PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
Beautiful Savior
led by maxeltoft

KIDS TIME
music & a visit from some friends

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE & GREETING

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God will pour out the Spirit on all flesh, and our daughters and sons shall prophesy. Our old ones shall dream dreams, and our young ones shall see visions; and all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered.
PeopleCome, let us call upon the name of the Lord.

COME, SPIRIT, COME
verses 1

Come, Spirit, come make yourself known,
Not for our glory, but for Your own.
Enter our worship to renew and inspire.
The fire of Your presence is our hearts’ desire.

Covenant Hymnal, #514

INVOCATION
L: Spirit of the living God, 
visit us again on this day of Pentecost.
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

L: Like a rushing wind that sweeps away all barriers,
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

L: Like tongues of fire that set our hearts aflame,
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

L: With speech that unites the Babel of our tongues,
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

L: With love that overlaps the boundaries of race and nation,
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

L: With power from above to make our weakness strong,
P: Come, Holy Spirit.

COME, SPIRIT, COME
verses 2

Come, Spirit, come let truth be heard
With understanding, taught from Your Word.
Tell us Your story so that we too may be
A people awakened by Your mystery.

Covenant Hymnal, #514

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Anything but Ordinary
Pastor Phil 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
        and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 8:22-27
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God,  who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit  intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

COME, SPIRIT, COME
verses 3 & 4

Come, Spirit, come, bountiful gifts
Given to saints to build and uplift
Free to be generous we give them away
And pray that the world,
Through faith, might find Your way.

Come, Spirit, come to intercede
On our behalf for mercy and need.
Be now our presence, be our comfort and guide,
Preside o’er our thoughts and in our hearts reside.

Covenant Hymnal, #514

GOSPEL LESSON
John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to Him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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

HOLY SPIRIT
There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
Nothing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Cyril Garrett Neville et al © Universal Music Publishing Group, 
Capitol Christian Music Group CCLI#349090

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
Jamie & Meejeen Kim, serving in South Korea; Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp

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

OFFERTORY
Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart
led by Cynthia & Erin

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.  


.

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.

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 God’s mercy and help; come, not to express an opinion, but to seek God’s presence and pray for the Spirit.

CONFESSION OF SIN & PASSING OF PEACE
L: As we move towards the table let us remember that 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.)

AFFIRMATION OF FATIH
Let us now confess our faith using the words of the Apostles Creed:  “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hades. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.  Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are delivered by the apostle Paul;  “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, blest forever!

Bless, O God, this bread which we together eat, and the cup which we together drink. Let us through this blest bread and this blest cup become partakers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unite us with one another and with all Your saints in heaven and on earth. Consecrate us, body and soul, to be a living, acceptable offering to You, so that in word and deed we may continually praise and glorify Your holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Breaking the bread:
Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?  Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

Pouring the cup:
Is not the cup that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ?

The gifts of God for the people of God—take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

SHARING IN COMMUNION

AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE
As we gather at Your table,
As we listen to Your Word,
Help us know, O God, Your presence;
Let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
Till we claim it as our own;
Teach us through this holy banquet
How to make love’s vict’ry known.

Turn our worship into witness
In the sacrament of life;
Send us forth to love and serve You,
Bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, Your great compassion
To forgive as You forgave;
May we still behold Your image
In the world You died to save.

Grant us vision, gracious Spirit,
Seeking guests to share that feast
Where triumphant love will welcome
Those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us
Nor will pride our peace destroy,
As we join with saints and angels
To repeat the sounding joy.

Covenant Hyman, #551

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.

.

HANDS TO THE HEAVENS
We are Your church
We are Your sons and daughters
We’ve gathered here to meet with You

We lift our eyes
We lay our hearts before You
Expectant here for You to move

chorus:
With our hands to the Heavens
Alive in Your presence
Oh God, when You come
So pour out Your Spirit
We love to be near You
Oh God, when You come

You are the way
The truth and life we live for
Oh how we long to know You more

bridge:
Come like a rushing wind
Come light the fire again
Come like a burning flame

Have Your way
Have Your way

CCLI Song # 6460471 CCLI License # 349090
Bryan Brown | Jason Ingram | Kari Jobe | Tofer Brown© 2013 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Razor and Tie Music Publishing

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 be no nursery

Congregational meeting upcoming
There will be a brief congregational business meeting following worship today. 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. 

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
Tomorrow night, 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, 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 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 9: $5,890

General fund giving:
May 16: $1,500

Scripture for next Sunday
Mark 9:14-29
Psalm 120
Romans 2:1-11

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)