Grace Notes - February 2015

8/9/2019 Grace Notes - February 2015

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2015

The Centennial Plans Are Unfolding

We are four weeks into our 100 thyear as a congregation! In case you had not heard, celebrationplans continue to come together under the direction of our excellent and dedicated CentennialAnniversary Committee: Jack Corley (chair), Cherry Corley, Marjorie Adams, MargaretCardwell, Phil Coltrain, Bob Copeland, Cheryl Jacobs, Lewis Rosebro, Judy Waldron, andChristopher Tweel.

Here are just a few of the things this crew has accomplished to date: Designed and completed a Centennial Crest.

Designed and produced a Centennial Banner (dedicated in worship on January 25.) Ordered Centennial Aprons for the Food Committee, and they are currently in use! Designed and ordered over 300 invitations for the Centennial Celebration on Sunday, April 19. These will

be sent later this spring. Contacted all living former pastors and invited them to participate in the service of worship on Sunday,

April 19. Nine former ministers are planning to be there!

The committee is continuing its work in the following arenas: Completing the plan for special presentations to be given on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning

during the month of April. Ensuring effective publicity in the Fan, throughout Richmond, and in our Presbytery. News articles and

social media will assist in getting the word out. Coordinating the meal plan for April 19. We expect quite a crowd!

On top of all the great work being done by this committee, the Building Fund has generously decided toparticipate in the celebration by renovating and updating various parts of our property. Most notably plans areunfolding to have the Fellowship Hall renovated this summer.

Of course, even the best celebrations and renovations are but a noisy gong if we have not love motivating us

continued on page 3


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Sunday Schoolis held every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The nursery crib room and Sunday School are availablefor children ages 2 and up.

The Vanguard Class, Basement, Room B4: The class has begun a new study on how "to bethe men that God wants us to be this day," with focus upon our attitude as men in the greaterchurch of Christ and our relationship and action to injustice in the world.

Grace Bible Class, Second Floor, Room 212: The Grace Bible Class is being taught be JohnNevin and regularly engages in the study of a book from scripture.

The Forum Basement, Room B7Class: Dr. Tom Miller will continue to lead the class throughlessons on the theological principle Grace.

Connections Classes, Third Floor, Room 303: Connections Class has become the Good BooksClass! (se below)

This class entails reading and exploring good booksabout God in our everyday lives. Our discussions willbe framed devotionally through scripture, hymns, andprayer (including prayer for each other) that relates to

the book we will be exploring. Nelson Reveley will be facilitating this class (in room 303), and we

will begin with John Leith's book The Reformed Imperative: What the ChurchHas to Say That No

One Else Can Say fromJan. 4-Feb. 15. If you would like to join in this class, please contact

Nelson Reveley at [email protected] or 387-8094. Due to a generous gift, a limited number of

free copies of the book are available, simply contact Nelson Reveley.

Small Group for Parents!The first one met on Sunday, January 25 at the home ofCheryl and James Atchison and 22 folks (childrenand adults) attended! The Parents SmallGroup plans to continue meeting monthly through the end of May, and all parents/childrenare welcome to join in. The next small group will be on Sunday, February 22at5:00pm. Location TBD.

Questions? Contact James Atchison ([email protected]).

Christian Education and Discipleship

Combined Sunday School on Sunday, February 15Come hear from Valentin and Sveltana Chicu, our missionaries from Moldovia.They will be sharing about their ministry and all that God is doing through theirwork. Class will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall on February 15.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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All Circles Meet Tuesday February 10

Interested in becoming more engaged in seekingGod's justice in our communities? A monthlyJustice Ministry small group began meeting thisJanuary to read and discuss TimothyKeller'sGenerous Justicetogether as well as at times plan for local Justice Ministry efforts. Please feel free tojoin us! For questions or more information please contact Nelson Reveley ([email protected]).

