July 17, 2022
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME & GREETING, COMMUNITY LIFE
UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN FRANCE
Mission Update: Bea and Don Foster
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 118
Leader: I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
People: This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
PRAISE SONG
We praise You O Lord
For the love that You give
And the time that You spent
On this world for our sins
We lift up Your name
In honor and praise
In Jesus we place
All our love and our faith
Chorus
And we know that You are our Savior
And we know that You are the Son
And we know that You are the Savior
Of ev’ryone
Verse 2
The time is now near
When You will appear
When we see Your face
And Your voice will appear
And then we will sing
To Jesus the King
The Maker
Creator of everything
CCLI Song # 2045175
Brad Avery | David Carr | Mac Powell | Mark D. Lee | Tai Anderson
© 1996 Gray Dot Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
1 Peter 2:1-9, 19-25
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”
8 and
“A stone that makes them stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Denise
Children 6 and under are dismissed to the gym
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
Identity Matters
Pastor Deb Auger
IF YOU WILL ONLY LET GOD GUIDE YOU
If you will only let God guide you, and hope in
him through all your ways, whatever comes, he’ll stand beside
you, to bear you through the evil days; who trusts in
God’s unchanging love builds on the Rock that cannot move.
Only be still, and wait his leisure in cheeful
hope, with heart content; to take whate’er the Father’s
pleasure and all discerning love have sent; nor doubt our
inmost wants are known to him who chose us for his own.
Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving, but do your
part in conscience true; and trust his Word, though undeserving,
so shall they be fullfilled in you; God hears the
call of those in need, the souls that trust in him indeed.
Covenant Hymnal, #401
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: The Andrews family, Nikolas Arden, Michael Bucci, the family of Barb Cannon, Vira Coszach, Carlos Feijoo, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, Mary Smith, the Staurseth family, Esther Stoel, and Dick Swedberg
Ministries & Mission
Kent & Rhonda Egging, serving in Russia, 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 & OFFERING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@administrator
OFFERTORY
led by
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.
WHO YOU SAY I AM
Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
Free at last
He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
I am chosen not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me not against me
I am who You say I am
(Oh) (Yes) I am who You say I am
CCLI Song # 7102401 CCLI License # 349090
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan
© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
BENEDICTION: RESPONSIVE READING #984
Leader: The way is long,
People: let us go together.
L: The way is difficult
P: let us help each other.
L: The way is joyful,
P: let us share it.
L: The way is Christ’s, for Christ is the way.
P: let us follow.
L: The way is open before us,
P: let us go.
L: The love God, the grace of Christ,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
ALL: Amen.
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
led by
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
music as we go, by axiom.brass
Worship update
Due to an uptick in Covid-19 cases in Chicago, the Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant Church recommends mask use during services, but this is not mandatory.
Ravenswood Covenant will continue to livestream worship each week on YouTube and Facebook; this is now a permanent feature of our ministry, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Cooler Sunday
Our second Cooler Sunday of summer 2022 will be next Sunday, July 24. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided; please plan to bring a side, dessert, or chips to pass. Join us after worship on Sunday for food and fellowship!
Farmers market
The farmers market resumed on Wednesday with beautiful weather, over 400 adult attendees, and lots of kids enjoying themselves in the art and science areas, the water area, and the bounce house!
The farmers market season will run until our annual fall festival on Wednesday, October 12. This year’s markets will run from 4 pm to 7 pm, and as always they will be held in the church parking lot.
We are still looking for market volunteers to help out with set-up, assisting with kids activities, and take-down on Wednesdays. If you can assist, even if it’s only for one Wednesday, please contact Sneha John, Bekah Carlson, Pastor Denise, or the church office.
Welcome, Pastor Mark!
We welcome Pastor Mark Westlind back to Ravenswood Covenant, as this week he began serving as our interim pastor. He is a long-time member of Ravenswood Covenant who recently retired after a career of service as a Covenant missionary alongside his wife, Alice, in South America, followed by serving as an interim pastor at various Covenant churches in the Chicago area. Alice also recently retired after serving as RC4’s office manager for several years.
His office hours will be Wednesdays and Sundays, and by appointment as needed.
We pray for God’s blessing upon Pastor Mark and his ministry here during our pastoral search process.
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
Wanted: Church directory coordinator
Ravenswood Covenant is in the process of updating its online church directory, with the intention of eventually making paper copies of the directory available. We are seeking a volunteer who is willing to take on this project, which means gathering information and photographs and inputting them onto the church’s WordPress-based website. If you are interested in coordinating the directory update, please contact Gregory Sager in the church office at 773-784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.
Thursday evening adult Bible study
Our weekly Bible study meets on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of Romans. We welcome anybody to the upstairs lounge on Thursday evenings who wants to take part in the Bible study. If you would prefer to participate remotely, or if you are out of town, the Bible study will continue to provide Zoom access as well for online participants.
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 July
July 3: Gregory Sager
July 10: Mary Spriggs
July 17: Pastor Deb Auger
July 24: Pastor Denise Anderson
July 31: Chaplain Jim Stoel
Scripture for next Sunday
Matthew 5:3-10
1 Peter 3:13-22
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.