GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

August 21, 2011

Loving God & Our Neighbors in the Heart of the City

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. Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Sexton: Child Development Center: Acting Director 1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org info@grace-covenant.org Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin Willie Alford Frances Mathews

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Radio: WLES 590 AM www.wlesradio.com

Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice - Romans 12:1 Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. - Matthew 16:15-18 Sacrifice, contrary to much popular opinion, was not to the Hebrew some crude, temporary and merely typical institution, nor simply a substitute for that dispensation until better things were to be provided later. Sacrifice was then the only sufficient means of remaining in harmonious relation to God. No Hebrew dared neglect this obligation. It was adequate for the period in which God intended it should serve. This is not the same as saying, however, that Levitical sacrifice was on an equal with the sacrifice of Christ, nor that the blood of bulls and goats could, from God's side, take away sins; but it is recognizing the reality of the divine institution of Mosaic worship, and looking, as too often Old Testament interpreters fail to do, at sacrifice and priestly ritual from the viewpoint of the Hebrew in the Old Testament dispensation. Sacrifice, to the pious Hebrew, was not something insignificant, nor simply a perfunctory ritual, but it was an important element in his moral obedience to the revealed will of God. Sacrifice was by its very nature, which involved faith and repentance on the part of the worshiper and the putting to death of his substitute victim; intensely personal, ethical, moral, and spiritual, because it was intended to reflect the attitude of the heart and will toward God. - Hobart E. Freeman, An Introduction to the O.T. Prophets [1968]

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
August 21, 2011 10:55 a.m.

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. PRELUDE Pastorale Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Benjamin Williams, bassoon

(1875-1912)

Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader:

from Psalm 138

I give You thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; People: I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness; Leader: For You have exalted Your name and Your word above everything. People: On the day I called, You answered me, You increased my strength of soul. All: All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, for they have heard the words of Your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

HYMN 141 (Red Hymnal)

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Azmon

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. We tend our cares and worries first, and distance ourselves from others need. We call you Lord, but turn away when obedience is inconvenient. We call you Savior, but place our trust in wealth, esteem and success. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and forgive us our sins. Convict our hearts of our waywardness, and deliver us from the vanity of self-deceit. Accept our offering of our broken selves, and redeem us by Your unending grace, That we may be filled with the joy of Your salvation, and stirred to go forth into all the world, sharing Your gospel and loving Your people; in the power of Your Holy Spirit, and through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose most holy, humble and powerful Name we pray.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

ALLELUIA

Gelobt sei Gott

Alleluia, music by Melchoir Vulpius, c.1560-1616 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

OFFERING HANDBELL QUINTET Largo (from Xerxes) Georg Frederick Handel

(1685-1759)

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

Kaete Unterzuber

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION EPISTLE READING Romans 12:1-8 Kaete Unterzuber Holy Bible, p. 152 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL QUINTET Melody Kent Cardwell Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

GOSPEL READING

Matthew 16:13-20

Holy Bible, p. 22 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Fit Instruments of God B. Brinton P. Keyes Beatitudo

HYMN 319 (Red Hymnal) O for a Closer Walk with God (2nd tune) 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 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. Greatorex

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.

WE GO FORTH IN GODS NAME

HYMN 142 (Blue Hymnal) BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Festal Flourish Gordon Jacob All Hail the Power of Jesus Name! Coronation

(1895-1984)

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 my parents, Billy and Carolyn Russell, on their anniversary.

Give thanks to God: for the continuing work of the CDC Board in shepherding that ministry through a promising and challenging new season; for the leadership of Frances Mathews, Jennifer Ball and Nicole Williams, and for the ministry of the CDC staff for Gods faithfulness in the lives of Matt Hartman and Jennifer Schooley for the gift of new life in Carson and Ashby Prices baby girl, Garland Fariss, and prayers for a healthy next few weeks for His gracious healing of Phil Coltrain from bronchitis. Continue to pray: for those in need of healing: Beth Bowman; Tom Millers father, Joe; Susan Farrells grandmother, Mary Lou (Uh-Oh); Jim Thomas mother and stepfather, Dan & Linda; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Peter and Loretta Albertis; Rosie & George Turner; Nela Bostian and Eila Brooks for those in the twilight of their lives: Stella Schlieser for those facing vocational challenges: Beth Bowman, Jennifer Schooley, Wayne Casey, Carol Wood, Matt Hartman, and Logan Moorheads daughter-in-law Sharie for Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry, and for John Lootens traveling across the United States for our Session, that they may faithfully lead this congregation by humbly following Gods Word for Beth Lloyd for Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces for the victims of floods, tornadoes, drought and heat across our country, and for the people of Japan, New Zealand and Haiti, still recovering from disaster for an end to violence in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, & Bristol; for Coptic Christians in Egypt, for deliverance from persecution; and for those seeking democracy in North Africa & the Middle East for the missionaries we support: Elizabeth Gee (back in the US from Indonesia, fighting cancer); Valentin & Svetlana Chicu in Moldova; The Zobule family in the Solomon Islands... for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For economic development in depressed portions of the city, for the establishment of businesses that will create new employment opportunities. "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6

