Bulletin December 20, 2009

8/14/2019 Bulletin December 20, 2009

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P r e p a r a t i o n f o r W o r s h i p

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT!

Thank you for joining us today! We are an historic Presbyteriancongregation offering traditional worship and multiple ministries

for persons of all ages. Please join us following worship for fellowshipin the Social Room. Thank you for turning off your cell phones,pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices for the duration

of morning worship.

The Lord ate from a common bowl, and asked the disciples to sit on

the grass. He washed their feet, with a towel wrapped around His waist -He, who is the Lord of the universe!

~Clement of Alexandria

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as hisdisciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.The Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is unlawfulon the Sabbath?

He answered, Have you never read what David did when he and hiscompanions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the highpriest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread,which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to hiscompanions.

Then he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, not man forthe Sabbath.

~Mark 2:23-27


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A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OFGOD

December 20, 2009 The Fourth Sunday of Advent 11:00 a.m

GATHER TOGLORIFYGOD

PRELUDE Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming Diane Bish(b. 1941

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE Ashby, Carson, and Wilkes Price

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 93 (selected verses

Pastor: Sing to God, sing praise to his name.People: His name is the LORD, rejoice before him.Pastor: Praise God in the great congregation.People: Praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

All: You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;you give power and strength to your people.Praise be to God!

Please stand for these parts of the service.

HYMN 482 (blue) Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty Lobe den Herren

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of all power and providence, you are coming to bring all nationsunder your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom,for we live casual lives. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors,abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace.In your mercy, forgive us.


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Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek the things the babywhose birth we celebrate teaches in your word.We pray for wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit as we,ever so slowly, recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives.We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

CHRISTMASTIME ALLELUIA based on Adeste Fidelis

GIVE THANKS TOGOD

WELCOME

Please print name and information on the Friendship Register and pass it to your neighbor.

OFFERING

ANTHEM Alleluia! Christ Is Born! David LaskyChancel Choir

Alleluia! Christ is born! Heaven and earth rejoice this morn!Let us with praise the child adorn! Alleluia! Christ is born!Hodie Christus natus est: On this day is born our Savior.


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DOXOLOGY 592 (blue) Old Hundredth

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him, above, ye heavenly hosts;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

HEAR THE WORD OFGOD

CHILDRENS SERMON

OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 5:13-15 NIV

NEW TESTAMENT READING Mark 1:1-3; 2:23-27 NIV

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SERMON Christ Our Lord Steve Cobb

Then he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man,not man for the Sabbath.

~Mark 2:23-27

HYMN 157 (red) Away in a Manger Muelle


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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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 theHoly Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third dayhe rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sittethon the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shallcome to judge the quick and the dead.I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communionof saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and thelife everlasting. Amen.

GLORIAPATRI 579 (blue) Glory Be to the Father Greatorex

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.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND LORDS PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdomcome, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this dayour 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 isthe kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

GO FORTH INGODSNAME

HYMN 168 (red) Angels from the Realms of Glory Regent Square

BENEDICTION


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CHORAL RESPONSE In the Lord Ill Be Ever Thankful Taiz

POSTLUDE Noel Fanfares Charles Callahan(b. 1951

Join us in the Social Room following worship for refreshments and fellowship.

The flowers are given to the glory of Godby members and friends of the congregation.

Alleluia, music by James J. Chepponis 1997 by G.I.A. Publications.All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

SERMONNOTES


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THIS WEEK ATGRACE COVENANT

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Handbell Choir Room 312

December 20 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room9:30 a.m. Sunday School Education Building

10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 10810:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chape

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room4:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

5:00 p.m. CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Sanctuary

Monday 12:00 p.m. Presbyterian Mens Lunch Room BDecember 21

Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting RoomDecember 22

Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Grace Notes Volunteers LibraryDecember 23

Thursday 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service SanctDecember 24

Friday CHRISTMAS! Office Closed GCPC

December 25

Sunday 9:10 a.m. Prayer Ministry Social Room

December 27 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Education Building10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Room 108

10:40 a.m. Session Meeting Chape11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Congregational Fellowship Social Room


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E v e n t s a n d N e w s

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

STEWARDSHIP: If you have not yet had anopportunity to return your Pledge Card,please remember to place it in the offeringplate during the Worship Service or return itto the church office. Extra pledge cards areavailable in the Narthex and in the GlassOffice.

NEW PASTOR CALLED: We are very excitedthat our new pastor, Steve Cobb, is here!

