May 7, 2023
Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on YouTube at 10:45 am.
Children’s Sunday School for ages K-7th grade at 9:30 am in-person.
Faith Forum (adult Sunday School) at 9:30 am in person and on Zoom.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
“When Morning Gilds the Skies”
led by Erin and Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
* WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES
(verses 1, 4, and 6 only)
When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let people ev’rywhere
With joy their witness share,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
Ring joyous with the sound,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Covenant Hymnal, #320
* GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Him.
And as He sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when He heard this, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Reader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
* JESUS CALLS US O’ER THE TUMULT
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day His voice is sounding,
Saying, “Christian, follow me!”
As of old apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for His dear sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these!”
Jesus calls us! By Your mercies,
Savior, may we hear Your call,
Give our hearts to Your obedience,
Serve and love You best of all.
Covenant Hymnal, #379
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Erin Stoel
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself
Let us be known let us be known
By the way we love
Love love love the greatest commandment is
Love love love the greatest commandment is
Love love love the greatest commandment is (love)
CCLI Song # 7133722 Paul Zach © Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) Paul Zach Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)
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.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Romans 1:1-17
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of His name, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of His Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you, as I have among the rest of the gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish, 15 hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Who, Me?
Chaplain Jim Stoel
TAKE MY LIFE
Take my life and let it be consecrated
Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev’ry power as You choose
chorus
Here am I all of me
Take my life it’s all for Thee
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love my Lord I pour
At Your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee
CCLI Song # 4162843 Chris Tomlin | Frances Ridley Havergal | Henri Abraham Cesar Malan | Louie Giglio © 2003 Rising Springs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, James Egan, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Nona Michael and the Michael family, Kathy Sager, Mary Smith, and Steve Staurseth
Ministries & Mission
Heather Caraway & Esau Vega, serving in Nicaragua; 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
“As the Deer”
led by Erin, Cynthia, and Leah
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
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: The 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
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.
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.
SHARING IN COMMUNION
SPECIAL MUSIC
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.
* CALLED AS PARTNERS IN CHRIST’S SERVICE
Called as partners in Christ’s service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment,
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring
Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never falt’ring,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer,
All God’s people, young and old
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission,
In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other’s burdens,
Breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision,
Words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new pow’r and strength for action,
Make us colleagues free and fair.
So God, grant us for tomorrow,
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace.
Covenant Hymnal, #715
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Ode to Joy
Ludwig van Beethoven
led by Erin and Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
Worship update
The Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant Church recommends mask use during services, but this is not mandatory.
Ravenswood Covenant livestreams worship each week on YouTube, so Sunday morning worship is accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Ravenswood Mother’s Day Gift Market
Join us for the Mother’s Day Gift Market on Wednesday, May 10 from
4 pm to 8 pm! Shop from neighborhood retailers, local artists, and Farmers Market favorites — including flower baskets from Patyk Farms & Greenhouse! Other vendors will offer great Mother’s Day gifts like sweets and baked goods, beauty and skincare essentials, handmade jewelry and artwork, and more. Live music from Teel Short, a card making table for kids and, weather permitting, the bounce house will be up in the parking lot!
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.
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. 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!
Aid for Ukrainian refugees
Jeremy and Amanda Foster, who have attended our church in the past, have a direct connection to a mission that is serving refugees who have fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Jeremy’s parents Don and Beatrice Foster are in Hazebrouck, France as tentmaker missionaries and have prepared rooms in their home for refugees coming from Ukraine.
Here is the latest message from Don Foster:
Dear praying friends,
It has been so long since I was able to give an update on the apartments that you have so generously helped to fund. Finally I can say that two of the families have moved into their apartments. Hopefully next weekend the third family will move in. We have a fourth family (a couple with their 12-year-old son) coming in June to occupy two of the BnB rooms.
The construction company has basically kept none of their promises regarding dates and the workmanship is not very good, but the families have their apartments. We are more and more stretched financially with incredible inflation and “a bigger extended family” but as long as we have room, and your partnership, we are opening our doors. Unfortunately, as news shifts focus on new issues, it seems that people can forget that this terrible war continues to drag on, and will probably do so for quite some time. We are very much aware of this war and how it is shattering families. We think we are financially stretched, but these people have lost so much. The new family lost everything…their apartment was destroyed. They are originally from Mariupol.
If you would like to contribute to the furninishing of the apartments, for example, a light fixture costs $30 (We need 5 of them). A bathroom light fixture costs $35 (we need three of them. We have bought two couches for $400 apiece (a clic-clac was given to us). And we have additional expenses for heating, electricity, water and food. God is our great provider and you are wonderful partners.
We are hoping for a work team to come from our sending church. We have spoken with the chair of the Missions Committee who is discussing our request with the church board. This would be to provide the work to complete a meeting room.
I (Don) will be driving a woman with her 2-year-old daughter to Ukraine on June 29 and will come back on July 8. This little girl came with her mother last year when she was 1. In July she will not have seen her father for 1 1/2 years. I’m sure it will be very difficult to leave him again, but at least they will have a short reunion.
Thank you so much for your help!
God bless,
Don and Béatrice Foster
If you would like to donate to help the Fosters pay for extra food and supplies, please give a donation to Ravenswood Covenant that is specially designated for Ukrainian refugees. If you would like to give directly online, the website for the Fosters is https://ukraine.la-ferme-de-la-papote.com/ .
The Covenant denomination is also raising funds for Ukraine through Covenant World Relief. Here is the link if you would like to donate through the Covenant’s program. https://giving.covchurch.org/priorities-detail/ukraine-response
Thursday evening Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at 7 pm. We have just begun studying the Gospel of Mark. The Bible study meets in the lounge, and is also accessible by Zoom. For more information, please contact Gregory Sager in the church office at (773) 784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org
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
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.”
RECC preaching schedule for May
May 7: Chaplain Jim Stoel
May 14: Pastor Mark
May 21: Chaplain Eric Hillabrant
May 28: Pastor Mark
Scripture for next Sunday
Romans 3:28-30, 5:1-11
Matthew 11:28-30
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.