November 26, 2023
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!”
led by Mary and Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
People: Blessing and honor and glory and might be unto the Lamb!
Leader: Worthy is Christ, who has ransomed us by His blood from every tribe and tongue and nation, and made His people a kingdom, and priests to our God.
People: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
PRAYER
God of power and love, you raised Jesus from death to life, resplendent in glory to rule over all creation. Free the world to rejoice in his peace, to glory in his justice, and to live in his love. Unite all humankind in Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
* ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME!
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all;
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Let ev’ry kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all;
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown him Lord of all!
O that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
And crown Him Lord of all!
Covenant Hymnal, #265
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Mary Spriggs
2 Kings 22:1-10
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
3 In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying, 4 “Go up to the high priest Hilkiah and have him add up the entire sum of the silver that has been brought into the house of the Lord that the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people; 5 let it be given into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the house of the Lord; let them give it to the workers who are at the house of the Lord repairing the house, 6 that is, to the carpenters, to the builders, to the masons; and let them use it to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house. 7 But no accounting shall be asked from them for the silver that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.”
8 The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” When Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, he read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary came to the king and reported to the king, “Your servants have melted down the silver that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workers who have oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.” Shaphan then read it aloud to the king.
* GOSPEL LESSON: Mary Spriggs
Luke 24:30-32
When He was at the table with them, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the scriptures to us?”
10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL)
chorus
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
tag
Worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name
ending
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
CCLI Song # 6016351 CCLI License # 349090 Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman © 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Ryan
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me! This I know
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Covenant Hymnal, #443
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
2 Kings 22:11-20
Just Like Starting Over
Pastor Ryan
CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious to the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing
Who died and reigns on high;
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Crown Him the Lord of love:
Behold His hands and side —
Rich wounds yet visible above
In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends their wond’ring eyes
At mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of peace —
His kingdom is at hand;
From pole to pole let warfare cease
And Christ rule ev’ry land!
A city stands on high,
His glories it displays,
And there the nations “Holy” cry
In joyful hymns of praise.
Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time.
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail,
For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
Through all eternity. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #264
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Trevor Hanks, Kathy Sager, Mary Smith, Steve Staurseth, and Phillip, son of Iris Velez
Ministries & Mission
Marta Klein, serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo; 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
“Let All Things Now Living”
Covenant Hymnal, #59
led by the choir
the congregation is invited to sing verse 2
* 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.
* KING OF LOVE
The King of love my Shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
And He is mine forever
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth
chorus
Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of love my Shepherd is
The King of love my Shepherd is
Lost and foolish off I strayed
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me
In death’s dark veil I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still
Thy cross before to guide me
chorus
Oh-oh-oh, hallelujah, hallelujah
Oh-oh-oh, hallelujah, hallelujah
chorus (2x)
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise
Within Your house forever
Within Your house forever
Stuart Garrard / Jonathan Lindley Smith / Adam Palmer / Matthew Hein / Stephanie Kulla © Sony/atv Tree Publishing, Stugio Music Publishing, Sony/atv Timber Publishing, Sony/atv Cross Keys Publishing, Jingram Music Publishing, I Am They Publishing
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Gravé in G
J.S. Bach
led by Cynthia
please remain seated during the postlude
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.
RECC Advent/Christmas schedule
We are now entering the busiest time of year in the life of our church, and the dates have been set for all of the various holiday activities for which you’re invited to participate and/or enjoy as a spectator:
* Hanging of the Greens – Saturday, Dec. 2, 5:00 pm
* Parenting ProGRESS Christmas party – Thursday, Dec. 14, 4:30 pm
* Sankta Lucia festival – Sunday, December 17, following worship
* Axiom Brass Quintet Concert – Monday, December 18, 7:00 pm
* Christmas Carol Jeopardy! – Sunday, December 24, after worship
* Christmas Eve service – Sunday, December 24, 7:00 pm
Hanging of the Greens
A long-standing tradition at Ravenswood Covenant is to begin the holiday season with the Hanging of the Greens. This coming Saturday, December 2, at 5:00 pm we will gather at church to engage in the festive community project of decorating the church for the season by setting up our three Christmas trees, hanging wreaths, bringing out Advent banners and paraments, setting up the Advent candleholder, etc.
Everyone is invited to participate!
Sunday School and Faith Forum
Sunday School and Faith Forum will meet at 10:00 am every week, unless otherwise noted. We are still looking for folks who are willing to help out with Sunday School. Please speak with Beth Anderson, Bekah Carlson, or Kelly Vetter if you’re interested. Also, please check with the church office to make sure that you have an up-to-date background check if you are going to work with the church’s children in 2023-24.
Choir returns for fall/winter season
Calling all singers! The Ravenswood Covenant choir has started rehearsals for our fall and winter choir season. It’s not too late to join!
Choir rehearsal is at 9:00 am Sunday mornings in the sanctuary. Anyone with a heart for singing is welcome to join the choir. Please speak to our organist and choir director Cynthia Arden if you’re interested in joining.
Scripture reader sign-up
We are seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day as part of the worship services this fall. If you are willing to be a scripture reader, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan.
Covenant Harbor is hiring
Covenant Harbor is still looking for some kitchen staff and volunteers. All inquires can be made to Sandy Wendtland at swendtland@covenantharbor.org .
Summer staff applications for 2024 are now open on the Covenant Harbor website as well. They are already hiring for next year’s summer camp positions. If you have any questions, please contact Emma Mueller at emueller@covenantharbor.org.
All of these details can also be found on the camp’s website at www.covenantharbor.org.
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. We are studying the Gospel of Mark. 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
2 Kings 22:11-20
2 Kings 22:1-10
Luke 24:30-32
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.