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

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t
like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
~Aurelius Augustine

“Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to

represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for
sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going
astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer
sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as
Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of
becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
‘You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.’

And he says in another place,

‘You are a priest forever,
in order of Mechizedek.’ ”
~Hebrews 5:1-6
 A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
December 6, 2009 The Second Sunday of Advent 11:00 a.m.

GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

PRELUDE In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Jubilation) Dietrich Buxtehude
(1637-1707)

LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE The Mboe Family

†CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 148 (selected verses)

Pastor: Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.
People: Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Pastor: Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
People: Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
All: He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all the saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

†Please stand for these parts of the service.

†HYMN 13 (blue) Prepare the Way Bereden väg för Herran

†PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious and merciful God, you sent us a great high priest,

who was tempted in every way, yet lived without sin.
Forgive us, O God, that though we claim to be disciples of Jesus,
we succumb to temptation at every turn.
Show us with each new day, our absolute dependence
on the one who is the source of our eternal salvation.
Guide us, as we seek to do nothing out of selfish ambition
and vain conceit, but to approach all things with an attitude of service.
This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON

†CHRISTMASTIME ALLELUIA based on Adeste Fidelis

GIVE THANKS TO GOD

WELCOME

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

OFFERING
ANTHEM The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee Sir William Henry Harris
(1883-1973)

The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord:

and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest thine hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways: and holy in all his works.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him:
yea all such as call upon him faithfully.
He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:
he also will hear their cry and will help them.
The Lord preserveth all them that love him.
– Psalm145:15-20

†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

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

CHILDREN’S SERMON

NEW TESTAMENT READING Hebrews 4:14-5:10 NIV

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SERMON “Christ Our Priest” Steve Cobb

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize

with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way,
just as we are–yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us
in our time of need.”
~Hebrews 4:15-16

†HYMN 144 (blue) Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! Hyfrydol

†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) 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.

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

GO FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

†HYMN 11 (red) Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Nicaea

†BENEDICTION

†CHORAL RESPONSE Wait for the Lord Taizé

†POSTLUDE Savior of the Nations, Come Johann Sebastian Bach

(1685-1750)

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 Elizabeth Graham McGehee by Susan, Bob and Graham Nelson.
Alleluia, music by James J. Chepponis © 1997 by G.I.A. Publications.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.
SERMON NOTES
 THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT
Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Room 312
December 6 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: Communion Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room
12:15 p.m. Mission Evangelism Committee Meeting Room B-4
6:00 p.m. Youth Group: Mission TBD

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

December 7 2:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women Bible Leaders Meeting Library

Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 3 Social Room

December 8 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Room 213
10:30 a.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 2 Lydian Room
10:30 a.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 4 3202 Hawthorne Avenue
11:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 5 Covenant Room (Room B-4)
7:30 p.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 1 1704 Hanover Avenue

Wednesday 4:00 p.m. Child Development Center Choir Room 108

December 9 4:30 p.m. Carol Choir Room 108
5:00 p.m. Junior Choir Room 108
5:30 p.m. Child Development Center’s PVA Meeting Room B-4
6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper Fellowship Hall
6:40 p.m. Wednesday Night Program Fellowship Hall
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Room 108

Thursday 9:30 a.m. Mothers Together (last one in 2009) Fellowship Hall
December 10 10:30 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 108

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Decorate the Sanctuary with greens Sanctuary

December 12 10:00 a.m. Candlelight Choir Rehearsals Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. PEOPLE Meeting 3202 Hawthorne Avenue

