january 2015

Vol

ume

45, I

ssue

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Janu

ary

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15

A Trip to the Holy Land

Dear Grace Covenant Family,

As some of you are aware, I am currently part of a pastor’s group called Macedonian

Ministry (see the mission statement on page 10). Macedonian Ministry cohorts are locat-

ed in a few cities scattered throughout the South. My cohort is comprised of ten ordained

Teaching Elders serving congregations in the Presbytery of the James. This cohort com-

mits to meet monthly for three consecutive years. During our gatherings, we participate in

congregational leadership training facilitated by retired Presbyterian minister George

Conway. Alongside the excellent monthly training, each cohort is given an opportunity at some point during

their three years together to take a trip to the Holy Land for two weeks. Our cohort’s trip is this January 5-19!

Throughout our trip, the focus will be on spiritual pilgrimage. We will be visiting numerous biblical sites as

we read and pray through the Scriptures that correspond to each site. In particular, we will visit the likes of

Sepphoras, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, Jericho, and Bethlehem. I have

never been to the Holy Land, and I am particularly excited to walk the terrain about which I regularly read,

teach, and preach.

I will miss you all! Being away for two weeks is quite a stretch of time. Here are few things to know, howev-

er, while I am away:

1. We are safe. The folks who lead the trip have led dozens of trips over the years, and anytime they

sense there is any danger at all they cancel the trip. They have not canceled the trip and have told us

that statistically-speaking the most dangerous moments of our whole trip will be our drive to and from

the Richmond airport.

2. The four primary trip leaders are Rev. George Conway, Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell, Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall,

and Dr. Max Miller. Dr. Miller is a retired from Emory as Professor Emeritas. Since 1980, he has led

dozens of trips throughout the Middle East.

- continued on page 10 -

January 25 in Worship

On Sunday, January 25, the deacons and ruling elders of the class of 2017 will be ordained and installed during worship. We will also dedicate our 100th anniversary banner in that same service. We hope you can make it as we gather in praise of our God, in support of the leaders whom God has called, in grati-

tude for the first 100, and in hope for what God will do in the next 100.

Below is the Officer Structure for 2015. Please feel free to contact any of our leaders with comments and questions. As well, listen for how God is leading you to support them and their ministry in the coming

year.

Elder and Deacon Assignments for 2015

Ruling Elders Class Name Assignment 2015 Cheryl Jacobs Christian Education Chair 2015 Caroline Leith Property Co-Chair, Christian Education 2015 Everett Reveley Stewardship Chair 2016 Katie McCullough Administration Chair 2016 James Atchison Finance Chair 2016 Pete Sizemore Nominating Chair, Administration 2017 Rob Turner Worship Chair 2017 Virginia Hudson Mission Chair, Nominating 2017 Lewis Rosebro Property Co-Chair

Deacons

Class Name Assignment 2015 Jennifer Schooley Guest Follow-up/New Members Chair,

Deacons’ Fund 2015 Courtney Clements Visitation Co-Chair and Fellowship 2015 Mary Gray Meals Chair, Visitation Co-Chair 2015 Lisa Cardwell Flowers Chair 2016 Phil Coltrain Glass Office Chair, Deacons’ Fund 2016 Itunu Adekoya Prayer Chair 2016 Jessica Reveley Justice Chair 2016 Jan Kessel Care Team Chair and Transportation Chair 2017 Sallie Leys Greeters/Ushers Chair 2017 Dawson Watkins Deacons’ Fund Chair, Care Team 2017 Dottie-Ray Koch Fellowship (Food Committee Liaison) 2017 Cynthia Holmes Fellowship Chair

Boaz & Ruth: 4th Saturday Brunch, Jan. 24 We will be switching our monthly outing to

Fire House 15 restaurant to Saturday morn-

ing! Fire House 15 is open from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and people are welcome to join in

at any point, but this month we will be gathering there at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 24. No official

RSVP’s necessary, but if you plan on joining us, please contact Jessica Reveley so that we can get a

rough head count ([email protected]). With the switch to Saturday, we are also hoping to be able

to include service opportunities with Boaz & Ruth in the future, so keep your eyes out for those dates.

