GRACE COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Awakening a Love for Christ in the Heart of Richmond

July 19, 2015 The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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 Fantasia Iteke Prins (b. 1937) †CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 89:1-4) James Atchison Ruling Elder

One: I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;

All: with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

One: I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;

All: your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

One: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to my servant David:

I will establish your descendants forever,

and build your throne for all generations.”

All: Praise the Lord!

†HYMN 15 (Red Hymnal)

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart

Music reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

†PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)

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 been timid in times that call for courage, Arrogant in times that call for humility. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin.

[time of silence]

Amen.

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON †GLORIA 417, STANZA 4 (Blue Hymnal) Regent Square Laud and honor to the Father, Laud and honor to the Son, Laud and honor to the Spirit, Ever three and ever one; One in might and one in glory While unending ages run.

At this time, children 6 years and younger are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary to go with one of our leaders to childcare where they will join our paid staff in Room 102. Children can be picked up there after the service.

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION James Atchison

OLD TESTAMENT READING Esther 4:9-17 Holy Bible, p. 439 OT

SOLO O Rest in the Lord (Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847 Erin Cook, alto O rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for Him, and He shall give thee thy heart’s desires. Commit thy way unto Him and trust in Him, and fret not thyself because of evildoers.

NEW TESTAMENT READING Mark 10:42-45 Holy Bible, p. 48 NT

SERMON “For Such a Time as This” Bobby Hulme-Lippert

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

†HYMN 332 (Blue Hymnal) Live Into Hope Truro

Music reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

†BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH 10.5 AND 10.6 (IN UNISON)

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The creed concludes with the singing of the Gloria Patri.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Henry Greatorex As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S 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

SOLO

Litany to the Holy Spirit Peter Hurford, b. 1930 Erin Cook, alto In the hour of my distress, when temptations me oppress, and when my sins confess, sweet Spirit, comfort me! When I lie within my bed, sick in heart and sick in head, and when doubts discomfited, sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the house doth sigh and weep, and the world is drowned with sleep, yet mine eye the watch do keep, sweet Spirit, comfort me! - words by Robert Herrick, 1591-1674

†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 263 (Blue Hymnal; music printed on opposite page) Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise St. Denio †BENEDICTION †POSTLUDE Postlude VI Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

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 Jane Martin Roberts by her family.

Music reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-715262.

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Hearing Aids and Large-Print Hymnals are available from the ushers.

Each week in 2015, this portion of the bulletin will contain a quote from a sermon given at Grace Covenant sometime during the past 100 years. In hearing the faithful voices of our past, we are spurred toward a faithful future together.

Our worship service is broadcast live from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on WLES 590 AM and 97.7 FM and is streamed live on www.truthnetwork.com (press “Listen Live,” then select “Richmond”).

For podcasts, go to www.grace-covenant.org, click on “Worship,” then the pull-down “Sermons Online” and select the Full Service, Sunday Sermons, or Special Performances you wish to hear. The podcasts are uploaded within an hour of the end-of-broadcast.

For Audio CDs, leave a note to the Radio Room in the Glass Office or call the main church office 359-2463. There is no charge for this service, but any contributions to “The Radio Fund” are greatly appreciated and will help to assure the continuation of this ministry.

“It is also the case that if we as the church receive the healing of Christ, and become well, then we can become agents of Christ spreading that healing throughout the community. We have an opportunity, and therefore a responsibility, and a high privilege, to engage in

extensive ministries of caring, loving, and healing throughout this city, the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.”

- Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, “Do You Want to Be Healed?” January 28, 2007

Grace Covenant will be reborn through faith in Christ for the glory of God alone. By submitting to Jesus Christ as the head of the church, our community will find new life in Him who is renewing all creation.

Neighbors of every stripe – from college students to retired professionals, hardened skeptics to committed be-lievers – will fill Grace Covenant to hear the Good News that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him may not perish but have eternal life.

In response, we will train our desires, thoughts, emotions, and actions towards serving God so that He might transform us into grateful disciples of Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

- from our 2012 Vision Statement

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deacons’ Fund - This fund assists members who are in emergency financial need. Please contact Reverend Bobby Hulme-Lippert to make a request. All requests are confidential.

Church Directories - If you haven’t received your Church Directory, you may pick up your copy, Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the church office.

GCPC Softball - Our team is in the playoffs! Come out and cheer for us on Tuesday, July 21, 7:00 p.m., on Westhampton Field (at Patterson and Libbie) as we play St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

MUSIC NOTES

Today we welcome back Sharon Freude as our guest organist. Sharon is joined by Erin Cook, who is the alto section leader in our Chancel Choir.

We are grateful to have you join in worship with us this morning. We are an historic Pres-byterian church celebrating our centennial anniversary in 2015. God has been immensely faithful for the past 100 years, and we are eager to step faithfully into the next 100! We continue forward by walking in light of our mission: to train grateful disciples of Jesus Christ who are doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. May you be blessed through worship and fellow-ship this morning.

