WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT!

Thank you for joining us today! We are an historic Presbyterian

congregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries
for persons of all ages. Please join us following worship for fellowship
in the Social Room. Thank you for turning off your cell phones,
pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices for the duration
of morning worship.

Preparation for Worship

“Our life-long nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with
something in the universe from which we feel cut off, to be on the
inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside,
is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest index of our real
situation.”
~C. S. Lewis

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.

Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us
to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has
committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to
God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God. ”

~2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV

 A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
November 22, 2009 11:00 a.m.

GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

PRELUDE Toccata in E Major Johann Ludwig Krebs
(1713-1780)

†CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 95:1-7

Pastor: O come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
People: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
Pastor: In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
People: O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

†Please stand for these parts of the service.

†HYMN 485 (blue) To God Be the Glory To God Be the Glory

†PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rachel Butler

Righteous God,
you have crowned Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before him
and are slow to acknowledge his rule.
We give allegiance to the powers of this world
and fail to be governed by justice and love.
In your mercy, forgive us.
Raise us to acclaim him as ruler of all,
that we may be loyal ambassadors,
obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON

†ALLELUIA A. Gregory Murray, 1963

(Repeat the Alleluia refrain after the soloist)

GIVE THANKS TO GOD

WELCOME Chris Thomas

Please print name and information on the Friendship Register and pass it to your neighbor.

OFFERING
ANTHEM I Will Extol Thee Jane Marshall
Chancel Choir (b. 1924)

I will extol thee, my God and King, and bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day I will bless thee and praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Of the glorious splendor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works, I will meditate.
Everyone shall proclaim the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of thy abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all: and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Alleluia! Amen!
– from Psalm 145 (alt.)

†DOXOLOGY 592 (blue) Old Hundredth

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him, above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

†PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Chris Thomas

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

CHILDREN’S SERMON Steve Cobb

HANDBELL CHOIR For the Beauty of the Earth arr. J. D. Frizzel

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

NEW TESTAMENT READING 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV

SERMON “Reconciled!” Steve Cobb

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,

the new has come!”
~2 Corinthians 5:17

†HYMN 391 (blue) Take My Life Hendon

†AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “The Apostles’ Creed” Chris Thomas

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) Glory Be to the Father Greatorex

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.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND LORD’S 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.
 GO FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

†HYMN 371 (blue) Lift High The Cross Crucifer

†BENEDICTION Steve Cobb

†CHORAL RESPONSE Alleluia G. P. Palestrina

†POSTLUDE Te Es Petra (Byzantine Sketches) Henri Mulet

(1878-1967)
“Thou art the rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against thee.”

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 H. Taylor Dickenson by Nell Dickenson.
Alleluia, music by A. Gregory Murray © 1963 by Ladies of the Grail (England) and © 1990 Westminster/John Knox Press.
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.
SERMON NOTES
 THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT
Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Sanctuary
November 22 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Education Building
10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 108
10:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chapel
11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Dedication Sunday Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room
4:00 p.m. Prayer & Praise Gathering Social Room
6:00 p.m. Youth Group GCPC

Monday 10:00 a.m. Child Development Center’s Worship Chapel

November 23 12:00 p.m. Presbyterian Men’s Lunch Room B-4

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Volunteers for Grace Notes needed! Library

November 24 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Room 213

Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner Fellowship Hall

November 25 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Service Chapel
8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Room 108