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

December 13 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Pageant: “Immanuel is Born” Fellowship Hall
10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 108
10:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chapel
11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room
4:00 p.m. Community Groups TBD
6:00 p.m. Youth Group: Christmas Caroling The Bairds
 Events and News
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excited
that our new pastor, Steve Cobb, is here!
Please join us for coffee in the Social Room
after this morning’s Worship Service for an
additional opportunity to meet Steve, as well
as his family.
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
TOMORROW (Monday, December 7).
Please put the form, along with payment, in
the box in the Glass Office.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGEANT: The children’s
Sunday school classes are going to have a
pageant, “Immanuel is Born,” during next
week’s Sunday school hour, which begins at
9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
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.
GRACE NOTES: Submission deadline to our
monthly newsletter is the 15th of the month.
Volunteers, who are willing and able to
assist in the preparation for the bulk mailing
of January’s edition, will be needed on
Wednesday, December 23, 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. If you would
like to be added to the newsletter’s mailing
list, please let the Administrative Assistant,
Janice Caldwell, know by either e-mailing
her at caldwell@grace-covenant.org or by
calling the church office at 359-2465.
DISPLAY CASE: Nativity Scenes from Cheryl
Jacobs now occupies the hall display case.
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 Elizabeth
Gee (a missionary, who recently spoke at
our Missions Conference, and has a
reoccurrence of cancer), and for Pat
Aldridge, who has pneumonia.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
CHURCH WORKERS FOR TODAY:
Opener–Charlie Appich; Greeters–Bob
Copeland, Everett Reveley and Leslie
Hartman; Nursery Workers–Lauren Corby
and Carson Price; Worship Kits–Kaete
Unterzuber; Coffee Fellowship Time–Jean
Appich and family; Guest Register
Attendant–Betty Appich.
CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY
NIGHT SUPPER THIS WEEK (December 9):
Pat Ball.
CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
(December 13): Opener–Bob Brooks;
Greeters–Lewis Rosebro and David Martin;
Nursery Workers–Leslie Hartman, Rebecca
Horner, Jo Garber (and Beth Coltrain);
Worship Kits–Kaete Unterzuber; Coffee
Fellowship Time–The Bairds; Guest Register
Attendant–Dawson Watkins.
CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY
NIGHT SUPPER NEXT WEEK (December 16):
Laura Leigh Savage.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: If you would 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
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 plate.
STEWARDSHIP: If you have not yet had an
opportunity to return your Pledge Card,
please remember to place it in the offering
plate during the Worship Service or return it
to the church office. Extra pledge cards are
available in the Narthex and in the Glass
Office.
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: Dietrich Buxtehude was a
German-Danish organist and a highly
regarded composer of the Baroque period.
Buxtehude composed numerous chorale
preludes for the organ. Chorale preludes
are four-part settings of one stanza of a
hymn; the melody is presented in an
elaborately ornamental version, typically in
the highest voice. Today's prelude on a
German Christmas carol (Presbyterian
Hymnal, #28) is an example of this very
popular genre of Baroque composers. Sir
William Henry Harris served as the organist
at St. George's Chapel, Windsor (United
Kingdom) and composed numerous choral
anthems. Harris was especially noted for his
skills as a master of choristers. His anthem
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee is based on
Psalm 145 and is suitable for the harvest
season as well as Advent. J. S. Bach crafted
the popular Lutheran chorale Savior of the
Nations, Come (Presbyterian Hymnal #14)
into five different organ chorale preludes.
Today's postlude is the boldest setting of
Bach’s five preludes.
HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALS
are available from the ushers.
THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES
590 AM. The Worship Services are now on
streaming audio: www.wlesradio.com
THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL
CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE: is a
Traditional Service of Lessons and Carols
which will occur at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday,
December 20, in the sanctuary. The music
will be led by the Chancel, Junior, Carol
and Handbell Choirs of Grace Covenant
Presbyterian Church. Following the program,
a reception will be hosted by the
Presbyterian Women, in the Fellowship Hall.
SCRIPTURE MEMORY CARDS: The monthly
Scripture Verse Memory Cards, given to the
children each week after the Children’s
Sermon, will discontinue after December27.
DISCIPLESHIP
CHILDREN’S Infants–Nursery,
CLASSES:
main level; Toddlers–Room 102;
Preschoolers–Room 101; Grades 1-6
–Rooms 207-210.
ADULT CLASSES: We have four great adult
classes; 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: Children’s Sunday School
Pageant will be on December 13 during the
Sunday School hour in the Fellowship Hall;
Taylor Reveley will teach on December 20.
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
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 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 BIBLE LEADERS will
meet tomorrow (Monday, December 7) at
2:00 p.m. in the church library.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES: meet on
Tuesday, December 8.
Circle 1– Katherine Baird’s,
1704 Hanover Avenue, 7:30 p.m.
Circle 2 – Lydian Room of GCPC,
Dottie-Ray Koch, Hostess,
10:30 a.m.
Circle 3 – Social Room of GCPC,
Stephanie Thomas, Hostess ,
9:30 a.m.
Circle 4 – Beth Coltrain’s,
3202 Hawthorne Avenue, 10:30 a.m.
Circle 5 –Room B-4 (Covenant Room)
Liz Ramsey, Hostess, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER AND
PROGRAM: This week’s program for
December 9 will be a “Christmas Bible
Meditation.” Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.
followed the program at 6:40 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 no peak
beef, noodles, mixed vegetables, salad bar,
rolls brownie. Children’s menu: macaroni
and cheese.
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 Mothers Together in 2009 will
be this Thursday, December 10.
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. this 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 TODAY after the Worship Service, in
Room B-4 (Covenant Room).
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. Items
need to be brought to the stage in the
Fellowship Hall by TOMORROW (Monday,
December 7).
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.
PRISON MINISTRY: Thank you for all the
Christmas cards that were donated to
Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt,
Virginia. The response was most generous!
They were delivered to the center on
December 1, and the Chaplain at the center
sends his blessings.
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
Seminary Intern: Rachel Butler
Director of Music: Chris Martin

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