GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
March 17, 2013 The Fifth 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 Elegie for Violin and Organ, Op. 150 CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We ask for new rhythms of life to be created, we ask for God to sustain us, that we find liberation in Gods ordering of our lives. Many: But do we accept the great things God has done? Can we look at them with peace and thanksgiving? One: We do not have Peace, and though our tongues should be filled with joy, we cannot unstick them. Instead we decry the loss of the things we have built. Many: God restores our fortunes that he made in the inception of our souls Christ restores them. Here in this place we are called to recognize the great things God has done. Here we can say Peace to our needy hearts, and Quiet to our agitated spirits. One: God has done great things. When we go out with tears and weeping, we are able to return with songs of joy. Many: Joy is found here, in the face of a world that demands weeping; Peace is found here, in the face of a world that deals in turmoil. Let us worship here, in faith.

Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, 1839-1901

Christine Anderson, violin

HYMN 344 (Blue Hymnal) Christ of the Upward Way PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Sursum Corda

Your hands made us, Father God, yet our actions seem to always rebel against this fashioning. We receive the gift of your Love through your Son, Jesus Christ, yet we cannot act toward others in this same love. We fail at the simplest acts. We fail to bring Your Kingdom when we cannot love, when we care for our own fame more than we care for our brothers and sisters. Break us of our poor habits, God; bring us swiftly away from our wayward seeking on our own terms and back to the blessed humility of servitude in you. 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 third Sunday of each month, in addition to your tithe and regular giving, we receive the Loaves and Fishes Fund offering to supplement our mission efforts.

ANTHEM My Eternal King

Jane Marshall, b. 1924

My God, I love Thee; not because I hope for heaven thereby, nor yet because who love Thee not must die eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me upon the cross embrace;

for me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace. Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love Thee well? Not for the hope of winning heaven or of escaping hell; not with the hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward; but as Thyself hast loved me, O everlasting Lord! Een so I love Thee, and will love, and in Thy praise will sing; solely because Thou art my God, and my Eternal King.
- Poem (anonymous) from 17th century Latin

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Pete Sizemore

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION EPISTLE READING Philippians 3:4b-14 Pete Sizemore Holy Bible, p. 188 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL CHOIR How Deep the Fathers Love for Us GOSPEL READING John 12:1-8 Christof Meyer

Stuart Townend, b. 1963/arr. Bettcher Holy Bible, p. 102 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Self-Made Christopher Tweel

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 195 (Red Hymnal) In the Cross of Christ I Glory AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER The Apostles Creed Rathbun Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 383 (Blue Hymnal) My Faith Looks Up to Thee BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE God So Loved the World POSTLUDE The Royal Banners Forward Go (Vexilla Regis) Olivet Sir John Stainer Everett Titcomb, 1884-1968

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of our son, Kent Raley Massey, by Jean and Chuck Massey.
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