GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
March 25, 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 [Link] info@[Link]
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Radio: WLES 590 AM [Link]
Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him - Hebrews 5:7-9 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. - John 12:24-28a We will understand the meaning of this demand best if we take it very simply and literally. Let him say no to himself. If a man would follow Jesus Christ, he must say no to himself and yes to Christ. He must say no to his own natural love of ease and comfort. He must say no to every course of action based on self-seeking and selfwill. He must say no to the instincts and desires which prompt him to touch and taste and handle forbidden things. He must unhesitatingly say yes to the voice and command of Jesus Christ. He must be able to say with Paul that it is no longer he who lives but Christ who lives in him. He lives no longer to follow his own will, but to follow the will of Christ, and in that service, he finds his perfect freedom. - Wm. Barclay, Commentary on Mark, Ch. 8.
A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
March 25, 2012 The Fifth 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 Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
Please stand for these parts of the service.
CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; People: According to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Leader: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! People: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Leader: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. People: Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. All: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit, for You alone are our Redeemer. Praised be the LORD! HYMN 135 (Red Hymnal)
Fairest Lord Jesus
from Psalm 51
Crusaders Hymn
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 [Link] #A-715262.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM Neither Death nor Life Jonathan Crutchfield (b. 1959)
When we lose our hold, we are held in the everlasting arms. My sheep hear my voice and they know me, and they follow me and I give them eternal life. And they shall not die forever. For I am sure that neither death nor life will ever, nor things now, nor things to come will ever, nor mighty powers, nor height nor depth will ever separate us from the love of God. No one will snatch them from my hand. I am sure. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. I am sure. I will give them eternal life. I am sure. This is the voice of eternal life.
text by H. Stephen Shoemaker (Romans 8 and John 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 OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 31:31-34 Virginia Hudson Holy Bible, p. 695 OT
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL CHOIR EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING Reflections on Endless Song Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33
Brian Baird Michael Ryan Holy Bible, p. 210 NT Holy Bible, p. 102 NT
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 97 (Blue Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Earthly Surrender, Faithful Obedience
Go to Dark Gethsemane
B. Brinton P. Keyes
Redhead 76
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 285 (Red Hymnal) BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE God So Loved the World Prelude in A Minor, BWV 543 John Stainer Johann Sebastian Bach Father, We Greet Thee Donne Secours
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 Harmon B. Ramsey, Ellen T. Apperson, Thomas W. Apperson, and Sara A. Apperson by Elizabeth Ramsey.
Give thanks for: Liz Ramseys successful surgery, and pray for a swift recovery. Continue to pray for: Roger Tetzlaff s family; Willie Alford, recuperating from surgery; Scott Boze, recovering from a broken ankle; Ben Gordon, for health, and his mother Alice, undergoing chemo; Ann Pais daughter-in-law 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 Richard Haney, on the death of his father earlier this month; and Sherrill Todd, recently admitted to hospice care. 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.
Bach's prelude and fugue compositions reached an extraordinary peak of sophistication and virtuosity during his tenure as court organist in Weimar, Germany (1708-1717). In the athletic pedal parts the feet are required to execute passages as difficult as those for the hands. Bach must have been proud of these pieces, which were so technically demanding that they could be performed only by the composer himself and a handful of his students. In Bachs day these preludes and fugues were used in the Lutheran worship service as preludes to other music or as preludes and postludes to the entire service. Bachs Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543, was written a few years after Bachs famous visit with his North-German predecessor Dieterich Buxtehude in 17051706. The rhapsodic, pedal-point opening of the Prelude and the free, pedal-cadenza close of the Fugue point to Buxtehudes style and suggest that Bach was still looking to his forebear for compositional inspiration. At the same time, the dramatic sweep of the Prelude and Fugue and the technical demands of the pedal part point to no one other than Bach. Todays newly composed anthem by Jonathan Crutchfield is a statement of faith that quotes passages from Romans 8 and John 10. This music is a fine example of what a choral anthem can be. There are moments of a cappella writing, passages for a soloist, a descant for the tenors and sopranos, and, above all, a soaring melody. Dr. Jonathan E. Crutchfield is Minister of Music at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Todays handbell voluntary is an arrangement of a hymn tune by Robert Lowry. A pastoral, undulating bass line, along with thoughtful harmony, conveys the quiet joy of Robert Lowry's comforting hymn text: "The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am His! How can I keep from singing?" Hallelujah ChorusEaster Sunday At the end of the worship service on Easter Sunday, our tradition has been to invite people from the congregation to come forward and join the Chancel Choir in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. We will continue that tradition this year! The church owns several scores of the Hallelujah Chorus; however, if you own a copy, we invite you to bring it with you on Easter Sunday.
