December 11, 2022
Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on Facebook & YouTube at 10:45 am.
Children’s Sunday School for ages K-7th grade at 9:30 am in-person.
Faith Forum (adult Sunday School) at 9:30 am in person and on Zoom.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
LUCIA SUNDAY
Today we light the third candle of our Advent wreath; it’s pink to remind us of the joy that comes into the world through the promise of God in Jesus. In the midst of the realities of our world we join all people in seeking true joy. We are blessed to know that joy in the love of God who sends His Son into the world. Even as night continues to lengthen, we hear the good news that God’s light has come, and is coming into the world in Jesus Christ who brings good news to the poor, binds up the broken, proclaims liberty to captives, & release to prisoners.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
O Zion , Acclaim Your Redeemer!
led by Erin and Cynthia
LIGHTING THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE
CHOIR ANTHEM
“Come, Emmanuel”
Nancy Price / Don Besig
WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE, & GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Isaiah 9:2
Leader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
People: On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Leader: The Light that is the Word of God, God incarnate
People: Let us worship as we wait for the newborn king!
O ZION, ACCLAIM YOUR REDEEMER!
(verses one, two, and five only)
O Zion, acclaim your Redeemer!
Jerusalem, welcome your King!
Strew palms on the way for the Savior,
His praises exultantly sing.
chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice in your Savior and King!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Acclaim Him your Savior and King!
He comes from the joys of the ages,
He leaves His dominion sublime;
From glory to Bethlehem’s manger
He comes in the fullness of time.
He comes to the sorrowing spirit
And life is renewed by His hand;
He comes to establish a Kingdom
That shall thro’ eternity stand.
Covenant Hymnal, #122
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
Matthew 12:15-21
When Jesus became aware of this, He departed. Many followed Him, and He cured all of them, 16 and He ordered them not to make Him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
My beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put My Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the gentiles.
19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20 He will not break a bruised reed
or quench a smoldering wick
until he brings justice to victory.
21 And in his name the gentiles will hope.”
Leader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
(first verse and fourth verse)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O Come Desire of nations,
Bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid now our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Covenant Hymnal, #120
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Isaiah 42:1-9
Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put My spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is My name;
My glory I give to no other,
nor My praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
The Speed of Light
Pastor Denise
LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Sing Hallelujah)
Light of the World, Treasure of Heaven
Brilliant like the stars in the wintery sky
Joy of the Father, reach through the darkness
Shine across the earth, send the shadows to flight
Light of the World from the beginning
The tragedies of time were no match for Your love
From great heights of glory You saw my story
God, You entered in and became one of us
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah for the things He has done
Come and adore Him
Bow down before Him
Sing hallelujah to the Light of the world
Light of the world, crown in a manger
Born for the cross to suffer to save
High King of Heaven, death is the poorer
We are the richer by the price that He paid
Light of the world, soon will be coming
With fire in His eyes He will ransom His own
Through clouds He will lead us straight into glory
And there He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
CCLI Song # 7163734 Andrew Bergthold | Ed Cash | Franni Cash | Martin Cash | Scott Cash© 2020 Angie Feel Good Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)Bay19 (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, Gloria Evenson, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, our Pastoral Search Committee, the family of Priscilla Ruppe (Brasks), and Mary Smith
Ministries & Mission
Evens & Karina Paul, serving in Haiti; 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
& PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
OFFERTORY
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
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.
REJOICE, REJOICE, BELIEVERS!
Rejoice, rejoice, believers!
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing,
And darker night is near.
The Lord is now arising,
And soon He will draw nigh.
Up, watch in expectation!
At midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning,
Replenish them with oil;
Look now for your salvation,
The end of sin and toil.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Lord is near,
Go meet him as He comes now,
With alleluias clear.
All you who wait His coming,
Rehearse the joyful song,
Which we shall sing in glory
With all the angel throng.
The holy feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand,
Rise up, you heirs of glory!
The Master is at hand.
Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, O Sun so longed for,
Above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth’s redemption
That sets Your people free.
Covenant Hymnal, # 136
LUCIA SONGS AND PROCESSION
As part of our worship today and as we remember the light of Christ that comes into the world, we invite our Lucia procession to join us.
PROCESSION WITH SONG AND LIGHT
SANKTA LUCIA
Natten går tunga fjät
runt gård och stuva
kring jord som sol’n förlät
skuggorna ruva
||: Då i vårt mörka hus
stiger med tända ljus
Sankta Lucia,
Sankta Lucia :||
Natten var stor och stum,
nu hör det svingar
i alla tysta rum,
sus som av vingar.
||: Se på vår tröskel står,
vitklädd med ljus i hår,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia :||
“Mörkret skall flykta snart
ur jordens dalar,”
så hon ett underbart
ord till oss talar
||: Dagen skall åter ny
stiga ur rosig sky
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia :||
THE STORY OF LUCIA
HOSANNA, SON OF DAVID
||: Hosanna, Son of David,
Blessed be His holy name,
Glory to the Son of David,
who comes in the name of the Lord :||
||: Hosanna in the highest, hosanna, hosanna.