Dates(2ndWed.of the month):Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr. 8, May 13Time:6:50-8:00 p.m.Place: Grace Covenant, Room TBDReading:Timothy Keller'sGenerousJustice

Format: 1. Prayer, Hymn, and Scripture; 2. Discuss passages and questionsfrom book; 3. Updates and

at times planning on ourJusticeMinistryefforts; 4. Hymn and PrayerDiscussion/Reading Schedule: Jan. 14 (Intro); Feb. 11 (Chap. 1-2); Mar. 11(Chap. 3-4);Apr. 8 (Chap.5-6); May 13 (Chap. 7-8)

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continued from Centennial Plans Unfolding

and pouring through us toward God and neighbor. Paul makes this point quite clearly in his first letter to theCorinthians! So, amid all the exciting programs, celebrations, and changes let us remain in prayer connected to Christ who is the source of all Love. In this way, our every effort this year will be, most truly,a sharing of Christs love.

Justice Ministry Small Group

Jan.-May 2015

Congregational Meeting

The Annual Congregational Meeting for presenting the 2015 budget and approving the Terms of Call for Reverand BobbyHulme-Lippert will be in the sanctuary immediately following worship on Sunday, February 8, 2015.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Chelsea ChenInternaonal Concert Organist

Arst in Residence, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)

Friday, February 27, 7:30 p.m.Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

1627 Monument Avenue

Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) Sinfonietta (2002)

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Childrens Corner

trans. Chelsea Chen Doctor Gradus ad ParnassumJimbo's LullabySerenade of the DollThe Snow is DancingThe Little Shepherd

Golliwogg's Cakewalk

George Gershwin/ I Got Rhythmarr. Rod Gorby (b. 1978)

Chelsea Chen Taiwanese Suite (2003)

(b. 1983)

Hills in the SpringtimeMoonlight Blue

Mountain of Youth

Jehan Alain Litanies(1911-1940)

Ad Wammes Miroir(b. 1953)

Marcel Dupr Magnificat No. 1: My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord

(1886-1971) from 15 Pieces Founded on Antphons


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Pew Bible Replacements

In conjunction with the churchs observance and celebration of our 100 thanniversary, the Session has authorized replacing the current pew Bibles. The currentBibles are over 60 years old and many are in poor physical shape. The replacementBibles will be very similar in appearance to the current ones: burgundy with GRACECOVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH imprinted on the front. The translationwill be the New Revised Standard Version.

The congregation will have the opportunity to donate Bibles either as memo-rials or in honor of a family member or friend. Sign-up sheets will be available on thesign-up table outside the Social Room. Completed sheets can be placed in the available plastic boxes.The cost will be $20 per Bible.You may also simply e-mail me with your information or if any questions:[email protected].

Thank you for your interest!Dana McKnight

New Ofce Hours Our

new oce hours are in place. As al-

ways, for those of you who have key

cards, those cards will connue to

give you access to the building be-

tween the hours of7am and 7pm

Monday-Friday. Below is the new

schedule.

Monday- 9:00a.m. -3:30p.m.

Tuesday- 9:00a.m. -3:30p.m.

Wednesday-9:00a.m. -4:30p.m.

Thursday-9:00a.m. -3:30p.m.

Friday-9:00a.m.

-12:00 noon

(volunteersonly)

BEACH BLAST!Beat Those Winter Blues

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 72:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Overbrook Presbyterian Church2605 Dumbarton RoadBring a Friend!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Ash Wednesday Service Background and

Details

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that did not have an AshWednesday service. The whole idea of Ash Wednesday struck meas something for other people, and I really had no appreciation forit one way or another until I began serving a couple of differentPresbyterian congregations which had the service.

As many of you know, there is no biblical requirement to hold anAsh Wednesday service or to use ashes much as there is no biblicalrequirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebratethe truths behind them year-round). Still, Ash Wednesday has beenobserved by many Christians for at least the past ten centuries. It is the day that marks the beginning of Lent a six-week period preceding Easter (Lent, too, is not in the Bible).

Around the tenth century, Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need forrepentance, presumably emulating the likes of Job who repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). Notably, theashes were done in the shape of the cross a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of aneed to repent (turn to God) they also spoke of resurrection power and hope.

