January 7, 2024
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
“Sing of God Made Manifest”
led by Mary and Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Isaiah 60:1,3
Leader: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
People: Nations shall come to His light and kings to the brightness of His dawn.
PRAYER
Lord God, You keep calling forth light in darkness. It was the first word You spoke in creation. And when Christ came, You called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Set us as a lamp in a dark place, as witnesses to the God who forgives sin and raises the dead to new life. Amen.
* SING OF GOD MADE MANIFEST
Sing of God made manifest
In a Child robust and blest,
To whose home in Bethlehem
Where a star had guided them
Magi came and gifts unbound,
Signs mysterious and profound:
Myrrh and frankincense and gold
Grave and God and king foretold.
Sing of God made manifest
When at Jordan John confessed,
“I should be baptized by You,
But Your bidding I will do.”
Then from heaven a double sign–
Dove-like Spirit, voice divine–
Hailed the true Anointed One:
“This is My beloved Son.”
Sing of God made manifest
When Christ came as wedding-guest
And at Cana gave a sign,
Turning water into wine;
Further still was love revealed
As He taught, forgave, and healed,
Bringing light and life to all
Who would listen to God’s call.
Sing of God made manifest
On the cloud-capped mountain’s crest,
Where the Law and Prophets waned
So that Christ alone remained:
Glimpse of glory, pledge of grace,
Giv’n as Jesus set His face
Towards the waiting cross and grave,
Sign of hope that God would save.
Covenant Hymnal, #206
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Amy Eikenbary-Barber
Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all His benefits—
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
* GOSPEL LESSON: Amy Eikenbary-Barber
Mark 1:21-34
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and He cried out, “What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 At once His fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to Him all who were sick or possessed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And He cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons, and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Everywhere I go today,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Everywhere I go today,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
All around my neighborhood,
I’m gonna let it shine,
All around my neighborhood,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Let it shine ’til Jesus comes,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine ’til Jesus comes,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Covenant Hymnal, #696
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 1:35-45
Righteous Anger
Pastor Ryan
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; Mary Smith; Steve Staurseth; Phillip, son of Iris Velez; and Lauren Villada
Ministries & Mission
Gary & Pauline Carlson, serving in Japan; 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
Musette
Michel Corrette
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.
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. In silence let us call to mind our sins:
[silence]
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.
BREAKING THE BREAD AND POURING THE CUP
Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
Is not the cup that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ?
The gifts of God for the people of God—take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
* BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR
Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’ll love Thee, truly I’ll serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
Robed in blooming flow’rs of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
Covenant Hymnal, #317
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Moderato Terth Toni
F.X. Murschhauser
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.
Lunch Bunch luncheon
The Lunch Bunch ladies are having their monthly luncheon on Wednesday, January 10, at 11:30 am. They’ll be meeting at the Golden Nugget Pancake House, located at 1765 W. Lawrence Ave.
Everyone is welcome!
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.
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 2:13-22
Mark 2:1-12
Psalm 103:6-14
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.