Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Notes
Volume 42, Issue 4
Brothers and sisters in Christ

April 2012

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face." -Langston Hughes Hughes words certainly seem apropos to Richmonds experience. The vernal life has sprung from the earth and skies with an unprecedented vehemence this year (fellow allergy sufferers, I feel your pain), and yet has nevertheless maintained its winsome countenance of beauty, color, and fragrance. Spring displays its unique combination of sweetness and power year after year, and yet each year it still seems new and fresh. Each year it spurs ambition and hope in the human breast, and there has been as much evidence of that new life and activity here at Grace Covenant as there has been anywhere else. March began with a very well-supported CARITAS event where, every night for a week, we hosted over 30 Richmond women, giving them dinner and a safe, clean place to sleep, along with laundry services and breakfast to start their next day. As Jesus explains in Chapter 25 of Matthews Gospel, the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me Many thanks to Kent Cardwell for his work in coordinating this event, and to the dozens of Grace Covenant people who gave of their time, money, and hearts to cook, clean, serve, and share fellowship with these sisters of Christ. The day after our guests left, the Mission Study Team had its final meeting to assemble and approve its final report (which the Session received and approved at its March 15 meeting). Thanks again to chair John Nevin, vice-chair Matt Johnson, Brian Baird, Catherine Kerns, Matt Hartman, Christof Meyer, and Everett Reveley for the many hours they prayed, researched, and discussed in order to assemble this study. An electronic version was distributed in an email after its approval by the Session, and several printed copies have been placed next to the monthly Session Report at the usual locations around the church building. If you do not have a copy and would like one, please contact Vanessa Strait in the church office and she will be happy to send one to you. At first I thought it was just me, but over the past few weeks a number of people have remarked to me on the increased energy and hopefulness they have noticed at Grace Covenant. And I dont think its just the arrival of spring. Over the past year or so, God has led us past several mileposts. He helped to assuage the hurt and confusion attendant to the previous pastors departure. Through the talents and efforts of a number of dedicated people, God helped us to clarify our fiscal condition and establish a new, clean footing for 2012. He guided and supported the CDC through a precarious time (providing an outstanding interim Director at our moment of need), and is now blessing us not only with strong new leadership and staff, but also increasing enrollment, and renewed vision and excitement among the Board of Directors. -Continued on last page-

Palm Sunday April 1

THURSDAY, APRIL 5

9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast; Fellowship Hall 9:30 a.m. Gather at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church 9:45 a.m. Worship and Procession 11:00 a.m. Worship at Grace Covenant

6:00 p.m. Dinner in the Fellowship Hall

Menu: Baked ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, rolls, brownies

7:00 p.m. Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary Anthems

O Saviour of the World by Sir John Goss Were You There When They Crucified My Lord arr. Scott Soper

Grand Chur Alexandre Guilmant Triomphal March Introit: Hosanna to the Son of David Carl Schalk Jr. Choir: Shout Hosanna! Vicki Wright Anthem: Draw Nigh to Your Robert Powell Jerusalem, O Lord Postlude: Toccata (Suite Gothique) Leon Bollmann

Prelude:

Easter Sunday April 8

On Easter Sunday we will invite people from the congregation to come forward and join the Chancel Choir in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. The church owns several scores of the Hallelujah Chorus; however, if you own a copy, we invite you to bring it with you on Easter Sunday. Prelude: Anthems: Handbells: Postlude: First Movement (Organ Sonata No. 3) Felix Mendelssohn Our Hearts Rejoice This Day Jack Schrader Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) George Frederick Handel Risen This Day Michael Ryan Toccata in F Charles-Marie Widor

Volume 42, Issue 4

Page 3

CARITAS RECAP
From Saturday, March 3, to Saturday, March 10, Grace Covenant provided food and shelter to 38 women in desperate need of the same. Without exception, our guests were sincerely grateful, not only for the food and shelter, but also for the warmth and compassion with which they were given. No fewer than 68 individuals gave their time, talents, and money that week, many participating on several different days and in multiple duties, and always cheerfully (for God loveth a cheerful giver). This was truly an example of a hands-on mission that Im sure those involved found to be very meaningful and rewarding. Whether you were involved in set-up and take-down, meal preparation, shower transportation, laundry service, financial support, prayer support, or just hanging out with our guests, Grace Covenant couldnt have pulled this off without your unending support and volunteerism.