The first time I had ashes placed on my forehead, it didnt do anything (and never does!). However, thevisible ashen mark helped me consider again my need for grace even as the cross-shape prompted me to givethanks for the Life in which I already stand because of what Jesus has done on the cross. The ashes also mademe face anew the fact that I will die one day , which renewed my hope and thanks for the hope I have inChrist Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with theGospel which always cuts to the heart (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.

After receiving ashes, I went to research the topic in more detail. I realized that while there exists no Bibleverse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoningunderpinning the service. In many ways, the service enacts our call to confess our sins to another, to weepwith one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can only be appreciated by naming, notavoiding, the darkness).

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of Godto repentance, the prophet Joel says, rend your hearts not your clothing (2:13). The prophet Isaiah likewisetells the people to stop fasting and repenting in dust and ashes and instead get up and dojustice (Isaiah 58:5-8). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for thinking that they can perform external acts ofworship (like tearing their clothes or wearing ashes in repentance) that will take the place of actually givingtheir hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world. We are wise to avoid any imposition of ashes if

we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in and of themselves.

However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way for many Christians to know anew our hopein Jesus Christ, ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service at 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, February18in the sanctuary. The ashes will be entirely optional you may choose whether or not you come forwardto receive them. If you do come forward, I will put the ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross withthe words, Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that throughthe service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured onceagain that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring Life and Life Eternal.


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Bequest GratitudeLate last year the church received a bequest in the amount of $65,000 from the estate of long-time mem

ber, Robert Vaughan (a member for 81 years, who joined in October of 1933). We are humbled and grateful fo

the immense generosity of Mr. Vaughan. It is because of the generous forethought of Mr. Vaughn and othersthat Grace Covenant continues to offer a vibrant witness in Richmond and various places around the world. Wpray and trust that God will lead us to steward wisely the gift with which we have been entrusted.

To date, the Session has voted to place the $65,000 in our Reserve Fund, which had been depleted afterthe 2008-09 recession. This Fund helps ensure ministry and mission viability. If you have not already consid-ered putting Grace Covenant into your will but would like to do so, please contact Deacon Jennifer Schooley,esq ([email protected], 307-7544). She will assist in making this happen free of charge.

Tom Cutting's Memorial Service will be Saturday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m.at Second Presbyterian Church.

Every 5thSunday in 2015 you are invited to a congregational luncheon in theFellowship Hall after worship! The Fellowship Committee will be pulling togeth-er the meal more details to come as we near the first date.

At these luncheons, the Session will take some time to present to the congre-gation the various things on which they have been working and praying. Therewill also be a time for Q&A. The hope is that we can enjoy the gift of fellowshipand continue to enjoy a strong connection between the congregation and the lead-ership as God leads us into the next 100 years.

Luncheon Dates for 2015:March 29, May 31, August 30, and November 29.

5

th

Sundays Luncheon and Information Meeting

Ash Wednesday Service

February 18, 2015

7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary


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Caption: Standing next to Jacobs Well lo-cated in the West Bank under a Greek Or-thodox Church and recalling Jesus wordsalongside the well: "but those who drink ofthe water that I will give them will never bethirsty (John 4:14).

Standing on Masada, an ancient fortification on the east-ern edge of theJudaean Desert, overlooking theDeadSea. Herod the Great built palaces for himself on thismountain. The backdrop provides an idea of how chal-lenging it could be when the Israelites wandered in thedesert!

Bobbys Trip Abroad in the Holy Land!Israel and Palestine, 2015

Joel Morgan (pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church onMonument Ave) and I standing on the Mount of Olives.

Boat Ride on the sea of Galilee.

Bobby has returned safely from his time in Israel and the WestBank. and he looks forward to sharing about the experience! Ifyoud like to hear about the trip, there are two upcomingopportunities (outside of sermons where you will regularly hearstories and anecdotes): Wednesday, March, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

following Wednesday Night Supper Sunday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Grace Bible Classroom


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Also @ Union Presbyterian Seminary Presents their Dawe Lecture:"Caged Chickens or Free-Range Chickens? Can Christian Theologians Fly theCoop to Learn from Other Religious Traditions?

