Grace Notes

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Brothers and sisters in Christ What an awesome and humbling privilege it is to serve the living God. A God Who never sleeps, Who numbers the hairs on our heads, Who knows our rising up and our lying down, Who is acquainted with all our ways and all the while, does everything in His power to draw us closer to Him in our walk, to refresh us with the living water of His forgiveness, and to use us as channels of His gracious love for all the world. There is no higher calling, there is no greater joy, than to abide completely in Christ, and to know the peace, power, and guidance of His Holy Spirit in our lives. This we know to be true. We also know that we our lives are stained throughout by sin. We know that the enemy crouches at the door, waiting patiently to ensnare us in innumerable ruses, half-truths, and temptations to privilege self over others. Because we know the joy of abiding in God, when we realize how an appetite or desire has induced us away from that abiding, we often resolve to try harder. God is pleased both with our acknowledgment of His righteousness, and by those instances when our eyes are opened to recognize our sin. Yet all too often we are led astray at this point by our own good (but doomed) intentions. For at the very moment we recognize our sin and try to back away from it, the enemy has laid a snare right behind us. And that snare is the fiction that by trying harder we can draw even a hairs breadth closer to God and His will for us. It is a fiction because it contradicts the truth spoken by the prophet, that even our greatest righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). This was the very fiction taught by the Pharisees, embraced by the Jews, and condemned by John the Baptist. It is why both John and Jesus proclaimed not confession, but repentance (Mark 1:15; Matthew 21:32). Repentance means not to be sorry, but to turn to abandon the direction one has been traveling, and to pursue another path. A different path. It is why Jesus, when asked by the rich young ruler What more should I do? answered him with the instruction to leave behind the life he had built, and to come and follow Him. There is no more that we can do. More, Better, Harder, Stronger these are all together lighter than a feather, and without substance. There is only Jesus. And He wanted so fiercely for us to understand this that He willingly submitted to torture, crucifixion, and utter abandonment by God all that we might abandon the fictions of this life, TURN, and surrender our lives to Him. As we prepare to recognize Christs ultimate sacrifice as we prepare to behold, with unshaded eye, the horrible suffering that He endured for our sake we cannot with any integrity avoid asking ourselves the question, Is my life better for being a Christian? Or is it different? Yours under the mercy of Christ,
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Volume 43, Issue 3

March 2013

Easter Sunday Flowering of the Cross

This is a gentle reminder from the Worship Ministry to bring your cut flowers for the flower cross on Easter Sunday. This is a beautiful and long-standing Grace Covenant tradition. We ask that you bring flowers from your yard (or those you have purchased) to completely cover the form of the cross that sits in the front of the sanctuary during our Easter worship service. After worship the cross is carried outside and put on our front steps as a visual witness that Grace Covenant is indeed celebrating and rejoicing in the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Many of our neighbors and the Monument Avenue Easter parade stop to take pictures beside this cross each year. Please help us continue this tradition and bring your flowers for the cross on Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday Hallelujah Chorus

One of the great Easter Sunday traditions at Grace Covenant is the singing of Handels Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) to conclude our worship service. We invite all worshippers in the sanctuary to come forward to join the Chancel Choir in singing this uplifting choral benediction. The church owns a few extra scores of the Hallelujah Chorus that it can pass out to worshippers; however, if you own a copy, we ask that you please bring it with you on Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday Musical Offerings

Prelude: Finale (Organ Symphony No. 1) Introit: This Is the Day the Lord Has Made Anthem: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Handbells: Lift High the Cross Benediction: Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) Postlude: Toccata (Organ Symphony No. 5) Louis Vierne Hal H. Hopson Eleanor Daley Cynthia Dobrinski G. F. Handel Charles-Marie Widor

HOLY WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT 2013

Upcoming Services and Events
PALM SUNDAY March 24, 2013 9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. Palm Sunday Morning Brunch Fellowship Hall Stuart Circle Parish Palm Sunday Service First English Lutheran

10:00 a.m. Stuart Circle Palm Sunday Procession Monument Ave. 11:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship Sanctuary MAUNDY THURSDAY March 28, 2013 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Dinner (instead of Wednesday) Communion Service Sanctuary

