April 17, 2011

GRACE COVENANT
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Loving God & Our Neighbors in the Heart of the City

 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.

Temporary Supply Pastor: Brint Keyes

Director of Music: Chris Martin
Christian Educator: Kelley Lane
Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait
Bookkeeper: Martha Rubin
Sexton: Willie Alford
Child Development Center Director: Brenda Van Pelt

1627 Monument Avenue Office Hours:

Richmond, VA 23220 Monday-Friday
Phone: 804.359.2463 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Fax: 804.278.6298 Radio: WLES 590 AM
www.grace-covenant.org www.wlesradio.com
info@grace-covenant.org

Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins

are available each week from the ushers.
 PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

-Psalm 118:22

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ―Who is this?‖ The
crowds were saying, ―This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.‖

-Matthew 21:10-11

When fishes flew and forests walked,

And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things;

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me--I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far fierce hour and sweet -
There was a shout about my ears
And palms before my feet.

-G.K. Chesterton, ―The Donkey‖

 A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
April 17, 2011 Palm Sunday 11:00 a.m.

GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

PRELUDE Cortège et litanie Marcel Dupré
(1886-1971)

†Please stand for these parts of the service.

CHORAL INTROIT Hosanna to the Son of David Carl Schalk

Chancel Choir (b. 1929)

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!

†CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 98

Leader: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
People: Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
Leader: With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
People: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Leader: Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD,
People: For He comes to judge the earth.
All: He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

†HYMN 88 (Blue Hymnal) All Glory, Laud, and Honor St. Theodulph
†PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy,
In Jesus Christ You emptied Yourself and took the form of a servant,
coming to our world to seek and save the lost.
We confess that we have wandered away from Your voice
and turned aside from Your costly love.
We are misled by pride,
for we see ourselves pure when we are stained,
and great when we are small.
We have failed in love, neglected justice, ignored Your truth,
and shown ourselves unworthy of Your concern,
and wholly undeserving of Your grace.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins, we pray.

Remove from us the weight of sin that clings so closely.

Accept our repentance, and nurture in us Your humble Spirit.
Deliver us from wayward detours,
and return us to paths of righteousness,
that our lives may be an offering to You,
and we may be fit to serve Your will;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.

†KYRIE John Merbecke, 1550

Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us, music by John Merbecke © 1990 Westminster/John Knox Press.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON
 GIVE THANKS TO GOD
WELCOME Everett Reveley

Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate.

OFFERING

ANTHEM Sanctus (Messe Solennelle) Charles Gounod

Chancel Choir (1818-1893)
Charles Murphy, tenor

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts,

Holy God, the Lord of hosts,
Heaven and earth show forth your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Amen.

†DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) Old Hundredth

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 Everett Reveley

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Everett Reveley

OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 118:1-4, 19-29 Holy Bible, p. 543 OT

CHILDREN’S SERMON Kelley Lane

JUNIOR CHOIR Shout Hosanna! Vicke Hancock Wright

Can it be? Is it he? Riding on the donkey? Can it be? Is it he? Jesus of Galilee?
Can it be? Is it he? Entering the city? Can it be? Is it he? Jesus of Galilee?

Shout hosanna! Shout hosanna! Shout and sing, it’s Jesus of Galilee.
Shout and sing hosanna he is King! Shout and sing, it’s Jesus of Galilee;
King of kings, Lord of lords! Shout and sing hosanna! Hosanna!

- based on Matthew 21:5-11

GOSPEL READING Matthew 21:1-11 Holy Bible, p. 26 NT

SERMON “Welcoming Jesus” B. Brinton P. Keyes

†HYMN 76 (Blue Hymnal) My Song Is Love Unknown Love Unknown

†AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ―The Apostles’ Creed‖

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) Greatorex

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE 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 188 (Red Hymnal) Ride On! Ride On in Majesty! St. Drostane

†BENEDICTION

†CHORAL RESPONSE Jesus, Remember Me Taizé

†POSTLUDE Toccata in B Flat Minor Louis Vierne

(1870-1937)

