm Chancel C

Deadline for G
27 UCI Bike Race
8:30 Start of Handbell Choir
9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)
9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2)
10:55 GCPC Worship
12:15 Fellowship Hour
POJYO Cookout

28

29

30
4pm Care Team
4:30pm Start o
5:30pm Start o
6pm WNSSp
Martin
7pm Chancel C
10

** Reminder!
September 23 is the deadline for submissions
for our October edition of Grace Notes.

day

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

3
10am CDC Chapel

5
10am Parents & Playground

10
10am CDC Chapel

11

12

hancel Choir

9:30am First Things First Marriage

Enrichment Event
3pm CDC Open House

17
m
10am CDC Chapel
of Carol Choir
of Junior Choir
peaker Charlie

18

19
8am Shalom Farms
UCI Bike Race Starts

Choir

ace

24 UCI Bike Race

m
10am CDC Chapel
of Carol Choir
of Junior Choir
peaker Kris

Choir

race Notes

m
of Carol Choir
of Junior Choir
peaker Chris

Choir
11

25 UCI Bike Race

26 UCI Bike Race

5pm Parents Night Out

REGISTER NOW!

September 26, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Seminary for a Day

Union Presbyterian Seminary - Richmond
Campus
Seminary for a Day began on the Richmond campus in 2012 as a bicentennial celebration event, designed to opening the seminary up to the church. Enjoy a full day of keynote
addresses and workshops, connections with old friends and new, and a taste of what seminary education is like. The day features the faculty and staff of UPSem in Richmond.
There will be workshops in the morning and afternoon; choose one workshop in the
morning and one in the afternoon.
Event Location: Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, 3401 Brook Road
Registration: $25 includes refreshments and a box lunch on campus Register by September 18 in order to ensure you will receive a lunch
CEUs: 0.5
For: Church leaders and members, clergy, and those interested in learning more about
their faith
For more information and to register go to http://www.upsem.edu/sfaday

Schedule of Events
Saturday, September 26, 2015
9:00 a.m. Registration
9:15 a.m. Keynote I
Frances Taylor Gench Watts Chapel
Worshipping Doubters: The Church in Mission
10:00 a.m. Break

12

10:15 a.m. Morning Workshops (choose one)

How the New Testament Became the New Testament Brian K. Blount
Ethical Literacy: Understanding Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meaning
Katie G. Cannon
Recent Discussions in the Theology of Food Dawn DeVries
Hospitality and Gratitude Signs of Christian Community: Lessons from the Early
Church Paul Galbreath
When Sundays Come Quicker than Sermons Cleophus J. LaRue
Biblical Interpretation and Pastoral Responses for Contemporary Social Concerns
John Carroll and Carol Schnabl Schweitzer
12:00 noon Lunch
1:15 p.m. Afternoon Workshops (choose one)
Faithful Discipleship in the Age of Social Media Samuel L. Adams
Telling Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition Christine Luckritz Marquis and
Beverly Zink-Sawyer
Why Evangelism? John Vest
Theologically Educated Pastors: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Profession?
Ken McFayden
And You Thought the Book of Order Was for Geeks! H. Carson Rhyne
How Love Grows Christopher Richardson
3:00 p.m. Keynote II
Cleophus J. LaRue Watts Chapel
The Shape of Christian Preaching in the 21st Century

From Our Presbytery

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOODA Conversation between a Farmer, a Chef, and a
Theologian. Sat., Oct. 3, 2015, 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Adults $15, Children Free. Includes locally-sourced
lunch. Grace and Hope Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220.
Next Presbytery Meeting:
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Location: Second Presbyterian Church,
Richmond

13

Announcements
Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details
IOpeners
grew up in a Presbyterian
Church that did not have an AshFellowship
Wednesday service.
The whole idea of Ash
Hour
and Closers
Wednesday struck me as something for other people, and I really had no appreciation for it one way or
6 Leys
September
6 serving
Jakea Savage
another
until I began
couple different PresbyterianSeptember
congregations which
had the service.

