Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Notes

Volume 47, Issue 1

Jan. 2017
Directory

Christian
Education
(pp. 5-7)
Calendar
(pp. 8-9)
WNS
Schedule
(p. 14)

Important
Dates

PNO
Registration
(Due Jan. 11)
Elizabeth
Ramseys
Memorial
Service (Jan.
14, 10:00
a.m.)
Wednesday
Night Supper
Starts Again
(Jan. 11, 6:00
p.m.)

For more dates to

remember, see the
calendar.

Evangelism: An Analogy from Marriage

This past year there were a number of weddings at Grace Covenant, which gave me plenty of opportunity to talk with couples about
what makes for a vibrant, healthy, loving life-long marriage. The short
(and very true) answer, of course, is the grace of God! But we also
talked about some of the practical ways that such grace often takes
root.
Among others things, we talked about how those couples that continually share honest conversation together, grow in their faith together,
and enjoy meals and time simply being together (even amid busy schedules and all the rest!) are the couples whose marriage grows in vibrancy
and strength. They are the kind of couple who end up speaking openly
of the love and pride for their spouse. Some couples are more verbose
than others, but often those couples with a strong love for one another
find it to be quite natural to share with others about how helpful, loving, or supportive their spouse is.
In many ways, that is a picture of evangelism. The simplest answer for how God grows the church is by
grace! It really is up to God to do the work of changing hearts. At the same time, there are some practical
ways that the grace of God often takes root in the church. Those churches that continually share honest conversation together, grow in their faith together, and enjoy meals and time simply being together (even amid busy
schedules and all the rest!) are the churches that grow in vibrancy and strength internally. And love, of
course, has way of very naturally overflowing to others! Much like a person will share naturally about how
helpful, loving, and supportive their spouse is, so too the church who is experiencing a deep sense of God
within the church will also, quite naturally, give expression to that goodness!
As you may know, late last year the officers of Grace Covenant agreed to place a strong emphasis on
evangelism in 2017. Part of that emphasis means helping the entire congregation grow more deeply together as
the community of God that we might know a greater sense of that overflow of love in which we do share
with others about the love of God in Christ. This winter and spring, three key outlets for such growth are:
1) The Weaving and Shining sermon series (see page 7 for details)
2) The new curriculum for Sunday School (see page 6 for details)
3) The new Unbinding your Heart small groups (see page 4 for details)

With gratitude and anticipation,

Bobby

Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with
joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you
forever.

Church News/Announcements
Openers & Closers

Fellowship Schedule

January 1: Hank Downing

January 8: Brian Baird
January 15: Jake Savage
January 22: Cal Gray

Please see Kent Cardwell if you are interested in

volunteering to help by hosting Fellowship Hour.

Happy
Stewardship Corner
Novembers contributions of
Expenses of $56,800 in NoBirthday Wishes to: $36,800
were slightly less than
vember were down from Octo-

1- Anne Norris
1Juliette White
2- Brenda Harris
2- Bill Jacobs
3- Marcia Manning
6- Taylor Reveley, III
6- Patty Richwine
7- Cherry Corley
7- Holly Wilson
8- Warren Zirkle
9- Kathy Winston
11- Adrian Chenoweth
11- Leo Chenoweth
14- George Norris
16- Donnie Appich
17- Steve Kemp
18- Barbara Harkins
19- Will Bridenstine
19- Margaret Harvie
22- John Gray
22- Allison Spangler
23- Libby Rosebro
26- Susan Boze
26- Becky Crawford
26- Evelyn Tower
30- Fitz-Henry Boze
30- Katey Winston

Octobers which had five Sundays. The total was down almost
a fourth from November of last
year which also had five Sundays.
For the year contributions are up
a little over 2% from last year at
this time. The General Funds
total income in November was
augmented by the transfer of
$11,300 from available restricted
funds and was lessened by a little
over $3,000 due to timing of
rental income.

ber and included $6,500 in connection with the Honduras mission and $2,900 in insurance payments. Income for November
exceeded expenses by $6,700,
but the net would have been a
small deficit adjusting for the
transfer and rent payment noted
above.
Novembers Five Cents per
Meal offering was $133, Loaves
and Fishes $225, and Mercy $73.

