PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
led by Cynthia
PRELUDE
“When Morning Gilds the Skies”
led by Erin and Cynthia
WELCOME & GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 118
Leader: Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
People: This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter
through it.
L: I thank You that You have answered me
and have become my salvation.
P: The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
L: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes;
P: This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
L: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
P: for His steadfast love endures forever.
THE STEADFAST LOVE
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new ev’ry morning,
New ev’ry morning,
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord,
Great is Thy faithfulness.
Covenant Hymnal, #98
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Psalm 145:10-18
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
and all Your faithful shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
and tell of Your power,
12 to make known to all people Your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all His words,
and gracious in all His deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all His ways,
and kind in all His doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
* GOSPEL LESSON
Mark 12:10-12; 13:1-4
[After His telling of the parable of the vineyard, Jesus continued:]
10 Have you not read this scripture:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’?”
12 When they realized that He had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest Him, but they feared the crowd. So they left Him and went away.
…
13:1 As He came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to Him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
3 When He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?”
Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Children are dismissed to the gym at this time.
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.
Covenant Hymnal, #423
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
The Stone That Changes Everything
Pastor Denise
CORNERSTONE
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name
chorus
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
CCLI Song # 6158927 CCLI License # 349090
Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan |
William Batchelder Bradbury © 2011 Hillsong MP Songs
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
led by Pastor Phil
We continue to pray for: Katie Gieseke, Kari Hutson, Ernesto Galaviz, Kristine Brandel’s friend Terrie, Nikolas Arden, Katie Collier, Art and Rosa Hamilton, Shirley Nicholas, Paul Mounts, Steve Hoden, Mary Spriggs, the family of Phyllis Levinson.
Ministries & Mission
Alejandro & Amanda Velasco, serving in Mexico; 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
& PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
OFFERTORY
Prelude No. 9 in E by Chopin
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.
COMMUNITY LIFE
.
IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The love of God was magnified*
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
CCLI Song # 3350395 CCLI License # 349090
Keith Getty Stuart Townend © 2001 Thankyou Music
* words substituted
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Moderato du Deuxieme Ton by Jean Adam Guilain
led by Cynthia
INVITATION & FINAL SLIDES
We’ll be back here next Sunday.
We hope you can join us.
Information on ravenscov.org.
music as we go, by maxeltoft
“A Few Laborers”
Covenant Harbor Sunday
We are excited to go to Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva next Sunday, August 1! This year is a little different due to COVID-19 camp precautions.
1. Harbor Worship: Worship in the big tent on Sundays at 10:30 am. This year Anchor Covenant Church is having their services in the tent and everyone is invited to join them for worship.
https://covenantharbor.org/summer-sunday-worship/
2. Picnic: Bring food for a picnic afterwards. Lawn chairs or blankets, food and drinks. There is NO food being sold at the camp. You must bring in your own food and drink. There are picnic tables available, too. Guests are asked to leave by 1:30 pm as campers start arriving.
3. Swimming: There is NO swimming at the camp this summer on Sundays. If you would like to swim, there is a very nice sandy beach and dock at the private beach near the Ericksons’ and Johnsons’ summer homes, which is a couple miles down the road from Covenant Harbor. You are welcome to swim there until 4:00 pm on Sunday. We need to know who is coming so you can be paired with one of the families and can use their home to change and park your car. RSVP to me at denise@ravenscov.org or to the church office. There is a small parking lot near the beach for dropping off people and stuff. Your host family will tell you where to park. Bring towels, beach toys, beach chairs, and sunscreen. Email or call/text Pastor Denise if you have questions.
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, the 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.”
More restrictions lifted for worship in person
Chicago and the state of Illinois have entered Phase 5, which means that there are no longer any restrictions upon the attendance at gatherings of anybody who has been vaccinated.
However, we are still observing precautions regarding children, specifically with regard to the cry room. As was the case before, if you and your family would like to worship in the cry room, please reserve it in advance by contacting Gregory Sager at office@ravenscov.org or 773-784-7091. One family may choose to use the cry room upon arrival if it hasn’t already been reserved. 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.
We will follow all of the current local and state safety protocols for Phase 5 of public health in the state of Illinois. This means that:masks are still required at all times within the building for those adults who have not been vaccinated. Changes to communion and offering remain in place until further notice.
There will still be no nursery.
Summer worship hours in effect
Ravenswood Covenant has begun its summer schedule. Worship will begin at 9:30 am, and there will be no Sunday School.
Children will be dismissed to play outside in the playground at the offertory time. We are looking for adults and teens to supervise outside. If you’d like to sign up for one of two Sundays this summer, contact Pastor Denise. Worship bags for children and worship in the lounge area will continue to be available each week.
Nelson Lounge open for remote worship
The Nelson Lounge, which is upstairs in the church’s C.E. wing, is open for families with young children during Sunday worship. The television will have the church service livestreamed so parents can watch as they supervise their own children. There will be some toys and a kids’ table in there for coloring. Children are always welcome in the main sanctuary as well.
Farmer’s market continues
We experienced another modestly-attended but encouraging farmers market this past Wednesday. While it is still a smaller and more restricted market due to the public health situation, the market continues to be a blessing to the neighborhood.
The farmers market will again run through the middle of October each Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Many of our vendors from last year will be returning, and we will have some new ones as well. As usual, our main produce and flower vendor will be Patyk Farms.
Many of you are curious as to how the market will operate this year, as we pass from pandemic conditions back to normal life. As was the case last year, we will operate with a close eye as to state and local public-health guidelines, and we will adapt to looser restrictions as conditions allow.
If you are interested in volunteering to help staff this year’s market crew on whatever Wednesdays you are available, please contact the church office at 773-784-7091 or at office@ravenscov.org.
Thursday evening Zoom Bible study continues
The Thursday evening Bible study will continue this coming Thursday. The Bible study meets each Thursday at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of 2 Corinthians.
The Zoom link for the Bible study has a new meeting ID and passcode:
Meeting ID: 972 871 4458
Passcode: 1qa3CD
Join Zoom meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95052558015?pwd=N3d1eFpUUmUwenhCSzNJNUk3WEV2QT09
Worship bags for kids
Each week there will be worship bags for children ages 2 to 12 attending worship. The bag will have the child’s name on it and will only be used by that child.
Free masks available
The church is offering free masks to anyone in the congregation who is in need of one. If you would like, you may make a donation to our benevolence fund when you come to the church building to pick yours up. Please contact the church office at office@ravenscov.org or 773-396-6175 for more information.
General fund giving:
July 11: $1,574
General fund giving:
July 18: $2,148
Scripture for next Sunday
Mark 12:18-27, 35-40
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.