September
13 service
Miller/Farquhar
September
13 there
CalisGray
As
many of you know,
no biblical requirement to hold
an Ash Wednesday
or to use ashes
much as there is no biblical requirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths beSeptember
20 Watkins
September
20 Still,
PeteAsh
Sizemore
hind
them year-round).
Wednesday has been observed
by many Christians
for at least the past ten
centuries.
It
is
the
day
that
marks
the
beginning
of
Lent

a
six-week
period
preceding
Easter (Lent, too, is
September 27 Bowman
September
27

Kent
Cardwell
not in the Bible).

in September...

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
1LisaThus,
Gray
were done in the shapeGrace
of the Covenant
cross a symbol
of the Good News.
even as the ashes spoke of a need to
is happy
1hope.
Dana McKnight
repent (turn to God) they
also spoke
of resurrection
to offer
this blessing
up power and

Date Night

3 Wade Kennedy
to our families again on
The first time I had ashes
placed on
my forehead,
anything (and
never does!). However, the
4Madeline
Pritchett
Saturday,
September
25, it didnt do
visible ashen mark helped
me
consider
again
my
need
grace
even
as
the
cross-shape
prompted me to give
7 John Lootens
from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A
thanks for the Life in which
I already
stand
because
Jesus has done
on the cross. The ashes also made
Williams
charge
of $5 per
child
will of what 8David
me face anew the fact that
I
will
one
day
die,
which
renewed
my
hope
and
thanks
for the hope I have in
help defray the costs of
10 Nicole Flournoy
Christ
Jesus.though
Paradoxically,
themaximum
ashes-receiving proved12
uplifting!
Of course,
this is in keeping with the
child care,
there isthen,
a $10
Matthew
Hartman
Gospel
which
always
cuts
to
the
heart
(Acts
2:37)
and
convicts
even
as
it
heals
and
per family with more than two children.
13Gloria Gregory binds up wounds.
Please RSVP by 3:00 p.m. Thursday,
16Caitlin Corby
After
receiving24,
ashes,
I went
to research
the topic in more detail. I realized that while there exists no Bible
September
to the
church
at info@grace
17Arthur
verse
that says we
observe
Ashname
Wednesday
there isStrunk
a good theological reasoning un-covenant.org
or must
359-2463
with
of childor impose ashes,
17Jody
Hazlegrove
derpinning
and age. the service. In many ways, the service enacts our call to confess our sins to another, to weep with
Hackett
one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can 17
only Campbell
be appreciated
by naming, not avoiding, the
18
Charles
Holmes
darkness).
19 Frances Mack
Hazlegrove
To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the 19
ashes.Henry
Indeed,
when calling the people of God
to repentance, the prophet Joel says, rend your hearts not your
clothing
(2:13). The prophet Isaiah likewise
20
Jim Poppell
tells the people to stop fasting and repenting in dust and ashes
andNancy
insteadPlunkett
get up and do justice (Isaiah 58:521
8). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for
thinking
that
they can perform external acts of
21 Colleen Gibbons
worship (like tearing their clothes or wearing ashes in repentance)
that
will
take the
place of actually giving
24 John Martin
Roberts
their hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world.25
We Liz
are wise
to avoid any imposition of ashes if
Anderson
we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in26
and of
themselves.
Kendall Appich
26 Jim Appich
However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way for many Christians to know anew our hope
27 Alexander Wilson
in Jesus Christ, ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on Wednesday, February 18th
Tetzlaff
in the chapel. The ashes will be entirely optional you may28Chris
choose whether
or not you come forward to re29
David
Holt
ceive them. If you do come forward, I will put the ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross with the

words, Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that through the
service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again
that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring
LifeParents!
and Life Eternal.
GCPC
Bring your young children and
join us, Saturday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon on the Grace Covenant Playground. This will be a time for GCPC and CDC
Parents to gather while their kids get to play.

Parents and Playground

14

Announcements

Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details

I grew
up in aCovenant
Presbyterian Church that did not have an Ash Wednesday service. The whole idea of Ash
Dear
Grace
Wednesday struck me as something for other people, and I really had no appreciation for it one way or
friends,
another until I began serving a couple different Presbyterian congregations which had the service.