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 R. McLean Whittet, Jr.,
our parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. McLean, Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. Wirth
and in honor of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
who are so special in our lives by Mrs. R. McLean Whittet, Jr.
French organist Marcel Dupré enjoyed a long career as one of the greatest organists of the 20th century.
He performed thousands of recitals throughout Europe, North America, and Australia, including a series
of ten recitals in which he performed the complete organ works of Bach from memory. He studied
composition with Charles-Marie Widor, and in 1934 Dupré succeeded Widor as organist at St. Sulpice in
Paris, a post he held until his death in 1971. His Cortège et litanie was originally published as an organ solo
and later was arranged for organ and orchestral accompaniment. The cortège is a quiet, solemn proces-
sion which states the first theme. The litany is a repetitive melody (second theme) which builds in inten-
sity. The themes of both the cortège and litany are played simultaneously at the end, concluding with
heralding chords on full organ. Organists often play this piece on Palm Sunday.

Today’s choral introit is an a cappella motet quoting the traditional antiphon text for the commemoration
of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem: Hosanna to the Son of David! The choral anthem is the Sanctus from
Charles Gounod’s Messe Solennelle (sung in English). The Messe Solennelle, also known as the Saint Cecilia
Mass, was completed in 1854. This work was first performed, in its entirety, for the church of Saint Eus-
tache in Paris on Saint Cecilia's Day, November 22, 1855; from this rendition dates Gounod's fame as a
noteworthy composer. Our Junior Choir sings an anthem that follows today’s Gospel lesson.

Louis Vierne was the organist at the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris for 37 years and was one of the
greatest musical improvisers of his generation. Vierne composed a collection of 24 organ works in fan-
tasy style—one piece for every major and minor key. Today’s postlude, an agitated toccata in a grueling
key to perform, is a fitting conclusion to the end of Palm Sunday and a stirring beginning to Holy Week.

Give thanks to God that Ruth Boring has moved back to her apartment from healthcare, and
that Mary Chenoweth has left the hospital and returned home.
Lift up to God Bill Stuart, recovering from knee replacement surgery; Beverly Proffitt, recover-
ing from hand and wrist surgery; Ray Inscoe, recovering from heart surgery…
Tom Miller’s father, Joe; Peter and Loretta Albertis; Vanessa Strait, undergoing tests;
Hannah Coltrain, facing surgery on Tuesday; Dan & Linda Adams (Mary Beth Woolfolk’s
father- and mother-in-law); Ashby Price, John Lootens, Jennifer Schooley, Wayne Casey,
and Matt Hartman, all facing challenges in employment; Leslie Hartman’s community
garden ministry…
Stuart Chapman and William Bridenstine, serving in our nation’s Armed Forces; the people
of Japan; the people of North African and Middle Eastern nations seeking democracy;
and prayers for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond - for a spirit of
hope, of possibility, of eternal life, and of commitment to the redeeming power of God who
brings new life out of death to people and communities.
"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God." - Phil 4:6
There is no WNL this coming week.

In place of our Wednesday Night Supper we will have a

Maundy Thursday Dinner on Thursday, April 21. Our
Dinner for this week is Rock Castle chicken (chicken, rice
and green bean casserole), salad bar and Nell’s Famous Pies! Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.
We invite you to the chapel at 7:00 p.m. for our Maundy Thursday service.

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY: Opener-Pete Sizemore; Greeters-Kent

Cardwell, Carol Wood, Megan Meyer, Everett Reveley, Leslie Hartman; Nursery Worker-
Beth Coltrain; Worship Kits-Judy Waldron; Fellowship Hour-Sallie Leys

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (April 24): Opener-Lloyd Bostian;

Greeters-Carrie Rose, Brian Baird; Nursery Worker-Julia Poppell; Worship Kits-Judy Wal-
dron; Fellowship Hour-

Help Wanted: Computer Tech/Consultant: Do you have experience in website man-

agement or design? Server maintenance (Windows Server 2000) or LAN management?
The church's tech needs are not large, and certainly not sufficient to hire a full-time tech-
nician. Nevertheless, what we have does require occasional support, and we would be
much happier working with a qualified church member than with an outside technician.
If you have skills that might be useful in this area, please contact the church office at
359-2463 or info@grace-covenant.org.

