November 10, 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
RECOGNITION OF RC4 TEACHERS AND STAFF
Stacey Johnson and Alice Westlind
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: We gather this day, bringing our whole lives in worship to God:
People: We bring the hard places of the week. We bring prayers of hope, and prayers of lament. We bring our voices, and our offerings, and our questions. We bring our faith, weak or strong.
Leader: God welcomes all of us, and all that we bring to Him in worship today.
PRAYER
Psalm 103
King of all the earth, Creator of the universe,
Holy Triune God, from everlasting to everlasting, You are Lord.
You are merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
You forgive all our iniquities and heal all our diseases;
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
You redeem our lives from the pit
And crown us with steadfast love and mercy;
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
You satisfy us with good
And renew our youth like the eagles;
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Holy God, we give You thanks and offer to You
The sacrifice of praise. Amen.
* GOD OF CREATION, ALL-POWERFUL
God of creation, all-powerful, all-wise,
Lord of the universe rich with surprise,
Maker, Sustainer, and Ruler of all,
We are Your children — You hear when we call.
God of the ages, through time’s troubled years
You are the One in whom history coheres;
Nations and empires Your purpose fulfill,
Moving in freedom, yet working Your will.
God of redemption, who wrought our rebirth,
Called out Your Church from the ends of the earth,
Still You are Savior–put darkness to flight;
Overcome sin by salvation’s pure light!
God of Your people, Your Word still stands fast —
Do for us now as You’ve done in the past!
Yours is the kingdom — Your triumph we claim,
Challenging evil in Jesus’ strong name.
God of our now, all our trust is in You,
Covenant God, ever faithful and true;
Sovereign Creator, Redeemer, and Lord,
Now and forever Your name be adored!
Covenant Hymnal, #4
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Rod Kutz
Jonah 1:1-17
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the sailors were afraid, and each cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 The captain came and said to him, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up; call on your god! Perhaps the god will spare us a thought so that we do not perish.”
7 The sailors said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us why this calamity has come upon us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 “I am a Hebrew,” he replied. “I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were even more afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them so.
11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea was growing more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life. Do not make us guilty of innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
17 But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
GOSPEL LESSON: Rod Kutz
Luke 18:13
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
* GOODNESS OF GOD
I love You, Lord
O Your mercy never fails me
All my days I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God
chorus
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest nights You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a father
I’ve known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God
bridge
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now,
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
© 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon; SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes; Bethel Music Publishing
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Pastor Ryan
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
Jonah 3:1-10
Who Knows?
Pastor Ryan
* HAVE MERCY ON ME
The goodness of the Lord is the kindness of the Lord
With ev’ry breath we take, the gift of life and grace
The power of the Lord is the meekness of the Lord
Who bore humanity with brave humility
chorus
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
The beauty of the Lord is the suff’ring of the Lord
Is Christ upon a tree, stripped of dignity
The glory of the Lord is the mercy of the Lord
Gives life for us to see a new humanity
chorus
bridge 1
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
chorus
bridge 2
Bless the hands and feet
Of those who serve in need
Of the broken and ashamed
Bless the weary soul
The Lord will make us whole
God, speak peace to those afraid
May the words we speak
Build a bridge for peace
Your loving kindness shows the way
Open up our doors
Giving refuge for
All the weary and afraid…
chorus
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
David Gungor / Latifah Alattas / Madison Cunningham © Porter’s Gate Publications; Porter’s Gate Publishing. Administrated by Essential Music Publishing LLC
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; the Binag family; Messian Burgos; Cathy Cassidy; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Mary McKirchy; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Iris Velez; Lauren Vilardo; and Christian Wright
Ministries & Mission
Joel & Kim Delp, serving in Ecuador
Barb & Steve Swanson, serving in Sweden
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
“Thou Art Holy”
arr. Craig Courtney
led by the choir
* 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.
* JUST AS I AM
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Covenant Hymnal, #331
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Toccata in D minor
J.S. Bach
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. Please wear a nametag and let visitors know who you are! Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.
Lunch Bunch outing
The next luncheon of the Lunch Bunch will be this coming Wednesday, November 13 at 11:30 am. This month’s restaurant is Siam Country, the Thai restaurant located at 4637 N. Damen Ave. (right next to the Damen el stop). The restaurant’s phone number is 773-271-0700. All women of the church are invited. Bring friends!
Hanging of the Greens
Everyone is invited to participate in our annual task of decorating the church before the start of Advent, the Hanging of the Greens.This year’s Hanging of the Greens will take place on two evenings: Monday, Nov. 25 at 7:00 pm, and Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:00 pm. This is to accommodate as many people as would like to contribute, since Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the First Sunday of Advent all take place at the end of that week and people might be too busy preparing for the holiday to show up on one night or the other.
Roger Olsen will be in charge both nights. Come help us usher in the Advent and Christmas seasons as we prepare our church for the celebration of the coming of our Lord!
Advent/Christmas season calendar
Hanging of the Greens — November 25 & 27
First Sunday of Advent — December 1
Second Sunday of Advent — December 8
Third Sunday of Advent — December 15
Sankta Lucia Festival — December 15
Axiom Christmas Concert — December 15
Fourth Sunday of Advent — December 22
Christmas Carol Jeopardy! / Cookie Exchange — December 22
Christmas Eve service — December 24
Cookie Exchange
Want to take part in a cookie exchange? Bring your own cookies to church and leave with cookies others have brought! We will hold a cookie exchange at coffee hour on Sunday, December 22 after the service. Enjoy some cookies while we play Christmas Carol Jeopardy! — an annual Ravenswood Christmas tradition led by Jim Anderson. For more information about participating in the cookie exchange, please speak to Alice Westlind.
Choir begins
Choir rehearsal is held every Sunday at 9:00 am Sunday mornings. The fall/winter choir season lasts from until Christmas. You can still join us! Membership in the choir is open to all, regardless of experience level. Please consider joining us in choir this fall, and invite others to join as well!
Faith Forum
Faith Forum, Ravenswood Covenant’s adult Christian education class, meets at the Sunday School hour (10:00 am) during the school year. This year’s edition of Faith Forum will feature a series of teachers who will each explore a topic over a one-month period. Our teacher for November is Paul Shaheen.
Treats and coffee are provided each week. Join us in the upstairs lounge every Sunday in Faith Forum!
Church parking
Do you know someone who needs a place to park in the Ravenswood neighborhood? Ravenswood Covenant Church is currently leasing space in its parking lot. Parking is $60 per space per month for non-members, and is available for day/evening, overnight, or both. For more information, please contact the church office at 773-784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.
Scripture reader sign-up
We’re now seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day in the worship service for the fall months. If you are willing to be a scripture reader in November or December, 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. Feel free to sign up for more than one Sunday if you like.
Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 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 Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs. 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 have Zoom available 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
Scripture for next Sunday
Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah 2:1-5
Luke 5:8-10
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.