April 7, 2024 | Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church

April 7, 2024

Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.

PRELUDE
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
“Earth, Air, and Sky”
led by Mary and Cynthia

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: This is the good news which we proclaim to you.
People: Jesus Christ is raised from the dead!
Leader: Walk in the light of His love.
People: Live in the light of His teachings and healing mercies.
Leader: Come, let us worship the One who overcame death.
People: Let us celebrate the triumph of our Lord. Amen.

UNISON PRAYER
Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ will come again! Hallelujah! Thanks be to God! Amen.

* ALLELUIA! JESUS IS RISEN
Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
Trumpet resounding in glorious light!
Splendor the Lamb, heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!

refrain
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
Give God the glory! Alleluia!

Walking the way, Christ in the center,
Telling the story to open our eyes;
Breaking our bread, giving us glory:
Jesus, our blessing, our constant surprise.

refrain

Jesus the vine, we are the branches;
Life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree;
Heaven to earth, Christ to the people,
Gift of the future now flowing to me.

refrain

Weeping, be gone; sorrow, be silent:
Death put asunder, and Easter is bright.
Cherubim sing: “O grave, be open!”
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.

refrain

City of God, Easter forever,
Golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb,
River of life, saints, and archangels,
Sing with creation to God the I Am!

refrain

GOSPEL LESSON: Colleen Carlson
Mark 6:6b-13

Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, ⁹but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹²So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

* HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD
The splendor of the King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
And trembles at His voice

chorus
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see how great
How great is our God

And age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the End
Beginning and the End
The Godhead three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

bridge
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

Children 6 and under are dismissed to Children’s Church in the upstairs lounge. Parents can pick up their children in the lounge after the service.

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Acts 1:1-11
Spiritual Geography
Pastor Ryan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; Messian Burgos; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Bud Hodgkinson; Nancy Popovich’s family; Tatiana Randall; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Phillip, son of Iris Velez; Lauren Vilardo; and Drema Widener

Ministries & Mission
Paul & Sheryl Noren, serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Barb & Steve Swanson, serving in Sweden

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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle^® to: giving@ravenscov.org

OFFERTORY
Romance
Camille Saint-Saëns
led by Bob Kenehan and Cynthia

* DOXOLOGY & PRAYER
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.

BEHOLD THE LAMB
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away
Slain for us and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King

The body of our Savior Jesus Christ
Torn for you eat and remember
The wounds that heal the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin
Shed for you drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
To respond and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth
As we share in His suffering
We proclaim Christ will come again
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King

CALL TO COMMUNION
Welcome to the Lord’s Table! Christ himself is the host of this table. The Covenant Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is for all who are in Christ. Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ is welcome at the table. We do not come to the table to show off our righteousness, but because our love for Jesus inspires us to become His true disciples. All who hear Christ’s call; all who want to express their love for God; all who desire to feast on the Word of God are welcome to share in this sacrament.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, invites us anew to Holy Communion, through which He will give himself to us and lead us into a deeper fellowship with one another. Jesus says: “Come to Me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

CONFESSION OF SIN
The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in Him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Amen!

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are delivered by the apostle Paul: “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

SONG OF PROCLAMATION
His dying we proclaim. Alleluia! Amen!
His rising we declare. Alleluia! Amen!
His coming we await, now as these gifts we take.
Glory to God on high! Alleluia! Amen!

BREAKING THE BREAD AND POURING THE CUP
Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

Is not the cup that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? The gifts of God for the people of God.

SPECIAL MUSIC
“He Shall Feed His Flock”
led by Nolan Baumgartner, tenor
“Come unto Him”
led by Josie Stratham, soprano

* ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, GIVE THANKS
(verses one thru four only)

refrain
Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.

refrain

Spread the good news o’er all the earth.
Jesus has died and has risen.

refrain

We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live forever.

refrain

God has proclaimed the just reward:
Life for all people, alleluia!

refrain

Covenant Hymnal, #246

* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE
Moderato du Deuxieme Ton
Jean-Adam Guilain
led by Cynthia

INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.

We thank guest musician Bob Kenehan on French horn for his contribution to worship today.

Please wear a nametag
We’ve had a number of visitors and new attendees lately, and it’s very important that we not only welcome them warmly to our church but also allow them to attach a name to a face. We’re asking everyone to return to our old practice of wearing nametags on Sunday morning. Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.

Wedding shower for Josie & Nolan
On Saturday, April 27 at 10:00 am the church will hold a wedding shower for Josie Stratham and Nolan Baumgartner upstairs in the Nelson Lounge. All are invited to attend, women and men alike! Josie and Nolan are registered at Target and Crate & Barrel. For more information, or if you would like to help with the shower, please contact Stacey Johnson or Kelly Vetter.

Lunch Bunch outing
The Lunch Bunch has planned an outing for Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30 am at Siam Country, 4637 N. Damen Ave., just two blocks south of the church near the Borwn Line el stop. The restaurant’s phone number is 773-271-0700. Anyone who enjoys Thai food is welcome to join!

