May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all Nations.
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the Nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
BOLD = Congregation Response
Songs of Approach
Come Thou Fount
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we confess that we are often swept up in the tide of our generation. We have failed in our calling to be your distinct holy people, set apart for your divine purpose. We dream more of privilege and benefits than of service and sacrifice. We are moved more by private ambition than by justice for all. We seek more to build a name for ourselves – a legacy driven by our idols – than to be part of the legacy of the faithful in your kingdom. By your grace, in Christ, forgive us. By your Holy Spirit revive us, and reshape us in accord with your heart.
– Silent Confession of Personal Sin & Brokenness –
Words of Grace
~ Hebrews 12:1-2
Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Song of Adoration
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Prayer for God’s Protection, Provision, and Guidance
Doxology
Meditation on God’s Word
Scripture:
Message: Mark Begly, Grace Covenant Elder
Song of Dismissal
The Churches One Foundation
Benediction
***
NOTES
Passage Next Week:
Habakkuk 1.1-11
Worship Leaders Today:
Music/Liturgy: Isaiah Day
Vocals: Candy Cleary
Cello: Ellie Kang
Drums: Hayden Stulen
Message: Mark Begly, Elder
Congregational Prayer:
Video/Sound/Tech: Tim Nargi & Jeff Field
Special Note on Supporting the Mission & Work of Grace Covenant:
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. During these extraordinary times, the life and ministry of our church will continue – even when we are not all able to meet together 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.
Sending your check to the church offices at 1677 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Bringing your gifts with you to worship. We will not be passing an offering plate in our service for the foreseeable future, but an offering box is available for you to place your gift before or after each service.
If you would like to make a special gift to help those from our church and community who are in need, please write “Mercy Ministries” on the memo line of your check or select that fund when making a gift online.
Other News & Notes:
During this time when many are still scattered and social distancing, the ministry of Grace Covenant continues. News and notes about events and activities of Grace Covenant are all included in our weekly Grace Notes e-bulletin. If you are not receiving Grace Notes, but you would like to, please contact the church office to provide us with the e-mail to which you would like Grace Notes to be delivered: kathy@gracecovpca.org or 757-220-0147.
We invite you to connect with us on our Grace Covenant Facebook page. There you will see regular posts to encourage you on your faith journey, photos and updates of activities within the Grace Covenant family, and notice of events and opportunities to serve at Grace Covenant and in our broader community. Click the link above, and “Like” our page.
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:3-4)
Songs of Approach
How Great is Our God/How Great Thou Art
Prayer of Approach
Invitation to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Holy, awesome, and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. You constantly call us, but we do not listen. You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. By our silence we condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed. God of grace, as you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Silent Confession of Personal Sin & Brokenness
Words of Grace
Hear the good news: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I believe that God, because of Christ’s atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins nor my sinful nature, which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, in his grace, God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment, and to enable me to live with Him.
~ from Matthew 9:13 & Heidelberg Catechism Q. 56
Song of Adoration
All I Have is Christ
Prayer for God’s Protection, Provision, and Guidance
Doxology
Meditation on God’s Word
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-7
Message: When You’re Living in Exile
Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
Song of Dismissal
Psalm 23
Benediction
***
NOTES
Passage Next Week:
TBD
Worship Leaders Today:
Piano/Vocal: Nathan Kiewiet/Jamie Field
Message: Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
Liturgist: Rev. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
Video/Sound/Tech: Tim Nargi & Jeff Field
Special Note on Supporting the Mission & Work of Grace Covenant:
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. During these extraordinary times, the life and ministry of our church will continue – even when we are not all able to meet together 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.
Sending your check to the church offices at 1677 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Bringing your gifts with you to worship. We will not be passing an offering plate in our service for the foreseeable future, but an offering box is available for you to place your gift before or after each service.
If you would like to make a special gift to help those from our church and community who are in need, please write “Mercy Ministries” on the memo line of your check or select that fund when making a gift online.
