
December 15, 2024
Third Sunday of Advent
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
“Prepare the Way, O Zion”
led by Cynthia
WELCOME AND COMMUNITY LIFE
GREETING
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: In this season of Advent, may the love of God the Father, the grace of Jesus the Son, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be and abide with us all.
PRAYER
sung using sign language
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, and be born in our hearts.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Paul Shaheen
Reader: It is still advent! It’s time to light the third candle. Are you tired or waiting and watching? Would you prefer to jump into the Christmas celebration? The shopping malls are already playing Christmas music. But the Christian calendar tells us to hold on a little bit longer. We are patient because there is joy in the waiting.
This morning we light the third candle in the Advent wreath. This is the candle that looks out of place. The third candle is not royal blue but shockingly pink. This candle is called Joy. This candle reminds us of Mary who waited patiently for nine months as the promise of God’s salvation grew inside her womb. Like any new mother, Mary longed to lay eyes on her miracle baby. Mary had to wait. Not with dread. Not with fear. Mary waited with joy for the Good News to come true. As we light the third candle, we too are invited to be pregnant with anticipation and joy knowing that Jesus is coming to save us. Come, let us adore Him!
SINGING
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
Reader: Consider these words from Isaiah 55:12-13:
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
People: Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.
* JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns;
Let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Covenant Hymnal, #146
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Isaiah 61:1-7
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
because the Lord has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display His glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks;
foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines,
6 but you shall be called priests of the Lord;
you shall be named ministers of our God;
you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,
and in their riches you shall glory.
7 Because their shame was double
and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot,
therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;
everlasting joy shall be theirs.
* 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.
The marriage feast is waiting;
the gates wide open stand,
Arise, O heirs of glory;
the Bridegroom is at hand.
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
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Luke 4:16-21, Isaiah 61:8-11
Make My Joy Complete
Pastor Ryan
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; the Binag family; Messian Burgos; Cathy Cassidy; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Mary McKirchy; Maria Paulette; Brianna Randall; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Lauren Vilardo; Lydia Warrens; and the Westlind family
Ministries & Mission
Jonathan & Faith Ro, serving in East Asia
Carlos & Karen Feijoo, serving in Ecuador
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
Dona Nobis Pacem
led by the choir
* 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.
HERDARNA SPELA FÖR BARNET JESUS
Alice Tegnér
violin by Leah Jackson
PROCESSIONAL
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
HOSIANNA, DAVIDS SON
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
NU ÄR DET JUL IGEN
Now it is Christmas time,
O now it is Christmas time
Our hearts are filled
With love and gladness
This is the time of year,
O this is the time of year
When joyous songs
Will banish sadness
NU TÄNDAS TUSEN JULELJUS
Nu tändas tusen juleljus
på jordens mörka rund
och tusen, tusen stråla ock
på himlens djupblå grund.
Now shine a thousand candles bright
Around 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 anguished heart
Send down your ray divine,
And may the light of God’s own love
Like Christmas candles shine.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Bertie Del Angel
Genesis 1:3
3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Ryan Jackson
1 John 1:7
7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
LYSSNA, LYSSNA, HÖR DU ÄNGLASÅNGEN?
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
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. (2x)
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born! (2x)
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. (2x)
RECESSIONAL
SANKTA LUCIA
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
“My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord”
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.

Sankta Lucia festival
As part of the worship service on the third Sunday of Advent, Ravenswood Covenant holds its annual Sankta Lucia festival today. This Swedish tradition commemorates the fourth-century Sicilian martyr St. Lucy of Syracuse, whose name means “light” and who was renowned for her charity. It is a celebration of light and of giving at the time of the church year when those two Christian ideals are prominent.
All of the children and young people of Ravenswood Covenant are encouraged to be a part of the festival. During fellowship hour downstairs after the service, there will be singing by the children as well as traditional Swedish treats with coffee, and the children are invited to take part in making Christmas crafts. Come join us as we continue the Lucia celebration!
Axiom Brass concert
For many years our church has been the rehearsal space for the world-renowned Axiom Brass, a quintet that has won prizes on three continents and has commissioned over thirty new works, premiered over fifty new compositions, and created almost one hundred new transcriptions for brass quintet..And every year we are blessed to host Axiom’s annual Christmas concert, which will be held this evening, Sunday, December 15 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
Admission is free. Invite your friends and neighbors to come!
Cookie Exchange and Christmas Carol Jeopardy!
Want to take part in a cookie exchange? Bring your own cookies to church and leave with cookies others have brought! We will hold a cookie exchange at coffee hour next Sunday, December 22 after the service. Enjoy some cookies while we play Christmas Carol Jeopardy! — an annual Ravenswood Christmas tradition led by Jim Anderson. For more information about participating in the cookie exchange, please contact the church office.
Furniture needed
Carla, a former attender of Ravenswood Covenant and participant as both a helper and a vendor in the farmers market, is emerging from a time spent in shelter care as a victim of domestic violence. She is now enrolled in school, and she and her daughter have moved into a new apartment in our neighborhood. They are interested in reconnecting to our church. They do, however, have some material needs in terms of a lack of furniture. If you or someone you know has spare items that you or they can donate, please contact Gregory in the church office, or you can call Carla directly at 773-618-6836. She and her daughter need:
* mattress and full-size bed frame for Carla
* mattress and twin-size bed frame for her daughter
* small kitchen table
* small couch
* desk for her daughter to do her homework
* desk lamp
Thanks!
Advent/Christmas season calendar
Hanging of the Greens — November 25 & 27
First Sunday of Advent — December 1
Second Sunday of Advent — December 8
Third Sunday of Advent — December 15
Sankta Lucia festival — December 15
Axiom Christmas Concert — December 15
Fourth Sunday of Advent — December 22
Christmas Carol Jeopardy! / Cookie Exchange — December 22
Christmas Eve service — December 24
New Members class
A New Members class led by Pastor Ryan will be held on Saturday, January 18, in the upstairs lounge from 9 am to 1 pm. Lunch will be served. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of Ravenswood Covenant, or who would simply like to learn more about our church, is welcome to attend. For more information, please speak to Pastor Ryan.
Congregational Annual Meeting, part two
The second part of Ravenswood Covenant’s annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26, downstairs after the service. The 2025 church budget will be voted upon at that time. Copies of the Leadership Team’s proposed 2025 budget are currently available from the church office.
Please plan to attend this important meeting if you are a member of the church.
Faith Forum
Faith Forum, Ravenswood Covenant’s adult Christian education class, meets at the Sunday School hour (10:00 am) during the school year. This year’s edition of Faith Forum will feature a series of teachers who will each explore a topic over a one-month period. Our teacher for December is Eric Hillabrant.
Treats and coffee are provided each week. Join us in the upstairs lounge every Sunday in Faith Forum!
Church parking
Do you know someone who needs a place to park in the Ravenswood neighborhood? Ravenswood Covenant Church is currently leasing space in its parking lot. Parking is $60 per space per month for non-members, and is available for day/evening, overnight, or both. For more information, please contact the church office at 773-784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.
Scripture reader sign-up
We’re now seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day in the worship service for the winter months. If you are willing to be a scripture reader this winter, 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. Feel free to sign up for more than one Sunday if you like.
Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 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 have just begun studying the Gospel of Luke, to be followed by its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. 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 have Zoom available 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

Scripture for next Sunday
Luke 1:26-35,38
Luke 1:5-16
Psalm 113
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.