PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
led by AxiomBrass
PRELUDE
God of the Ages
led by Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING & COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 123
Leader: To you I lift up my eyes,
People: O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
L: As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
P: so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy upon us.
L: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have enough of contempt.
P: Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are put at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
GOD OF THE AGES, WHOSE ALMIGHTY HAND
verses 1,2 & 4
God of the ages, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Your throne arise.
Your love divine has led us in the past,
In this free land by You our lot is cast;
Be now our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
Your Word our law, Your paths our chosen way.
Refresh Your people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with heav’n born love and grace,
And songs of praise we’ll lift before Your face!
From the Covenant Hymnal, page 730
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Folks We Are Praying For:
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.
We continue to pray for: Katie Gieseke, Kari Hutson, Ernesto Galaviz, Nikolas Arden, Katie Collier, Art and Rosa Hamilton, Shirley Nicholas, Paul Mounts, Steve Hoden, Mary Spriggs, the family of Phyllis Levinson.
Ministries & Mission
Grant & Miho Buckholtz, serving in Japan; Carlos & Karen Feijoo, serving in Ecuador
GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
& PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
OFFERTORY
Andante by Gustav Merkel
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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Ezekiel 2:1-5
He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 And when He spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. 3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against Me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” 5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
GOSPEL LESSONS
Mark 11:1-25
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and He sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA
verse 1
Hosanna, loud hosanna
The little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple
The lovely anthem rang:
To Jesus, who had blessed them,
Close folded to his breast,
The children sang their praises,
The simplest and the best.
Covenant Hymnal, #228
GOSPEL, CONTINUED
11 Then He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when He had looked around at everything, as it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see whether perhaps He would find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples heard it.
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves; 16 and He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.”
18 And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill Him; for they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. 19 And when evening came, Jesus and His disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus answered them, “Have[b] faith in God. 23 Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24 So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
25 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
(sung)
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Figs and Fireworks
Gregory Sager
ONE BREAD, ONE BODY
chorus
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many
Through out the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew,
Servant or free,
Woman or man, no more
Many the gifts,
Many the works,
One in the Lord of all.
Grain for the fields,
Scattered and grown,
Gathered to one, for all
Covenant Hymnal, #570
Pastor Eric Hillabrant presiding
CONFESSION OF SIN & PASSING OF PEACE
L: As we move towards the table let us remember the proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in Him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Let us confess our sins against God and neighbor.
All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
L: Since in Christ we are reconciled to God, so also we are reconciled to each other, the members of His body, the Church. May God’s peace extend throughout this congregation.
L: Peace of Christ be with you
P: And also with you.
L: Let us extend to each other signs of that peace.
(extend greetings to those you’re with ,
comments online are welcome.)
INVITATION
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.
A PRAYER FOR COMMUNION
Holy God, we praise You.
Let the heavens be joyful and the earth be glad.
We bless You for creating the whole world,
for Your promises to your people Israel,
and for Jesus Christ in whom Your fullness dwells.
Born of Mary, He shares our life.
Eating with sinners, He welcomes us.
Guiding his children, He leads us.
Visiting the sick, He heals us.
Dying on the cross, He saves us.
Risen from the dead, He gives new life.
Living with You, He prays for us.
The Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembering Me.”
In the same way He took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembering Me.”
With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Receive our sacrifice of praise.
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us
that this meal may be a communion in the body and blood or our Lord.
Make us one with Christ
and with all who share this feast.
Unite us in faith,
encourage us with hope,
inspire us to love that we may serve
As Your faithful disciples
Until we feast at Your table in glory.
We praise you, eternal God,
through Christ Your Word made flesh,
in the holy and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.
SHARING IN COMMUNION
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.
A SENDING FROM COMMUNION
What we have been about here is not separate from life. Rather these acts have been a reminder that we belong to Christ always and everywhere. We carry Christ’s Spirit into our homes, our daily activities, all our relationships. We are Christ’s people. By God’s grace let it be so. Amen.
.
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
Lift ev’ry voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea,
Sing a song full of the faith
That the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope
That the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun
Of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast’ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our people sighed?
We have come over a way
That with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path
Through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast,
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast, by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places,
Our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts drunk with the wine
Of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.
Covenant Hymnal, #732
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Finlandia by Jean Sibelius
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 AxiomBrass & maxeltoft
“Giving & Receiving”
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.
Donut Sunday is coming!
As we continue to ease into a return to full-fledged fellowship hours after Sunday worship, on Sunday, July 18 we will celebrate another Donut Sunday. Donuts, coffee, and bottled water will be served on the sidewalk by the front steps, and juice boxes will be available for children. Please join us after worship as we fellowship together!
Summer worship hours in effect
Ravenswood Covenant is on its summer schedule. Worship begins 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.
Congratulations to Meghan
This past weekend at the 135th Covenant Annual Meeting, a daughter of our church, Meghan DeJong, was ordained to word and sacrament. Due to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Annual Meeting to take place online rather than in a physical space, the laying on of hands and presentation of the pastoral stole and Bible to Meghan actually took place in our own sanctuary — the first time that our present sanctuary has ever been used to ordain a pastor.
Meghan currently serves as one of the pastors of Highrock Covenant Church, a multi-campus church in the Boston area. We congratulate her and pray for God’s blessings upon her and her ministry.
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 has arrived!
This past Wednesday we held the third farmers market of the 2021 Ravenswood Farmer’s Market season! While it is still a smaller and more restricted market due to the public health situation, the number of visitors to the market was the same as last week, in spite of rainy weather.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95052558015?pwd=N3d1eFpUUmUwenhCSzNJNUk3WEV2QT09
Meeting ID: 972 871 4458
Passcode: 1qa3CD
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.
Prayer meeting has returned
The church’s biweekly prayer meeting that gathers every second and fourth Monday night each month has resumed! After being shut down due to the city’s pandemic guidelines, the city’s reduced infection rate and the upswing in vaccinations has led the church’s leadership to once again allow the prayer meeting to convene. The next meeting will be Monday, July 12, at 7 pm.
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:
June 20: $1,737
General fund giving:
June 27: $1,859
Scripture for next Sunday
Mark 11:27-33
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.