Thursday Offices Closed: Thanksgiving GCPC

November 26

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Room 312

November 29 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Education Building
10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 108
10:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chapel
11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Advent begins Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room
4:00 p.m. Community Groups TBD
 Events and News
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
PLEDGE DEDICATION SUNDAY: Today is
Pledge Dedication Sunday. Over the past
few weeks we have focused on various
aspects of our Christian life together at
Grace Covenant. As you make your pledge
today for the support of Grace Covenant in
2010, please consider what is most
important to you as we respond in gratitude
to God’s grace in our lives. (Extra pledge
cards are available in the Narthex.)
NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excited
that our new Pastor, Steve Cobb, is here and
was able to preach for the first time at
Grace Covenant last Sunday! Please join us
for coffee in the Social Room after this
morning’s Worship Service for the extra
opportunity to meet Steve.
GRACE NOTES: Volunteers, who are willing
and able to assist in the preparation for the
bulk mailing of November’s edition, will be
needed this TUESDAY (November 24) from
9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. Please come to the
church’s library, on the second floor of the
Education Building, to assist on that day.
Submission deadline to our monthly
newsletter is the 15th of the month. If you
would like to be added to the mailing list,
please let the Administrative Assistant, Janice
Caldwell, know: caldwell@grace-
covenant.org or 359-2465.
DISPLAY CASE: Noah’s Ark now occupies the
hall display case, thanks to Margaret
Cardwell and Lewis Rosebro.
BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions for
Sunday’s bulletin must be submitted by noon
on Wednesday, to our Administrative
Assistant, Janice Caldwell, in her box in the
Glass Office, to her office in Room 204, or
via e-mail at caldwell@grace-covenant.org.
MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS AND CHRISTMAS
GREENS FUNDS: If you would like to
purchase a poinsettia or Christmas greens in
memory, or in honor of someone, then
please pick up a green form from the
brochure racks in the Narthex, or the Glass
Office. The deadline to make purchases is
December 7. Please put the form, and
payment, in the box in the Glass Office.
DEACONS FUND: Grace Covenant has a
Deacons Fund to assist members who are in
financial need. Please contact Steve Cobb,
our Pastor, or Chris Thomas, our Associate
Pastor, to make a request. All requests are
confidential.
COMMUNITY NEWS
AS YOU PRAY...please pray for Rodney
Mullins, Katie Vought (daughter-in-law of
Susan Farrell), Elizabeth Gee (missionary,
who spoke at our recent Missions
Conference, and has a reoccurrence of
cancer). Pray for Lindley Hill, who is now
residing at Morning Side on Skipwith, and
for his wife, Louise Hill, who is now at
Health South. Pray also for Marge McFall,
who now resides at Our Lady of Hope. In
addition, remember Nela Bostian, who is
recovering at Emeritus on Gaskins Road.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
CHURCH WORKERS FOR TODAY:
Opener–Whit Whitley; Greeters–Brian Baird,
Kelly & David Lacy and Stephanie Thomas;
Nursery Workers– Megan Rogers, Katherine
Arthur, Julia Poppell (and Nikki Hazlegrove);
Worship Kits–Kaete Unterzuber; Coffee
Fellowship Time–Cherry and Jack Corley;
Guest Register Attendant–Lisa and Cal Gray.
CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY
NIGHT SUPPER THIS WEEK (November 25):
Stephen Piepgrass.
CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
(November 29): Opener–Lloyd Bostian;
Greeters–Bob Copeland and Brian Baird;
Nursery Workers–Lewis Rosebro, Margaret
Cardwell, Lisa Cardwell (and Susan Farrell);
Worship Kits–Kaete Unterzuber; Coffee
Fellowship Time–Suzanne and Pete
Sizemore; Guest Register Attendant–Jo
Garber.
CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY
NIGHT SUPPER NEXT WEEK (December 2):
Dottie-Ray Koch.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: If you’d like to
volunteer to make the coffee for the
Fellowship Hour one Sunday, then please
sign up on the Calendar, located on the
counter in the Glass Office.
SERVE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY: Volunteers
are needed to serve the evening meal on
Monday, January 18, 2010, from 5:15 p.m.
until 6:30 p.m. at Conrad Center, 1400
Oliver Hill Way. If you are interested in
helping, contact Patrise Sears at 338-6580.
WORSHIP
WE INVITE CHILDREN over the age of 5 to
participate in the entire service. Special
Worship Kits for children are available in the
Narthex. For children five years of age or
younger, we also have a crib nursery,
toddler room, and preschool care.
MUSIC NOTES: Johann Krebs was an
outstanding pupil of J. S. Bach, and Krebs’
organ works owe much to his famous
teacher. Krebs’ Toccata in E is believed to
be inspired by a familiar toccata by Bach. It
begins with a demanding pedal solo and
immediately launches into a joyful toccata.
In 1989 American choral composer Jane
Marshall wrote the anthem I Will Extol Thee.
This energetic work was commissioned by
the Chancel Choirs of Peachtree
Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. The choir
sings rhythmic and syncopated passages
while being accompanied by a constant
toccata in the organ. A choral a capella
interlude interrupts the dramatic energy
before concluding with joyful alleluias and
amens. Today’s Handbell voluntary is a
clever arrangement of two familiar hymns
(For the Beauty of the Earth and This Is My
Father’s World). The postlude is from a
collection entitled Byzantine Sketches. This
collection of programmatic sketches
describes different parts of the Sacré-Coeur
Cathedral in Paris. Tu es Petra is based on
the church being built on Peter, the rock.
The toccata depicts the battle between good
(God) and evil, and of course, God is
always victorious over evil. It is a typical
French toccata with rapid chordal passages
in the hands accompaniment by a dominant
