GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Loving God & Our Neighbors in the Heart of the City

September 25, 2011

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. Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Sexton: Child Development Center: Interim Director 1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org info@grace-covenant.org Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin Willie Alford Nicole Williams

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

Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Therefore, my beloved work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. - Philippians 2:12-13 [Jesus said] What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, Son, go and work in the vineyard today. He answered, I will not; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, I go, sir; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. - Matthew 21:28-32 The literal truth is that when God forgives us he doesnt change his mind about us. Out of his unconditional, unchanging, eternal love for us he changes our minds about him. It is Gods loving gift that we begin to think of repenting for our sin and asking for his mercy. And that repentance does not earn his forgiveness. It is his forgiveness under another name ... [When we confess our sins] it is not to plead for forgiveness from God. It is to thank him for it. The gift of contrition is the gift of recognizing Gods unswerving love for us. It is the gift of having the confidence to confess our sins, to admit the truth. And if we do that, then, as Jesus told us, the truth will set us free (cf. John 8:32). - Herbert McCabe, God, Christ and Us

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
September 25, 2011 10:55 a.m.

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. PRELUDE Folk Tune Percy Whitlock

(1903-1946)

Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People:

from Psalm 95

O come, let us sing to the LORD; Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 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. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. Leader: 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. All: For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Praise the LORD! HYMN 26 (Red Hymnal) O Worship the King, All Glorious Above Lyons

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and heavenly Father, God of justice and peace, God of mercy and righteousness, You call us to a life of holiness, even as You are holy. Yet we confess that we have not heeded Your call. We have chosen self-interest over obedience, preferred comfort over discipleship, followed culture rather than Your Word, and refused to believe in Your promise of new life. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. You are the bread for which we hunger; Yours is the life for which we yearn; Yours are the suffering to whom we are sent; feed us, inspire us, and guide us, we pray, emptying ourselves to be filled by You, trusting in Your all-sufficient grace, and following Your Son, who emptied Himself, and gave His life as a ransom for others for it is in His holy, precious, and humble Name that we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON

ALLELUIA
(All sing the Alleluia after the organ introduction)

David Hass

Alleluia, music by David Haas, b. 1957 1988 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

OFFERING ANTHEM The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Chancel Choir

Larry Visser

(b. 1962)

The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
- Numbers 6:24-26

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

Maurice Bell

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 17:1-7 Maurice Bell Holy Bible, p. 63 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON Brian Baird

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Hymn Tune Psalter

Hear my teaching, O my people; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will declare the mysteries of ancient times. That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us, we will not hide from their children. We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, and the wonderful works he has done.

He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He split open the sea and let them through; he made the waters stand up like walls.

[refrain]

[refrain]

He led them with a cloud by day, and all the night through with a glow of fire. He split the hard rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as from the great deep. He brought streams out of the cliff, and the waters gushed out like rivers.

[refrain]

GOSPEL READING

Matthew 21:23-32

Holy Bible, p. 27 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 390 (Red Hymnal) INSTALLATION OF ELDER Why Christians Dont Know It All Open My Eyes, that I May See B. Brinton P. Keyes Open My Eyes Robert Rosebro

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) 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. Greatorex

WE GO FORTH IN GODS NAME

HYMN 281 (Blue Hymnal) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah CWM Rhondda BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Exultemus Percy Whitlock

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship.
The flowers are given to the glory of God and in memory of George Stevenson Kemp, Jr., by the family.