This mornings music includes offerings from our Handbell Quintet and Ben Williams, bassoonist. Our bell ringers this morning are Wayne Casey, Dana McKnight, Chris Martin, Rick Nochta, and Ben Williams. Our five ringers are in charge of over 30 bells for this mornings bell voluntaries. Next Sunday our guest musician will be Alana Carithers, violinist. CHOIR REHEARSALS BEGIN SOON: First rehearsals for Grace Covenants choirs begin next month. Chancel Choir, Wed., September 7, 7:00 p.m.; Handbell Choir, Sun., September 11, 8:30 a.m.; Carol Choir, Wed., September 14, 4:30 p.m.; and Junior Choir, Wed., September 14, 5:00 p.m.

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (August 21): Opener Jef Londrey; Greeters-Elizabeth Russell, Carol Wood, Carrie Rose, Presbyterian Women Circles; Nursery Worker Matt Hartman; Worship Kits Caroline Leith; Fellowship Hour - Doris Farquhar WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (August 28): Opener Kent Cardwell; Greeters-Caroline Leith, Megan Meyer, Carrie Rose; Nursery Worker Lewis Rosebro; Worship Kits Caroline Leith; Fellowship Hour - Jean Appich

YARD SALE - ALL PROCEEDS GO TO HONDURAS MISSION TRIP Thank you to those who donated items for the Yard Sale. We appreciate your willingness to give items to bless this Mission endeavor. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME! - FLYING SQUIRRELS GAME The Mission Committee is sponsoring a get-together at the Flying Squirrels baseball game and need your help getting the word out. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30. If we get more than 20 people, the price is $5 per ticket, and we need a head count no later than Tuesday, August 23. Those interested can get back to Kent Cardwell at (kcardwell@ divaris.com or 986-2423), or any member of the Missions Committee. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex. THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE is sponsoring an event on Thursday, September 8, highlighting Grace Covenant's mission in Honduras. We plan to hold the event on the terrace fronting Monument Avenue from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The gathering will have an ongoing slide show and dessert of cake and ice cream. We will also have a short and informal presentation by our guests involved in this mission.

Combined Adult Sunday School Summer Schedule

August 28 September 4 Christof Meyer Christof Meyer Perception vs. Reality: Gods Word in Practice Part 3 of 4 Perception vs. Reality: Gods Word in Practice Part 4 of 4

Classes begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments are available at 9:30 a.m. September 4 will be our last Summer Sunday School Class.

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, August 21 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Monday, August 22 12:00 noon Tuesday, August 23 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 25 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 26 5:45 p.m. Sunday, August 28 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. Prayer Combined Sunday School Classes Worship Service Fellowship Hour Fellowship Lunch Deacons Meeting GRACE NOTES DUE!!! Mens Luncheon Social Room Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Vanguard Room

Vanguard Room

Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting

Room 213 Room 213

Childrens Chapel

Chapel

Community Group

2107 Maplewood Avenue

Prayer Combined Sunday School Classes Worship Service Fellowship Hour Fellowship Lunch

Social Room Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall

If you are interested in donating flowers for the sanctuary for Sunday mornings, please contact Lisa Gray at 673-0587. We have 3 dates available at this time. Sundays, September 4, October 9 and October 23. Thank you.

2011 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 GCPC's ministries.
CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jean Appich (11) - Christian Education Brian Baird (11) - Evangelism (M) Maurice Bell (13) - Finance/Stewardship Kent Cardwell (12) - Missions (M) Cal Gray (11) - Property (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Worship; Evangelism Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Administration Catherine Kerns (13) - Christian Education; Evangelism Caroline Leith (11) - Worship David Martin (13) - Administration (Co-M); Property Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (Co-M); Mission Dana McKnight (11) - Finance/Stewardship (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education (M) Everett Reveley (12) - Finance/Stewardship DEACONS: Pat Aldridge (11) - Cards and Prayer Ministry Betty Appich (11) - Deacon Support Pat Ball (12) - Flower Deliveries Cherry Corley (12) - (Moderator) Susan Farrell (12) - Visitation, Transportation Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Meal Deliveries Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund Julia Poppell (11) - (Secretary) Visitation Carrie Rose (13) - Visitation and Card Ministry Dawson Watkins (11) - (Vice-Moderator) Visitor follow-up Carol Wood (13) - Visitation and Prayer Ministry Sid Yates (12) - Ushers (M=Moderator)

SERMON NOTES
Fit Instruments of God
B. BRINTON P. KEYES