Sunday, March 8, 2026
Sunday, March 8th
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Third Sunday of Lent
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.
GOSPEL OF JOHN: GOD’S OWN SON
John 18:25-27
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Leader: light print / People: bold print / * Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING MUSIC
led by Dana
GOD WELCOMES US
We share Community Life & greet each other.
Kids worship bags are available in the back.
WE DIRECT OUR MINDS TO GOD
DECLARING OUR UNITY IN WORSHIP
Psalm 32:1-2, 5-6
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore, let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found.
PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Merciful God, we need Your forgiveness. Lord Jesus, we need You to lead us to repentance. Holy Spirit, we need Your power to change. Father, Son, and Spirit make us aware of our sins and transform us by Your grace. Amen.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “And Can It Be That I Should Gain”
hymnal #306
GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
John 18:12-18
read by Leah Jackson
So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound Him. First they took Him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
SINGING OUR DESIRE TO HEAR FROM GOD
* “Have Mercy on Me”
David Gungor / Latifah Alattas / Madison Cunningham
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Children are invited to the front.
Following the message, children are invited to children’s church in the back room. A parent from the church will teach.
MESSAGE
John 18:19-27
Chickens Coming Home to Roost
Pastor Ryan
SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord”
hymnal #342
GOD HELP US
Prayer
Lord, You said, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”
Forgive us our lukewarm love and our disobedience.
Lord, You said, “You may ask for anything in My name.”
Forgive us when we think we need to solve our own problems.
Lord, You said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We confess that our lives are often consumed by worry and anxiety.
Lord, You said, “If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Forgive us our barren lives, Lord.
Lord, You said, “You must testify, for you have been with Me.”
We confess, Lord, that we have been too often silent.
Lord, You said, “Love each other as I have loved you.”
In this and in so many other ways, we confess our failures and shortcomings. Amen.
WE CONCLUDE WITH 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.
THANKING GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS
We offer God a portion of our money as a way to say we love God, and desire to encourage the ministry & mission of the church.
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION
led by Dana
SINGING OUR THANKSGIVING & ADORATION
* 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.
hymnal #48
SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “I Thank God”
Aaron Moses / Chuck Butler / Dante Bowe / Enrique Holmes / Jesse Cline / Maryanne J. George
THE LAST GOOD WORD
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
led by Dana
GOD INVITES US TO GATHER AGAIN
We’ll be back here for worship next Sunday. We hope you can join us.
Information on ravenscov.org.
Easter lilies
As we draw closer to Easter Sunday, which will be April 5 this year, it’s time once again to order Easter lilies! If you are interested in ordering a lily or lilies in memory or in dedication to someone, an order form including prices is available at the back table. This is the last Sunday that the order form will be available. You can give Gregory Sager your order form, or email it to the church office at office@ravenscov.org. The lilies will be displayed at the front of the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. You will then be responsible for picking up your lily or lilies after the service and taking them home.
Lunch Bunch gathering
The Lunch Bunch will meet next Wednesday, March 11, at 11:30 am in the fellowship hall. Bring your own lunch. All women of the church are invited. Bring a friend!
Spring choir season
The Ravenswood Covenant choir will return this spring, with the first rehearsal scheduled for next Sunday, March 15. The choir meets at 9:00 am on Sundays in the sanctuary to rehearse. All are welcome to join, regardless of experience or music-reading ability. For more information, please contact the church office or speak to our church’s organist, Cynthia Arden, who also serves as our choir director.
Andrea Feijoo memorial service
The memorial service for Andrea Feijoo, daughter of our missionaries Carlos & Karen Feijoo and a former attender of Ravenswood Covenant, will be held at Anthem Church, 3850 W. Montrose Ave., on Saturday, March 21 at 2 pm. Details about an RECC honorarium in her memory will be forthcoming.
Good Friday service
On Friday, April 3 we will hold a Good Friday service at 7:00 pm with our Spanish-speaking sister church Grace Covenant. Please mark your calendars for this service, as we will gather to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross.
Christian student seeks apartment
Sam Samana, a student who was worshipping at a Covenant church in the St. Louis area while attending college and has now moved to Chicago to do an internship, is seeking an apartment on the North Side. If you know of any apartment availabilities, please contact Gregory in the church office.
Sunday School
Sunday School at Ravenswood Covenant meets every Sunday, starting at 10:00 am, except during the holiday season. We encourage everyone to bring their children to Sunday School to learn about the Bible so that they can grow in faith and knowledge of God. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)
Faith Forum
Faith Forum, the adult Christian education class that meets during the Sunday School hour (starting at 10:00 am) during the school year, is now in session. Plan to join us each Sunday as we learn and grow in our faith as a community of believers.
Confirmation
Confirmation Sunday for our three students will take place on Sunday, May 10.
Registering for 2026 summer camps
Registration for the 2026 summer camping season of both of the Central Conference’s Bible camps, Covenant Harbor and Covenant Point, is underway. For more information, go to https://covenantharbor.org/ and https://www.cpbc.com/ .
Scripture for next Sunday
John 18:28-32
John 18:33-40
If you enjoy reading scripture out loud, please sign up to read scripture in worship. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the back of the sanctuary, or you can talk with Pastor Ryan or Gregory Sager.
RECC weekly newsletter
Ravenswood Covenant has a weekly newsletter that keeps you informed of all of the church’s ongoing and upcoming events and programs, as well as the church’s prayer list, calendar, giving information, and updates about Covenant Harbor and Covenant Point. If you would like to be added to the email list for the newsletter, please speak to Gregory Sager or call the church office.
Parking spaces available
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.
Thursday evening Bible study
The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm. We are currently studying the Gospel of Luke, to be followed by its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. 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.
* Cynthia Arden
* Nikolas Arden
* the Binag family
* Messian Burgos
* Shirley Deliberto
* Veronica Clarke
* Frank Coszach
* Vira Coszach
* the Feijoo family
* Sandra Gooden
* Art Hamilton
* Trevor Hanks
* Esther Laraya
* Mary McKirchy
* Maria Paulette
* Tatiana Randall
* Kris Sahlberg
* Mary Smith
* Phillip Stenberg
* Dorinne Tamras
* Lauren Vilardo
* Eric Warren
* Lydia Warrens
* the Westlind family
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.