GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

November 25, 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.

Our Mission: To train grateful disciples of Christ, by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God

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.wles590.com

Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Temporary Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Seminary Intern:

Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin James Greene Nicole Williams Christopher Tweel

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Hearing Aids, Large-Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.
Thus says the LORD God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered. - Isaiah 56:8 (NRSV) [Jesus said,] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20 (RSV) When no tensions are confronted and overcome, because insiders or outsiders of a certain class or group meet happily among themselves, then the one new thing, peace, and the one new man created by Christ, are missing; then no faith, no church, no Christ, is found or confessed. For if the attribute Christian can be given sense from Ephesians 2, then it means reconciled and reconciling, triumphant over walls and removing the debris, showing solidarity with the enemy and promoting not ones own peace of mind but our peace... When this peace is deprived of its social, national, or economic dimensions, when it is distorted or emasculated so much that only peace of mind enjoyed by saintly individuals is left then Jesus Christ is being flatly denied. Markus Barth, The Broken Wall (Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 1959), 45.

Today's radio broadcast is sponsored to the glory of God and in loving memory of George Stevenson Kemp, Jr.

As one body of Christ, composed of diverse individuals bound together by the Holy Spirit, we will share the Gospel in an intellectually rigorous manner that does not belittle doubt yet calls all to acknowledge their need for Gods grace offered through Jesus Christ. We will endeavor to fulfill Christs commandment to go and make disciples of all nations.
- from our 2012 Vision Statement

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
November 25, 2012 Christ the King Sunday 10:55 a.m.

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. PRELUDE Trio Chorale on Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Larry Visser

(b. 1962)

WELCOME
Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: All:

from Psalm 113

Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised! Praise the Lord!

HYMN 144 (Blue Hymnal)

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!

Hyfrydol

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 to love others, but they embrace our own desires; You form our minds to consider the needy, but they seek our own concerns; You form our days to serve the helpless, 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 Tony Alonso
(b. 1980)

Alleluia, music by Tony Alonso 2010 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 ANTHEM Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Chancel Choir Savannah Berry, soprano

William Ringham

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore His praises sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King. Praise Him for His grace and favor to His people in distress. Praise Him, still the same as ever, slow to chide and quick to bless: Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness. Father-like, He tends and spares us; well our feeble frame He knows; in His hands He gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows. Angels, help us to adore Him: ye behold Him face to face; Sun and moon bow down before Him, dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of Grace.
Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847); Based on Psalm 103

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 Isaiah 56:3-8 Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 651 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING Ephesians 2:11-22 Matthew 28:16-20 Christof Meyer Holy Bible, p. 183 NT Holy Bible, p. 36 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON A Vision for Healing B. Brinton P. Keyes

HYMN 491 (Red Hymnal) O Zion, Haste, Thy Mission High Fulfilling

Tidings

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 141 (Blue Hymnal) A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Deo Gracias Lobe den Herren

BENEDICTION AND Let the Amen Sound from His People Again CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE In Organo pleno on Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty

Larry Visser

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of Bob Brooks for his dedication to Grace Covenant and to Gods Kingdom.

Give thanks to God for: Mary Harwood, who witnessed to Gods grace by celebrating 100 years of life upon this earth last Wednesday Harris Coltrains successful heart surgery last week and ongoing recovery Please pray for: The family of Ray Kromer, who passed into the Church Triumphant last Tuesday Elizabeth Gee, preparing to meet her Savior; Nancy States, Patty Richwine, and Jean Appich, recovering from surgery; Betty Clough, recovering from a fall; Willie Alford, at home undergoing chemo; Ben Gordon, for health; 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; Carlos Juara, facing vocational challenges; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian; Beth Lloyd; Steve Cobb and his family Our Session, for those ruling elders who are completing their term of office, and those who are preparing to serve Our Worship Ministry (Pat Aldridge, Cheryl Jacobs [chair], Dottie-Ray Koch, Jane Londrey, Chris Martin, Dana McKnight, Carson Price, Rob Turner, Sid Yates, and the Chancel, Bell, and Childrens choirs) as they lead us in the worship of our Lord; and our Transportation Ministry (Pat Aldridge, Jordan and Pat Ball, Susan Farrell, Jan Kessel, Julia Poppell), that the Holy Spirit may continue to uphold them in their servant ministry to others... Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, Mike Child, and Jessica, serving in our nations Armed Forces The Community Garden Ministry, for its faith on the ground and its outreach to our neighbors; and for Valentin and Svetlana Chicu, that the Holy Spirit may bear fruits of faith and surrender in the lives of the university students to whom they are ministering We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For the inclusion of all, regardless of race, age, or jurisdiction of residence, in the economic health of Metropolitan Richmond; for effective, affordable, regional public transportation.

