May 26, 2024
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
led by Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Holy is the name of the Lord!
Gathered in His presence, let us beseech His presence to be ever more among us.
People: Though wanting for nothing, let us pray He might fulfill our every need.
Leader: Too long has the Lord awaited our arrival in His place of hallowed dwelling.
People: Like children pining homeward, longing for remembered safety and innocence,
Leader: Let us draw nearer to our Father’s wisdom, warmth, and comfort, acknowledging the errors of our way.
People: Holy is the name of the Lord !
UNISON PRAYER
from Psalm 71
In You, O Lord, I take refuge;
In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
Incline Your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
A strong fortress, to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.
My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts,
Of Your deeds of salvation all day long,
Though their number is past my knowledge.
* MY SHEPHERD WILL SUPPLY MY NEED
My Shepherd will supply my need;
Jehovah is His name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wand’ring spirit back,
When I forsake His ways;
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death
Your presence is my stay;
One word of Your supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Your hand, in sight of all my foes,
Does still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Your oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Your house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, or a guest,
But like a child at home.
Covenant Hymnal, #91
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Jim Anderson
1 Kings 8:46-52
“If they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near, 47 then if they come to their senses in the land to which they have been taken captive and repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and have done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ 48 if they repent with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive and pray to You toward their land that You gave to their ancestors, the city that You have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, 49 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, maintain their cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their transgressions that they have committed against You, and grant them compassion in the sight of their captors, so that they may have compassion on them 51 (for they are Your people and heritage that You brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron smelter). 52 Let Your eyes be open to the plea of Your servant and to the plea of Your people Israel, listening to them whenever they call to You.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Jim Anderson
Romans 8:24-27
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 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 groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
* GOSPEL LESSON: Mary Spriggs
Luke 11:2-4
So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, may Your name be revered as holy.
May Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
* OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see You
CCLI Song # 2298355 CCLI License # 349090
Paul Baloche © 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
CHILDREN’S MOMENT “Go Ask Your Dad”
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
No Math Required
Mary Spriggs
WAITING HERE FOR YOU
If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for You, I’m waiting here for You
You’re the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore
Singing alleluia
You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we’re desperate for Your presence
All we need is You
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore
Singing alleluia
Singing alleluia
Alleluia, singing alleluia, alleluia
Chris Tomlin / Jesse Reeves / Martin Smith © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; Messian Burgos; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Mary McKirchy; Sara Rosado; Kathy Sager; Mary Smith; Iris Velez; and Lauren Vilardo
Ministries & Mission
Marta Klein, serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Renee Nicholas, serving as the national director for InterVarsity’s Graduate Healthcare Ministries
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
The Lord’s Prayer
J.S. Bach
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.
* GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided —
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow —
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
refrain
Covenant Hymnal, #78
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Chaconne in D minor
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.
Summer worship schedule
Next Sunday, June 2, we will move to our summer worship schedule. From that Sunday through Labor Day weekend, the worship hour will begin at 10:00 am and there will be no Sunday School or Faith Forum. This is to enable worship to take place while the sanctuary is more cool and comfortable, as well as to give the congregation more time to enjoy summer daylight hours.
Upcoming congregational meeting
A congregational business meeting will be held on Sunday, June 9, following the worship service. New members of the Leadership Team and the nominating committee will be voted upon at this meeting. Please make plans to attend if you are a member of the church.
Farmers market is here!
We are now three weeks into our earliest-ever start to our farmers market season! Attendance was down a bit yesterday, most likely due to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but we still had 756 adults, plus the usual small army of children, in attendance in our parking lot!
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.
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
Cooler Sundays this summer
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 summer. If you are willing to be a scripture reader in June, July, or August, 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. This next week we will begin studying the book of Ecclesiastes. 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
Luke 8:4-15
Romans 1:1-10
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.