GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

July 8, 2012

Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond

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: Temporary Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Student Assistant for Christian Ed: Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin James Greene 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 to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (RSV) And [Jesus] called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. - Mark 6:7-9 (RSV) Most Christians are affected far more than they know by the standards and methods of the surrounding world. In these days when power and size and speed are almost universally admired, it seems to me particularly important to study afresh the "weakness", the "smallness of entry", and the "slowness" of God as He begins His vast work of reconstructing His disordered world. We are all tempted to take short cuts, to work for quick results, and to evade painful sacrifice. It is therefore essential that we should look again at love incarnate in a human being, to see God Himself at work within the limitations of human personality, and to base our methods on what we see Him do. - J. B. Phillips, Making Men Whole (Macmillan: 1952)

As one body of Christ, composed of diverse individuals bound together by the Holy Spirit, we will worship God in a way that not only proclaims Gods glory and identifies His presence in our lives, but also calls us to repent of our sins and kindles due thanks and awe for our creator, sustainer, and redeemer.

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
July 8, 2012 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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 A Franciscan Pastorale Franklin Ashdown

(Based on the hymn tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN) Please stand for these parts of the service.

(b. 1942)

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

from Psalm 48

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth. We ponder Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple. Your name, O God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth. Tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever. PRAISE THE LORD! Father, We Praise Thee, Now the Night Is Over Christe Sanctorum

HYMN 43 ( Red Hymnal)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and merciful Father, You made us from dust, and created us a people; You saved us from death, called us to obedience, and sent us forth to bless. But still we stray. You form our hearts for Your love, but they embrace our own desires; You form our minds for Your Word, but they seek our own concerns; You form our days for Your will, but they follow our own schedules. Your hands are ever at work around us, but we look only to ourselves. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and forgive us our sins. Open our eyes to the work of Your Spirit, And grant us to see Your kingdom on earth, That we may be filled with the assurance of Your grace, And go forth into the world with confidence and joy to love and serve as You have loved and served us; through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose holy and gracious Name we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON ALLELUIA

Alleluia, music by Melchior Vulpius, 1560-1616, 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS SOLO It Is Enough (Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn

John Tyndall, baritone

(1809-1847)

It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! I desire to live no longer; now let me die, for my days are but vanity! I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts, for the children of Israel have broken Thy covenant, and thrown down Thine altars, and slain all Thy prophets, slain them with the sword. And I, even I only am left: and they seek my life to take it away! It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers. Now let me die, Lord, take away my life. - from 1 Kings 19:4, 10

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

Virginia Hudson

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION EPISTLE READING 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Virginia Hudson Holy Bible, p. 175 NT

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

CHILDRENS SERMON GOSPEL READING Mark 6:1-13

Christof Meyer Holy Bible, p. 42 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Christian Weakness, Christian Strength B. Brinton P. Keyes Wareham

HYMN 265 (Blue Hymnal) Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand 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.

Greatorex

SOLO

My Lord, What a Mornin

John Tyndall, baritone My Lord, what a mornin When de stars begin to fall. Done quit all my worlly ways Jine dat hebbenly ban?
- based on Revelation 8:10

Spiritual, arr. H. T. Burleigh

(1866-1949)

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.

WE GO FORTH IN GODS NAME

HYMN 488 (Blue Hymnal) BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Toccata in Seven John Rutter The God of Abraham Praise Leoni

(b. 1945)

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship.

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in appreciation of Gods continued blessings on Project KHISH in Honduras by Susan Pillsbury David.

Give thanks to God for: the blessing of our nation, and the freedom for which it stands Continue to pray for: Willie Alford, at home undergoing chemo; Ben Gordon, for health, and his mother, Alice, undergoing chemo; Ann Pais nephew Paul, with ALS; Juliette Harriman White; Susan Farrells grandmother Mary Lou (Uh Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Erika Tabor, for healing and strength; Carlos Juara, facing vocational challenges; Bonnie Pritchard; Peter Albertis; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian; Beth Lloyd Our PNC, for discernment, stamina and peace as they read applications Our Property Ministry (Pat Ball, Bob Brooks, Dick Cardwell, Wayne Casey, Cal Gray, Logan Moorhead, and Rob Rosebro [chair]), as they steward the maintenance and repair of our buildings and grounds, especially our cooling system Our Deacons Fund (Susan Farrell, Jim McCullough [chair], and Ann Pais), that it may be stewarded compassionately and faithfully, and that members may make use of it in an hour of need Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces Project Khish and its ministry of healing in Honduras; and Valentin and Svetlana Chicu, bringing Gods Word to college students in Moldova For governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Boards of Supervisors, Councils, Administrators, and employees of Charles City, Goochland, New Kent, Powhatan, Ashland, Petersburg, and Hopewell.

We welcome John Tyndall, baritone, as this mornings soloist. John is the bass section leader in Grace Covenants Chancel Choir and has been with us since September 2008. A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, John graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 2011 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. John has performed in ensembles with the Richmond Ballet and has appeared as a guest artist for the VCU Opera. Next Sunday our guest musician will be Stephanie Auld, soprano.