Blood Drive on Good Friday (April 3, 2015)! In partnership with the Red Cross,

we will be hosting a blood drive at Grace Covenant on Good

Friday (April 3) this spring! We are working to get a head

count of potential donors, so if you are interested, please con-

tact Nelson Reveley ([email protected] or 387-8094).

And if you are unable to give yourself, you can always find a replacement or help volunteer. As we

remember the gift of redeemed life Christ has given to us, all participation is welcome and encouraged

as we help give the gift of life to others through blood donation.

Also, if you have had experience with organizing blood drives in the past or would like to help with

the preparation for this one, please contact Nelson as well.

Congratulations! We celebrate and congratulate Hannah Coltrain on her re-

cent engagement to James “Jimmy” W. Hamrick, Jr. They were officially engaged

on Christmas morning! No wedding date has been set as of yet.

Baby Girl! Caroline Elizabeth Kuipers was born to Julia and Josh Kuipers on

Thursday, December 25. She arrived weighing 8.9 lbs. and 21.5 inches long. They

are grateful for this incredible Christmas gift!

POJYO Movie Night Come out an check out a movie with the group on January 4,

2015. We will be watching "Noah," having some discussion

afterward and eating together as always. Contact Christopher

or Katherine Baird for more info at 359-2463 or 355-4703.

mailto:[email protected]


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Church

Office &

CDC

Closed

2 3

4

Prayer 9:15 am

Sunday School 9:45 am

Worship 10:55 am

Fellowship Hour 12:15 pm

POJ Youth Event

5 Men’s Lunch 12 noon

6

Staff Meeting 9:45 am

7

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm

Junior Choir 5:00 pm

WNL 6 pm

Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

8 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

9 10

11

Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am


12

Men’s Lunch 12 noon

Worship Committee

Meeting 7:00 pm

13

Staff Meeting

10:45 a.m.

14

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


15 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

SESSION Meets

7:00 pm

16

17

Date Night

5:00– 8:00 p.m.

18 Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am


19

Martin Luther King Day

Church Office Closed

20


21 Deadline for GN Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


22 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

23 24

25 Installation of Officers Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am



27


28

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


29 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

30 31

January

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Church

Office &

CDC

Closed

2 3

4

Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am


POJ Youth Event


6


7

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


8 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

9 10

11

Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am


12

Men’s Lunch 12 noon

Worship Committee

Meeting 7:00 pm

13

Staff Meeting

10:45 a.m.

14

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


15 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

SESSION Meets

7:00 pm

16

17

Date Night

5:00– 8:00 p.m.

18 Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am


19

Martin Luther King Day

Church Office Closed

20


21 Deadline for GN Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


22 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

23 24

25 Installation of Officers Prayer 9:15 am


Worship 10:55 am



27


28

Care Team 4:00 pm

Carol Choir 4:30 pm


WNL 6 pm


29 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

30 31

Grace Notes Deadline: January 21 is the deadline for

submissions for our February edition.

Upcoming Renovation "Jesus welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of

God…And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked

up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to

the disciples to set before the crowd” - Luke 9:11; 16

GCPC is centrally located in the Fan, and we have been

entrusted with stewarding a unique property that offers

much for the community, members, and CDC families

alike. In particular, the Fellowship Hall is the area in

which we gather most regularly with one another for

meals, discipleship training, and special events. At its

best, it offers a welcoming space into which we can

invite others to join us in our following of Jesus.

Moreover, it serves the CDC children throughout the

year as they take time for recreation in that space. Cur-

rently, however, the Fellowship Hall is in need of an up-

date if we want to continue using the space in a way that

is truly hospitable to the neighbors we have been called

to reach.

In light of this, a small group of church members (Cal

Gray, Carson Price, Cheryl Jacobs, and Jake Savage),

brought together under Bobby’s guidance, with the ses-

sion’s approval, has been researching options for a Fel-

lowship Hall renovation in 2015. In December, the

Building Fund approved funding for this project at the

request of session.

At this point, the renovation committee is gathering final

bids from contractors and making plans for the renova-

tion to happen during the summer of 2015. When a few

more details are in place (the contractor, official dates,

general layout plans) the renovation committee will pre-

sent to the session and the congregation an update about

where things are. They will invite input at that time as

well.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the Building

Fund over the years, and thank you to the members of

the Fund. Without your generosity, none of this would

be possible.

