GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

September 30, 2012

Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond

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.

Our Mission: To train grateful disciples of Christ, by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God

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

Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Temporary Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Student Assistant for Christian Ed:

Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin James Greene Nicole Williams Christopher Tweel

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Hearing Aids, Large-Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. - James 5:16a (RSV) But Jesus said, no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. - Mark 9:39-41 (ESV) The isolated individual is not a real person. A real person is one who lives in and for others. And the more personal relationships we form with others, the more we truly realize ourselves as persons. It has even been said that there can be no true person unless there are two, entering into communication with one another. This idea of openness to others could be summed up under the word love. By love, I dont mean merely an emotional feeling, but a fundamental attitude. In its deepest sense, love is the life, the energy, of God in us. We are not truly personal as long as we are turned in on ourselves, isolated from others. We only become personal if we face other persons, and relate to them. - Bp. Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way (Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimirs Seminary Press, 1995).

Through our faithful actions, we pray that God will lift up Grace Covenant as a blessing to the city where He has placed it a bright beacon of His redemptive power, awakening a love for Christ in the heart of Richmond.
- from our 2012 Vision Statement

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
September 30, 2012 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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 Retrospection Florence B. Price
(1887-1953)

WELCOME
Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Psalm 100

#24, pp. 494-495, Red Hymnal

Pulpit side reads black type; lectern side reads red type.

HYMN 144 (Red Hymnal)I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

Toulon

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and merciful Father, You made us from dust, and created us a people; You saved us from death, called us to obedience, and sent us forth to bless. But still we stray. You form our hearts for Your love, but they embrace our own desires; You form our minds for Your Word, but they seek our own concerns; You form our days for Your will, but they follow our own schedules. Your hands are ever at work around us, but we look only to ourselves. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, and forgive us our sins. Open our eyes to the work of Your Spirit, and grant us to see Your kingdom on earth, that we may be filled with the assurance of Your grace, and go forth into the world with confidence and joy to love and serve as You have loved and served us; through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose holy and gracious Name we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON ALLELUIA
(Choir and congregation sing together after the organ introduction)

Alleluia, music by Tony Alonso 2010 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

Jack Corley

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEMS O Come, Ye Servants of the Lord
Chancel Choir

Christopher Tye

(c. 1505-1572)

O come, ye servants of the Lord, And praise His holy Name; From early morn to setting sun, His might on earth proclaim. His laws are just, and glad the heart; He makes His mercies known: Ye princes come, ye people too, And bow before His throne. - from Psalm 113

Lord, Make Me to Know Thy Ways

Lord, make me to know thy ways. O Lord, teach me thy paths. O lead me in thy truth, and teach me, For thou art the God of my salvation. - Psalm 25:4, 5a

William Byrd

(1543-1623)

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 Virginia Hudson

EPISTLE READING

James 5:13-20

Holy Bible, p. 220 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON GOSPEL READING Mark 9:38-50 Brian Baird Holy Bible, p. 47 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Christs Church of One Another B. Brinton P. Keyes

HYMN 347 (Blue Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive The Apostles Creed

Detroit

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 269 (Red Hymnal) ANNOUNCEMENTS BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Fourfold Amen Fanfare for Organ Anonymous John Cook Jesus Calls Us Galilee

(1918-1984)

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 Mary and Clarence Whitley on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary by their children and grandchildren.

Give thanks to God for: His gracious strength and healing in Erika Tabors life Please pray for: Patty Richwine, recovering from knee surgery; Tom and Janet Millers daughter Laurie, undergoing treatment for breast cancer; Willie Alford, at home undergoing chemo; Ben Gordon, for health; Ann Pais nephew Paul, with ALS; Juliette Harriman White; Susan Farrells grandmother Mary Lou (Uh Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Carlos Juara, facing vocational challenges; Rosie and George Turner; Nela Bostian; Beth Lloyd Our PNC, for patient perseverance in the knowledge that God will reveal His will to them according to His time Our Christian Education and Discipleship Ministry: Itunu Adekoya (childcare), Jean Appich, Jack Corley (Grace Bible Class), Nikki Hazlegrove (pre-school), Virginia Hudson (youth), Matt Johnson (Vanguard Class), Christof Meyer (chair), Megan Meyer (elementary), Tom Miller (Forum Class), John Nevin (Grace Bible Class), Nelson Reveley (Connections Class), Maria Spitzer (childcare), Bill Stuart (Grace Bible Class), Erika Tabor (elementary), Christopher Tweel (staff) and Carol Wood, for guidance in teaching and in leading this congregation to deeper discipleship; and our Transportation Ministry (Pat Aldridge, Pat and Jordan Ball, Susan Farrell, Jan Kessel, and Julia Poppell), that the Holy Spirit may continue to uphold them in their servant ministry to others... Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces The William Byrd Community House, as it seeks to transform the lives of children, youth, young adults, and families, and help them acquire the skills they need to build self-sufficiency; and Valentin and Svetlana Chicu, that the Holy Spirit may bear fruits of faith and surrender in the lives of the university students to whom they are ministering We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy relationships between parents, teachers, and students; for cooperation between Superintendents and Administrators of public and private schools throughout this metropolitan city.

