Grace Covenant Worship: March 22, 2020

Order of Worship

GCPC Worship – March 22, 2020 (.pdf).

Words of Approach

[Have one person read the Leader part aloud; all respond aloud.]

LEADER: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

PEOPLE: My only comfort is that I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the enemy. He also watches over me in such a way that not even a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

 

Prayer of Approach

[Have one person pray this prayer aloud.]

Holy and loving God, as we worship you today, we long for your Spirit to both comfort and challenge us, to help us become more holy and more loving. In a world that does not understand repentance or grace, we pray for new understanding, humility, patience, and discipline that will help us die to sin and live for Jesus. Amen.

 

Song of Approach               In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found, / He is my light, my strength, my song. / This Cornerstone, this solid Ground; / Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. /            What heights of love, what depths of peace/ When fears are stilled, when strivings cease / My Comforter, my All in All; / Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh, / Fullness of God in helpless babe. / This gift of love and righteousness, / Scorned by the ones He came to save. / Till on that cross as Jesus died, / The wrath of God was satisfied. / For every sin on Him was laid / Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, / Light of the world by darkness slain: / Then bursting forth in glorious day / Up from the grave He rose again! / And as He stands in victory / Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me, / For I am His and He is mine / Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, / This is the power of Christ in me. / From life’s first cry to final breath, / Jesus commands my destiny. / No power of hell, no scheme of man, / Can ever pluck me from His hand / Till He returns or calls me home / Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend

© Capitol Christian Music Group

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Call to Confession     ~ Isaiah 64:6; Proverbs 28:13

[Have one person read these verses aloud.]

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 

Prayer of Common Confession

[ALL Pray this prayer aloud.]

O Lord, we want to enter your presence, worshiping you face-to-face, awed by your majesty, greatness, and glory; but encouraged and renewed by your love. Yet there is coldness in our hearts. We have been more caught up in the world’s allure than in the majesty of your glory. We have not made the truth of the gospel the center of our attention and hope. We have failed to make your concerns our own. Forgive us, and fill us with love and reverence of your holy name, that your great glory might be shown in us.

 

Silent Confession of Personal Sin & Brokenness

[Spend a moment in silent confessing prayer. If you are not sure what to pray here is a sample prayer to use as is or as a template:]

Lord, I cry to you to heal my wounds. I call to you in distress and plead for your salvation. I have sinned against your law and failed to do your will; I confess that I have disobeyed your holy Word. I pray, purge my life of selfishness and my heart of bitterness. Lead me back to righteousness; save me through Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Words of Grace   ~ Matthew 11.28-30

[Have one person read this passage aloud.]

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Song of Adoration          Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; / let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, / be of sin the double cure; cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands; / could my zeal no respite know, / could my tears forever flow, / all for sin could not atone; / thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; / naked, come to thee for dress; / helpless, look to thee for grace; / foul, I to the fountain fly; / wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, / when mine eye-lids close in death, / when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, / Rock of Ages, cleft for me, / let me hide myself in thee.

Lyrics: Augustus Toplady

Music: James Ward

Tune: New City Fellowship

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Prayers for God’s Protection, Provision, and Guidance

[Spend a season in prayer as a group. Pray as the Spirit leads and/or use the provided prayer guide:]

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” ~ Jeremiah 29:7

Pray for:

• Healthcare Workers
• The Sick (esp. Connie Schaub)
• Medical & Government Leaders (local, state, national, international)
• Medical Research & Development (esp. Treatment for COVID-19)
• The Distressed & Isolated
• The Vulnerable (the elderly, those with health issues, hourly workers, small business owners, the poor, those facing financial loss, etc.)

 

Offering

Our giving is an act of worship. It is a response to who God is and to God’s grace. Giving is a way that God invites us to participate in His work.  If you would like to give a tithe or offering today, you can do so by clicking: www.gracecovpca.org/resources/giving

 

Message: As the Heart Longs  (Psalm 42)                                                                               Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor

 

Song of Dismissal     On Jordan’s Stormy Banks

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye / To Canaan’s fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie.

All o’er those wide extended plains, Shines one eternal day; / There God the Son forever reigns, And scatters night away.

Chorus: I am bound (I am bound); I am bound (I am bound); I am bound for promised land. / I am bound (I am bound); I am bound (I am bound); I am bound for promised land.

No chilling winds nor poisonous breath Can reach that healthful shore; / Sickness, sorrow, pain and death, are felt and feared no more.   (Repeat chorus)

When shall I reach that happy place, and be forever blessed? / When shall I see my Father’s face, and in His bosom rest?  (Repeat chorus)

©1997 Christopher Miner Music.

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Benediction

 

***

NOTES:

 Passage Next Week:   Matthew 6.25-34

 Worship Leaders Today

• Piano/Guitar: Isaiah Day
• Vocalist: Rachel Bartelmay
• Message: Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
• Benediction: Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
• Sound/Tech: Tim Nargi
• Video: Charley Bartelmay

 

Special Note on Supporting the Mission & Work  of Grace Covenant:

During these extraordinary times, the life and ministry of our church will continue – even when we are not able to meet corporately for worship.  We humbly but boldly ask the people of Grace Covenant to continue to give generously for the benefit of God’s kingdom here in Williamsburg and beyond.

You can make your gifts in two ways:

1) Online at www.gracecovpca.org/resources/giving

2) Sending your check to the church offices at 1677 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg VA  23185

If you would like to make a special gift to help those from our church and community who are in need during this crisis, please write “Mercy Ministries” on the memo line of your check or select that fund when making a gift online.