An Announcement about GCPCs Library

We have a wonderful library full of many helpful resources but

we are in need of someone to help take care of it by keeping it organized, checking books out for people as needed, etc. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact christopher@gracecovenant.org. Also, we ask that if you want to donate books to the
library, please first check with Christopher Tweel before doing so.
You can contact him at christopher@grace-covenant.org or by calling 359-2463.

Proverbs 22:2
The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all.

The Presbytery Corner

Letter from Nicole Flournoy, Director of GCCDC
GCPC Congregation,
Its hard to believe were saying good bye to another year and welcoming in another new one! Thank you so much for all of your support
during 2016. One of our biggest accomplishments from 2016 was expanding our preschool classroom, for which we had to apply to the City
Council for a city ordinance and zoning amendment. Without the support of your congregation in the form of letters to the councilmen, meeting the requirements for parking and traffic, and just over-all morale, we
never would have succeeded. Thanks to your continued support and efforts, we were able to finalize this application and now have between 12
and 20 families every year graduating from our Preschool program. Most
of these families have been with us since infancy, and have even started
attending GCPC. We are so excited to continue this progress into 2017!
We do have many goals for 2017 about which we are very excited.
Many of these, like playground and flooring updates, are facility related.
However, we also want to grow and expand our mission at the CDC
through a larger and more formal scholarship program. We are reviewing
our policies and handbook to make sure our staff have every recourse
and benefit available to them, and focusing on what the mission of
GCCDC should be and how to accomplish those goals.
We of course continue our curriculum development while we prepare
our children for academic and personal success. In January, we will learn
all about the Winter! Children will explore the difference between hot
and cold, and winter weather such as clouds, snow, ice, and wind. They
will learn how to dress and be safe in the cold weather, as well as how
animals adapt. We will learn about peoples who live in cold climates, how
they adapt, and how we are all alike and different. Older children will
learn winter themed sight words, practice writing, math functions, science concepts, and life skills.
Thank you again for all of your support!
Nicole Flournoy

Remaining Contributions for 2016

Hope you all had a glorious Christmas! Statements for your 2016 charitable contributions can be picked up in the Narthex on January 15,
2017. Any statements not picked up by the 22nd will be mailed. If you
have any questions regarding your gifts in 2016, please call Martha at ext.
205. Envelopes will be in the Narthex on January 1. This past year, we
ordered envelopes for those who completed the survey and requested
them. If you would like envelopes and you dont see any with your name,
please let Martha know. Wishing you many blessings in 2017!

Composing a Legacy
Planned Giving in the Church:
Church members, Finance and Stewardship
Leaders, and Pastors are invited to Chester
Church on Sunday, January 22, from 3:00 - 5:00
p.m. to hear a presentation led by Olanda Carr,
Ministry Relations Officer from the
Presbyterian Foundation. To register, go to
www.presbyteryofthejames.com and click on
the link.

Parents Night
Out Scheduled
for January 14
Grace Covenant is proud to offer parents a little
R&R with our special Parents Night Out, Saturday, January 14, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A charge of
$10 per child will help defray the costs of child
care. There is a $15 maximum per family fee. To
RSVP, contact the church office at 359-2463 or
by emailing info@grace-covenant.org. Please
include the childs age by how old they are in
months, not years. The RSVP deadline is
Wednesday, January 11, at 3:30 p.m.
Some things to remember:
- A lead teacher from CDC will serve as the host
each month
- Please do not forget to sign your child/children
in and out during PNO.
- We ask that you please bring a diaper bag with
ample supplies for the evening.
- Please do not allow your children to bring food
with them to PNO. This is due to allergies and
the safety of all children. We will provide a safe
and appropriate snack for them.
Upcoming PNO Dates:
- February 18, March 11, April 8, May 13

nbinding your Heart: 40

Days of Prayer and Faith
Sharing by Martha Grace
Reese is a book that
helps congregations become better
equipped for the work of evangelism
the sharing of Gods good news in
Jesus Christ. A main thesis of the
book is that real, vibrant evangelism is
the overflow of a vibrant relationship
with God as revealed in Scripture. The
book has six chapters, each one of
them focusing on a different aspect of
evangelism. Importantly, the book
also includes a 40-day prayer journal
a key way through which the relationship with God is strengthened.
The book is meant to be read and
discussed in weekly 75-90 minute
small groups of 9 to 12 people for six
consecutive weeks. Each time the
group gathers they discuss the reading
and prayer journaling from the previous week. Ideally, the group finds itself woven increasingly close together
wherein the light of Christ shines all
the more fully.

