GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

October 9, 2011

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: Interim Director 1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org info@grace-covenant.org Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin Willie Alford Nicole Williams

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

[Moses said to the LORD] Why should the Egyptians say, It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever. And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. - Exodus 32:12-14 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:8-9 The world's opposition is strong and subtle. And behind these things stands the devil, bent on 'taking men alive' and keeping them prisoner. For the devil hates the gospel and uses all his strength and cunning to obstruct its progress, now by perverting it in the mouths of those who preach it, now by frightening them into silence through persecution or ridicule, now by persuading them to advance beyond it into some fancy novelty, now by making them so busy with defending the gospel that they have no time to proclaim it. John R. W. Stott, Guard the Gospel: The Message of 2 Timothy (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), p. 126.

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
October 9, 2011 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 I Love Thee, my Lord
Please stand for these parts of the service.

George Shearing

(1919-2011)

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: All: Praise the LORD! O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the LORD? Or who can declare all His praise? Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, That we may give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, Amen. Praise the Lord!

from Psalm 106

HYMN 3 (Red Hymnal)

Praise the Lord: Ye Heavens, Adore Him

Faben

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and heavenly Father, God of justice and peace, God of mercy and righteousness, You call us to a life of holiness, even as You are holy. Yet we confess that we have not heeded Your call. We have chosen self-interest over obedience, preferred comfort over discipleship, followed culture rather than Your Word, and refused to believe in Your promise of new life. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. You are the bread for which we hunger; Yours is the life for which we yearn; Yours are the suffering to whom we are sent; feed us, inspire us, and guide us, we pray, emptying ourselves to be filled by You, trusting in Your all-sufficient grace, and following Your Son, who emptied Himself, and gave His life as a ransom for others for it is in His holy, precious, and humble Name that we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON

CELTIC ALLELUIA
(All sing the Alleluia after the organ introduction)

Fintan OCarroll

Celtic Alleluia, music by Fintan OCarroll and Christopher Walker 1985 by OCP Publications, Inc. We Come, O Christ, text by Carl P. Daw, Jr. 1992, 2006 Hope Publishing Co. Give Thanks to the Lord, music by Chrysogonus Waddell, 1987 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

OFFERING ANTHEM We Come, O Christ
Chancel Choir

Russell Schulz-Widmar

(b. 1944)

We come, O Christ, as people seeking some sign of blessing on our lives, yet scarcely pause to hear you speaking or wait until your time arrives: help us let go, help us be still, in patience may we learn your will. To taste the cross within the chalice, to hear the music born of grief, to feel the hurt concealed by malice, to sense in doubt unripe belief: give us, O God, new hearts, new eyes; wake us to love and make us wise. Renewing Spirit, come breathe through us with hope that heals, with faith that thrills; burn off the sins still clinging to us, transform our minds, convert our wills: so may your gifts of grace increase to send us forth in love and peace. Unite our hearts and shape our living to share the yoke that sets us free: great Triune God, joined by self-giving, the life of true community, our many prayers at last make one: "Your kingdome come, your will be done."
- text by Carl P. Daw, Jr.

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

Wayne Casey

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING CHILDRENS SERMON Exodus 32:1-14 Wayne Casey Holy Bible, p. 77 OT Christof Meyer

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23

Chrysogonus Waddell

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Who can declare the mighty acts of the LORD or show forth all his praise? Happy are those who act with justice and always do what is right! [refrain] Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you have for your people, and visit me with your saving help; that I may see the prosperity of your elect and be glad with the gladness of your people, that I may glory with your inheritance.

We have sinned as our forebears did; we have done wrong and dealt wickedly. Israel made a bull-call at Horeb and worshiped a molten image; and so they exchanged their Glory for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.

[refrain]
They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, and fearful things at the Red Sea. So he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach

[refrain]

to turn away his wrath from consuming them. He brought streams out of the cliff, and the waters gushed out like rivers.

[refrain]

EPISTLE READING SERMON HYMN 306 (Red Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Philippians 4:1-9 What Were They Thinking? Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord The Apostles Creed

Holy Bible, p. 189 NT B. Brinton P. Keyes Hall

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 418 (Blue Hymnal) God, Bless Your Church with Strength! BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE The Lord Bless You and Keep You Gigue Fugue in G Major, BWV 577 Peter Lutkin Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)

Sung to Diademata, #151

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 the 83rd birthday of my mother, Lucinda Mallott, by Cheryl Jacobs.