I would like to invite you to

As many of you know, there is no biblical requirement to hold an Ash Wednesday service or to use ashes
my
artasopening
Ruthrequirement
&
much
there is noatbiblical
to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths beOllie
Please
hind (Carytown).
them year-round).
Still, Ash Wednesday has been observed by many Christians for at least the past ten
know
thatItIisinvite
to the beginning of Lent a six-week period preceding Easter (Lent, too, is
centuries.
the dayyou
that marks
not event
in the Bible).
this
in hope of your
"presence"--in terms of
Around the tenthnot
century,
Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need for repentsupport--and
in hope
ance, presumably emulating the likes of Job who repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). Notably, the ashes
that
you would purchase a
were done in the shape of the cross a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to
painting.
to of resurrection power and hope.
repent (turnPlease
to God)feel
they free
also spoke
bring a friend!
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
Sincerely,
thanks for
the Life in which I already stand because of what Jesus has done on the cross. The ashes also made
Carson
Price
me face anew the fact that I will one day die, which renewed my hope and thanks for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with the
Gospel which always cuts to the heart (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.
My name is Kendall Appich. My husband, Chase Appich, and the entire Appich
has
this
generations.
I amthere
originally
from
StafAfter receiving ashes,clan
I went
to made
research
thechurch
topic intheir
morehome
detail.for
I realized
that while
exists no
Bible
ford,
VA.
Chase
and
I
met
at
Virginia
Tech
and
now
have
made
Richmond
our
verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoning unSome
of my
include
an overall
"foodie,"
derpinning the service.home.
In many
ways,
the hobbies
service enacts
ourcooking/baking
call to confess ourand
sinsbeing
to another,
to weep
with
running,
skiing,
the
outdoors
in
general,
music
shows/concerts,
and
being
with
one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can only be appreciated by naming, not avoiding, the
friends and family as often as I can! Over the last several months, Chase and I have
darkness).
been getting to know the congregation and have enjoyed getting to know folks in a
youngmagical
adult small
When
Bobby
reached
to me
about
cookofposition
To be sure, there is nothing
about group.
the service
or the
ashes.
Indeed,out
when
calling
thethe
people
God
for
Wednesday
Night
Supper,
I
was
absolutely
thrilled.
I
truly
believe
one
of the
to repentance, the prophet Joel says, rend your hearts not your clothing (2:13). The prophet Isaiah
likewise
ways
reach people
through
a meal
together.
This opportunity
tells the people to stopbest
fasting
andtorepenting
in dustisand
ashes sharing
and instead
get up
and do justice
(Isaiah 58:5- is
so
exciting
on
so
many
levels,
and
God's
hand
in
finding
a
way
my
family
canof
be8). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for thinking that they can perform external acts
comeclothes
more or
integrated
into the
church is truly
amazing.
hopeof
toactually
see each
of you
worship (like tearing their
wearing ashes
in repentance)
that will
take theIplace
giving
ontheir
Wednesdays
for
a
fresh,
wholesome
home-cooked
supper!
hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world. We are wise to avoid any imposition of ashes if
we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in and of themselves.

Welcome New WNS CookKendall Appich

Fellowship Announcements

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 reBe onIf the
lookout!
Dinner
forput
Six
willforehead
begin in
theshape
Social
after
ceive them.
you do
come forward,
I will
thesign-ups
ashes on your
in the
of aRoom
cross with
the
later this
words,worship,
Consider yourself
deadmonth.
to sin and alive in Jesus Christ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that through the
service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again
that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring Life and Life Eternal.

Dinners for Six

Social Hour on the Terrace

During the months of September and October the post-worship social hour will take place on
the terrace, weather-permitting. We look forward to enjoying the fall weather together! Of
course, if the weather does not cooperate, then we will gather in the Social Room. Look in your
bulletin for any updates or changes.
15

Adventures in
Marriage
Unlock the Best in Your Relationship
Learn proven and practical skills with marriage experts from First Things First.
All skills will be practiced exclusively by couples and they will not need to share with the group.
Date/time: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Location: Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