Which group works best for you?

that kind of space echoes some of the

early churchs paradigm (Acts 2:42Sign-ups begin after worship on
47), and lends itself to a unique kind
Sunday, January 22. Begin considerof community formation. However, if
ing which group might work best for
meeting in one of the home options
you! The Unbinding your Heart book
just does not work for your schedule
will also be on sale after worship be(or family schedule) that is entirely
ginning on that Sunday. Copies are
understandable! That is why we will
$11 apiece.
have at least two Sunday morning opNote: if possible, we encourage you to tions available.
try a group that meets in a home as

Day and Time

Location

Facilitators

Tuesday morning 10:00-11:30 a.m.

The Boze House (West End)

Susan Boze and Diane Davis

Sunday afternoon, 4:00-5:30 p.m.*

The Tweel House (West End)

Leah and Christopher Tweel

Thursday evening 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Hulme-Lippert House (The Fan)

Bobby Hulme-Lippert

TBD evening 7:00-8:30 p.m.*

McCullough House (Southside)

Katie and Jim McCullough

Sunday evening 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Home of Courtney Clements (Near

West End)

Jan Kessel and Courtney Clements

Sunday morning 9:15-10:30 a.m.*

GCPC

Christopher, Everett, Nelson, and Bobby

Thursday morning 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Home of Dana McKnight (Near

West End)

Dana McKnight and Mary Gray

Tuesday morning 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Home of Susan Farrell (The Fan)

Susan Farrell and TBD

TBD

Imperial Plaza (Northside)

Art Strunk

*Childcare is available for these options.

Please see an important note about Sunday School during the six weeks of Unbinding your Heart on page 5

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.

Christian Education
What about Sunday School During the Six Weeks of Unbinding your Heart?
Our desire is to have every member of Grace Covenant involved in Unbinding your Heart as our primary outlet for
discipleship for six weeks. This means that the discipleship that we do during Sunday School will be involved in
this curriculum. This also means that Sunday School will go slightly longer during these six weeks since the Unbinding curriculum requires at least an hour and 15 minutes for each meeting. Thus, Sunday School will go
from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. from February 26 to April 2.
During that time, you can sign up for one of the two Unbinding your Heart groups being offered:
You can sign up for a group meeting in Room 303 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. This group will be facilitated by
Rev. Nelson Reveley.
You can sign up for a group meeting in Room 212 (Forum of Grace Classroom) from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. This
group will be facilitated by Rev. Christopher Tweel.
FAQs
What if I have already signed up for an Unbinding your Heart group that meets during the week is
there a Sunday School option for me?
Yes! You can come to Sunday School and join Bobby in the Fellowship Hall from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There
will be teaching and discussion that goes deeper into the themes being explored each week in the Unbinding your
Heart reading. Note: this class is only for folks who are also doing an Unbinding your Heart group another time during the week.
What about childcare during these six weeks?
Childcare will be extended during on Sunday mornings for the six weeks that we do Unbinding your Heart. Parents,
you can drop your children off for childcare at 9:15 a.m. so that you may attend a Sunday morning class if you
would like.
What if I am in the handbell choir (practice goes from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings) and
would prefer to do a Sunday morning Unbinding your Heart group (which begins at 9:15 a.m.)?
We have talked with Chris Martin about this simply finish up practice as usual and then make your way over to
your Unbinding your Heart group. You may be a few minutes late to the group, but we trust you will still be blessed
and strengthened by the experience.
What about our special guest on Sunday, March 19 how will that impact my Unbinding your Heart
group that meets on Sunday morning?
We have a unique opportunity on Sunday, March 19. We will be hosting Dr. David Fergusson, a Professor of
Divinity and Principal of New College at Edinburgh University. He is also the chaplain to the Queen of Scotland.
He just so happens to be doing a Fellowship at Princeton during this academic year, and he agreed (at the sessions invitation) to teach Sunday School and preach on Sunday, March 19 here at GCPC! This, of course, falls
right in the middle of the six week Unbinding your Heart curriculum. Thus, we will cancel all of the Unbinding the
Heart classes that meet on that particular Sunday morning. Instead, all will be invited to the Fellowship Hall for a
lesson led by Dr. Fergusson (9:30-10:30 a.m.). He will then preach during worship. Please mark your calendars
for this particular Sunday as it promises to be a unique opportunity and blessing for us all.

