GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond
May 12, 2013 The Seventh 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 Ascension Alleluias CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: All:

Franklin Ashdown, b. 1942 from Psalm 42

My soul is thirsty, yearning and desperate for You, wonderful God. We enter in, smelling the richness of the water that You provide. It is easy to remember the taunts that ask us, Where is our God? But the Deep calls to the deep in the roar of this waterfall, the waves and breakers of Gods presence are washing over us here. God is calling us to this place, inviting all people, refreshing and replacing our agony. In the daytime God directs his Love to our spirits, and in our night Gods song soothes our buzzing minds. Our souls have here a reprieve, we are putting our hope in the Lord, and praise our Savior and our God!

HYMN 460 (Blue Hymnal) Holy God, We Praise Your Name

Grosser Gott, wir Loben Dich

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Incredible and beautiful God, You have surrounded us with the gentle beauty of Your created world, You have asked nothing more than that we care for what You have made, That we care and act in love toward each other. Yet we stand here stained by actions we know to not be loving. Actions we know came out of our own fear, our own greed, And our own hubris. Have mercy on us, Holy LORD, and forgive us our sins. Aid our action, God, and shore up our resolve In order that we might fearlessly love and take part in Your Kingdom. Only You can create hearts in us brave enough To step out beyond our own humanity and into righteous allegiance. 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 Most Glorious Lord of Life

Bob Chilcott, b. 1955

Most glorious Lord of life, that on this day didst make thy triumph over death and sin, and having harrowed hell, didst bring away captivity thence captive us to win. This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin, and grant that we for whom thou didest die, being with thy dear blood clean washed from sin, may live forever in felicity: and that thy love we weighing worthily, may likewise love thee for the same again; and for thy sake, with love may one another entertain. So let us love, dear Lord, like as we ought; love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
text: Edmund Spenser (?1552-1599)

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Old Hundredth Pete Sizemore

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION GOSPEL READING John 17:20-26 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON NEW TESTAMENT READING Revelation 22:12-21 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Thirsty People Pete Sizemore Holy Bible, p. 107 NT

Leslie Hartman Holy Bible, p. 250 NT

Christopher Tweel

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 528 (Blue Hymnal) Give Thanks for Life AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed Sarum Red Hymnal, p. 12

GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Greatorex Red Hymnal, p. 12

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 250 (Blue Hymnal) When Morning Lights the Eastern Skies BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE Sevenfold Amen POSTLUDE Today the Son of Man Triumphs St. Stephen

Sir John Stainer

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750

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 honor and memory of all Mothers by the Vanguard Class.

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