All Circles Meet on Tuesday, April 10

rcle 1 PW Ci Circle ening
Ev

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

PW Circle 3 9:30 a.m. Social Room Hostess: Janet Chenoweth

PW Cir

cle 4 .m. oom

.m. ue 7:00 p marle Aven lbe 329 A s lie Ley ss: Sal Hoste

10:30 a

R Forum

ell a Popp ss: Juli Hoste

Stewardship Corner and Financial Update Remember the Hungry

Page 4

Februarys contributions of $33,900 were a couple of thousand dollars above Januarys total, excluding the $19,100 in pledges for this year paid in advance, which were moved into the General Fund in January. Total income of $36,300 for the month was above Januarys total by a similar amount. Februarys General Fund expenses were routine and totaled only $43,200, a decline from Januarys total which included a quarterly insurance premium and some leasehold improvements in the Stuart Circle Building. For the month of February General Fund expenses exceeded income by $7,400. Februarys Five Cents Per Meal offering, including the Souper Bowl collection, was $1,021, while our Loaves and Fishes offering totaled $2,822 for January and February.

Quarterly statements can be found in the Narthex for the next few weeks. Take a look at your statement and, if something is amiss, let the bookkeeper know. Maybe you want to increase your pledge, perhaps you want to make a pledge for the new Loaves and Fishes Fund, just give our bookkeeper a call (ext. 205), send an email (bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org), or put a note in the Sunday collection plate. Hope you have a wonderful Easter and may your baskets be full of joy. Martha Rubin

Loaves and Fishes Fund update

The Loaves and Fishes Fund is a new opportunity to give to local families in need and international missions work. So far we have received 23 pledges for a total of $10,032 and gifts of $4,700. We have already blessed and helped one local family. We are still accepting pledges and contributions to the fund. For those who have contributed or pledged already--thank you! We are also seeking input about families known to our congregation which we might be able to help with the money we have raised. Please contact Matt Hartman (212-1961, mchartman@vcu.edu).

Page 5

Grace Notes

Childrens Sunday School Classes

Infants, 0-16 months old Toddlers, 17 months2 years old Preschoolers, 3 and 4 year olds Kindergarten2nd grade Grades 3rd6th Nursery Main Level Room 102 Room 101 Rooms 207-210 Rooms 207-210

Bennett Scott Corby

Baby Bennett weighed 5 lbs, 15 oz. at birth and was 17 3/4 inches long, born at 12:46 p.m. On March 9th at St. Mary's.

Please bring flowers for the flowering cross next Sunday for Easter. Please help with our annual tradition of building a cross of spring flowers. Bring flowers from your yard or pick up some from your local grocery store. This has always been a joyful activity, making us more aware of the Easter season and the new life that Jesus Resurrection promises us.

Page 6

Grace Notes

Mission Study Report

Brothers and sisters in Christ, In early March six months to the day after its inaugural meeting -- the GCPC Mission Study Team approved the final draft of its report. At its March 16 meeting, our Session received and approved this report in its entirety. This Mission Study is the fruit of countless hours of prayer, Scripture study, research, and discussion, all directed toward discerning Gods will for Grace Covenant as we move forward in being His church in The Fan in the 21st century. All the members of the Mission Study Team John Nevin (chair), Matt Johnson (vice chair), Brian Baird, Matt Hartman, Catherine Kerns, Christof Meyer, and Everett Reveley deserve our deepest thanks for their faithful labor in producing this report. The Mission Study has been electronically distributed to all active members for whom we have a valid email address, and has also been set out throughout the church building alongside the Report of the March 16 Session Meeting. If you have not been able to obtain a copy, then please contact Vanessa Strait in the church office and we will mail a copy. I encourage you to read it, to learn from it, and to let God speak to you through it. I also encourage you to approach your ruling elders if it prompts any questions. While the Mission Study Team authored the report, it is the Session who approved it and its recommendations, and agreed to implement it in the months to come. Additionally, this Mission Study will serve as the foundation for the Church Information Form (CIF), which the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) will develop as its first order of business in preparation for seeking GCPCs new pastor. Thank you for your prayerful and faithful engagement, and thanks again to the Mission Study Team. In Christ, Brint