Job 22:27
You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.

Sunday School, January 2016

Held every Sunday from 9:45-10:30 a.m. The Nursery Crib Room (Rm. 103) and Sunday School are available for children ages 2 and up.

Adult Sunday School in the winter and spring 2017

his winter and spring we are excited to be pairing our worship and discipleship experience! Each Sunday in worship we will (as always!) hear a sermon preached on a particular Scripture passage. Then, on the following Sunday during the Sunday school hour (9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) each class will have further teaching and discussion on
that particular text.
So, for instance, on Sunday, January 8, Bobby will preach on Ezekiel 37:1-14. During that time, you are invited to take
notes during the sermon. In fact, you will notice that we have created space in the bulletin for you to do just that. You
may wish to keep those notes with you because The following week, on Sunday, January 15, all three of our Sunday
School classes will have further teaching and discussion on Ezekiel 37:1-14. It is our hope, too, that some of you will bring
your sermon notes from the previous week to your Sunday School class so that your questions can be asked and insights
and testimonies shared.
Sunday School lessons will be based on the previous weeks Scripture-and-sermon each Sunday this winter and spring
(excepting the six weeks where we do the Unbinding your Heart series see page 5 for details). Sunday School returns on
Sunday, January 8 at 9:45 a.m., and all are invited!
As a reminder:
The Forum of Grace class meets in Room 212, and will be led by Rev. Nelson Reveley.
The Good Books class meets in Room 303, and will be led by Everett Reveley and Rev. Bobby Hulme-Lippert.
The Vanguard class meets in Room B4, and will be led by Nate McKinnon.
We hope this link between the sermon and Sunday School offers an outlet for all of us to hear more fully from God
through the Word that was read and proclaimed in worship. As well, we believe this intentional connection between worship and discipleship creates more space for our lives to be woven together in fellowship, Scripture, and prayer and
thereby will allow us to shine all the more with the light of Christ.
Childrens Sunday School and Chapel in the Winter and Spring 2017
Our children's Sunday School will continue working through its current curriculum. In particular, they will be going
through a preparation for communion curriculum during the Chapel time. They will also be learning the basics about leading prayer as they have recently finished a chapter on the Lords Prayer.

Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Weaving and Shining: A Sermon Series on Evangelism

Each sermon in this series will be
focused on a different aspect of
evangelism as we listen for how
God is calling us as a community to
grow deeper in this focus. A primary

thesis of this series is that the more

deeply and authentically the lives of
church members are woven together in fellowship, Scripture, and prayer the more fully we shine with the

light of Christ and share the goodness and love of Jesus we have
come to know. See below for a list
of sermon titles and dates.

More Announcements
Notary Services
Available
The Child Development Centers
Director, Nicole Flournoy, and
Assistant Director, Latasha Evans,
were sworn in as notaries. They
are happy to provide notary services to any of the GCPC church
staff or membership. Their offices
are located on the first floor of the
East Building (1617 Monument
Ave.).

Save the Date!

Two Upcoming Retreats
Join others for a faith-based retreat at Montreat Conference Center in 2017 that is sure to be a time
of spiritual renewal. The Mens
Retreat will be from April 21-23,
2017, and The Womens Retreat
will be from August 11-13, 2017.
For more information on the
mens retreat, see
www.montreat.org/mantreat and
for more information on the
womens retreat, see
www.montreat.org/women.

*Christian Education continues on page 14 with the winter and spring

Wednesday Night Supper Schedule.

