GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

October 28, 2012

Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT

We are an historic Presbyterian congregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries for persons of all ages. Please join us after worship for fellowship in the Social Room.
Thank you for turning off your cell phones, pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices during worship, and for leaving food and beverages outside the sanctuary.

Our Mission: To train grateful disciples of Christ, by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God

1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org info@grace-covenant.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Radio: WLES 590 AM www.wlesradio.com

Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Temporary Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Seminary Intern:

Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin James Greene Nicole Williams Christopher Tweel

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Hearing Aids, Large-Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.
And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians; and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and burnt offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. - Isaiah 19:21 (RSV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) The true worship is when man, through his spirit, attains to friendship and intimacy with God. Genuine worship does not consist in coming to a certain place nor in going through a certain ritual or liturgy nor even in bringing certain gifts. True worship is when the spirit, the immortal and invisible part of man, speaks to and meets with God, himself immortal and invisible. - William Barclay, The Gospel of John, Vol. 1 (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975), 161.

As one body of Christ, composed of diverse individuals bound together by the Holy Spirit, we will worship God in a way that not only proclaims Gods glory and identifies His presence in our lives, but also calls us to repent of our sins and kindles due thanks and awe for our creator, sustainer, and redeemer. - from our 2012 Vision Statement

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
October 28, 2012 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:55 a.m.

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. PRELUDE WELCOME
Please stand for these parts of the service.

Duo and Basse de Cromorne Louis-Nicolas Clrambault

Sharon Freude, guest organist

(1676-1749)

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: All:

from Psalm 29

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy array. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, "Glory!" The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for ever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace! Praise the LORD!

HYMN 466 (Blue Hymnal)

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Azmon

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and merciful Father, You made us from dust, and created us a people; You saved us from death, called us to obedience, and sent us forth to bless. But still we stray. You form our hearts for Your love, but they embrace our own desires; You form our minds for Your Word, but they seek our own concerns; You form our days for Your will, but they follow our own schedules. Your hands are ever at work around us, but we look only to ourselves. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, and forgive us our sins. Open our eyes to the work of Your Spirit, And grant us to see Your kingdom on earth, That we may be filled with the assurance of Your grace, And go forth into the world with confidence and joy to love and serve as You have loved and served us; through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose holy and gracious Name we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON ALLELUIA Tony Alonso
(b. 1980)

Alleluia, music by Tony Alonso 2010 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

Nelson Reveley

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune
Chancel Choir

Ralph Vaughan Williams

(1872-1958)

All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell, Come ye before him, and rejoice. The Lord, ye know, is God indeed, Without our aid he did us make; We are his folk, he doth us feed, And for his sheep he doth us take. O enter then his gates with praise, Approach with joy his courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless his name always, For it is seemly so to do. For why? the Lord our God is good: His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel-host Be praise and glory evermore. Amen.
- text by W. Kethe (Dayes Psalter, 1560)

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth

Virginia Hudson

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 19:16-25 Virginia Hudson Holy Bible, p. 616 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON EPISTLE READING Romans 11:33-12:1 Christopher Tweel Holy Bible, p. 152 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Matthew 2:1-2 Holy Bible, p. 7 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON The Vision of Worship B. Brinton P. Keyes

HYMN 271 (Red Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me The Apostles Creed

Toplady

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth

on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

Greatorex

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

WE GO FORTH IN GODS NAME

HYMN 276 (Red Hymnal) BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood Danish Amen Cleansing Fountain Traditional

Now Thank We All Our God

Sigfrid Karg-Elert

(1877-1933)

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mary and Charles W. Appich, Sr., Charles W. Appich, Jr., and Donald L. Appich by their families.