January Birthdays 1- Anne Norris

1- Juliette White

2- Brenda Harris

2- Bill Jacobs

3- Marcia Manning

6- Taylor Reveley III

6- Patty Richwine

7- Cherry Corley

8- Warren Zirkle

9- Kathy Winston

11- Adrian Chenoweth

11- Leo Chenoweth

14- George Norris

16- Donnie Appich

17- Steve Kemp III

18- Barbara Harkins

19- Will Bridenstine III

22- John Gray

22- Allison Spangler

23- Libby Rosebro

26- Susan Boze

26- Becky Crawford

26- Evelyn Tower

28- Wayne Casey

30- Fitz-Henry Boze

30- Katey Winston

Date Night Grace Covenant is happy to offer this blessing

up to our families again on Saturday, January 17, from 5:00 p.m. –

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 Vanessa Strait at [email protected]

or 359-2463 with name of child and age.

Looking forward to next year be sure to keep these dates on your cal-

endar. These dates below will be from 5:00 -8:00 p.m.

January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11, and May 23.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Strong contributions of $45,100 and routine expenses of $45,000

in November resulted in a net gain of $12,800 and an operating deficit of

about $25,200 for the year-to-date.

November’s Five Cents Per Meal offering was $266, Loaves and

Fishes $410, and Mercy $88. Other Restricted fund activity included a

gift in memory of Connie Whittet and repayment of advance to the Child

Development Center totaling over $11,000.

Honduras Team Set to Go Grace Covenant's Honduras team for January 2015 includes: Sallie

Leys, Helen Lanier Reveley, Itunu Adekoya, and Ron and Susan Da-

vid. Two overlapping groups will work from January 1-10. The

"Eye Team" will begin screenings, cataract surgeries, and the dis-

pensing of eyeglasses on January 2, assisted by local volunteers in-

cluding Rev. Mark Wright (PCUSA mission coworker in Honduras)

and Dr. Adolfo Moreno and his family. Three American surgeons

and three OR nurses, from Louisiana and California, plus two Hon-

duran ophthalmologists, hope to do more than 200 surgical proce-

dures in five days. The "Medical/Dental Team" will provide general

medical and dental care to hundreds of people in five locations.

Christian Education and Discipleship

Sunday School is held every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The nursery crib room and Sunday School

are available for children ages 2 and up.

The Vanguard Class, Basement, Room B4: The class will begin a new study on how "to be the men

that God wants us to be this day," with focus upon our attitude as men in the greater church of Christ

and our relationship and action to injustice in the world.

Grace Bible Class, Second Floor, Room 212: The Grace Bible Class will be meeting from December

21 - January 11. The teacher is TBD.

The Forum & Connections Classes, Basement, Room B7: On Jan. 4, the Forum Class will be resum-

ing its lessons with Dr. Tom Miller (in room B7), and the Connections Class will become the Good

Books Class (in room 303).

Good Books Class: This class entails reading

and exploring good books about God in our

everyday lives. Our discussions will be framed

devotionally through scripture, hymns, and

prayer (including prayer for each other) that

relates to the book we will be exploring. Nel-

son Reveley will be facilitating this class (in

room 303), and we will begin with John Leith's

book The Reformed Imperative: What the

Church Has to Say That No One Else Can

Say from Jan. 4-Feb. 15. If you would like to

join in this class, please contact Nelson

Reveley at [email protected] or 387-

8094. Due to a generous gift, a limited num-

ber of free copies of the book are available,

simply contact Nelson Reveley. No pre-reading due for the first class.

A New Small Group for Parents! Every month from January to

May, parents are invited to gather for a small group. Meetings will

rotate to different houses on the fourth Sunday of each month. The

first meeting taking place on Sunday, January 25, from 5:00-6:30

p.m. at the home of Cheryl and James Atchison (1200 Bowden Rd.

23229). Childcare will be provided in home by Amanda and Wil Dickerson – please bring your child(ren)!

Also, please bring a side or salad for the share potluck dinner. Want to join in? Talk with James Atchison at

[email protected] or Bobby Hulme-Lippert at [email protected].


Looking for a Way to Get Involved in Outreach? Calling all interested participants and planners! The Mission Committee has

two upcoming - and ongoing - service initiatives afoot at Grace Covenant.

