GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

March 18, 2012

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. Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Student Assistant for Christian Ed: Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin Willie Alford Nicole Williams Christopher Tweel

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 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

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus - Ephesians 2:1-6 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:14-17 God is none other than the Saviour of our wretchedness. So we can only know God well by knowing our iniquities ... Those who have known God without knowing their wretchedness have not glorified Him, but have glorified themselves. - Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
March 18, 2012 The Fourth Sunday in Lent 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 O World, I Must Leave Thee (Eleven Chorale Preludes) Johannes Brahms

(1833-1897)

Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP

from Psalm 107

Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; People: For His steadfast love endures forever! Leader: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble. People: Some wandered in desert wastes; hungry and thirsty, their souls fainted within them. Leader: Some were fools through sinful ways, and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. People: He brought them out of the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart; Leader: They cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. People: Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; All: Let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. Praise the LORD! HYMN 5 (Blue Hymnal) vss. 1-3
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Picardy

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 to 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 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

Lord Have Mercy, music by John Merbecke, 1550; arr. Healey Willan, 1930, 1990 by The Presbyterian Hymnal, Westminster/John Knox Press, All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS
On the third Sunday of each month, in addition to your tithe and regular giving, we receive the Loaves and Fishes Fund offering to supplement our mission efforts.

ANTHEM

O for a Closer Walk with God

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

O for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame, A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest! I hate the sins that made Thee mourn And drove Thee from my breast. So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb.
text by William Cowper, 1772

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

Dana McKnight

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Numbers 21:4-9 Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 138 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CHILDRENS SERMON EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21

Christopher Tweel Holy Bible, p. 182 NT Holy Bible, p. 91 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 198 (Red Hymnal) RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Lifted Up in the Wilderness
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

B. Brinton P. Keyes
Hamburg

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) 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. 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 376 (Blue Hymnal) BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE In the Lord Ill Be Ever Thankful Prelude in C Minor Taiz Vincent Lbeck (c. 1654-1740) Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol

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 our son, Kent Raley Massey, by Jean and Chuck Massey.

Give thanks for: Lauren Corbys safe delivery and Bennett Corbys arrival home last week. Continue to pray for: Lewis Rosebro, recovering from a fall; Willie Alford, recuperating from surgery; Ben Gordon, for health, and his mother Alice, undergoing chemo; Ann Pais daughter-inlaw Jane, with cancer, and nephew Paul, with ALS; Juliette Harriman White; Cheryl Jacobs mother, Lucinda, recovering from knee surgery, and her dad, Rolland; Susan Farrells grandmother, Mary Lou (Uh Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Evelyn Turner; Peter Albertis; Rosie and George Turner; and Nela Bostian Those facing vocational challenges: Erika Tabor and Carlos Juara; Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry and John Lootens away on travel Our Session, that they may faithfully lead us by humbly following Gods Word; Beth Lloyd Daniel Reas, Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces The people of Egypt, Libya and Syria, as they seek peaceful ways forward for their countries; the governments of Iran and Israel, that they may pursue peaceful coexistence rather than mutual aggression; and the people of Haiti, Japan, New Zealand, Turkey and the Midwest US, as they continue to recover from natural disasters 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, facing employment uncertainty; Beth Baleke in Uganda Health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For emergency response personnel and all emergency room staff; for hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice programs; and for persons diagnosed with terminal illness.

In 1896, Johannes Brahms' lifelong friend and champion, Clara Schumann, died. During this time, Brahms health began to fail rapidly. It was in this atmosphere that Brahms composed the Eleven Chorale Preludes for Organ, his first music for the organ since 1857. These chorale preludes are deeply personal and are written about life in retrospect and life after death. The last chorale in the collection, O World, I Must Leave Thee, was the last composition Brahms ever wrote. Born in Ireland and the son of talented amateur musicians, Charles Villiers Stanford (18521924) spent most of his adult life as an organist, teacher, composer, and conductor in England. His music includes symphonies, chamber music, songs, and choral music. Stanford's ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey, alongside Henry Purcell. He composed six Bible Songs, Op. 113, for voice and organ; O for a Closer Walk with God is the last of the set and the most popular. The anthem sets three verses from a longer hymn by William Cowper (17311800). The words speak of a journey away from sin and toward the Lamb of God, praying for the return of the Spirit, the Holy Dove. Vincent Lbeck was a German composer who worked as organist and composer at Hamburg's famous St. Nikolai Church (17021740), where he played one of the largest contemporary organs. He enjoyed a remarkably high reputation in his lifetime, and had numerous pupils. Despite Lbeck's longevity and fame, very few of his compositions survive; these include a handful of organ preludes and fugues and chorales in the North German style. Todays postlude by Lbeck is very similar in style to many works by the North German organist Dietrich Buxtehude.

