September 29, 2024
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Ludwig van Beethoven
led by Cynthia
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
adapted from Psalm 80:1-3
Leader: Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock.
Awaken Your might; come and save us.
People: Restore us, O God; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
UNISON PRAYER
Great Jehovah, You led the Hebrews out of slavery and into freedom. Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Holy Spirit, You fall upon all flesh to make us come alive in Christ. Father, Son, and Spirit lead us into Your saving grace and mercy. Amen.
* JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain,
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
Joining all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #11
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Exodus 12:1-13
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn with fire. 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the Passover of the Lord. 12 I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human to animal, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
GOSPEL LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Luke 22:14-20
When the hour came, He took his place at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then He took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.[
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
*GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty —
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliv’rer, Strong Deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee. Amen.
Covenant Hymnal, #408
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Pastor Ryan
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
Exodus 13:1-8
Mystic Chords of Memory
Pastor Ryan
* LET ALL THINGS NOW LIVING
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise;
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who guides us and leads to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us
And light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
As forward we travel from light into light.
God’s law He enforces; the stars in their courses,
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine.
We too should be voicing
Our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise,
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!
Covenant Hymnal, #59
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden; Messian Burgos; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Mary McKirchy; Sara Rosado; Mary Smith; Iris Velez; Lauren Vilardo; and Christian Wright
Ministries & Mission
Paul Carlson Partnership
Carlos & Karen Feijoo, serving in Ecuador
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
Prelude No. 4
Frédéric Chopin
led by 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.
* SENT FORTH BY GOD’S BLESSING
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from His dwelling take leave.
The service is ended; oh, now be extended
The fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The seed of His teaching, receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace did invite us; His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom and answer His call.
With praise and thanksgiving to You ever living,
The tasks of our ev’ry day life we will face,
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
Embracing Your children of each tribe and race.
With Your feast You feed us; with Your light now lead us.
Unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear.
Covenant Hymnal, #664
* BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Gravè in E minor
J.S. Bach
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. Please wear a nametag and let visitors know who you are! Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.
KICY salmon dinner and Offerfest
We are handling Offerfest a little differently this fall. Offerfest is our church’s oldest tradition, a Sunday set aside every fall to specifically thank God for His provision in our life together by dedicating the entire morning offering that day to special projects, with the total amount announced at a sumptuous meal that follows that Sunday’s worship service. Typically, Offerfest is a stand-alone event held on the first Sunday of November, but this year it will instead be held next Sunday, October 6 in conjunction with a KICY fundraiser salmon dinner. KICY is a Covenant-owned radio station located in Nome, Alaska that serves native villages in the Alaskan bush as well as the city of Nome, and which also provides on-air evangelism outreach that broadcasts for thousands of miles into the remote Russian Far East.
Congregational business meeting
On Sunday, October 13 we will have a congregational business meeting downstairs in the fellowship hall following worship. The purposes are to give an update on the disposition of the 4928 N. Damen property next door, as well as to vote upon members for the new Mutual Ministry Committee.
Choir begins soon
On Sunday, October 20, our church choir under the direction of Cynthia Arden will once again begin rehearsing and performing. The fall/winter choir season lasts from October 20 until Christmas. Membership in the choir is open to all, regardless of experience level. Please consider joining us in choir this fall, and invite others to join as well!
A thank-you from Mark Westlind
“My thanks to all who have prayed so faithfully for me during my recent surgeries. My rotator cuffs (left AND right) are almost back to normal! I have several months more of rehab, but the Lord has been so good to me! The doctors and physical therapists always seem surprised at my rate of recovery! Your prayers have been my secret weapon!
“Bless all of you for your love and kindness.”
Faith Forum
Faith Forum, Ravenswood Covenant’s adult Christian education class, meets at the Sunday School hour (10:00 am) during the school year. This year’s edition of Faith Forum will feature a series of teachers who will each explore a topic over a one-month period. The first teacher is LeRoy Carlson, who is leading a series in September on the theology of worship, focusing upon the Covenant Book of Worship, the worship handbook used by the Covenant’s pastors, chaplains, and worship leaders.
Treats and coffee are provided each week. Join us in the upstairs lounge every Sunday in Faith Forum!
Dog walker wanted
Joanna Bao, a friend of Ravenswood Covenant, has a daughter named Joy who lives near the church. Joy is currently in her residency as a physician and thus has only a limited amount of time available to walk and care for her dog, Gallagher. If you would like to volunteer to help with her dog-walking responsibilities, please contact the church office.
Church parking
Do you know someone who needs a place to park in the Ravenswood neighborhood? Ravenswood Covenant Church is currently leasing space in its parking lot. Parking is $60 per space per month for non-members, and is available for day/evening, overnight, or both. For more information, please contact the church office at 773-784-7091 or office@ravenscov.org.
Scripture reader sign-up
We’re now seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day in the worship service for the fall months. If you are willing to be a scripture reader in September, October, or November, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or in the narthex on Sundays, or contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan. Feel free to sign up for more than one Sunday if you like.
Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan’s office hours at church are typically Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 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 have just begun studying the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs. 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 have Zoom available 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
Scripture for next Sunday
Exodus 32:7-14
Exodus 32:1-6
Luke 23:34
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.