Bulletin October 11, 2009

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT! Thank you for joining us today! We are an historic Presbyterian congregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries for persons of all ages. Please join us following worship for fellowship in the Social Room. Thank you for turning off your cell phones, pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices for the duration of morning worship.

Preparation for Worship “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” ~Luke 6:37-39 (KJV)

A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD October 11, 2009

11:00 a.m.

GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD PRELUDE

Soliloquy

†CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Pastor: People:

David Conte (b. 1955)

Psalm 92:1-5,8

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! You, O Lord, are exalted forever. †Please stand for these parts of the service.

†HYMN 434 (blue)

Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples

Kingsfold

†PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty God, you have named us and claimed us and made us children of light. Yet we reside in the darkness. We settle for the seeming security and comforts of home, where our talents may be tucked away, our gifts preserved, but paralyzed. You call us to live in faith, investing in the world you made to exercise our gifts, even at the risk of losing them. Have mercy upon us, Lord; have mercy. Help us understand your will for us. Teach us what you desire. Embolden us to steward well the gifts you have entrusted, that one day, we might fully enter your joy. †ASSURANCE OF PARDON

†ALLELUIA

Traditional Carribean

GIVE THANKS TO GOD WELCOME

Carson Rhyne

MINUTE FOR MISSION

Dana McKnight

Please print name and information on the Friendship Register and pass it to your neighbor.

OFFERING

ANTHEM

When You Pass Through the Waters

Paul D. Weber

Chancel Choir

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One, your Savior. – Isaiah 43:1-3

†DOXOLOGY 592 (blue)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him, above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

†PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD CHILDREN’S SERMON

Chris Thomas

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Malachi 3:6-12

Holy Bible, OT p.841

NEW TESTAMENT READING

Luke 7:36-50

Holy Bible, NT p.65-66

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SERMON

†HYMN 422 (blue)

†AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

“How Much?”

Richard Haney

God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

Beach Spring

“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)

Glory Be to the Father

Greatorex

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. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND LORD’S 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.

GO FORTH IN GOD’S NAME †HYMN 15 (red)

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

Mit Freuden Zart

†BENEDICTION

†CHORAL RESPONSE

†POSTLUDE

Fear Not, For I Have Redeemed You

Sortie

Paul Weber

Raymond Weidner

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 the Shaver family by Ruth Shaver. Alleluia, music traditional Carribean, arr. by John Bell © 1990, Iona Community, G.I.A. publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

SERMON NOTES

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT Sunday October 11

Monday October 12

8:30 a.m. 9:10 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:40 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

Handbell Choir Prayer Ministry Sunday School Chancel Choir Session Meeting Worship Service

12:00 p.m.

Congregational Fellowship

5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Room 312 Social Room Education Building Room 108 Chapel Sanctuary TBD

Offices Closed: Columbus Day Deacons Meeting Christian Education Committee Meeting

Tuesday October 13

9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday October 14

4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Carol Choir Junior Choir Child Development Center Board Meeting Wednesday Night Supper Wednesday Night Program Chancel Choir

Room 108 Room 108 Room B-4 Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall Room 108

Thursday

9:30 a.m.

Mothers Together

Fellowship Hall

October 15

4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Deadline: November edition of Grace Notes Session Meeting

6:30 p.m.

Meeting of the Presbytery Bread Breaker’s

Saturday October 17 Sunday October 18

8:30 a.m. 9:10 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:40 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Presbyterian Women (PW) Circle 3 Staff Meeting Presbyterian Women Circle 2 Presbyterian Women Circle 4 Presbyterian Women Circle 5 Presbyterian Women Circle 1

GCPC Room B-4 Room 213 Social Room Room 213 Lydian Room 208 Oxford Circle West Covenant Room (Room B-4) 1704 Hanover Avenue

Handbell Choir Prayer Ministry Sunday School Chancel Choir Session Meeting Worship Service Congregational Fellowship & Reception for the Haneys Organ Recital: Chris Marks (Richmond AGO) Reception

Community Groups

GCPC Room B-4 Orange Pres. Church 1406 Greycourt Avenue Room 312 Social Room Education Building Room 108 Chapel Sanctuary Social Room Sanctuary Social Room

TBD

Events and News GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS STEWARDSHIP: Our Stewardship season

begins today as we begin asking ourselves how we can respond to God’s gracious bounty with gifts and service. Today Dana McKnight begins a series of minute-forstewardship moments and Richard Haney offers a sermon on the topic of cheerful giving. Church members will receive in the mail a stewardship packet that includes budget information and a 2010 pledge card. The season will conclude with Dedication Sunday on November 22. NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excited

that on Sunday, September 20, Grace Covenant members voted unanimously to call our new pastor! The Reverend Steve Cobb will begin his ministry here on November 1 and will preach for the first time on November 15. For more information you may pick up an information sheet in the Narthex. Submissions for Sunday’s bulletin must be submitted by noon on Wednesday, to our Administrative Assistant, Janice Caldwell, in Room 204 (or via e-mail: [email protected]). BULLETIN

DEADLINE:

GRACE NOTES: submission deadline to the

monthly newsletter is the 15th of the month. Volunteers for preparation of the bulk

mailing of November’s edition will be needed on Wednesday, October 28, from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 12 noon. Please meet in our church’s library, on the second floor of the Education Building, if you’d like to assist for any of this time period. Thank you to the many members that came in to volunteer on Monday, September 28, thank you very much! It greatly warmed my heart to see so many members come in to help with this bite-sized ministry! DEACONS FUND: Grace Covenant has a

Deacons Fund to assist members who are in financial need. Please contact Richard Haney, our Interim Pastor, or Chris Thomas, our Associate Pastor, to make a request. All requests are confidential.

