june 5, 2011
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June 5, 2011
GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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 today for a fellowship barbeque!
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: Brint Keyes Director of Music: Christopher Martin Christian Educator: Kelley Lane Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait Bookkeeper: Martha Rubin Sexton: Willie Alford Acting Dir., Child Development Center : Frances Mathews 1627 Monument Avenue Office Hours: Richmond, VA 23220 Monday-Friday Phone: 804.359.2463 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fax: 804.278.6298 Radio: WLES 590 AM www.grace-covenant.org www.wlesradio.com [email protected]
Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins
are available each week from the ushers.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own au-thority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
-Acts 1:7-9
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline your-selves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 5:6-11
The Master never wrote anything down, nor did he ask his followers to record his teachings. His words are spirit and life. Spirit can only infuse spirit. Life can only in-fuse life. The Master's teaching cannot be contained on the pages of a book. Other great teachers left behind books to replace the living voice, to guide and help their be-reft followers. But the Master did not do this, because he has not left us. He is always with us, and his living voice guides and counsels us. His followers recorded his teach-ings after his ascension as a help to those who cannot yet perceive his living presence. In the end, however, when people ask me, "What made you a follower of the Mas-ter?" I can only answer: the Master.
-Sadhu Sundar Singh, “Wisdom of the Sadhu”
A SERVICE OF WORSHIP June 5, 2011 Ascension Sunday 11:00 a.m.
WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD PRELUDE Sacrament Rick Deasley (1962- )
†Please stand for these parts of the service.
†CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 68 Leader: Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
lift up a song to Him who rides upon the clouds! People: His name is the LORD – be exultant before Him! Leader: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; People: God is our salvation. Leader: Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the LORD,
belongs escape from death. People: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the LORD; All: Awesome is God in His sanctuary, the God of Israel;
blessed be God!
†HYMN 141 (Blue Hymnal) A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Deo Gracias
†PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, You shattered the power of sin and death, breaking its hold on us. But we confess that we have allowed it to remain. We prefer familiar sins and failures to the challenge of new life. We place our hope in our own “improvement,” And avoid Your call to be changed. We shrink from the brilliance of Your light; and hide in the shadows of self-righteousness. Lord, have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. In the glory of Your resurrection, Tear away our veils of self-deception. Flood our hearts with the light of Your love, and lead us down paths of compassion, That we may live in You, and You in us, That Your Holy Spirit may guide our every step, And that we may shed abroad the light of Your love, Made known to us and to all the world in Your Son, Christ Jesus, our Risen Lord, in whose glorious and triumphant name we pray. Amen.
†ASSURANCE OF PARDON
†EASTERTIDE ALLELUIA 15th Century, French
Alleluia, music O FILLII ET FILIAE, Airs sur les hymnes sacrez, odes et noëls,
© 1990, The Presbyterian Hymnal, Westminster/John Knox Press.All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.
WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD
WELCOME Everett Reveley
Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate. MINUTE FOR MISSION Leslie Hartman OFFERING ANTHEM Thy Church, O God, Her Heart to Thee Upraiseth Eric Thiman Chancel Choir (1900-1975) Thy Church, O God, her heart to Thee upraiseth; With her the nation bows before Thy face: With high thanksgiving Thee Thy glad Church praiseth; Our strength Thy spirit, our trust and hope Thy grace. Unto great honour, glory underservèd, Hast Thou exalted us, and drawn Thee nigh. Nor, from Thy judgments when our feet had swervèd, Didst Thou forsake, nor leave us, Lord most high. Unto our minds give freedom and uprightness; Let strength and courage lead o’er land and wave. To our souls’ armour grant celestial brightness, Joy to our hearts, and faith beyond the grave. Our plenteous nation still in power extending, Increase our joy, uphold us by Thy word: Beauty and wisdom all our ways attending, Goodwill to man and peace through Christ our Lord. - words adapted by Robert Bridges from Robert Tailour’s version of Psalm XXI (1615)
†DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) Old Hundredth
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 Everett Reveley
WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Everett Reveley NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 1:6-14 Holy Bible, p. 113 NT CHILDREN’S SERMON Kelley Lane EPISTLE READING 1 Peter 4:12 - 5:11 Holy Bible, p. 224 NT SERMON “Steadfast Faithfulness” B. Brinton P. Keyes †HYMN 295 (Red Hymnal) Christ of the Upward Way Sursum Corda RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS †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) 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.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE 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.
