January 15, 2023
Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on 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.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
led by Dana
CALL TO WORSHIP
from 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Leader: We do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
All: God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
WELCOME , GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
PRAISE THE FATHER, PRAISE THE SON
O sov’reign God, O matchless King
The saints adore, the angels sing
And fall before the throne of grace
To You belongs the highest praise
These sufferings, this passing tide
Under Your wings I will abide
And ev’ry enemy shall flee
You are my hope and victory
(O) praise the Father, praise the Son
(And) praise the Spirit, Three in One
Clothed in power and in grace
The name above all other names
To the valley for my soul
Thy great descent has made me whole
Your word my heart has welcomed home
Now peace like water ever flows
bridge
Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power
Yours is the glory forever
Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power
Yours is the glory forever
Praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three in One
Clothed in power and in grace
The name above all other names
The name above all other names
CCLI Song # 5203251 CCLI License # 349090
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash© 2008 Sixsteps Music
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Psalm 91:9-12
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
11 For He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to Me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as He came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to Him and He saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on Him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward He was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But He answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city and placed Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to Him, “All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only Him.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and suddenly angels came and waited on Him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made His home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Reader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
ONCE WHEN JESUS CHRIST WAS HUNGRY
Once when Jesus Christ was hungry
In the desert much alone,
Christ was tested by the devil:
“Make a loaf of bread from stone.”
Jesus knew the truth of living:
We are more than flesh and bone.
Jesus, perched on Herod’s Temple
Would be tempted once again.
“If You jump, you are protected.
Special angels God will send.”
“No, the Lord must not be tested.”
God is God from start to end.
Satan took Christ to a mountain.
Said to Jesus, “Look and see.
I will give You all I’ve stolen,
if you bow and worship me.”
“There can be but one God only.”
One for all, for you, for me.
Jesus, keep us now from sinning
when false promise comes our way.
Lord, we know we will be tempted,
teach us, Jesus, how to pray:
“Lord, we trust Your Word, Your power.
You are God; help us obey.”
Covenant Hymnal, #202
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Mark
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.
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
Oh, the temptation…
Pastor Denise
LORD, I NEED YOU
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart
chorus 1
Lord, I need You, O, I need You
Ev’ry hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
O God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
bridge
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
chorus 2
Lord, I need You, O, I need You
Ev’ry hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
O God, how I need You
CCLI Song # 5925687 CCLI License # 349090
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves
Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher © 2011 sixsteps Music
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, the family of Samuel Carlson (Linda Carlson), Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, Gloria Evenson, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, our Pastoral Search Committee, Mary Smith, and Steve Staurseth
Ministries & Mission
Peter & Ruth Dutton, serving in Thailand; 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
“The Lord’s Prayer”
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.
CHRIST IS THE TRUTH, THE WAY
Christ is the truth, the way,
The center of our life.
Christ shares the struggles of our day,
Our earthly joy and strife.
Redeeming what is lost
And healing those in pain,
Christ walks the valley of the cross,
The servant’s glad domain.
Christ is the pow’r of peace,
Of lasting harmony.
In Christ, the wars of earth shall cease,
Christ is our unity.
The lion shall lie down
In peace beside the lamb.
The mighty shall lay down their crowns
Before the great “I Am.”
Christ is the living bread,
The source of grace outpoured,
Our deepest hungers shall be fed,
In Christ life is restored.
Earth’s hungry shall rejoice,
For they shall all be filled,
The good shall welcome with one voice
The justice God has willed.
Christ is our living head,
Our sole authority.
By Christ’s own Spirit we are led
To serve humanity.
We follow where Christ leads
When others’ pain we bear;
Responding to our neighbors’ needs,
The cross and crown we share.
Covenant Hymnal, #207
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Andante
Gustav Merkel
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
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, so Sunday morning worship is accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Community dinners return
Winter can be an emotionally difficult and socially isolating season. It’s especially important to plan time to spend with others outside the home. Our Thursday night community dinners give people a chance to connect with each other and to break bread in fellowship with sisters and brothers in Christ. We will host another community dinner this Thursday, January 19 at 5:30 pm. As usual, Chef Bobby will have something tasty and terrific in store for us! Recommended donations for the meal are $5 per person and $10 per family. Plan to attend!
Pastor Denise farewell luncheon
January 29 will be Pastor Denise’s final Sunday as Ravenswood Covenant’s pastor of children and family. Following the worship service that Sunday we will be hosting a farewell luncheon for her, Gus, Rowlie, and Harry. It will feature a special meal prepared by Chef Bobby. If you are available to help serve food or to clean up for the luncheon, please contact Bobby or Hannah Blase or the church office. Thanks!
MOPS
Ravenswood Covenant’s MOPS group for mothers of small children will meet this coming Saturday in the upstairs lounge at 10:30 am. A babysitter will be available to watch the children in the gym. Dads and other caregivers are welcome to play with the children in the gym as well.
Choir resumes for Easter season
The church choir will begin rehearsing again on the first Sunday next month, February 5, in preparation for the Lenten and Easter seasons. Choir rehearsal is at 8:30 am on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary. Everyone is encouraged to participate, regardless of experience or music-reading ability.
Covenant Home Altar
Free copies of the Jan/Feb/Mar 2023 Covenant Home Altar are available in the narthex. The Covenant Home Altar is the daily devotional publication of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and features devotionals written by Covenanters from across the country.
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. We have been off for a few weeks during the holidays, but Indoor Playground will resume this Thursday, January 5th.
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 January
January 1: New Year’s Day special “Potluck in Pajamas” service
January 8: Pastor Mark
January 15: Pastor Denise
January 22: Kate Norton
January 29: Pastor Mark
Scripture for next Sunday
Matthew 5:1-20
Psalm 1:1-3
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.