Januarys Fifth
Sunday Luncheon
On Sunday, January 29, we hope
you will come immediately following worship and join in this
time of fellowship together after
the service. Cost is $5 per person.
Children under 10 are free. Come
and celebrate and give thanks to
God as one, big Grace Covenant
family! Please RSVP by
Wednesday, January 25. You
can RSVP by emailing info@grace-covenant.org, calling
the church office at 359-2463, or
by checking the RSVP box on
the Sunday communication card
found in your bulletin.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

January 2017 Calenda

Monday

Sunday
1 *No Sunday School
9:15 a.m. Prayer Team (Social Rm.)
9:30 a.m. Coffee and Care
10:55 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour
12:30 p.m. 1st Sunday Prayer Group
(chapel)

Tuesday
3

Wedn
4 4:00 p.m. Care

4:30 p.m. Carol C

5:00 p.m. Junior C
7:00 p.m. Chance

Church Office Closed

Bobby out of office

8 8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal

9:15 a.m. Prayer Team (Social Rm.)
9:15 a.m. Sunday School Reception
9:30 a.m. Coffee and Care
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:55 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour

15 8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal

9 6:00 p.m. Finance Meeting

7:00 p.m. Worship Meeting

6:00 p.m. Deacons Meeting

7:00 p.m. Session Meeting

22 8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal

23

29 8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal

9:15 a.m. Prayer Team (Social Rm.)
9:30 a.m. Coffee and Care
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:55 a.m. Worship (Grace Scholars
Lead Liturgy)
12:15 p.m. Fifth Sunday Luncheon

9:30 a.m. PW Circle 3 (Social Rm.)

11:00 a.m. PW Circle 2 (Vanguard)
6:00-9:00 p.m. RISC Mental Health
Committee Meeting (Fellowship Hall)
7:00 p.m. PW Circle 1 (Laura Leighs
home)

16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 17

9:15 a.m. Prayer Team (Social Rm.)

9:30 a.m. Coffee and Care
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:55 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour

9:15 a.m. Prayer Team (Social Rm.)

9:30 a.m. Coffee and Care
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:55 a.m. Worship (New Officer Ordination and Installation)
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour

10

4:00 p.m. Care Te

4:30 p.m. Carol C
5:00 p.m. Junior C
6:00 p.m. WNS
7:30 p.m. Chance

18 4:00 p.m. Car

4:30 p.m. Carol C

5:00 p.m. Junior C
6:00 p.m. WNS
7:30 p.m. Chance

Church Office Closed

24

25 4:00 p.m. Car

31

Notes:

5:45 p.m. C.E. Meeting

30

11 Deadline fo
Out Registratio

4:30 p.m. Carol C

5:00 p.m. Junior C
6:00 p.m. WNS
7:30 p.m. Chance

1) No Administra
January

ar

nesday

Team
Choir
Choir
el Choir

Friday

Thursday
5

or Parents Night 12
on (by 3:30 p.m.)

13

14 10:00 a.m. Memorial Service for

Elizabeth Ramsey (Sanctuary); reception to follow (Social Room)

eam
Choir
Choir

1:00-6:00 p.m. Private event in Fellowship Hall

5:00-8:00 p.m. PNO

el Choir

re Team
Choir
Choir

Saturday

19

20

21

26

27

28 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Private event

el Choir

re Team
Choir
Choir

el Choir

ation Meeting in

in Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall

Photos from December 2016

During the Holly Follies on December 7, many talented members of GCPC entertained the crowd.

The PEOPLE Group met on December 10, 2016, and celebrated the holiday season at Joy and John Nevins home.

2 Corinthians 5:17
10

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has
become new!

During the Childrens Christmas Pageant on December 11, 2016, the children told the story of the birth of baby Jesus.

The Candlelight Service on December 18 went beautifully and had close to 500 people in attendance.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.

11

Mission & Justice

Countdown to Honduras: Its Here!
What is happening our team
of 17 is ticketed and confirmed.
Nine folks celebrated New Years
Eve Honduran-style. We will all be
guests for dinner at the home of
our Honduran friends, Dr Adolfo
Moreno and his family. Supplies
have been ordered and delivered.
Everything needs to be repacked
from boxes into suitcases to conform with airline requirements, then
distributed among the travelers.
Our mountain of supplies needs to
fit into nineteen duffel bags. This
will be no small task! We meet in
Honduras with new friends from
other parts of the Commonwealth
and the United States. Cataract surgeries begin on January 2, and medical/dental clinics on January 4. We
are hopeful that a visit from the

