bulletin december 13, 2009

8/14/2019 Bulletin December 13, 2009

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P r e p a r a t i o n f o r W o r s h i p

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT!

Thank you for joining us today! We are an historic Presbyteriancongregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries

for persons of all ages. Please join us following worship for fellowshipin the Social Room. Thank you for turning off your cell phones,pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices for the duration

of morning worship.

...where the angel declares Christs coming in the flesh,

and consequently of all his sufferings therein, is to the same purpose.He was to save his people from their sins. [Matthew 1:21]Whatsoever is required for a complete and perfect saving of his peculiarpeople from their sins was intended by his coming. To say that he did inpart of in some regard effect the work of salvation, is of ill report toChristian ears.

~John Owen 1684

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said

to him, Follow me. Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town ofBethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, We have found the oneMoses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets alsowroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nazareth! Can anythinggood come from there? Nathanael asked. Come and see, said Philip.When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, Here is a trueIsraelite, in whom there is nothing false. How do you know me?Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, I saw you while you were still underthe fig tree before Philip called you. Then Nathanael declared, Rabbi,

you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel. Jesus said, Youbelieve because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall seegreater things than that. He then added, I tell you the truth, you shall

see greater things than that. He then added, I tell you the truth, youshall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending anddescending on the Son of Man.

~John 1:43-51


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A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OFGOD

December 13, 2009 The Third Sunday of Advent 11:00 a.m

GATHER TOGLORIFYGOD

PRELUDE On Jordans Bank Malcolm Archer(b. 1952

On Jordans bank the Baptists cryAnnounces that the Lord is nigh;

Awake and hearken, for he bringsGlad tiding of the King of kings!

- Trans. John Chandler, 1837 (Presbyterian Hymnal, #10)

LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE Dawn and Matt Gillis

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 93 (selected verses

Pastor: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;

the LORD is robed in majestyand is armed with strength.

People: The world is firmly established;it cannot be moved.Pastor: Your throne was established long ago;

you are from all eternity.People: Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,mightier than the breakers of the seathe LORD on high is mighty.

All: Your statutes stand firm;holiness adorns your housefor endless days, O LORD.Please stand for these parts of the service.

HYMN 151 (red) Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus Hyfrydo


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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious and merciful God,we stand on the brink of the birth of our King,yet are still consumed with the unimportant.Our lives are often led with a passing acquaintance of his majesty,but we pursue the trivial with all our might.This gift you present to us, in the form of a baby,is taken for granted or comfortably placed behindthat which passes into the mist.Forgive us, O God, grant that with each passing daywe would become more and more children of the King.We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

CHRISTMASTIME ALLELUIA based on Adeste Fidelis

GIVE THANKS TOGOD

WELCOME

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

OFFERING


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ANTHEM Glory to God in the Highest Friedrich SilcheChancel Choir (1789-1860

Glory to God in the highest and peace on the earth,and on earth peace to men of goodwill.O how shall I receive thee, how shall I meet thee Lord?O all the world now longest, O my hearts dearest joy!

O Jesus, Jesus, touch me, my soul longs to be thine,and teach me what is pleasing to you O savior mine.

text by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

DOXOLOGY 592 (blue) Old Hundredth

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

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

HEAR THE WORD OFGOD

CHILDRENS SERMON

NEW TESTAMENT READING John 1:43-51 NIV

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION


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SERMON Christ Our King Steve Cobb

Then Nathanael declared, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the Kingof Israel. ...Jesus then added, I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open,and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

~John 1:49 and 51

HYMN 53 (blue) What Child Is This Greensleeves

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 theHoly Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third dayhe rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sittethon the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shallcome to judge the quick and the dead.I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communionof saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and thelife everlasting. Amen.

GLORIAPATRI 579 (blue) Glory Be to the Father 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.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND LORDS PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdomcome, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this dayour 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 isthe kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.


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GO FORTH INGODSNAME

HYMN 158 (red) Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria

BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE Fourfold Amen John Stainer

POSTLUDE Carillon on Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Alfred Fedak(b. 1953

Join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship.

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memoryof Mr. and Mrs. Archer L. Richardson, Jr.

and Mr. and Mrs. Archer L. Richardson, III by Bob and Debra Richardson.