Please join us for coffee in the Social Roomafter this mornings Worship Service for anadditional opportunity to meet Steve, as wellas his family.

ARE YOU INFORMED??? For the past monthor so, weve been sending out the CovenantConnection, our weekly e-mail newsletter, tokeep our members and friends of Grace

Covenant up-to-date on events, prayerrequests, and more. Have you been gettingthese e-mails? If not, e-mail our AssociatePastor Chris Thomas at [email protected] and let him know yourpreferred e-mail address. Hell make sureyou stay in-the-know!

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions forSundays bulletin must be submitted by noon

on Wednesday, to our AdministrativeAssistant, Janice Caldwell, in her box in theGlass Office, to her office in Room 204, orvia e-mail at [email protected].

DISPLAY CASE: Nativity Scenes from CherylJacobs now occupies the hall display case.

ENVELOPES READY! Your envelopes for

giving are ready for pick-up in the Narthex

GRACE NOTES: Volunteers, who are willingand able to assist in the preparation for thebulk mailing of Januarys edition, will beneeded this Wednesday, December 23from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. Please cometo the churchs library, on the second floorof the Education Building, to assistSubmission deadline to our monthlynewsletter is the 15th of the month. If youwould like to be added to the newsletters

mailing list, please let the AdministrativeAssistant, Janice Caldwell, know by either emailing her at [email protected] by calling the church office at 359-2465.

DEACONS FUND: Grace Covenant has aDeacons Fund to assist members who are infinancial need. Please contact Pastor SteveCobb, or Associate Pastor Chris Thomas, to

make a request. All requests areconfidential.

C OMM U N IT Y N EW S

AS YOU PRAY... please pray for ElizabethGee (a missionary, who recently spoke atour Missions Conference, and has a

reoccurrence of cancer), and for Pa Aldridge, who is currently in St. MaryHospital. Also pray for Marge McFall, whois at Our Lady of Hope Health Center13700 North Gayton Road, Room 241-A,Richmond, Virginia 23233.


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O PP OR T UN IT I E S T O S ER V E

CHURCH WORKERS FOR TODAY:OpenerCal Gray; GreetersKent Cardwell,Everett Reveley, and Leslie Hartman; NurseryWorkersStephanie Thomas, Ann Hubbard,

Katie McCullough (and Susan Boze);Worship KitsKaete Unterzuber; CoffeeFellowship TimeSuzanne and PeteSizemore; Guest Register AttendantEverettReveley.

CHURCH WORKERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY(December 27): OpenerJohn Lootens;GreetersBrian Baird, Kelly and David Lacy,an d Stephanie T homas; N urs er yWorkersMegan Rogers, Katherine Arthur,Julia Poppell (and Nikki Hazlegrove);Worship KitsKaete Unterzuber; CoffeeFellowship TimeSuzanne and PeteSizemore; Guest Register AttendantLisa andCal Gray.

CHURCH WORKER FOR THE NEXTWEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER (January 6,2010): Steve Clarke.SERVE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY: Volunteersare needed to serve the evening meal onMonday, January 18, 2010, from 5:15 p.m.until 6:30 p.m. at Conrad Center, 1400Oliver Hill Way. If you are interested inhelping, contact Patrise Sears at 338-6580.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: If you would like tovolunteer to make the coffee for theFellowship Hour one Sunday, then pleasesign up on the calendar, located on thecounter in the Glass Office.

WORSHIP

STEWARDSHIP: If you have not yet had anopportunity to return your Pledge Card,please remember to place it in the offeringplate during the Worship Service or return i

to the church office. Extra pledge cards areavailable in the Narthex and in the GlassOffice.

WE INVITE CHILDREN over the age of 5 toparticipate in the entire service. SpeciaWorship Kits for children are available in theNarthex. For children five years of age oryounger, we also have a crib nursery

toddler room, and preschool care.HEARING AIDS AND LARGE PRINT HYMNALSare available from the ushers.

THE SERVICE IS BROADCAST LIVE on WLES590 AM. The Worship Services are now onstreaming audio: www.wlesradio.com

THE SEVENTY - E IGHTH ANNUALCANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE: is aTraditional Service of Lessons and Carolswhich will occur at 5:00 p.m. TONIGHT inthe sanctuary. The music will be led by theChancel, Junior, Carol and Handbell Choirsof Grace Covenant Presbyterian ChurchFollowing the program, a reception will behosted by the Presbyterian Women, in theFellowship Hall.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY CARDS: The monthlyScripture Verse Memory Cards, given to thechildren each week after the ChildrensSermon, will discontinue after December27

FIVECENTS PERMEAL: On the first Sunday othe month, we receive the sacrament of theLords Supper, and, in gratitude for whatGod has given us, we have a hunge


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offering, Five Cents Per Meal. To contribute,use a pew envelope and mark it Five CentsPer Meal and put it in the offering plate.