1627 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23220

Cost: FREE for Presbytery of the James church members & guests. Others: $25 per person or $40 per couple
Registration:
FREE: For Grace Covenant, Westminster, Tuckahoe & PBYJames members & guests: names/phone/e-mail /
church if any email, info@grace-covenant.org
Others : Register online at www.firstthingsrichmond.org : $25 per person or $40 per couple
Childcare: Available from GCPC $10 per child: names/ages / parent cell: info@grace-covenant.org
Instructors: Dianne & Bob Ruthazer, CFLE Founders of First Things First and the Marriage & Relationship
Coaching Center. Richmond areas Marriage Experts Educating and Coaching Couples for over 20 years and
married 36 years themselves (they laugh: 34 years happily married). They bring proven skills and humorous
personal stories to help you have fun while you make your good marriage better!
Church questions: 804-359-2463
First Things First or program questions: bob@firstthingsrichmond.org or 804-402-8004

Adventures in Marriage Unlock the Best in Your Relationship

Topic 1
Languages of Love and Killer Marriage Tips
Topic 2
Listen to We: Communications for Intimacy
Topic 3
Right & Left: Appreciating Personality Differences

Hosted by Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Tuckahoe Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian,

and the Presbytery of the James

16

Save the Date

SAVE THE DATE
6:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2015
An Evening with Reverend Dr. Joan Gray, author of Sailboat
Church
On Friday, October 30, please join us for a special event in the Fellowship
Hall. We will begin the evening at 6:00 p.m. with a chili cook-off! All are
welcome to bring a chili. Sign-ups for the chili cook-off will be available in
October. All others are invited to provide a small dessert to share.
Following dinner, we will have a special presentation on the mission of the
church from Reverend Dr. Joan Gray, the author of Sailboat Church, which is
the book that the GCPC officers have been reading, discussing, and praying
through during the course of this year.
This event will go from 6:00-8:15 p.m. and childcare will be provided
throughout that time.

Update from your APNC

Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details

The
Associate
Nominating
has just
completed
the service.
first phase
the process
to call
I grew
up in aPastor
Presbyterian
ChurchCommittee
that did not have
an Ash
Wednesday
The of
whole
idea of Ash
GCPCs
next Associate
This first
phase,
as directed
thehad
Presbytery,
was tofor
complete
theorMIF
Wednesday
struck mePastor.
as something
for other
people,
and I by
really
no appreciation
it one way
(Ministry
Information
Form).a couple
This form
is available
for all
to read on our
website
(grace-covenant.org/
another until
I began serving
different
Presbyterian
congregations
which
had the
service.
associate-pastor-search) and paper copies are in the glass office. Now that our side of the information
form
is completed
and approved
the Presbytery
our Session,
we wait for
the matches
to come
As many
of you know,
there is noby
biblical
requirementand
to hold
an Ash Wednesday
service
or to use ashes
in.
Wemuch
are very
excited
to
see
who
God
is
sending
our
way.
as there is no biblical requirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths behind them year-round). Still, Ash Wednesday has been observed by many Christians for at least the past ten
Our
MIF explains
we are
as athe
church
and of
who
weare
seekingperiod
to callpreceding
as Associate
Pastor.
centuries.
It is thewho
day that
marks
beginning
Lent
a six-week
Easter
(Lent,We
too,have
is
named
not inthe
the position,
Bible). Associate Pastor for Christian Education. This immediately tells all candidates that
our primary focus for this position is Christian Education. This does not mean that the AP will not lead
worship
visit
and/or
have
other pastoral
duties;
whatonittheir
clearly
says is
CEtheir
will need
be the
emphaAroundorthe
tenth
century,
Christians
began placing
ashes
forehead
tothat
signify
formain
repentsisance,
of this
position at
GCPC. the
Thelikes
MIFofincludes
Mission
Statement.
And
we42:6).
have Notably,
explained
five
presumably
emulating
Job who our
repented
in dust
and ashes
(Job
theinashes
narrative
questions
more
about
GCPC
and
our
needs
for
the
Associate
Pastor.
We
have
met
with
many
were done in the shape of the cross a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to of
you
to get
your
for these
five questions,
thank
youand
all. hope.
We have also selected ten leadership comperepent
(turn
to input
God) they
also spoke
of resurrection
power
tencies (from a list of more than thirty) that further define the particular gifts we are seeking in the AP.
First
our
listIwas
Teacher,
again
stressing
theitimportance
of Christian
Education
this search
Theon
first
time
had ashes
placed
on my
forehead,
didnt do anything
(and never
does!).inHowever,
thefor our
Associate
Pastor.
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 Jesus has done on the cross. The ashes also made
Please
pray
for the
ourfact
committee
listen
as we
begin
the process
reading
me face
anew
that I willtoone
dayfor
die,Gods
whichguidance
renewed my
hope
and thanks
for theofhope
I havePIFs
in
(Personal
Information
Forms)
from
the
many
candidates
we
expect
to
hear
from
in
the
coming
months.
Christ Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with
the
Gospel which always cuts to the heart (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.
APNC Moderator Dana McKnight
APNC Clerk Sallie Leys
PIF
Clerk
Itunu
Adekoya
Clerk that
Jessica
Reveley
After receiving ashes, I went to research the topic in moreComputer
detail. I realized
while there
exists no Bible
Education
Clerk

