Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Notes Volume 47, Issue 3

March 2017 Unbinding Your Heart

This month we have a few unique things going on in the life of our con-
gregation! 102 participants are involved in an Unbinding your Heart weekly
Directory small group. I look forward to hearing what God does in and through each
of us as we gather week-to-week around Scripture, prayer, and the theme
Christian
of evangelism. In support of our congregation-wide effort, our deacons
Education and elders are having a joint prayer meeting on Monday, March 20 at 6:45
(pp. 5-7) p.m. They will be taking time to pray specifically for each Unbinding group
Calendar and participant as well as for the church, Richmond, our country, and the
world.
(pp. 8-9)
WNS We will have a special guest with us in Dr. David Fergusson! Dr. Fergus-
Schedule son has previously served as a parish minister in the Church of Scotland
and is the Principal of New College at the University Edinburgh (2008),
(p. 7)
and the Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland. Currently, he also holds a Visiting Fellowship at Princeton Theo-
logical Seminary (2016-17).

Important Dr. Fergusson and his wife, Margot, will be coming down from
Princeton to visit Richmond and be with us on Sunday, March
Dates 19. Specifically, Dr. Fergusson will be teaching Sunday School
PNO from 9:30-10:30am in the Fellowship Hall; he will focus on the
Reformed tradition today and how it intersects with our social
Registration witness. He will then preach during the service of worship.
(Due March 8) NOTE: All Sunday School classes will meet in the Fellowship
Richmond Hall on this particular Sunday. There will be no Unbinding your
Chorale Society Heart Sunday morning group meetings. If you would like to read
Concert more about Dr. Fergussons background and interests, please
see page 14.
(March 25,
7:00 p.m.) Finally, each Wednesday in Lent after the church supper there will be a special worship service at the back of
the Fellowship Hall. Services will go from 6:45 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. and they offer a reflective, worshipful space
to help center us anew upon God in the middle of the week. Please see page 7 for more details.
For more dates to
remember, see the In Christ,
calendar.
Bobby

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
1
 Church News/Announcements
Openers & Closers Fellowship Schedule
March 5: Kent Cardwell March 5: RoseMarie and Walter Bundy
March 12: Brian Baird March 12: Joy and John Nevin
March 19: Pete Sizemore March 19: Mary Gray
March 26: Jake Savage March 26: Janet and Tom Miller and Doris Farquhar

March Happy 11- Blair Gibson 29- Gabriela Brumagin

Birthday Wishes to: 11 Caroline Leith 29- Courtney Clements
2- Reagan McCullough 12- Dawson Watkins 29- Matthew Gray
3- Maria Rachal 12- Jason Peters 29- Jonathan Hubbard
3- Zoe Koch 13- John Nevin 29- Jed Londrey
4- Margaret Rosebro 13- Brannan Boze 30- Jane Osborne Johnson
Sprewell 14- Becky Yonan 30- Tiffany Williams
5- Chuck Massey 14- Gay Moss Early April Happy
6- Katherine Baird 16- John Alexander Birthday Wishes to:
6- Alex Robinson 17- Helen Holt 3- Nolen Spivey
7- Mac Janney II 23- Helen Bond Reveley 5- Jordan Ball
7- Avery McKay 23- Debbie Pritchett 5- Ellie Brumagin
7- Adele Ralston 23- Maria Spitzer 6- Paul Wilson
7- Maddie Rowe 23- Ann Londrey
8- Steve Booth 24- Betty Clough The full list of April birthdays
8- Sudie Wood 25- June Horner will be included in the April
9- Bennett Corby 26- Langdon Moss III Grace Notes.
10- Liam Peters 27- Holly Crockett
10- Lily Spangler Anderson
11 Susan Farrell 27- Bob Adams

Dedicate an Easter Lily

Please plan to purchase beautiful potted lily plants to help
decorate our sanctuary for Easter Sunday. The order forms will
be available at the information table across from the Social
Room and in the Glass Office, beginning March 15. Please fill
out your form and drop it into the box with your check to cover
the cost of the lilies. Each potted lily is $12.50. The deadline for
ordering an Easter Lily is Sunday, April 2.