The lecture featuresDr. John Thatamanil, associate professor of theology and worldreligions at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He will exploretherelationships between people of various world religions as we struggle to live togetherin peace. Registration is not necessary for this event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Forthose who cant attend in person, the Dawe Lecture will be streamed live onunion.live.org.
http://union.live.org/http://union.live.org/http://union.live.org/


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Sunday Monday Tuesday We

1 Souper Bowl of Caring9:15 Prayer Team9:30 Sunday School10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship Hour

2

12noon Mens Luncheon

39:45 Staff (GCPC)

7:00 pm August MusicalesCommittee Meeting

44pm 4:30p5pm 6pm 7:15p

89:15 Prayer Team9:30 Sunday School10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship HourPOJ Youth Event

9


6pm Ukirk7:00pm WorshipCommittee Meeting

10

6pm Finance Meeting

114pm 4:30p5pm 6pm 7:15p

159:15 Prayer Team9:30 Combined Sunday School

-Missionaries from Moldova!10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship Hour

16


17 184pm 4:30p5pm 6pm 7pmServ

8pm

229:15 Prayer Team9:30 Sunday School10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship Hour

23


6pm Ukirk

24 254pm 4:30p5pm 6pm 7:15p

February


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hursday riday Saturday

Choiroir

l Choir

510am CDC Chapel

6 72-5pm POJ Youth Beach Blast!

5-8pm Parents Night Out

Choiroir

l Choir

1210am CDC Chapel

13 14

6:30 People Group @Westminster Canterbury

Choiroir

nesday

hoir

1910am CDC Chapel

7pm Session meeting

20 RISC Meeting 21 RISC Meeting

9-1pm Shalom Farms

Choiroir

l Choir

2610am CDC Chapel

27

7:30 PM OrganRecitalChelsea Chen

289:30-12noon AGO Meeting

** Reminder!February 20 is the deadline for submissions

for our March edition of Grace Notes.


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Honduras KHISHTeam Returns!

The fifth annual Brigada de Ojos (orEye Brigade) traveled to Southern Honduras

from January 1-8, 2015, in conjunction with the

KHISH medical/dental teams tenth trip. ThreeAmerican ophthalmologists (Dr. CarlosMartinez from Long Beach, CA and Drs. KeithKellum and Theresa Turla from Houma, LA)and three American surgical nurses (JoAnnLightfoot and Shannon Atkinson from Houmaand Jaqueline Diehl from CA) joined with Ronand Susan David and a host of Honduran team members to perform eye exams, dispense glasses, and screenfor potential surgical needs. The team was hosted by the public hospital in San Lorenzo. We were privilegedto be joined this year by Dr. Kristo from El Progreso, who was an artist in the operating room. The team of

Honduran professionals was led, as always, by good friend Melvin Tejada. In all, 499 individuals werescreened for surgery. Of these, 192 underwent surgery, mostly for cataracts and pterygium, with somemiscellaneous other procedures. Hundreds received reading or prescription glasses through a separate process

led by Rev. Mark Wright, Presbyterianmissionary to Honduras. At the close of theweeks work, we were invited to a meeting withthe Hospital San Lorenzos leadership. Theyhave pledged to pre-screen patients in the fourmonths leading up to the 2016 brigade, in aneffort to streamline the process and maximizethe surgical teams efficiency and productivity.

They also pledged to be our partners in the longterm goal of building a permanent eye carefacility to serve the residents of the South ofHonduras. In turn, we pledged to return nextJanuary for our sixthBrigada de Ojos.

