Bulletin September 27, 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 “Issues about culture are at the heart of Christian faith, because Christianity is about conversion. Conversion means turning. Conversion to Christ is about turning towards him. Before the time of Christ, Jews had designed ways of welcoming Gentiles who recognized the God of Israel and wanted to serve him in the community of Israel. Proselytes were circumcised, and baptized, and they entered the life of Israel by seeking to obey the Torah. It would have been very natural for that first, entirely Jewish, community of believers in Jesus to maintain this system. But the early church decided that Gentile believers in Jesus–although expagans without the life-long training in doctrine and morality that Jews had–should not be circumcised, should not keep the Torah, and should be left to find a Christian lifestyle of their own within Hellenistic society under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They were not to be proselytes but converts.“ ~Andrew Walls, The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History

A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD September 27, 2009

11:00 a.m.

GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD PRELUDE

Psalm Prelude (Three Psalm-Preludes, No. 2, Set 1) But the meek-spirited shall possess the earth: and shall be refreshed in the multitude of peace. – Psalm 37:11

†CALL TO WORSHIP

Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Psalm 89:1-4

Pastor: I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; People: with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. Pastor: I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; People: your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Pastor: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” People: Praise the Lord! †Please stand for these parts of the service.

†HYMN 461 (blue)

God Is Here!

Abbot’s Leigh

†PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of everlasting love, we confess that we have been unfaithful to our covenant with you and with one another. We have worshiped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience. We have served our own self-interest instead of serving only you and your people. We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded, nor have we rightly loved ourselves. Forgive us, gracious God, and bring us back into the fullness of our covenant with you and one another. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. †ASSURANCE OF PARDON †ALLELUIA (Choir and congregation sing the refrain after the organ introduction)

Taizé

GIVE THANKS TO GOD WELCOME

Chris Thomas

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

OFFERING ANTHEM

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

arr. Dan Forrest

Chancel Choir

The King of love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His And He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, My ransomed soul He leadeth, And where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feedeth. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love He sought me, And on His shoulder gently laid, And home, rejoicing brought me. And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd may I sing Thy praise Within Thy house forever. – Paraphrase of Psalm 23 by Henry Williams Baker, 1868

†DOXOLOGY 592 (blue) Praise Praise Praise Praise

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

†PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD CHILDREN’S SERMON

Old Hundredth

NEW TESTAMENT READINGS

Mark 2:18-22 Luke 5:33-39 Acts 6:1-4

Holy Bible, p.38 Holy Bible, p.63 Holy Bible, p.118

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SERMON

“New Wineskins”

Richard Haney

†HYMN 374 (red)

Be Still, My Soul

Finlandia

†AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

“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

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

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 450 (blue)

O Day of Peace

Jerusalem

Threefold Amen

Henry Hall

†BENEDICTION †CHORAL RESPONSE †POSTLUDE

Postlude in C Major

Henry Smart (1813-1879)

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 George Stevenson Kemp, Jr. by the family. Alleluia, music by Jacques Berthier (1923-1994) © 1986 by G.I.A. publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

SERMON NOTES

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT Sunday September 27

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. 4:00 p.m.

Handbell Choir Prayer Ministry Sunday School Chancel Choir Session Meeting Worship Service Congregational Fellowship Prayer and Praise Gathering

Room 312 Social Room Education Building Room 108 Chapel Sanctuary Social Room Social Room

Monday September 28

9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Grace Notes volunteers Child Development Center’s Worship Presbyterian Men’s Lunch

Library Chapel Room B-4

Tuesday September 29

10:00 a.m.

Staff Meeting

Room 213

Wednesday September 30

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

Carol Choir Room 108 Junior Choir Room 108 Wednesday Night Supper Fellowship Hall Wednesday Night Program Fellowship Hall Drama “The Life of Moses” by GCPC’s elementary children Chancel Choir Room 108

Thursday October 1

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

Mothers Together Worship Committee Meeting

Sunday October 4

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.

Fellowship Hall Room 213

Handbell Choir Room 312 Prayer Ministry Social Room Sunday School Education Building Chancel Choir Room 108 Session Meeting Chapel Worship Service: Communion (5¢ a meal offering) Sanctuary Congregational Fellowship Social Room

Events and News GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS

NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excited

AS YOU PRAY... please remember to keep

that last Sunday 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.

our next pastor, Steve Cobb, in prayer as he works to join us in November, as well as for our congregation as we prepare to be led by him. Please also pray for Dottie-Ray Koch, Marge McFall, Elizabeth (Betty) Phillips. Dottie-Ray is recovering from heart surgery last week. Marge is recovering at home, after spending several days at MCV, following an automobile accident. Betty has gone back to Westminster Canterbury after spending several days at St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition, remember Nela Bostian, who is recovering at Emeritus on Gaskins Road.

