Grace Notes Weekly is Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church’s weekly blog update, published every Thursday. 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.
Congregational Meeting — May 11
Session has scheduled a 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 Wright as Designated Pastor — Perhaps the most exciting item is the opportunity to formally call Pastor Karen Wright 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.
More information about the Called Meeting will be emailed next week. We will go into 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.
Email Scam Alert
Recently a phishing e-mail was received by several GCPC members, purporting to be from Rev. Wright, asking for assistance. If you receive one of these e-mails, do not respond. It is a scam. If you check the sender's e-mail address, it is not from gcpc.org. Additionally, Karen would NEVER contact a member in this manner to ask for any kind of help. —GCPC Office
Adult Education: Sunday, April 27
Don Wilson leads the discussion of resurrection encounters in Amy-Jill Levine’s The Gospel of John Session 6: Mary Magdalene and Doubting Thomas. Join us at 10:45am in Room 3.
Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering
All women of Grace are invited. Plan to attend the Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering; Saturday, May 3, 9:30am–Noon; Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, KS 66208. The PW Bible study this year focused on creation care and climate. Our own Grace Covenant member Brandon Hearn, Environmental Health Specialist with Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, is the keynote speaker. He will help us understand the program theme, "What Can I Really Do for the Earth?” Contact Ginny Wirtz, 913-851-8797, about carpooling or other information.
From Your Music Ministry
Share Your Musical Gift—Make Our Worship Even More Special!
Do you have a hidden musical talent? Soloists are needed for summer services, and your gift can bring joy, inspiration, and deeper connection to our worship. We'd love to welcome you! If you're interested, please see Patrick O'Halloran or e-mail patrick.ohalloran@gcpc.org.
Not able to commit to CHEX during the school calendar year? Consider singing in our Summer Choir! No Wednesday commitments — just a chance to share your voice and make our worship moments even more meaningful.
Embellish Handbell Ensemble — July 6
We are thrilled to welcome Embellish, a premier handbell ensemble from Western Michigan, for a special concert on the evening of July 6 at 7pm in the GCPC Sanctuary! There is no cost to attend, but a love offering is appreciated to help offset the cost of the ensemble’s travel. Join us for an unforgettable night of inspiring music. You won’t want to miss this!
Facilities Team Job Jar
The Facilities Team often has small projects, one-time jobs, which could be done by a volunteer, eliminating the need for the church to hire outside vendors. If you have experience such as plumbing, drywall, etc., or any general handyman type skills, please contact Liz Chandler, 11emchandler55@gmail.com, and she will add your name to a list of volunteers that the Facilities Team can contact when the need arises. Thank you for your support!
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 the brunch afterwards. Contact Kristy Shaw if you'd like to volunteer.
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.
EncoreKC! Spring Concerts
The EncoreKC! Foundation presents “Ensemble Mania” on Thursday, April 24, 7pm, at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. This exciting event will showcase a variety of talented ensembles, including EKC! Brass, EKC! SSA Chorus, EKC! Ukuleles, and EKC! Woodwinds. Come and enjoy an evening of uplifting music, performed by passionate musicians from our community. Bring your friends and family and celebrate the joy of ensemble music! For more details, visit encorekc.org.
EncoreKC! Chorus and EKC! Act II will present, “Spring Forth Into Joy” Sunday, April 27, at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch at 3pm. EKC! brass and other instrumentalists will also be performing. EncoreKC! Foundation is a 501(c)(3) comprised of musicians over the age of 50, all led by volunteers. Come enjoy an afternoon of uplifting music and entertainment. There will also be a silent auction, so come early. (Parking is limited, so be sure to carpool.) EncoreKC! Foundation is Artist in Residence at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
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 NOW 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.
Interested in Lowering Your Carbon Footprint?
Would you like an easy, low-cost way to lower your carbon footprint? Consider joining GCPC’s composting program! We partner with KC Can Compost to offer our members the option to compost their household food scraps. For new participants, there’s a small sign-up fee to buy a bucket (between $15-$35 depending on what options you want), and the cost thereafter is $13/month. Participating households get the code to unlock the orange bin at the west end of the parking lot and can dump their household compostable waste into it anytime, 24/7. Participants also get some educational materials on what is compostable and what isn’t. As long as we have enough participating households, GCPC gets to compost waste we produce at church for free!
To learn more about KC Can Compost go to kccancompost.com. You can contact Mikki Walker at michala.walker@gmail.com to participate, for more information or any questions you might have.
May the 4th Be With You at Bell Fest
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?
Mission in April
April Donation Partner: A Gathering of Friends: A Gathering of Friends is a grassroots organization serving those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Donations can go in the Weekday Entrance bin anytime in April. Here is a list of what you can donate to support their mission: AA and AAA batteries, backpacks*, reusable shopping bags*, flashlights, lighters, men’s large/XL T-shirts*, hoodies*, men’s jeans/sweats/cargo*, tents*, sleeping bags*, and insect repellent. (*Gently used items are okay!)
April Communion Offering Recipient — One Great Hour of Sharing: Please CLICK HERE for details on this PCUSA Special Offering.
Prayers
- For those experiencing loss, loneliness, illness, and other personal struggles.
- Rick Randolph, hospitalized with a fractured vertebrae.
- Kevin Johnson, recovering from cardiac ablation.
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