Alleluia, music by James J. Chepponis 1997 by G.I.A. Publications.All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

SERMONNOTES


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THIS WEEK ATGRACE COVENANT

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Room 312December 13 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room

9:30 a.m. Sunday School Pageant: Immanuel is Born Fellowship Hal


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10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 10810:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chape

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room

6:00 p.m. Youth Group GCPC

Monday 10:00 a.m. Child Development Centers Worship ChaDecember 14 12:00 p.m. Presbyterian Mens Lunch Room B-4

5:30 p.m. Deacons Meeting 1704 Park Avenue7:00 p.m. Christian Education Meeting Room 213

Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting RoomDecember 15 4:00 p.m. Grace Notes deadline for Januarys edition Room 204

6:00 p.m. Child Development Centers Christmas Party Fellowship Hal

Wednesday 4:00 p.m. CDC Choir RoomDecember 16 4:30 p.m. Carol Choir Room 108

5:00 p.m. CDC Board Meeting Room B-45:00 p.m. Junior Choir Room 1085:30 p.m. CDC Choir Rehearsal Room 1086:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper Fellowship Hal

6:40 p.m. Wednesday Night Program: Fellowship HalChristmas Karoake and cider

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Room 108

Thursday 10:30 a.m. Childrens Chapel CDecember 17 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting Room B-4

Friday Poinsettias placed in chancel today Sanctuary

December 18 6:00 p.m. Community Group The Hartmans, 2107 Maplewood Avenue

Saturday 10:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (mandatory) SanctuaryDecember 19 -12:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Youth Group: Christmas Party The Bairds

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Room 312

December 20 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room9:30 a.m. Sunday School Education Building

10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 10810:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chape

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room

4:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

5:00 p.m. CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Sanctuary

E v e n t s a n d N e w s


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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

STEWARDSHIP: If you have not yet had anopportunity to return your Pledge Card,please remember to place it in the offeringplate during the Worship Service or return it

to the church office. Extra pledge cards areavailable in the Narthex and in the GlassOffice.

NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excitedthat our new pastor, Steve Cobb, is here!Please join us for coffee in the Social Roomafter this mornings Worship Service for anadditional opportunity to meet Steve, as wellas his family.

ARE YOU INFORMED??? For the past monthor so, weve been sending out the CovenantConnection, our weekly e-mail newsletter, tokeep our members and friends of GraceCovenant up-to-date on events, prayerrequests, and more. Have you been gettingthese e-mails? If not, e-mail our AssociatePastor Chris Thomas at thomas@grace-

covenant.org and let him know yourpreferred e-mail address. Hell make sureyou stay in-the-know!

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions forSundays bulletin must be submitted by noonon Wednesday, to our AdministrativeAssistant, Janice Caldwell, in her box in theGlass Office, to her office in Room 204, orvia e-mail at [email protected].

DISPLAY CASE: Nativity Scenes from CherylJacobs now occupies the hall display case.

GRACE NOTES: Submission deadline to ourmonthly newsletter is the 15th of the month(thats this Tuesday). Volunteers, who are

willing and able to assist in the preparationfor the bulk mailing of Januarys edition, wilbe needed on Wednesday, December 23from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. Please cometo the churchs library, on the second floorof the Education Building, to assist. If you

would like to be added to the newslettersmailing list, please let the AdministrativeAssistant, Janice Caldwell, know by either emailing her at [email protected] by calling the church office at 359-2465.

DEACONS FUND: Grace Covenant has aDeacons Fund to assist members who are infinancial need. Please contact Steve Cobbour Pastor, or Chris Thomas, our Associate

Pastor, to make a request. All requests areconfidential.

C OMM U N IT Y N EW S

AS YOU PRAY... please pray for ElizabethGee (a missionary, who recently spoke at

our Missions Conference, and has areoccurrence of cancer), and for Pa Aldridge, who is currently in St. MaryHospital.

O P P OR T UN IT I E S T O S ER V E

CHURCH WORKERS FOR TODAY:OpenerBob Brooks; GreetersLewisRosebro and David Martin; NurseryWorkersLeslie Hartman, Rebecca HornerJo Garber (and Beth Coltrain); Worship


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KitsKaete Unterzuber; Coffee FellowshipT ime Th e B airds; Guest Registe r AttendantDawson Watkins.