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@[Link].
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, April 1. 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 by TOMORROW, 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.
Sunday School Classes will resume April 15. Get ready Grace Covenant, next Sunday, April 1, is Palm Sunday and we have some exciting things going on here that morning. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall we'll gather for a congregational breakfast and enjoy fellowship with others and make small palm crosses. At 9:35 a.m. we'll gather in front of First English Lutheran for service led by clergy and leaders of the Stuart Circle Parish churches. Singing will be led by the brass ensemble. The Palm Sunday Parade will proceed west around the Lee Monument. At Grace Covenant a welcome and responsive reading will be led by Brint and singing will be led by our choir. Then wave farewell to friends from the other churches as they continue their procession. Please bring a breakfast item to share - fruit, muffins, donuts, breakfast casserole.... We also need just a few volunteers to help with clean up. If you can help let Jean Appich know or stick around to help out!
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: Consequences God Punishes the People Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: 2 Kings 17 20 (Fall of Samaria) 2 Kings 21 25 (Josiahs reform, fall of Jerusalem) Jeremiah 8; 19; 24; 27 (warnings and judgment on Judah) Jeremiah 37 39 (Jeremiah in prison) Isaiah 28:1 30:18 (warnings to Jerusalem, Gods grace); Lamentations 1 5 (sorrow over Jerusalem) (readings in textbook)
Join us this Wednesday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m. Menu includes: beef casserole, caesar salad, rolls, Jello and cookies. This weeks program: Jeannie Smith, director of Set Free, which is housed on our third floor here at Grace Covenant. 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. Neighborhood Work Day at the Byrd Park Community Garden. The missions committee will be coordinating several neighborhood work days in the coming months. The goal of these work days is to serve Christ by serving our neighbors and neighborhood in hands-on ways. The first of these work days will take place on April 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the new Byrd Park Community Garden that Leslie Hartman and others have been working hard to develop. The location of the garden is on the corner of Idlewood Ave. and S. Shields. Some of the activities we will be doing on the work day include: hauling in materials, tilling ground, constructing raised beds, edging beds, and planting bushes. We also need folks to bring tools to use that day. If you would like to participate in the work day or learn more about the garden, please contact Matt and Leslie Hartman (212-1961, ltomandlhartman@[Link]).
WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (March 25): Opener Cal Gray; Greeters needed; Nursery Worker Lewis Rosebro; Elementary Sunday School Janet Chenoweth; Worship Kits Evelyn Tower WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (April 1): Opener Wayne Casey; Greeter Bob Copeland; Nursery Worker Mary Gray; Elementary Sunday School Palm Sunday activities; Worship Kits Jean Appich
THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT
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. Monday, March 26 12:00 noon Tuesday, March 27 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, March 29 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 31 8:00 a.m. Sunday, April 1 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 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 Mens Luncheon Vanguard Room
Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting
Room 213 Room 200
Carol Choir (ages 3K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-6) rehearsal Wednesday Night Live Chancel Choir rehearsal Mothers Together Monument 10 K
Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room Various Classrooms Party on the Terrace
Handbell Choir Sanctuary Palm Sunday Breakfast Fellowship Hall Prayer Social Room Palm Sunday-Stuart Circle Parish First English Lutheran 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)
Saturday, April 7, Annual Easter Egg Hunt
At the home of Margaret and Dick Cardwell. Bring a basket for egg hunting and meet the Easter Bunny!
See ya there!
Located at: 7105 University Drive, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
YOU C
N HELP!
Grace Covenant has been giving non-perishable 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
Earthly Surrender, Faithful Obedience B. BRINTON P. KEYES
