July 30, 2023 | Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church

July 30, 2023

Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on YouTube at 10:00 am.

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 100:1-3

Leader: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
People: Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Leader: Know that the Lord is God.
People: It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

PRAYER
Almighty Father, you created life, light, and truth. Lord Jesus, You saved us from sin, hopelessness, and death. Holy Spirit, You empower us to have faith, hope, and love. Father, Son, and Spirit, recreate, redeem, and renew us today. Amen.

* ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam,
And silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

O rushing wind so wild and strong,
O clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise Him, alleluia!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O lights of ev’ning, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

Cool flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for your Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Fierce fire so masterful and bright,
Providing us with warmth and light,
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

And all of you of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
Alleluia, alleluia!
All you who pain and sorrow bear,
Trust God and on Him cast your care;
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness;
O praise Him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One;
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

Covenant Hymnal, #55

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Philippians 3:15-21

¹⁵Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. ¹⁶Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

¹⁷Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. ¹⁹Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. ²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of His glory, by the power that also enables Him to make all things subject to Himself.

* GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 6:25-34

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? ²⁶Look 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? ²⁷And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?^[b] ²⁸And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰But 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? ³¹Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ³²For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

POWER TO REDEEM
You take what is and You make it beautiful
When love floods in we’re restored forevermore

chorus
With breath that brings the dead to life
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free
With mercy strong to carry shame
And nail it to a tree
You alone hold the power to redeem

No guilt competes with innocence crucified
No grave can hold what Your grace has justified

bridge
(So) Rejoice, O child of God
(Oh) Lift your eyes to see
With ev’ry morning light
(Oh) Again we are redeemed

ending
Oh, You alone hold the power to redeem
Oh,You alone hold the power to redeem

CCLI Song # 7023313 CCLI License # 349090
Justin Ebach | Lauren Ashley Daigle | Paul Mabury © 2014 CentricSongs

CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Ryan

I’VE GOT THE JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY DOWN IN MY HEART
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

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
Philippians 4:4-9
Invitation to Peace and Joy
Pastor Ryan

DAY BY DAY AND WITH EACH PASSING MOMENT
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best –
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”–
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation
So to trust Your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Covenant Hymnal, #435

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, James Egan, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Trevor Hanks, the Michael family, Nancy Popovich’s family, Kathy Sager, Mary Smith, Steve Staurseth, and Phillip, son of Iris Velez

Ministries & Mission
Serve Globally team, serving Covenant missionaries around the world; 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
“It Is Well with My Soul”
Horatio Spafford / Philip Bliss
led by Erin 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.

* YOU HOLD IT ALL
God, we bring You the work of our hands now
Lay it down, lay it at Your feet
What we’ve done, what we’ve built, what we’ve broken
Lay it down, lay it at Your feet

chorus
You hold it all
Jesus, You hold it all

Worried hearts, wearied hands, weakened bodies
Lay them down, lay them at Your feet
What we’ve used, what we’ve lost, what we’ve wasted
Lay it down, lay it at Your feet

chorus

All our plans, all our dreams, our ambitions
Lay them down, lay them at Your feet
Even if nothing comes to fruition
Lay it down, lay it at Your feet
Lay it down, lay it at Your feet

BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE
Andantino in G minor
J.S. Bach
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.

Worship committee meeting
The worship committee will be meeting in the upstairs lounge after the service on Sunday. Committee members, please make a note of it!

September 10 is Kickoff Sunday
September 10 will be Kickoff Sunday at Ravenswood Covenant! That Sunday will mark the return of RECC to the school-year worship calendar with services starting at 10:45 am, and there will be food and fun after the service to mark the occasion, as well as an opportunity for our Sunday School teachers and Faith Forum leaders to talk about the upcoming year.

The first day of Sunday School and Faith Forum will be the following Sunday, September 17. We are looking for folks who are willing to help out with Sunday School this coming school year. Please speak with Beth Anderson, Bekah Carlson, or Kelly Vetter if you’re interested. Also, please check with the church office to make sure that you have an up-to-date background check if you are going to work with the church’s children in 2023-24.

