June 25, 2023
Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on YouTube at 10:00 am.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
led by Erin and Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Leader: O Lord, You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
People: Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.
Leader: You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
People: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is too high, I cannot attain it.
Leader: For You formed my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
People: I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Leader: Wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well.
People: Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book they were all written,
Leader: the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them.
People: How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Leader: If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
ALL: Search me O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
GOD THE MAKER
We bring our time we bring our treasure
We lay them down before Your throne
You will make them something greater
More than we could ever know
We bring our gifts we bring our power
Place them in Your sov’reign hand
You will take what we have given
You will use it for Your plan
chorus
Glory be to God the Maker
Glory be to God Creator
Take our time use our treasure
Turn them into something greater
Glory be to God the Maker
Though our hearts are weak from failure
Broken dreams and failed attempts
Show us that in ev’ry season
You will fill our emptiness
CCLI Song # 7097863 CCLI License # 349090
David Gungor | Isaac Wardell | Paul Zach © Hymns From The Porter’s Gate
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
I Samuel 3:1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!”[a] and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
* GOSPEL LESSON
John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Reader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, I still will follow,
Though none go with me I still will follow,
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus,
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
traditional, lyrics by Leslie B. Tucker © Songtrust Ave.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Erin Stoel
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me! This I know
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Covenant Hymnal, #443
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
Who’s Your Daddy?
Pastor Mark
WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sign nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
refrain
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil Christ does richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
refrain
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows
Are for those who will trust and obey.
refrain
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
refrain
Covenant Hymnal, #376
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, the Michael family, Nancy Popovich’s stepdaughter, Kathy Sager, Mary Smith, Steve Staurseth, and Phillip, son of Iris Velez
Ministries & Mission
Phillip & Stephanie Voland, serving in Germany; Carlos & Karen Feijoo, serving in Ecuador
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
Prelude No. 6
Frederic 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.
* LET ALL THINGS NOW LIVING
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God our Creator triumphantly raise;
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who guides us and leads to the end of our days,
God’s banners are o’er us and light goes before us
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night:
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
As forward we travel from light into light.
His law He enforces, the stars in their courses,
The sun in its orbit obediently shine,
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The depths of the ocean proclaim Him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise,
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!
Covenant Hymnal, #59
UN MILLÓN DE AMIGOS
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
March
Henry Purcell
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
We are grateful for the participation of musicians John Herpolsheimer (guitar) and Nils Westlind (drums) in today’s service.
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.
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.
Best-attended farmers market since 2019!
On Wednesday we had the most well-attended farmers market turnout since the Covid pandemic, with over 1,000 adults visiting the market! This year the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is getting more involved in helping us locate and contact possible vendors, and we can see the difference it is making. Nearly all available space in the parking lot was taken up by vendor booths, and the food trucks now have to park in the street alongside the wrought-iron fence. The heightened partnership between the chamber and the church should take the market to higher levels of success.
The market will run until mid-October every Wednesday (except for Fourth of July week) from 4:00 pm to 7:00 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.
A patriotic party!
Join the Lake County Symphony Orchestra, which features RECC’s own Cynthia Arden as concertmaster, at Buffalo Creek Brewing (360 Historical Lane in north suburban Long Grove) at 7:00 pm on July 4 for their annual musical Fourth of July musical celebration! They can’t wait to spend our country’s big day with you and your family! The evening features a diverse program with some of our country’s biggest musical forces including Bernstein, Sousa, Gershwin, and Copland! Also, it just wouldn’t be a musical Fourth without Tchaikovsky’s iconic “1812 Overture” which they will of course play for you!
| The raindate is July 9 at 5:00 pm. For tickets, use the link below. Tickets |
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. 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:
Hello friends,
Below is a message from the Ukrainians living here in Hazebrouck.
God bless,
Don and Béa
Hello everybody
I want to say my huge thanks to all of you. You are all incredible people. You do so many things for me and my family.
We have been living in a new apartment for almost three weeks and we like it very much. This would not be possible without all of you
When I understand how you helped us and how much people do for this apartment I feel grateful for everything you do.
I’m very glad to have met Don, Beatrice, their family and all of you.
I hope one day I can see all of you and say thank you in real life.
Kate
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 have just begun 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.”
RECC preaching schedule for July
July 2: Mary Spriggs
July 9: Central Conference Supt. Danny Martinez (Installation Sunday)
July 16: Pastor Ryan
July 23: Pastor Ryan
July 30: Pastor Ryan
Scripture for next Sunday
Matthew 13:44-46
2 Peter 1:1-11
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.