January 28, 2024
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 89:13-18
Leader: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.
People: Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance; they exult in Your name all day long, and extol Your righteousness.
Leader: For You are the glory of their strength; by Your favor our horn is exalted.
People: For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
PRAYER
Holy God, for the Christ who loved us to the cross, we offer our prayer. Let this be a festival day, one in which we reaffirm our love for our neighbor and our hope for the city, and in all things honor You from whom the gifts of life come, generation after generation. For we pray in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
* JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Calls us to rejoice in Thee!
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
Joining all within its span
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Covenant Hymnal, #11
GOSPEL LESSON: Josie Strathman
Mark 5:1-13
They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 And when He had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him. 3 He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, 4 for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces, and no one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before Him, 7 and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For He had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 He begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the region. 11 Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding, 12 and the unclean spirits begged Him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” 13 So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, stampeded down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.
* HAVE MERCY ON ME
The goodness of the Lord is the kindness of the Lord
With ev’ry breath we take, the gift of life and grace
The power of the Lord is the meekness of the Lord
Who bore humanity with brave humility
chorus
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
The beauty of the Lord is the suff’ring of the Lord
Is Christ upon a tree, stripped of dignity
The glory of the Lord is the mercy of the Lord
Gives life for us to see a new humanity
chorus
bridge 1
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
chorus
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
bridge 2
Bless the hands and feet
Of those who serve in need
Of the broken and ashamed
Bless the weary soul
The Lord will make us whole
God, speak peace to those afraid
May the words we speak
Build a bridge for peace
Your loving kindness shows the way
Open up our doors
Giving refuge for
All the weary and afraid…
chorus
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
David Gungor / Latifah Alattas / Madison Cunningham © Porter’s Gate Publications; Porter’s Gate Publishing. Administrated by Essential Music Publishing LLC
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
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
Mark 5:14-20
When Pigs Fly
Adam Edgerly
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread thro’ all the earth abroad
The honors of Your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.
He breaks the pow’r of cancelled sin,
He sets the pris’ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me.
To God all glory, praise, and love
Be now and ever giv’n
By saints below and saints above,
The Church in earth and heav’n. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #299
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; Messian Burgos; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Nancy Popovich’s family; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Steve Staurseth; Phillip, son of Iris Velez; and Lauren Vilardo
Ministries & Mission
Marta Klein, serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo; 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
Minuet
Henry Purcell
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.
* HE IS AMONG US (THE LEAST OF THESE)
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
Will you open up the door
bridge
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He is among us He is among us
(repeat)
By this the world will know the Father’s love
We will know the Father’s love
Andy Piercy / Isaac Wardell / John Swinton / Orlando Palmer / Paul Zach © Common Hymnal Publishing; IAMSON Productions; Integrity Worship Music; Integrity’s Alleluia! Music; Paul Zach Publishing; PG Songs And Hymns
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
March
Henry Purcell
led by Cynthia
please remain seated during the postlude
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.
Congregational meeting
The meeting to approve the church budget for 2024, as well as to receive reports and handle other important matters, will be held next Sunday, February 4, in the upstairs lounge following worship. While only members can vote, everyone is encouraged to attend the meeting. Zoom access will be provided for those who cannot attend in person.
Choir is back!
It’s still cold outside, but the spring season of our church choir is almost upon us! Next Sunday, February 4, the choir will begin rehearsing for the Lenten and Holy Week seasons. The choir rehearses every Sunday at 9:00 am during choir seasons, and choir membership is open to anyone who loves to sing. Consider joining us this spring!
Adam Edgerly to speak at RECC
Adam Edgerly, the director of Covenant World Relief and Development for the Evangelical Covenant Church, brings the message in today’s worship service. The mission of Covenant World Relief & Development, our denomination’s humanitarian arm, is to join God in loving, serving, and working in relationship together with the poor, oppressed, traumatized, and marginalized. Adam works with other Covenant leaders and ministry partners to respond to disasters, world hunger, water issues, women empowerment, economic development, and human trafficking. CWRD believes in accomplishing two main goals: reduce human suffering and increase human flourishing.
Hand truck needed
The church’s hand truck is missing, and it’s too important a tool for our church to do without. If you have a hand truck that you don’t mind either giving to the church or lending to the church for an extended period of time, we would gladly welcome your contribution!
Lake County Symphony Orchestra presents “Timeless Masters”
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, featuring our own Cynthia Arden, will present a concert entitled “Timeless Masters” that will feature Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. It will be held on February 3 at the James Lumbar Auditorium of the College of Lake County. Tickets and more information are available at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com.
NPU Hymn Festival 2024
The North Park School of Music, Art, and Theatre extends an invitation to North Park University’s annual Hymn Festival. This year’s theme is “Belonging”. We raise our voices in community, exploring the power of restoring love through congregational hymns and songs. This free event will take place on Friday, February 16 at 7:30 pm at Anderson Chapel, 5159 N. Spaulding Avenue (located on the North Park University campus at the corner of Foster and Spaulding).
Camp Booster Fund
Interested in sending your children to overnight camp at Covenant Harbor or Covenant Point next summer? We have a camp booster fund that will give $200 towards the fee of any Ravenswood Covenant child (or that child’s friend) who wishes to attend one of our two Central Conference summer camps. We feel that every child from our congregation who wants to attend camp should have the opportunity to go!
Sunday School and Faith Forum
Sunday School and Faith Forum meets at 10:00 am every week, unless otherwise noted. Sunday School is currently in its annual three-week holiday hiatus; Faith Forum is continuing to meet. Come join us as we gather together to learn and grow in faith every Sunday morning.
Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services for the first quarter of 2024. 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 Pastor Ryan.
Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 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 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.
We now have Zoom available again 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
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
Mark 5:35-43
Mark 5:21-34
Psalm 131
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.