DISCIPLESHIP

CHILDRENS CLASSES: InfantsNursery,main lev el; ToddlersRoom 102;PreschoolersRoom 101; Grades 1-6Rooms 207-210.

ADULT CLASSES: We have four great adultclasses; make a decision today about whichone will help you grow in the faith the most!

GRACE BIBLE CLASS: Pastor Steve Cobb willbe teaching the class next week 9:45 a.m.in Room 212.

CONNECTIONS CLASS: The Person ofJesus 9:30 a.m. in Room 303.

VANGUARD BIBLE CLASS: A Study of theGospel of Mark 9:30 a.m. in Room B-4.

FORUM CLASS: Tom Miller will teach theclass next Sunday, December 27.

RESOURCES TOGROWINTHE FAITH:Comecheck out our new Resource Table in theNarthex! We have a number of excellentresources available for purchase for a greatprice. If you have questions, please contactChristian Education Committee members

Jean Appich, Laura Leigh Savage, or ChrisThomas.

FELLOWSHIP

YOUTH GROUP: there will not be any YouthGroup tonight.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: In CommunityGroups we seek to live life together undethe gospel as we build relationships withGod, each other, and our neighbors. OnFridays, you may join us at 5:30 p.m. at thehome of the Hartmans (2107 MaplewoodAvenue) as we gather for fellowship, Biblestudy, and prayer, followed by a meal. Thereis also a group just for men that meets onthe first, third, and fifth Tuesdays at the

home of Brian Baird, 1704 HanoverAvenue. We usually listen to and talk aboua sermon, catch up on life, and pray foeach other. This is an open group. For moreinformation, please call Matt Hartman a212-1961.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER ANDPROGRAM: will reconvene on January 62010. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. followed

the program at 6:40 p.m. The cost of themeal is $5 per adult, $2 per children andstudents, and $12 maximum per family unitThe menu for January 6 includes white chiliCaesar salad, corn bread, and clair cake

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES: will meeon January 12, 2010.

MOTHERS TOGETHER: will resume onThursday, January 14, 2010 at 9:30 a.min the Fellowship Hall. For moreinformation, contact Patricia Clarke byphone, 342-7481, or be [email protected].


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M I S S I ON S

HONDURAS MISSION TRIPJANUARY 9-16,2010: We have a group of eighteenscheduled for the January mission trip. Wehave recruited one nurse, two dentists, two

lawyers, two doctors, one generalcontractor, one pre-med student, one socialworker, one retired teacher, two ministers(one Presbyterian and one Episcopalian),one college professor, and one veteran ofthe very first crop of Peace Corps volunteersback in the sixties! Grace Covenant will berepresented by Susan Farrell, Sam Lowe,and Susan Pillsbury David.

We will be conducting medical and dentalclinics in Moropacay and Puerto Grande.We will have a dental symposium in whichour two dentists will be collaborating withlocal dental workers in new techniques, butalso networking about service delivery issuesin the area. We will have a constructionproject, the size and scope of which will be

tailored to the number and skill sets of ourconstruction team. We will entertain thechildren, upgrade our medical recordssystem (computers!), monitor the progress ofour water project (clean water to PuertoGrande!), and assess (with the guidance ofthe head of the English as Second Languageprogram at VCU) the feasibility of addingEnglish classes to our repertoire. Lots to do

in a week!Thanks to God and to Grace Covenant forthis mission. Please keep us in your prayers.~Submitted by Susan Pillsbury David

WILLIAM BYRD COMMUNITY HOUSE: Fooddonations may be left in the basket in theGlass Office (the office on the main floor ofthe Education Building, near the rear doors)Please consider giving, as the need is great

Pastor: Steve CobbAssociate Pastor: Chris Thomas

Seminary Intern: Rachel ButlerDirector of Music: Chris Martin

1627 Monument AvenueRichmond, VA 23220

Phone: 804.359.2463

Fax: 804.278.6298www.grace-covenant.org

[email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pmRadio: WLES 590 AM

Documents

Bulletin December 20, 2009