Cheryl
Jacobs
verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoning un17

Worship
Weekly Sunday Morning Prayer
The best way to start a Sunday morning, or any morning, is with prayer. Each Sunday morning from
9:15 to 9:30 a.m. 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.

Monthly Prayer Group

A prayer group meets after the worship service on the last Sunday of each month. We will pray in the
chapel from 12:30-1:00 p.m. following the 11:00 a.m. church service. For more information please
contact Itunu Adekoya at 309-310-1424 or historybegins1727@yahoo.com, Susan Farrell at 359-6222
or omatalsbh@gmail.com, or Carol Wood at 282-2446 or ctwood7@gmail.com Please join us for
our next meeting on September 27!

New Pew Bibles

The new pew Bibles (New Revised Standard Version) have now been placed in the pews. Thank you to
all who made donations toward the new Bibles.
A special thank you to Cynthia Holmes, Cheryl Jacobs, and Christopher Tweel for their calligraphic
skills in preparing the book plates that record the donations made for the Bibles.
The previous pew Bibles (Revised Standard Version) will be available in the Archives Room if you
would like to keep any of them.
Dana McKnight
18

Update from Session

Budget Update from Session
For the year to date through July, GCPC has run an operating deficit of $105,034. At the end of the
month, GCPC had approximately $10,000 in cash and $113,859 in the reserve fund. GCPC typically
runs a deficit through the first part of the calendar year as donations are frequently back-loaded towards the end of the year. However, donations through July are approximately 11% below where they
were at this time last year.
At this time, the church is likely to run an operating deficit for 2015 that is estimated to
be between $25,000 and $45,000 because of lower than expected rental income associated with a tenant moving out of the East Building and higher than expected personnel
expenses associated with changes in staffing earlier in the year. The range is dependent
on whether donations are received as budgeted and when a tenant is found for the vacant space in the East Building.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Following Junes pattern, July recorded a sizable deficit in the General
Fund as a result of moderate income experienced during the summer and
relatively high expenses.
Julys contributions of $31,000 were up 6% from June, but the year-to-date total is down 10%
from the prior year, about a third of which is accounted for by the difference in pledges paid in advance. Julys expenses of $67,300 were up from Junes and included $6,700 in insurance, $4,800
in air-conditioning repair in the main building and $6,500 in the Stuart Circle Building. The year
-to-date expenses are up over the same period last year by 16.7%, with the majority accounted for
by higher personnel costs. Julys expenses exceeded income by $24,500.
Julys Five Cents Per Meal offering was $67, Loaves and Fishes was $425, and the Mercy offering
was $134.

19

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
Administrative Support/ Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org

Church Office Hours:

Mon., Tues., 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
12:15 p.m.
Congregational Fellowship
in the Social Room

GCPC Child Development Center

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)
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), Nominating
- CE (M)
- Property (Co-M), CE
- Administration (M)
Stewardship (M)
- Property (Co-M)
- Administration (Co-M)
- Worship (M)

MODERATOR OF THE BOARD OF DEACONS: Lisa Cardwell

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 Fund (M)
Care Team

TRUSTEES:
Caroline Leith (17)
John Roberts (15)
Warren Zirkle (16)

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

20