June 26, 2022

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME & GREETING, COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 19
LEADER: The heavens are telling the glory of God,
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth
    and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and nothing is hid from its heat.

PEOPLE: The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
    and righteous altogether.
 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.

 LEADER: Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
 But who can detect one’s own errors?
    Clear me from hidden faults.
 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
    do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless
    and innocent of great transgression.

 PEOPLE: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to You we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flow’r,
Sun and moon and stars of light:
Lord of all, to You we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the worth of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight:
Lord of all, to You we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above;
For all gentle thoughts and mild:
Lord of all, to You we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For yourself, best gift divine
To the world so freely giv’n;
For your love beyond all time,
Peace on earth and joy in heav’n:
Lord of all, to You we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Covenant Hymnal, #56

GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
Matthew 22:34-40

 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

* THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself

Let us be known, let us be known
By the way we love

Love love love the greatest commandment is
Love love love the greatest commandment is
Love love love the greatest commandment is (love)

CCLI Song # 7133722 Paul Zach © Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)Paul Zach Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Exodus 20:12-16

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

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
The Liveliness of the Word
Chaplain Eric Hillabrant

THANKS TO GOD WHOSE WORD WAS SPOKEN
Thanks to God whose Word was spoken
In the deed that made the earth;
His the voice that called a nation,
His the fires that tried its worth.
God has spoken, God has spoken:
Praise God for His open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word incarnate
Heights and depths of life did share;
Deeds and words and death and rising,
Grace in human form declare.
God has spoken, God has spoken:
Praise God for His open Word.

Thanks to God whose Word is answered
By the Spirit’s voice within;
Here we drink of joy unmeasured,
Life redeemed from death and sin.
God has spoken, God has spoken:
Praise God for His open Word.

Covenant Hymnal, #536

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: The Andrews family, Nikolas Arden, Michael Bucci, Barb Cannon, Vira Coszach, Art & Rosa Hamilton, the Koeller family, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, Mary Smith, the Staurseth family, and Esther Stoel

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 & OFFERING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving
@administrator

OFFERTORY
Romance
Camille Saint-Saëns
led by Bob Kenehan 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.

GOD OF WONDERS
Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

chorus 1
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

verse 2
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night

bridge
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
You are holy

chorus 2
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy

chorus 3
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

CCLI Song # 3118757 CCLI License # 349090
Marc Byrd | Steve Hindalong © 2000 Never Say Never Songs

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

POSTLUDE
“I See a Huntsman”
Henry Purcell
led by Bob Kenehan and Cynthia

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

We welcome guest musician Bob Kenehan on French horn to our worship service this morning.

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
Today is our first Cooler Sunday of summer 2022! Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided; please plan to bring a side, dessert, or chips to pass. Join us after worship today for food and fellowship!

Farmers market
Thanks to somewhat cooler weather, we had a much better turnout at yesterday’s farmers market than we had during the previous week’s sweltering market premiere. There were 445 adult visitors, and about as many kids. Although our numbers are still not up to pre-Covid levels, we are beginning to re-establish our presence in the community as a weekly go-to event

The farmers market season will run until our annual fall festival on Wednesday, October 12. (We will take a week off on Wednesday, July 6 as part of Independence Day week.) 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.

We have some farmers market supply needs with which you may be able to help. Our kids water toys area and kids science table need:

* Dawn dish soap, blue (Must be blue-colored Dawn. It’s for making the bubble solution)
* Liquid food coloring (Must be liquid, not the gel or paste.)

Welcome, Pastor Mark!
Beginning July 5, we will welcome Pastor Mark Westlind back to Ravenswood Covenant as he serves 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.

Tacos and Tunes
Our next Tacos and Tunes gathering will be Friday, July 8, in the parking lot from 5:30 to 7 pm. Chef Bobby will be preparing the tacos, the playground will be open for the kids, and we’ll have live, family-friendly music as well from farmers market favorite Teel Short. As is the case for Thursday night community dinners, the suggested donation for Tacos and Tunes is $5 per person or $10 per family. Plan to join us!

Congregational business meeting
There will be a congregational business meeting following the worship service on Sunday, July 10. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the purchase of the property north of the church’s parking lot. Please make plans to attend, either in person or via Zoom.

The meeting’s Zoom link is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84988853304?pwd=N013WVpMMHlXVkJSMWJVMVgrdWFMdz09

Meeting ID: 849 8885 3304
Passcode: 063748
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,84988853304#,,,,063748# US (Chicago) +13017158592,,84988853304#,,,,063748# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 849 8885 3304
Passcode: 063748
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbvtIx6qoh

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
July 31: Chaplain Jim Stoel

Scripture for next Sunday
Matthew 22:34-40
Exodus 20:17

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.

"With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." (Mark 4:30-32 NRS)