February 27, 2022
Children’s Sunday School is in-person at 9:30 am
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME & GREETING
GATHER US IN
Here in this place, the new light is streaming,
Shadows of doubt are vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreaming,
Brought here to You in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken;
Gather us in; our spirits inflame.
Call to us now, and we shall awaken;
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry;
We are the old, who yearn for Your face.
We have been sung throughout all of hist’ry,
Called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty;
Gather us in the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly;
Give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we receive new life in the waters;
Here we receive the bread of new birth;
Here You shall call Your sons and your daughters,
Call us a new to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion;
Give us to eat the bread that is You;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Not just in buildings, small and confining,
Not in some heaven, light-years away,
Here in this place the new light is shining;
Now is God present, and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever;
Gather us in and make us Your own;
Gather us in, all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
Covenant Hymnal, #511
SERVICE OF BAPTISM
Charlotte Genevieve Gieseke
daughter of Carl & Katie Gieseke
CHILDREN OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nesting 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 the,
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.
Tryg-ga-re kan ing-en va-ra
An Guds lil-la bar-na-ska-ra;
Stjar-nan ej pa him-la-fas-tet,
Fa-geln ej i kan-da nas-tet.
Covenant Hymnal, #87
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
John 9:1-41
As He walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes He opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this Man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “I do not know whether He is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did He do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him, saying, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this Man, we do not know where He comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to one who worships Him and obeys His will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when He found him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is He, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in Him.” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the One speaking with you is He.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. 39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”
Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
IT IS WELL
Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard
chorus
Through it all through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all through it all
It is well
Through it all through it all
My eyes are on You
And it is well with me
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
bridge
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
ending
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well it is well with my soul
CCLI Song # 7021972 CCLI License # 349090
Horatio Gates Spafford | Kristene DiMarco | Philip Paul Bliss © 2013 Bethel Music Publishing
Children ages 3-5 are dismissed to the gym at this time.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will direct your paths.
Al-le-lu-ia, Al-le-lu-ia, and
He will direct your paths.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Well, I Know One Thing …
Pastor Phil
HE IS AMONG US
You’ll find Me with the broken and the weak
In the spaces in between
You’ll hear My voice cry out with those who weep
Only if you’re listening
chorus
Whatever you do for the least of these
You do it unto Me
You’ll find Me with the ones without a voice
The forgotten and ignored
My blessing is on those who love the poor
‘Til you open up the door
chorus
Whatever you do for the least of these
You do it unto Me
Whatever you do for the least of these
You do it unto Me
bridge
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He is among us, He is among us
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He is among us, He is among us
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He is among us, He is among us
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He is among us, He is among us
bridge
By this the world will know the Father’s love
We will know the Father’s love
CCLI Song # 7133720 CCLI License # 349090
Andy Piercy | Isaac Wardell | John Swinton | Orlando Palmer
Paul Zach © Common Hymnal Publishing
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Kristine Brandel’s family, Nikolas Arden, Shirley Nicholas, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Esther Stoel, the Koeller family, Mary Smith, Delores and Steve Staurseth, Jane Auger, Mary McKirchy, and the former congregation of Immanuel Evangelical Covenant Church.
Ministries & Mission
Cheryl & Craig Wickstrom, 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 & OFFERING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@administrator
OFFERTORY
“Be Thou My Vision”
led by Erin 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.
IN CELEBRATION, CLAP YOUR HANDS AND SING
(verses 1-2)
In celebration, clap your hands and sing
In praise to God, our ever-living King;
With joyful hearts our worship now we bring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We drink the wine, together break the bread
Each one in turn is comforted and fed;
We join our hands-one body, Christ the Head:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Covenant Hymnal, # 555
CONFESSION OF SIN & PASSING OF PEACE
L: As we move towards the table let us remember 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:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Let us confess our sins against God and neighbor.
All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
L: Since in Christ we are reconciled to God, so also we are reconciled to each other, the members of His body, the Church. May God’s peace extend throughout this congregation.
L: Peace of Christ be with you
P: And also with you.
L: Let us extend to each other signs of that peace.
(Extend greetings to those you’re with; comments online are welcome.)
INVITATION
It is now our sacred privilege to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All who humbly put their trust in Christ and desire His help that they may lead a holy life; all who are truly sorry for their sins and would be delivered from them; all who would walk in love with their neighbors and intend to live a new life, following the commandments of God and walking from now on in His holy ways, are invited to draw near with faith and to receive this holy sacrament.
A PRAYER FOR COMMUNION
Holy God, we praise You.
Let the heavens be joyful and the earth be glad.
We bless You for creating the whole world,
for Your promises to your people Israel,
and for Jesus Christ in whom Your fullness dwells.
Born of Mary, He shares our life.
Eating with sinners, He welcomes us.
Guiding his children, He leads us.
Visiting the sick, He heals us.
Dying on the cross, He saves us.
Risen from the dead, He gives new life.
Living with You, He prays for us.
The Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembering Me.”
In the same way He took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembering Me.”
With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Receive our sacrifice of praise.
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us
that this meal may be a communion in the body and blood or our Lord.
Make us one with Christ
and with all who share this feast.
Unite us in faith,
encourage us with hope,
inspire us to love that we may serve
As Your faithful disciples
Until we feast at Your table in glory.
We praise you, eternal God,
through Christ Your Word made flesh,
in the holy and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.
