GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
April 7, 2013 The Second Sunday of Easter 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. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Forlana CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: All:

Gerald Finzi, 1901-1956 from Psalm 118

The LORD is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed! HALLELUJAH!

HYMN 203 (Red Hymnal) The Strife Is Oer, the Battle Done

Victory

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and heavenly Father, In Christ Jesus You bore the burden of our sin, suffering the pain of death, and rising from the dead to new life. But we confess that we have taken Your grace for granted. We rejoice in Your Resurrection, but divert our eyes from the Cross. We proclaim the mercy of Your forgiveness, but disregard its cost to You. We celebrate the blessing of new life in Christ, but continue old habits that keep our Selves on the throne. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins, we pray. Melt our hard hearts with the brilliance of Your glory; open our eyes to the sins we ignore; and spark in us a longing for holiness; that we may truly repent of self-serving ways, and seek to serve You in newness of life; through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus, Your risen Son, we pray. ASSURANCE OF PARDON EASTERTIDE ALLELUIA
(All sing the Alleluia after the organ introduction.)

Victory

Alleluia, music by William Monk, 1823-1889, 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS

ANTHEM Christians, Shout for Joy and Gladness

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750

Christians, shout for joy and gladness, cast away all fear and sadness: Jesus, Prince of love and might, endless life has brought to light, he has broken deaths dark prison, and from out the grave has risen. Alleluia, alleluia. Hells dark powers flee before him; Christians, hasten to adore him. Satan cannot harm you now: sins dominion is laid low, therefore in full-throated chorus raise this song of praise before us: Alleluia, alleluia. Nature now, her youth renewing, flowers in his path is strewing, while the birds on every tree to sing his praise make melody. Field and forest, sky and ocean swell the strain of glad devotion, Alleluia, alleluia.
- trans. C. S. Philips

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Pete Sizemore

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION NEW TESTAMENT READING Revelation 1:4-8 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON GOSPEL READING John 20:19-31 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Easter Past, Easter Future Holy Bible, p. 110 NT Pete Sizemore Holy Bible, p. 236 NT

Brint Pratt Keyes

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 129 (Blue Hymnal) Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us Ebenezer

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal)

The Apostles Creed

Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex

SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SUPPER DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 118 (Blue Hymnal) The Day of Resurrection! BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE Alleluia POSTLUDE Toccata on Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Lancashire George Sinclair Diane Bish, b. 1941

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 Victoria Giblin, James B. Roberts, Ethel Gray, and Ann and Bill Van Steenburgh by Cal and Lisa Gray.

1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 804-359-2463 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Email: info@grace-covenant.org Website: www.grace-covenant.org Radio: WLES 590 AM Interim Pastor: The Reverend Mr. Brinton Keyes Director of Music: Christopher Martin Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Seminary Intern: Christopher Tweel