Van drivers needed
This fall we would like to bring back our long-dormant ministry of offering van rides to North Park University students so that they can attend services on Sundays at Ravenswood Covenant. Does this sound like something with which you’d be willing to help? You don’t need to own a van to do this, just a valid driver’s license. If you’re interested, please contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan.

Lawn-mowing volunteer needed
We are looking to find a volunteer willing to cut the grass on the church’s grounds this summer and fall. The church has a lawnmower, although you are welcome to bring your own to church if you prefer. If you’re interested in helping to keep our grounds looking good, please contact Gregory Sager, Pastor Ryan, or anyone on the Leadership Team. Thank you!

Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services this summer. 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 Erin Stoel.

Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are Tuesday thru Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. If you would like to meet with Pastor Ryan during his afternoon hours, please call the church office to schedule an appointment.

Farmers market
Despite morning rain and a sultry afternoon, we had 672 adults and the usual mob of happy children present in our parking lot on Wednesday, shopping at our vendors’ stalls, buying food from the food trucks on Damen Avenue, enjoying the live music and the children’s activities, and socializing with neighbors.

The market will run until mid-October every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in our parking lot. This year the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce has taken over locating and contacting possible vendors for the market, so we anticipate a busier and more crowded market than has been true since Covid hit.

If you are interested in the farmers market and would like to be a part of this way for us as a church to interact with our surrounding community and provide a valuable service to them as well as a place to meet and greet neighbors every Wednesday during the warm-weather months, please contact the church office or our market director, Bekah Carlson.

Children’s activity supplies needed
The Ravenswood Farmers Market season is off to a great start with our highest attendance in several years! If you would like to support the market we still have multiple opportunities to be involved with set-up/take-down and children’s activities during the market. If you are unable to attend the market, we could also use your help in gathering supplies. This year we need dot markers, markers, fun stamps, baby wipes, blue Dawn dish soap and light corn syrup. Thank you all for your continued support.

Church garden plots available
Are you a gardener, or would you like to become one? Ravenswood Covenant has free garden plots available along the north boundary of the church parking lot. if you would like to claim a plot, please contact the church office at 773-784-7091 or at office@ravenscov.org.

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!

Aid for Ukrainian refugees
Jeremy and Amanda Foster, who have attended our church in the past, 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.

Here is the latest message from Don Foster:

Dear Praying Friends,

Hello all,

Well, this is the final chapter of our trip to Ukraine. This trip has made me to grow, to think and to trust even more in the protecting wings of God.

I didn’t really think of the more than 2400 miles I travelled, although I did see pretty serious accidents and one car almost smashed into mine. When I drive, I always belive in God’s protection.

I did think about going into a war zone at two different times to reunite a family and then to get them again to come back to France. A good French friend of ours said to me, just before I left “Do you believe that God is telling you to do this”. Best advice I’ve ever had … . I had prayed about this and was convinced it was the thing to do. I believe that during communist repression, the dictators did all they could to destroy the family. People were uprooted and moved without their consent. The people we have met have had multiple partners and fractured families. I believe that God has used the family model in the Bible to show who He is and show His love (God the Father and God the Son, He used Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus as a child, and on and on). People in France ask why I have done this and even the father of Ksiiusha said to his wife that he does not understand why I put myself in danger to reunite them. I told Kate that some things are worth more than your physical life. She said “I wonder how I met you and Beatrice.” I told her, I think it is God. I don’t preach to her. I said only that phrase.

I have also told Kate that I could not do this if it were not for the Americans who give money for the project. I told her that you are believers and that you are from churches who help us to house you … you are our partners.

Thank you so much … I would like to say so much more.

God bless,

Don for the Fosters

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 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.

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
Galatians 1:11-24
Acts 8:1-3
Matthew 15:1-11

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.