Synod Mens Conference in July

The men of the Mid-Atlantic Synod of the Presbyterian Church are invited to the 2017 conference held
at the Massanetta Spring's Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA. This year's theme is "What Does the
2 Lord Require?" For more information and to register online, see http://www.midatlanticmen.org.
 The Presbytery Corner
Reformation Trip to Scotland
(October 18-27, 2017): Follow in the
footsteps of John Knox as we celebrate
the 500 Anniversary of the Protestant
Reformation. Travel throughout
Scotland, including: Glasgow, Loch
Lomond, the Isles of Mull and Iona,
Stonehaven, St. Andrews, and Stirling.
For more information, please contact
Rev. Janet Winslow of Bon Air
Presbyterian Church at
pastorjanet@verizon.net.
Work Teams for West Virginia:
Seeking individuals of all skill levels to
travel to Richwood, WV, to rebuild
homes destroyed in the torrential rains
and floods last summer. Two trips:
April 1-8 and April 9-15. Cost is $250 a
person. Second trip open to high
school students if accompanied by
adults. For more details contact Brown
Pearson at cbpearson3@erg-
homes.com
Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Annual
Mens Conference (July 14-16, 2017):
The Synod of the Mid Atlantics Mens
Council has approved a new prayer
initiative for 2016-2017. Prayer Partners
in each presbytery are praying for this
annual conference which encourages
and supports men to come to know
Jesus Christ as Savior and be moved by
the Holy Spirit. The theme is What
Does the Lord Require? To register
for the Conference and more
information go to midatlanticmen.org.

Letter from Nicole Flournoy,

Director of GCCDC
Stewardship Corner
Contributions of $38,300 in -Lippert's terms of call did not
Grace Covenant Congregation, January were lower than the include the dollar cost of provid-
I hope youre all enjoying this warm weather and same month last year due to a ing childcare at the GC Child
early spring! We had so much fun learning all about our smaller amount of pledges paid Development Center. At the
friends and family for the month of February. We want in advance and brought into this meeting, Everett Reveley,
to thank the PW group for attending our Preschool years contributions and a smaller GCPC's Treasurer, agreed to
Valentines Day party! Everyone had so much fun amount of pledges paid in Janu- inform the congregation of the
meeting new friends and having theme filled snacks. ary for prior years pledges. cost of the childcare benefit and
This month, children will be exploring the wide Expenses in January were a if it would affect the amount
world of animals! They will learn that animals are living relatively high $65,300. They paid to the PC(USA) Board of
things, and discover what kinds of animals live here included $6,300 for painting, Pensions. The cost for the child-
near us. They will learn to recognize parts of an animals $5,700 for insurance, and higher care is $12,000 for 2017 which
habitat, and what factors help them to survive. Theyll building operating costs includ- the church pays for by forgiving
be able to identify different local habitats, like farms, ing taxes on the Stuart Circle debt owed to the church by the
houses, woodlands, rivers, and learn how and when to Building. Expenses exceeded CDC. This benefit is not includ-
interact with different animals safely. Theyll even com- income in January by $16,500. ed in the effective cash compen-
pare our habitats to other places far away, and learn Januarys Five Cents per Meal sation reported to the PC(USA)
how animals adapt to those environments. Our Pre-K offering was $56, Mercy offering and thus does not increase the
kids will take a field trip to Maymont to see their ani- $65, and Loaves and Fishes $225. cash outlay for the church to
mals. Learning about animals is always fun, and pre- During January the church re- cover Rev. Hulme-Lippert's
sents many hands-on learning experiences including ceived a bequest from the estate terms of call. If you have any
hatching some chicken eggs. of Marion W. Porter. questions, please contact Everett
At the Congregational Meet- Reveley
Nicole ing on February 12, 2017, the (everett.reveley@gmail.com).
issue was raised that Rev. Hulme
2018 Contribution Envelopes
We recently received the order notice for 2018 Con- tact Martha at bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org, leave a
tribution Envelopes (as if time was flying fast enough message in her box in the Glass Office, or call and
already). We get the best discount if ordered before the leave a message at ext. 205. We have extras if you
end of March. The 2018 envelope order will be based would like envelopes for 2017.
on those who picked up their 2017 envelopes. If you
didnt get envelopes, but would like to have them, con-

