GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
April 14, 2013 The Third Sunday of Easter 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 Rhapsody No. 1 in D Flat Major CALL TO WORSHIP One: When we are absent from You, God, we stand empty handed. Many: We return easily to our old ways, but here we have come to hear a new voice. One: Each time we listen to You, God, we can hear a new word. It fills our lives with love for You. Many: It is from this love that we come here, that we desire to be led by You, to care for each other, to follow You. One: Let the peace of this place draw us out from our regular stride. Let Your voice, God, be heard here, Your light seen, and Your instruction followed. Many: We enter into this house, seeking Your hands on us. Let us be filled with the Spirit in worship, and see You better than before. HYMN 380 (Red Hymnal) Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Herbert Howells, 1892-1983

Bradbury

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We expect to be part of the host surrounding the throne, singing endlessly our praise to You. In truth, we edge ever closer to the outside of that circle, and despair. We become consumed with actions that do not bring Your glory, We bring praise and honor that is rightfully Yours to the earthly powers of this land And say Amen in the face of injustice. We spend days in darkness, and when the call comes We answer it with our weakness and fear. Be strong with us, Lord. Teach us that Your patience is powerful, But so is Your love that drives us, spurs us on to the fulfillment of Your Kingdom. Teach us action; teach us faith that speaks to our failings. Hear our confession as a sign of our desire to serve only You As revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON EASTERTIDE ALLELUIA

(All sing the Alleluia after the organ introduction.)

Victory

Alleluia, music by William Monk, 1823-1889, 1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM Rejoice, the Lord Is King
Rejoice, the Lord is King, your Lord and King adore; Mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore: Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

Malcolm Archer, b. 1952

Jesus, the Saviour, reigns: the God of truth and love; When he had purged our stains, he took his seat above: Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice. His kingdom cannot fail; he rules oer earth and heaven, The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given: Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice. He sits at Gods right hand till all his foes submit, And bow to his command and fall beneath his feet: Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
- text by Charles Wesley (1703-1791)

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Dana McKnight

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING 2 Corinthians 3:4-18 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON SECOND READING Psalm 146 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Bowed Down Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 170 NT

Nicole Williams Holy Bible, p. 558 OT

Christopher Tweel

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 253 (Blue Hymnal) Ill Praise My Maker AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) The Apostles Creed Old 113th Red Hymnal, p. 12 Greatorex

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 276 (Blue Hymnal) Great Is Thy Faithfulness BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE Alleluia POSTLUDE Grand Jeu Faithfulness

French, 15th century

Louis Marchand, 1669-1732

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 my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne E. Brogden, and my brother, Claiborne E. Brogden, Jr., by Mrs. Nancy Booker.
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 Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Seminary Intern: Christopher Tweel