See below for more information, and if you would like to help lead, organ-

ize, or just express general enthusiasm for either, please contact Nelson

Reveley at 387-8094 or [email protected].

Living Waters for the World (LWW - livingwatersfortheworld.org):

LWW is a mission project of the Synod of Living Waters, Presbyterian Church (USA). Rooted in the confes-

sion that “Jesus Christ is Living Waters for our Bodies and Souls,” Living Waters for the World believes we

are called to bear witness to Christ by helping those communities and congregations throughout the world that

lack access to clean drinking water. Its mission is to empower local leaders to build, operate, and sustain sys-

tems that provide clean water and health education.

We at Grace Covenant are pursuing a partnership with a local community in southern Honduras -- Agalteca

Presbyterian Church -- and we are looking for people interested in being part of Grace Covenant's team for

Living Waters for the World. Please contact Nelson Reveley for more information on what participation on

this front would entail.

Justice Ministry Small Group, Jan.-May 2015

Interested in becoming more engaged in seeking God's justice in our communities? A monthly Justice Minis-

try small group will begin meeting this January to read and discuss Timothy Keller's Generous Justice together

as well as at times plan for local Justice Ministry efforts. Please feel free to join us! For questions or more in-

formation please contact Nelson Reveley ([email protected]).

Dates (2nd Wed. of the month): Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr. 8, May 13

Time: 6:50-8:00 p.m.

Place: Grace Covenant, Room TBD

Reading: Timothy Keller's Generous Justice

Format: 1. Prayer, Hymn, and Scripture; 2. Discuss passages and questions from book; 3. Updates and at times

planning on our Justice Ministry efforts; 4. Hymn and Prayer

Discussion/Reading Schedule: Jan. 14 (Intro); Feb. 11 (Chap 1-2); Mar. 11 (Chap 3-4); Apr. 8 (Chap 5-6);

May 13 (Chap 7-8)

All Circles Meet Tuesday, January 13

PW Circle 3 9:30 a.m. Social Room Hostesses: Jane Londrey & Eleanor McClanahan

PW Circle 1

Evening Circle

7:00 p.m.

PW Circle 2

11:00 a.m.

Vanguard Room

Hostess: Julia Poppell

tel:%28804%29%20387-8094


http://www.livingwatersfortheworld.org/


- continued from page 1 -

3. Please pray for me. I do hope the Lord refreshes and strengthens my soul through this pilgrimage. As

well, I hope that I am able to share continually from what I learn so that you might be edified as well. I

will remain in prayer for you. Finally, if you are looking for guidance on how to pray for the Holy

Land and Jerusalem itself, Psalm 122 is an excellent place to begin.

4. Christopher Tweel will lead the staff ([email protected]), and Rev. Nelson Reveley will

be the contact person for any pastoral care emergencies. He can be reached at 387-8094.

Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

Our feet are standing

within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem—built as a city

that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up,

the tribes of the LORD,

as was decreed for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD. For there the thrones for judgment were set up,

the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls,

and security within your towers.” For the sake of my relatives and friends

I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your good.

The Mission of Macedonian Ministry

Macedonian Ministry seeks to address the crisis of the church in North America not by talking about the issues

but rather by going into communities and walking alongside pastors in their challenges and struggles. Our

mission is to serve the church of Jesus Christ by helping pastors become more faithful, effective, and efficient

leaders. Our core conviction is that supporting and equipping pastors is a strategic way to renew congrega-

tions and transform communities. Just as the apostle Paul responded to the man in his dream who asked him

to “come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9), our calling is to respond to the pressing needs of pas-

tors and “come over and help” them as they strive to have vibrant ministries in the name of Jesus Christ. Jan. 6 (Tuesday) -Arrive 3:15 p.m. Renaissance Hotel near the Airport

Jan. 7 (Wednesday) - Caesarea, Arbel and on to Scots Hotel

Jan. 9 (Thursday) - Beatitudes, Primary of Peter, Tabgha, Capernaum

Jan. 9 (Friday) - Sepphoras and Nazareth

Jan. 10 (Saturday) - Banias and the Golan

Jan. 11 (Sunday) - Retreat day and boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