3
Church News
Early Communion Education Family and Friends Fourth
Sunday Ushers and Greeters
This year we are going to be taking our children 6 and under through an educa-
tion program that will help them understand some of the basics of what the sacra- Gather your Family and Friends and sign
ment of communion is all about. To be clear, this isn't a "gate-keeping" class, after up to be Ushers and/or Greeters! We
which children would be "allowed" to take communion. Your child taking com- have designated the fourth Sunday of each
munion with our church family is a family choice taken on prayerfully and with the month just for YOU! Volunteers only
deep understanding of your child that only guardians and parents can pro- need to sign up for one time to help open
vide. Instead, this will be a multi-week education experience built to connect our the doors, pass out bulletins, and take up
children to the sacredness of communion. the offering. This is a great way to get
We will begin on March 19 and will culminate with communion on April 2. your family and friends together for Sun-
This class will take place during the Children's Chapel portion of worship. day morning, and, who knows, maybe you
will all have lunch together after the ser-
vice! Please call or email Mary Gray at
247-4899 or mary.gray@comcast.net.

Parents Night
Out Scheduled
for March 11
Grace Covenant is proud to offer parents a little
R&R with our special Parents Night Out, Saturday,
February 18, 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, March 8, 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:
- March 11, April 8, May 13
When: April 21-23, 2017 mimg, and Hiking.
Where: Montreat Conference Cen- Connect your personal journey
ter at 401 Assembly Drive, to that of many others through
Montreat, NC 28757 stories and activities. There will be
time for community and time to
Gather around the fire to share life be alone. Be present, learn a new
and laughter together this spring. skill, and reconnect with yourself
Mantreat at Montreat is a mens this weekend to become a better
retreat for you. Have a yearning to you.
hike? Maybe youre looking for a
moment of reflection? At Man- To register and for more infor-
treat, you can do these things and mation, visit www.montreat.org/
more. Mantreat will offer optional mantreat or talk with Christopher
hands-on activities to learn new Tweel.
skills, including workshops like
Garden Mosaics, Fly Fishing,
Primitive Tool-Making, Drum-

4
Christian Education
The Benefit of Intergenerational Play
In February we had the opportunity to play together during WNS! True intergenerational play is a way to
get every age together and playing games. The games are geared to be engaging to young children, accessible for
every person and a way of managing activity for those on the farther edge of their years.
I wanted to go through the games we play at our WNS program, as a way to highlight what was going on
behind the scenes. You might be able to use these kinds of games at family get-togethers, picnics, reunions,
or anywhere you have all the generations gathering together!

Bean Bag toss

Our younger and older friends took turns tossing the beanbag. If you noticed, the main part of the run-
ning is performed by the younger friend, while the older could give encouragement and still toss the bean bags.
There is some upper body strength involved -- imagine playing this game with the grandkids for 30 minutes!
Involving shapes to throw at, or reachable goals keeps the children interested in the game and in pitting their
skills against those of their older friend.

Balloon Fans
Small sensory tactile movement is harder for some of our older friends. Hanging on to the string with two
fingers while the younger friends find a way to move the balloon with the fan creates a neurological workout,
keeping the nerves in the hand extremities engaged. There is also a problem-solving element to this game which
the older friends have a chance to encourage the younger friends with their expertise. Balloons are always a hit
with children! Also, this is a game that is open to change. This teaches the child and the adult alike that when
life issues a challenge, there might be another way to achieve the goal!

Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

This is an old game that has been around for a while. This not only allows older folks to share stories and
memories about the game, but allows the children to enter into an already created world. They learn about
someone else's life and are able to enter into that story by participating in the game. Also, this is a great game
that engages their sense of mystery and figuring it out with the very real skill of learning and remembering
names.

Treasure in the Beans

The younger and older friends were working on their teamwork with this game. By guiding the hand of the
older friend, our children learn about being gentle, and engage in touching our older friends in a fun way that
breaks down any nervous barriers they might have. As they search for the little objects together, the adults are
engaging small muscle co-ordination in the hands that can help ease arthritis, but is still something that any abil-
ity can achieve (with the help of their younger friends!). All of these games pair our younger and older folks
together. Something that we dont do very often in our play. Also, notice that all of these game could be per-
formed while seated, or in a wheelchair, making the accessible to everyone who still has even a limited amount
of mobility. Play is how our children engage with the world. By entering into this time of play with them togeth-
er, we show them that they are loved and enjoyed by the whole community, not just parents or younger parent
aged folks and siblings. It expands their world, and creates a sense of being cared for by a wider community.

If you would like to read more about this kind of work, I encourage you to contact me so that I can pass
along some resources. Among them, and something that I drew from for our time together was the Tried and
True an 80-page report from Virginia Tech on intergenerational play.

- Rev. Christopher Tweel

5
 Christian Education
Small Groups
Have Begun!
The Unbinding your Heart small
groups have begun! Those who nor-
mally come to Sunday School will be
part of an Unbinding group on Sun-
day morning as the whole congrega-
tion participates in the effort togeth-
er. During these six weeks, Sunday
School will begin at 9:15 a.m. and
finish at 10:30 a.m. There will be
three locations for the Unbinding
groups on Sunday morning.

Group 1: Everett Reveley will lead
this group on the third floor in room
303.
Group 2: Nelson Reveley will lead
this group on the second floor in
room 212.
Group 3: Bobby Hulme-Lippert will
lead this group in the Fellowship
Hall. Participants in this group will be
comprised of folks who are doing an
Unbinding your Heart small group dur-
ing the week but still want to have a
Sunday School lesson. This group
will explore the curriculum in further
detail.
And remember, there is homework
for each meeting! Here is the home-
work schedule:
1st Meeting Arrive having read the
Introduction, Chapter 1, and Prayer
Journal Section (pp. 115-119) of Un-
binding your Heart
2nd Meeting Arrive having com-
pleted Week 1 of the Prayer Journal
and read Chapter 2 of Unbinding your
Heart
3rd Meeting Arrive having com-
pleted Week 2 of the Prayer Journal
and read Chapter 3 of Unbinding your
Heart
4th Meeting Arrive having com-
pleted Week 3 of the Prayer Journal
and read Chapter 4 of Unbinding your
Heart
5th Meeting Arrive having com-
pleted Week 4 of the Prayer Journal
and read Chapter 5 of Unbinding your
Heart
6th Meeting Arrive having com-
pleted Week 5 of the Prayer Journal
and read Chapter 6 of Unbinding your
Heart.
Participants can complete the sixth week
of the prayer journal on their own after the
groups final meeting.

Psalm 33:22
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
6
Wednesday Night Supper
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. We look forward to seeing you there!

Each week until our Maundy Thursday service we will be meeting in our alternative worship
space at the back of the Fellowship Hall. Each week we will engage in scripture, have guest mu-
sicians, and share in Communion together. Come and have a meal at WNS, then stay for our
special time of worship together in this Holy Season from 6:45-7:20 p.m. Childcare is always
provided, though children and families are encouraged to join us for worship.

After Lent:
4/12/2017 Maundy Thursday
4/19/2017 Bell Choir Concert
4/26/2017 Junior Choir Concert
5/3/2017 TBA
5/10/2017 TBA
5/17/2017 TBA
5/24/2017 TBA
See below for WNS Schedule
3/1/2017 Ash Wednesday Worship, Bobby Hulme-Lippert on Broken Shalom, Music by Janet
Miller

3/8/2017 Worship, Nelson Reveley on 1 John 1:1 Heard, Music by James Atchison

3/15/2017 Worship, 1 John 1:1 Seen, Music by Christopher Tweel

3/22/2017 Worship, Christopher Tweel on 1 John 1:1 Touched, Music by Christine Anderson

3/29/2017 Worship, Martin Pinckney on 1 John 1:1 Declared, Music by Dan and Erin Cook

4/5/2017 Worship, Christopher Tweel on Shalom Is Our Future, Music by Vivien Chen

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
7
 March 2017 Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wedn
1 Ash Wednes
4:00 p.m. Care T
6:00 p.m. WNS
7:00 p.m. Chance