The medical/dental teams included HelenLanier Reveley, Sallie Leys, and Itunu

Adekoya. Poor Helen Lanier had the unlucky distinction of having American Airlines cancel her flight BOTHWAYS and so got to spend extra quality time in airports and hotels along her way. We juggled the scheduleof clinics to accommodate late arrivals. We had our usual clinics in Nacaome, Puerto Grande, Moropocay

(twice) and Las Crucitas, approximately 750 medical visits and 250+ pulled teeth. An unpleasant andunexpected new wrinkle was the appearance of a mosquito-borne disease called chikungunyain the WesternHemisphere. We encountered a few acute cases and many dozens of folks who had gotten through the acuteillness but were left with lingering joint pains and difficulty walking weeks later. We found ourselves flyingthrough our supply of NSAIDs very quickly and having to find more. Thanks to lots of insect repellant, we allreturned home safely and chikungunya-free.

Many thanks to the people of Grace Covenant for their ongoing support.

Thanks be to God!


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February Birthdays

1 Joy Nevins

2 Merelyn Hammett

3 George Plunkett

4 Ainura Satterfield

6 Janet Miller

8 Margaret Valentine

8 Sue Bridenstine

9 Edward Richardson

11 Gordon Gray

13 Grace Cardwell

16 Jean Appich

17 Logan R. Moorhead

20 Laura Leigh Savage

20 Cameron Baird

24 Patrise Sears

25 Carl McMillin

28 Sally Warthen

28 Rick Nochta

Fellowship Hour

February 1 Wood

February 8 Jacobs

February 15 Holmes

February 22 Savage

Friday as Sabbath Day for Bobby

As of last Monday, January 26 Ihave switched the day that I take a Sab-bath. I have been taking Mondays asmy Sabbath day for the past year and ahalf, but now am taking Fridays as mySabbath day.

This means I am generally availablein the office and/or by cell phone at any-time Sunday-Thursday. I am also avail-able for emergencies via cell phone onFriday.

As usual, Saturdays will often in-volve participation in ministries likeShalom Farms or those of the POJ.


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Date Night

Grace Covenant is happy to offer this blessing up to our families againon Saturday, February 7,from 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. A charge of $5per child will help defray the costs of child care, though there is a $10maximum per family with more than two children. Please RSVP toVanessa Strait at [email protected] or 359-2463 with name of

child and age.

Looking forward to next year be sure to keep these dates on yourcalendar. These dates below will be from 5:00 -8:00 p.m.

March 14, April 11, and May 23.

After some anemic numbers in the months of the late fall,contributions finished the year unusually strong, with a totalof $84,600 in December. The years total of $510,900 wasdown 1.4% from the prior year due to contributions receivedin 2013 attributable to 2012 pledges. Other income inDecember included $4,000 from the Building Fund toreimburse prior capital expenses and prior restricteddonations of $16,100 utilized to fund mission payments.

Expenses of $73,800 in December were also high, but

they included mission donations of $21,200. Income for themonth exceeded expenses by $40,900, resulting in a surplus

over expenses of $15,600 being realized for the year.

Our Joy Gift in December amounted to $1,944, our Five Cents Per Meal offering $240, Loavesand Fishes $730, and Mercy $196. Other significant activity in the Restricted Funds included a bequestfrom the estate of Robert Vaughan, and a donation designated for the Zobule Translation Project.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Food Donations Needed!

Please continue to remember the William Byrd CommunityHouse food donation areas. Now in twoplaces!

There is a small basket beside the nursery and the large cart atthe bottom of the back stars as you enter the basement level. Keepthis incredible and ongoing ministry in mind as we continue to helpRichmond feed needy children who are try to do well in school! Its awonderful program that we support through food donation.


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Stop and See Selections from

Our Archives

During 2015, the 100th anniversary year of Grace

Covenant, the main hall display case will feature changingitems from our archives collection. These displays will

provide a glimpse of some of the history which features

Grace Covenant; for example, world missions, Christian

education, music, community outreach, Presbyterian

Women, and others.

Marjorie Adams, archivist

GCPC Soball Team Interested in joining the spring soft-ball team? We need at least 16 men to join in! The West Mens RichmondSoftball League runs from mid-April and runs through late July. Games beginon April 13 and 14 (specific schedule to be announced in March). We willcompete against other church teams in the city at the Westhampton Field at901 Maple Ave. near St. Marys Hospital. Cost per person: $30. Email Bobby ifyou have interest in being on the team ([email protected]).

