OCTOBER 3, 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
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
led by Cynthia
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME, COMMUNITY LIFE, & GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 13
Leader: We come trusting in the steadfast love of God;
People: Our hearts rejoice in God’s salvation.
COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace,
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Here I raise to Thee an altar,
Hither by Thy help I’m come,
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Amen.
Covenant Hymnal #68
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Katie Gieseke, 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, the Figved family, and Steve Hoden
Ministries & Mission
Fabio Muniz & Johnna Hayward Muniz, serving in France; 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.
GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
& PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
OFFERTORY
“Lord, When We Praise You with Glorious Music”
Bryan Jeffery Leech
led by Cynthia and Erin
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.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-15; 4:10-17
2:23 After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
3:1 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that He had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 The cry of the Israelites has now come to Me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. 10 So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”
13 But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:
This is My name forever,
and this My title for all generations.
…
4:10 But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.” 13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. 16 He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. 17 Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”
THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new ev’ry morning, new ev’ry morning,
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord,
Great is Thy faithfulness
Music & Words, Edith McNeill, Copyright 1986
Celebration Services Ltd. CCLI#349090
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
John 8:56-59
56 Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to [Jesus], “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
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.
Covenant Hymnal, #423
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
After a Long Time …
Pastor Phil
BE UNTO YOUR NAME
We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on high
chorus
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
We are the broken, You are the healer
Jesus Redeemer, mighty to save
You are the love song we’ll sing forever
Bowing before You, blessing Your name
ending
Be unto Your name
CCLI Song # 2177476 CCLI License # 349090
Gary Sadler | Lynn DeShazo © 1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
CONFESSION OF SIN & PASSING OF PEACE
L: As we move towards the table let us remember the proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in Him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Let us confess our sins against God and neighbor.
All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
L: Since in Christ we are reconciled to God, so also we are reconciled to each other, the members of His body, the Church. May God’s peace extend throughout this congregation.
L: Peace of Christ be with you
P: And also with you.
L: Let us extend to each other signs of that peace.
(Extend greetings to those you’re with; comments online are welcome.)
INVITATION
It is now our sacred privilege to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All who humbly put their trust in Christ and desire His help that they may lead a holy life; all who are truly sorry for their sins and would be delivered from them; all who would walk in love with their neighbors and intend to live a new life, following the commandments of God and walking from now on in His holy ways, are invited to draw near with faith and to receive this holy sacrament.
A PRAYER FOR COMMUNION
Holy God, we praise You.
Let the heavens be joyful and the earth be glad.
We bless You for creating the whole world,
for Your promises to your people Israel,
and for Jesus Christ in whom Your fullness dwells.
Born of Mary, He shares our life.
Eating with sinners, He welcomes us.
Guiding his children, He leads us.
Visiting the sick, He heals us.
Dying on the cross, He saves us.
Risen from the dead, He gives new life.
Living with You, He prays for us.
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 remembering Me.”
In the same way He took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembering Me.”
With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Receive our sacrifice of praise.
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us
that this meal may be a communion in the body and blood or our Lord.
Make us one with Christ
and with all who share this feast.
Unite us in faith,
encourage us with hope,
inspire us to love that we may serve
As Your faithful disciples
Until we feast at Your table in glory.
We praise you, eternal God,
through Christ Your Word made flesh,
in the holy and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.
SHARING IN COMMUNION
SPECIAL MUSIC
led by Trevor
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Eternal God, heavenly father, You have graciously accepted us as living members of Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and You have fed us with spiritual food in the sacrament of His body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A SENDING FROM COMMUNION
What we have been about here is not separate from life. Rather these acts have been a reminder that we belong to Christ always and everywhere. We carry Christ’s Spirit into our homes, our daily activities, all our relationships. We are Christ’s people. By God’s grace let it be so. Amen.
.
JESUS, BREAD OF LIFE
Jesus, bread of life, manna from heaven
Broken for the world
Offered up for every man
The feast of angels
Becomes food for the weary
And hungry hearts are filled
When You open up Your hand
When You open up Your hand
chorus
O Lord, come fill us with your love
This table laid for us
There is more than enough
O Jesus, bread of life
Sister, take what you need, anything I own
There is no famine here, Jesus’ love will multiply
Brother, what’s mine is yours, you are not alone
There is no shortage here, Jesus’ love will satisfy
Jesus’ love will satisfy
CCLI Song # 7138305 CCLI License # 349090
Audrey Assad | Fernando Ortega© 2019 Fortunate Fall Music
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Variation on Simple Gifts
arr. Tindall and Lovelace
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 maxeltoft
Please join us on the sidewalk at the front steps for donuts, coffee, and fellowship together.