Volunteers are needed in the glass office to answer phones and buzz people into
the building during the staff lunch hours. We still need volunteers from 11:30 a.m.
through 1:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. A sign-up calendar is in the Glass Office.
Thanks for helping our church to be accessible during the lunch hours and giving our
hard-working office staff the chance to get out for lunch.
Sermons are online every week!
Access Sunday service podcasrs at grace-covenant.org;
click on WE GATHER then on SERMONS. You
have a choice of Children‟s Sermon, Sunday Sermon
or Full Service by clicking on the MP3 icon of your
choice.

CDC Benefit at Noodles & Company -- Please join us

Thursday, April 28, between 5 and 8pm, at Noodles & Com-
pany in the Willow Lawn Shopping Center.
Noodles and Co. has teamed up with the GCCDC Parent Asso-
ciation for an evening to benefit the school. A percentage of
the evening’s sales, will go to supporting Grace Covenant’s
CDC activities. Noodles & Company serves a variety of cuisine: Asian, Mediterranean and
American, and everything from pasta to soups to sandwiches. Everything is made to order –
you can make your meal anything you want, from healthy to indulgent, spicy to comforting.

People Group

PEOPLE Group meets every other

month at various locations, always on
Saturdays.

For more information please contact

Suzanne and Pete Sizemore at
(804) 288-7757

We welcome all guests,

members, and friends–
and the food is outstanding!
MONDAY MEN‟S LUNCH: A group of men meet every Monday at 12
noon in room B-4 for fellowship. Come join us! Bring your lunch and en-
joy discussions, videos, recorded sermons, and timely reviews of articles or
books.

GCPC has updated its Facebook page! This is a great way to connect with
GCPC members and visitors, and to stay current on church events and an-
nouncements. Visit http://www.facebook.com/GraceCovenantPC and be
sure to "Like" us!

BREAD BREAKERS: The next Bread Breakers Fellowship Time is

Saturday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Price’s home, located at 8514
Academy Road, 23229. BBQ, slaw and rolls will be provided. Please
bring a side dish or dessert to share. Bread Breakers this month is
hosted by Ashby and Carson Price and Vickie and
Johnny Overstreet. It is important to RSVP, please do so by emailing
chefcarson@alacarson.com about your attendance.

No Sunday School classes will be held on Palm Sunday. All classes will resume next week.

Good Friday Prayer Vigil

On Good Friday (April 22), THIS FRIDAY, the Worship Minis-
try invites you to take part in a twelve-hour-long (from 8 a.m. - 8
p.m.) Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary. The day has been divided into
1/2-hour blocks of time, so you may sign up for a time that suits
your schedule best. You may sign up as individuals, families, or
small groups to come into the church and simply pray.

We will have materials in the pews to help those who would like some guides in focusing
their prayer. God's will for us as His church is to pray with thanksgiving and ask for His
help in all things. Please find the poster for sign-ups inside the back door throughout the
week. Our goal is to have someone at Grace Covenant praying in our sanctuary for twelve
continuous hours. Come, pray, and prepare your heart to celebrate the Risen Christ.
CHILDREN & WORSHIP: All children are encouraged to attend
worship with their parents. Following the children’s sermon, children
who are not yet in Kindergarten may choose to go to the nursery for
a snack and play time.
The infant and toddler nurseries are available throughout the worship service for those
children who are not ready to attend worship at this point.
CHILDREN‟S SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES:
Infants, 0-16 months old Nursery main level
Toddlers, 17 months - 2 years old Room 102
Preschoolers, 3 and 4 year olds Room 101
Grades Kindergarten - 2nd grade Rooms 207-210
Grades 3rd-6th Rooms 207-210

ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT: It’s time to join in a good old-

fashioned Easter Egg Hunt at Margaret and Dick Cardwell’s home
THIS SATURDAY, April 23, at 10:00 a.m. This is a great event to
which you are asked to invite family, friends and neighbors. Please
bring an Easter egg basket and come join the fun! For further infor-
mation, contact Kelley Lane at the church office at (804) 359-2463,
ext. 203, or at lane@grace-covenant.org