WE GO FORTH IN GOD’S NAME †HYMN 430 (Blue Hymnal) Come Sing, O Church, in Joy! Darwall’s 148th †BENEDICTION †CHORAL RESPONSE Fourfold Amen Danish †POSTLUDE Paraphrase-Carillon Charles Tournemire (1870-1939)
Please join us following worship for a fellowship barbeque!
The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of William M. E. Rachal by the family.
Give thanks to God: for all those who serve our church, our city, and our world through the Ministry of Teaching… for Itunu Adekoya, Courtney Clements, Christof & Megan Meyer, and Roger Tetzlaff, joining
our fellowship as new members… for the work of the CDC Board in shepherding that ministry through a promising and challenging
season, and for the leadership of Frances Mathews, Jennifer Ball and Nichole Williams…
Pray for Coptic Christians in Egypt who may be coming under persecution;
Continue to pray:
for those facing health issues: Tom Miller’s father, Joe; Cheryl Jacob’s mother, Lucinda; Katie McCullough & Rebecca Reagan’s grandmother, Maude; Susan Farrell’s grandmother, Mary Lou (“Uh-oh”); Jim Thomas’ mother and stepfather, Dan & Linda; Beverly Proffitt; Peter and Loretta Albertis; Vanessa Strait; Rosie Turner; George Turner…
for those facing vocational challenges: Ashby Price, John Lootens, Jennifer Schooley, Wayne Casey, Erika Tabor, Matt Hartman, and Logan Moorhead‟s daughter-in-law Sharie…
for Leslie Hartman’s community garden ministry…
for Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, and Mike Child, serving in our na-tion’s Armed Forces…
for the victims of floods and tornadoes across our country… for the people of Japan and Haiti, still recovering from disaster… for people of North Africa & the Middle East seeking democracy… for the criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For all who are incarcerated in jails and
prisons, their families, and their loved ones, especially Beth Lloyd.
"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
Itunu Adekoya
Courtney Clements
Christof Meyer
Megan Meyer
Roger Tetzlaff
We welcome back Sharon Freude as this morning’s guest organist. Sharon has been an organist in the Richmond area for several years and enjoys substituting at various churches. The Chancel Choir’s final Sunday for the season will be next week. We invite all members of Grace Covenant’s music ministry (adult, children, and handbells) to an end-of-the-year fellowship gathering at the home of the Bairds, next Sunday, June 12, 5:00 p.m. Barbecue and drinks will be provided. Please bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Spouses, friends, and parents of music ministry participants are welcome.
Music Ministry
End-of-the-Year Fellowship
Sunday, June 12, 2011 5:00 p.m.
Home of Katherine and Brian Baird 1704 Hanover Avenue
WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY: Opener – Kent Cardwell; Greeters – Bob Cope-land, Everett Reveley, Leslie Hartman, Carol Wood, Carrie Rose, Elizabeth Russell; Nursery Worker – Mary Gray; Worship Kits – Judy Waldron;
WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (June 12): Opener – Rick Nochta; Greeters – Lewis Rosebro, David Martin, Brian Baird, Megan Meyer; Nursery Worker – Leslie Hartman; Worship Kits – Judy Waldron; Fellowship Hour -
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is TODAY! Everyone is invited to join in a cook-out following worship to honor our Sunday School Teachers and Nursery Workers, and thank them for all that they do for us. SAVE THE DATE: PEOPLE Group will meet on Saturday, June 18, at Sid Yates’ home-away-from-home, also known as his River Place in Waterview, Virginia. Please come up to the river at 2:00 p.m. to enjoy the day. We will be eating at 6:00 p.m. Flyers with maps are located around the church for additional info. Please bring a friend!
