GRACE COVENANT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond December 8, 2013 The Second Sunday of Advent 10:55 a.m.

Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. Please stand for these parts of the service.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

PRELUDE Comfort, Comfort Ye My People LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 72:1-7) One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: Give the king your justice, O God, that he may rule your people righteously And the poor with justice! He shall defend the needy among the people And shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure From one generation to another. He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, Like showers that water the earth. In his time shall the righteous flourish; There shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. Amen. Bereden Vg Fr Herran Gerald Near, b. 1942 Laura Leigh and Jake Savage

HYMN 13 (Blue Hymnal) Prepare the Way

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)

Luke Woodcock

Almighty God, you who shaped out of nothing all that is, forgive us for returning empty-handed. You who call forth light, forgive our preference for the dark. You who sent John to be a voice crying in the wilderness, forgive our unwillingness to say anything at all. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) 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. CAROL CHOIR Child of God; God Is So Good; Do Lord
The children and their leaders will worship in the chapel. They will be in "Children's Church" for the remainder of the morning and will meet parents in the social room.

Greatorex

Traditional

At this time, children 9 years old and younger are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary with our volunteer leaders.

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING NEW TESTAMENT READING SERMON Isaiah 11:1-10 Matthew 3:1-12 Hope Pete Sizemore Holy Bible, p. 610 OT Holy Bible, p. 8 NT Bobby Hulme-Lippert

WE RESPOND TO GODS WORD

HYMN 10 (Blue Hymnal) On Jordans Bank the Baptists Cry Winchester New

APOSTLES CREED (IN UNISON)

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 the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORDS PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our 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 is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, AND GIFTS ANTHEM The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee, O Lord William H. Harris, 1883-1973

The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord: and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The Lord is righteous in all his ways: and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea all such as call upon him faithfully. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry and will help them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him.
Psalm 145, vv. 15-20

DOXOLOGY 592 (Blue Hymnal) Old Hundredth Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

HYMN 147 (Red Hymnal) O Come, O Come Emmanuel BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSE Rejoice! Rejoice! POSTLUDE Sleepers, Wake! A Voice Astounds Us Veni Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel Robert Hobby, b. 1962

For those who would like prayer, Reverend David Nambu and Reverend Kwasi Samuel Misrowoda will be available at the front of the sanctuary immediately following worship.

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving to Him for our family by Merelyn and Charles Hammett.

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 Pastor: Bobby Hulme-Lippert Director of Music: Christopher Martin Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Strait Christopher Tweel: Christian Education Coordinator for Children Bookkeeper: Martha Rubin Custodian: James Greene Child Development Center Director: Nicole Williams Luke Woodcock: Seminary Intern