COMMUNITY NEWS AS YOU PRAY... please pray for the family of

Adeline (Lina) Sanders, as she passed away this week; as well as John Looten’s family, as his father passed away this week. Please also pray for Charles Sutton, as he recovers from his surgery on Thursday, as well as Dottie-Ray Koch, Marge McFall, and Elizabeth (Betty) Phillips. Also remember Nela Bostian, who is recovering at Emeritus on Gaskins Road. In addition, remember to

keep our next pastor, Steve Cobb, in prayer as he prepares to join us in November, as well as for his family during this time of transition.

CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER NEXT WEEK (Oct. 21): Pat

STATEMENTS (for the third quarter) are

flowers, then contact Lisa Gray, 673-0587. There are openings for the month of November.

available in the Narthex. RECEPTION: Please join us for a special

reception honoring Richard and Pam Haney for their time of ministry and sharing their lives with us, following the Worship Service on Sunday, October 18, in the Social Room.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE CHURCH

WORKERS

FOR

TODAY:

Opener–Jef Londrey; Greeters–Lewis Rosebro and David Martin; Nursery Volunteers–Leslie Hartman, Rebecca Horner, (Jo Garber), (and Beth Coltrain); Worship Kits–Lisa Cardwell; Coffee Fellowship Time–Dana McKnight; Guest Register Attendant–Lee Farrar. CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER THIS WEEK (Oct. 14): Dawson

Watkins. CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY (October 18): Opener–Kent Cardwell;

Greeters–Kent Cardwell, Everett Reveley and Leslie Hartman; Nursery Workers–Stephanie Thomas, Ann Hubbard, Katie McCullough (and Susan Boze); Worship Kits–Lisa Cardwell; Coffee Fellowship Time–Maria Rippe; Guest Register Attendant–Everett Reveley.

Aldridge. FLOWERS: If you are interested in donating

If you’d like to volunteer to make the coffee for the Fellowship Hour one Sunday, then please sign up on the Calendar, located on the counter in the Glass Office. FELLOWSHIP

HOUR:

SERVE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY: Volunteers

are needed to serve the evening meal on Monday, November 16, from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way. If you are interested in helping, contact Patrise Sears at 737-1837.

WORSHIP WE INVITE CHILDREN over the age of 5 to

participate in the entire service. Special Worship Kits for children are available in the Narthex. For children five years of age or younger, we also have a crib nursery, toddler room, and preschool care. MUSIC NOTES: David Conte is currently

Professor of Composition and conductor of the Conservatory Chorus at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His hauntingly expressive Soliloquy (a literary form of speaking to oneself) was commissioned in honor of American organ

builder Walter Holtkamp’s retirement. The principle idea of this prelude is an angular, lyrical melody first stated in the solo flute and accompanied by a gently pulsating ostinato. The central section becomes more animated and rises to a declamatory climax. The character of the opening returns in the final section. Today’s anthem was written for the 2009 Presbyterian Association of Musicians conference at Montreat. It is a lyrical setting of Isaiah 43:1-3 by Reverend Paul Weber who is Professor of Church Music at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. American composer Raymond Weidner composed four postludes for liturgical or concert use, all inspired by the French Romantic tradition of organ composition. His Sortie (exit) is reminiscent of similar works by Louis Vierne. HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALS

are available from the ushers. THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES 590 AM.

DISCIPLESHIP CHILDREN’S CLASSES: If you have not yet

committed to bring your children to Sunday school this year, we urge you to do so. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child’s well being! Infants– Nursery, main level; Toddlers–Room 102; Preschoolers–Room 101; Grades 1-6 –Rooms 207-210.

NEW ADULT CLASSES: This is the perfect time

to commit to growing in new ways this year! We have four excellent adult classes getting started; make a decision today about which one will help you grow in the faith the most. What God Wants From Me – 9:45 a.m. in Room 212 GRACE BIBLE CLASS:

The Person of Jesus – 9:30 a.m. in Room 303. CONNECTIONS CLASS:

VANGUARD BIBLE CLASS: A Study of Esther

and Job – 9:30 a.m. in Room B-4. FORUM CLASS: will have as its leader on

October 11 and October 18 Carson Rhyne, whose subject will be “How the General Assembly, Synod, and Presbytery Work.” MISSION CONFERENCE WEEKEND: On

Sunday, October 25, the adult Sunday school classes will have the opportunity to meet together with one of the guest mission speakers at 9:30 a.m. RESOURCES TO GROW IN THE FAITH: Come

by and check out our new Resource Table in the Narthex! We have a number of excellent resources available for purchase for a great price. If you have questions, please contact Christian Education Committee members Jean Appich, Laura Leigh Savage, or Chris Thomas.

FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS AND PROGRAMS: Last week we learned about

some shape-note singing! This week, join us as we hear from Nick Archer, who is a veteran missionary with World Concern. He and his family lived and worked in Kenya for almost 20 years. Currently Nick coordinates relief efforts in Darfur, Chad and Burma. He travels to those troubled places several times az year. Nick is an elder at St. Giles Presbyterian Church and a friend of our Interim Pastor, Richard Haney. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and the program starts at 6:40 p.m. The cost of the meal is $5 per adult, $2 per children and students, and $12 maximum per family unit. This week’s menu includes roast pork with apricot sauce, macaroni and cheese, green beans, caesar salad, rolls, fruit and cookies. Children’s menu–macaroni and cheese! PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLE MEETINGS:

meet this Tuesday, October 13. Circle 1 will meet at 7:30 p.m. at 1704 Hanover Avenue; Circle 2 will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Lydian Room; Circle 3 will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Room; Circle 4 will meet at 10:30 a.m. at 208 Oxford Circle West; and Circle 5 will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Covenant Room (Room B-4). will meet this Thursday, October 15, in the Fellowship Hall. MOTHERS

TOGETHER:

BREAD BREAKERS: will meet at 6:30 p.m. on

Saturday, October 17, at the home of Sam Lowe, 1406 Greycourt Avenue, Richmond. Please come and bring a friend!

In Community Groups we seek to live life together under the gospel as we build relationships with God, each other, and our neighbors. Join us each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. as we gather for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer, followed by a meal. There is also a group just for men that meets on the first, third, and fifth Tuesdays at the home of Brian Baird, 1704 Hanover Avenue. We usually listen to and talk about a sermon, catch up on life, and pray for each other. This is an open group. For more information call Matt Hartman at 212-1961. COMMUNITY

GROUPS:

MI S S I O NS MISSISSIPPI

GULF

COAST:

CALL

FOR

VOLUNTEERS! October 18-24, 2009, is

when the mission trip will be led by Brown Pearson to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For more information, please call Jordan Ball at 484-6011. GLOBAL MISSIONS AWARENESS WEEKEND!

An Affirmation of Mission adopted by the officers in February 1999 states the reason for Grace Covenant’s existence. One of them is to love our neighbors as ourselves. We do this by helping people in need and by supporting missionaries in their efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, Jesus says to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Why should we

have concern for our neighbors? The answer, of course, is because God so loved the world that he allowed his Son to be sacrificed for us, all of us. The committee invites you to attend a Global Missions Awareness Weekend from Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, October 25. Informative and exciting speakers (such as John F. Fletcher, who served as senior pastor in Sterling, Virginia for 34 years, before stepping down in 2006 to become Ambassador-at-Large of Pioneers; Elizabeth Gee, a native of Denmark, South Carolina, and who has served with Pioneers in Indonesia training; and Arlene Richardson, who is a native of Richmond, whose parents founded Pioneers, and she and her spouse joined Pioneers as career missionaries and were involved in ministry to Muslims in Southeast Asia) will help us understand what this means for us at Grace Covenant. It is hoped that at the end of this weekend all of us will have a new knowledge and understanding of the importance of participating in mission efforts. The Evangelism and Missions committee will host a luncheon after the Worship Service on October 25. The committee asks that members, whose last name begins with A-R, bring a salad, and all other members bring a dessert. We hope you will join us for this time of fellowship and good food. Please sign up in the Narthex. FIVE CENTS PER MEAL: On the first Sunday of

the month, we receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and, in gratitude for what

God has given us, we have a hunger offering, Five Cents Per Meal. To contribute, use a pew envelope and mark it “Five Cents Per Meal” (or simply drop in loose change), and put it in the offering. PRISON MINISTRY: Please gather your

Christmas cards to be donated to Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia. A collection box is located in the Presbyterian Women’s closet, which is in the Social Room. We will deliver the cards to the center the first week of December. Thank you, in advance, for your caring and generous help! HONDURAS 2010: The next mission trip to

Honduras is scheduled for January 10-16, 2010. Those who may be interested in participating in the 2010 mission trip may check out our website, www.KHISH.org (That’s Kurtz Humanitarian Initiative for Southern Honduras, named for the founder of this effort, which began in 2005). Susan Pillsbury David ([email protected]) or Cherry Corley ([email protected]) can answer your questions about how you many find your place on our team. FOOD NEEDED FOR WILLIAM BYRD COMMUNITY HOUSE: Food donations may

be left in the basket in the Glass Office (the office on the main floor of the Education Building, near the rear doors). Please consider giving.

Interim Pastor: Richard Haney Associate Pastor: Chris Thomas Director of Music: Chris Martin 1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org [email protected] Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm Radio: WLES 590 AM