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!
Ravenswood Covenant will continue to livestream worship each week on YouTube and Facebook; this is now a permanent feature of our ministry, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Today is Donut Sunday!
Today we celebrate another Donut Sunday! After the service, donuts will be served, along with coffee and cold drinks, on the sidewalk in front of the church. Please stay and join us for fellowship!
Benevolence Sunday offering
The first Sunday of every month is a Benevolence Sunday at Ravenswood Covenant. We afford everyone in attendance the opportunity on Benevolence Sundays to give a benevolence offering in the box provided in the narthex. The church’s benevolence fund is specifically used to aid those in need within our congregation and our community.
Covenant Point fall work day
Covenant Point Bible Camp is asking for volunteers to take part in a fall work day at CPBC on Saturday, October 23.
Projects will likely include:
- roofing a building (Lindstrom’s Landing)
- dock removal
- wood splitting / moving
- deep-cleaning cabins
- door replacement
- and more!
Work begins at 9 am. The camp will feed you lunch at midday, and work will wrap up around 2 pm. All are welcome!
Accessible to All? A Faithful Response to Disabilities (A virtual conference)
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 10 am to 3:30 pm, a virtual symposium will be held to discuss issues related to accessibility for the disabled in the church setting.
Join others to imagine how the well-being of everyone in the church would be strengthened and better reflect the kingdom of God by being fully welcoming of persons of all abilities. The keynote speaker is Benjamin Conner, Ph.D., Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI and author of Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness: Exploring Missiology through the Lens of Disability Studies (IVP Academic, 2018). Plenary sessions and workshops will provide the opportunity to explore how congregations and healthcare professionals can collaborate in responding faithfully to the challenge of disabilities, considering what can be done together that neither can do alone.
This fourth faith and health symposium is offered by North Park Theological Seminary and North Park University School of Nursing and Health Sciences, with the support of the Good Shepherd Initiative.
Registration is now open. For more information go to: https://www.northpark.edu/event/accessible-to-all-a-faithful-response-to-disabilities/
Sunday School and Children’s Church are back in session!
Classes meet every Sunday morning at 9:30 am for ages 3-12. The teachers and students will all wear masks. All our teachers have been vaccinated, as has the church staff. Contact Pastor Denise for more information. Sunday School lesson videos made weekly and emailed out for children who are unable to attend church in-person.
Children’s Church has restarted as well. Children ages 3 to 5 are dismissed mid-service and will meet downstairs in the fellowship hall. The lounge will continue to be used as a nursery space for families during the service, with the service livestreamed on the lounge’s television.
Faith Forum returns
Faith Forum, our adult Sunday School class, meets every week in the upstairs lounge at 9:30 am. It operates in a hybrid format; you are invited to attend in person, but if you do so, please wear a mask. As was the case last year, the class will also have a Zoom component for those who wish to attend remotely. The Zoom link can be found at the top of the online bulletin every week.
Pastor Phil is taking us through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians for the first few weeks of Faith Forum. Join us next week!
Thursday evening adult Bible study begins Galatians
The adult Bible study has begun a chapter-by-chapter journey through the book of Galatians. 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
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.”
A Response to Jacob
Last week we considered the life of Jacob and the family drama in his story. One response from our congregation included the words from a song remembering Jacob’s wrestling not only with family and neighbor but with God. We include the words of that song here. Thanks, Jim!
Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown,
by Charles Wesley
Come, O thou Traveler unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with Thee.
With Thee all night I mean to stay
and wrestle till the break of day.
Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal
Thy new, unutterable name?
Tell me, I still beseech Thee, tell,
to know it now resolved I am.
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go
till I Thy name, Thy nature know.
My strength is gone, my nature dies,
I sink beneath Thy weighty hand,
faint to revive, and fall to rise.
I fall, and yet by faith I stand;
I stand and will not let Thee go
till I Thy name, Thy nature know.
Yield to me now—for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if Thy name is Love.
‘Tis Love! ‘tis Love that wrestled me!
I hear Thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, universal Love Thou art.
To me, to all, Thy mercies move—
Thy nature and Thy name is Love.
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.
General fund giving:
September 19: $2,299
General fund giving:
September 26: $1,714
Scripture for next Sunday
Exodus 16:1-18
John 6:51
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.