Jan. 12 (Monday) - Drive to Jerusalem via Megiddo and Muhraqa

Jan .13 (Tuesday) - Old City: Mount of Olives to Holy Sepulcher (lunch at Wujoud museum near Jaffa Gate)

Jan. 14 (Wednesday) - Old City: Garden Tomb, Western wall, Peter in Gallicantu

Jan. 15 (Thursday) - Bethlehem

Jan. 16 (Friday) - Dead Sea, Masada, Qumran, Jericho

Jan. 17 (Saturday) - Nablus (Jacob’s Well) and Sebastiya

Jan. 18 (Sunday) - Retreat day

Jan. 19 (Monday) -early morning departure


January 7: Spaghetti with/

without meat sauce, garlic bread,

salad bar, and sheet cake.

January 14: Meat loaf, mashed

potatoes and gravy, green beans,

salad and peach crisp.

January 21: Baked macaroni

and cheese, lima beans, cabbage,

salad, rolls, and banana pudding

for dessert.

January 28: Baked potato bar,

salad, biscuits, fruit and cookies.

GCPC,

I would like to start by thanking you all for your won-

derful hospitality during our combined Christmas reception this

year! Everything worked out wonderfully; the children sang, the

food was terrific, and the company was even better! It was so

nice to celebrate Jesus’ first night here on the earth with our en-

larged family. Special thanks to the food committee for helping

us plan the menu; they had a lot more work cut out for them than

usual! We hope to continue to find ways to celebrate God’s love and Jesus’

salvation through fellowship with all the people involved at Grace Cove-

nant!

So now that Christmas is over, we’ll jump into our winter activi-

ties! January’s theme is all about learning about winter. Children will learn

what kind of weather we get in winter and how to dress for it. They’ll get to

experiment with hot and cold temperatures (not too hot!) and see how these

temperatures shape and change our environment during this season. They’ll

identify winter plants and how they change when it’s cold. They’ll discover

how animals adapt to the colder weather when they learn about hibernation, migration, and adapta-

tions like thicker fur. They’ll even compare how we as humans adapt like the animals, and how

different people in different parts of the world adapt in different ways. And while we as adults al-

ways hate for people to be inconvenienced, children have the luxury of hoping for snow without

worrying about those minor details! So we hope they can have at least a few of those wonderful

winter wonderland experiences and throw a snowball or two!

- Nicole Flournoy, Director of the Child Development Center

Bobby Hulme-Lippert Pastor [email protected]

Chris Martin Director of Music and Organist [email protected]

Christopher Tweel Director of Christian Formation & Pastoral Assistant [email protected]

Vanessa Strait Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Martha Rubin Bookkeeper [email protected]

Rex Childs Seminary Intern [email protected]

Linda Pitts Seminary Intern [email protected]

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:

9:45 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 Grace Covenant Child Development Center

Nicole Flournoy Director (804) 213-0200 [email protected] www.gracecovenantcdc.com

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 Covenant’s ministries.

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley

ELDERS James Atchison (’16) - Finance (C-M) Virginia Hudson (’17) - Mission (M), Nominating Cheryl Jacobs (’15) - Property (Co-M), CE Caroline Leith (’15) – Property (Co-M), CE Katie McCullough (’16) - Administration (M) Everett Reveley (’15) – Stewardship (M) Lewis Rosebro (’17) - Property (Co-M) Pete Sizemore (’16) - Administration (Co-M) Rob Turner (’17) - Worship (M) DEACONS Itunu Adekoya (’16) - Prayer (M) Lisa Cardwell (’15) - Flowers (M) Courtney Clements (’15) - Visitation (Co-M), Fellowship Phil Coltrain (’16) - Glass Office (M), Deacons’ Fund Mary Gray (’15) - Meals (M), Visitation (Co-M) Cynthia Holmes (’17) - Fellowship (M) Jan Kessel (’16) - Care Team (M), Transportation (M) Dottie-Ray Koch (’17) - Fellowship (Food Committee Liaison) Sallie Leys (’17) - Greeters/Ushers Jessica Reveley (’16) - Justice (M) Jennifer Schooley (’15) - Guests Follow-Up, New Members (M), Deacons’ Fund Dawson Watkins (’17) - Deacons’ (M), Care Team

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

The Staff Church Officers

january 2015

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