WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | AUGUST 2, 2020 – VOLUME 1

Worship Opportunity for Sunday August 2nd

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Sermon Topic: PARADOX: “When I Am Weak, I Am Strong”

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

We look forward to sharing in worship with you either in person or via live stream or after the fact on Facebook.

We are continuing to live stream our Sunday morning worship on Facebook and our nightly

Prayer Services on YouTube. Both can be accessed via our Web site: GraceCovenant.us

Church Events

The Church Mouse

• Aug 2nd - We gather for

worship at 10:30 AM for

those who are

comfortable doing so.

• Aug 5th – AA meeting in

the Fellowship Hall at

noon.

Sunday Servants: 1ST SUNDAY 2ND SUNDAY 3RD SUNDAY 4TH SUNDAY 5TH SUNDAY

Dick Foard Chris Doyel William Crockett Brent Heath

Patricia Cowan Louise Theberge John Kupiec Billy Healy

Jim Wesson John Ogburn Todd Coons John O’Briant Peder Wennberg

Doug Price Jane Price Bob McCreary Carter Richardson

Usher Captains

Liturgists

Sandy Pait Wynne Beale Sarah Harris Cyndy Moore Lori Goings

What Do You Stand To Lose? Many years ago (long before the Communist regime) this story came out of Russia. It seems that a certain atheist was parading up and down the countryside, pouring out his verbiage against the very thought of God, and ridiculing all those who believed in God. On one occasion he addressed a group gathered in a large hall. He stirred them to a high pitch, and then he hurled an invitation to God, that if there be a God, He reveal it by smiting him to death. Of course, God did not, and so he turned to his audience and said, “See, there is no God.” Whereupon, a little Russian peasant woman with a shawl about her head arose to speak. She addressed her remarks to the speaker and said, “Sir, I cannot answer your arguments; your wisdom is beyond me. You are an educated man; I am merely a peasant woman. With your superior intelligence will you answer me one question? “I have been a believer in Christ for many years. I have rejoiced in His salvation, and I have enjoyed my Bible. His comfort has been a tremendous joy. If, when I die, I come to learn that there is no God; that Jesus is not the Son of God; that the Bible is not true; and there is no salvation nor heaven, pray, sir, what have I lost by believing in Christ during this life?” The room was still. The audience grasped the woman’s logic, and then they turned to the atheist, who by that time was swayed by the woman’s simplicity. In quiet tones he remarked, “Madam, you won’t stand to lose a thing.” At which the peasant woman answered, “You have been kind and answered my question. Permit me to ask another. If, when it comes your time to die, you discover that the Bible is true, that there is a God; that Jesus is His Son, and that there is a heaven and a hell; pray, sir, what will you stand to lose?”

The logic was so overwhelming that the crowd leaped to its feet and applauded with enthusiasm.

---Author Unknown

Sundaes with the SRMON8R

(Serminator) Join Pastor Doug and LuAnn for ice cream and

toppings! For the past few months, due to the COVID virus,

Pastor Doug has been unable to visit with the congregation in homes, during committee

meetings or on Sunday morning- except for by phone or virtually. In an effort to reconnect, we

have decided to get together with small groups of people for a fun, low key evening of socializing.

Groups will be limited to 10 people so we can be respectful of each other’s comfort level.

If you would like to participate, please call the office, 693-2071 and add your name

to the list. We will contact 10 people from that list and

gather outside in the covered entrance to the church on a weekend evening to be determined. Socially distant, fresh air and ice cream! What a great way to catch up and lessen the boredom

that this strange time has created!

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait for the Lord shall

renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings like

eagles, they shall run and

not be weary, they shall walk and

not faint.

The Christian Growth Committee is excited to resume our on-site Children’s Ministry this September!

Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Beginning Sunday, September 13th our Sunday school and Children’s Church classes will resume on-site and in-person! As always, the safety and wellbeing of our families is our priority while we strive to meet their needs and maximize all opportunities to draw them to Christ through ministry.