Unbeknownst to many, the classical music of African Americans not only includes works that are based on the spiritual, but also includes compositions based on or influenced by a variety of sources. Much of this music for a long time remained only in manuscript form. Since the 1970s a greater emphasis has been placed on the importance of black contributions to music, art, and literature. Retrospection for Organ was written by Florence Price (1887-1953) who composed over three hundred works and was the first black woman to have a symphony performed by a professional orchestra. It is a French-inspired composition with incredibly beautiful harmonies. A somewhat humorous movement interrupts the celestial prelude, but it creatively showcases the organs many tonal colors. The Chancel Choir sings two short anthems from the Renaissance era. English composer Christopher Tye was choirmaster of Ely Cathedral (1543-1559) and composed several masses and psalm settings, including todays brief a cappella offertory anthem. William Byrd is considered by many the greatest English composer of any age, and indeed his substantial volume of high quality compositions in every genre of the time makes it easy to consider him the greatest composer of the Renaissance. Born in the United Kingdom and having held posts there, John Cook (1918-1984) emigrated in 1954 to Canada to be organist of St. Pauls Cathedral, London, Ontario. From 1962 to 1968 he was organist and choirmaster of The Church of the Advent in Boston. His Fanfare for Organ (1952), a perfect piece for Grace Covenants loud trumpets, uses spicy harmony and bursts of exultant trumpet calls to great effect!

Donate Unused Christmas Cards

Each autumn we donate unused Christmas cards to the Greensville Correctional Center. The inmates are very grateful to receive them and look forward to their arrival. Please leave them in the PW closet in the Parlor/Social Room behind the piano before November 20. For more information, please contact Becky Reeves at rebecca-r@comcast.net or by phone at 355-5579. Thank you.

Older Adult Retreat

The Annual Fall Retreat for all senior adults of the Presbytery of the James will be held on Thursday, October 11, at Camp Hanover, from 9:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Cost is $15.00, which includes a traditional Camp Hanover luncheon. Aging with Grace, the keynote presentation, will be given by the Reverend Mr. Ray Inscoe, Director of Pastoral Care, Westminster Canterbury, Richmond. To pre-register and arrange transportation, contact the Reverend Mr. Charles Sutton, at home at 200-1401, or cell phone at 971-7287. Registration deadline is TOMORROW, October 1.

Apple-Picking Saturday, October 13

Are apples one of your favorite fruits? Then join us on Saturday, October 13, as the Fellowship Ministry leads a group to Carter Mountain Orchards near Charlottesville. We will meet at the church at 8:45 a.m. and leave at 9:00 a.m. to arrive at the orchard about 10:30 a.m. We will pick our own apples, lunch at the Mountain Grill (which has reasonable prices), and return early afternoon. If you prefer to drive separately, the address for your GPS is 575 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. For more information, please contact Carol Wood at 282-2446 or ctwood7@gmail.com.

Dinner for Six

The Dinner for Six groups have been revised. A poster with the updated list will be in the Social Room today after todays worship service.

Pumpkin Picking with the CDC

Please join us Saturday, October 6, for Pumpkin Picking and hayrides at the Ashland Berry Farm. We will meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. to car pool or caravan over. Entrance fee and hayrides are free. There are additional fees if youd like to purchase pumpkins. Please bring a blanket, cookies to share, and drinks for your family.