pedal line. The two come together at the
glorious conclusion on full organ.
CHANCEL CHOIR PHOTOS: Today the
Chancel Choir will have their picture taken
on the chancel steps immediately following
worship this morning.
HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALS
are available from the ushers.
THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES
590 AM.
THANKSGIVING EVE DINNER AND SERVICE:
This Wednesday, November 25, at 6:00
p.m., there will be a Thanksgiving Dinner in
the Fellowship Hall, followed by a Worship
Service in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m.
DISCIPLESHIP
CHILDREN’S Infants–Nursery,
CLASSES:
main level; Toddlers–Room 102;
Preschoolers–Room 101; Grades 1-6
–Rooms 207-210.
ADULT CLASSES: Commit to growing in new
ways this year. We have four excellent adult
classes getting started; make a decision
today about which one will help you grow in
the faith the most!
GRACE BIBLE CLASS: What God Wants From
Me – 9:45 a.m. in Room 212
CONNECTIONS CLASS: The Person of Jesus
– 9:30 a.m. in Room 303.
VANGUARD BIBLE CLASS: A Study of Esther
and Job – 9:30 a.m. in Room B-4.
FORUM CLASS: Tom Miller will lead the class
in November.
RESOURCES TO GROW IN THE FAITH: Come
check out our new Resource Table in the
Narthex! We have a number of excellent
resources available for purchase for a great
price. If you have questions, please contact
Christian Education Committee members
Jean Appich, Laura Leigh Savage, or Chris
Thomas.
FELLOWSHIP
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS AND
PROGRAMS: This week, November 25, is
our Thanksgiving Dinner! Dinner begins at
6:00 p.m. followed by a service in the
Chapel at 7:00 p.m. The cost of the meal is
$5 per adult, $2 per children and students,
and $12 maximum per family unit. This
week’s menu includes turkey, dressing and
gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans,
cranberry salad, rolls and Nell’s homemade
pumpkin pie!
MOTHERS TOGETHER: meet every Thursday
at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For
more information, contact Patricia Clarke by
phone, 342-7481, or be e-mail,
patriciaandsteve@comcast.net The final
meeting for 2009 will be on Thursday,
December 10.
COMMUNITY GROUPS: In Community
Groups we seek to live life together under
the gospel as we build relationships with
God, each other, and our neighbors. Join
us each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. as we gather
for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer,
followed by a meal. There is also a group
just for men that meets on the first, third,
and fifth Tuesdays at the home of Brian
Baird, 1704 Hanover Avenue. We usually
listen to and talk about a sermon, catch up
on life, and pray for each other. This is an
open group. For more information call Matt
Hartman at 212-1961.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S COORDINATING
TEAM MEETING AND LUNCHEON: On
Tuesday, December 1, the Presbyterian
Women Coordinating Team will meet at
10:30 a.m. in Room B-4. Presbyterian
Women Luncheon and program will follow
at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall. This
year’s program will be the Douglas Freeman
High School Festival Choir, a capella choirs,
the “Downbeats” and the “Syncopations”
directed by Amy Hruska. All members and
friends are invited to attend!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES: meet on
Tuesday, December 8. For a complete
listing of the times and places of the various
meetings, pick up a copy of December’s
Grace Notes.
PEOPLE GROUP–EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Come be part of a group of members and
guests when we gather for fun, fellowship
and very good food! Everyone brings a
covered dish. The food is always delicious
and fellowship is delightful. The next PEOPLE
Group will be at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday,
December 12. We will be getting together at
the beautifully decorated home of Beth and
Phil Coltrain. Beth and Phil live in
Richmond’s historic Ginter Park area. Ginter
Park is a beautiful neighborhood with tree-
lined streets and beautiful grand residences.
Mark your calendars now to be part of this
delightful evening. For additional
information, call Suzanne and Pete Sizemore
at 288-7757.
MI S S I O NS
MISSION EVANGELISM COMMITTEE: Will
meet on Sunday, December 6, after the
Worship Service, in Room B-4 (Covenant
Room).
PRISON MINISTRY: Please gather your
Christmas cards to be donated to
Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt,
Virginia. A collection box is located in the
Presbyterian Women’s closet, which is in the
Social Room. We will deliver the cards to the
center the first week of December. Thank
you, in advance, for your caring and
generous help!
THE SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS ANGEL
TREE has been put up. Members of the
Presbyterian Women Circles, Sunday school
classes, PEOPLE, Bread Breakers, Mothers
Together, and individuals are invited to
choose one or more angels from the tree to
provide gifts to a less fortunate child.
WILLIAM BYRD COMMUNITY HOUSE: Food
donations may be left in the basket in the
Glass Office (the office on the main floor of
the Education Building, near the rear doors).
Please consider giving, as the need is great.
FIVE CENTS PER MEAL: On the first Sunday of
the month, we receive the sacrament of the
Lord’s Supper, and, in gratitude for what
God has given us, we have a hunger
offering, Five Cents Per Meal. To contribute,
use a pew envelope and mark it “Five Cents
Per Meal” and put it in the offering.
HONDURAS 2010: The next mission trip to
Honduras is scheduled for January 10-16,
2010. Those who may be interested in
participating in the 2010 mission trip may
check out our website, www.KHISH.org
(That’s Kurtz Humanitarian Initiative for
Southern Honduras, named for the founder
of this effort, which began in 2005). Susan
Pillsbury David (clwturtle@aol.com) or
Cherry Corley (ccorley@fpcrichmond.org)
can answer your questions about how you
may find your place on our team.
 Pastor: Steve Cobb
Associate Pastor: Chris Thomas
Director of Music: Chris Martin
Seminary Intern Pastor: Rachel Butler

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, 8am-4pm

Radio: WLES 590 AM