FLOWERING CROSS: Please bring flowers next week on Easter

Sunday for our Flowering Cross. Each year we decorate a cross with
flowers that the congregation brings to display during our Worship
Service. After the service the cross is put outside at our front doors
for viewing. Flowers can be brought from your yard or store bought.
Greenery is also accepted. Please make sure you arrive a few minutes
earlier than usual so Jane Londrey has time to fasten your flowers on
the cross.
 THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT
Sunday, April 17 PALM SUNDAY
8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Handbell Room
9:00 a.m. Covered-Dish Breakfast Fellowship Hall
9:30 a.m. Gather at First English Evangelical Lutheran
9:45 a.m. Worship and Procession First English Evangelical Lutheran
10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Choir Room
11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary
12:30 p.m. Missions Committee Meeting
12:30 p.m. New Members’ Class #3 Connection Class Room

Monday, April 18 GRACE NOTES DUE!!!

12:00 noon Men’s Luncheon Vanguard Room

Tuesday, April 19
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Room 213
7:00 p.m. SESSION MEETING Vanguard Room

Wednesday, April 20 NO WNL SERVICE

Thursday, April 21
10:30 a.m. Children’s Chapel Chapel
6:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Dinner Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service Chapel
8:00 p.m. Choir Practice Choir Room

Friday, April 22 GOOD FRIDAY– Church office closes at 12 noon

8:00 a.m. Prayer Vigil Sanctuary
5:45 p.m. Community Group 2107 Maplewood Avenue

Saturday, April 23
10:00 a.m. Annual Easter Egg Hunt 7105 University Drive

Sunday, April 24 EASTER SUNDAY

8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Handbell Room
10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Choir Room
11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary
 2011 Officers MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 21
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 GCPC's ministries.
6:00 p.m. Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley Menu: rock castle chicken (chicken and rice and green
bean casserole), salad bar, and Nell’s Famous Pies

ELDERS:
7:00 p.m. Worship with Communion
Jean Appich („11) - Christian Education
Brian Baird („11) - Evangelism (M)
in the Chapel
Maurice Bell („13) - Finance/Stewardship
Kent Cardwell („12) - Missions (M) Invite a friend or neighbor
Cal Gray („11) - Property (M)
Matt Hartman („13) - Worship; Evangelism GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 22
Cheryl Jacobs („12) - Worship (M); Administration
Catherine Kerns („13) - Christian Education; Evangelism
Caroline Leith („11) - Worship 8:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m.
David Martin („13) - Administration (Co-M); Property
Prayer Vigil in the Sanctuary
Katie McCullough („13) - Administration (Co-M); Mission
Dana McKnight („11) - Finance/Stewardship (M)
Tom Miller („12) - Christian Education (M) Invite a friend or neighbor
Everett Reveley („12) - Finance/Stewardship

DEACONS:
Pat Aldridge („11) - Cards and Prayer Ministry Easter Sunday, April 24
Betty Appich („11) - Deacon Support
Pat Ball („12) - Flower Deliveries On Easter Sunday we will
invite people from the
Cherry Corley („12) - (Moderator) congregation to come for-
Susan Farrell („12) - Visitation, Transportation ward and join the Chancel
Nikki Hazlegrove („13) - Meal Deliveries Choir in the singing of the
Hallelujah Chorus.
Jim McCullough („13) - Deacons’ Fund
Julia Poppell („11) - (Secretary) Visitation
The church owns several
Carrie Rose („13) - Visitation and Card Ministry scores of the Hallelujah
Dawson Watkins („11) - (Vice-Moderator) Visitor follow-up Chorus; however, if you
own a copy, we invite you
Carol Wood („13) - Visitation and Prayer Ministry to bring it with you on
Sid Yates („12) - Ushers Easter Sunday.
SERMON NOTES
“Welcoming Jesus”
B. BRINTON P. KEYES