August 27, 2023
Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on YouTube at 10:00 am.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”
Ignaz Franz
led by Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 68:4-6
Leader: Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him — His name is the Lord!
People: A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling!
ALL: God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing!
PRAYER
Abba Father, we praise You for adopting us as children. Lord Jesus, we praise You for setting us free from the prison of selfishness and pride. Holy Spirit, we praise You for giving us the love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to fit into God’s family. Triune God, as You have made us family, empower us to welcome all kinds of people into Your loving home. Amen.
* HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME
Holy God, we praise Thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord!”
Lo, the apostolic train
Joins Thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the blessed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.
Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee.
While in essence only One;
Undivided God we claim Thee,
And adoring, bend the knee,
While we own the mystery. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #19
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Romans 8:9-17
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with him.
* GOSPEL LESSON
John 3:1-8
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
THERE IS A REDEEMER
There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God’s own Son;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One.
refrain
Thank you, O my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on Earth is done.
Jesus, my Redeemer
Name above all names;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
O for sinners slain.
When I stand in glory,
I will see His face,
And there I’ll serve my King forever
In that holy place.
Covenant Hymnal, #75
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Ryan
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me! This I know
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Covenant Hymnal, #443
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
Galatians 4:1-7
Adoption Papers
Pastor Ryan
O TENDER, GRACIOUS FATHER
O tender, gracious Father,
Who watches over me,
How shall I ever praise You,
For love and grace so free?
You lead me on with caution
Through ev’ry secret snare,
Beneath Your wings a refuge
I find in my despair.
With raiment, food, and shelter,
Whate’er my needs imply,
For soul and body ever,
You do in grace supply.
O Lord, I soon would perish
If these You would exclude;
O could I love You better
And prove my gratitude.
In childlike, true obedience
Help me to do the right;
May precious be Your statutes,
Your yoke be pleasant, light!
And when some hardship threatens,
A danger frightens me,
May You in all my trials
My present helper be.
Your heart is all compassion,
With love it overflows;
Whatever ills confront me,
You know them, and my woes.
You do not sleep or slumber
By night or thru the days;
Your arms, almighty Father,
Enfold all time and space. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #82
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, James Egan, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Trevor Hanks, Kathy Sager, Mary Smith, Steve Staurseth, and Phillip, son of Iris Velez
Ministries & Mission
Christopher & Diane Wiebe, serving in east Asia; Renee Nicholas, serving as the national director for InterVarsity’s Graduate Healthcare Ministries
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
Prelude
J.S. Bach
led by 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.
* CHILDREN OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER
Children of the heav’nly Father,
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish,
in His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers,
Your Protector never slumbers;
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
Covenant Hymnal, #87
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Fughetta
Johann Ernst Rembt
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
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.
Cooler Sunday
This is a reminder that the final Cooler Sunday of the summer is today, Sunday, August 27, following the worship service. Burgers and hot dogs fresh off of the grill will be provided, as well as drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert to pass if you are able. Join us for fun, food, and fellowship!
Church Clean-Up
We are going to hold a church clean-up on Thursday, September 14 that will focus upon a specific location in the church for a specific purpose. The back room of the church (also known as the multi-purpose room) is a large space that is currently used to some degree by the other congregations and groups that meet in our building, although we ourselves seldom use it. It needs to be cleaned so that it can then be repurposed and decorated, not only to make it more functional for our guests but so that we, too, can use it as a space for prayer, meetings, retreats, classes, etc.
The other spaces are adjacent to the back room — namely, the two small offices that formerly functioned as the church’s Sunday School office and the music office. They, too, need to be cleaned (along with their contents), and ceiling tiles need to be replaced.
There are two separate time slots for the cleaning on September 14, an afternoon time slot from 1 pm to 4 pm, and an evening time slot from 7 pm to 9 pm.
If you would like to help, please contact Marlene Henry, Maria Paulette, or Pastor Ryan, or the church office.
Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, featuring our own Cynthia Arden as concertmaster, will present “Broadway & Hollywood Blockbusters” on Sunday, September 3 at 7:30 pm at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave. in Gurnee. For ticket information, please go to www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com .
Apartment wanted
Rod Kutz, who is a part of our congregation, is seeking a two-bedroom apartment on the North Side. If you know of one that’s available, please see Rod or contact the church office.
September 10 is Kickoff Sunday
September 10 will be Kickoff Sunday at Ravenswood Covenant! That Sunday will mark the return of RECC to the school-year worship calendar with services starting at 11:00 am, and there will be food and fun after the service to mark the occasion, as well as an opportunity for our Sunday School teachers and Faith Forum leaders to talk about the upcoming year.
The first day of Sunday School and Faith Forum will be the following Sunday, September 17. We are looking for folks who are willing to help out with Sunday School this coming school year. Please speak with Beth Anderson, Bekah Carlson, or Kelly Vetter if you’re interested. Also, please check with the church office to make sure that you have an up-to-date background check if you are going to work with the church’s children in 2023-24.
North Park van drivers needed
This fall we would like to bring back our long-dormant ministry of offering van rides to North Park University students so that they can attend services on Sundays at Ravenswood Covenant. Does this sound like something with which you’d be willing to help? You don’t need to own a van to do this, just a valid driver’s license. If you’re interested, please contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan.
Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services this fall. If you are willing to be a scripture reader, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or contact Gregory Sager or Erin Stoel.
Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are Tuesday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. If you would like to meet with Pastor Ryan during his afternoon hours, please call the church office to schedule an appointment.
Farmers market
Wednesday was a difficult day for the farmers market, for the obvious reason that Chicago was a 100-degree oven. Very few people were out and about that day, so we operated a smaller market that still managed to serve about 100 visitors who were brave enough to endure the stifling hot weather outside.
The market will run until mid-October every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in our parking lot. This year the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce has taken over locating and contacting possible vendors for the market, so we anticipate a busier and more crowded market than has been true since Covid hit.
If you are interested in the farmers market and would like to be a part of this way for us as a church to interact with our surrounding community and provide a valuable service to them as well as a place to meet and greet neighbors every Wednesday during the warm-weather months, please contact the church office or our market director, Bekah Carlson.
Children’s activity supplies needed
The Ravenswood Farmers Market season is off to a great start with our highest attendance in several years! If you would like to support the market we still have multiple opportunities to be involved with set-up/take-down and children’s activities during the market. If you are unable to attend the market, we could also use your help in gathering supplies. This year we need dot markers, markers, fun stamps, baby wipes, blue Dawn dish soap and light corn syrup. Thank you all for your continued support.
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 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.
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
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Romans 13:8-14
John 8:31-40
Art Used in this Bulletin: Steve Erspamer, SM
Clip Art for Year A © 1992, Archdiocese of Chicago.
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.