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and the Monument Avenue 10K Get a front-row seat for all the action and fun of one of Richmond's biggest events -- the Monument Avenue 10K! Starting at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, March 31, we'll have lots of coffee, food, and fellowship on the terrace. A moon bounce will also be on hand for the kids. Come by, bring a friend (or two), cheer on the runners and walkers, and stay as long as you like! Also, if you'd like to help with this event (setting/cleaning up, bringing food, making coffee, etc.), please contact Virginia Hudson at vhudson81@gmail.com.
From the Ministry Interest Survey

For several Sundays you have been asked to complete and return a Ministry Interest Survey. The most obvious reason for conducting this survey is to identify members of the congregation who have an interest in and are willing to help with the ministries and programs of Grace Covenant. A less obvious reason has to do with assisting the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) that will recommend calling our next pastor. One of the first questions the PNC will be asked by prospective pastors is How interested and involved are the members of the congregation in the ministries of your church? If the responses to this survey, or lack thereof, indicate minimal interest and/or participation, the PNC will have to answer, Not very. Upon hearing this, the person being interviewed will not be interested in further conversation with the PNC. Lets avoid putting the PNC in this embarrassing position by completing the survey and returning it by Sunday, March 25. The surveys can be found on the table in the narthex. - Jack Corley, Chair

Consider the lilies

If you are interested in placing an Easter lily in the Sanctuary for use on Easter Sunday, April 8, you must complete a form and send it with payment to the church office ON or BEFORE Monday, March 26. The lilies may also be given in memory or in honor of family and friends. The price of each plant is $11.00. Checks should be made payable to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and marked Easter lilies in the memo. Please pick up an Easter lily form in the Glass Office or in the narthex and drop it in the clear plastic box.

CONNECTIONS: The topic on March 25 will be on the Apostle's Creed led by Christof Meyer and co-led by Nelson Reveley. FORUM CLASS: Tom Miller is teaching a series on Did Christ Really Have to Die?, in Room B-7. The Forum Sunday School Class will not be meeting, Sunday, April 1; we will be participating in the Easter Parade. We also will not meet on Easter Sunday, April 8. GRACE BIBLE CLASS: For the remainder of March, Bill Stuart will be speaking on the Gospel of John, in Room 212. VANGUARD CLASS: The Gospel of Matthew, with Matt Johnson, in Room B-4. CHILDRENS CLASSES: Infants, 0-16 months old Toddlers, 17 months2 years old Preschoolers, 3 and 4 year olds Kindergarten2nd grade Grades 3rd6th Nursery Main Level Room 102 Room 101 Rooms 207-210 Rooms 207-210

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY: a 34-week in-depth Bible study for small groups. Led by a trained facilitator, the study includes 30 minutes of daily reading and a weekly 2-1/2-hour seminar. Here are the topics for the coming week. If the curriculum looks appealing, then youre invited to consider signing up for the next class. Week 8: Warning God Warns the People Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: 1 Kings 16:29 19:18 (Elijah and Ahab) 1 Kings 19:19 22:40 (Ahab, Naboths vineyard); 2 Kings 2:1-18 (Elisha succeeds Elijah); 9 (Elisha and Jehu) Amos 1 4 (repeated warnings) Amos 5 9 (visions of Amos, a plumb line in Samaria) Isaiah 1 7 (rebellious Judah, Isaiahs call); Jeremiah 2 (Israels apostasy) (readings in textbook)

Join us this Wednesday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. Menu includes: Brunswick stew, corn bread, salad, and apple crisp. This weeks program: Jeannie Smith, director of Set Free, which is housed on our third floor. Dont miss this view into Christian counseling with those in sexual and relational brokenness whom God is changing, healing, freeing, and comforting. This is an arm of the church in Richmond of which you should be aware! Wednesday Night Programs are 6:30-7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. RUNNING WITH GRACE, 2012: Again this year, some members and friends of Grace Covenant are running and walking on Monument Avenue each week. We begin in the Grace Covenant parking lot each Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. sharp. The pace is flexible and all are welcomerunners, walkers, whatever you may be. Get into the spirit of the 10k with us! Contact Brian Baird at 804-586-4156 or brian.baird5@gmail.com for details. CHURCH SOFTBALL TEAM: Its softball time! Grace Covenants Biblical Batters is looking to field a softball team to play in the spring West Richmond Mens Church Softball League. If youre interested in playing, please contact the team manager, Chris Tetzlaff, at 804-264-1414 or by email at crt928@gmail.com The season begins in April so please contact Chris soon.

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (March 18): Opener Pete Sizemore; Greeter Leslie Hartman; Nursery Worker Lisa Cardwell; Elementary Sunday School Erika Tabor; Worship Kits Evelyn Tower; Fellowship Time Kent Cardwell and family WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (March 25): Opener Cal Gray; Greeters needed; Nursery Worker Lewis Rosebro; Elementary Sunday School Janet Chenoweth; Worship Kits Evelyn Tower; Fellowship Time needed

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, March 18 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 19 12:00 noon 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, March 22 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 25 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Handbell Choir Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Disciple Bible Study Community Group Discussion Handbell Room Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303 Fellowship Hall

Mens Luncheon Property Committee Meeting

Vanguard Room Vanguard Room

Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting August Musicales Meeting Carol Choir (ages 3K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-6) rehearsal Wednesday Night Live Chancel Choir rehearsal Mothers Together

Room 213 Room 200 Vanguard Room Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room Various Classrooms

Handbell Choir Sanctuary Prayer Social Room Sunday School Various Rooms Worship Service Sanctuary Fellowship Hour Social Room Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Fellowship Hall Disciple Bible Study Room 303 Community Group Discussion Fellowship Hall

2012 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: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Mission (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M) Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship, Nominating DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Team Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund, Nominating Ann Pais (14) - Care Team Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary - Communication Cards Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator - Cards Dawson Watkins (13) - Care Team Carol Wood (13) - Prayer, Communication Cards Sid Yates (12) - Ushering MISSION STUDY TEAM: John Nevin (M) Matt Johnson (Co-M) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio) (M=Moderator)

YOU C

N HELP!

Grace Covenant has been giving nonperishable 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!

SERMON NOTES
Lifted Up in the Wilderness B. BRINTON P. KEYES