WELCOME TO GRACE COVENANT

Grace Covenant Summer Music Ministry Schedule

Sunday, July 26 Dan Cook, baritone Grace Covenant Chancel Choir Sunday, August 2 Dr. Christine Anderson, violin Grace Covenant Chancel Choir Sunday, August 9 Anastasia Jellison, harp College of William and Mary Sunday, August 16 Marcey Leonard, flute Second Presbyterian Church Sunday, August 23 Pablo Talamante, tenor United States Army Chorus Sunday, August 30 Shawn Welk, oboe Richmond Symphony Sunday, September 6 Vivien Chen, piano; Chris Martin, organ Grace Covenant

Parent’s Night Out - We are happy to offer this blessing to our families again on Saturday, July 25, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A charge of $5 per child will help defray the costs of child care, though there is a $10 maximum per family with more than two children. Please RSVP by Thursday, July 23, to the church at info@grace-covenant.org or 359-2463 with name of child and age.

Yard Sale to Benefit Honduras Scheduled for August 1 - As in years past, our partner in the Honduras mission, Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church, will be having a yard sale on Saturday, August 1. All proceeds will benefit the January 3-10, 2015 mission trip. Cleaning out your closets or garage? Please gather your contributions. Susan Pillsbury David will pick them up from your home! Please contact her at (804) 387-2302 or susan.pillsburydavid@gmail.com to arrange for collection.

August Musicales - Wednesday, August 12, 19, and 26. Come and experience musical performances by Christopher Martin (organist); Robert Murray and Ardyth Lohuis (violin and organ); and members of the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble. All performances start at 7:00 p.m. and are free of charge. For more info visit, grace-covenant.org.

MISSION AND JUSTICE

STEP out with Us This Summer! Grace Covenant is looking forward to spending two days this summer with the kids from Gilpin Court's STEP program. July 21 and 22 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. we will be hosting the STEP children on two excursions. The first, July 21, is a trip to Shalom Farms. The second day, July 22, we will spend the afternoon at Maymont, seeing the sights, playing games, and cooking out. Contact Susan Farrell or Christopher Tweel for more info, and sign up with the church office at info@grace-covenant.org.

Food and Faith Summer Series

Join us Wednesday nights for Food and Faith cookouts! Dinner will be put together by the hosts (see below), and it will start at 6:00 p.m. About 6:45 p.m., a conversation around Scripture and that evening’s theme will begin. It’s casual, and a great time to bring the whole family! We simply ask that you consider making a $3-4 donation per person to cov-er food costs ($12 max for a family). Please RSVP at info@grace-covenant.org or by call-ing the church office at 359-2463 by noon on Wednesday.

July 22 Sizemores’ House 1112 Hollins Rd. Eucharist

Food Donations Needed! There is an additional way to give to the incredible ministry happening at the William Byrd House. Pick up a labeled grocery bag and fill it with the listed items. These are items that William Byrd House has identified as needs. Thank you all for the amazing support you continue to show.

Shalom Farms - Join us on Saturday, August 15, at Shalom Farms—a local food access and community development ministry (shalomfarms.org)— as we help ensure that everyone in our city has access to God's bounteous gift of nutritious produce. Please RSVP to Nate McKinnon at nathaniel.mckinnon@gmail.com or 732-618-7077. Carpooling from the church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. (and returning by 12:00 noon) is possible if there is interest. Otherwise, you can meet us out on the farm at 9:00 a.m. (1033 Rock Castle Rd., Goochland, VA 23063).

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND DISCIPLESHIP The nursery crib room and Sunday School are available for children ages 2 and up.

GCPC Youth - Youth Sunday School is taking a hiatus for the remaining summer months. We will pick up again after Labor Day.

Summer Sunday School - Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Grace Bible Classroom as we explore the history of worship from the early church to the present.

July 26 Worship in the Church: Modern Times Virginia and Nate

August 2 Worship in the Church: Challenges and Christopher Opportunities

August 9 Worship in the Church: Challenges and Bobby Opportunities

People Group - Come and enjoy BBQ and fried chicken, Saturday, August 15. Hosted by Janet & Rob Luning and Jean Appich at Jean’s home away from home on the Rappahannock River. Come out early afternoon and enjoy fellowship, swimming, boat rides and more. We will eat around 5:00 p.m. Please bring a chair and either an appetizer, a salad, vegetables, or a dessert to share (enough for ten people). Please RSVP to the church office at 359-2463.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER Lord, hear our prayer for...

Caleb Gibson, great-grandson of Jean Appich and grandson of Charlie and Sharon Appich, as he undergoes chemotherapy; Loretta and Peter Albertis; Ann Pais’ daughter-in-law, Jane Pais, with cancer; Susan Farrell’s father, Jim, facing health issues; Elizabeth Russell’s father, Dr. William Russell; Cynthia Holmes’ mother, Constance Lockman; Rosie and George Turner; Dr. Carl and Mrs. Jo McMillin; Steve Cobb and his family; Mark Collins, nephew of Lisa Cardwell, Stuart Chapman, David Russell, and Chris Pais, and all who are serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. Pray for peace in the Middle East.

1627 Monument Avenue • Richmond, Virginia 23220 • 804-359-2463 Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Email: info@grace-covenant.org Website: www.grace-covenant.org Radio: WLES 590 AM & 97.7 FM • Live Streaming www.truthnetwork.com (Click “Listen Live,” then “Richmond, Virginia”)

Pastor: Bobby Hulme-Lippert Child Development Center Director: Nicole Flournoy Director of Music: Christopher Martin Administrative Support: Martha Rubin Director of Christian Formation & Pastoral Asst.: Christopher Tweel Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult Discipleship: Nelson Reveley Director of Communications: Amy Kempel

SERMON NOTES