GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

January 29, 2012

Loving God & Our Neighbors in the Heart of the City

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT!

We are an historic Presbyterian congregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries for persons of all ages.

Please join us after worship for fellowship in the Social Room.

Thank you for turning off your cell phones, pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices during worship, and for leaving food and beverages outside the sanctuary. Interim Pastor: Director of Music: Administrative Assistant: Bookkeeper: Sexton: Child Development Center Director: Student Assistant for Christian Ed: Brint Keyes Christopher Martin Vanessa Strait Martha Rubin Willie Alford Nicole Williams (Acting) Christopher Tweel

1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.359.2463 Fax: 804.278.6298 www.grace-covenant.org info@grace-covenant.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Radio: WLES 590 AM www.wlesradio.com

Hearing Aids, Large Print Hymnals, and Bulletins are available each week from the ushers.

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. Deuteronomy 18:18-20 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are the Holy One of God." Mark 1:23-24 For the Platonic or Aristotelian philosophy it is of no importance whether Plato or Aristotle ever lived. For the mystical practice of an Indian, Persian, Chinese, or NeoPlatonic mystic it is a matter of indifference whether Rama, Buddha, Laotse, or Porphyrius are myths or not. The mystic has no personal relation to them [E]verywhere the tendency is to eliminate personality. Even where religion does not have this mystical character, it has no relation to an historical person, who communicates himself to me. That is the characteristic essence of the Christian faith alone. Even where a prophet plays the role of a mediator-of-divine-truth, as for example in [Islam], the religious act is not directed toward him ... but toward his teaching or message. But the Christian does not believe in the teaching of Jesus which would not be Christian faith, but general religion he believes in Christ Himself as being the Word of God. Emil Brunner (1889-1966), The Word and the World (London: Student Christian Movement Press, 1931), 20.

A SERVICE OF WORSHIP
January 29, 2012 10:55 a.m.

WE GATHER TO GLORIFY GOD

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please fill out the communication card and place it in the offering plate during the offertory. PRELUDE Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice Margaret Sandresky

(b. 1921)

Please stand for these parts of the service.

CALL TO WORSHIP

from Psalm 111

Leader: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. People: I will praise Him in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Leader: Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. People: Full of honor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. Leader: He sent redemption to his people; He has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name. People: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. All: His praise endures forever. Praise the LORD! HYMN 100 (Red Hymnal) vss. 1-3, 6
All Creatures of Our God and King

Lasst Uns Erfreuen

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, You pardon all who truly repent and turn to You. We humbly confess our sins and ask Your mercy. We have not loved You with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with You, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, and forgive us our sins, we pray. In Your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cast us not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and sustain us with Your bountiful Spirit, that we may hereafter bear faithful, righteous, and joyful witness to the Christ who died that we might have new life, for it is in His Name that we pray. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON ALLELUIA Taiz

Alleluia, music by Jaques Berthier 1987 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD

OFFERING ANTHEM Rejoice, the Lord Is King Malcolm Archer
(b. 1952)

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! Jesus, the Savior, 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 Heavn, The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus givn; 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) 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

Old Hundredth

Dana McKnight

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Dana McKnight Holy Bible, p. 172 OT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDRENS SERMON HANDBELL CHOIR EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 Christof Meyer Kevin McChesney Holy Bible, p. 161 NT Holy Bible, p. 37 NT

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN 310 (Blue Hymnal) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Knowing God
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

B. Brinton P. Keyes St. Agnes

The Apostles Creed

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. GLORIA PATRI 579 (Blue Hymnal) PASTORAL PRAYER 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, forever. Amen. Greatorex

WE GO FORTH IN GODS NAME

HYMN 302 (Red Hymnal) BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Breathe on Me, Breath of God Tuba Tune Robert Jackson C. S. Lang (1891-1971) Have Thine Own Way, Lord! Adelaide

Please join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship. The flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of Will Madden on her retirement from the Board by the Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund and the Building Fund.

The Board of Directors for the Endowment Fund and the Building Fund wish to thank Will Madden for her tireless dedication to and Support of the Funds as a Director and as Treasurer. Will has decided to retire from the Board after 21 years of service and we shall miss her wise counsel and thoughtfulness.