Give thanks to God for: Our Presbyterian Women, and the study, they have begun, of the Beatitudes. Continue to pray for: Health, protection, and support for Dan and Rebecca Floyds pregnancy . . . Those in need of healing: Ben Gordon; Cheryl Jacobs stepbrother; Diane Davis mother, Pauline; Tom Millers father, Joe; Susan Farrells grandmother, Mary Lou (Uh-Oh), and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Peter Albertis; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian and Eila Brooks Those facing vocational challenges: Jennifer Schooley, Wayne Casey, Matt Hartman, and Logan Moorheads daughter-in-law Sharie Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry, and for John Lootens traveling across the United States Our Session, that they may faithfully lead this congregation by humbly following Gods Word; and for the Mission Study Team, that they may discern, together with the congregation, Gods purpose for GCPC . . . Our Child Development Center, as they seek a new Director . . . Beth Lloyd Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces The victims of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and drought across our country; for the people of Japan, New Zealand and Haiti, still recovering from disaster; and for those seeking democracy in North Africa and the Middle East Missionaries we support: Elizabeth Gee back in US from Indonesia (fighting cancer); Valentin and Svetlana Chicu in Moldova; The Zobule family in the Solomon Islands Schools and Educational Institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all universities, colleges, seminaries, trade, technical, graduate, and professional schools. "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

Percy Whitlock was an English composer who achieved a fusion of late romantic and neoclassical styles in his music. His lush harmonic style was an influence of the composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Charles Villiers Stanford. Whitlocks organ music was written primarily for the concert hall, but much of his music is performed in worship. Whitlock was diagnosed with tuberculosis in his twenties and died a few weeks before his 43rd birthday. For decades afterward he remained largely forgotten. This neglect has eased in recent times with the increased popularity of post-romantic organ literature. Todays prelude and postlude are by Whitlock. A haunting melody performed on a variety of colors, Folk Tune (1929) is not an actual English folk melody, but an original tune by Whitlock. The postlude is based on the first three verses of Psalm 81 (Sing we merrily unto God our strength...). This piece contrasts the Tuba Mirabilis stop (played in chords) with various combinations on the Great and Swell divisions of the organ. Larry Visser is a composer of organ and choral music who specializes in writing works based on hymn tunes. He is the minister of music and organist at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Michigan; he also teaches organ at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. Published in 1999 Vissers gentle and sensitive setting of the Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) is todays choral anthem.

If you are interested in donating flowers for the sanctuary for Sunday mornings, please contact Lisa Gray at 673-0587. We have two Sundays still available at this time: October 9, and October 23. -Thank you

Sunday School Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. -beginning Sunday, September 18, 2011Forum Class will be taught by Tom Miller on Revelation (continued) *Next Sunday, October 2nd, Percy Strickland will be teaching the Forum Class. Grace Bible Class leaders are Jack Corley, John Nevin, and Bill Stuart Vanguard Class is led by Matt Johnson and visiting teachers Connections Class is led by Christof Meyer, Brian Baird, and visiting teachers

ANNUAL MENS OYSTER ROAST: Saturday, October 22, 2011

All Men of the Church and their friends are invited by the Vanguard Class to this annual Oyster Roast get-together. Clams and oysters raw, steamed and fried will be featured. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and will include fried oysters, barbecue, hamburgers, slaw, potato salad and all the fixings. To whet your appetite for all this good food there will be steamed clams & oysters in the yard starting at 4:00 p.m. Come enjoy an autumn day in the country, or relax by watching football games on TV in the cabin. Pints of raw oysters will be available as long as they last, at cost. Everything else is free. Carpools will leave from the church parking lot, at 2 p.m. Directions are available for those who prefer to travel on their own. If you plan to come, please fill out the response RSVP card located in the Glass Office and place in the designated marked box by October 9th. For more information please phone Whit Whitley at 288-6133.

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (September 25): Opener Pete Sizemore; Greeters Brian Baird and Elizabeth Russell; Nursery Worker Lisa Cardwell; Worship Kits Lewis Rosebro; Fellowship Hour Reception for Judy and David Martin WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (October 2): Opener Jake Savage; Greeters Bob Copeland, Elizabeth Russell, Brian Baird and Leslie Hartman; Nursery Worker Jo Garber; Worship Kits Lisa Cardwell; Fellowship Hour Megan Meyer

Martins A+ Rewards Program It is that time again! Beginning Sunday, September 11, you now may register your Martins bonus card in the Martins A+ School Rewards Program. In 2011 the CDC received a check from Martins for 1% of the total amount purchased by members of GCPC and parents of the CDC. In 2012 the CDC will receive a check based on a points system. Please follow the steps below to register your bonus card to benefit the Grace Covenant Child Development Scholarship Fund. Log on to this website: Scroll down to: Fill in the blanks ID number: 03012 www.martinsfoods.com/aplus Designate Your School

The Board of Directors appreciate your support of the CDC and your continued prayers. If you have any questions or need help with this, please call or email Cherry Corley at 515-7330 or cherrycorley47@gmail.com.

