October 22, 2023

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

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

PRELUDE
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
led by Erin and Cynthia

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 23:1-4
Leader: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
People: He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.
Leader: He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.
People: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

PRAYER
Prayer: Almighty Father, You are the Great Shepherd, and we are the sheep of Your flock. Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd who leads us to abundant life. Holy Spirit, You lead us to still waters and restore our souls. Father, Son, and Spirit, guide our flock as we seek Your greener pastures. Amen. 

* PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
Shelt’ring you under His wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore him.

Covenant Hymnal, #61


OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for Myself a king among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely His anointed is now before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

GOSPEL LESSON
John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know My own, and My own know me, 15 just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father.”

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

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 Samuel 5:1-5
The Shepherd King
Pastor Ryan

THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD, I’LL NOT WANT
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill,
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnishéd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.´

Covenant Hymnal, #92

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Frank Coszach, Vira Coszach, James Egan, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Trevor Hanks, Mary Smith, Steve Staurseth, and Phillip, son of Iris Velez

Ministries & Mission
Bonnie & Eric Sparrman, serving in Sweden; 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
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
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.

* KING OF KINGS
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light
Till from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfil the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt

chorus
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit three in one
God of Glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of kings

To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died

And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored

And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel shall not faint
By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me

Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes Essential Music Publishing LLC, Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

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

POSTLUDE
Largo
Gilles Jillen
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. 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.

Clothing drive
In connection with the Spanish-speaking Grace Covenant congregation that is now worshiping in our space on Sunday afternoons, we are embarking upon a clothing drive for the migrants currently being housed in the Marine Reserve base on Foster Avenue and the Broadway Armory over in Edgewater. The Grace congregation has made connections with these newcomers, and some of them are now worshiping here with the Grace congregation. There is a particular need for winter clothing, as none of the migrants came here with clothing suitable for a Chicago winter. A donation box will be in the narthex on Sundays, and in the C.E. lobby on weekdays, for the next few weeks. Thank you in advance for your willingness to give!

Offerfest 2023
Offerfest 2023 is fast approaching! On Sunday, November 5, we will celebrate Ravenswood Covenant’s long-standing tradition of Offerfest, in which the entire offering for that Sunday (both in the plate and online) will be given towards two charities or projects designated by the church’s Leadership Team. Specific information about where this year’s Offerfest fund is going is in the letter sent out to the congregation Thursday as an email attachment. A copy of the letter will also be available as part of this Sunday’s bulletin.

The other part of Offerfest is that it is always accompanied by a great dinner downstairs in the fellowship hall after the service. During the dinner, this year’s Offerfest giving tally will be announced. Since the meal will be catered, we’d like to get an approximate head count beforehand. Therefore, please RSVP by replying to the email, or, if you didn’t receive the email, by informing Pastor Ryan, church chair Alice Westlind, or church administrator Gregory Sager. Thank you, and we hope to see you on November 5 for Offerfest!

Offerfest volunteers needed
Ravenswood Covenant’s annual Offerfest celebration is scheduled for Sunday, November 5, so it’s fast approaching! Volunteers are needed, particularly in the food preparation and post-dinner clean-up departments. If you’re willing to help, please speak to Pastor Ryan, Gregory Sager, or Alice Westlind, or to any member of the church’s Leadership Team.

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts One Day Retreat
Led by:      Pastor Ryan Eikenbary-Barber
When:       October 28 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm
Where:      Nelson Lounge at Ravenswood Covenant Church
Cost:         Lunch 
Who:         Couples interested in building a marriage that lasts a lifetime
RSVP:         ryan@ravenscov.org

Lake County Symphony Orchestra gala
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, featuring RECC’s own Cynthia Arden, will present its 2003 gala, “The Mysterious Mask: A Night of Mystery”, on Saturday, October 28 at 6:00 pm at the Glen Flora Country Club, 2200 N Sheridan Rd, Waukegan, IL 60087. Tickets are $75 each, which includes a live performance by the LCSO, a sumptuous dinner, a cash bar, and a silent auction. This spectacular event serves as the main fundraiser for the LCSO’s 2023-2024 season. The ticket deadline is tomorrow (Monday) at 5 pm. You can purchase tickets online at https://www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com/events/2023-gala-the-mysterious-mask .

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.

“Covenant Affirmations” Faith Forum series
Faith Forum, Ravenswood Covenant’s adult Sunday School class, meets Sundays at 10:00 am in the upstairs lounge. We are in the midst of a series of Faith Forum classes centered around the six primary teachings of our denomination, better known as the “Covenant Affirmations”.
  
September 17: “The Centrality of the Word of God” (taught by LeRoy Carlson)             
September 24: “The Necessity of the New Birth” (taught by Gregory Sager)
October 1: “A Commitment to the Whole Mission of the Church” (taught by Pastor Ryan)
October 8: “The Church as a Fellowship of Believers” (taught by Paul Shaheen)
October 15: “A Conscious Dependence on the Holy Spirit” (taught by Colleen Carlson)                        
October 22: “The Reality of Freedom in Christ” (taught by Jim Anderson)
 
Coffee and treats are provided each week at Faith Forum, Please join us!                   

Choir to return for fall/winter season
Calling all singers! The Ravenswood Covenant choir began rehearsals this morning, as we commence our fall and winter choir season.

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 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
1 Kings 12:25-30
1 Kings 12:1-17
Mark 10:42-45

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)