5 First Sunday in Lent 6 5:30-9:00 p.m. RISC Meeting 7 8 Deadline for

8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall) Out Registratio
9:15 a.m. Groups 1 and 2 Sunday School 4:00 p.m. Care Te
9:30 a.m. Group 3 Sunday School 6:00 p.m. WNS
10:55 a.m. Worship 7:30 p.m. Chance
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour
12:30 p.m. 1st Sunday Prayer Group
(chapel)

12 Second Sunday in Lent 13 14 15

8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal
9:15 a.m. Groups 1 and 2 Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Group 3 Sunday School
10:55 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour
6:00 p.m. Finance Meeting
7:00 p.m. Worship Meeting
7:00 p.m. Administration Meeting
7:00 p.m. Property Meeting
9:30 a.m. PW Circle 3 (Social Rm.) 4:00 p.m. Care Te
11:00 a.m. PW Circle 2 (Vanguard) 6:00 p.m. WNS
7:00 p.m. PW Circle 1 (Cheryl Jacobs 7:30 p.m. Chance
home)

19 Third Sunday in Lent 20 21 22 4:00 p.m. Car

8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Deacons Meeting 4:30 p.m. Carol C
9:30 a.m. Combined Sunday School 5:00 p.m. Junior C
10:55 a.m. Worship with Guest Preach- 6:45 p.m. Session Meeting 6:00 p.m. WNS
er, Dr. David Fergusson 7:30 p.m. Chance
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour
*prep for communion class during Chil-
drens Chapel

26 Fourth Sunday in Lent 27 28 29 4:00 p.m. Car

8:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. Carol C
9:15 a.m. Groups 1 and 2 Sunday School 5:00 p.m. Junior C
9:30 a.m. Group 3 Sunday School 6:00 p.m. WNS
10:55 a.m. Worship 7:30 p.m. Chancel
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour
*prep for communion class during Chil-
drens Chapel
nesday Thursday Friday Saturday
sday 2 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for Life 3 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church in 4
Team (Fellowship Hall) the Fellowship Hall (VCU College
Ministry)
el Choir

r Parents Night 9 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for Life 10 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church 11 5:00-8:00 p.m. PNO
on (by 3:30 p.m.) (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College 6:30 p.m. Bread Breakers at Martha
eam Ministry) Reagans Home

el Choir

16 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for 17 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church 18

eam Life (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College 12:00-9:00 p.m. CC Zekert/
Ministry) Littlejohn Wedding
el Choir
5:00-7:00 p.m. CC Zekert/Littlejohn
Wedding Rehearsal

re Team 23 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for 24 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church 25 7:00 p.m. Richmond Choral
Choir Life (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College Society (RCS) Concert (Sanctuary)
Choir Ministry)
6:00-10:00 p.m. RCS Dress Rehearsal
el Choir (Sanctuary)

re Team 30 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for 31 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church
Choir Life (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College
Choir Ministry)

l Choir
 Photos from February 2017

On February 11, the PEOPLE Group gathered at Westminster Canterbury for their Valentine-themed meeting.

Proverbs 22:17
The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching.
10
Prior to dinner on February 15, the Carol Choir performed.

Luke 1:46-47
And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . .
11
 Mission & Justice
Volunteer Opportunities in Outreach Ministry
STEPs Jobs for Life Program Begins Again in March at GCPC
Where: GCPC Fellowship Hall pant is paired with a champion/ Childcare: Well also be providing
When: Thursdays 6:00-8:30 p.m. mentor, who accompanies him/her structured childcare time for partici-
from March through May 2017 on this journey through the program. pants kids while their parents are in
The Missions Committee invites you
This is a wonderful opportunity to class. Time commitment is 6:00-8:30
to join in an upcoming outreach offer a listening ear, encouragement, pm (dinner included), either each
ministry: STEPs Jobs for Life pro-
and ones own experiences. Men- Thursday or as one can schedule to
gram. The Jobs for Life program tors/champions join in the Thursday make it.
uses a biblically based curriculum
evening dinner and classes, 6:00-8:30 Business Relations & Instructors:
paired with a team of mentors, pas-
p.m., and share at least one contact We need members of the business
tors, and business leaders to help
(text, phone, email, meet up, etc.) community who can share about JfL
students discover who they are, what
during the rest of the week. to both invite local business repre-
gifts and interests they possess, and
Dinners: Each class begins with fel- sentatives to visit and participate in
what roadblocks they face in achiev-
lowship around a meal from 6:00- JfL training (i.e. employer
ing their goals. Jobs for Life is a "soft
6:30 p.m. As with our CARITAS roundtables, mock interviews, etc.)
skills" training program helping par-
ministry, were looking for folks to and even help note/network poten-
ticipants to gain, maintain, and thrive
sponsor and prepare meals to share tial job openings as they may arise
in employment. and enjoy with participants, family for JfL graduates. To learn more or
Opportunities to Share Your members, mentors, and teachers in volunteer, please contact Nelson Reveley at
Experience and Gifts! Jobs for Life. Regular number for a reveley@grace-covenant.org or 387-8094.
Mentors/Champions: Each partici- meal is roughly 35.

