November 5, 2023

Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
from Revelation 7:9-10
Leader: After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying
All: Salvation belongs to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!

PRAYER
O God our Father, help us to worship today in the spirit of our forebears. We remember that we stand here knowing Your grace because of our fathers and mothers who stood before us. Give us the excitement of the revival times, give us the strength of the times of testing, and give us the confidence of faithful years. We worship, remembering all of those who have worshiped You through the years. May we join with them, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE YOUR NAME
Holy God, we praise Your name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy scepter claim;
All in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite, Thy vast domain;
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark,! The glad celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord!”

Lo, the apostolic train
Joins Thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the blessed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name Thee,
Though in essence only one;
Undivided God, we claim Thee,
And, adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery.


Covenant Hymnal, #19


OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Gregory Sager
1 Kings 18:16-26

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 He answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

20 So Ahab sent to all the Israelites and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah then came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty. 23 Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood but put no fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God.” All the people answered, “Well spoken!” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made.

GOSPEL LESSON: Gregory Sager
Mark 9:2-4

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling bright, such as no one on earth could brighten them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

JESUS, FIRM FOUNDATION
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word
What more can He say than to you He has said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled

Fear not, He is with us, O be not dismayed
For He is our God, our sustainer and strength
He’ll be our defender and cause us to stand
Upheld by His merciful, almighty hand

chorus
How firm, our foundation
How sure, our salvation
And we will not be shaken
Jesus, firm foundation

The soul that is trusting in Jesus as Lord
Will press on enduring the darkest of storm
And though even hell should endeavor to shake
He’ll never, no, never, no, no, never forsake
He’ll never, no, never, no, no, never forsake

chorus

Age to age He stands
Faithful to the end
All may fade away
But He will remain
He will remain!

chorus

W&M Bryan Brown / Jason Ingram / Tony Wood lyrics ©Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group CCLI#349090

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
1 Kings 18:27-39
Sacrificial Giving
Pastor Ryan

FOR ALL THE SAINTS
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed;
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds and ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
In praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Covenant Hymnal, #767

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
Cathy Campobello, serving in Colombia; Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp

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
“For the Beauty of the Earth” Covenant Hymnal, #56
led by the choir (congregation joins on verse 5)

* 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: Mary Spriggs
Remembering saints and sinners in our lives, Eternal God, in every age You have raised up men and women to live and die in faith. Forgive our indifference to Your will. You have commanded us to speak, but we have been silent. You have called us to do what is just, but we have been fearful. Have mercy on us, Your faithless servants. Keep before us faithful people for us to follow so that, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, we may grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to the praise of Your holy name. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE- Ephesians 2:19-22
You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God

CALL TO COMMUNION
It is now our sacred privilege to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All that humbly put their trust in Christ and desire His help that they may lead a holy life; all that are truly penitent for their sins and would be delivered from them; all that walk in love with their neighbors and intend to live a new life, following the commandment of God and walking from henceforth in His holy ways, are invited to draw near with faith and to take this holy sacrament.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Friends: This is the joyful feast of the people of God! Many will come from east and west and from north and south and sit at table in the Kingdom of God. This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which He has prepared. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, He took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are delivered by the Apostle Paul:

“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 remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, blest forever! To You be praise and honor for giving Yourself, shedding Your blood, and letting Your body be broken in death for our sake, so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Bless, O God, this bread which we together eat, and the cup which we together drink. Let us through this blest bread and this blest cup become partakers of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

The cup which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. Let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

MUSIC
“Taste and See” (Psalm 34)

refrain
Taste and see, taste and see
The goodness of the Lord.
Taste and see, taste and see,
The goodness of the Lord, of the Lord.

THE TABLE
I will feast at the table of the Lord
I will feast at the table of the Lord
I won’t hunger anymore at His table

chorus
Come all you weary come and find
His yoke is easy His burden is light
He is able He will restore
At the table of the Lord
(At the table of the Lord)

There is peace at the table of the Lord
There is peace at the table of the Lord
I won’t worry anymore at His table

There is healing at the table of the Lord
There is healing at the table of the Lord
Oh and I won’t suffer anymore at His table

I’m invited to the table of the Lord
I’m invited to the table of the Lord
He says come just as you are to His table

bridge
I know He has a place for me
Oh what joy will fill my heart
With the saints around the mercy seat of God

CCLI Song # 7028956 CCLI License # 349090
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Wayne Jolley© 2014 Alletrop Music

BENEDICTION   
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE
Nun Danket
Johann Crüger
led by Erin and 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.

Offerfest 2023
Today is Offerfest Sunday! On this day we celebrate a tradition at Ravenswood Covenant that goes back many generations, Offerfest, in which the entire offering for that Sunday (both in the plate and online) will be given towards charities or projects designated by the church’s Leadership Team. This year’s Offerfest money is going to two destinations. One is the Lawrence Avenue office of World Relief Corporation to assist with the settlement of Venezuelan refugees in our city, and the other is to an extrabudgetary item for our own building’s maintenance and repair: the lighting and ceiling tiles in our fellowship hall.

Offerfest is a celebration of thankfulness to God for the gifts that the Almighty has bestowed upon us, and we are, of course, thankful for each other as well. Thus, the other part of Offerfest is the annual dinner that we share downstairs in the fellowship hall after the service on Offerfest Sunday. During the dinner, this year’s Offerfest giving tally will be announced. This year’s meal (chicken vesuvio, with pasta primavera as the vegetarian option) is catered by Falcon’s, a new restaurant in our neighborhood that we are happy to support. If you did not RSVP for the meal, don’t despair — we have a few extra meals available, so please join us downstairs and break bread with us as we celebrate Offerfest!

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 to return 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.

Thanksgiving Eve worship and pie
On Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday, November 22) we will be holding an informal worship service in the fellowship hall at 7:00 pm. This is a chance to take time out from the start of the busy holiday season to thank God for all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Please plan to bring a pie with you; either homemade or store-bought is fine. After the service, all that delicious pie will be served, so … come for the worship, stay for the pie!

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 Erin Stoel.

Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan’s Purse is currently looking to hire approximately 150 Christian men and women to fill paid positions for a three-week project with Operation Christmas Child, an annual relief ministry that Ravenswood Covenant has supported in the past.
 
Their seasonal positions include a wide variety of customer service positions, such as team coaches, greeters, and floor coordinators. There are also a variety of warehouse positions, including dockworkers, quality/inventory control, class A CDL drivers, and forklift drivers. The ideal candidates for these positions will have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, align with the mission of Samaritan’s Purse, work well with volunteers, be flexible, and be able to function well in a fast-paced environment. 

If you know anyone who would be interested and matches this description, please feel free to share this information with them. 

God is so amazing. Last year Operation Christmas Child packed around 10.5 million shoeboxes, and each shoebox can impact around 10 people for Jesus.
 
If you have any questions or would like Samaritan’s Purse to send you more information, please contact Philip King at Samaritan’s Purse, 331-271-3917 or at pking@samaritan.org . Their website is https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ .

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
Hosea 11:1-9
Hosea 1:1-11
Mark 10:13-14

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.

"With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." (Mark 4:30-32 NRS)