GOOD FRIDAY March 29, 2013 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Prayer Vigil Sanctuary

EASTER SUNDAY March 31, 2013 Bring flowers for the Flowering Cross
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Stewardship Corner Financial Update for January 2013

The January numbers are in, and Grace Covenant started out the year relatively well. The congregation pledged to give $428,000 in 2013; in January, the church received over $40,000 from those pledges. This puts us on pace to meet our yearly goal. In addition, the church received over $3,600 in unpledged contributions, along with $4,600 in rental income. Loaves and Fishes and Wednesday Night Live accounted for the remaining monthly income. On the expense side, the church spent over $25,000 on property and maintenance in January (including $4,000 in taxes on the East Building and $7,600 overall for fuel). Building expenses were the only item that exceeded our monthly budget. All of the other expense categories personnel, worship, evangelism, etc. came in at budget. It is also important to note that Grace Covenant paid $2,700 to Presbyterian Benevolences during the month. In all, the church posted a $6,000 loss in January. We are thankful for the generous contributions of our congregation and look forward to updating everyone on our finances each month! -Eric Spitzer, Treasurer 305-0139, ericjspitzer@gmail.com

Decembers contributions of $67,700 were about twice those of November, but were only about two-thirds the unusually high amount received in December of 2011. While the level of 2012s contributions had generally been running ahead of those of the prior year, the years total was one percent below 2011s due to the effect of that December giving. Decembers total income was $77,200, exclusive of $16,400 transferred from Restricted accounts to fund their designated expenses. Expenses in December totaled $61,000, including those mission and other expenditures funded by the Restricted accounts. Decembers income exceeded expenses by $32,700. For the year Income exceeded expenses by $6,800, including $12,000 from a bequest and $25,000 from our Reserve account. Our Joy Gift offering in December was $2,234, our Five Cents per Meal, $265, and our Loaves and Fishes, $2,900. For the year the Loaves and Fishes mission received $22,000 and Five Cents Per Meal $3,100. -Lloyd Bostian, Treasurer Emeritus
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Bri

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At the home of Margaret and Dick Cardwell 7105 University Drive

Questions? Call the church office at 359-2463

Palm Sunday Breakfast at Grace Covenant

Please plan to join us for breakfast on Palm Sunday, March 24, in the Fellowship Hall. We will gather at 9:00 a.m. to share our morning meal. Afterward, we will walk next door to the steps of First English Lutheran for our combined Stuart Circle Parish service at 9:45 a.m., followed by the annual Palm Sunday procession at 10:00 a.m. Please bring a breakfast food to share. The CE Ministry will have the tables set and the coffee and juice ready for all! Contact: Cheryl Jacobs at 355-7310 or by email at bill.cher.jacobs@mindspring.com for additional information.
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GCPC Seeks Librarian

Are you familiar with the blessing that is the Grace Covenant library? Fiction, reference, theology, non-fiction, inspirational, biographies, commentaries and other treasures line its shelves and, until recently, it was stewarded by our own Evelyn Tower. Now that she has headed west, our Christian Education & Discipleship Ministry is looking for a volunteer/ librarian(s) to oversee this ministry. Immediate tasks will include a small amount of processing of materials, occasional straightening of books and magazines, and monitoring usage and check-out of materials. Looking further ahead (and with available funds), this is a golden opportunity for someone who has a vision for the library and/or a passion for stewarding these treasures to the benefit of the congregation, and continuing the Reformed Traditions strong emphasis on learning. Better yet, Diane Davis has volunteered to provide some initial training. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact the church office at 359-2463. It can be fun and it might be the volunteer opportunity you dont want to miss!

Another New Member

HANNAH SIBOLE, our youngest new member and Virginia Tech graduate, joined Grace Covenant in December of 2012. A life-long Presbyterian who grew up in Hampton, Virginia, and a graduate student at VCU, Hannah wanted to maintain her Presbyterian roots in Richmond. Once she attended our worship service, "my search was over." This May she will earn her Masters degree in Bio Medical Engineering...BUT, as busy as she is with her studies, she finds time to referee soccer. Thank you for choosing GCPC, Hannah! We are all delighted you are with us!

