GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of the City
December 30, 2012 The First Sunday After Christmas Day 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 Four French Couplets on Angels We Have Heard on High (Plein Jeu, Fugue, Rcit de Tierce en taille, Grand Jeu) WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: All: Leader: All: Leader: All: from Psalm 23 and Psalm 1

Larry Visser, b. 1962

The LORD is our shepherd, we shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures; he leads us beside still waters; He restores our souls. He leads us in right paths. Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. Let us worship the LORD our shepherd and king! Lobe Den Herren

HYMN 482 (Blue Hymnal) Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and merciful God, we stray from your ways like lost sheep. We follow the devices of our own hearts without consideration of your call. We leave undone those things we ought to do, while doing things we know we should not. LORD, have mercy upon us. Restore our penitent hearts, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And as we march into days and weeks ahead, bind us, merciful God, to a more holy, just, and committed life. Bring us to live for your glory, not the vanity of our egos or our idols. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON CHRISTMASTIME ALLELUIA James Chepponis

Alleluia, music by James Chepponis 1997 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 He Shall Feed His Flock (Messiah)
Kari Craig, alto

George Frederick Handel, 1685-1759

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the lambs with His arm; and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Dana McKnight

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Ezekiel 34:1-6, 15-16, 20-24 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON GOSPEL READINGS Luke 2:41-52, Matthew 23:1-12 Brian Baird Holy Bible, pp. 59, 29 NT Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 760 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Searching for Christ Nelson M.E.B. Reveley

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 23 (Blue Hymnal) Angels We Have Heard on High COMMISSIONING THE HONDURAS MISSION TEAM THE APOSTLES CREED GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex Gloria

SOLO Some Children See Him

Kari Craig, alto

Alfred Burt, 1920 1954

Some children see Him lily white, The Baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, With tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heavn to earth come down; Some children see Him bronzed and brown, With dark and heavy hair. The children in each diff rent place Will see the Baby Jesus face Like theirs, but bright with heavnly grace, And filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing, And with thy heart as offering, Come worship now the Infant King, Tis love thats born tonight!

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 163 (Red Hymnal) Hark, the Herald Angels Sing BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Now Praise the Lord, My Soul (Mass for Christmas Day) Mendelssohn

Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God.
1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 804-359-2463 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Email: info@grace-covenant.org Website: www.grace-covenant.org Radio: WLES 590 AM Interim Pastor: The Reverend Mr. Brinton Keyes Director of Music: Christopher Martin Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait Bookkeeper: Martha Rubin Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Seminary Intern: Christopher Tweel