Grace Covenants Summer Music MinistrySunday Mornings

July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 John Tyndall, bass Stephanie Auld, soprano Alana Carithers, violin Ben Williams, bassoon Caitlin Klimavicz, bassoon Tiffany Williams, flute Lisa Edwards-Burrs, soprano Anne OByrne, soprano Handbell Quintet Chris Martin and Vivien Chen Chris Martin Grace Covenant, bass section leader St. Stephens Episcopal Church Richmond Symphony Peabody Conservatory Millikin University George Mason University Virginia State University Concert and Opera Irish soprano Grace Covenants very own! Piano and organ duets Grace Covenants Organist

August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 September 2

August Musicales Returns to Grace Covenant

Wednesday, August 8 Lisa Edwards-Burrs, soprano Michael Simpson, piano Sonya Chung, violin Russell Wilson, piano All concerts are at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Wednesday, August 15

Wednesday, August 22

Brass Quintet and Organ, featuring Michael Davison and Chris Martin

FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LEARN WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE PCUSA GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING now in progress, PLEASE READ UPDATES ON LINE AT www.layman.org. The LAYMAN is not only an excellent resource but it is our conservative Presbyterian magazine. It accurately represents the feelings held by those of us who support The Reformed Tradition and traditional core beliefs of many Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church members. Joy Nevin, Ruling Elder

Titanic Author and Descendant to Speak on August 1st

Albert Caldwell was 26 years old on April 15, 1912, when he survived the sinking of the Titanic along with his young wife, Sylvia, and infant son, Alden. Julie Hedgepeth Williams knew Albert well he lived to be 91 and told her the story of the Titanic dozens of times. Caldwell was Williams great uncle. Williams heard the stories of how Albert and Sylvia were missionaries in Siam, how they toured Europe on their way home to the United States, and how they ended up on the Titanic. She heard Caldwells descriptions of the beautiful ship, their harrowing rescue on Lifeboat 13, their agony at hearing the screams of the people who could not be saved, and the terrifying night on the Atlantic as they waited to be rescued. It was a true story as he told it. But years later, in the course of research to write her book, Williams discovered the untold part of the story that the Caldwells were fleeing their mission posts and caught up in a cat-and-mouse chase around the globe that continued even after the Titanic sank, with a great deal of money at stake.

A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells Story of Survival is the fascinating narrative woven
from the stories Williams heard from her great uncle and the circumstances she learned from her research. Come hear Julie Hedgepeth Williams at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, or to RSVP for a complimentary dinner beforehand, please call 804/359-2463 or email info@grace-covenant.org.

Sunday Mornings
The summertime combined Sunday adult class has begun and will run until September 2, 2012. The theme for this summers classes is Heroes of the Christian Faith and the importance of prayer and of the Bible in their lives.

Come to the Fellowship Hall at 9:15 for coffee, refreshments and fellowship, the class will begin promptly at 9:30. Questions? Contact Christof Meyer, ruling elder for Christian Education and Discipleship, at christof_meyer@me.com.
We invite all to attend and participate in these opportunities to study and to grow in your personal Christian faith.

Sunday Afternoons
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY is 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. If the curriculum looks appealing, then youre invited to consider signing up for the next class. Here are the topics for the coming week: Week 24: POWER The Explosive Power of the Spirit Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Acts 1-2 (Pentecost) Acts 3-5 (Bold Peter and John, Barnabas) Acts 9-11 (Sauls conversion, Cornelius) Acts 12:1-15:35 (James killed, Peter imprisoned, Paul and Barnabas as missionaries) Read and respond to The Bible Teaching and Marks of Discipleship. Rest

Wednesday Acts 6-8 (Stephen, Philip)

Summertime Sunday Childcare Please Volunteer for One Sunday This Summer! Our Childrens Ministry continues to schedule summertime volunteers for the preschool room. Volunteers should arrive at 9:30 to lead Sunday School and remain to assist the paid workers with the worship hour (until 12:15). Four dates remain, July 15, August 19, 26, and September 2; will you help? Please contact Carson Price if available at (804)928-4875, chefcarson@alacarson.com.

The Grace Covenant Child Development Center Needs Your Help

The Child Development Center is requesting donations of AA, C, and D batteries and thermometers to take underarm temperatures. There is a special designated box in the Glass Office in which you may place your items. Thank you very much for being so generous. The CDC Board

Bread Breakers
Bread Breakers will be meeting Saturday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. at 1502 Park Avenue. Please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share. Salmon filets and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to 355-7310 or to bill.cher.jacobs@mindspring.com so we can plan accordingly for food. Hope to see you there!

Flower Donations
We need someone to make a donation for the flowers for the following Sundays: August 19, and August 26. Please contact Lisa Gray at (804) 673-0587 or by email at c.lgray@comcast.net to donate toward the flowers.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, July 8 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Disciple & Community Group Lunch Disciple Bible Study Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303

Monday, July 9 12:00 noon 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 Mens Luncheon Property Committee Meeting Vanguard Room

10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting Deacons Meeting Finance Committee Meeting Worship Committee Meeting Pastor Nominating Committee Meeting

Room 213 Pastors Office Vanguard Room

Wednesday, July 11 5:00 p.m.

CDC Board Meeting

Vanguard Room

Sunday, July 15

9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Disciple & Community Group Lunch Disciple Bible Study

Social Room Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303

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

William Byrd Community House

YOU C

N HELP!

ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Wayne Casey (13) - Small Groups (M); Stewardship (M) Jack Corley (13) - Finance, Mission 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

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. 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
Christian Weakness, Christian Strength B. BRINT P. KEYES