Daylight Savings Time

March 10 is Daylight Savings time. Dont forget to turn your clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed on Saturday. Remember to replace the batteries twice a year in smoke detectors, i.e. when you change the clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

PRESBYTERIAN OLDER ADULT MINISTRY

Rev. Charles E. Sutton

March Birthdays
2- Betty Schenk 2- Reagan McCullough 3- Maria Rachal 3- Zoe Koch 4- Lewis Rosebro 5- Chuck Massey 6- Katherine Baird 6- Alexander Robinson 7- Mac Janney II 8- Steve Booth 8- Sudie Wood 9- Carol Wood 9- Bennett Corby 10- Lily Spangler 11- Caroline Leith 11- Susan Farrell 12- Dawson Watkins 13- John Nevin 13- Brannan Boze 14- Becky Yonan 14- Gay Moss 16- John Alexander 17- Helen Holt 20- Lucy Harvie 23- Helen Reveley 23- Debbie Pritchett 23- Maria Spitzer 23- Ann Temple Londrey 24- Betty Clough 25- Bonnie Pritchard 26- Langdon Moss III 27- Holly Anderson 27- Bob Adams 27- Jeremiah Zobule 29- Courtney Clements 29- Jonathan Hubbard

Last night I slipped out of my skin, and I could see myself here in bed. Those were my fathers words. I had traveled some distance that morning to visit with him in a nursing center that afternoon. In the 1970s several books had become best sellers reporting accounts of Life After Life experiences. You may have read some of them. The editor of Christianity Today has provided some helpful comments in the December 2012 issue. In 1975 Dr. Raymond A. Moody, Jr., published Life After Life which is a collection of recorded interviews together with Moodys own comments and reflections. I consider this book to be one of the most helpful and interesting. In 1980 psychologist Kenneth Ring wrote Life at Death. In 1990s Betty J. Eadie wrote Embraced by the Light and Dannion Brinkley wrote Saved by the Light. In 2004 Don Piper wrote Ninety Minutes in Heaven, published by Revell. 2012 gave us Eben Alexander with a book entitled Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeons Journey into the Afterlife, mentioned in the October issue of Newsweek. Recently the NBC Today Show featured the writer of Heaven is for Real: a little boys astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back, written by his father, Todd Burpo, and published by Thomas Nelson. Paul writes: I know a man in Christ who ...was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2.
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March
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
3 Handbell Choir 8:30 am Inquirers Class 5 of 6 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30pm

4 Mens Lunch 12 noon CDC Staff Meeting 6:10pm City Church Womens Bible Study 7:00 pm

5 Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 10:30am PW Luncheon 12:00 noon 7:00 pm Admin. Ministry 7:00 pm Missions Ministry

6 City Church 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

10 Prayer 9:15 am Inquirers Class 6 of 6 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30pm Fellowship Ministry 12:30 pm 17 Handbell Choir 8:30 am Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Congregational Lunch 12:30pm

11 Mens Lunch 12 noon 12 Staff Meeting 11:30 a.m. Worship Ministry Meeting 7:00 pm
Property Meeting 7:00pm

City Church Womens Bible Study 7:00 pm

13City Church Womens Bible Study 9:30 am Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm PW Circles Meet CDC Board Meeting 5:00 pm (see page 11) WNL 6:00 pm Finance Ministry Meeting 6:00pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

18 Mens Lunch 12 noon 19 Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. CDC Parent Meeting 5:30 pm City Church Womens Bible Study 7:00 pm

Deacons Meeting 5:30 pm

20 City Church 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 27 City Church Womens
Bible Study 9:30 am

24 Palm Sunday 25 Mens Lunch 12 noon 26 Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. Handbell Choir 8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Worship 10:55 am City Church Womens Fellowship Hour 12 noon Bible Study 7:00 pm Congregational Lunch 12:30pm
31 EASTER SUNDAY!