Give thanks for: Brenda Barretts continuing recovery, and having her foot brace removed; Pray for: Juliette Harriman; Lauren Corby, whose baby is due March 20; Cheryl Jacobs mother, Lucinda, recovering from knee surgery, and her dad, Rolland; Ella Appich, from a shoulder fracture; Maurice Bells friend, Van; Erika Tabor, recovering from foot surgery; Sudie and Carol Woods sister Bettie, undergoing chemo; Stella Schlieser; Susan Farrells grandmother, Mary Lou (Uh Oh) and father, Jim; Svetlana Chicus mother, Estera, with lymphoma; Evelyn Turner; Peter Albertis; Rosie and George Turner; and Nela Bostian Steve Satterfield and Ainura Aitmurzaeva as they negotiate her travel to the US Those facing vocational challenges: Erika Tabor; Carlos Juara; and Logan Moorheads daughter-in-law Sharie Leslie Hartmans community garden ministry, and John Lootens away on travel Our Session, that they may faithfully lead this congregation by humbly following Gods Word; and for the Mission Study Team, that they may discern, together with the congregation, Gods will for Grace Covenant Our Child Development Center, as they seek candidates for Director Beth Lloyd Daniel Reas, Stuart Chapman, William Bridenstine, David Russell, Chris Pais, and Mike Child, serving in our nations Armed Forces The people of Egypt, Libya and Syria as they seek peaceful ways forward for their countries; and the people of Haiti, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey, as they continue to recover from natural disasters Missionaries we support: Elizabeth Gee back in US from Indonesia (fighting cancer); Valentin and Svetlana Chicu in Moldova; The Zobule family in the Solomon Islands, facing employment uncertainty; Beth Baleke in Uganda Overcoming in Christ's name the heritage of racism: To overcome ignorance, indifference, resentment, and bitterness with regard to race in both private and public life.

Women have been composing organ music for at least five centuries, and yet their compositions are rarely played, because much of the music has not been published until very recently. Born in Macon, Georgia, Margaret Vardell Sandresky grew up in the Moravian tradition and has balanced the careers of performer, composer, theorist, and church musician. Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice is based on a familiar Moravian chorale melody treated in traditional, tonal fashion typical of Sandreskys church style. This piece was composed in 1982 for the wedding of a close friend of Sandresky. Malcolm Archer is currently Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College in the heart of England. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in cathedral music, which has taken him to posts at Norwich, Bristol, and Wells Cathedrals, as well as Director of Music at St. Pauls Cathedral in London. Archers anthem Rejoice, the Lord Is King is a bright and energetic setting of the familiar Charles Wesley hymn text. Kevin McChesney is a full-time composer/arranger of handbell music, having produced over 400 titles for handbells. From the gallery the Handbell Choir rings one of McChesneys recent hymn tune arrangements for handbells. Because there are no tables in the gallery most ringers can hold only two bells. A ringing technique called a tower swing is employed throughout the piece which gives the effect of a large steeple bell rocking back and forth, becoming louder and softer. Craig Sellar Lang was a New Zealand-born, British-domiciled organist, music teacher, and composer. He was educated at Clifton College, studied at the Royal College of Music, and then worked as Director of Music at Christ's Hospital School in Horsham, West Sussex, to where the choristers of Westminster Abbey were briefly evacuated during the Second World War. Lang's best-known work is his Tuba Tune for organ which is a favorite of organ recitalists. This lively trumpet voluntary, which owes its title to the boisterous melody sounded forth on the organ's tuba stop, begins in the style of Handel. However, in its central section, the piece has some brief key changes that could belong to no century except the 20th!

WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR TODAY (January 29): Opener Jef Londrey; Greeters Carol Wood, Leslie Hartman; Nursery Worker Mary Gray; Elementary Sunday School Janet Chenoweth; Worship Kits Jean Appich; Fellowship Hour Sallie Leys WORSHIP SUPPORT FOR NEXT SUNDAY (February 5): Opener Kent Cardwell; Greeters NEED GREETERS; Nursery Worker Susan Boze; Elementary Sunday School NEED SS TEACHER; Worship Kits NEED WORSHIP KITS COORDINATOR; Fellowship Hour Carol Wood

REFRESHMENTS AT FELLOWSHIP HOUR: The time following worship is an opportunity for members, friends, and guests to enjoy fellowship and grow in community. We are in great need of volunteers to fill this request. Without volunteers this ministry would not happen. Everyone is invited to share in this rewarding ministry of hospitality by agreeing to provide refreshments one Sunday. Coffee and punch are already provided. Only a small snack is needed, such as donuts, cookies, or muffins. Simply sign up using the sheet on the piano in the Social Room, or on the counter in the Glass Office. If you have any questions, please contact Everett Reveley at everett.reveley@gmail.com or 703/4006316. Thank you.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING -- NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY, 5TH

Grace Covenant is joining the Presbytery of the James's attack against hunger by participating in the nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring event on Sunday, February 5th! The GCPC Youth will be taking up a "souper" special offering after worship -- so please look for the soup pots in the Narthex to make a contribution, as we do our part to help feed those who are in need. To learn more about this important effort, please visit www.souperbowl.org

FLOWER DONATIONS: Throughout the year people (members and friends) will honor or remember special people in their lives by providing donations for flowers. These flowers are displayed in the Sanctuary for Sunday Service. There are two open dates in February, February 5 and February 26. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Lisa Gray at 804-673-0587 or by email at c.lgray@comcast.net.