YOU C

N HELP!

Grace Covenant has been giving non-perishable 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. When available, their food pantry also provides individuals with the basic household items and toiletries to maintain themselves and their families. These are everyday items that Food Stamp dollars will not cover and may be very costly to a low-income family. We have partnered with this ministry by giving non-perishable food items. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month, but this is a collection we can support every week. Items can be placed in the grocery cart outside of the Social Room. YOU CAN HELP in the simplest ways! Join us this Wednesday, September 28, at 6:00 p.m. This weeks guest speaker will be Dr. William Kell and his wife, Janet, who established Elijah House Academy as a nurturing environment based on four life skills: spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and physical. The academy is a K-12 program with 188 students and a staff of 23roughly a 1 to 17 ratio. Tutoring is on an one-on-one basis by a cadre of community volunteers. Elijah House Academy has been a mission out-reach for many years. Wednesday Night programs are from 6:30-7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. Programs include special guest speakers from the community or people in our own congregation, speaking on various topics. September 28 Program: Elijah House Academy Menu: Roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad bar, rolls, fruit salad and cookies for dessert October 5 Program: Chris Martin, our Director of Music and Organist: a travelogue of Corsica October 12 Program: Bryan T. Norwood, Richmond Chief of Police: Community Faith Leadership Teams

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, September 25 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. Monday, September 26 12:00 noon Tuesday, September 27 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 28 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, September 29 9:30 a.m. Friday, September 30 5:45 p.m. Sunday, October 2 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon. 12:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Handbell Room Mission Study Team Vanguard Room Prayer Social Room Sunday School Classes Various Rooms Worship Service Sanctuary Fellowship Hour Social Room New Members/Inquirers Class (3/5)Connections Classroom

Mens Luncheon

Vanguard Room

Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting Missions Committee Meeting Carol Choir (ages 3-K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-5) rehearsal WNL Supper and Program Chancel Choir Mothers Together

Room 213 Room 213 1704 Park Avenue Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room

Community Group

2107 Maplewood Avenue

Handbell Choir Handbell Room Mission Study Team Vanguard Room Prayer Social Room Sunday School Classes Various Rooms Worship Service Sanctuary Fellowship Hour Social Room New Members/Inquirers Class (4/5)Connections Classroom

2011 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: Jean Appich (11) - Christian Education Brian Baird (11) - Evangelism (M) Maurice Bell (13) - Finance/Stewardship Kent Cardwell (12) - Missions (M) Cal Gray (11) - Property (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Worship; Evangelism Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Administration Catherine Kerns (13) - Christian Education; Evangelism Caroline Leith (11) - Worship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (Co-M); Mission Dana McKnight (11) - Finance/Stewardship (M) Christof Meyer (12) - Evangelism Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education (M) Everett Reveley (12) - Finance/Stewardship DEACONS: Pat Aldridge (11) - Cards and Prayer Ministry Betty Appich (11) - Deacon Support Pat Ball (12) - Flower Deliveries Cherry Corley (12) Susan Farrell (12) - Visitation, Transportation Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Meal Deliveries Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund Julia Poppell (11) - (Secretary) Visitation Dawson Watkins (11) - (Moderator) Visitor follow-up Carol Wood (13) - Visitation and Prayer Ministry Sid Yates (12) - Ushers (M=Moderator) MISSION STUDY TEAM: John Nevin (Moderator) Matt Johnson (Co-Moderator) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Catherine Kerns Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio)

SERMON NOTES
Why Christians Dont Know It All B. BRINTON P. KEYES