GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
March 10, 2013 The Fourth Sunday in Lent 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. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Toccata in D (Dorian), BWV 538) CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: All:

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 from Psalm 32

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous ones; Shout for joy, all upright in heart! The LORD forgives us our iniquities; I confessed my transgressions to the LORD, and He forgave the iniquity of my sin. The LORD is a hiding place for us; He preserves us from trouble. The LORD surrounds us with shouts of deliverance. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

HYMN 17 (Red Hymnal) We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer Kremser

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of mercy, In Jesus Christ You emptied yourself and took the form of a servant, coming to our world to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have wandered away from Your voice and turned aside from Your costly love. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, ignored Your truth, and shown ourselves wholly undeserving of Your grace. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins, we pray. Remove from us the weight of sin that clings so closely. Accept our repentance, and nurture in us Your humble Spirit. Deliver us from wayward detours, and return us to paths of righteousness, that our lives may be an offering to You, and we may be fit to serve Your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen. KYRIE
(All sing the Kyrie after the organ introduction.)

John Merbecke

ASSURANCE
OF

PARDON

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS

ANTHEM

Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know

John Purifoy, b. 1952

Ask ye what great thing I know that delights and stirs me so? What the high reward I win? Whose the name I glory in? Jesus Christ, the crucified. What is faiths foundation strong? What awakes my lips to song? He who bore my sinful load, purchased for me peace with God. Who is life in life to me? Who the death of death will be? Who will place me on His right, With the countless hosts of light? Jesus Christ, the crucified.
- words by Johann C. Schwedler, 1672-1730

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Dana McKnight

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Joshua 5:9-12 Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 193 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON RESPONSORIAL PSALM EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING Psalm 32:1-8 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Brian Baird (see blue insert) Holy Bible, p. 171 NT Holy Bible, p. 76 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON The Character of Repentance Brint Pratt Keyes

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 198 (Red Hymnal) When I Survey the Wondrous Cross AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER The Apostles Creed Hamburg Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 302 (Red Hymnal) Have Thine Own Way, Lord! BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE In the Lord Ill Be Ever Thankful POSTLUDE Kooral (Suite Modale) Adelaide Taiz Flor Peeters, 1903-1986

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in memory of our brother in Christ, Walter Mac McClanahan, by the Vanguard Bible Class.
1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 804-359-2463 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Email: info@grace-covenant.org Website: www.grace-covenant.org Radio: WLES 590 AM Interim Pastor: The Reverend Mr. Brinton Keyes Director of Music: Christopher Martin Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait Bookkeeper: Martha Rubin Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Seminary Intern: Christopher Tweel