SHARING IN COMMUNION
SPECIAL MUSIC
led by Trevor Nicholas
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Eternal God, heavenly father, You have graciously accepted us as living members of Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and You have fed us with spiritual food in the sacrament of His body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A SENDING FROM COMMUNION
What we have been about here is not separate from life. Rather these acts have been a reminder that we belong to Christ always and everywhere. We carry Christ’s Spirit into our homes, our daily activities, all our relationships. We are Christ’s people. By God’s grace let it be so. Amen.
IN CELEBRATION, CLAP YOUR HANDS AND SING
(verses 3-4)
With joy we go to take our place each day,
Living our lives by following Christ’s way;
In all we do, we sing, we serve, we pray:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Past place and time, we rise beyond this earth —
Our fellowship in heaven finds rebirth;
Anew our voices sing the Savior’s worth:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Covenant Hymnal, # 555
.
COMMUNITY LIFE
SERVICE OF FAREWELL
Words of Gratitude and Thanks:
1. Stacey Johnson
2. Mary Anderson
3. Marlene Glowen
Our church family is constantly changing. People come and go. Babies are born. Children grow up. People commit themselves to one another. Loved ones and friends among us come to the end of their lives. Individuals move into our community and church life. Others leave us, moving away to new places, new experiences, and new opportunities. It is important and right that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share the time of farewell with Pastor Phil and Kerry, who are leaving.
Leader: In 2008 this congregation called the Rev. Phil Staurseth to serve as pastor.
Pastor Phil: I thank Ravenswood Covenant Church, its members and friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown me these last 13 years. I am grateful for the ways my leadership has been accepted. I ask forgiveness for any mistakes I have made. As I leave, I carry with me all that I have learned here.
Congregation: We recieve your thankfulness, offer forgiveness, and accept that you now leave to minister elsewhere. We express our gratitude for your time among us. We too ask for your forgiveness for any mistakes we have made. Your influence on our faith and faithfulness will not leave us at your departure.
Pastor Phil: I accept your gratitude, and forgive you, trusting that our time together and our parting are pleasing to God.
Vows of Release:
Leader: Do you, the members and friends of Ravenswood Covenant Church, release Pastor Phil from the duties of pastor?
We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you offer your encouragement for Pastor Phil’s transition to caring for his family and future ministries?
We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you, Pastor Phil, release this local church from turning to you and depending on you as pastor?
I do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you offer your encouragement for the continued ministry here and for the relationship this congregation will develop with another who will come to serve after you?
I do, with the help of God.
Presentation of Gift and the Jar of Gratitude
led by Don Hodgkinson
Prayer and Laying on of Hands
Slideshow/Song: “Pastor Phil” by Max Hollingshead
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
Benediction Song: “The Lord Bless You”
POSTLUDE
Toccata in E minor
Johann Pachelbel
led by Cynthia
INVITATION & FINAL SLIDES
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
music as we go, by axiom.brass
March 1 changes to Covid restrictions for in-person worship
The RECC Leadership Team is continuing to follow Chicago’s Covid guidelines. In accordance with the mayor’s announcement on February 22 that the city’s mask mandate will be lifted at the end of this month, starting on March 1 masks will be optional at church gatherings. We will make changes if the Chicago guidelines change again. We will require those working with children to continue to wear masks, as young children are not yet able to be vaccinated. Thank you for your patience and consideration of your neighbor as we move forward.
We are still observing precautions regarding children, specifically with regard to the cry room. As was the case before, if you and your family would like to worship in the cry room, please reserve it in advance by contacting Gregory Sager at office@ravenscov.org or 773-784-7091. One family may choose to use the cry room upon arrival if it hasn’t already been reserved. Children of all ages are always welcome to be in the sanctuary with their parents for the worship service!
Ravenswood Covenant will continue to livestream worship each week on YouTube and Facebook; this is now a permanent feature of our ministry, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Ash Wednesday service
A brief Ash Wednesday service, including the optional imposition of ashes, will be held in the sanctuary at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 2.
Wedding shower for Erin Staurseth
There will be a wedding shower for Erin Staurseth on Saturday,
March 19 in the fellowship hall downstairs. The happy couple is registered at Target, Amazon, Crate & Barrel, and Williams Sonoma. RSVP to the church office or call Marlene Glowen at 773-275-9138.
Chicago Zomi Bethel Church to share our building
As per a vote taken at our last congregational business meeting, Chicago Zomi Bethel Church has been accepted as a renter of our space and a rental agreement has been signed. CZBC is a small congregation consisting of immigrants from the Asian nation of Myanmar. CZBC will meet in the older (sanctuary) half of our building at 3 pm every Sunday beginning March 6.
Be sure to greet and welcome our Christian brothers and sisters from CZBC if you meet them!
Faith Forum
Faith Forum, our adult Sunday School class, meets every week in the upstairs lounge at 9:30 am. It operates in a hybrid format; you are invited to attend in person, but if you do so, please wear a mask. As was the case last year, the class will also have a Zoom component for those who wish to attend remotely. The Zoom link can be found at the top of the online bulletin every week. Beginning next Sunday, Gregory Sager will lead the class throughout March in a study of early Christian worship and daily practice, focusing upon the letters of Paul and the Didache.
Thursday evening adult Bible study
Our weekly Bible study meets on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of Philippians. We welcome anybody to the upstairs lounge on Thursday evenings who wants to take part in the Bible study. Please wear a mask. If you would prefer to participate remotely, or if you are out of town, the Bible study will continue to provide Zoom access as well for online participants.
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.”
Free masks available
The church is offering free masks to anyone in the congregation who is in need of one. If you would like, you may make a donation to our benevolence fund when you come to the church building to pick yours up. Please contact the church office at office@ravenscov.org or 773-784-7091 for more information.
Scripture for next Sunday
Psalm 23
John 10:1-18
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.