May 12, 2024 | Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church

May 12, 2024

Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
adapted from 1 Corinthians 2:7 and 9
Leader: We declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
People: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.

UNISON PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit and grant us the mind of Christ. Come Holy Spirit and teach us the deep things of God. Come Holy Spirit, and fill us with Your power to apprehend the mysteries of resurrection and eternal life. Amen.

* TO GOD BE THE GLORY
To God be the glory —
Great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And open’d the life-gate that all may go in.

refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father
Through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory —
Great things He has done!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To ev’ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

refrain

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

refrain

Covenant Hymnal, #72

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Paul Shaheen
1 Corinthians 15:12-26

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, ¹⁴and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that He raised Christ—whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. ¹⁹If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. ²¹For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, ²²for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. ²³But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. ²⁴Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. ²⁵For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. ²⁶The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

* GOSPEL LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Mark 12:26-27a

And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? ²⁷He is God not of the dead but of the living.”

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

* LOVE HAS A NAME
There’s a space in every beating heart
There’s a longing that reaches past the stars
There’s an answer to every question mark
There’s a name

There’s a hope flowing through these veins
There’s a voice that echoes through the pain
There’s an ember ready for the flame
There’s a name

We will fix our eyes on the One who overcame
We will stand in awe of the One who breaks the chains

Love has a name
Love has a name
Jesus

There’s a joy that triumphs over fear
There’s a laughter that wipes away all tears
There’s a presence that changes atmospheres
There’s a name

Victory has a name
Victory has a name
Jesus

Joy has a name
Joy has a name
Jesus

The name that’s lifted up forever
The name that shakes the earth and shakes the heavens
The hope for every heart
The Savior of the world
Jesus, Jesus

My hope has a name
Hope has a name
Jesus

Kim Walker-Smith / Ran Jackson / Ricky Jackson © Capitol CMG Genesis; Jesus Culture Music; Be Essential Songs; Modern Hymns and Sacred Songs; Richmond Park Publishing

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

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
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Solving the Mystery
Pastor Ryan

CHRIST IS ALIVE!
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

Christ is alive! No longer bound
To distant years in Palestine,
But saving, healing, here and now,
And touching every place and time.

In every insult, rift and war,
Where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
And lives, where even hope has died.

Women and men, in age and youth,
Can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
And find the way, the life, the truth,
Revealed in Jesus, freed for all.

Christ is alive, and comes to bring
Good news to this and every age;
Till earth and sky and ocean ring
With joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Covenant Hymnal, #259

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; Messian Burgos; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Phillip, son of Iris Velez; and Lauren Vilardo

Ministries & Mission
Joel & Kim Delp, serving in Ecuador; 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 & OFFERINGS
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle^® to: giving@ravenscov.org

OFFERTORY
“O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”
led by Dana 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.

* DEATH WAS ARRESTED
Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin
Lost without hope with no place to begin
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains
My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began

chorus
Oh, Your grace so free washes over me
You have made me new, now life begins with You
It’s Your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new, now life begins with You

Released from my chains, I’m a pris’ner no more
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began

Our Savior displayed on a criminal’s cross
Darkness rejoiced as though Heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That’s when death was arrested and my life began

bridge
Oh we’re free, free, forever we’re free
Come join the song of all the redeemed
Yes we’re free, free, forever, amen
When death was arrested and my life began

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

POSTLUDE
Christus, Der Ist Mein Leben
Johann Pachelbel
led by Cynthia

INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.

Please wear a nametag
We’ve had a number of visitors and new attendees lately, and it’s very important that we not only welcome them warmly to our church but also allow them to attach a name to a face. We’re asking everyone to return to our old practice of wearing nametags on Sunday morning. Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.

Farmers market is here!
Our farmers market has begun! Our first market was this past Wednesday, and we still need volunteers. We have openings for RECC greeting tent staff, children’s art tent staff, bounce house monitors, as well as people who can help to set up and/or take down the market.

This is not necessarily a commitment to the full span of the market; whenever you can help out would be great! For more information, please contact Bekah Carlson or leave your name and contact info at the church office.

Church picnic
Our annual church picnic to celebrate the end of the Sunday School year will take place on Sunday, May 19 after the worship service.

There will be organized games for the children, and plenty of fun and fellowship! The picnic will be potluck, so please plan to bring either a side dish or a dessert to pass. Hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off of the church’s outdoor grill will be provided, as well as drinks. We hope to see you there!

A special invitation to the women of Ravenswood Covenant
The women of Ravenswood Covenant are welcome to an afternoon of fellowship on Saturday, June 1 at Janice Erickson’s house in Lake Geneva, hosted by Kari Johnson, Stacey Johnson, and Janice. Coffee will be ready at 11:30 am and lunch begins at 12:00 pm. After lunch we will spend time at the lake walking along the shore path or sitting in the park watching the boats go by. Bring walking shoes and a jacket if it is cool. Later in the afternoon we will return to Janice’s house for fika (coffee and treats) before returning home around 4:00 pm. Please RSVP by
May 29 if you are coming. If you need a ride, please contact Kari, Stacey, Janice, or the church office.

We hope to see you on June 1. We will reschedule in case of rain.

Janice Erickson
N2394 Greenleaf Drive
Lake Geneva, WI
Janice.erickson@att.net
312-415-4087

Summer schedule and Cooler Sundays
Our summer schedule will begin on Sunday, June 2. On that date we will begin our worship service Sundays at 10:00 am, with no Sunday School hour, and this schedule will remain in place through Labor Day weekend. This is in order to hold worship early enough to avoid summer heat making the sanctuary uncomfortable, as well as to give people an early start to enjoying summer daylight hours on Sunday.

Additionally, the fourth Sunday of each month of summer — June 23, July 28, and August 25 — will be a Cooler Sunday, which will again feature grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and a potluck meal. Please plan to join us as we enjoy these annual warm-weather-month events!

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.

Camp Booster Fund
Interested in sending your children to overnight camp at Covenant Harbor or Covenant Point next summer? We have a camp booster fund that will give $200 towards the fee of any Ravenswood Covenant child (or that child’s friend) who wishes to attend one of our two Central Conference summer camps. We feel that every child from our congregation who wants to attend camp should have the opportunity to go!

Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services this coming spring. If you are willing to be a scripture reader in May or June, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or in the narthex on Sundays, or contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan.

Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you would like to meet with Pastor Ryan please call the church office in advance to schedule an appointment.

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. We’ve had some turnover, so we encourage you to sign up to join a serving team if you haven’t done so already. 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!

Thursday evening Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm. We are 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.

We now have Zoom available again for those who would like to take part in the Bible study but cannot be physically present. The Zoom link for the Bible study is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83923376849?pwd=YUlYVXBmOVdwV0d5L20ySng3aHU3Zz09

Meeting ID: 839 2337 6849
Passcode: 318853

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.”

Scripture for next Sunday
Acts 2:1-4
Mark 1:4-8
1 Corinthians 12:1-13

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.