Handbell Choir 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon

1 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR EASTER MONDAY

Page 9

Thursday 1

Friday

Saturday 2

Community Group 5:45 pm

CDC Chapel 10:00 am

9 Daylight Savings Time

14 CDC Chapel 10:00 am Christian Education Ministry 7:00 pm 21

15 Community Group 5:45 pm

16 CHURCH WORK DAY

GRACE NOTES DUE 22

CDC Chapel 10:00 am
SESSION MEETING

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MAUNDY THURSDAY Dinner 6:00 pm CDC Chapel 10:00 am 7:00 p.m. Worship Service 8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

29 GOOD FRIDAY CDC CLOSED Good Friday Prayer Vigil 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Church Office Closed half day Community Group 5:45 pm

30 Easter Egg Hunt at the Cardwells, 7105 University Drive 10:00 am

Child Development Center

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church,

Page 10

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! We here at the CDC spent our whole month of February learning all about friends, family, and how to love each other. We learned all about members of our family and their roles in our lives, as well as where we live with our families. We compared ourselves to our friends, becoming more familiar with our physical characteristics and how we relate to each other. We discussed different types of families, and families that live in other places. Most of all, we had fun learning how to show our love to the important people in our lives! In addition to learning all about this wonderful theme of love and families, we also implemented a child assessment program which will help teachers focus on each child's level of development and work with him/her individually. For parent teacher work day, we held conferences to discuss the following developmental categories: Social and emotional: Regulating emotions /behavior, building relationships and understanding how people live and operate. Physical: Development in both gross and fine motor skills. Language: Communicating and communication concepts. Cognitive: Approaches to learning, con necting experiences, classification skills, and understanding symbolic representation. Literacy: Phonological awareness, alphabet recognition and knowledge, understanding of print concepts, responses to books, and emergent writing skills (fine motor development). Mathematics: Using number concepts, exploring spatial and shape relationships, compares and measures, demon strating knowledge of patterns. Science and Technology: Using tools, asking questions, under standing physical properties of objects, and demonstrating knowledge of the characteristics of living things. Arts: Exploring visual media, musical concepts, dance movement, and drama lan guage. The teachers used the Milestones of Development published by DSS to determine where each child is in each category. We have put together assessment portfolios for each child, which will move with them through the program. In addition to adding focus on individual abilities, this will also improve communication between parents and teachers. We are so excited about our new assessment tools! Thank you for all of your support, Grace Covenant! - Nicole Williams, CDC Director

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Presbyterian Women Spring Luncheon

Everyone is invited to the PWs Spring Luncheon, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Our special guest speaker will be Alan Sader, the spokesman for ChildFund, formerly known as the Christian Childrens Fund. He will tell us about his experience with ChildFund over the last 20-some years and show slides from places as diverse as Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, and Sri Lanka. Mr. Sader has also made films with the Baptist Mission Board, playing a cartographer who travels the world. Many years ago he even acted on the PTL networks soap opera! This fascinating fellow promises to present a top-notch speech, and to allow plenty of time for questions. Please come and bring a friend! Lunch is only $4.00 and is always delicious. Circle 3 is the hostess and the Least Coin will also be collected.

PW Benevolence Fund
Interest earned on the GCPC Presbyterian Women Memorial Fund is available for benevolent purposes as determined by the PW Coordinating Team. Anyone wishing to suggest a worthy cause is invited to put their suggestion in writing with the dollar amount, address it to Becky Reeves, and place it in the PW Mailbox in the glass office by March 31, 2013. Briefly describe how the money would be used, and include the name and address of the person to receive the check if the purpose is chosen.

All Circles Meet on Tuesday, March 12

PW Circle 2 11:00 a.m. Covenant Room Hostess: Maria Rachal

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

PW Circle 3 9:30 a.m. Social Room Hostess: Betty Appic h

s l Jacob : Chery ss Hoste

k Ave 02 Par

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Openers/Closers March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 Worship Kits Lisa Cardwell Grace Notes Deadline: March 21 is the deadline for submissions for our April edition. Elementary Sunday School Megan Meyer Fellowship Hour Schedule March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 Dawson Watkins Eric and Maria Spitzer Pete and Suzanne Sizemore Jake and Laura Leigh Savage Elizabeth Russell Jake Savage Pete Sizemore Whit Whitley Charlie Appich Lloyd Bostian

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Grace Notes

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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. 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. February Programs:
March 6: Christianity at Work - Everett Reveley will talk about the challenges of being an Internal Auditor March 13: The Mission Ministrys Monthly Presentation: Daughters of Zelophehad March 20: TBA March 27: No program; dinner and worship on Maundy Thursday (March 28).
All meals are $5.00 per person, $12.00 per family, and $2.00 for students. First-time guests eat free.

