PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
Beautiful Savior
led by maxeltoft

KIDS TIME
music & a visit from some friends

PRELUDE
led by Cynthia
Lord, When We Praise You with Glorious Music

WELCOME & GREETING

CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 13                                              

Leader:  We come trusting in the steadfast love of God;
People: Our hearts rejoice in God’s salvation.

L: Let us sing to the Lord
P: For God has dealt bountifully with us.

LORD, WHEN WE PRAISE YOU
Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Lord, when our hearts mean the things that we say;
Lord, when we love You with all of our being;
Lord, when in faith we believingly pray:
Then we are seeing, then we are sensing
All that our destiny calls us to be,
And in our hearts we’re expecting the moment
When in Your presence Your glory we’ll see.

Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Using our giftedness solely for You;
When we return to You songs that exalt You;
When they inspire all the things that we do;
Life has a fullness, life has excitement,
For we are learning the glory is Yours.
And in our hearts we are looking for heaven,
Where we shall give You unceasing applause.

Lord, when we praise You with glorious music;
Lord, when we give You the best we can bring;
You as Creator enjoy our creating;
You as our Father take joy when we sing;
Here we’re beginning, here we’re rehearsing
Themes that in heaven we’ll fully explore.
Praising You then with a perfect devotion
Bowing before You to love and adore.

Covenant Hymnal, #12

Leviticus 24:5-9
You shall take choice flour, and bake twelve loaves of it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf. You shall place them in two rows, six in a row, on the table of pure gold. You shall put pure frankincense with each row, to be a token offering for the bread, as an offering by fire to the Lord. Every sabbath day Aaron shall set them in order before the Lord regularly as a commitment of the people of Israel, as a covenant forever. They shall be for Aaron and his descendants, who shall eat them in a holy place, for they are most holy portions for him from the offerings by fire to the Lord, a perpetual due.

1 John 5:9-13
 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to His Son. 10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made Him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

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.
Alleluia, alleluia, and He will direct your paths.

Covenant Hymnal, #423

GOSPEL LESSON
Mark 8:14-21
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And He cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” 16 They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to Him, “Seven.” 21 Then He said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

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.

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
An Abiding Presence
Pastor Phil 

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

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: Phyllis Levinson (Joyce Oseland’s sister), 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, Alice Nilsson (Nancy Popovich’s sister), the Brandel-Tanis family, the Morales/Randall family.

Ministries & Mission
Karl & Karen Groot, serving in Thailand; Barb & Steve Swanson, serving in Sweden

GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
& PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org

OFFERTORY
Nimrod by Elgar
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.  

COMMUNITY LIFE

.

COME, CHRISTIANS, JOIN TO SING
Come, Christians, join to sing:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
Christ is our guide and friend,
To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain:
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore
His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore,
Al-le-lu-ia! Amen!

Covenant Hymnal, #295

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

POSTLUDE
Grave’ by J.S. Bach
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”

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 still be no nursery.

    Sunday School picnic upcoming
    We are planning to have the Sunday School picnic next Sunday, May 23. after the worship service and the congregational meeting, out in the parking lot and playground. Everyone is invited! Please bring your own lawn chairs and food for yourself and your family. Chips and drinks will be provided. If the weather is rainy we will cancel or postpone the event.

    Congregational meeting upcoming
    There will be a brief congregational business meeting following worship next Sunday, May 23. The agenda will include voting on the two bylaw amendments that were proposed during the Annual Meeting a couple of weeks ago (wording cleanup around Leadership Team voting, allowing any congregational meetings to be done virtually if necessary). Please make plans to attend. The Sunday School picnic will follow immedtiately thereafter. 

    Sunday School updates
    Today will be the last Sunday for all Sunday School Zoom classes. Confirmation has ended for the year. 

    Book study
    On Monday, May 24 at 7 pm we will begin 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, will be 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 is https://zoom.us/j/95052558015?pwd=N3d1eFpUUmUwenhCSzNJNUk3WEV2QT09

    Meeting ID: 950 5255 8015
    Passcode: 141628

    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. Parents are asked to inform the church office when planning to be present for worship that they will be bringing a child or children between 2 or 12 with them, so that Pastor Denise can provide a bag for each child.

    2021 camp registration update from HarborPoint Ministries
    For those who are wondering about camp options for summer 2021, you may check out day, overnight, and family camp options at posted at www.covenantharbor.org and www.cpbc.com. Register now … spaces are filling up fast!

    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, May 24, at 7 pm. Masks and social distancing will still be required, as before.

    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 2: $2,294

    General fund giving:
    May 9: $5,890

    Scripture for next Sunday
    Acts 2:1-21
    Psalm 104:24-35
    Ezekiel 37:1-14
    Romans 8:22-27

    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)