PNC Nominees
After much prayer and discussion, the GCPC Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate of nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Brian Baird, Pat Ball, Kent Cardwell, Leslie Hartman, Will Madden, Marcia Manning, and Everett Reveley. The Committee has contacted these nominees and each has agreed to serve, if elected. The committee strove to select people who have a robust faith in Christ and are well-grounded in the Reformed tradition, while also seeking to represent fairly the diversity of perspectives and experiences of our congregation. This is the slate that the Committee will present at the congregational meeting scheduled for April 22. In accordance with our Book of Order, nominations from the floor will also be received, provided that any member so nominated has already agreed to serve on the PNC if elected. The PNC is responsible for drafting our Church Information Form (CIF), used in advertising the position opening; for receiving applications from interested parties; for evaluating those applications and interviewing those whom the Lord leads them to consider; and for presenting a nominee to the presbyterys Committee on Ministry (for its approval) and to our congregation, to approve the issuing of a call. This important ministry involves significant time and labor, and the prayerful support, trust, patience, and encouragement of the congregation during this time cannot be overstated. The committee is grateful to God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during its meetings, and to the congregation for its many suggestions. We ask for your prayerful consideration of this slate as we prepare to elect our next PNC.

Openers/Closers April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Wayne Casey Charlie Appich Rob Rosebro Jef Londrey Kent Cardwell

Childrens Worship Kits We need volunteers to help with Worship Kits. Worship Kits are small bags we give out to children to help them follow the sermon with a bulletin and an activity sheet. Worship Kit volunteers are based on a month rotation. Contact Lisa Cardwell if you are willing to serve in this ministry at 804-285-7044 This can be done on Sunday mornings as well.

Wednesday Night Supper/Glass Monitor THURSDAY, April 5 April 11 April 18 April 25 Nursery Volunteers April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Mary Gray Nikki Hazlegrove Susan Boze Gay Moss needed Christof Meyer

Elementary Sunday School April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Palm Sunday Katherine Baird (Big Tent) Virginia Hudson (Art) Erika Tabor (Science) Janet Chenoweth (Drama)

Ann Pais Jordan Ball Jan Kessel

Host/Hostess for the Fellowship Time Volunteers host our Fellowship Time in the Social Room after Worship on Sundays. If you would like to volunteer to host the Fellowship Hour one Sunday, please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Social Room placed on the piano, or in the Glass Office. Grace Notes Deadline: Thursday, April 19, is the deadline for submissions for our May edition.

Worship Kits Judy Waldron

Grace Covenant Child Development Center

Happy Easter, Grace Covenant! With the excitement of celebrating the most monumental event in all of history (the Resurrection) comes also good news of our own from the operations of the CDC! We have recently promoted Itunu Adekoya to the position of Assistant Director of the Child Development Center. Since she is a current member of Grace Covenant Church, many of you may already be familiar with Itunu's friendly personality and loving spirit. More than just a friendly face, Itunu is extensively qualified and experienced in the Child Care field. With a degree in counseling from Nigeria, she has been teaching in the Pre-K program at GCCDC for almost three years. Her contributions to our program have helped make us what we are today, and we are so excited about her increasing role in taking the CDC to the next level. Please be sure to congratulate Ms. Itunu on her promotion, and thank her for all of her hard work and dedication throughout all of the challenges (large and small) we have faced in the past few years. As I mentioned in the last Grace Notes article, we are also opening up another new classroom in the CDC office building! We currently have two floors of Infant classrooms, ages 6 weeks to 12 months, but with only one Walkers Classroom, ages 12 - 18 months. This new classroom, which was previously not being used, will allow us to accommodate the rising numbers of small infants over the past year. At this stage of their life, children are just learning to use their different muscle groups to eat, walk, manipulate materials, and have fun. They are just on the brink of learning to identify people and objects, as well as communicate their needs to their caregivers through simple words, body language, and baby sign-language. What they are also just learning, however, is how to establish and maintain loving, trusting relationships, which is one of the foundations of being raised in a Christian community. By demonstrating to the children love, forgiveness, cooperation, and other basic Christian values, we are paving their way to Christian relationships with people, and a relationship with God. By supporting their families, we are allowing them to be raised in a Christian environment and laying the foundation for a community in Christ. I want to include a major Thank You! Thank you to the Sunday School team on the second floor for making us feel welcome. We had a group of volunteers and CDC staff come in on Saturday morning and clean out a section of the closet closest to our Pre-K 1 classroom and brainstorm ways to integrate the two groups into the same space. While this task may seem trivial, it has drastically improved the space issue that the CDC was having. It helped us remove much of the "visual clutter" that our necessary materials were creating, and improved the coordination and organization between the two groups. God was present here on Saturday morning, so be sure to thank Him for His help in strengthening the connection between our two different groups of wonderful people and ministries! I'll close on the note that my staff and I are very excited about the upcoming Wednesday Night Live Program, Christianity Explored! We hope to see you all there for discussion and fellowship on Wednesday nights. Don't forget to invite your friends! -Nicole Williams, Director of CDC