Congregational Luncheon
The Fellowship Ministry Team is excited to invite the congregation to attend an Unsung Hero -Heroine Luncheon to be held in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 14 following our worship service, Members of the congregation who are at least 75 years of age and have been part of our Grace Covenant family for more than 15 years and will be recognized. Please join us as we celebrate these loyal people who have quietly served our church in countless ways. Watch for details in future bulletins.

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New Print Directory of GCPC Members

The preparation of a new print directory of GCPC members is well underway and it will be completed in April. If you have not checked the accuracy of your contact information in the current directory, or if you have not sent a completed member information sheet to Jack Corley, please do so by the end of March. A copy of the current directory is on the table in the narthex each Sunday through March. Your cooperation is needed to ensure that your contact information is complete and correct. Contact Jack Corley at jackcorley@verizon.net or 515-7330 for more info.

New Electronic Pictorial Directory of GCPC Members

One of the first tasks to be faced by our new pastor will be getting to know each of us. It has been suggested that an electronic pictorial directory be available to facilitate this getting-to -know-you process. As with the print directory, your cooperation is needed. We ask that everyone who has a digital camera or a phone with a camera take a picture of the family group (not individuals) and e-mail it to info@grace-covenant.org. Members without this capability are asked to contact Jack Corley, 515-7330, or Vanessa Strait in the church office, 359-2463, to arrange an appointment to take your photo at the church.

Good Friday Prayer Vigil

The Worship Committee will host a twelve-hour Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary on Good Friday, March 29, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for you to reflect and prepare for the Easter celebration in prayer with God our Father. Please sign up for the hour of your choice on the chart posted in the narthex; our goal is to have someone in prayer during the entire span of time. We will also offer a prayer and meditation guide for those who are interested. Vanessa and members of the Worship Ministry will take turns staffing the glass office and back door to allow you to come into the church that day. Please join us in this time of prayer.

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The Staff
Brint Keyes 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 Custodian 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

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 Jordan Ball (14) Wayne Casey (13) Jack Corley (13) Matt Hartman (13) Virginia Hudson (14) Cheryl Jacobs (15) Caroline Leith (15) Katie McCullough (13) Dana McKnight (14) Christof Meyer (15) Joy Nevin (14) Everett Reveley (15) Nelson Reveley (15) Robert Rosebro (13) Rob Turner (14) Nominating (M), Finance Property, Small Groups (M) Finance, Missions Missions (M), Small Groups Evangelism (M), CE/Discipleship CE/Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship Administration (Co-M), Property Administration (Co-M) Worship (Co-M), Finance CE/Discipleship (Co-M) Fellowship (M) Finance (M) CE/Discipleship (Co-M), Evangelism Property (M) Worship (Co-M)

DEACONS Compassion Ministry (Flowers, Prayer, Visitation and Care Team) Jan Kessel (14), Ann Pais (14), Dawson Watkins (13), Carol Wood (13) Hospitality Ministry (Ushers/Greeters, Glass Office, Inquirers Class, Guest Follow-up) Lisa Cardwell (15), Courtney Clements (15), Jennifer Schooley (15), Erika Tabor (14)

Service (Meals, Transportation, Deacons Fund) Lisa Gray (15), Ann Pais (14), Judy Waldron Grace Covenant Child Development Center (14), Dawson Watkins (13) Nicole Williams Director TRUSTEES: director.gccdc@verizon.net Lloyd Bostian (13) www.gracecovenantcdc.com Kent Cardwell (13) Caroline Leith (14) John Roberts (15)
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