Grace Notes Weekly is Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church’s weekly newsletter, published every Wednesday afternoon. Want it delivered straight to your inbox? Just email us at office@gcpc.org to subscribe, or to contribute an article.
Worship is at 9:30am each Sunday, and is also livestreamed on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Adult and Children's Sunday School is at 10:45am each Sunday.
Introducing Grace Notes Weekly
We’re excited to share that our Midweek Announcements have a new name and an additional new format! Now called Grace Notes Weekly, this publication will continue to keep you connected with what’s happening in the life of our church. Grace Notes Weekly will continue to be shared via e-mail every Wednesday afternoon and is also available anytime at gcpc.org/gracenotesweekly.
If you have articles or information you'd like to include, please submit them to Patrick Bell in the church office by 10am each Wednesday, patrick.bell@gcpc.org, for consideration in that week’s edition. Be sure to check it out each week for updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to grow and serve together as a community of faith.
Congregational Meeting — May 11
Called Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, May 11, immediately following worship. There will be three items of business for the congregation to vote on:
- Approval of the Slate of New Elders — We will vote to approve those who have been nominated and feel called to serve as elders in this next season of ministry.
- Approval of Updates to the Church Bylaws — These changes have been carefully considered and recommended by Session.
- Vote to Call Rev. Karen as Designated Pastor — Perhaps the most exciting item is the opportunity to formally call Pastor Karen to serve as Designated Pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. This is an installed position and will essentially create a contract between Pastor Karen and the Congregation of GCPC for the next 5 years.
Watch your email prior to the meeting date for more detail about the bylaw changes and what the Designated Pastor status entails as well as the Transitional Report. This is an important time in the life of our church, and your presence and voice matter.
May the 4th Be with You at Bell Fest: A Galactic Celebration of Music!
In a sanctuary not so far, far away … the bells will ring, and the Force will sing! Join us for Bell Fest on Sunday, May 4, at 6pm, as we embark on an interstellar evening of music, harmony, and adventure. Experience the power of the bells as they echo through the galaxy, bringing balance to the Force and joy to all who listen. Jedi, Sith, and music lovers of all kinds are welcome — costumes encouraged! Don’t miss this force-filled night of fun and fellowship. The bells awaken … will you answer the call?
Adult Education: Sunday, May 4
Don Wilson leads a discussion of The Gospel of John Part 2, Focusing on Thomas and the “post-script” nature of John 21. Join us at 10:45am in Room 3.
40th Anniversary News and Events
RSVP for the 40th Anniversary Worship Service & Brunch
Sunday, June 22, 2025. Worship at 9:30am. Brunch to follow. Join us as we celebrate 40 years of God’s grace and faithfulness. For four decades, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of God’s enduring love, marked by worship, service, and spiritual growth. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect with gratitude on God’s steadfast presence and the faithful efforts of all who have nurtured our church community. We warmly welcome family, friends, and community members to join us in this joyful celebration! Kindly RSVP by June 12 so we can plan for food and seating. RSVP here: gcpc.org/40th-rsvp
Volunteer to help with the 40th Anniversary Celebration!
Attend the 40th Anniversary Committee meeting on May 1st at 6:30pm in Room 21 to learn about ways you can help us welcome and celebrate our 40 years of ministry with our guests on June 22 during worship and with brunch afterwards. Contact Kristy Shaw if you'd like to volunteer, or visit gcpc.org/40thvolunteer
Are you ready for it?
GCPC 40th Anniversary Friendship Bracelet Making Party, Saturday, July 12, 1–3pm in Heartland Hall. RSVP at gcpc.org/friendship.
Good Faith Network
Support the Nehemiah Action for Elder Care, Homelessness, Affordable Housing, and Mental Health. Tuesday, May 6, 6pm at Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood.
Children's Ministry
ROAD TRIP — On the Go with God is the theme for the 2025 VBS, held on June 2–6 from 9am–Noon. Registration is OPEN! Sign up your kiddos (ages 4 years to 5th grade) at gcpc.org/vbs. Volunteers needed! Volunteers can also sign up at the same link. Opportunities to help with decorating, planning, etc., are available and appreciated. Contact Kristy Shaw at kshaw96@yahoo.com. Sign-up SOON so you get a t-shirt!
A VBS Volunteer Training session will be held this Sunday, May 4, 11:45am–12:45pm in Heartland Hall. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Erin Frye at VBS Luncheon.
Mission in May
On May 11, we’ll collect a Noisy Offering destined for the Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering. Collected in the spring of each year to celebrate blessings in the lives of Presbyterian Women, the Birthday Offering funds up to five projects that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support, such as agricultural development, childcare, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns. We suggest honoring your mom, grandmother, sister(s), or any other woman who has been important in your life by giving coins to equal her age or to represent her birthday — for example, 8 dimes to represent 8 decades, or $1.21 to represent a December first birthday. Children can add their offering to represent their own age, or the age of a special person in their lives. Bring your coins on May 11 to help combing this GCPC tradition with a Presbyterian Women tradition!
May Donation Partner: Humane Society (in partnership with VBS): We will collect the same items that children attending VBS in June will have a chance to donate — help them make a BIG pile of donations for pets! Leave your donations in the bin in the Weekday Entrance anytime in May. Items needed: Soft dog treats, cat toys, peanut butter, rope toys, paper towels, Kongs, hard rubber toys, squeaky toys, Nylabones, and medium/large towels.
May Communion Offering Recipient — CROP Hunger Walk: CROP Hunger Walks are community-based fundraising events held in cities and towns across the United States. They support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Hunger is one of the greatest injustices facing our world, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Ending hunger is possible in our lifetime. The Heart of America CROP Walk won't take place until this fall, but we can support the global CROP organization now. If you’d like to support the CROP Walk, use the “Communion” option in the online portal to donate, or write “Communion Offering” on your check or envelope and donate it during Offering before June 1.
Prayers
- For those experiencing loss, loneliness, illness, and other personal struggles.
- Rick Randolph, having a second surgery for cracked vertebrae.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church celebrates God's unbounded grace and all-inclusive love. God gathers us in a welcoming community with our curiosity and questions to worship creatively, learn from God's Word, share our gifts, and deepen our faith. With grateful hearts and a spirit of adventure, we go to serve Christ in the world, sharing kindness with everyone and working for justice rooted in God's love.
gcpc.org • 913-345-1256 • 11100 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210
