GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
March 3, 2013 The Third 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 Elegy CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: All:

Richard Purvis, 1913-1994 from Psalm 63

O God, You are my God; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. My soul will be satisfied, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips. I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands; For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. All honor, glory, and praise to You, O LORD, our refuge and our strength. Christe Sanctorum

HYMN 459 (Blue Hymnal) Father, We Praise Thee

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
On the first Sunday of each month, in addition to your tithe and regular giving, we receive the Five Cents Per Meal offering, which is used to help feed the hungry in Richmond.

ANTHEM Teach Me, O Lord

Philip Stopford, b. 1977

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein is my desire. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. O turn away mine eyes lest they behold vanity; and quicken me in thy way. O stablish thy word in thy servant, that I may fear thee. Amen. Psalm 119:33-39a

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Virginia Hudson

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 55:1-9 Virginia Hudson Holy Bible, p. 650 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Leslie Hartman Holy Bible, p. 162 NT Holy Bible, p. 74 NT

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

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 370 (Blue Hymnal) Just as I Am, Without One Plea Woodworth

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal)

The Apostles Creed

Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex

SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SUPPER

You may consume the elements when you receive them, or wait until all have been served and partake together at the invitation of the celebrant.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 269 (Red Hymnal) Jesus Calls Us BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord POSTLUDE Grand plein jeu Galilee Felix Mendelssohn Louis-Nicolas Clrambault, 1676-1749

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 my parents and other family members and friends who have completed their time on earth by Jo Garber.
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