March 6, 2022
Adult Sunday School convenes at 9:30 on Zoom and in-person, Children’s Sunday School is in-person at 9:30 am

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

PRELUDE
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
arr. A. Whitworth
led by Mary

WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE, & GREETING

READING TOGETHER
from Psalm 104:27-30
These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.

KING OF THE BROKEN
We, Your children, pray, Lord
Humbly seek Your face
We turn from our sin, Lord
You hear us as we pray

Healing King of nations
Let Your kingdom come
Purify Your church
Lord, Your glory over us

pre-chorus
Heal us, forgive us
Restore our hearts again
Fill us, breathe upon us

chorus
Jesus, Jesus
Healer of nations
Hope of salvation
Jesus, Jesus
King of our hearts
King of the broken

Lover of the wounded
Defender of the weak
Friend of the forgotten
You wipe our tears away

chorus 2
Jesus, Jesus
Healer of nations
Hope of the world
Jesus, Jesus
King of our hearts
Hope of the world
Jesus, Jesus
King of our hearts
King of the broken

CCLI Song # 5272897 CCLI License # 349090
Andy Park | Chris Tomlin | Darlene Zschech | Graham Kendrick | Israel Houghton | Martin Smith | Matt Redman | Michael W. Smith | Paul Baloche | Steven Curtis Chapman | Stuart Garrard | Tim Hughes © 2008 GloWorks Limited for CompassionArt

GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
John 11:1-44

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, He said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10 But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” 11 After saying this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” 13 Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

17 When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met Him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of him.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw Him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34 He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus began to weep. 36 So the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard Me. 42 I knew that you always hear Me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent Me.” 43 When He had said this, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

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

ARISE, DEAD LAZARUS, COME FORTH!
“Arise, dead Lazarus, come forth!”
All Satan’s kingdom holds its breath.
Grim conflict rages all unseen.
Your strife is hopeless; yield, O death!

Return, O breath of life, return!
Now lungs expand! Heart stir and beat!
Each cell made new, each muscle strong,
Alive he rises to his feet!

Forth into light and life he strides!
Sweet victory, yet mere reprieve!
Won by another empty tomb,
A lasting triumph we receive!

Covenant Hymnal, #211

Children ages 3-5 are dismissed to the fellowship hall at this time for Children’s Church.

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
When All Hope is Gone …
Pastor Denise

OUT OF MY BONDAGE, SORROW, AND NIGHT
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Your freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to You.
Out of my sickness into Your health,
Out of my want and into Your wealth,
Out of my sin and into Yourself,
Jesus, I come to You.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Your cross,
Jesus, I come to You.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Your balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Your calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to You.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Your home,
Jesus, I come to You.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of your sheltering fold,
Ever Your glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to You.

Covenant Hymnal, #330

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Kristine Brandel’s family, Nikolas Arden, Jon & Jamie Kratowicz and baby Sullivan, Shirley Nicholas, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Esther Stoel, the Koeller family, Mary Smith, Delores & Steve Staurseth, Jane Auger, Mary McKirchy, Pastor Phil & Kerry Staurseth, and the former congregation of Immanuel Evangelical Covenant Church.

Ministries & Mission
Cathy Campobello, serving in Colombia; Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp

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
led by Dana

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
Come to this sacred table, not because you must, but because you may; come to testify not that you are righteous, but that you sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to be His true disciples; come not because you are strong, but because you are weak; not because you have any claim on the grace of God, but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of His mercy and help; come, not to express an opinion, but to seek His presence and pray for His Spirit.

IN THE BREAKING OF BREAD
In the breaking of bread
And the passing of wine
We know You are here, Lord Jesus;
Just as on the day
You met on the way
Two friends who received You in.
Our sins we confess
With these gifts that You bless,
For we know, Lord, that You are here.

In the breaking of bread
And the passing of wine
We know You are here, Lord Jesus;
Your words pierce our grief
With hope and relief
From anguish of darker hours.
Our hearts burn inside,
And our eyes open wide,
For we know, Lord, that You are here.

Covenant Hymnal, #571

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.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Lord of all, we pray that You will send Your Holy Spirit on these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and the blood of the new covenant. Unite us with Your son in His death and resurrection and sanctifiy us by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SHARING IN COMMUNION

SPECIAL MUSIC
led by Dana

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.

RISE UP (LAZARUS)
In the dark and all alone, growing comfortable
Are you too scared to move and walk out of this tomb?
Buried underneath, the lies that you believed
Safe and sound, stuck in the ground
Too lost to be found

You’re just asleep and it’s time to leave

Come on and rise up, take a breath, you’re alive now
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
You’re brand new, the power of death couldn’t hold you
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
Rise up, rise up, rise up
Out from the grave like Lazarus

When He said your name, the thing that filled your veins
Was more than blood, it’s the kind of love that washes sin away
Now the door is open wide and the stones been rolled aside
The old is gone, the Light has come, so

Come on and rise up, take a breath, you’re alive now
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
You’re brand new, the power of death couldn’t hold you
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
Rise up (like Lazarus) rise up, rise up
Out from the grave like Lazarus

He’s calling us to walk out of the dark
He’s giving us new resurrected hearts, oh-whoa
He’s calling us to walk out of the dark
He’s giving us new resurrected hearts, oh

Come on and rise up, take a breath, you’re alive now
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
You’re brand new, the power of death couldn’t hold you
Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us
Out from the grave like Lazarus
Rise up (He’s calling you out, no) rise up
Get me up from the grave like Lazarus

Rise up (You don’t have to stay there)
Rise up (oh, we hear You calling)
Rise up (calling us, calling us)
Out from the grave like Lazarus

Songwriters: Madison Cain / Taylor Cain / Logan Cain / Ethan Gregory Hulse / Nick Schwarz

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

POSTLUDE
“Lord, I Love Thee with All My Heart”
led by Mary

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 axiom.brass

The rose at the front of the sanctuary celebrates the birth of Adil John Thomas, born February 28 to Sneha and Vivek. Adil, who weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz., joins big sister Esha in the family. We rejoice in God’s blessing to Sneha and Vivek and to our church family!