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:

Volunteers for the preparation of the bulk mailing of October’s edition of our monthly newsletter will be needed tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. until around 12 noon. Please come to the church’s library, on the second floor of the Education Building, if you’d like to assist for any, or all, of this time frame! Submissions are due for the monthly newsletter on the 15th of the month. GRACE

NOTES:

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.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE CHURCH WORKERS TODAY: Opener–Cal

Gray; Greeters–Brian Baird, Kelly & David Lacy, and Stephanie Thomas; Nursery Volunteers–Samara Grinnan, Carson Price, Patricia Clarke (and Nikki Hazlegrove); Worship Kits–Lisa Cardwell; Coffee Fellowship Time–Jean Appich and family; Guest Register Attendant–Lisa and Cal Gray. CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER THIS WEEK: Derek Rogers. CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY (on October 4): Opener–John Lootens;

Greeters–Bob Copeland, Everett Reveley, Leslie Hartman; Nursery Volunteers– Stephanie Thomas, Katherine Arthur, Julia Poppell (and Lauren Corby); Worship

Kits–Lisa Cardwell; Coffee Fellowship Time–Elizabeth Russell; Guest Register Attendant–Betty Appich. CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER NEXT WEEK: Kent Cardwell.

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

Presbyterian Hymnal 1875. HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALS

are available from the ushers.

THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES

590 AM.

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

DISCIPLESHIP PRAYER AND PRAISE GATHERING: Join us TODAY at 4:00 p.m. in the Social Room as

we rev up our Prayer and Praise Gatherings for the fall. This month we'll be doing a hymn-sing and hearing some stories of how God shows us grace in our everyday lives. It should be a good time; therefore, we hope you can make it! CHILDREN’S CLASSES: If you have not yet

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.

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.

MUSIC NOTES: The lush harmonic style in

NEW ADULT CLASSES: This is the perfect time

WE INVITE CHILDREN over the age of 5 to

the choral and organ music of Herbert Howells is typical of English cathedral music traditions. The prelude is a gentle musical essay, which takes its point of departure from Psalm 37:11. The choral anthem is based on the hymn tune St. Columba (blue #171), a tune of Irish origin and is named for St. Columba, who brought Christianity to Ireland. The postlude is a grand march by English composer Henry Smart. Henry composed several hymns, including the Christmas carol “Angels from the Realms of Glory”, and he was the editor of The

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 CONNECTIONS CLASS: The Person of Jesus – 9:30 a.m. in Room 303. VANGUARD BIBLE CLASS: A Study of Esther and Job – 9:30 a.m. in Room B-4. FORUM CLASS: Led by Pastor Richard Haney – 9:30 a.m. in Room B-7. GRACE BIBLE CLASS:

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.

Trees Walking, will be offered for $8.00. Conference fee and lunch will be $14.00. Registration forms may be found on our information table. Contact: Charles Sutton, 200-1401.

RESOURCES TO GROW IN THE FAITH: Come

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLE MEETINGS:

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.

meet next on Tuesday, October 13. 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.

MISSION FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS AND PROGRAMS: Last week we enjoyed a great

panel on Faith and Science, and this week will be great as well! Join us as our elementary children present a drama from their Sunday school class on the life of Moses! Then, the following week, join us as we all learn some shape-note singing together! 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 lasagna, broccoli, spinach salad, garlic bread and a brownie. MOTHERS TOGETHER: will continue this

Thursday, October 1, in the Fellowship Hall. OLDER ADULT RETREAT: The 2009 Older

Adult Retreat will be held at Camp Hanover on Thursday, October 8, 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The program will feature the Reverend Mrs. Jane Sigloh, retired Episcopal priest of Crozet, Virginia. Her book, Like

FIVE CENTS PER MEAL: Next Sunday is the

first Sunday of the month, during which time 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. Set aside money for each meal eaten during the month, use a pew envelope and mark it “Five Cents Per Meal” (or simply drop in loose change), and put it in the offering. 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, as recent requests for financial assistance through the church office have greatly increased! 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 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.

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.

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] Radio: WLES 590 AM