Shalom Farms Starts

Good Friday Blood Drive, April 14
On average, every two seconds
someone in the U.S. needs
a blood transfusion, and this is a
precious gift that cannot be manu-
factured but only comes through
the generosity of donors. The Mis-
sion Committee invites you, in
service to God and our neighbors
and partnership with the
Red Cross, to join in
the Good Friday Blood Drive this
year. We are grateful for this op-
portunity to unite in offering the
life-giving gift of blood as we re-
member the reconciling and life-
giving grace of Christ's crucifixion
and resurrection. Back in April 2017!
Starting up again in April, join us
All support is welcome, and if
the second Saturday of the month
you are unable to donate yourself,
at Shalom Farms - a local food access
we encourage you to consider
and community development ministry
seeking a substitute donor or vol-
(www.shalomfarms.org) - as we help
unteering your time. If you would
ensure everyone in our city has access
like to more info or to volunteer
to God's bounteous gift of nutritious
please contact info@grace-
produce. This year we will be at the
covenant.org or 359-2463. If you
new rural location just off route 288 at
donate regularly, and want to be able to
2676 Venita Road, Midlothian, VA
donate on Good Friday, you'll need to
23113. Please RSVP to Nelson Reve-
have donated by Feb 14 in order to have
ley at nmr2uf@virginia.edu or (804)
the requisite 8 week break in between
387-8094. Upcoming dates will be: April
donations. Sign-ups to donate on
8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12,
Good Friday will go out in March!
September 9, and October 14.

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.

12
Testimony from Alpheaus Zobule
Our friend and missionary, Al-
pheaus Zobule, was asked to
speak to the Members of Parlia-
ment in the Solomon Islands this
past February. He has shared his
testimony with the GCPC family:
Dear Friends,
Thank you for praying for me for
the opportunity I had preaching to
the Members of Parliament at the
Parliament House in the Solomon
Islands. I accepted the invitation by
the Speaker of the National Parlia-
ment with some hesitancy. But I
praised the Lord that I did go.
Around noon there were just about
6 of us in the conference room. I
thought that was all the crowd I had
to preach to. As soon as I stood to
preach the Members of Parliament
and the employees of the House
started flowing in until the confer-
ence room was packed. I think most
of the Members of the Parliament
who were there for the meeting that
day showed up.I gained boldness as
I continued to speak and I could see
that everyone was very attentive to
the message I preached.
I stressed two words in my ser-
mon Opportunity and
Responsibility basing my sermon
on the story of Esther and Mordecai
who seized the opportunity and act-
ed responsibly to save their nation.
The theme of the sermon was For
a Such a Time as This. I stressed
that their brief time in the Parlia-
ment is a God-given opportunity
for them to make a difference and to
act in a responsible way to save the
nation Solomon Islands. During my
preaching I sensed that my message
connected with them and I could see
heads nodding and I could hear ap-
preciative responses.
I found out just before I started
speaking that this was the first time
the National Parliament in the Solo-
mon Islands invited a preacher to
come and preach to the leaders. At
the end of the session, two Honora-
ble members who were part of the
House Planning Committee suggest-
ed to me that they would like to
keep this going during the meeting
times of the Parliament, perhaps
doing it once a week, and they asked
if I would accept another invitation
to come back. I told them that I
would but I also said that there were
others who would also be happy to
come and share Gods word. Many
times other Christian groups have
tried to organize a religious gather-
ing at the Parliament House but this
event is a little different in that it
was requested by the Parliament
House itself. Thank you for your
prayers. I think the seed has been
planted and we continue to pray that
God will speak to our leaders. I
sense there will be more opportuni-
ties like this in the near future.
Blessings to you,
Alpheaus Graham Zobule