March 1 changes to Covid restrictions for in-person worship
The RECC Leadership Team is continuing to follow Chicago’s Covid guidelines. In accordance with the mayor’s announcement on February 22 that the city’s mask mandate would be lifted at the end of the month, starting on March 1 masks became optional at church gatherings. Masks are optional for children as well as adults. We will make changes if the Chicago guidelines change again. We will require those working with children to continue to wear masks as young children are not yet able to be vaccinated. Thank you for your patience and consideration of your neighbor as we move forward.

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.

The cry room is now open on Sunday mornings, and no longer needs to be reserved. The lounge will continue to be available for families to watch the livestream. Children’s church will continue to meet in the fellowship hall during the worship service. There will still be no nursery for now.

Letter from Pastor Phil & Kerry
Dear Ravenswood Church Family,

Thank you so much for sending us off so well. In prayer, in sacrament, in worship, in fellowship, in hospitality, in gifts, and in such kind words and hugs and well wishes you sent us off feeling loved and cared for beyond measure. The gift of a tree planted in honor of us is so special, too. In Ezekiel 17 there is a vision of a sprig planted on a hill that provides shade for all sorts of birds of the air — it’s an image similar to Jesus’ mustard seed that grows into God’s good shade for the world. Perhaps this is even a vision of our own church — Ravenswood. It has been a privilege, if just for these brief thirteen and a half years, to be part of that tree, and these branches, providing shade for this corner of the world with you all. Thanks again for all this and for your significant kindness and generosity as you released us to this next chapter in our lives.

With love,

Pastor Phil & Kerry

Volunteer opportunity
We will be starting up our fellowship hour downstairs after the worship service as soon as we have volunteers! We are in need of people who are willing to make coffee and set out food downstairs as well as clean up afterwards. If you would like to bake or bring treats to donate, you can also volunteer in that way. Please connect with Kari Johnson or Beth Anderson if you are willing to help out. We will teach you what you need to know for making coffee and finding what you need in the kitchen. We will pair people up so that no one has to do it all themselves. Contact Kari by email at Karinelson88@gmail.com.

Thursday night community dinners
We are planning to start having dinners again on an every-other-week schedule, beginning March 31. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the date. We will also need volunteers to help with preparation and clean-up. Please talk to Bobby Blase if you are available to help on Thursday afternoons or evenings.

Wedding shower for Erin Staurseth
There will be a wedding shower for Erin Staurseth on Saturday,
March 19 in the fellowship hall downstairs. The happy couple is registered at Target, Amazon, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, and Bed, Bath & Beyond. RSVP to the church office or call Marlene Glowen at 773-275-9138.

Pastor Denise’s office hours
Pastor Denise will be working full-time until Ravenswood Covenant has an interim pastor. She will be at the church Tuesdays through Fridays 10 am to 4 pm unless she is out visiting someone. Please call the church office if you would like to make an appointment with her or email denise@ravenscov.org. Office Manager Gregory Sager’s church office hours are 8 am  to 1 pm Mondays through Fridays.

Lenten devotional available
If you are looking for a Lenten devotional this season, download this one written by women. Our own Rev. Deb Auger is one of the contributors to this devotional.
https://www.spiritualdirectionwithjulia.com/prayerful-reflections .

Daylight savings time begins March 13
Please note on your personal calendars that Daylight Savings Time begins March 13 at 2 am, when we spring forward one hour.

Chicago Zomi Bethel Church to share our building
As per a vote taken at our last congregational business meeting, Chicago Zomi Bethel Church has been accepted as a renter of our space and a rental agreement has been signed. CZBC is a small congregation consisting of immigrants from the Asian nation of Myanmar. CZBC will meet in the older (sanctuary) half of our building at 3 pm every Sunday beginning today.

Be sure to greet and welcome our Christian brothers and sisters from CZBC if you meet them!

Faith Forum
Faith Forum, our adult Sunday School class, meets every week in the upstairs lounge at 9:30 am. It operates in a hybrid format; you are invited to attend in person, but the class will also have a Zoom component for those who wish to attend remotely. The Zoom link can be found at the top of the online bulletin every week. Gregory Sager will be leading the class throughout the month of March in a study of early Church worship and practice, using the early Church book called the Didache.

Thursday evening adult Bible study
Our weekly Bible study meets on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of Philippians. We welcome anybody to the upstairs lounge on Thursday evenings who wants to take part in the Bible study. Please wear a mask. 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

RECC preaching schedule for March
March 6: the Rev. Denise Anderson
March 13: the Rev. Mark Westlind
March 20: the Rev. Deb Auger
March 27: the Rev. Eric Hillabrant

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.”

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 773-784-7091 for more information.

Scripture for next Sunday
Psalm 51:7-12
John 13:1-17

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)