Sunday, May 17, 2026

Sunday, May 17, 2026
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.

THE BOOK OF ACTS

Acts 19:6-7
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied; altogether there were about twelve of them.

Leader: light print / People: bold print / * Please stand as you are able.

GATHERING MUSIC
Hymn medley
led by Erin

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 139:7-10 and 6
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me! Amen.

PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Come Holy Spirit, Come! Fill this place with the Father’s grace. Come Holy Spirit, Come! Fill this place with Christ’s love. Come Holy Spirit, Come! Fill this place with Your presence and power. Come Father, Son, and Spirit into our worship this morning. Amen.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright”
hymnal #105               

GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Acts 18:18-28
read by Rod Kutz

After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer, he declined, but on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos from Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)”
Brenton Brown / Paul Baloche © 2005, 2006 Thankyou Music Ltd; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Leadworship Songs

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Children are invited to the front.

After the message, children may go to children’s church in the back room. A parent from the church teaches.

MESSAGE
Acts 19:1-10
Welcoming the Spirit
Pastor Ryan

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
hymnal #283

TESTIMONY BY LINDA CARLSON

GOD HELP US
Prayer

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
Andante
C.W. Gluck
led by Erin

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
“Send Me” 
Brandon Lake / Jenn Johnson / Kari Jobe © 2020 Brandon Lake Music; Brian and Jenn Publishing; Maverick City Publishing Worldwide; Kari Jobe Carnes Music; Worship Together Music; Bethel Music Publishing

THE LAST GOOD WORD   
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
“To God Be the Glory”
W.H. Doane               
led by Erin

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.

Upcoming move to summer worship schedule
Next Sunday, May 24, we transition to our summer worship schedule. Next Sunday’s worship hour will begin at 10:00 am, and the summer schedule will continue through Labor Day weekend (Sunday, September 6), with a return to 11:00 am worship the following Sunday.

Today is thus the final Sunday for Sunday School and Faith Forum until next fall.

2026 graduates
Are you graduating this spring, or is someone in your family graduating? We want to compile a list of all of our graduates, from elementary school through graduate school, so that we can recognize and honor them. Please contact Gregory Sager or call the church office to give us the name of your graduate and the school from which she or he is graduating.

Prayer and blessing night for singles
Looking for a place to connect, be encouraged, and grow in faith? Join us for a special evening of worship, fellowship, and sharing God’s blessings together!

* We meet every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month
* Open to singles of all ages
* Enjoy worship, meaningful connection, and encouragement
* Light dinner will be served

Come as you are, and let’s grow together in faith and community!

Please RSVP by Thursday noon with the church office at 773-784-7091 or office@ravenswoodcov.org.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Congregational business meeting
A congregational business meeting will be held at church on Sunday, May 31 following the 10:00 am worship service. Last year’s reports will be distributed, elections will be held, and we may possibly vote on new members as well. Please make a note to attend this important meeting of our congregation.



Farmers market help needed
Another season of the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market begins on Wednesday, June 3. The market will run in the church parking lot from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm every Wednesday thru October.

This season we are invited to participate in the newness of the movement of the Spirit! New relationships. New bounce house. New community art projects.

Join us in this mission and ministry by signing up to:

· Be a prayer partner
· Help facilitate an activity
· Show up and be present
· Set up or clean up
· Contribute to our needs list

Sign-up sheets and a needs list are available today! Questions? Please see Bekah Carlson or Leslie Hodgkinson.



RECC church directory
It has been quite some time since Ravenswood Covenant produced a church directory, and the church’s Leadership Team would like to create a new one to aid our attendees with getting to know each other and being able to contact each other. You can help us out by scanning the QR code above or by clicking on this Google Forms link: https://forms.gle/GD7ZeLUCamXxAjV76 . Thanks for participating!

Christian student seeks apartment
Sam Samana, a student who worships with us as he does a graduate internship in Chicago, is seeking an apartment on the North Side. If you know of any apartment availabilities, please contact Gregory in the church office.

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
Acts 2:1-13
Acts 2:38-47

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
* Ron Koehn
* 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.