A Thank You from Sampson Lodo

Greetings from Rev. Sampson Lodo in Hohoe, Ghana
We want to thank the Grace Covenant family for the sup-
port you gave us. The money your mission committee sent
us was used to buy some building materials for the contin-
uation of the manse project. The project was at footing
level before the money was sent and with the arrival of
your donation we were able to raise the building to decking
level. The whole Presbytery is full of gratitude to the entire
church.
(To the right is a photo of the work being done. The wom-
an standing in front of the building is Charlotte, Sampson's
wife.)

Psalm 118:15
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the LORD does val-
iantly . . .
13
 Worship
Dr. David Fergusson to Preach and Teach on March 19
Biography
David Fergusson studied philosophy and
theology in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Ox-
ford. He worked for several years as a
parish minister in the Church of Scotland.
Having held the Chair of Systematic The-
ology in the University of Aberdeen, he
returned to Edinburgh as Professor of
Divinity in 2000. He was appointed Prin-
cipal of New College (2008) and is a
Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland. From
2009-11, he served as a Vice-Principal of
the University of Edinburgh. He has lec-
tured widely in the USA, Europe, Hong
Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, South Afri-
ca, and Australia. He is a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh (2004) and a
Fellow of the British Academy (2013). In
2014, he was awarded an honorary doc-
torate by the University of Aberdeen.
During the academic year (2016-17), he
will hold a Visiting Fellowship at Prince-
ton Theological Seminary.
Research interests
David Fergusson's research interests in-
clude the following:
1. Reformed theology from the 16th century until
the present day, with a stress on its dual identity
as Catholic and Reformed. In particular, he
has developed an expertise on the history
of theology in Scotland in several courses
First Sunday Prayer Group
Join the prayer team from 12:30-1:00 p.m. after
worship on the first Sunday of each month. The
group meets in the chapel and prays over the
Join Us in Worship on Sundays:
Pray Together (Social Room)
Sunday School
14 Worship Service (Sanctuary)
and publications.
2. The doctrines of creation and providence. Ex-
plorations in these areas have also includ-
ed an interdisciplinary dimension in deal-
ing with the natural sciences and psycho-
therapy.
3. The relationship of the church to society, partic-
ularly with respect to issues generated by political
liberalism. In much of his output in this
field, he has reflected on the public role of
faith in relation to secularism, atheism,
and religious pluralism. than a commitment to a set of beliefs that one can
You can link to the following website itemize in propositional form.
(https://www.gci.org/YI133) to watch,
listen, or read an interview that Dr. Fer- We should not be afraid of criticism. We have to
gusson gave concerning a book of his respond robustly to some of it. But there are other
entitled Faith and its Critics: A Conversation criticisms of faith that are not altogether invalid,
(2011) wherein he specifically responds and I think we can learn and move on from these.
the new atheist movement spearheaded by So Im interested in promoting a conversation
those like Richard Dawkins. Below are between people of faith and their critics, rather
four salient excerpts from that interview: than continuing what has, to some extent, been a
shouting match involving people of very different
My task was initially the more modest one of positions.
showing that Christian faith remains credible and
an intellectually defensible option within the mod- [Science and religion] occupy different types of
ern world. terrain, and they offer different descriptions, and
therefore this isnt a zero-sum game where the
It is always incumbent upon us to make the best more that science explains, the less there is for
case possible for the gospel. Were enjoined by the religion to explain.
New Testament to offer a reasoned defense for the
hope that is within us Part of my defense of
faith was to point out that faith is much more
Children and Worship
We know all kids can be wiggly and noisy. Its okay! Were glad that you
and they are here. Please feel free to sit anywhere: up front where they
can see; in the balcony where there is room to move around; or wherever
is most convenient for you. Worship Bags and Binders are available in the
narthex. Ask an usher or greeter. Children under 6 are welcome at any
time for childcare in room 102. Our excellent nursery is in room 103
across from the Social Room.
9:15 a.m. *See page 6 for Sunday School
9:45 a.m. times during the six week study
of Unbinding your Heart.
10:55 a.m.
 Session Report,Report
Session February 2017
Recent Actions