President and First Lady will be

possible on Friday, January 6, as we
break ground (symbolically, at least)
for a new Eye Clinic/Outpatient
Surgery Center at Juan Orlando
Community just north of the City
of San Lorenzo.
Prayer requests For safe travels. For the heart of Jesus Christ as
we bring medical care to Southern
Honduras. Thanks to God for the
final approval of KHISH/
Honduras ONGD by the government of Honduras (ONGD is a
non-governmental organization for
development, a special class of
NGO under Honduran law). We
now can officially accept the deed
to the land which was promised to
us last January! Thanks to God for
Grace Episcopal and St Andrews

The Fight Against Human Trafficking

The Richmond Justice Initiative

(RJI) would like to invite all who
are interested to join them on Saturday, January 14, from 9:00 a.m.
to noon at the University of Rich-

mond. This is a volunteer interest

and training meeting for those
who are interested in helping to
fight against human trafficking.
RJI has some exciting events to
plan and some great opportunities
to get plugged into, and they need
passionate and willing people with
various skills to lend a helping
hand. For more information, see
rvaji.com or www.preventionproject.org. If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact
Marjorie Blanton, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@rvaji.com

Presbyterian Churches, Kilmarnock,

for the support they have given to
KHISH. Thanks to God for the
faithful support of Grace Covenant
through the years.

Pride for Parents Store

Thank you to everyone who donated
toys to the STEP Pride for Parents
store! Our youth and their parents
volunteered as personal shopping assistants, cashiers, restockers and
babysitters so that parents and guardians could buy gifts for their families
this Christmas season. The kids of
volunteers and shoppers alike had a
great time together in the play area
while the families shopped!

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

12

An Update from Our Missionary, Alpheaus Zobule

reetings
from Honiara, Solomon Islands! I have finally
completed a number of
things now and I can
send out this quick update.
First, just a week
ago I completed writing
and teaching Hebrew
for our Diploma. This
has taken much of my
time. I tried to keep just
a few days ahead of my
students as
I prepared notes and
taught at the same time.
Doing this for four
Greek courses and four
Hebrew courses was no
fun. But finally 15 students graduated with a Pictured above are the students that graduated with a Diploma in Biblical Languages.
Diploma in Biblical
teachers to become teachers.
think the best way is to build a selfLanguages
Second, perhaps the most excit- Fourth, from a family perspec- supporting means that will allow us
ing thing for Islands Bible Ministries tive it has been a very busy year for to be involved in ministry. We are
us. I have been involved in training, also praying about acquiring another
is that this year we had the biggest
teaching and writing course materi- small piece of land that will help us
number of students graduate from
the four programs we are running at als. Sanny has been busy running the develop another small guesthouse.
our Islands Bible School. The gradu- guesthouse. We have been running That is a prayer point now.
On the whole, the Lord has been
the guesthouse as a self-sustaining
ation took place on December 3,
gracious. He has kept us healthy and
and
self-supporting
means
for
our
2016. A total of ninety students
strong, even though we have been
family.
It
has
picked
up
this
year
and
graduated (see photo).
very busy this year. We thank you
Third, Islands Bible Ministries is we are seeing positive signs that in
for your prayers. We continue to
growing with many students coming the near future, we hope, it will be- value your support and prayers.
to attend our school, and we are also come a good means of support for
our family as we continue full-time
taking on three projects to be inBlessings,
in ministry. In our situation in the
volved in translating the Bible into
the vernacular. The ministry is look- Solomon Islands, it is not easy to
raise financial supporters and so we Alpheaus G. Zobule
ing to expand and to equip more

John 15:11
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

13

Christian Education continued

Wednesday Night Supper in the New Year
Save yourself the midweek hassle of cooking dinner and come join us Wednesday nights at 6:00
p.m. for a time of growth in fellowship and faith! Every night we'll have arts and crafts for the kids,
timely announcements, worship preparation cards for the coming Sunday, and either faith-infused
live music, a trivia night, or an excellent speaker! $7 per person, $5 for seniors (over 65), and $15
max per family. Wednesday Night Suppers will resume on January 11, 2017. We look forward to
seeing you there!
1/11/2017
1/18/2017
1/25/2017
2/1/2017
2/8/2017
2/15/2017
2/22/2017
3/1/2017
3/8/2017
3/15/2017
3/22/2017
3/29/2017
4/5/2017
4/12/2017
4/19/2017
4/26/2017
5/3/2017
5/10/2017
5/17/2017
5/24/2017

Bible Trivia Night

Red Cross Disaster Relief (Steve Kemp)
Intergenerational Play
Intergenerational - Healthy Motions
African American Heritage - Diane Davis
African American Heritage - Diane Davis
Entering a Season of Peace (Adria Schaff, Director
of Richmond Peace and Education Center)
Worship
Worship
Worship
Worship
Worship
Worship
Maundy Thursday
Bell Choir Concert
Junior Choir Concert
Healing Service (Worship)
Organ Concert
Grace Scholars
Grace Scholars

Join Us in Worship on Sundays:

14

Pray Together (Social Room)

Sunday School
Worship Service (Sanctuary)

9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
10:55 a.m.