Continue to pray for: Health, protection and support for Dan and Rebecca Floyds pregnancy Steve Satterfield and Ainura Aitmurzaeva as they negotiate her travel to the US Those in need of healing: Beth Coltrain; Ben Gordon; Gloria Gregory; Cynthia Holmes; Diane Davis mother Pauline; Susan Farrells grandmother, Mary Lou (Uh-Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Peter Albertis; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian and Eila Brooks Those facing vocational challenges: Jennifer Schooley, Wayne Casey, Matt Hartman, and Logan Moorheads daughter-in-law Sharie 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 purpose for GCPC Our Child Development Center, as they seek a new Director Beth Lloyd Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces The victims of natural disasters in the US, Japan, New Zealand and Haiti; and for those seeking democracy in North Africa and the Middle East 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 Public, Non-Profit, and Religious Social Service Work and Ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For all in need of mental health services, all mental health workers, counselors, and treatment facilities. "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Phil 4:6

Sir George Shearing was an Anglo-American jazz pianist whose reputation flourished throughout London in the 1930s. Congenitally blind, Shearing moved to America and began to establish his fame on this side of the Atlantic. His Sacred Sounds for Organ were his first published works in the idiom of classical music. Todays prelude is an example of Shearings compositional style, which often includes a combination of gospel, jazz, and humor within the same piece. I Love Thee, my Lord is an early American hymn that dates from 1805 and is the tune for todays playful prelude. The Reverend Carl P. Daw, Jr., is an American Episcopal priest and is now Curator of Hymnological Collections and Adjunct Professor of Hymnology at Boston University School of Theology. His text We Come, O Christ was commissioned by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was first sung at a festival of Daw's hymns there on March 10, 1993. In writing this hymn for seminarians, the informing biblical event was the appeal to Jesus for special consideration of James and John (Matthew 20:20-28 and Mark 10:35-45). The third line of stanza three adapts line 40 of John Donne's "Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward." The fourth stanza was written at the request of Russell SchulzWidmar especially for this anthem version. Its scriptural references are Matthew 11:29-30 and Matthew 6:10/Luke 11:2. Alfred V. Fedak's hymn tune RATHERVUE connects this hymn text with The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin, Texas, where both Daw and Fedak, along with four other people engaged in the making of hymns, were Visiting Fellows during two weeks in February 1995. The tune name commemorates the street on which the seminary is located. Russell Schulz-Widmar has been Associate Professor of Church Music, Organist and Choirmaster at The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin, Texas, since 1974. Johann Sebastian Bachs Gigue Fugue in G Major is one of his early organ works and provides plenty of dancing on the pedals and manuals for a very cheerful effect. This was one of Virgil Fox's (concert organist from the 1960-70s) show-stoppers when he used to tour college campuses with his custom Rodgers organ. His goal was to convince young people that Bach was "with it," using light shows and addressing them directly, unlike the usual polite and staid organ recital in church.

Sunday School Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. Forum Class will be taught by Tom Miller on Revelation (continued) Grace Bible Class leaders are Jack Corley, John Nevin, and Bill Stuart Vanguard Class is led by Matt Johnson and visiting teachers Connections Class is led by Christof Meyer, Brian Baird, and visiting teachers

ANNUAL MENS OYSTER ROAST: Saturday, October 22, 2011

All Men of the Church and their friends are invited by the Vanguard Class to this annual Oyster Roast get-together. Clams and oysters raw, steamed and fried will be featured. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. and will include fried oysters, barbecue, hamburgers, slaw, potato salad and all the fixings. To whet your appetite for all this good food there will be steamed clams and oysters in the yard starting at 4:00 p.m. Come enjoy an autumn day in the country, or relax by watching football games on TV in the cabin. Pints of raw oysters will be available as long as they last, at cost. Everything else is free. Carpools will leave from the church parking lot, at 2:00 p.m. Directions are available for those who prefer to travel on their own. If you plan to come, please fill out the response RSVP card located in the Glass Office and place in the designated marked box by October 9. For more information, please phone Whit Whitley at 288-6133.