COMMUNITY GROUPS: In Community Groups we seek to live life together under the gospel as we build relationships with God, each other, and our neighbors. One group meets at the Hartmans‟ home for dinner and fellowship on Friday evenings at 5:45 p.m. It’s okay to come anytime after that if you get off work late…. All are welcome. Come check us out and see what we are studying and discussing together. We love when new people come! For more information, call Matt or Leslie Hartman at 212-1961.
Guys, come join us at Brian Baird‟s home as we share food and drink, listen to solid teaching, and generally catch up on life. All are welcome; bring a friend! We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 8:00-10:00 p.m. at 1704 Hanover Avenue. Contact Brian at [email protected], or 586-4156 for more info.
CHILDREN & WORSHIP: All children are encouraged to at-tend worship with their parents. Following the children’s sermon, children who are not yet in Kindergarten may choose to go to the nursery for a snack and play time.
The infant and toddler nurseries are available throughout the wor-ship service for those children who are not ready to attend worship at this point.
CHILDREN‟S SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES:
Infants, 0-16 months old Nursery main level
Toddlers, 17 months - 2 years old Room 102
Preschoolers, 3 and 4 year olds Room 101
Grades Kindergarten - 2nd grade Rooms 207-210
Grades 3rd-6th Rooms 207-210
GCPC has updated its Facebook page! This is a great way to connect with GCPC members and visitors, and to stay current on church events and announce-ments. Visit http://www.facebook.com/GraceCovenantPC and be sure to "Like" us!
Sunday morning classes are a great way to deepen your faith and to fellowship with others. There are several Sunday School Classes to choose from. All Sunday School Classes begin at 9:30 a.m.
Connections Class “Contemporary Issues” Room 303
Vanguard Class “Book of James” Room B-4
Grace Class “Bible Study” Room 212
Forum Class “Revelation” with Tom Miller Room B-7
THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT
Sunday, June 5 9:15 a.m. Prayer Social Room 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes Various Rooms 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Choir Room 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 12:00 noon Teacher Appreciation Luncheon The Terrace Monday, June 6 7:00 p.m. Administration Committee Meeting Tuesday, June 7 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Room 213 2:00 p.m. Care Team Meeting Room 213 5:30 p.m. Parent Volunteer Meeting (CDC) Vanguard Room 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, June 8 Thursday, June 9 10:30 a.m. Children’s Chapel Chapel Friday, June 10 5:00 p.m. SESSION RETREAT Camp Hanover 5:45 p.m. Community Group 2107 Maplewood Avenue Sunday, June 12 9:15 a.m. Prayer Social Room 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes Various Rooms 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 12:00 noon Fellowship Hour Social Room 12:30 p.m. VBS Work Day 5:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Fellowship 1704 Hanover Avenue
Save the dates: June 19 – June 23, 2011
Our theme this year is “Hometown Naz-
areth: Where Jesus Was a Kid.” VBS is
held each evening from 5:45-8:00 p.m. with
dinner available. Please contact Jim
McCullough (director) at
Leslie Hartman (assistant director) at
to volunteer.
Here's what YOU can do to get ready!
1. Register – online or drop off a form at the church building.
2. Pray – for our church and our guests to know Jesus better and love Him more.
3. Invite a friend or neighbor.
4. Contribute – look over our wish list and see what things you could lend us for the week. Wish List are located outside the choir room at the VBS drop box table.
5. Volunteer – help out with set decoration, crafts, hospitality, publicity, etc.
(Talk to Jim McCullough or Leslie Hartman.)
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
SERMON NOTES “Steadfast Faithfulness”
B. BRINTON P. KEYES