GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

February 26, 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

When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth." - Genesis 9:16-17 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. - Mark 1:13 Every single time a sacrament is celebrated, God takes action, there and then does something, not on Calvary, but in that church. And what He does is to come to each soul partaking in the Sacrament and to assure it that He stands to the best and biggest of His promises and to the fullness of His grace in Christ... de-universalizes the Scriptures and individualizes them, makes them a personal promise, couched no longer in general terms but offered to very you and very me, as individually as if they covered no other but referred to you and me alone. We may be cold and dead and unresponsive. None the less, something happens in the Sacrament. For God stands to His side of the Covenant, whether we stand to ours or not. - A. J. Gossip, Experience Worketh Hope (NY: Charles Scribners Sons, 1945), 166.

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
February 26, 2012 The First 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 Elegy (Three Pieces for Organ) Richard Purvis

(1913-1971)

Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader:

from Psalm 25

O my God, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame. People: Make me to know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Leader: Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; People: For You I wait all the day long. Leader: Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way; People: He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All: All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Praise the Lord! HYMN 143 (Red Hymnal)
At the Name of Jesus

Kings Weston

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 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. ASSURANCE OF PARDON 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.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God Carl Mueller (1892-1982)

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Psalm 51:10-13

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

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 9:8-17 Holy Bible, p. 6 OT

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

CHILDRENS SERMON JUNIOR CHOIR The Fruit of the Vine

Brian Baird Mark Patterson

Christ is the vine and we are the branches; through him we can do anything. Christ is the strength, the source, and the blessing; When we serve him we behold the fruit of the vine. Just as the Lord has loved us so let us love one another. For this is Gods command, that our joy may be full. based on John 15:1-7

GOSPEL READING

Mark 1:9-15

Holy Bible, p. 37 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 276 (Blue Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Covenant Faithfulness
Great Is Thy Faithfulness

B. Brinton P. Keyes
Faithfulness

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

Greatorex

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 87 (Blue Hymnal) BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days Chaconne in E Minor St. Flavian Louis Couperin (c. 1626-1661) The Glory of These Forty Days Erhalt Uns, Herr

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 family members who have gone to be with our Lord and Savior by Tom and Janet Miller.

Give thanks for: Ainura Aitmurzaevas visa being approved to travel here to marry Steve Satterfield; and pray that her recently-discovered tumor be benign and easily removed. Continue to pray for: Ann Pais daughter-in-law Jane, with cancer, and nephew Paul, with ALS; Juliette Harriman; Lauren Corby, whose baby is due March 20; Cheryl Jacobs mother, Lucinda, recovering from knee surgery, and her dad, Rolland; Erika Tabor, recovering from foot surgery; Stella Schlieser; 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 & Carlos Juara; Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry, and John Lootens away on travel Our Session, that they may faithfully lead this congregation by humbly following Gods Word; and for the Mission Study Team, that they may discern, together with the congregation, Gods will for Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 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; and the people of Haiti, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey, 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 For the coming of God's Kingdom in Metropolitan Richmond: For enhancement of our common life in Jesus' Name through the Holy Spirit, and for the Resurrection of metropolitan Richmond as a modern metropolitan city of hope for the world.

Richard Purvis was probably the most important composer for the organ from California. In 1947, Purvis was appointed Organist and Master of Choristers at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. He was admired as one of the finest organ improvisateurs in the U.S. In an era when socalled "romantic" music was out of favor with most composers, and atonal, serial music was considered the hallmark of serious composition, he was not afraid to write tuneful, accessible, richly colored, and even whimsical compositions. His Elegy is a colorful setting on the ancient requiem chant Dies Irae. There are two instances in this piece where the organist has to wedge a pencil in the keyboard to sustain a note for a lengthy time. Because both hands are occupied at these moments, the organists only option to remove the pencil is with his teeth! American composer Carl Mueller focused on a career as an organ recitalist and served as organist for two Presbyterian churches in New Jersey for over thirty-five years. His anthem Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God sold nearly two million copies. This morning our Junior Choir sings an anthem by Mark Patterson, who is currently the Director of Music at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, VA. Set in a gentle calypso style, The Fruit of the Vine takes its inspiration from John 15:1-7. Louis Couperin was a French Baroque composer and became one of the most prominent Parisian musicians of his time. He composed over 70 works for organ, but none were published during his short lifetime of 35 years. Todays postlude may have been written originally for the harpsichord, but it translates well to the organ.

