January 29, 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
“Lord, When We Praise You with Glorious Music”
led by Erin and Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that He has chosen you, 5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
LORD, WHEN WE PRAISE YOU WITH GLORIOUS MUSIC
Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Lord, when our hearts mean the things that we say;
Lord, when we love You with all of our being;
Lord, when in faith we believingly pray;
Then we are seeing, then we are sensing
All that our destiny calls us to be.
And in our hearts we’re expecting the moment
When in Your presence Your glory we’ll see.
Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Using our giftedness solely for You;
When we return to You songs that exalt You;
When they inspire all the things that we do;
Life has a fullness, life has excitement,
For we are learning the glory is Yours.
And in our hearts we are looking for heaven,
Where we shall give You unceasing applause.
Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Lord, when we give You the best we can bring;
You as Creator enjoy our creating;
You as our Father take joy when we sing;
Here we’re beginning, here we’re rehearsing
Themes that in heaven we’ll fully explore.
Praising You then with a perfect devotion,
Bowing before you to love and adore.
Covenant Hymnal, #12
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 6:16-34
“And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Reader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD
In the fields of the Lord, our work is rest
He is moving in our hands and feet to bless
In the fields of the Lord, in the fields of the Lord
In the fields of the Lord, our work is rest.
In the vineyards of the Lord, our work is light
He is tending every leaf and every vine
In the vineyards of the Lord, in the vineyards of the Lord
In the vineyards of the Lord, our work is light.
In the garden of the Lord, our work is sound
He is weaving every thorn into a crown
In the garden of the Lord, in the garden of the Lord
In the garden of the Lord, our work is sound.
At the harvest of the Lord, the fields are white
O, He will wipe away the tears from ev’ry eye
At the harvest of the Lord, at the harvest of the Lord
At the harvest of the Lord, the fields are white.
Audrey Assad / Isaac Wardell © 2017 Porter’s Gate Publishing (BMI) and Hymns From the Porter’s Gate (ASCAP). All rights reserved and administered by Fair Trade Music Publishing c/o essentialmusicpublishing.com.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Denise (Buddy Video)
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
Peaceful, Calm, Quiet Confidence
Pastor Mark
LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller ev’ry day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
chorus
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully, all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Covenant Hymnal, #463
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, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, our Pastoral Search Committee, Mary Smith, and Steve Staurseth
Ministries & Mission
Paul Carlson Partnership, serving in Congo; Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp, serving in rural Appalachia (Virginia/Tennessee border)
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
Hymn medley
led by Trevor Nicholas
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.
JESUS, ALL FOR JESUS
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
All of my ambitions hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands.
chorus
For it’s only in your will that I am free
For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
CCLI #349090
Words & Music: Robin Mark © 1991 Word’s Spirit of Praise Music
SERVICE OF FAREWELL
WORDS OF GRATITUDE AND THANKS
1. Bekah Carlson
2. Linda Carlson
3. Beth Anderson
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 Denise and with Gus, Rowland, and Harry, who are leaving.
Leader: In 2017 this congregation called the Rev. Denise Anderson to serve as pastor of children and family.
Pastor Denise: I thank Ravenswood Covenant Church, its members and friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown me these last six 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 Denise: 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 Denise from the duties of pastor of children and family?
We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you offer your encouragement for Pastor Denise’s transition to future ministries?
We do, with the help of God.
Leader: Do you, Pastor Denise, release this local church from turning to you and depending on you as pastor of children and family?
Pastor Denise: 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?
Pastor Denise: I do, with the help of God.
A FAREWELL FROM PASTOR DENISE
PRESENTATION OF CANDLE
led by Pastor Mark
PRAYER AND LAYING ON OF HANDS
CHOIR ANTHEM
“The Lord Bless You”
arr. Richard Carlson
BENEDICTION
from Psalm 20:1-9
The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May He send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion.
May He remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.
May He grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord will help His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories by His right hand.
Some take pride in chariots and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.
Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Toccata in E minor
Johann Pachelbel
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.
Pastor Denise farewell luncheon
Today is Pastor Denise’s final Sunday as Ravenswood Covenant’s pastor of children and family. Following the worship service we will be hosting a farewell luncheon for her, Gus, Rowland, and Harry. It will feature a special meal prepared by Hannah and 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!
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.
Community Dinners
Thursday night community dinners are our main community gathering occasions during the work week. Our next Thursday night community dinners will be Thursday, February 9 and Thursday, February 23, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The suggested donation for the dinner is $5 for individuals and $10 for families.
Trevor Nicholas featured on local newscast
Our own Trevor Nicholas was featured on the “Chicago Proud” segment of a WLS-TV (ABC channel 7 Chicago) newscast this past Thursday, as he has been nominaed for the second time as a Grammy Award finalist in the Music Educator category. You can watch the newscast segment featuring Trevor and his Senn HS students via this link.
Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, including our own Cynthia Arden, will be presenting one of the greatest symphonic works in the history of classical music, Gustav Mahler’s 1st Symphony, in concert on Saturday, February 18. Details to follow.
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 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 7:1-14, 24-29
Psalm 37:16-18
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.