We are starting up a DISCIPLE Study on Psalms in October! We will offer a ten-week study of the Psalms that will meet during the Sunday School hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. DISCIPLE Bible Study entails thirty minutes of prayerful Scripture reading per day, as well as weekly Sunday morning gatherings. We will explore the Scriptures more deeply with others. This is a solid commitment of time and energy to God that produces lasting spiritual growth. If you are feeling called to join in this spiritual discipline or have any questions, please contact Nelson Reveley at 387-8094 or nmr2uf@virginia.edu.

A steward is a person entrusted with the use of possessions belonging to someone else. A good steward is a person who uses these possessions in a way that is pleasing to the owner. God made all that is and He entrusted some of it to us. How we use those possessions is a measure of our Christian lives. During the next several weeks you will learn how Grace Covenant is doing this and you will be challenged to make a commitment to ensure that we can continue to do it.

Congregational Meeting
The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, October 14, 2012, to convene immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service of worship. The purposes of the meeting are: To elect five (5) ruling elders to the GCPC Session (Class of 2015) To elect four (4) deacons to the GCPC Diaconate (Class of 2015) To elect four (4) members to the Congregational Nominating Committee (1-year term) To elect one (1) Trustee to the Board of Trustees (Class of 2015) To approve a new Congregational Manual for Ministry (in the wake of the current Book of Orders adoption of the new Form of Government, which has eliminated much in the way of detailed congregational procedure). The slate of nominees will be published next Sunday. Copies of the proposed Congregational Manual for Ministry will be distributed to the congregation this week for review. If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Ball (Chair, Nominating Committee: jball11@verizon.net, 833-3029), Everett Reveley (Clerk of Session: everett.reveley@gmail.com, 703/400-6316) or Brint Keyes (Interim Pastor: RevBrint@verizon.net, 551-0750). Thank you.

Sunday School CLASS

Forum Grace Vanguard Connections Pre-Elementary Elementary Youth

TEACHER

TOPIC

Tom Miller The Holy Spirit Jack Corley, Dr. Bill Stuart, and John Nevin Bible Study Matt Johnson Ephesians Nelson Reveley DISCIPLE Bible Study on Psalms Nikki Hazlegrove Megan Meyer and Ten Commandments Erika Tabor and Catechism Virginia Hudson Christianity in Action Christopher Tweel

Sunday Childcare for the School YearInfant and Preschool

We are seeking volunteers for the infant nursery and preschool room during the worship hour. It is a 10:40 a.m.12:15 p.m. time commitment one Sunday per month. There are also "on-call" positions available. For more information or to sign up, please contact Maria Spitzer at mariaschuler@netscape.net or 540-309-7831. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.

Wednesday Night Live!

Each Wednesday evening we gather at 6:00 p.m. for table fellowship, followed by a program from 6:30-7:15 p.m. We provide child care for preschoolers, and a childrens program for school-age children. All are welcome! Take a break from cooking dinner and join us for a friendly, relaxing, and inspiring evening. For more information, contact Vanessa Strait in the church office at 359-2463, or info@grace-covenant.org. Menu for this Wednesday: Baked chicken and rice, broccoli, salad, rolls, and pineapple upside-down cake. Program: TBA

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, September 30 9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 1 12:00 noon 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 2 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 4 10:00 a.m. Sunday, October 7 9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. STEWARDSHIP KICKOFF Inquirers Class Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch City Church Worship Service Mens Luncheon City Church Womens Bible Study Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting Fellowship Hall Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Vanguard Room Grace Room and 213 Room 213 Room 200

City Church Womens Bible Study Carol Choir (ages 3-K) Junior Choir (grades 1-5) Wednesday Night Live Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Grace Room and 213 Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room

CDC Chapel Service

Chapel

Inquirers Class Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Community Group Lunch

Fellowship Hall Social Room Various Classrooms Sanctuary Social Room 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) Wayne Casey (13) - Property, Small Groups (M) Jack Corley (13) - Finance, Mission 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, Stewardship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M), Stewardship 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 TRUSTEES: Lloyd Bostian (13) Kent Cardwell (13) Caroline Leith (14) John Nevin (12) Taylor Reveley (12)

William Byrd Community House

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. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month, but this is a collection we can support every week. Please place items in the grocery cart outside the Social Room. YOU CAN HELP!

SERMON NOTES
Christs Church of One Another B. Brinton P. Keyes