CONNECTIONS: with Brian Baird and/or Christof Meyer. Room 303 FORUM CLASS: Wisdom from the Early Church. with Nelson Reveley. Room B-4 GRACE BIBLE CLASS: Reformed Tradition with John Nevin. Room 212 VANGUARD CLASS: Gospel of Matthew with Matt Johnson. Room B-7

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY: This year GCPC began offering DISCIPLE, a 34-week in-depth Bible study for small groups. Led by a trained facilitator, the study includes 30 minutes of daily reading and a weekly 2-1/2-hour seminar. Each Sunday the bulletin lists the topic and assignments for the coming week to give the congregation an idea about what the course covers. If the curriculum looks appealing, then youre invited to consider signing up for the next class. Week 3: Sin The Rebel People Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Gen. 3-4 (the Fall, Cain and Abel) Gen. 6:5-9:29 (Noah and the Flood) Gen. 11:1-9 (the tower of Babel) Jer. 8:18-9:11 (a lament for Judah and Jerusalem) 2 Sam. 11:1 12:7 (Davids sin and Nathans reproof); Ps. 51 (confession) (readings in textbook)

Join us this Wednesday, February 1, at 6:00 p.m. Menu includes: Barbeque, rolls, cole slaw, baked beans and pineapple upside-down cake. Wednesday Night Programs are from 6:30-7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. Members of the Mission Study Committee will present an overview of the Mission Study this week.
PRAYER TIME START A NEW THING IN THE NEW YEAR: Do you enjoy pray-

ing with others or have a sense that God is calling you to pray for others in the life of our church? If so, please come and join the prayer team on Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:30 a.m. in the social room. You just might find out you have the gift of prayer! For prayer requests or questions please contact Carol Wood at 804-282-2446 or cwjer2911@aol.com or the church office. SAVE THE DATE: CARITAS is coming back to Grace Covenant this year. We will need a lot of volunteers to make this successful. Save the date beginning Saturday, March 3, through Saturday, March 10. RUNNING WITH GRACE, 2012: Again this year, some members and friends of Grace Covenant will be running and walking on Monument Avenue each week. We plan to start in the Grace Covenant parking lot at 4:00 p.m. sharp on Sunday afternoon. The pace is flexible and all are welcomerunners, walkers, whatever you may be. Get into the spirit of the 10k with us! Contact Brian Baird at 804.586.4156 or brian.baird5@gmail.com for details. Get your hats and boots and head on over to see the Cotton Patch Gospel presented by the BTSR* Shoestring players, including Cameron Thomas and Christopher Tweel and choreography by Rev. Crystal Sygeel, event coordinator from Union Presbyterian Seminary Richmond Campus. Performances are at Richmond Chapel on the BTSR campus on Brook Road at 7:30 p.m., this Thursday through Saturday, February 2-4, and again February 9-11. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students) at the Cokesbury bookstore on the Union Presbyterian Seminary campus. * Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond

THIS WEEK AT GRACE COVENANT

Sunday, January 29 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 30 12:00 noon Tuesday, January 31 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 1 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, February 2 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 4 9:30 a.m. Sunday, February 5 8:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Mission Study Team Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Disciple Bible Study Community Group Discussion Mens Luncheon Staff Meeting Care Team Meeting Carol Choir (ages 3 K) rehearsal Junior Choir (grades 1-6) rehearsal WNL Supper and Program Chancel Choir rehearsal Mothers Together Vanguard Room Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303 Fellowship Hall Vanguard Room Room 213 Room 200 Choir Room Choir Room Fellowship Hall Choir Room

New Members Class (3 of 3) SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY! Mission Study Team Prayer Sunday School Worship Service Fellowship Hour Lunch for Disciple & Community Group Disciple Bible Study Community Group Discussion

Fellowship Hall

Vanguard Room Social Room Various Rooms Sanctuary Social Room Fellowship Hall Room 303 Fellowship Hall

2012 Officers
Our Elders serve the church as leaders. Our Deacons lead the church in service. Please feel free to approach them with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenants ministries. CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Maurice Bell (13) - Stewardship (M); Property Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Mission (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M) Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) Cherry Corley (12) Susan Farrell (12) Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator Jan Kessel (14) Jim McCullough (13) Ann Pais (14) Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator Dawson Watkins (13) Carol Wood (13) Sid Yates (12) MISSION STUDY TEAM: John Nevin (M) Matt Johnson (Co-M) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio) (M=Moderator)

Grace Covenant is now entering its 89th year of Radio Ministry. On January 27, 1924, Grace Covenants radio station WBBL produced its first broadcast, primarily through the efforts of a deacon, Dr. C. Brown Pearson, who, with the help of some friends, built a transmitter, strung a 40-foot wire antenna from the roof of the educational building, and drove up to Washington to get a broadcast license in order to broadcast an evangelic campaign featuring Dr. R. A. Torrey. WBBL was one of the oldest church-owned religious radio stations in the world and the first radio station in Richmond. It not only broadcast the regular Sunday morning worship service at Grace Covenant, but it also produced various evening programs. Although the church no longer owns its own radio station, the Radio Ministry is still continuing today as we broadcast the morning worship service over radio station WLES (590 AM). Stop by the radio studio, now located in the basement, some Sunday after worship service and thank the volunteers who serve each Sunday in this ministry to the Richmond community.

SERMON NOTES
Knowing God B. BRINTON P. KEYES