Dont forget that we have availa-ble these locations for recyclingplaced around the church. Be sureto recycle all office paper and any

other recycla-bles beforeheading to thetrash can!!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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February 4: Brunswick stew, bread sticks, salad, pineapple upside-down cakeFebruary 11: No-peek beef, noodles, peas, salad, browniesFebruary 18: Baked mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes, black eyed peas, salad, browniesFebruary 25: Pasta fagiola, bread sticks, salad, lima beans, fruit and cookies

GCPC Members,This time of fellowship and demonstration of love andcaring was a great way to transition to our next monthstheme of Friends, Family, and Love! Children will start themonth by comparing physical characteristics to those oftheir friends: Am I a boy? Am I a girl? What color is myhair? How tall am I? With art projects such as Me Dollsand math activities such as comparing heights, the childrenwill learn about themselves as well as their friends!

Moving on from friends, children will learn all about families: What makes a family? Who isin MY family? What do we do with our family? Theyll explore their own individualhabitats, comparing houses to apartments and going for walks to look at the neighborhood.Theyll discuss what kinds of houses animals live in, and what kinds of animals live inhouses! This will be a great time for children to bring in things from their own homes andshare their own personal cultures with one another. This is also an excellent opportunity forchildren to learn about different family structures and different cultural traditions of sharing

and demonstrating God Love.

This is also a great opportunity for anyone who has wanted to become more involvedwith the CDC! You could come read a story about families to the older classes, or even bringin a few pictures of your family to share. We are also going to have a Valentines Day partyin each classroom, so anyone in themood to prepare a sweet treat and joinus is more than welcome! If you areinterested in exploring these or other

possible volunteering opportunities,please e-mail me [email protected]!

-Nicole Flournoy, Director of theChild Development Center

Picture caption: Even a discarded box is fun with the right friends!

Wednesday Night Supper Menu
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Text

Luke 18:1-8

[18:1] Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

[2] He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. [3] And

there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adver-

sary.'

[4] "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about

men, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't

eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

[6] And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring aboutjustice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

[8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Mancomes, will he find faith on the earth?"

The Value of Persistence (18:4-5)"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet be-cause this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out withher coming!' "

The phrase "keeps bothering" translates two Greek words. Parecho, "to cause to happen or be brought

about, cause, make happen,"[8] is in the present tense, which here indicates continued action in the pre-

sent. The second word is Greek kopos, "a state of discomfort or distress, trouble, difficulty," originally "a

beating". The idea here is "cause trouble for someone, bother someone."[9]

This weak little widow is starting to make the powerful judge feel some heat. The phrase "wear me out" is

Greek hupopiazo, literally, "give a black eye to, strike in the face." The judge may have been speaking in

hyperbole or exaggeration -- she wasn't threatening him with bodily harm. But a figurative meaning of the

word is "to bring someone to submission by constant annoyance, wear down, browbeat," or perhaps

"slander, besmirch."[10] This widow's constant appeals were hurting the judge's reputation. Whatever he

had been paid wasn't worth the hassle she was causing. He decided to grant her what she was due just to

get rid of her.

This wasn't a real widow, of course, nor a real judge, but Jesus' hearers had met widows like her, and had

experience with judges like him. All over the audience you could see people nodding their heads. They'd

met people like that. The story was true-to-life.

God's Sure Justice (18:6-8a)

Now that Jesus has is audience with him, he brings the application:

"And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones,who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and

quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?' " (18:6-8)


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Now for the unjust judge and the widow, Jesus substitutes God and his elect (eklektos, "chosen ones"). Wait

a minute, you say. God isn't unjust! No, and that's just the point. Jesus argument is from the lesser to the

greater: If an unjust, selfish judge will see that justice is done in response to persistent requests, how much

more will the just God bring justice to his own beloved people who pray constantly for relief.