Give thanks to God for: The gift of worship, and for the blessing of the freedom to worship that we enjoy in this country Please pray for: Nancy States, recovering from foot surgery; Elizabeth Gee, very ill and undergoing chemo; Betty Clough, recovering from a fall; Patty Richwine, recovering from knee surgery; Willie Alford, at home undergoing chemo; Ben Gordon, for health; Ann Pais nephew Paul, with ALS; Juliette Harriman White; Susan Farrells grandmother Mary Lou (Uh Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Carlos Juara, facing vocational challenges; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian; Beth Lloyd; the Steve Cobb family Our Deacons (Pat Ball, Cherry Corley, Susan Farrell, Nikki Hazlegrove, Jan Kessel, Jim McCullough, Ann Pais, Erika Tabor, Judy Waldron [moderator], Dawson Watkins, Carol Wood, and Sid Yates) as they lead Grace Covenant in service to the congregation and to the world; and the Deacons Fund (Susan Farrell, Jim McCullough [chair], Ann Pais), that they may faithfully and compassionately steward the resources in their charge to help members of the congregation in need Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, Mike Child, and Jessica, serving in our nations Armed Forces Freedom Houses Conrad Center Soup Kitchen, in its ministry to Richmonds hungry, undernourished, and downtrodden; and for Valentin and Svetlana Chicu, that the Holy Spirit may continue to support them in their ministry to university students, and use their efforts to bear fruit in the lives of those students We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For emergency shelters, womens shelters, clinics, and feeding programs; for recreation programs, youth programs, juvenile counseling, and young peoples shelters

This Sunday we welcome Sharon Freude as our guest organist. Sharon has been a regular substitute organist at Grace Covenant since 2006. Before retirement her last full-time position was as Director of Music and Organist at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Richmond.

Todays anthem is by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). His arrangement of the hymn tune OLD HUNDREDTH was completed for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, and makes its mark in music history by being the first congregational hymn sung at a British coronation. Fanfares, descants, and inverted harmonies between the choral parts combine to make this a simple yet regal setting of the best-known hymn tune in the English-speaking world.

PNC

The PNC continues to push forward with its mission. We acknowledge and are grateful for the support of the congregation, and for the suggestions and recommendations many of you have provided. Please know that your input in this process is valuable to us. In the end, we all are committed to the same goal and outcome: realizing Gods choice for the pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Thank you for the trust you have bestowed upon us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Congregational Gathering: Wednesday, November 7, 6:30 p.m.

At its October 15 meeting, the Session discussed the proposal to invite City Church to rent GCPCs facilities for office space and for Sunday afternoon worship. Before making a decision, they would like to hear the affirmations and concerns of the congregation. To that end, you are invited to a Congregational Gathering in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evening, November 7, following dinner. If you are not a regular at our WNL supper, we hope you will join us for supper at 6:00 p.m., (and please notify Dottie-Ray Koch at 749-4634 so that she knows to fix an extra plate for you shed love to have you join us!) If you would like to share your input with the Session and are unable to attend, please email your comments to Cheryl Jacobs at bill.cher.jacobs@mindspring.com, or put them in Cheryls box in the Glass Office.

Share Thanksgiving Day with an International Student

International students and scholars are eager to learn more about our culture, to experience the warmth of a home, and to make American friends. Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to show Christian hospitality and friendship. If you would be interested in sharing this special American holiday with a VCU international student or scholar, please contact Matt Hartman (mchartman@vcu.edu, 212-1961) or Pam Haney (pohaney@vcu.edu, 828-8309 ) by November 14. A Thanksgiving volunteer form can also be found at http://www.global.vcu.edu/pdf/American_Volunteer_Thanksgiving.pdf .

Donate Unused Christmas Cards

Each autumn we donate unused Christmas cards to the Greensville Correctional Center. The inmates are very grateful to receive them and look forward to their arrival. Please leave unused Christmas cards in the PW closet in the Parlor/Social Room behind the piano before November 20. For more information, please contact Becky Reeves at rebecca-r@comcast.net or 355-5579. Thank you.

Disciple Bible Study is a spiritual discipline that entails thirty minutes of prayerful scripture reading per day along with weekly meetings to engage the scriptures more deeply with others. This commitment of time and energy to God generates lasting spiritual growth and all are invited to read along with us as we explore the Psalms this fall (and consider joining for the next group in January)! Week 5: A Geography of the Imagination Monday: Psalms 19, 29 Tuesday: Psalms 46, 107 Wednesday: Psalms 74, 77 Thursday: Psalms 105, 106 Friday: Psalms 74 (again!), 137 Saturday: Study Guide Commentary

Go into the world and preach the Gospel and love our neighbors as ourselves are two ministries Jesus commanded us to carry out. Grace Covenant responds to these commands by supporting missionaries in far-away places and organizations that help feed, clothe, and house our nearby neighbors. Missions are an important part of Grace Covenants stewardship of its financial resources. Your financial commitment to the ministries and programs of Grace Covenant will ensure that Gospel will continue to be preached and our neighbors will continue to know that we love them.

Operation Christmas Child invites you to pack a shoe box with small toys, school
supplies, other gifts, and a personal note to introduce a hurting child to Gods love. The small gifts of love and messages of hope through Jesus Christ are delivered to needy children overseas. We have a display with additional info and an example outside of the choir room. For additional information or questions, please contact Matt Hartman (212-1961 or mchartman@vcu.edu) or Vanessa Strait in the church office (359-2463 or email info@grace-covenant.org). Deadline for shoe boxes is Wednesday, November 7.

Sunday School CLASS

Forum Grace Vanguard Connections Pre-Elementary Elementary Youth

TEACHER

TOPIC

Tom Miller The Holy Spirit Jack Corley, Dr. Bill Stuart, and John Nevin Bible Study Matt Johnson Ephesians Nelson Reveley DISCIPLE Bible Study on Psalms Nikki Hazlegrove Megan Meyer and Ten Commandments Erika Tabor and Catechism Virginia Hudson Christianity in Action Christopher Tweel

Sunday Childcare for the School Year - Infant and Preschool

We are seeking volunteers for the infant nursery and preschool room during the worship hour. It is a 10:40 a.m.-12:15 p.m. time commitment one Sunday per month. There are also "on-call" positions available. For more information or to sign up, please contact Maria Spitzer at mariaschuler@netscape.net or 540-309-7831. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.

Wednesday Night Live!

There will be no WNL this week because of Halloween. We will resume the next following Wednesday, on November 7.

The Richmond Center for Christian Study presents The Heresy of

Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Cultures Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity, with Dr. Michael J. Kruger (Academic Dean, Reformed Theological Seminary - Charlotte, NC). Friday, November 9, 7:00 pm. Hosted by Sycamore Presbyterian Church, 510 Coalfield Road in Midlothian. Refreshments and childcare provided. Register and get details at http://richmondstudycenter.org or call 852-5151.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, October 28 9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Monday, October 29 12:00 noon 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 30 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 1 10:00 a.m. Sunday, November 4 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Inquirers Class Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch Fellowship Hall Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall

Mens Luncheon City Church Womens Bible Study

Vanguard Room Grace Room and 213

Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting

Room 213 Pastors Office

* Note: There will be no Choirs or WNL this evening. City Church Womens Bible Study Grace Room and 213 CDC Fall Festival Fellowship Hall

CDC Chapel Service Daylight Saving Time Ends Handbell Choir Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch

Chapel

Handbell Room Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall

2012 Officers
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. CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Wayne Casey (13) - Property, Small Groups (M) Jack Corley (13) - Finance, Mission Matt Hartman (13) - Mission (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M), Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship, Stewardship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M), Stewardship Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship, Nominating DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Team Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund, Nominating Ann Pais (14) - Care Team Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary - Communication Cards Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator - Cards Dawson Watkins (13) - Care Team Carol Wood (13) - Prayer, Communication Cards Sid Yates (12) - Ushering TRUSTEES: Lloyd Bostian (13) Kent Cardwell (13) Caroline Leith (14) John Nevin (12) Taylor Reveley (12)

William Byrd Community House

YOU C

N HELP!

Grace Covenant has been giving nonperishable foods items to the William Byrd Community House for several years to assist in filling their food pantry. The William Byrd Community House maintains a food closet that serves Richmond City and the adjacent counties. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month, but this is a collection we can support every week. Please place items in the grocery cart outside the Social Room. YOU CAN HELP!

SERMON NOTES
The Vision of Worship B. Brinton P. Keyes