CDC Board Members are: Cal Gray, Jean Appich, Jordan Ball, Susan Boze, Cherry Corley, Marcia Manning, and Christof Meyer

PRESBYTERIAN OLDER ADULT MINISTRY -Reverend Charles E. SuttonEach year the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) sets aside the first Sunday in May to acknowledge the senior adults as one of the gifts with which God has blessed us. Senior members represent the wisdom gained through living life in faith, hope through hard times lived with perseverance, and generosity in loving, and stewardship. May 6 is our opportunity for a senior ministry Sunday. It presents an occasion for considering how many of the attendees of Grace Covenant are 60 years old, or older. On any given Sunday at Morning Worship we rejoice that the number is significant. At the same time, we should take note of the challenges senior adults face when attending Grace Covenant: There are some stairs. Small print in the bulletin (Large print is available.) Space for wheel chairs in Sanctuary. The sound system)are there some dead spots where it is difficult to hear?) On the plus side: There is a warm greeting at the entrances Volunteer transportation from Westminster Canterbury There is an elevator at the rear entrance. Variety of Sunday school classes Seniors are well represented as officers and teachers. Seniors are participating as leaders in morning worship. Lately I have spent some time repairing a cane for a fellow resident. He broke it as he fell down. Experiencing a fall is a major fear. It is so difficult to get up. In Psalm 145 I came across these verses: The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall ... (vss. 13-14).

April Birthdays
3- Dick Cardwell 3- Nolen Spivey 4- Leslie Hartman 5- Jordan Ball 6- Paul Wilson 6- Theo Zobule 7- Sanny Zobule 10- Joe Garrett 10- Ashby Price 12- Jackie Bowles 12- George Gray 12- Sandra Lumpkin 13- Harrison Hackett 14- Rob Rosebro 15- Jane Nelson 16- Philip Janney 19- John Mustanski 20- Judith Frayser 26- Stephen Coltrain 27- Jane Bundy 28- Jo McMillin 29- Christopher Winston

April
Sunday 1 PALM SUNDAY Handbell Choir 8:30 am Prayer 9:15 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Comm. Group/Disciple 1pm 8 EASTER SUNDAY Monday 2 Mens Lunch 12 noon Tuesday
3 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team 3:00 pm Administrative and Finance 6:00 pm Worship Committee 7:00 pm

Page 10

Wednesday 4

Handbell Choir 8:30 am CHURCH OFFICE Prayer 9:15 am CLOSED ALL DAY Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Community Group/Disciple 1pm

10 Staff Meeting 10:00 am PW Circle see page 3 Care Team 3:00 pm Christian Education, Evangelism, Missions, Fellowship Meetings 7:00 pm 17 Staff Meeting 2:00 p.m. Care Team 3:00 pm

11 Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm CDC Board Meets 5:00pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm 18 Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

15Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon

16 Mens Lunch 12 noon Property Committee Meeting at 7:00 pm

22 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Community Group/Disciple 1pm 29Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Community Group/Disciple 1pm

23 Mens Lunch 12 noon

24 Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. Care Team 3:00 pm

25 Carol Choir 4:30 pm

Junior Choir 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm

30 Mens Lunch 12 noon

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 7 Easter Egg Hunt at Margaret and Dick Cardwells 7105 University Drive 10:00 am 14 Neighborhood Work Day 10:00 am

5 Mothers Together 9:30 am 6 GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER VIGIL MAUNDY THURSDAY 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Dinner at 6:00 pm Service at 7:00 pm Church office Chancel Choir 8:00 pm closed 1/2 day 12 13

19 Mothers Together 9:30 am SESSION Meeting at 7:00 pm 26 Mothers Together 9:30 am

20

21

27

28

Page 12

Grace Notes

Dinner is served from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Menus for April:

April 5 MAUNDY THURSDAY Baked ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, rolls, and brownies for dessert April 11 Chicken tetrazzini, Harvard beets, peas, salad, rolls, and clair cake

April 18 Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, rolls, and sheet cake April 25 Baked chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, and banana pudding Programs for April:

Coming up at Wednesday Night Live - Christianity Explored

Starting on April 11, pray and invite your friends and neighbors to a special seven-week series we're calling "Christianity Explored. There will be something for everyone from seasoned believers to skeptics. Each session, we will enjoy great food, laughter, and learning in an environment where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile. We will base our lessons on the Gospel of Mark, and discuss questions like Why are we here?, Where are we going?, What is sin? And why is Jesus so special? Who is this series for? Christianity Explored is for everyone - everyone who thinks there is more to life than meets the eye. We hope that many people will come who do not normally come to church, or who attend church occasionally but feel they never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. We believe this will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen relationships with each other and build new friendships . Please come and invite your friends. PRAY that God will use this series to bring glory to His name." Wednesday Night programs are from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. Programs include special guest speakers or people in our own congregation, sharing various topics.

Meals are:

$5.00 per adult

$2.00 children and students

$12.00 maximum per family

Page 13

Grace Notes

Dear Grace Covenant Family, I want to thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement for the Community Garden ministry I have been undertaking during the past three years. This letter gives me the chance to educate and update you on the project, and give glory to God for His obvious work during every step. For those of you who aren't familiar, let me describe the concept: a community garden is a shared space for neighbors to grow food and flowers together. In our garden, we'll have rentable plots for people to grow their own food and some common plots which we'll share. These gardens are especially useful in city neighborhoods like mine (Byrd Park) in which our postage-stamp sized backyards are often unsuitable for growing food. For the past three years, I've been researching, networking, meeting with nonprofits, making phone calls to the city and private landownersall with very little fruit...until you all started praying. Literally. In January 2011, we found a private landowner with enthusiasm for the project, who would also give us free water (very unusual). In the spring and summer of 2011, I gathered a team of neighbors to join with me in the effort. We conducted a neighborhood survey last fall which brought in almost 40 new supporters to the effort. I even have a neighbor who is already a manager at another local community garden, so she brings a wealth of practical experience to the team. We've had two team meetings so far in which a dozen committed neighborhood volunteers have taken on responsibilities like the website, fundraising, cost estimating, gathering fill material, and contract writing. A neighbor and friend designed a beautiful logo for the garden website, sign and letterhead. A local architect donated his time and expertise to draw up the site plans for the garden. A nearby resident who owns a construction firm has volunteered to donate the materials and labor to build us a garden shed. And we just got word that a local nonprofit has agreed to become our fiscal agent, a huge help in obtaining donations and grants. All these signs have led me to believe that God is growing this garden. In summary, I have seen God's hand at work in this project, and how He has delighted to involve all of you through your prayers. I am so humbled and grateful to God for allowing me the privilege of serving Him and my neighborhood, and for His wonderful way of including more and more people into His work. Many of you have asked how you can help with this ministry, so here are three ways: Donate. Within the next week, we'll be able to accept tax-deductible donations of any amount. Our estimated budget is $2,575 for all materials, so if you'd like to help us with those costs, we'd be very grateful. We also appreciate in-kind donations like the use of a tiller, extra bricks/pavers you're not using, sun -loving plants you're ready to divide, garden tools, gardening books, a bag or two of peat moss, leaf mulch from your backyard, or anything else you think would help our garden grow. Work. Our groundbreaking days are April 14th and 15th so if you'd like to join us in getting this garden in the ground, let me know and we'll find you a job! We'll be tilling soil, constructing raised beds and bordering in-ground beds. Keep on praying! I cannot overstate what prayer has meant for this garden. If this is your contribution to the ministry and you pray with all your heart, I am so grateful to you for this indescribable gift! Thank you again for being a blessing to my Byrd Park neighborhood through your prayers and support for our Community Garden. I'd love to talk further with any of you who have additional questions or want to contribute in some way. Your fellow servant of Christ, Leslie Hartman

Page 14

Grace Notes

Susan Pillsbury-Davis Receives Humanitarian Award

GCPC member Dr. Susan Pillsbury-David was recently honored by HCA Healthcare by its presentation of the annual Frist Humanitarian Award, in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and achievements. Among other endeavors, Susan (along with her husband, Ron, who joined GCPC during worship on March 18) is deeply involved in medical mission to the people of Honduras, providing cataract surgery to hundreds of people who otherwise would continue blind. Thanks be to God for His use of Susan, for the blessings she brings to GCPC, and for this special recognition accorded to her and her ministry.

