November 28, 2021
Adult Sunday School convenes at 9:30 on Zoom and in-person
Children’s Sunday School for ages 3-12 meets at 9:30 am at church
As our days grow shorter and our nights longer, we who are people of faith turn to symbols such as candles, evergreens and wreaths to proclaim our belief in the unquenchable Light coming into the world. As the days grow darker and colder, the people of God remember the gift of God in Jesus Christ, and the light grows brighter within the church. The symbol of the evergreen wreath speaks of eternal life that comes in fulfillment of God’s promise of the Coming One. The first candle we light speaks of our hope in the promise of the prophets. In hopeful anticipation, we prepare for the advent of the Reign of God.
adapted from Webber’s Services of The Church Year.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
led by Cynthia
PRELUDE
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
led by Cynthia
WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE, & GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP & AS WE LIGHT
THE ADVENT CANDLE (based on Psalm 130, Isaiah 9)
Leader: Out of the darkest depths
I cry to you, O LORD!
People: O LORD, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy!
L: If You, O LORD, kept a record of sins, who, O LORD,
could stand? But with You there is forgiveness;
therefore You are revered.
P: I wait for the LORD; my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
L: O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is unfailing love, and in Him is full redemption.
P: He himself will redeem His people from their sins.
L: The people who walk in darkness, have seen a great light!
P: On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a new light has dawned.
COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS
verses 1-2
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art:
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
Covenant Hymnal, # 135
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
[ 2 This was after King Jeconiah, and the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It said: ]
4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in My name; I did not send them, says the Lord.
10 For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart, 14 I will let you find Me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS
verses 3-4
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Covenant Hymnal, # 135
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
(sung)
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
Children ages 3-5 are dismissed to the fellowship hall at this time for Children’s Church.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will direct your paths.
Al-le-lu-ia, Al-le-lu-ia, and
He will direct your paths.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Living Hope
Pastor Phil
DRIVE OUT THE DARKNESS
Come, O come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, Jesus, come
Every year under the thorn
Every wrong that we have known
Every valley will be raised
The ancient ruins will be remade
Come, O come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, Jesus, come
Every weapon made for war
Every gun and every sword
Will be melted in the flamе
To be used for gardening
Come, O come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, Jesus, come
In the emptiness of grief
Through the night of suffering
Ev’ry loss and in the tears
God of comfort, O be near…
Come, O come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, O come
Be our light
Drive out the darkness
Come, and end all the violence
Come, and do not be silent
Come, we cling to Your promise
Come, You’ll break all injustice
Come, Jesus, come
CCLI# 7158603 CCLI License # 349090
Paul Zach, Isaac Wardell, Dan Marotta, John Swinton © 2020 Integrity Worship Music/PG Songs And Hymns/ASCAP, Integrity’s Alleluia! Music/Paul Zach Publishing/SESAC
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: the family of Kari Hutson, Ernesto Galaviz, Kristine Brandel’s friend Terrie, Nikolas Arden, Katie Collier, Chuck & Shirley Nicholas, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Esther Stoel, Carol Koeller’s mother Barbara, Joyce Andrews, Paul Mounts, Brianna Randall, Mark Erickson’s sister Sue Kelly and family, the Figved family, Steve Hoden, Stacey Johnson, Devencie Ervin and his family, Dolores Staurseth, and Tom Spriggs.
Ministries & Mission
Paul Carlson Partnership; Renee Nicholas, serving local graduate students and faculty with InterVarsity
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.
RECEIVING OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
OFFERTORY
“Lo, How a Rose”
led by Erin and 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.
REJOICE, REJOICE, BELIEVERS!
Rejoice, rejoice, believers! And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing and darker night is near.
The Lord is now arising, and soon He will draw nigh,
Up, watch in expectation! At midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning, replenish them with oil;
Look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil.
The watchers on the mountain proclaim the Lord is near.
Go meet Him as He comes now with alleluias clear.
