GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

April 8, 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

That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. - Acts 10:37-41 Jesus said to [Mary], Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabbouni! (which means Teacher). - John 20:15-16 "Resurrection," to first-century Jews and pagans alike, wasnt about "going to heaven". Thats a different matter. The word "Resurrection" always referred to people who were physically dead being physically alive again. Some Jews (not all) believed that God would do this for all people in the end. No pagans we know of believed this. Language about a postmortem life in Egyptian religions, for instance, isnt the same kind of thing. Nobody, including Jesus followers, was expecting one person to be bodily raised from the dead in the middle of history. The stories of the resurrection are certainly not wish-fulfillments of that kind, or the result of what a somewhat dodgy social science calls "cognitive dissonance". First-century Jews who followed would-be prophets and Messiahs knew perfectly well that if your leader got killed by the authorities it meant youd backed the wrong man. You then had a choice: either give up the revolution, or get yourself a new leader. Going around saying hed been raised from the dead wasnt an option. Unless he really had been. - N. T. Wright, The Easter Explosion (London: The Times), April 12, 2009 ([Link]

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
April 8, 2012 Resurrection of the Lord 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 Con moto maestoso (Organ Sonata No. 3 in A Major) Felix Mendelssohn
Please stand for these parts of the service.

(1809-1847)

CALL TO WORSHIP

from Psalm 118

Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; People: His steadfast love endures forever! Leader: The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. People: This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Leader: The LORD is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation. People: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. All: O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever! Praise the LORD!

HYMN 204 (Red Hymnal)

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Easter Hymn

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and heavenly Father, In Christ Jesus You bore the burden of our sin, suffering the pain of death, and rising from the dead to new life. But we confess that we have taken Your grace for granted. We rejoice in Your Resurrection, But divert our eyes from the Cross. We proclaim the mercy of Your forgiveness, But disregard its cost to You. We celebrate the blessing of new life in Christ, But continue old habits that keep our Selves on the throne. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins, we pray. Melt our hard hearts with the brilliance of Your glory; Open our eyes to the sins we ignore; And spark in us a longing for holiness; That we may truly repent of self-serving ways, And seek to serve You in newness of life; Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, And in the name of Jesus, Your risen Son, we pray. ASSURANCE OF PARDON EASTERTIDE ALLELUIA

Alleluia, music by William Monk, 1823-1889, 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under [Link] #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM Our Hearts Rejoice This Day Jack Schrader (b. 1942)

Our hearts rejoice this day, for Christ the Lord has conquered death and sadness! His victory oer the grave renews our hope, and fills our lives with gladness. The sting of death is gone! We trust the One who has the power to free us. The victory has been won! The powers of death and hell cannot defeat us. Our bodies shall be raised, to live with Christ forever and forever. To God be highest praise! His mercy and his grace will fail us never. Lord Jesus, who was slain has burst his three-day prison! Our faith is not in vain; for now has Christ the Lord arisen! Alleluia, alleluia! - text by Jack Schrader

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

Joy Nevin

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION EPISTLE READING Acts 10:34-43 Joy Nevin Holy Bible, p. 123 NT

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

CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL CHOIR GOSPEL READING Risen This Day John 20:1-18 arr. Michael Ryan Holy Bible, p. 110 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 118 (Blue Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Raised from the Dead
The Day of Resurrection!

B. Brinton P. Keyes
Lancashire

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

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 Thine Is the Glory Judas Maccabeus
The Chancel Choir will move to the steps on the first stanza of the hymn. You are invited to come forward during the hymn to join the choir in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. Copies of the music are available up front.

Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won. Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave-clothes Where Thy body lay. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won. No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Prince of life! Life is nought without Thee; Aid us in our strife; Make us more than conquerors, Through Thy deathless love; Bring us safe through Jordan To Thy home above. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won.

BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) G. F. Handel

Toccata (Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Major Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The Easter lilies are given to the glory of God by members and friends of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Give thanks for: John Lootens and June Horners safe return home from travels. Continue to pray for: Ginny Chandler and her family, following the death last Sunday of her husband, Jack; Liz Ramsey and Willie Alford, both at home recuperating from surgery; Charles Sutton, recovering from a foot injury; 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; Nela Bostian; and Sherrill Todd, recently admitted to hospice care... Our Christianity Explored outreach beginning April 18, that God would use it to reach our neighbors with the news of His love Erika Tabor and Carlos Juara, facing vocational challenges; and Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry 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 in the Solomon Islands, facing employment uncertainty; Beth Baleke in Uganda For the Spirit of Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of hope, of possibility, of eternal life, and of commitment to the redeeming power of God who brings new life out of death to people and communities.

Felix Mendelssohn lived thirty-eight brief years, into which he packed more compositions than most would write in a long and distinguished life. Mendelssohns organ works result from his preoccupation with Bach and with Protestant church music. His six organ sonatas were composed toward the end of his life, dating from 1844-1845. Todays prelude is the symphonic first movement of his third organ sonata. The piece begins with a joyful acclamation of praise. Out of this introduction a fugue in a minor key develops two themes. The tempo steadily grows in vivacity and excitement as the volume increases until, after a soaring pedal solo, the framework music of the opening returns to complete the picture. The triumphant return of the opening theme, after the fury of the fugue, reminds us of the Easter message good always triumphs over evil! Todays choral anthem is a setting on a seventeenth-century Dutch folk melody. Our Hearts Rejoice This Day is a powerful hymn tune for Easter morning coupled with a stirring new Easter text by Jack Schrader. The handbell voluntary is a new work by handbell composer Michael Ryan. Risen This Day for handbells is a medley of three Easter hymns (LLANFAIR, GELOBT SEI GOTT, AND EASTER HYMN). Charles-Marie Widor was the organist at St. Sulpice in Paris where he remained for nearly sixty-four years. The worship service concludes with Widors famous Toccata in F Major from his fifth organ symphony. It is a superbly virtuosic and rhythmic work with a strong tonal development. As such, it has every reason to be regarded as the head of all French organ toccatas ever composed.

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! CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: At its March 16 stated meeting, the GCPC Session called a congregational meeting for Sunday, April 22, 2012, in the sanctuary immediately following worship. The purpose of the meeting will be to elect members to the following positions: Pastor Nominating Committee Brian Baird Pat Ball Kent Cardwell Leslie Hartman Will Madden Marcia Manning Everett Reveley Ruling Elder (Class of 2013, to replace Maurice Bell) Jack Corley Trustee (Class of 2014) Caroline Leith Congregational Nominating Committee (Class of 2012, to replace Wayne Casey, now ineligible to serve on this committee because of his election to serve as Ruling Elder) Cal Gray As always, the floor will be opened for any additional nominations, provided that all persons nominated from the floor have already agreed to serve if elected. Please plan to attend.

FORUM CLASS: April 15, Marianne Vermeer will discuss her mission work and on April 22, Tom Miller continues his series on Did Jesus Really Have to Die? CONNECTIONS CLASS: The topic on April 15 will be on Gloria, Lord's Prayer, and Benediction led by Christof Meyer and Virginia Hudson. GRACE BIBLE CLASS: Bill Stuart will be speaking on the Gospel of John, in Room 212 VANGUARD CLASS: The Gospel of Matthew, with Matt Johnson, in Room B-4.

Save the Date!! Vacation Bible School this year will be taking place June 24 (Sunday) - June 28 (Thursday). This is the week after the week of Father's Day. Mark the date now on your calendars, more information will follow on this exciting ministry program for our whole church. If you are interested in helping out with the VBS committee this year, please let the Christopher know! ([Link]@[Link], or call 304-488-1610)

STUART CIRCLE PARISH PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP & PARADE The Christian Education Committee appreciates all the participation by the many members and visitors who helped set-up, clean-up, make palm crosses, carry the banner and especially provide the DELICIOUS food. Yes, we ate and ate and after the parade ate some more. Please thanks the following: Christopher Tweel (who welcomed us with prayer), Jane Londrey, Betty Appich, Dottie-Ray Koch, Bill Jacobs, Brian Baird, Judy Waldron, Lisa Cardwell, Margaret Cardwell, Pat Aldridge, Caroline Leith, Suzanne and Pete Sizemore, Debbie Pritchett, Leslie Hartman, Virginia Hudson, Cameron Baird, Katherine Baird, Evelyn Tower, Eva and Nina Chenoweth, Megan Meyer, Jean Appich, Carol Wood, Erika Tabor, Jessie Griffin, Sudie Wood, Pat Ball, Laura Leigh Savage, Dana McKnight, Mary Gray, Kent Cardwell, and a double thank you to those not listed.