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (October 9): Opener-Lloyd Bostian; Greeters- Sallie Leys, Elizabeth Russell, Brian Baird; Nursery Worker-Nikki Hazlegrove; Elementary Sunday School Teacher-Janet Chenoweth; Worship Kits- Lisa Cardwell; Fellowship Hour- Beth Coltrain WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (October 16): Opener-Cal Gray ; Greeter- Elizabeth Russell; Nursery Worker-Susan Boze; Elementary Sunday School Teacher-Erika Tabor; Worship Kits- Lisa Cardwell ; Fellowship Hour- Sallie Leys

Martins A+ Rewards Program Now may register your Martins bonus card in the Martins A+ School Rewards Program. In 2011 the CDC received a check from Martins for 1% of the total amount purchased by members of GCPC and parents of the CDC. In 2012 the CDC will receive a check based on a points system. Please follow the steps below to register your bonus card to benefit the Grace Covenant Child Development Scholarship Fund. Log on to this website: Scroll down to: Fill in the blanks ID number: 03012 www.martinsfoods.com/aplus Designate Your School

The Board of Directors appreciate your support of the CDC and your continued prayers. If you have any questions or need help with this, please call or email Cherry Corley at 515-7330 or cherrycorley47@gmail.com.

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!

Join us this Wednesday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m. This weeks program will be Police Department of Richmond will present a program about the Community Faith Leadership Teams. Dinner menu: Chicken casserole, scalloped tomatoes, peas, salad bar, cornbread, bread pudding with lemon sauce for dessert. Wednesday Night programs are from 6:30-7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. Programs include special guest speakers from the community or people in our own congregation, speaking on various topics. Program for next Wednesday, October 19: Robert Bolling, Executive Director of William Byrd Community House. William Byrd has a broad expanse of programs at the center for those in need of spiritual comfort and achieving self-sufficiency. Our YOU CAN HELP food items go to William Byrd Community House. Please bring a can of food with you to donate next Wednesday night.

CHRISTMAS CARDS: It is again time to collect Christmas cards for the Greensville Correctional Center. These cards make it possible for inmates to mail Christmas cards to family and friends. The Chaplain reports that the cards are received with excitement, thanks and gratitude. A collection box will be placed in the PW closet in the Social Room until November 10. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, October 9 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. Monday, October 10 12:00 noon 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11 10:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 12 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 13 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 14 5:45 p.m. Sunday, October 16 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon. 12:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Mission Study Team Prayer Confirmation Class Sunday School Classes Worship Service Fellowship Hour Deacons Meeting Handbell Room Vanguard Room Social Room Youth Room/The Loft Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Vanguard Room Community Group 2107 Maplewood Avenue Handbell Choir Mission Study Team Prayer Confirmation Class Sunday School Classes Worship Service Fellowship Hour New Members/Inquirers Class (5/5) Mens Luncheon Worship Committee Meeting Staff Meeting PW Circle # 3 PW Circle # 4 PW Circle # 2 Care Team Meeting Christian Education Committee Meeting Finance Committee Meeting Property Committee Meeting PW Circle # 1 Carol Choir (ages 3-K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-5) rehearsal WNL Supper and Program Chancel Choir Mothers Together Handbell Room Vanguard Room Social Room Youth Room/The Loft Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Connections Classroom Vanguard Room

Room 213 Social Room 208 Oxford Circle W Covenant Room Room 213

1727 Park Avenue Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room

2011 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: Jean Appich (11) - Christian Education Brian Baird (11) - Evangelism (M) Maurice Bell (13) - Finance/Stewardship Kent Cardwell (12) - Missions (M) Cal Gray (11) - Property (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Worship; Evangelism Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Administration Catherine Kerns (13) - Christian Education; Evangelism Caroline Leith (11) - Worship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (Co-M); Mission Dana McKnight (11) - Finance/Stewardship (M) Christof Meyer (12) - Discipleship Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education (M) Everett Reveley (12) - Finance/Stewardship Robert Rosebro (13) - Property DEACONS: Pat Aldridge (11) - Cards and Prayer Ministry Betty Appich (11) - Deacon Support Pat Ball (12) - Flower Deliveries Cherry Corley (12) Susan Farrell (12) - Visitation, Transportation Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Meal Deliveries Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund Julia Poppell (11) - (Secretary) Visitation Dawson Watkins (11) - (Moderator) Visitor follow-up Carol Wood (13) - Visitation and Prayer Ministry Sid Yates (12) - Ushers (M=Moderator)
MISSION STUDY TEAM:

SERMON NOTES
What Were They Thinking? B. BRINTON P. KEYES

John Nevin (Moderator) Matt Johnson (Co-Moderator) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Catherine Kerns Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio)