GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
March 31, 2013 Resurrection of the Lord 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 Final (Organ Symphony No. 1) CHORAL INTROIT This Is the Day the Lord Has Made CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: All:

Louis Vierne, 1870-1937 Hal Hopson from Psalm 118

The LORD is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed! HALLELUJAH! Easter Hymn

HYMN 204 (Red Hymnal) Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and heavenly Father, In Christ Jesus You bore the burden of our sin, suffering the pain of death, and rising from the dead to new life. But we confess that we have taken Your grace for granted. We rejoice in Your Resurrection, but divert our eyes from the Cross. We proclaim the mercy of Your forgiveness, but disregard its cost to You. We celebrate the blessing of new life in Christ, but continue old habits that keep our Selves on the throne. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins, we pray. Melt our hard hearts with the brilliance of Your glory; open our eyes to the sins we ignore; and spark in us a longing for holiness; that we may truly repent of self-serving ways, and seek to serve You in newness of life; through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus, Your risen Son, we pray. ASSURANCE OF PARDON EASTERTIDE ALLELUIA
(All sing the Alleluia after the organ introduction.)

Victory

Alleluia, music by William Monk, 1823-1889, 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS

ANTHEM

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Eleanor Daley, b. 1955

Christ the Lord is risen today! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia! Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Christ has burst the gates of Hell, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Christ has opened Paradise. Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ has led, Following our exalted Head, Made like him, like him we rise, Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Hail the Lord of earth and heaven! Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Hail, the Resurrection thou, Alleluia!
- text by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), alt.

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Afua Ossei

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 65:17-25 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL CHOIR Lift High the Cross GOSPEL READING Luke 24:1-12 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Disbelief Afua Ossei Holy Bible, p. 659 OT

Leslie Hartman Cynthia Dobrinski Holy Bible, p. 87 NT

Brint Pratt Keyes

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 121 (Blue Hymnal) That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright Puer Nobis Nascitur

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Nate McKinnon; Karl Rubis and Christine Anderson AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER The Apostles Creed Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN (text below) Thine Is the Glory Judas Maccabeus
The Chancel Choir will move to the steps on the first stanza of the hymn. You are invited to come forward during the hymn to join the choir in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. Copies of the music are available up front. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won. Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave-clothes Where Thy body lay. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won. No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Prince of life! Life is nought without Thee; Aid us in our strife; Make us more than conquerors, Through Thy deathless love; Bring us safe through Jordan To Thy home above. Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou oer death hast won.

BENEDICTION AND CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) George Frederick Handel, 1685-1759 POSTLUDE Toccata (Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Major) Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship.
The Easter lilies are given to the glory of God by members and friends of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
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 Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Seminary Intern: Christopher Tweel