We are committed to moving forward in the safest and most responsible way possible. Be on the lookout for communication in the coming weeks regarding specific policies and practices that will be in place to ensure an optimal learning environment for our teachers, volunteers, children, and families!

In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Cindy Lanning (cindy.dce@gracecovenant.us) or Holly Smith (holly@gracecovenant.us)

School Supplies Needed

Dear Grace family! As we all know, the events of the recent months have created challenges for everyone! Our school children and teachers are no exception! Grace on Main has the opportunity to help our adopted school Botetourt Elementary! Botetourt Elementary has provided a list of specific needs they have for the upcoming school year. We have the opportunity to help! If you would like to participate in donating items, please review the list of requested items and consider whether you can help. If you would like to donate item(s) please email Cindy Lanning (cindy.dce@gracecovenant.us) or Holly Smith (holly@gracecovenant.us) with item(s) and item quantities, you would like to give. Please offer your 1st and 2nd choice of item donations and we can let you know which item is more in need. If you are open to item suggestions, please let us know that, too. We’ll be happy to make suggestions. We’ll maintain an updated list to ensure we get an equal distribution of donations. Below are the requested items:

• 100 donations of 10 glue sticks (number sticks in packs vary)

• 25 donations 2 boxes of gallon size Ziploc bags

• 25 donations of 2 boxes of sandwich Ziploc bags

• 100 donations of 3 marble composition books

• 50 donations of 2 bottles of glue (4oz)

• 100 donations of 3 boxes of 24 count crayons

• 50 donations of 10 pencils (#2)

Donations will need to be brought to church (leave in or beside the bin under the stairs in the gathering space) no later than Monday, August 10th. Tax free weekend for school supplies is August 7th through 9th. Please contact us with any questions or offer of a donation. Thanks in advance for supporting Botetourt teachers! Thank you, Cindy Cindy.dce@gracecovenant.us

Notes:

.

We are moving Andrea Clark into her new home on August 15th. If you can help,

please meet us at 8 AM on Saturday in the parking lot of Grace on Main.

All, any hands are needed. Many hands make light work! Thanks for helping!

******

Did you miss your newsletter these last two weeks? I had family matters that I

needed to attend too. Things are calming down now and so you will continue to receive your letter. Thank you for your

understanding and prayers. Becky

Celebrations! BIRTHDAYS

Chris Doyel 08/07 Jason Robins 08/08 J.D. Briggs 08/12 Dick Beale 08/14 Kathy Healy 08/15 Dana Gilmour 08/16 Mimi Beckwith 08/17 Harvey Morgan 08/18 Robin Hellier 08/19 Janet Poole 08/19 John Ogburn 08/20 Linda Healy 08/20 Jonathan Harris 08/21 William Crockett 08/21 Maryethel Miller 08/22 Virginia Powers 08/23 Neville Reynolds 08/25 Nick DeMet 08/26 Sally Tomer 08/28 Becky Horsley 08/28 Helen Healy 08/29 Penny Gilmour 08/29 Debbie Shelby 08/31 ANNIVERSARIES

Erwin & Susan Bonatz 08/01 Wesley & Betty Wilson 08/06 Bill & Carol Lawrence 08/12 Thomas & Cindy Meier 08/13 Godwin & Sylvia Jones 08/14 Ray & Sherri Lutz 08/15 Lori & Mike Goings 08/15 Shaun & Jenny Blazvick 08/17 Jon & Dianne Lucy 08/19 Donnie & Eva Mullins 08/21 Jim & Eva Towell 08/21 Kent & Lou Taylor 08/21 David & Betty Ford Lipps 08/29 Will & Sally Tomer 08/31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRFPSD8Cfs

Trust me you do not want

to miss the video below it

is ridiculously cute!!

