Worship live on Sundays in person,
or on Facebook & YouTube at 10:45 am.
Children’s Sunday School for ages K-7th grade at 9:30 am in-person.
Faith Forum (adult Sunday School) at 9:30 am in person and on Zoom.
October 23, 2022
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME & GREETING, COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 123 & Psalm 126
Leader: To You I lift up my eyes,
People: O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
L: As the eyes of the servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress.
P: so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy upon us.
L: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.
P: Our soul has more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
L: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
P: we were like those who dream.
L: Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
P: and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations,
L: “The Lord has done great things for them.”
P: The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
ALL: Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
COME AS YOU ARE
Come out of sadness from wherever you’ve been
Come, brokenhearted, let rescue begin
Come find your mercy, O sinner, come kneel.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
chorus
Lay down your burdens,
Lay down your shame.
All who are broken,
Lift up your face.
O wanderer, come home.
You’re not too far.
So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart.
Come as you are.
There’s hope for the hopeless and all those who’ve strayed.
Come sit at the table, come taste the grace.
There’s rest for the weary, rest that endures.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t cure.
bridge
Come as you are, come as you are.
Fall in His arms, come as you are
There’s joy for the morning, O sinner, be still.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
Ben Glover | David Crowder | Matt Maher © 2014 Ariose Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 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!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
COME, O SINNERS, POOR AND NEEDY
Come, O sinners, poor and needy,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
Jesus stands to save you,
Full of pard’ning love for all.
He is able, He is able,
He is willing, doubt no more;
He is able, He is able,
He is willing, doubt no more.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All that He requires of sinners
Is to turn and trust in Him.
He will save you, He will save you,
’tis the Gospel’s constant theme.
He will save you, He will save you,
’tis the Gospel’s constant theme.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood;
Venture on Him, venture wholly
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus, none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
None but Jesus, none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
Covenant Hymnal, #324
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Psalm 84:1-12
How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns , even faints , for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young–a place near Your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Pastor Mark
Children 6 and under are dismissed to Children’s Church in the upstairs lounge. Parents, please pick up your children from the lounge after the worship service.
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
Red
Mary Spriggs
I KNOW NOT WHY GOD’S WONDROUS GRACE
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He has made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
chorus
But “I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing me of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him
Or meet Him in the air.
Covenant Hymnal #440
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Messian Burgos, Vira Coszach, Gloria Evenson, Pedro Gomez, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, our Pastoral Search Committee, Mary Smith, Esther Stoel, and Alice Westlind
Ministries & Mission
James Tang, serving in South Sudan & Ethiopia; 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 & OFFERING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@administrator
OFFERTORY
Sicilienne
J.S. Bach
led by Ivan Arden 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.
LET US BE KNOWN BY OUR LOVE
Let us be known by our love
In every word in every deed honor the Son
Let our light shine in every eye
Let us be known by our love
chorus
For the glory of the Father
For the glory of the Son
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our love (joy) (peace)
Let us be known by our joy
In every home in every heart sing to the Lord
Let our life show goodness and hope
Let us be known by our joy
Let us be known by our peace
In every town in every tribe Jesus is king
Let us go forth heal and restore
Let us be known by our peace
Matt Armstrong | Micah Massey | Nate Moore | Ryan Flanigan © 2015 Bethel Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Mouth Of The River Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) 10000 Fathers (Admin. by Integrity Music) Common Hymnal Digital (Admin. by Integrity Music) Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music) Ryan Flanigan Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) Curb Wordspring Music (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.)
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Allegro
J.S. Bach
led by Ivan Arden and Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
music as we go, by axiom.brass
We thank guest musician Ivan Arden for his contribution to worship today. Ivan serves in the Marine Corps as instructor at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA.
Worship update
The Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant Church recommends mask use during services, but this is not mandatory.
Ravenswood Covenant livestreams worship each week on YouTube and Facebook, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
KICY 100% Sunday
Today is KICY 100% Sunday. This is an annual Sunday in October on which KICY radio station in Nome, AK, a Covenant-owned enterprise that brings Christian radio to, and shares the Gospel with, people living in the remote lands of western Alaska and the Russian Far East, fundraises. KICY asks Covenant churches to give a dollar for each church member — in other words, 100% of the congregation — to further the ministry of the station.
This is an historically meaningful ministry for Ravenswood Covenant. One of the station’s co-founders, the late Art Zylstra, was an RECC member, and long-time RECC member Dave Oseland is a former KICY station manager. Our church typically gives $100 to KICY each 100% Sunday. If you would like to personally give to the station above and beyond that amount, you can do so during the offertory by putting your special offering in an offering envelope and writing “KICY” on it, or by giving it to Gregory Sager in the church office.
To learn more about KICY’s ministry, vist the station’s website at https://www.kicy.org/.
Lawn signs
If you have a farmers market lawn sign, please return it to the church office. The lawn signs are undated and are therefore reusable next year. Thanks for putting it out in your yard this farmers market season!
Indoor Playground
Indoor Playground is back! Our weekly cold-weather opportunity to let young children run around in our gym, play with toys, and use the bounce house. will return for the first time since the pandemic on Thursday, October 20. Indoor Playground will be open every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Thursday night community dinner
Our Thursday night community dinners have resumed on a periodic basis. They will continue this Thursday, October 27, followed in the immediate future by November 10 and November 17. The dinners are open to everyone. Suggested donation is $5 for individuals, $10 for families.
Neighborhood Yoga
Certified Yoga Instructor Deb Auger will be teaching a four-week Adult Yoga class in our community room on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:15 pm, starting October 26. The first session and the November 2 session are free; the fee for the third and fourth sessions are $15 each. To register or for more information, contact Deb at auger.deb@gmail.com.
Choir begins in October
Choir rehearsal for the Christmas season will begin next Sunday, October 30. The choir will rehearse each Sunday at 8:30 am through Christmas. This is an opportunity for everyone, not just trained singers or choir veterans, to take part. For more information, please speak to Cynthia Arden or contact the church office.
Aid for Ukrainian refugees
Jeremy and Amanda Foster, who attend our church, have a direct connection to a mission that is serving refugees who have fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Jeremy’s parents Don and Beatrice Foster are in Hazebrouck, France as tentmaker missionaries and have prepared rooms in their home for refugees coming from Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to help the Fosters pay for extra food and supplies, please give a donation to Ravenswood Covenant that is specially designated for Ukrainian refugees. If you would like to give directly online, the website for the Fosters is https://ukraine.la-ferme-de-la-papote.com/ .
The Covenant denomination is also raising funds for Ukraine through Covenant World Relief. Here is the link if you would like to donate through the Covenant’s program. https://giving.covchurch.org/priorities-detail/ukraine-response
Thursday evening adult Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets every Thursday at 7 pm. We are currently studying the book of Romans. The Bible study meets in the lounge, and is also accessible by Zoom. For more information, please contact Gregory Sager in the church office at (773) 784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.
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
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.”
RECC preaching schedule for October
October 2: Pastor Denise
October 9: Pastor Jay Catanus
October 16: Pastor Mark
October 23: Mary Spriggs
October 30: Steve Swanson
Scripture for next Sunday
Matthew 6:9-10
1 Kings 3:4-9, 16-28
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.