All you who wait His coming, rehears the joyful song,
Which we shall sing in glory with all the angel throng.
The holy feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand.
Rise up, you heirs of glory! The Master is at hand.
Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, O Sun so longed for, above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth’s redemption that sets Your people free.
Covenant Hymnal, # 136
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
“Wie Schön Leuchtet Der Morganstern”
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 axiom.brass
Covid restrictions for in-person worship
Chicago is now requiring the use of masks for indoor public gatherings, so Ravenswood Covenant has reinstated safety protocols for Sunday morning worship. This means that within the building masks are required at all times, regardless of vaccination status; seating is socially distant; and handshakes and hugs are avoided.
We are still observing precautions regarding children, specifically with regard to 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. One family may choose to use the cry room upon arrival if it hasn’t already been reserved. Children of all ages are always welcome to be in the sanctuary with their parents for the worship service!
Offerfest 2021
Thank you to all who gave generously to our annual Offerfest projects! Over $12,000 was raised for our annual budget; the Lincoln Square Friendship Center; and the upgrading of the Multi-Purpose Room. A wonderful Offerfest dinner was shared among the congregation in a celebratory but municipally-compliant manner. A special thanks to Bobby, Hannah, Marlene, and everybody else who made the dinner possible.
Congregational business meeting
Ravenswood Covenant will hold a congregational meeting next Sunday, December 5, following worship. One of the items for discussion and action on the agenda will be the 2022 budget. Please make plans to attend this meeting if you are a member of RECC.
Budget information meeting
In advance of the December 5 congregational business meeting, Ravenswood Covenant will hold a budget information meeting today after worship. This meeting will give the church’s Leadership Team the opportunity to explain in detail the current status of the church’s finances, and the 2022 budget that the Leadership Team will be bringing to the congregation at the meeting the following Sunday, to all who are interested.
Sankta Lucia festival
On Sunday, December 12 Ravenswood Covenant will have a shortened Lucia program upstairs in the sanctuary at the end of the worship service. If you would like your child to participate, please bring them to church during the Sunday School hour so that we can give them instructions. All kids will wear masks for the program, unless city guidelines change. Lucia buns and treats will be served afterwards in the gym. Please RSVP to Pastor Denise if you would like your child to participate in the Lucia parade/program.
We are also looking for bakers for the Lucia festival. If you are willing to bake something, please sign up with Carol or Janice Erickson this Sunday or email them at rece1@juno.com . You can also let the church office know via office@ravenscov.org , and we will make sure to get your name to Carol or Janice.
Axiom Brass Quintet concert
One of our enduring Ravenswood Covenant holiday traditions, the annual concert in our sanctuary by the world-renowned Axiom Brass Quintet, will take place on Sunday, December 12 at 7 pm. Admission is free. Invite your friends and family to join us for this marvelous evening of music that is sure to be a highlight of our Christmas season!
Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert
Cynthia Arden invites you to the “Welcome Christmas” orchestral celebration of carols performed by the Lake County Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 pm at the Village Church of Gurnee, 1319 Hunt Club Rd. in Gurnee. Tickets are $20 presale, $25 at the door; kids 12 and under are admitted free.
Thursday evening adult Bible study to study Nativity texts
Our adult Bible study will resume this coming Thursday, December 2, as it will study the Nativity texts during Advent season. The adult Bible study meets on Thursday evenings at 7 pm.
We are now welcoming anybody to the lounge on Thursday evenings who wants to take part in the Bible study. Please wear a mask. If you would prefer to participate remotely, or if you are out of town, the Bible study will continue to provide Zoom access as well for online participants.
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
Children’s Christmas program
The children will have a special time in the service on Sunday,
December 19. Please RSVP to Pastor Denise if you would like your child to participate in the program. There will be no rehearsals; just come early on the day of the program to get a costume to wear.
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.”
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 773-784-7091 for more information.
Scripture for next Sunday
Ezekiel 37:1-14
John 11:25-26
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.