DAILY LECTIONARY:

Monday, July 20 Morning: Pss. 135; 145 Evening: Pss. 97; 112 Josh. 7:1–13 Rom. 13:8–14 Matt. 26:36–46

Tuesday, July 21 Morning: Pss. 123; 146 Evening: Pss. 30; 86 Josh. 8:1–22, Rom. 14:1–12, Matt. 26:47–56

Wednesday, July 22 Morning: Pss. 15. 147:1–11, Evening: Pss. 48; 4, Josh. 8:30–35 Rom. 14:13–23 Matt. 26:57–68 Thursday, July 23 Morning: Pss. 36. 147:12–20, Evening: Pss. 80; 27, Josh. 9:3–21 Rom. 15:1–13, Matt. 26:69–75 Friday, July 24 Morning: Pss. 130; 148 Evening: Pss. 32; 139 Josh. 9:22–10:15 Rom. 15:14–24 Matt. 27:1–10

Saturday, July 25 Morning: Pss. 56; 149 Evening: Pss. 118; 111 Josh. 23:1–16, Rom. 15:25–33, Matt. 27:11–23

Sunday, July 26 Morning: Pss. 67; 150 Evening: Pss. 46; 93 Josh. 24:1–15, Acts 28:23–31, Mark 2:23–28 Monday, July 27 Morning: Pss. 57; 145 Evening: Pss. 85; 47 Josh. 24:16–33, Rom. 16:1–16, Matt. 27:24–31 Tuesday, July 28 Morning: Pss. 54; 146 Evening: Pss. 28; 99 Judg. 2:1–5, 11–23, Rom. 16:17–27, Matt. 27:32–44 Wednesday, July 29 Morning: Pss. 65. 147:1–11, Evening: Pss. 125; 91 Judg. 3:12–30 Acts 1:1–14, Matt. 27:45–54

Prayer Concerns:

Pray for everyone who is staying home and may feel isolated. Pray for our leaders and all who are affected by

this virus. Pray for the country, for healing and understanding in all that we are facing.

Pray for Wesley and Betty Wilson, Dana Gilmour, David Guthrie, Virginia Wilkinson,

David Lipps, Eva Towell, and Bert Perkins.

If you have a prayer request, even if it is unspoken, you may call the church office and your prayer request will

be placed here.

Brookdale, Williamsburg: Virginia Powers, & Barbara Tremblay

York Convalescent & Rehab: Virginia Wilkinson Gloucester House: Pat Perkins & Oscar Northen

GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 581/ 6470 Main St

Gloucester, VA 23061 Phone: 804-693-2071

Web Site: www.gracecovenant.us

Thursday, July 30 Morning: Pss. 143. 147:12–20, Evening: Pss. 81; 116, Judg. 4:4–23, Acts 1:15–26, Matt. 27:55–66 Friday, July 31 Morning: Pss. 88; 148 Evening: Pss. 6; 20, Judg. 5:1–18 Acts 2:1–21, Matt. 28:1–10 Saturday, August 1 Morning: Pss. 122; 149 Evening: Pss. 100; 63 Judg. 5:19–31 Acts 2:22–36 Matt. 28:11–20 Sunday, August 2 Morning: Pss. 108; 150 Evening: Pss. 66; 23 Judg. 6:1–24 2 Cor. 9:6–15 Mark 3:20–30 Monday, August 3 Morning: Pss. 62; 145 Evening: Pss. 73; 9 Judg. 6:25–40 Acts 2:37–47 John 1:1–18

Tuesday, August 4 Morning: Pss. 12; 146 Evening: Pss. 36; 7 Judg. 7:1–18, Acts 3:1–11 John 1:19–28

Wednesday, August 5 Morning: Pss. 96. 147:1–11, Evening: Pss. 132; 134, Judg. 7:19–8:12 Acts 3:12–26, John 1:29–42

Thursday, August 6 Morning: Pss. 116. 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 26; 130 Judg. 8:22–35, Acts 4:1–12 John 1:43–51

Friday, August 7 Morning: Pss. 84; 148 Evening: Pss. 25; 40 Judg. 9:1–16, 19–21 Acts 4:13–31, John 2:1–12

Saturday, August 8 Morning: Pss. 63; 149 Evening: Pss. 125; 90 Judg. 9:22–25, 50–57 Acts 4:32–5:11, John 2:13–25