Glory to the son of David,
who comes in the name of the Lord :||
NOW IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME
||: Now it is Christmas time, O now it is Christmas time
our hearts are filled will love and gladness :||
||: This is the time of year, O this is the time of year
when joyous songs will banish sadness :||
James 1:16-17
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
NOW SHINE A THOUSAND CANDLES BRIGHT
Nu tändas tusen juleljus
på jordens mörka rund
och tusen, tusen stråla ock
på himlens djupblå grund.
Now shine a thousand candles bright
Upon the world’s dark sphere;
The deep blue sky is set alight
As myriad flames appear.
O star that shone o’er Bethlehem,
Now let your kindly light
With tranquil hope and glory shine
In ev’ry home tonight.
To ev’ry dark and anguish’d heart
Send down your ray divine,
And may the light of God’s own love
Like Christmas candles shine.
Covenant Hymnal, # 176
LISTEN, LISTEN; HEAR THE ANGELS SINGING?
||: Listen, listen; hear the angels singing?
Listen, listen: “Glory be to God!”
Listen, listen; hear the angels singing?
“Glory, glory, glory be to God!” :||
||: Glory be to God, in the highest,
In the highest, in the highest.
Glory be to God, in the highest,
On earth, on earth, goodwill to all
Glory be to God, in the highest
And on earth goodwill to all! :||
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT
Stilla natt, heliga natt!
Allt är frid, stjärnan blid
skiner på barnet i stallets strå
och de vakande fromma två.
Kristus till jorden är kommen,
oss är en frälsare född.
Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
‘round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus Lord at thy birth.
RECESSIONAL – SANKTA LUCIA
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Lyssna, lyssna hör du änglasången
John Holstedt, 1898
led by Cynthia
INVITATION & FINAL SLIDES
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
Worship update
The Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant Church recommends mask use during services, but this is not mandatory.
Ravenswood Covenant livestreams worship each week on YouTube and Facebook, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Children’s Christmas program
The children will have a special time in the service next Sunday,
December 18. Please RSVP to Pastor Denise if you would like your child to participate in the program. The rehersal is during the Sunday School hour at 9:30 am next Sunday.
Fellowship hour treats and Christmas Carol Jeopardy
After the worship service next Sunday, Christmas treats (ccokies, brownies, etc.) will be served in the fellowship hall, and once again Jim Anderson will host Christmas Carol Jeopardy. Whether they’re home-made treats or store-bought, please consider bringing baked snacks for everyone to share next Sunday. Thanks!
Axiom Brass Christmas concert community dinner
Prior to the annual Christmas concert by the Axiom Brass Quintet on Monday, December 19, we will host a community dinner at 5:30 pm in the fellowship hall. We are asking that you RSVP by contacting the church office, so that Bobby and Hannah, who are preparing the meal, can have an accurate head count.
Christmas season choir
Choir rehearsal for the Christmas season is now underway. The choir will rehearse each Sunday at 8:30 am through Christmas. This is an opportunity for everyone, not just trained singers or choir veterans, to take part. For more information, please speak to Cynthia Arden or contact the church office.
Holiday calendar
Sankta Lucia festival – Dec. 11
Children’s Christmas program – Dec. 18
Christmas Carol Jeopardy! – Dec. 18
Community dinner – Dec. 19
Axiom Brass concert – Dec. 19
Christmas Eve service – Dec. 24
Christmas Day worship service – Dec. 25
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services
We will celebrate the birth of Christ with a Christmas Eve service that begins at 6:30 pm, and the celebration will continue with Sunday worship at 10:45 am on Christmas Day. Both services will be “Lessons & Carols” services, centered around singing Christmas hymns and reading the Nativity accounts from the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Indoor Playground
Indoor Playground is back! Our weekly cold-weather opportunity to let young children run around in our gym, play with toys, and use the bounce house. has begun again.. Indoor Playground will be open every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Aid for Ukrainian refugees
Jeremy and Amanda Foster, who attend our church, have a direct connection to a mission that is serving refugees who have fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Jeremy’s parents Don and Beatrice Foster are in Hazebrouck, France as tentmaker missionaries and have prepared rooms in their home for refugees coming from Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to help the Fosters pay for extra food and supplies, please give a donation to Ravenswood Covenant that is specially designated for Ukrainian refugees. If you would like to give directly online, the website for the Fosters is https://ukraine.la-ferme-de-la-papote.com/ .
The Covenant denomination is also raising funds for Ukraine through Covenant World Relief. Here is the link if you would like to donate through the Covenant’s program. https://giving.covchurch.org/priorities-detail/ukraine-response
Thursday evening Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of Romans. The Bible study meets in the lounge, and is also accessible by Zoom. For more information, please contact Gregory Sager in the church office at (773) 784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95052558015?pwd=N3d1eFpUUmUwenhCSzNJNUk3WEV2QT09
The Zoom meeting ID for the Bible study: 972 871 4458
The Zoom passcode for the Bible study: 1qa3CD
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.”
RECC preaching schedule for December
December 4: Gregory Sager
December 11: Pastor Denise
December 18: Children’s Christmas program
December 25: A service of lessons & carols
Scripture for next Sunday
Psalm 23:1-4
Matthew 1:18-25
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.