L uncheon and Program February 28th at 12:00 noon (This is a date change!) GCPCs own Janet Chenoweth, playwright and actress, will present two of her plays (one comedy and one drama). Everyone come and bring a friend!
* Coordinating T Meeting at 10:30 a.m. eam

Thanks to everyone who participated in the POJ meeting on Saturday, February 18. It was a huge success and we have all of you to thank for that. I thank God for the privilege of working with each and every one of you. I look forward to working with you in the future. DottieRay Koch

FLOWER DONATIONS: Throughout the year people (members and friends) will honor or remember special people in their lives by providing donations for flowers. These flowers are displayed in the Sanctuary for Sunday Service. There is one open date that is available, April 29. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Lisa Gray at 804-673-0587 or by email at c.lgray@comcast.net. WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (February 26): Opener Hank Downing; Greeters Marica Manning, Brian Baird; Nursery Worker Gay Moss; Elementary Sunday School Janet Chenoweth; Worship Kits Kent Cardwell; Fellowship Hour Dawson Watkins WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (March 4): Opener Jake Savage; Greeter needed; Nursery Worker needed; Elementary Sunday School Katherine Baird; Worship Kits Evelyn Tower; Fellowship Hour Doris Farquhar

CARITAS: Again this year, Grace Covenant will be participating in CARITAS. From Saturday, March 3, through Saturday, March 10, we will be providing food and overnight shelter for approximately 45 adult females. We are looking forward to this opportunity, but it will only be successful with a huge volunteer effort from us. Opportunities to serve include set-up and take down on March 3 and 10, meal preparation, transportation, overnight stays, and many more. For those of you who have volunteered, Thank You. For those willing to help, please call or email: Kent Cardwell (804-461-8539, kcardwell@healthcarerealty.com).

CONNECTIONS: with Brian Baird and/or Christof Meyer. Room 303 FORUM CLASS: Next Sunday, March 4, Tom Miller, will speak on Did Christ Really Have to Die? Room B-7 GRACE BIBLE CLASS: Reformed Tradition with John Nevin. Room 212 VANGUARD CLASS: Gospel of Matthew with Matt Johnson. Room B-4

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY: This year GCPC began offering DISCIPLE, 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. Each Sunday the bulletin lists the topic and assignments for the coming week to give the congregation an idea about what the course covers. If the curriculum looks appealing, then youre invited to consider signing up for the next class.

Week 6: Atonement When God Draws Near Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Exodus 24 27 (covenant ratification, the ark of the covenant, the Tabernacle) Exodus 34:29 36:1 (new tablets, offerings for the Tabernacle); 40 (glory of the Lord); Psalm 81 (festival liturgy) Leviticus 1 5 (the burnt offering, offerings of well-being, sin and guilt offerings) Leviticus 6 7 (ritual for offerings, the priests portion); Deuteronomy 18 (Levites) Leviticus 16 17 (Day of Atonement); Deuteronomy 16 (appointed festivals); compare Leviticus 23 (appointed festivals) (readings in textbook)

Join us this Wednesday, February 29, at 6:00 p.m. Come to WNL for lasagna, garlic bread, salad bar, and lemon custard cake. For this weeks program: Mission Study members will present the final Mission Study Report. Wednesday Night Programs are from 6:30-7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. *NOTE There will be no WNL next week, Wednesday, March 7, due to CARITAS RUNNING WITH GRACE, 2012: Again this year, some members and friends of Grace Covenant will be running and walking on Monument Avenue each week. We plan to start in the Grace Covenant parking lot at 4:00 p.m. sharp on Sunday afternoon. 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.

Loaves and Fishes Fund Update: The Loaves and Fishes Fund is a new opportunity to give to local families in need and international missions work. Pledges of up to $1000 per month will be matched by an anonymous donor. For those who intend to pledge but have not yet done so, please turn in your pledge cards by Sunday March 4th. Thus far we have received pledges totaling $275 per month, so there is room to grow! We are also seeking input about families known to our congregation that we might be able to help with this fund. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Hartman (212-1961, mchartman@vcu.edu).

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, February 26 8:30 a.m. 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, February 27 12:00 noon Tuesday, February 28 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 29 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, March 1 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3 Sunday, March 4 Handbell Choir Rehearsal Mission Study Team Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Disciple Bible Study Community Group Discussion Mens Luncheon Handbell Room Vanguard Room Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303 Fellowship Hall Vanguard Room

Staff Meeting PW Coordinating Team Meeting Presbyterian Women Luncheon Care Team Meeting Carol Choir (ages 3K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-6) rehearsal Wednesday Night Live Chancel Choir rehearsal Mothers Together CARITAS ARRIVES CARITAS HERE Handbell Choir Rehearsal Mission Study Team Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Disciple Bible Study Community Group Discussion

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

8:30 a.m. 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 Room Vanguard Room Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303 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 DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund 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
Covenant Faithfulness B. BRINTON P. KEYES