Session
Report,Report
December 2016
Session
Information
For November 2016, income totaled $53,171.65 and expenses came to $56,739.77, a difference of
$3,568.12. $11,300 was transferred from reserve funds, making actual income for the month
$63,471.65.
Recent Actions
Approved the minutes of the Session meeting of November 21, 2016.

Approved Christmas bonuses of $50 each for a total of $300.00 for Pristine workers.

Approved that the Clerk request that the Building Fund consider paying the estimated $85,000 elevator repair costs.

At its meeting of December 12, 2016, the Session heard and received Statements of Faith from the
following newly elected officers for the Class of 2019:
Elder: Everett Reveley, Dr. Susan Pillsbury David, Jessica Reveley
Deacon: Itunu Adekoya, Elizabeth Russell, Karl Rubis, Ginny Hardman.

The Session then proceeded with the examination of those who are to be ordained:
Susan Pillsbury David, Karl Rubis, and Ginny Hardman.

The Session also recognized those officers who have completed their terms of service:
Pete Sizemore, James Atchison, and Katie McCullough.

The Session provides this summary to help ensure that the congregation remains informed of
its decisions and actions. If you have any questions or would like further information, please
contact Dana McKnight (Clerk of Session) or any of your active ruling Elders.

Proverbs 29:23
A persons pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

15

The Church Administration

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.

The Church Officers

Clerk of Session: Dana E. McKnight

Moderator of the Board of Deacons: Lisa Cardwell

Elders:

Deacons:

James Atchison (16)

Susan Boze (18)
Ray Davis (18)

- Finance (M)
- Christian Education (M)
- Evangelism, Admin &
Personnel
Bill Jacobs (18)
- Stewardship (M),
Property
Katie McCullough (16) - Mission (M)
Dana McKnight (17) - Clerk
Lewis Rosebro (17)
- Property (M)
Pete Sizemore (16)
- Admin & Personnel (M),
Nominating
Rob Turner (17)
- Worship (M)

Itunu Adekoya (16)

Lisa Cardwell (18)

Trustees: Caroline Leith (17)

Warren Zirkle (16)
Kent Cardwell (18)

Jessica Reveley (16)

Dawson Watkins (17)

Phil Coltrain (16)

Mary Gray (18)
Margaret Harvie (18)
Cynthia Holmes (17)
Steve Kemp (18)
Jan Kessel (16)
Dottie-Ray Koch (17)
Sallie Leys (17)

- Prayer (M)
- Fellowship;
Deacons Fund
- Glass Office (M);
Deacons Fund
- Greeters/Ushers (Co-M);
Meals (Co-M)
- Visitation & Flowers
- New Members (M)
- Media & Technology
- Care Team (M),
- Fellowship
- Greeters/Ushers (Co-M);
Meals (Co-M)
- Justice (M)
- Deacons Fund (M);
Care Team

The Staff
Bobby Hulme-Lippert
Pastor
bobby@grace-covenant.org

Nelson Reveley
Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult Discipleship
reveley@grace-covenant.org

Christopher Tweel
Associate Pastor for Christian Education
christopher@grace-covenant.org

Martha Rubin
Administrative Support/ Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org

Christopher Martin
Director of Music and Organist
martin@grace-covenant.org

Meredith Bond
Office Manager
meredith@grace-covenant.org

GCPC Child Development Center

16

Nicole Flournoy, Director

(804) 213-0200

director.gccdc@verizon.net
gracecovenantcdc.com

Office Hours:

Contact Us:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

Wednesday
Friday

9am-3:30pm
9am-4:30pm
9am-noon

Phone: (804) 359-2463

Fax: (804) 278-6298
www.grace-covenant.org