June 6, 2021

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
Beautiful Savior
led by maxeltoft

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE & GREETING

CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 28

Leader: Blessed be the Lord,
    for He has heard the sound of my pleadings.
People: The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in Him my heart trusts;

so I am helped, and my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to Him.

Leader: The Lord is the strength of His people;
    He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
People: O save Your people, and bless Your heritage;
    be their Shepherd, and carry them forever.

PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY
verses 1 & 2
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
The King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him
For He is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear;
Now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, above all things
So wondrously reigning;
Shel-t’ring you under His wings,
And so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen
All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Covenant Hymnal, # 61

FIRST TESTAMENT LESSON
Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
    Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my supplications!

If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
    so that You may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in His word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with Him is great power to redeem.
It is He who will redeem Israel
    from all its iniquities.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into His presence. 15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY
verses 3 & 4

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper
Your work and defend you:
Surely His goodness and mercy
Shall daily attend you.
Ponder a-new
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love he befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all
That is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath,
Come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him.
Amen

Covenant Hymnal, # 61

GOSPEL LESSON
Mark 9:30-41

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for He was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill Him, and three days after being killed, He will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what He was saying and were afraid to ask Him.

33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in His arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not Me but the One who sent Me.”

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in My name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

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.

Children are dismissed to the playground at this time.

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
The First and the Last
Doctor Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom

IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD
In the fields of the Lord our work is rest
He is moving in our hands and feet to bless
In the fields of the Lord, in the fields of the Lord
In the fields of the Lord our work is rest

In the vineyards of the Lord our work is light
He is tending every leaf and every vine
In the vineyards of the Lord
In the vineyards of the Lord
In the vineyards of the Lord our work is light

In the garden of the Lord our work is sound
He is weaving every thorn into a crown
In the garden of the Lord, in the garden of the Lord
In the garden of the Lord our work is sound

At the harvest of the Lord the fields are white
He will wipe away the tears from ev’ry eye
At the harvest of the Lord
At the harvest of the Lord
At the harvest of the Lord the fields are white

CCLI Song # 7097865 CCLI License # 349090
Audrey Assad | Isaac Wardell © Hymns From The Porter’s Gate

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
led by Pastor Denise

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.

Church family who work in and around hospitals & nursing homes:
Alex A, Kyra A, Hannah A, Sam A, Linda C, Carl G, Katie G, Eric H, Rachel H, Chona I, Abby H, Dana J, Bryan J, Kari J, Neal J, Eric S, Don T.

(If we missed any people’s names above please let us know.)

We continue to pray for: the family of Phyllis Levinson, Ernesto Galaviz, the family of Kathy Salzano, Nikolas Arden, Katie Collier, Art and Rosa Hamilton, Shirley Nicholas, Paul Mounts, Joyce Andrews, Steve Hoden, Mary Spriggs, Nancy Popovich’s stepson Tom and his wife Sue, the Brandel-Tanis family, the Morales/Randall family.

Ministries & Mission
Fabio Muniz & Johnna Hayward Muniz, serving in France; 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
Minuet by J.S. Bach
by Cynthia and Leah

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.  

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

A SONG FOR COMMUNION:
JESUS, BREAD OF LIFE
Jesus, bread of life, manna from heaven
Broken for the world
Offered up for every man
The feast of angels
Becomes food for the weary
And hungry hearts are filled
When You open up Your hand
When You open up Your hand

chorus
O Lord, come fill us with your love
This table laid for us
There is more than enough
O Jesus, bread of life

Sister, take what you need, anything I own
There is no famine here, Jesus’ love will multiply
Brother, what’s mine is yours, you are not alone
There is no shortage here, Jesus’ love will satisfy
Jesus’ love will satisfy

CCLI Song # 7138305 CCLI License # 349090
Audrey Assad | Fernando Ortega© 2019 Fortunate Fall Music

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.

.

THERE’S A WIDNESS IN GOD’S MERCY
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice
Which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner
And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior;
There is healing in His blood.

For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple,
We would take Him at his Word,
And our lives would be illumined
By the presence of our Lord.

From the Covenant Hymnal, page 71

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

POSTLUDE
Musette by G.F. Handel
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
“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.”

Reservations no longer required for worship in person
We have reopened the sanctuary for worship in person. The attendance ceiling has been set at 60% of the sanctuary’s capacity, which exceeds our pre-pandemic average attendance. Therefore, reservations are no longer required, aside from 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. 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 continue to follow all of the current local and state safety protocols for the Bridge Phase of public health in the state of Illinois, which began in Chicago on Friday. This means that:

  • Temperature checks are no longer required
  • Masks are still required at all times within the building
  • Sitting socially distant is still required
  • Avoiding handshakes and hugs is still required
  • Changes to communion and offering remain in place
  • Singing is still discouraged
  • There will be no nursery

Summer worship hours in effect
Starting today, Ravenswood Covenant begins 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.

Let’s honor our graduates!
Are you, or a member of your family, graduating this spring? The church office would love to have the details (name, grade or degree, school) of your graduate to share with the congregation. This will be a comprehensive list that goes from preschool graduates all the way up to those receiving doctorates. Please let us share the joy of your, or your loved one’s, accomplishment!

Book study
Monday June 14th at 7 pm we will continue discussing Race and Place: How Urban Geography Shapes the Journey to Reconciliation. The author, David Leong, is a professor of missiology at Seattle Pacific Seminary. 

“Race and Place reveals the profound ways in which these geographic forces and structures sustain the divisions among us. Urban missiologist David Leong, who resides in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, unpacks the systemic challenges that are rarely addressed in the conversation about racial justice.

“The evening news may deliver story after story that causes us to despair. But Leong envisions a future of belonging and hope in our streets, towns, cities, and churches. A discussion about race needs to go hand in hand with a discussion about place. This book is a welcome addition to a conversation that needs to include both.”

The book can be purchased through InterVarsity as paperback or ebook.  https://www.ivpress.com/race-and-place

Contact Pastor Denise for more information. denise@ravenscov.org.

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 is coming!
The opening of our annual farmer’s market is approaching! The first day of the 2021 Ravenswood Farmer’s Market season will be Wednesday, June 16, and it 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 and is currently studying the book of 1 Corinthians.

The Zoom link for the Bible study has a new meeting ID and passcode:

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.

Spots still available at Covenant Point
Covenant Point Camp still has a few open spots for campers. For more information, see their website: https://www.cpbc.com/summer/availability/ . Contact Pastor Denise if you need financial help to send kids to camp.

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 tomorrow night, Monday, June 8, 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.

Our response to the current health crisis
As a community of faith we continue to pray for the health and welfare of our church and community as we resist the temptation to fall prey to fear. We do, however, want to continue to look out for the welfare of our friends and neighbors. We are doing our best to stay current with best practices for this unique time — please stay tuned as these may change. Our primary place for timely communication will be our website, ravenscov.org. We will also offer reminders and notes on our Facebook page and by email. We are livestreaming our Sunday morning worship on Facebook Live and YouTube so that you may continue to be a part of our worship. Do not, however, become isolated. If you need any help there are folks in our church who can do so. Call the office (773-784-7091) or email the office (office@ravenscov.org).

General fund giving:
May 23: $5,947

General fund giving:
May 30: $5,533

Scripture for next Sunday
Mark 9:42-50
Psalm 122
Romans 2:17-24

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)