CHURCH WORKER FOR WEDNESDAYNIGHT SUPPER THIS WEEK (December 16):Laura Leigh Savage.

CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY(December 20): OpenerCal Gray;GreetersKent Cardwell, Everett Reveley,a n d L e sl i e H ar t m a n ; N u r s e r yWorkersStephanie Thomas, Ann Hubbard,Katie McCullough (and Susan Boze);Worship KitsKaete Unterzuber; CoffeeFellowship TimeSuzanne and Pete

Sizemore; Guest Register AttendantEverettReveley.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: If you would like tovolunteer to make the coffee for theFellowship Hour one Sunday, then pleasesign up on the calendar, located on thecounter in the Glass Office.

SERVE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY: Volunteersare needed to serve the evening meal onMonday, January 18, 2010, from 5:15 p.m.until 6:30 p.m. at Conrad Center, 1400Oliver Hill Way. If you are interested inhelping, contact Patrise Sears at 338-6580.

INVITATIONALPOSTCARDSAVAILABLE! Thereare 300 postcards available for thecongregation to use to invite friends,neighbors, and family to attend GraceCovenant for our Worship Service onDecember 20, Candlelight Carol Service,and our Christmas Eve Service! The latterservices both begin at 5:00 p.m. Please takea several invitations to give away! Note: wehave babysitters available for the ChristmasEve Service.

WORSHIP

FIVE CENTS PER MEAL: On the first Sunday ofthe month, we receive the sacrament of theLords Supper, and, in gratitude for whaGod has given us, we have a hunge

offering, Five Cents Per Meal. To contributeuse a pew envelope and mark it Five CentsPer Meal and put it in the offering plate.

STEWARDSHIP: If you have not yet had anopportunity to return your Pledge Cardplease remember to place it in the offeringplate during the Worship Service or return ito the church office. Extra pledge cards areavailable in the Narthex and in the GlassOffice.

WE INVITE CHILDREN over the age of 5 toparticipate in the entire service. SpeciaWorship Kits for children are available in theNarthex. For children five years of age oryounger, we also have a crib nurserytoddler room, and preschool care.

MUSIC NOTES: English composer MalcolmArcher was formerly Organist and Directoof Music at St. Pauls Cathedral in London,and is now Director of Chapel Music aWinchester College. Todays organ choraleprelude by Archer is based on the Adventhymn On Jordans Bank (PresbyterianHymnal, #10). The choral anthem byFriedrich Silcher is a German Christmashymn which incorporates a familiar PalmSunday hymn tune (ST. THEODULPH). Silcherarranged many German and internationafolk songs, that even today remain standardrepertoire of many choirs in Germany. Thepostlude is a carillon based on a German Advent hymn tune (Presbyterian Hymna#3). The descending scales heardthroughout the postlude imitate the sounds


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of change ringing, hence the title, Carillon.

HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALSare available from the ushers.

THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES590 AM. The Worship Services are now onstreaming audio: www.wlesradio.comTHE S EVENTY - E IGHTH ANNUA LCANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE: is aTraditional Service of Lessons and Carolswhich will occur at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday,December 20, in the sanctuary. The musicwill be led by the Chancel, Junior, Caroland Handbell Choirs of Grace CovenantPresbyterian Church. Following the

program, a reception will be hosted by thePresbyterian Women, in the Fellowship Hall.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY CARDS: The monthlyScripture Verse Memory Cards, given to thechildren each week after the ChildrensSermon, will discontinue after December27.

DISCIPLESHIP

CHILDRENS CLASSES: InfantsNursery,ma in l ev el; ToddlersRoom 102;PreschoolersRoom 101; Grades 1-6Rooms 207-210.

ADULT CLASSES: We have four great adultclasses; make a decision today about whichone will help you grow in the faith the most!

GRACE BIBLE CLASS: What God WantsFrom Me 9:45 a.m. in Room 212

CONNECTIONS CLASS: The Person ofJesus 9:30 a.m. in Room 303.

VANGUARD BIBLE CLASS: A Study of theGospel of Mark 9:30 a.m. in Room B-4.

