COVENANT OF GRACE
by Joseph M. Martin
Presented by the Norcross Presbyterian Choir

Prelude: In the Garden              Janet Van Valey
The NPC Ringers Handbell Choir
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Paean of Promise
Listen, faithful servant, take courage in these words. Take courage, for God is ever sure. God is always faithful.  God’s love is everlasting. His covenant of grace will forever endure.

Oh, I will make in you a mighty nation, and I will shower you with glory from on high. Oh, I will bless you, that you might be a blessing. This is my promise. This is my covenant. This is my word of life.

I will bless your night with shining stars of peace and hope. Ev’ry valley that you walk, you’ll never walk alone. And if you lose the way, I’ll bring you home again, for you are covered by my grace.
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Covenant of the Lamb
Praise the Lord! Let the trumpet sound! Let the people shout in Zion! Let the people praise the name of the Lord.

 The God of Abr’ham praise, who reigns enthroned above, The Ancient of Eternal Days and God of love! Jehovah, great I AM! by earth and heav’n confessed, I bow and bless Thy sacred name forever blessed.

 God by Himself hath sworn. We on His oath depend, and we shall rise on wings as eagles, to heaven ascend. God is our dwelling place.  His grace our hearts restore. God’s mercy and His truth will stand forevermore!

 Rejoice, rejoice ye people! Sing jubilant songs and clap your hands! Rejoice, for God has given the covenant of the Lamb!

 Sing hosanna! Sing on, dance on, citizens of the Promised Land. Sing and rejoice for the covenant of the Lamb.

 Awake, awake ye people! Rejoice, rejoice Jerusalem! The day of grace is coming, the covenant of the Lamb. Make straight the way in Zion, ye chosen seed of Abraham. The Promise is upon you, the covenant of the lamb!

Rejoice, rejoice, Hosanna! Sing jubilant songs and clap your hands! Rejoice, for God has given the covenant of the Lamb!
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For God So Loved the World
For God so loved the world,  He gave His priceless pearl.
For God so loved the world,  He gave His only Son. 

Love came that none should die.  Christ came, a sacrifice,
that whosoever believeth in Him,
would have eternal life

For God so loved the world,  He gave His only Son.  For God so loved the world.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might live.
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Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
“Hosanna, loud hosanna,” the little children sang.
Through pillared court and temple, the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

Hosanna in the highest.  Hosanna to the King.
Hosanna in the highest.  Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Hosanna in the highest.  Declare the coming Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.  O praise forevermore!

“Hosanna in the highest!” the ancient song we sing.
Behold the son of David comes, the Lord of heav’n, our King;
O may we ever praise Him with heart and soul and voice,
and in His glorious presence, eternally rejoice.

Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna forevermore!
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Offering/Offertory
Hosanna              Betty Garee
The NPC Ringers Handbell Choir
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The Promise of the Kingdom
When the Son of Man comes in glory, He will bring all the nations before Him, and He will separate the light from the darkness and He will gather His children to His side.

Then the King will gently say to them:

Come, all who are blessed of my Father, for yours is the kingdom. Come, ye people blessed of my Father, yours is the kingdom of light, yours is the kingdom of God!

For I was hungry and you fed Me. When I was thirsty, you gave Me water. I was a stranger and you took Me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed Me. When I was sick, you looked after Me.  When I was in prison, you came unto Me.
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An Invitation to Grace
Come, O come. Come to the table, all who are hungry and longing for bread.
Come, O come. Take of God’s goodness. This is the covenant, the covenant of grace.

Come, O, come.  Come to the table.  Here is refreshment for seekers of life.
Come, O come.  Come to the table.  This is the covenant, the covenant of grace.

Take, eat and remember. Take, drink and be comforted.
Come and know love divine. Rejoice in new wine. Receive God’s eternal life.

Come, O come.  Come to the table, all who are weary and burdened with care.
Come, O, come. Come to the promise. This is the covenant, the covenant of grace.

This is My covenant of grace.
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Cry of the Crucifixion
King of thorns, receive Your glory! Come and claim Your cruel crown.
Prince of tears, Your throne awaits You, high above Golgotha’s frown.

Take the cross, it is Your scepter. Wear the purple robe in shame.
Now the soldiers bow before You as they shout and mock Your name.

Crucify the one called Jesus! Set another pris’ner free!
We shall have no King but Caesar! Take this man to Calvary!

Jesus, call ten thousand angels! Save Your life and take Your throne!
Save Yourself if You are worthy! Prove You are the chosen one!

Up Golgotha’s path of mourning, walks the beaten Son of Man,
to the altar, to the slaughter. Come, behold the dying Lamb.

See the cross rise up to heaven. Feel the thunder shake the sky.
Hear the hammer toll in triumph. Christ the Lamb is crucified!  Christ the Lamb is crucified!
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Here is Love
Here is love, vast as the ocean,  loving-kindness, as the flood,
when the Prince of Life, our ransom,  shed for us His precious blood.

Who His love will not remember?  Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten through-out heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,  fountains opened, deep and wide.
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
and God’s peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.

Here is love, vast as the ocean.  Here is love. Here is love. Here is love.
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We Are God’s People
From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride.
With His own blood He bought her and for her life He died.

We are God’s people. We are the children of grace.  We are God’s people. We are one in love’s embrace.
We are the bride of Christ, redeemed forevermore.  We are God’s people. We are the chosen of our Lord.

God of the promise, Lord of the covenant, Your love is faithful; Your word is ever true.
Lord, we are ready. Our lamps are burning bright.  Your church is waiting to be your holy bride.
Lord, make us worthy. Lord, wash our garments in Your light.

We are God’s people. We are the children of grace.  We are God’s people. We are one in love’s embrace.
We are the bride of Christ, redeemed forevermore.  We are God’s people. We are the chosen of our Lord.

We are the people of God!
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Readers: Tanya Carroll and Jason Caldwell
Choir Direction: Brock Terry
Handbell Director: Ken Birmingham
Audio and Recording: Rodney Lewis