Welcome New members:

Ron David Debbie Pritchett Jessica Reveley Eric Spitzer Maria Spitzer

Saturday, April 7, at 10 oclock Annual Easter Egg Hunt

At the home of Margaret and Dick Cardwell. Bring a basket for egg hunting and meet the Easter Bunny! * Located at: 7105 University Drive

The Staff
Brint Keyes

2012 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.

Interim Pastor
Revbrint@verizon.net Chris Martin

Director of Music and Organist

martin@grace-covenant.org Vanessa Strait

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Missions (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M) Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship, Nominating DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund, Nominating Ann Pais (14) - Care Team Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary - Communication Cards Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator - Cards Dawson Watkins (13) - Care Team Carol Wood (13) - Prayer, Communication Cards Sid Yates (12) - Ushering MISSION STUDY TEAM: John Nevin (M) Matt Johnson (Co-M) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio) M=Moderator)

Administrative Assistant
strait@grace-covenant.org Martha Rubin

Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org Willie Alford

Sexton

Christopher Tweel

Student Assistant for Christian Education

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

Grace Covenant Child Development Center Nicole Williams

Director director.gccdc@verizon.net

- continued from front pageAfter a few years hiatus, the Lord saw fit to revive the Grace Covenant ministry of the August Musicales offering this August, supporting both the Worship Ministry and the Session in their decisions to resume this tradition of giving back to the community. Indeed, it seems that community witness and service is where God has given the greatest growth. In addition to the CARITAS event mentioned above, and our strong support of the annual RISC event last fall, the Lord prompted several members to establish the Loaves and Fishes matching-gifts fund to supplement Grace Covenant assistance to Richmond families and international mission He has prompted the Mission & Outreach Ministry to conduct a series of Neighborhood Work Days where Grace Covenant members and friends can continue to live out Gods command to love our neighbor as ourselves (beginning with work in the Community Garden on Saturday, April 14th!) By His grace, we are inviting 10K runners, VCU students, and local residents to come to our sanctuary to participate in our Good Friday Prayer Vigil And He is using Grace Covenant to spread the news of His love for us in Christ by way of the 7-week Christianity Explored course, which begins Wednesday evening, April 18th (with a mid-course musical interlude courtesy of Chris Martin and John Harris the evening of May 16th). A cynic might be tempted to attribute these initiatives simply to the benevolent impulses of a few motivated members. But he would be wrong. Every time I tell a colleague that we received 108 responses to a 30-minute, 85-question congregational survey from a worshiping congregation of about 150 I am greeted with varying degrees of incredulity and approbation. Grace Covenant went far beyond the norm in its degree of involvement with this Mission Study. And when asked for your three greatest hopes for this congregation, far and away the most frequent answer (after more members, which is almost a given for every church!) was, greater involvement in the community. Our new outreach ministries, building on our existing ministries, are not just ideas from a few individuals, but are truly the fruit of an entire congregation that is seeking to love, worship, and serve the Lord more fully each day. And one proof of that fact is the myriad avenues that we are using to reach out, be it child care (CDC), participation in neighborhood life (the 10K and August Musicales), assistance to those in need (CARITAS and Loaves & Fishes), working side-by-side with neighbors for the building up of our local community (work days and community gardens) all springing by the free and inviting proclamation of the Gospel (Christianity Explored), which witnesses to the God whose love is the very inspiration for our every charitable thought, word, and deed. And of course, there is now the hope and anticipation attendant to the search for your new pastor. The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, April 22, immediately following worship, to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee, the nominees for which have now been published by the Nominating Committee (see page 6). And speaking as your Interim Pastor, allow me to say how deeply grateful and encouraged I am for this Spirit-led energy and vision. I have read hundreds of Church Information Forms (CIFs) in my life, and am often saddened by how many I see that say, in effect, we need someone to come make us big and strong and faithful and attractive [again]). These CIFs are written by churches that, for whatever reason, have been diverted from following and serving God, and led into thinking that their next pastor will rescue them. Of course, this is both unfaithful to the Gospel and terribly un-Reformed, for it locates far too much power and influence in that one person. The CIFs that are a joy to read, on the other hand, are those that say, This is the direction that God is taking us, these are the ways that we are obeying and following His lead, and we are searching for that pastor whom God has prepared to help us continue to be faithful to Him. [And by the way, were not sitting on our thumbs waiting to find that person, because were too busy being the Body of Christ. We trust that God will bring us that person in His time, and will not abandon us in the meantime.] I feel pretty sure that the CIF your PNC will write will look a lot more like the second one. Yours in grateful service to our Lord --