Other News & Notes:
Even during this time when many are still scattered and social distancing, the ministry of Grace Covenant continues. News and notes about events and activities of Grace Covenant are all included in our weekly Grace Notes e-bulletin. If you are not receiving Grace Notes, but you would like to, please contact the church office to provide us with the e-mail to which you would like Grace Notes to be delivered: kathy@gracecovpca.org or 757-220-0147.
Our service this week deviates slightly from our more familiar pattern, but nothing too dramatic. The chief difference this week is found in the focus of our prayer. Since this Sunday is recognized by our culture as Mother’s Day, our prayers are focused on praying for our mothers, and for those for whom Mother’s Day may come with some degree of heartache. While some may wonder why put such emphasis on a Hallmark holiday, a wise old pastor once told me: “If the whole world is focused on some aspect of God, go with it.” Beyond the more narrowly focused prayer, the substance of our service this week remains mostly the same.
A .pdf of the worship outline should be printed out so that each person has the tools for participating in the service. You can find the .pdf by:
May the Lord plant you firmly in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, and which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven. (See Colossians 1.23)
ALL: We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
Song of Approach
Christ The Lord is Risen Today
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your voice and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died, our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the Resurrection, thou! Alleluia!
Lyrics: Charles Wesley
Music: Lyra Davidson
Public Domain
Easter Prayer of Invocation
[Have one person pray this prayer aloud.]
Glorious God of Life, we give you thanks this day for the hope we have in Jesus – who died but is Risen, and rules over all. Grant us your presence as we worship, knowing that because he lives, we look for eternal life, assured that nothing past, present, or yet to come can separate us from your great love made known in Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
Song of Adoration
He Is Lord
He is Lord, He is Lord! He is Risen from the Dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord!
Music: Anonymous
Words: based on Philippians 2.10-11
CCLI #360938/#20167508
Testimonies
The Witnesses
[Assign each testimony to different readers to read aloud, in the following order:]
Testimony of the Two Mary’s: Matthew 28:1-10
Testimony of Peter: John 20:3-9
Testimony of Mary Magdalene: John 20:10-18
Testimony of the Guards, Priests, Crowds: Matthew 28:4, 11-15
Testimony of the First Disciples: Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:30-44
Testimony of Thomas: John 20:24-29
Our Testimony of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-9
[Declared by ALL in unison.]
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for us, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this we greatly rejoice, though now for a little while we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that our faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though we have not seen him, we love him; and even though we do not see him now, we believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for we are receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
Song of Easter Celebration
Man of Sorrows
Man of sorrows Lamb of God By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God Has been on Jesus laid
Silent as He stood accused Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father’s will He took a crown of thorns
Chorus:
Oh that rugged cross My salvation Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out Hallelujah Praise and honor unto Thee
Sent of heaven God’s own Son To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones Who nailed Him to that tree
(Chorus)
Now my debt is paid It is paid in full By the precious blood That my Jesus spilled Now the curse of sin Has no hold on me Whom the Son sets free Oh is free indeed! (2x)
(Chorus)
See the stone is rolled away Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah! God be praised! He’s risen from the grave!
(Chorus)
Words and Music:
Matt Crocker & Brooke Ligertwood
CCLI #360938/#20167508
Our Response
Sharing Our Own Stories (Optional)
[Invite someone, even two or three people, to share their own faith journey – how they came to faith in Christ, and how God is still at work within:]
Praying to Our Risen Lord
[Spend a season in prayer as a group. Have one person lead, inviting others to pray, as the Spirit leads, for each petition of the provided prayer guide:]
God of life, we rejoice in the resurrection of your Son, his defeat over death, and his gift of new life. We praise you for the reflections of that new life in creation, in our new life in Christ, and in the new community you have formed from all peoples and all time. To you as the giver of new life and renewed hope we bring our prayers.
for our nation and its leaders . . .
for our community and those in it who are in need . . .
for the Church in its work and its worship . . .
for family & friends with particular needs . . .
Listening to the Word of Our Risen Lord
[Have one person read this passage aloud. Then have either one person, or several, pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through this Word and message.]