Join us this Wednesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. Menu includes: Chicken tetrazzini, Havard beets, peas, salad, rolls, and clair cake. This Wednesdays program will be two stories of how folks from GCPC are serving Christ locally and internationally. Christopher Tweel will recount his recent mission trip to Haiti serving with the development organization, CODEP. Leslie Hartman will share with us her ongoing ministry of initiating a community garden in the Byrd Park neighborhood.

Bring your friends and neighbors for food, fellowship and an inspiring evening!

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (April 8): Opener Charlie Appich; Greeters Bob Copeland, Brian Baird; Nursery Worker Nikki Hazlegrove; Elementary Sunday School NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ; Worship Kits Judy Waldron WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (April 15): Opener Rob Rosebro; Greeters Carol Wood, Debbie Pritchett; Nursery Worker Susan Boze; Elementary Sunday School Katherine Baird; Worship Kits Judy Waldron 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, or ltomandlhartman@[Link]).

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, April 8 9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon EASTER SUNDAY Handbell Choir Rehearsal Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Sanctuary Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room

Monday, April 9

CHURCH OFFICE AND CDC CLOSED

Tuesday, April 10 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m.

PW Circle # 3 Social Room Staff Meeting Room 213 PW Circle # 4 Forum Room PW Circle # 2 Covenant Room Administration Committee Meeting Library PW Circle # 1 329 Albemarle Avenue Christian Education Meeting Fellowship Committee Meeting

Carol Choir (ages 3K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-6) rehearsal Wednesday Night Live Chancel Choir rehearsal

Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room

Sunday, April 15 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. 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

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)

SERMON NOTES
Raised from the Dead B. BRINTON P. KEYES

MEMORIAL LILIES
We wish to thank the members and friends of the congregation who have provided Easter lilies for the Sanctuary. In Memory of:
Our parents and Christian Kevin Aldridge Donald L. Appich Charles W. Appich, Jr. Our Loved Ones Dr. Robert and Margaret Marshall Lena and Sloke Ball Jim Goshorn Maurice Bell Don (Dad) and Charlie (Uncle Charlie) Appich Blair Boze Beth Coltrain Taylor Dickenson O. G. Farrar Beth Coltrain Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Kessel Don Kessel Nancy Allen Leith Anne Amonette Leys Anna J. Martin Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. McKnight Dr. and Mrs. J. Langdon Moss Mr. and Mrs. Lynford Londrey Our Beloved Parents Dr. James E. Nevin C. B. Pearson Jr. Jane Roberts Nancy Roberts Pope Mr. and Mrs. John B. Roberts Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Martin Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Yerger Loved Ones The Ones we miss the most Gregory Crim My Grandparents Virginia Hasbrouck Dr. D. E. Watkins Evelyn S. Watkins Withers Our Parents Evelyn R. Yates

Given by:
Marjorie and Ed Adams Pat Aldridge Betty Appich Jean Appich and family The Baird Family Pat and Jordan Ball Pat Bell The E. Scott Boze Family Phil and Hannah Coltrain Nell H. Dickenson Lillian Farrar Grace Covenant Handbell Choir Jan Kessel Caroline H. Leith Sallie Leys Christopher Martin Dana E. McKnight Gay and Langdon Moss Joy and John Nevin Ann Pais John Roberts

Rob and Lewis Rosebro The Rubins Evelyn Tower Judy Waldron Dawson Watkins Mary and Whit Whitley Sidney E. Yates

In Honor of:
All my love ones: past and present Our children and grandchildren Our Families Grace Covenants WWII veterans Nell Dickenson

Given by:
Dottie-Ray Koch Janet and Tom Miller The Rubins Elizabeth Russell Suzanne and Pete Sizemore