FORUMCLASS:Taylor Reveley will teach nexSunday, December 20.

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY! Junior and high-schoolers, are you ready to rock theChristmas season?!? Then come to theBairds home (1704 Hanover Avenue) onSaturday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. for agreat Christmas party!

RESOURCES TOGROWINTHE FAITH:Comecheck out our new Resource Table in theNarthex! We have a number of excellentresources available for purchase for a greaprice. If you have questions, please contacChristian Education Committee members

Jean Appich, Laura Leigh Savage, or ChrisThomas.

FELLOWSHIP

YOUTH GROUP: will meet tonight at thechurch at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room (onthe third floor of the Education Building). On

Saturday, December 19, at 6:00 p.m. theYouth Christmas Party will be at the home ofthe Bairds, 1704 Hanover Avenue. Note: onSunday, December 20, there will be noYouth Group.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: In CommunityGroups we seek to live life together undethe gospel as we build relationships withGod, each other, and our neighbors. Joinus on Friday, December 18 at the home ofthe Hartmans (2107 Maplewood Avenue) aswe gather for fellowship, Bible study, andprayer, followed by a meal. There is also agroup just for men that meets on the first,third, and fifth Tuesdays at the home oBrian Baird, 1704 Hanover Avenue. Weusually listen to and talk about a sermon,


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catch up on life, and pray for each other.This is an open group. For more informationcall Matt Hartman at 212-1961.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER ANDPROGRAM: This weeks program forDecember 16 will be a ChristmasKaraoke. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.followed the program at 6:40 p.m. The costof the meal is $5 per adult, $2 per childrenand students, and $12 maximum per familyunit. This weeks menu includes mysterychicken, rice, green beans, spinach salad,rolls and fruit cake cookies.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES: will meeton January 12, 2010.MOTHERS TOGETHER: meet every Thursdayat 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Formore information, contact Patricia Clarke byphone, 342-7481, or be e-mail,[email protected] The finalmeeting for Mothers Together in 2009 waslast Thursday; they will resume on January14, 2010.

MI S S ION S

HONDURAS MISSION TRIPJANUARY 9-16,2010: Our hardy little group has beenwatching the political events in Hondurassince June, when the leftist president Zelayawas replaced (? orderly removal of an

incompetent leader, ?coup) by moreconservative, business-oriented MichelettiThe elections were held on November 29without widespread violence as some hadfeared. It now remains to be seen how theinternational community views the legitimacy

of the election. In any event, we have agroup of eighteen scheduled for the Januarymission trip. We have recruited one nurse,two dentists, two lawsyers, two doctors, onegeneral contractor, one pre-med studentone social worker, one retired teacher, twoministers (one Presbyterian and oneEpiscopalian), one college professor, andone veteran of the very first crop of Peace

Corps volunteers back in the sixties! GraceCovenant will be represented by SusanFarrell, Sam Lowe, and Susan PillsburyDavid.

We will be conducting medical and dentaclinics in Moropacay and Puerto GrandeWe will have a dental symposium in whichour two dentists will be collaborating withlocal dental workers in new techniques, bualso networking about service deliveryissuesin the area. We will have a constructionproject, the size and scope of which will betailored to the number and skill sets of ourconstruction team. We will entertain thechildren, upgrade our medical recordssystem (computers!), monitor the progress oour water project (clean water to PuertoGrande!), and assess (with the guidance othe head of the English as Second Languageprogram at VCU) the feasibility of addingEnglish classes to our repertoire. Lots to doin a week!

Thanks to God and to Grace Covenant forthis mission. Please keep us in your prayers~Submitted by Susan Pillsbury David


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WILLIAM BYRD COMMUNITY HOUSE: Fooddonations may be left in the basket in theGlass Office (the office on the main floor ofthe Education Building, near the rear doors).Please consider giving, as the need is great.


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Pastor: SteveCobb

Associate Pastor: Chris ThomasSeminary Intern: Rachel Butler

Director of Music: Chris Martin

1627 Monument Avenue

Richmond, VA 23220Phone: 804.359.2463

Fax: 804.278.6298www.grace-covenant.org

[email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pmRadio: WLES 590 AM

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