Scripture: Matthew 28:5-10
Message: The First Easter Message
Discussion (Optional)
[Discuss the following:]
How does this passage speak to you? Give special attention to the angel’s words: “Do not Fear”, “Come and See”, “Go and Tell”.
Offering to Our Risen Lord
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
Song of Dismissal
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own.
Awake, my soul and sing Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of love, Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends His wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave,
Who rose victorious to the strife For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high
Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.
Lyrics: Matthew Bridges
Music: George Elvey
Public Domain
Benediction
***
NOTES:
Passage Next Week:
Colossians 1.6
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 & Video Editing: Tim Nargi
Video Assist: 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.
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.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Song of Approach
O Worship the King
O worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His power and His love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space, Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
Lyrics: Robert Grant
Music: Johann Michael Haydn
Public Domain
Prayer of Approach
[Have one person pray this prayer aloud.]
O Lord Jesus, as you once entered Jerusalem, enter our hearts this day afresh. As you once set your face toward death on a cross, help us this day to walk with you to victory. As the children once cried “Hosanna” to bless you, enable us to confess you openly as Lord and Savior. Grant us your presence by the power of your Spirit, that our worship and our lives may truly honor you. Amen.
Gospel Lesson: Palm Sunday
~ Matthew 21:1-10
[Have one person read this passage aloud.]
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
Invitation to Confession
~ based on Matthew 21
[Have one person read this invitation to confession aloud.]
Like the people who greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and then later pronounced “Crucify him,” we are fickle people who often deny Christ in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Remembering the events of Jesus’ last week helps us see ourselves for what we are: sinners in need of a Savior… In honesty and hope, let us confess each our sins to God.
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:]
[O Lord, I confess my hands are not clean, my heart is not pure. Forgive my fickleness and keep my faith constant. Lead me always to a deeper experience of your love. Enliven me by the familiar but always new story of shame and triumph, suffering and hope, that this week reveals. Mold me to the ways of Jesus, whose life we honor this day. ~ Amen]
Words of Grace
~ from Matthew 20:28
[Have one person read this pardon aloud.]
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In Christ, God answers us and sets us free!
In Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
Song of Celebration
Amazing Grace (Chains Are Gone)
Amazing grace How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found; Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains Unending Love, Amazing Grace.
The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains Unending Love, Amazing Grace. (2x)
The Earth could soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God, Who called me here below Will be forever mine. Will be forever mine. You are forever mine.
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:]
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” ~ 1 John 5:14
Coming humbly and boldly, with confidence, pray:
Healing for the sick
Peace for those waiting as loved ones suffer
Comfort for those who have lost loved ones
Endurance and guidance for those laboring to save lives
Wisdom, discernment, and unity for leaders (government, medical, church)
Provision for those facing unemployment and financial loss
Protection for those at home where home isn’t a safe place
Relief for those struggling with anxiety, depression, and isolation
Encouragement for those trying to balance adjusted work and family needs
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
Meditation on God’s Word
Old Testament Lesson: from Habakkuk
[Have two people read these passages aloud, as a dialogue between God and the prophet Habakkuk. One person reading the verses where God speaks, another the verses where Habakkuk speaks. After the reading, have either one person, or several, pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through His Word and the message.]
Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1.1-4)
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
God (Habakkuk 1:5)
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:1)
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the tower; I will look to see what God will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
God (Habakkuk 2:2-4)
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person will live by his faith.”
Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3: 1-2, 17-19)
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Though the fig tree does not blossom and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Message
When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
Song of Dismissal
Come Thou Fount
Come Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of God’s unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come; and I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let that grace now like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face; Clothed then in blood washed linen; How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace; Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, Take my ransomed soul away; Send thine angels now to carry Me to realms of endless day.
Lyrics: Robert Robertson (v. 1-3); Bradford J. Brown (v. 4)
Tune: Traditional Folk Tune
Public Domain
Benediction
***
NOTES:
Passage Next Week:
Matthew 28.5-10
Worship Leaders Today
Piano/Guitar: Isaiah Day
Vocalist: Rachel Bartelmay
Message: Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
Benediction: Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead 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.
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.