Todays organ prelude and postlude come from Larry Vissers (b. 1962) suite entitled Four Chorale Preludes on Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. These chorale preludes, based on the hymn tune LOBE DEN HERREN (Presbyterian Hymnal, #482), are composed in a style that closely imitates the chorale preludes of Johann Sebastian Bach, in whose homage the pieces were written. The Trio Chorale closely resembles Bachs organ trio style in both the writing and in the sound Bach would have commanded. Being extremely difficult to perform, the trio otherwise sounds simple because of its light texture and bright-sounding registration. Underpinning the rapid movement of the hands, the melody is played slowly in the pedal. The final chorale prelude (todays postlude) is a majestic setting inspired by Bachs Prelude and Fugue in C Major for organ. Again, the melody is played in the pedals. Larry Vissers formal training took place at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been a church musician since the age of fifteen and is currently organist at the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth, Michigan. Todays choral anthem by William Ringham is a new setting on a historic hymn tune. The anthem begins with a melody by Ringham before incorporating the classic hymn tune LAUDA ANIMA (Presbyterian Hymnal, #478). The hymn text appeared around 1834 and was written by Scottish poet Henry Lyte. William Ringham is the Director of Music at Mission Del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe, Arizona.

Sunday Flowers
We have an opening for flowers for December 9. If you are interested in providing flowers for that Sunday, please contact Lisa Gray at 673-0587.

"Save the Date" PW Holiday Luncheon

The Presbyterian Women Holiday Luncheon will take place Tuesday, December 4. Please come to hear the J. R. Tucker High School Choir at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary, and join us for lunch in the Fellowship Hall following the concert. Circle #2 will be hostess. Any questions, please contact Suzanne Sizemore at 288-7757.

Its Time to Order Poinsettias and Christmas Greens

The Worship Ministry offers you the opportunity to give thanks this Christmas by donating poinsettias and greens in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone special. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia or give toward Christmas greens, please fill out a designated form (located in the narthex and outside the choir room) and include payment. The deadline for receiving poinsettia orders is Monday, December 3.

Hanging of the Greens and Church Decorating

Join us Saturday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m. for the annual hanging of the greens and church decorating for the Christmas season. Contact Jane Londrey at 474-8617 for more details.

Yard Signs for Candlelight Service

This year our Candlelight Carol Service is Sunday, December 16 th, at 5:00 p.m. We encourage you to display a yard sign in front of your house as an invitation to neighbors and friends to share in this Grace Covenant tradition. Signs may be picked up near the front West door and near the Glass Office on Sundays, December 2 and 9, and Wednesdays, December 5 and 12. After Candlelight, please return the signs to the church, where we will clean and store them to be used again next year. Reach out to your friends and neighbors by sharing the Good News of the birth of our Savior this Christmas. For more information, contact the church office at 359-2463 or info@grace-covenant.org.

