January 5, 2025
Second Sunday of Christmas
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
“There Is a Redeemer”
Melody Green
led by Leslie and Cynthia
WELCOME AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Isaiah 60, Psalm 63, and Jeremiah 29
Leader: Arise! Shine! The light you have been waiting for is here!
The glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
People: God of light, You are my God. My whole being longs for You.
Leader: “If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.
People: I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your
power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself.
I praise and worship You!
UNISON PRAYER
Glory to the Father, Maker of heaven and earth! Glory to the Son of God, full of truth and grace! Glory to the Holy Spirit, filling us with wisdom and favor. Almighty God, make us one as You are One. Amen.
* HE SHALL REIGN FOREVERMORE
In the bleak mid-winter
All creation groans
For a world in darkness
Frozen like a stone
Light is breaking
In a stable for a throne
chorus
(And) He shall reign forevermore forevermore
And He shall reign forevermore forevermore
Unto us a Child is born
The King of kings and Lord of lords
And He shall reign forevermore forevermore
If I were a wise man
I would travel far
If I were a shepherd
I would do my part
But poor as I am
I will give to Him my heart
chorus
bridge
Here within a manger lies the One
Who made the starry skies
This baby born for sacrifice
Christ the Messiah
Into our hopes into our fears
The Savior of the world appears
The promise of eternal years
Christ the Messiah
O come, let us adore Him.
O come, let us adore Him.
O come, let us adore Him.
Christ, the Lord.
CCLI Song # 7050416 CCLI License # 349090
Chris Tomlin | Matt Maher © 2015 S. D. G. Publishing
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Don Hodgkinson
Psalm 2:7-8
I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage
and the ends of the earth your possession.
* I CANNOT TELL
I cannot tell why He whom angels worship,
Should come in flesh as prophets long foretold,
Or why the Shepherd longs to save the wanderers,
And bring them back rejoicing to the fold.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethl’em’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the promised Savior of the world is come.
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted
And stays our sin and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy-laden;
For still the suffering Savior of the world is here.
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun will shine in splendor
When He, the risen Savior of the world, is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When at His bidding every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all our hearts with love for Him are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And countless voices then will join to sing,
And earth to heav’n, and heav’n to earth will answer,
“At last the living Savior of the world is King!”
Covenant Hymnal, #488
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Pastor Ryan
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
Luke 2:41-52
Searching for Jesus
Pastor Ryan
* THERE IS A REDEEMER
There is a Redeemer
Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One
chorus
Thank You, O my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving us Your Spirit
‘Til the work on earth is done
Jesus, my Redeemer
Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
O for sinners slain
When I stand in glory
I will see His face
And there I’ll serve My King forever
In that holy place
Covenant Hymnal, #75
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
Cathy Campobello, serving in Colombia
Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp
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
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
J.S. Bach
led by Zylle Constantino 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.
CALL TO COMMUNION
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.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
Come to this sacred table, not because you must, but because you may; come to testify not that you are righteous, but that you sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ and desire to be His true disciples; come not because you are strong, but because you are weak; not because you have any claim on the grace of God, but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of God’s mercy and help; come, not to express an opinion, but to seek God’s presence and pray for the Spirit.”
CONFESSION OF SIN
God has promised forgiveness to all who truly repent, turn to Christ in faith, and are themselves forgiving. Let us confess our sins.
When we let envy, greed, resentment, lust, and selfishness eat away in us, we can be destroyed. I call you now with me to admit our wrongs before God, knowing that such confession is essential to the health of our souls.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
SINGING
His dying we proclaim; His rising we declare.
May Jesus Christ be praised!
His coming we await, now as these gifts we take.
May Jesus Christ be praised!
BREAKING THE BREAD AND POURING THE CUP
SONG DURING COMMUNION
“Light of the World (Here I Am to Worship)”
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
chorus
So here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
And You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
bridge
And I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
And I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
CCLI Song # 3266032 CCLI License # 349090
Tim Hughes © 2000 Thankyou Music
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.
* ARISE, YOUR LIGHT IS COME!
Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God
Which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captive’s liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the broken-hearted ones
And comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God’s pow’r will make us strong.
Covenant Hymnal, #194
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Chaconne
Johann Pachelbel
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
We welcome guest violinist Zylle Constantino to our worship service today.
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. Please wear a nametag and let visitors know who you are! Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.
Taking Down the Greens
Today is the last of the twelve days of Christmas, as the season of Epiphany begins tomorrow. Therefore, it’s time to put away the church’s Christmas decorations. Please join us this Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm as we will gather here at church to take down the greens from the sanctuary, lobby, and fellowship hall and return them to storage. Remember, many hands make light work!
Sunday School resumes
Our Sunday School classes will resume next week, as Christmas break comes to an end. Sunday School meets at 10:00 am every Sunday, and all parents are encouraged to bring their children here to learn more about God and the Christian faith.
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!
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, returns from Christmas break next Sunday. Faith Forum 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 January 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 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 3:1-22
Psalm 51:6-17
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.