Welcome to Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church!
We’re glad you’re here. You’re welcome to comment on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/ravenscov/) . Feel free to greet your friends from wherever you are. If you’d like to connect with anyone at church or have any questions about our congregation, please email one of our pastors (phil@ravenscov.org; denise@ravenscov.org) or email or call the church office (office@ravenscov.org; 773-784-7091).
| We like to remind folks that children are always welcome to remain with the congregation during worship—even more so now. When we meet in person, childcare is available as well. |
KIDS’ SINGING TIME
COVENANT POINT VIDEO
We love our Bible camps: Covenant Harbor and Covenant Point. Check out their websites to see how they’re doing in this time. Today we’ll see Covenant Point’s summer promotional video.
WELCOME , COMMUNITY LIFE & GREETING
LENTEN SONG: Bless the Lord, My Soul
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
This is the day that you
have made, Lord.
People:
Help us to rejoice in it,
and be glad!
L: Remind us of the privileges as your people.
P: to come to you in these moments
to confess our sins,
to receive forgiveness and give it,
to pray and sing and listen,
to renew our fainting spirits,
to rest in all your promises.
L: Open our eyes to see you, Lord.
P: Open our ears to hear your Word.
L: Visit us through your Holy Spirit
P: and help us to celebrate
our faith. Amen.
COME AS YOU ARE
Come out of sadness from wherever you’ve been
Come broken-hearted let rescue begin
Come find your mercy O sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
chorus
(So) Lay down your burdens lay down your shame
All who are broken lift up your face
O wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt lay down your heart
Come as you are
There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t cure
bridge
Come as you are
Fall in His arms
Come as you are
There’s joy for the morning O sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
ending
Come as you are
Come as you are
Come as you are
CCLI Song # 7017790 CCLI License # 349090
Ben Glover | David Crowder | Matt Maher© 2014 9t One Songs
GOSPEL LESSON: Rowland Reading Today
Matthew: 25:31-46
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
(Matthew 25:31-46 NRSV)
L: The Word of the Lord,
P: Thanks be to God.
Glory be to the Father, hymnal #109
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
SERMON Pastor Phil
Just give me a straight answer?
GOD WITH US
You are matchless in grace and mercy
There is nowhere we can hide from Your love
You are steadfast never-failing
You are faithful
All creation is in awe of who You are
You’re the healer of the sick and the broken
You are comfort for ev’ry heart that mourns
Our King and our Savior forever
For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done
For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done
chorus
(We sing) God with us God for us
Nothing can come against
No one can stand between us
God with us God for us
Nothing can come against
No one can stand between us
Your heart it moves with compassion
There is life there is healing in Your love
You’re the Father the Son the Holy Spirit
For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done
bridge
Where there was death
You brought life Lord
Where there was fear You brought courage
When I was afraid You were with me
And You’re lifting me up
And You’re lifting me up
bridge
And You’re lifting me up
And You’re lifting me up
And You’re lifting me up
And You’re lifting me up
CCLI Song # 7054539 CCLI License # 349090
Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
& THE LORD’S PRAYER (From Matthew’s Gospel)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
GIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“Come to the Table”
Composed by Trevor Nicholas. Joining their music: Piano – Trevor Nicholas – A human; Violin – Sarah Cave – Human’s closest friend; Violin – Taryn Rosenquist – A close friend; Cello – Cynthia Cheshire – A wise person (Likely a grandparent); Bass – Steve Bengtson – The voice of God.
The piece is a story and each instrument is a character. The central character (a human) is enjoying life when they lose their way and become alone. Their best friend finds them and sits with them in the darkness. Slowly the other characters join and point toward light and healing (The Table). The piano resists (rhythmically), but then gives in.
DOXOLOGY (Played by Cynthia Arden)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you
May the Lord make his countenance shine upon you
and give you peace.
SENDING HYMN OF BLESSING
Led by Max & Janelle
MAY GOD’S LOVE
May God’s love be fixed above you,
Overshadow you with grace;
May God’s love stand firm beneath you,
Welcome you with glad embrace !
Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorify the Lord with praise!
May God’s love advance before you,
Vigilant of all your ways;
May God’s love keep watch behind you,
Shielding you through all your days!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorify the Lord with praise!
May God’s love be close beside you,
Qualify you for life’s race;
May God’s love live deep within you,
With assurance of his grace!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorify the Lord with praise!
May God’s love remain upon you,
And your faithfulness repay,
With a peace the world can’t give you,
Neither shall it take away!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorify the Lord with praise!
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
All Creatures of Our God & King
Max & Janelle: from maxeltoft’s hymnal set