Disciple Bible Study is a spiritual discipline that entails thirty minutes of prayerful scripture reading per day along with weekly meetings to engage the scriptures more deeply with other participants. This commitment of time and energy to God generates lasting spiritual growth and all are invited to read along with us as we explore the Psalms this fall (and consider joining the next group in January)!
Disciple has been different from any other Bible Study that I have attended in one main way: Community. The sense of community that was created in our small group made me feel accountable to the group to make sure I attended, I completed my readings and I pushed through even when the readings got long and difficult. I feel that I have learned a lot from the lessons and all the others that participated. -- Maria Spitzer

Disciple Bible Study is a spiritual discipline that entails 30 minutes of prayerful scripture reading per day along with weekly meetings to engage the scriptures more deeply with other participants. We will start a new 10-week class in January. Please contact Nelson Reveley, nmr2uf@virginia.edu or 387-8094, if you would like to participate! Week 9: Love and Wrath
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Psalms 35-37; Exodus 13-15 Psalms 5, 109; Isaiah 10-11 Psalms 41, 58, 94; Hosea 6; Amos 7; Isaiah 42 Psalm 69; Luke 14, 17 Psalms 137, 139; Matthew 7, 11-12 Study Guide Commentary

Give the Gift of Dignity This Christmas!

This year in lieu of our participation in Angel Tree, we are supporting the Pride for Parents Christmas Store, a ministry of STEP (STrategies to Elevate People visit their website at www.steprichmond.org). The Missions Ministry requests donations of new, unwrapped childrens gifts marked with the original purchase price. STEP will reduce the prices by 50% or more and make them available to low-income urban residents during its 22nd annual Pride for Parents Christmas Store on December 8. The Mission Ministry is coordinating donations, which need to be received by Sunday, December 2. Please pick an
ornament from the Sharing Tree in the narthex for full instructions on how to participate. For more information, contact Matt Hartman (mchartman@vcu.edu, 212-1961) or the STEP office at 648-7552.

Sunday School CLASS

Forum Grace Vanguard Connections Pre-Elementary Elementary Youth

TEACHER
Tom Miller Jack Corley Matt Johnson Nelson Reveley Nikki Hazlegrove Megan Meyer and Erika Tabor Virginia Hudson Christopher Tweel

TOPIC
The Holy Spirit Letters to the Seven Churches Minor Prophets DISCIPLE Bible Study on Psalms Ten Commandments and Catechism Christianity in Action

Sunday Childcare for the School YearInfant and Preschool

We are seeking volunteers for the infant nursery and preschool room during the worship hour. It is a 10:40 a.m.12:15 p.m. time commitment one Sunday per month. There are also "on-call" positions available. For more information or to sign up, please contact Maria Spitzer at mariaschuler@netscape.net or 540-309-7831. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.

Wednesday Night Live!

Each Wednesday evening we gather at 6:00 p.m. for table fellowship, followed by a program from 6:30-7:15 p.m. We provide child care for preschoolers, and a childrens program for school-age children. All are welcome! Take a break from cooking dinner and join us for a friendly, relaxing, and inspiring evening. For more information, contact Vanessa Strait in the church office at 359-2463, or info@grace-covenant.org.

Menu for this Wednesday (November 28): Baked macaroni and cheese, cooked cabbage, cooked carrots, salad, rolls, and brownies. Program: Evelyn Tower will be speaking and sharing about her new childrens book that was recently published.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, November 25 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Monday, November 26 12:00 noon 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 27 10:00 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch Mens Luncheon City Church Womens Bible Study Staff Meeting Handbell Room Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Vanguard Room Grace Room and 213 Room 213

Wednesday, November 28 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, November 29 10:00 a.m. Sunday, December 2 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m.

City Church Womens Bible Study Carol Choir (ages 3-K) Junior Choir (grades 1-5) Wednesday Night Dinner Chancel Choir Rehearsal CDC Chapel Service

Grace Room and 213 Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room Chapel

Handbell Choir Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch

Handbell Room Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room 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) Wayne Casey (13) - Property, Small Groups (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, Stewardship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M), Stewardship 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 TRUSTEES: Lloyd Bostian (13) Kent Cardwell (13) Caroline Leith (14) John Nevin (12) Taylor Reveley (12)

William Byrd Community House

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. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month, but this is a collection we can support every week. Please place items in the grocery cart outside the Social Room. YOU CAN HELP!

SERMON NOTES
A Vision for Healing B. Brinton P. Keyes