“Classics & Jazz” concert by Lake County Symphony Orchestra
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, featuring our own Cynthia Arden, will present a concert entitled “Classics & Jazz” on Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 pm at the Gurnee Community Church (4555 Old Grand Ave. in Gurnee). The concert will feature the famous “Appalachian Spring” by legendary American composer Aaron Copland, as well as a tribute to famed jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker that will feature a jazz combo with the orchestra. Ticket information is available at this link.

Central Conference Annual Meeting delegates wanted
The Central Conference, our local region within the Evangelical Covenant Church that encompasses Illinois, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, eastern Missouri, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, will hold its Annual Meeting on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at Batavia Covenant Church in west suburban Batavia. If you are a member of Ravenswood Covenant and are interested in being a delegate from our church to this annual celebration and business meeting of our conference, please contact Pastor Ryan or Gregory Sager in the church office no later than April 12.

All delegate costs (registration fee, mileage, meals) will be reimbursed by the church.

Covenant Annual Meeting delegates wanted
Our parent denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church, will hold its Annual Meeting, called Gather 2024, on June 26-29 at the Cincinnati Marriott Hotel in Covington, KY (across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati). If you are a member of Ravenswood Covenant and are interested in being a delegate from our church to this annual celebration and business meeting of our conference, please contact Pastor Ryan or another member of the church’s Leadership Team, or Gregory Sager in the church office. Ravenswood Covenant will hold a congregational meeting on Sunday, June 9 at which delegates will be chosen to represent us at Gather 2024.

Covenant Annual Meetings now provide the option for delegates to attend either in-person or virtually. If you are unable to travel to the Cincinnati Marriott to attend Gather 2024 in person, you can still represent our congregation and take part in the meetings via a video link. Please note, however, that if you do choose to be a virtual delegate you will be expected to remain at your computer and fully participate in the meeting whether you are at home, at work, at church, or someplace else.

All costs for in-person delegates (registration fee, lodging, mileage, meals) will be reimbursed by the church. The registration fee for virtual delegates will be reimbursed by the church as well.

Farmers market is returning!
Our farmers market will be back this summer and fall, and this year it will commence in the spring as well! We’re moving the start of the market forward to Wednesday, May 8, so it’s not too early to think about volunteering. We have openings for RECC greeting tent staff, children’s art tent staff, bounce house monitors, as well as people who can help to set up and/or take down the market.

This is not necessarily a commitment to the full span of the market; whenever you can help out would be great! For more information, please contact Bekah Carlson or leave your name and contact info at the church office.

Camp Booster Fund
Interested in sending your children to overnight camp at Covenant Harbor or Covenant Point next summer? We have a camp booster fund that will give $200 towards the fee of any Ravenswood Covenant child (or that child’s friend) who wishes to attend one of our two Central Conference summer camps. We feel that every child from our congregation who wants to attend camp should have the opportunity to go!

Sunday School and Faith Forum
Sunday School and Faith Forum meets at 10:00 am every week, unless otherwise noted. Come join us as we gather together to learn and grow in faith every Sunday morning.

Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services this coming spring. If you are willing to be a scripture reader in April, May, or June, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or in the narthex on Sundays, or contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan.

Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you would like to meet with Pastor Ryan please call the church office in advance to schedule an appointment.

Coffee hour changes
There is now a coffee hour bulletin board downstairs in the fellowship hall! (It’s right next to the kids’ serving window.) Please look there for updated serving instructions as well as to find out what team you’re on. We’ve had some turnover, so we encourage you to sign up to join a serving team if you haven’t done so already. A self-sign-up will now be available on the board so that you can pick which Sundays work best for you. As always, thanks for serving!

Thursday evening Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm. We are studying the Gospel of Mark. The Bible study meets in the upstairs lounge. For more information, please contact Gregory Sager in the church office at (773) 784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.

We now have Zoom available again for those who would like to take part in the Bible study but cannot be physically present. The Zoom link for the Bible study is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83923376849?pwd=YUlYVXBmOVdwV0d5L20ySng3aHU3Zz09

Meeting ID: 839 2337 6849
Passcode: 318853

Join Us in Sponsoring a Student in the NPTS SRA Program
North Park’s School of Restorative Arts offers a MA in Christian Ministry and Restorative Arts, allowing free and incarcerated students to study together. This unique degree program is designed to prepare individuals for ministries of restoration in contexts susceptible to violence and includes courses in trauma, race relations, nonviolent communication, conflict transformation, restorative practices, and transformative justice, in addition to Bible, theology, and history. In partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections, this four-year degree is currently offered at Stateville Correctional Center with 80 incarcerated men and a first cohort of 20 women at Logan Correctional Center.

We, Ravenswood Covenant Church, have partnered with North Park Theological Seminary by committing to sponsor a student in this program. To help us support an SRA student please send a check to church or give online and in the memo line write: “SRA Sponsorship.”

Scripture for next Sunday
Acts 3:1-10
Mark 6:53-56

Our church exists to love and worship God, and love and care for others. By God’s grace, we commit to help people find and follow Jesus Christ through the guidance of His Spirit and His word.