The phrase "bring about justice" (NIV) or "avenge" (KJV) is the noun form, ekdikesis(found here and in

verse 8), of the verb ekdikeoused in verses 3 and 5 above. It means "giving of justice, see to it that justice

is done."[11]

I think of a poignant passage in the book of Revelation:

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of Godand the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true,until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' Then each of them was given a white robe, and theywere told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as theyhad been was completed." (Revelation 6:9-11)

Sometimes we cry, "How long, Lord?" Sometimes it seems that God will never answer. In the sentence, "

Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly" (18:7), the phrase

"keep putting them off" (NIV) or "bear long" (KJV) is Greek makrothumeo, "delay." This is the only place in

the NT where this meaning occurs. Usually it is translated "have patience" or "be patient."[12]

Jesus answer is firm: "He will see that they get justice, and quickly" (18:8). The word "quickly"is Greek tachos, "speed, quickness, swiftness, haste" or with the preposition enas an adverbialunit, "soon, in a short time."[13] Our word "tachometer" (measuring speed of rotation) comesfrom this Greek word.

Prayer

Lord, I know what it's like to come to a place of discouragement so deep that it's hard to pray any longer,

hard to hold out hope. Some of my brothers and sisters are there right now and you are speaking to their

hearts. Lift them, today, I pray. Turn their eyes to you afresh. Strengthen their faith, freshen their hope,

enliven their prayers -- until you come. Come soon, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Questions

1. Describe the judge in this parable. What do we know about his motivations? (18:2, 4-5)

2. Describe the widow. What makes her tick? Why do you think she is so persistent? (18:3)

3. What is the stated purpose why Jesus told this parable? (18:1)

4. What kinds of things can happen that cause us to lose hope, and lose any heart to pray consistent and

believing prayers? How can we get out of these "pits"?

5. He can we believe in swift justice from God when he hasn't brought it yet?

6. Do YOU think Jesus will find faith on the earth when he returns? Why or why not?


20/20

Bobby [email protected]

Chris MartinDirector of Music and Organist

[email protected]

Christopher TweelDirector of Christian Formation &

Pastoral [email protected]

Martha RubinInterim Oce Manager/Bookkeeper

[email protected]

Rex Childs

Seminary [email protected]

Linda PittsSeminary [email protected]

Church Office Hours:

MonThurs, 9:00 am3:30 pm

Fri, 9:00am 12 noon

Phone: (804) 359-2463

Fax: (804) 278-6298

www.grace-covenant.org

Sundays:

9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages inthe Education Building

10:55 a.m. Worship Service inthe Sanctuary

12:00 noon Congregational Fellowship inthe Social Room

Grace Covenant Child Development Center

Nicole FlournoyDirector(804) [email protected]

Our Elders serve the church as leaders.

Our Deacons lead the church in service.

Please feel free to approach themwith any questions or feedback about

Grace Covenants ministries.

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley

ELDERSJames Atchison (16) - Finance (C-M)Virginia Hudson (17) - Mission (M), NominatingCheryl Jacobs (15) - CE (M)Caroline Leith (15) Property (Co-M), CEKatie McCullough (16) - Administration (M)Everett Reveley (15) Stewardship (M)Lewis Rosebro (17) - Property (Co-M)Pete Sizemore (16) - Administration (Co-M)

Rob Turner (17) - Worship (M)

DEACONSItunu Adekoya (16) - Prayer (M)Lisa Cardwell (15) - Flowers (M)Courtney Clements (15) - Visitation (Co-M),

FellowshipPhil Coltrain (16) - Glass Office (M),

Deacons FundMary Gray (15) - Meals (M),

Visitation (Co-M)

Cynthia Holmes (17) - Fellowship (M)Jan Kessel (16) - Care Team (M),Transportation (M)

Dottie-Ray Koch (17) - Fellowship(Food Committee Liaison)

Sallie Leys (17) - Greeters/UshersJessica Reveley (16) - Justice (M)Jennifer Schooley (15) - Guests Follow-Up,

New Members (M),Deacons Fund

Dawson Watkins (17) - Deacons (M),

Care Team

TRUSTEES:Caroline Leith (14)John Roberts (15)Warren Zirkle (16)

The Staff

Church Officers

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Grace Notes - February 2015

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