The Session voted to:

1) Approve the minutes for the Session meetings of January 16, 2017 and January 22, 2017.
2) Approve the minutes of the Congregational Meeting of February 12, 2017.
3) Approve the 2016 Church Statistical Report
4) Approve the City Church wedding of July 1, 2017 (Mallory/Rogers)
5) Approve Worship services with Communion for: Wed., March 1, 2017; (Ash Wednesday);
March 8, 15, 22, 20, 29, April 5 (Wednesday evenings during Lent-all to be held in the Fellowship
Hall); and Maundy Thursday April 13 (Sanctuary)
6) Approve extension of Parish Associate Covenant with Nelson Reveley for 2017
7) Approve vacation for Rev. Hulme-Lippert May 22-May 30, 2017.

The Session also:

Approved the Statement of Intent to the Presbytery of the James for 2017 in the amount of $5000.
Approved an update to the Building Use Agreement
Agreed to update the 2nd floor restrooms and staff kitchen area
Authorized the allocation of $10,000 from undesignated bequests for use as Matching Funds for
donations to the Loaves and Fishes Fund for 2017
Reviewed the membership rolls
Heard a report on the Presbytery of the James meeting held February 18, 2017

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.

Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judg-
ments that are true and make for peace . . . 15
 The Church Administration
Our Elders serve the church as leaders.
The Church Officers Our Deacons lead the church in service. Please feel free to approach them
with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenants ministries.

Clerk of Session: Dana E. McKnight Moderator of the Board of Deacons: Sallie Leys

Elders: Deacons:

Susan Boze (18) - Christian Education (M) Itunu Adekoya (19) - Deacons Fund; Prayer Ministry
Ray Davis (18) - Admin. and Personnel (M) Lisa Cardwell (18) - Meals (M); Transportation
Bill Jacobs (18) - Property (M) Mary Gray (18) - Greeters/Ushers
Dana McKnight (17) - Finance (M); Clerk Ginny Hardman (19) - Deacons Fund; Justice
Susan Pillsbury David (19) - Mission (Co-M) Margaret Harvie (18) - Visitation and Flowers
Everett Reveley (19) - Stewardship (M); Treasurer Cynthia Holmes (17) - Greeters/Ushers
Jessica Reveley (19) - Nominating (M); Steve Kemp (18) - Media and Technology
Mission (Co-M) Dottie-Ray Koch (17) - Fellowship
Lewis Rosebro (17) - Evangelism (M); Property Sallie Leys (17) - Moderator of the Diaconate
Rob Turner (17) - Worship (M) Elizabeth Russell (19) - New Members; Greeters/Ushers
Karl Rubis (19) - Fellowship (M)
Trustees: Caroline Leith (17) Dawson Watkins (17) - Care Team; Deacons Fund (M)
Warren Zirkle (19)
Kent Cardwell (18)

The Staff
Bobby Hulme-Lippert Nelson Reveley
Pastor Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult Discipleship
bobby@grace-covenant.org reveley@grace-covenant.org

Christopher Tweel Martha Rubin

Associate Pastor for Christian Education Administrative Support/ Bookkeeper
christopher@grace-covenant.org bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org

Christopher Martin Meredith Bond

Director of Music and Organist Office Manager
martin@grace-covenant.org meredith@grace-covenant.org

GCPC Child Development Center

Nicole Flournoy, Director director.gccdc@verizon.net
(804) 213-0200 gracecovenantcdc.com

Office Hours: Contact Us:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9am-3:30pm Phone: (804) 359-2463
Wednesday 9am-4:30pm Fax: (804) 278-6298
16 Friday 9am-noon www.grace-covenant.org