Sunday, June 21, 2026
Sunday, June 21st
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Pentecost
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at 11:00 am.
EPHESIANS: IN CHRIST ALONE
Ephesians 4:1-3
Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity!
It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down Aaron’s head and beard; and going down to the collar of his garments.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing and ordains eternal life.
PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Almighty God, we enter into Your presence, knowing that in Christ alone do we live and move and find our being. We come to worship praying that Your Church may be one. Teach us to accept humbly that this unity is a gift of Your Spirit; through this gift, change and transform us and make us more like Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
“We Are God’s People”
hymnal #600
GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Isaiah 51:1-8
read by Gregory Sager
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
you who seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah, who bore you,
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.
For the Lord will comfort Zion;
He will comfort all her waste places
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Listen to Me, my people,
and give heed to Me, My nation,
for a teaching will go out from Me
and My justice for a light to the peoples.
I will bring near My deliverance swiftly;
My salvation has gone out,
and My arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for Me,
and for My arm they hope.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens
and look at the earth beneath,
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and those who live on it will die like gnats,
but My salvation will be forever,
and My deliverance will never be ended.
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
you people who have My teaching in your hearts;
do not fear the reproach of others,
and do not be dismayed when they revile you.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool,
but My deliverance will be forever
and My salvation to all generations.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “One Generation (Psalm 145)”
Greg Scheer © 2006 Faith Alive Christian Resources
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Children are invited to the front.
After the message, children may go to children may go to the gym. A parent from the church supervises.
MESSAGE
Ephesians 4:1-16
Heeding the Call to Unity
Jamie Sladkey Meehan
SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “We Are One in the Spirit”
Peter Scholtes (Words: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company, admin. by Lorenz Corporation. Music: 1966 F.E.L. Publications)
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
“In Christ Alone”
Getty / Townend
led by Andrew and Cynthia
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
* “Let Us Be Known by Our Love”
Matt Armstrong / Micah Massey / Nate Moore / Ryan Flanigan © 2015 Bethel Worship 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
“God of Our Fathers”
George W. Warren
led by Cynthia
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.
Cooler Sunday
During the three summer months, on the fourth Sunday of the month, Ravenswood Covenant hosts what we call “Cooler Sunday” during coffee hour. Folks from the church will grill hamburgers and hot dogs outside, and the church will provide drinks as well, while the rest of the congregation is asked to bring sides and desserts to pass. Our first Cooler Sunday of 2026 takes place next week, on June 28. We hope you’ll take part!
Celebrate America 250!
A once in history moment! America’s 250th birthday — with food, drink, and amazing orchestral patriotic music, held at the Ten Hotel in Gurnee. There will be a color guard from Naval Station Great Lakes and celebratory brass during cocktails. The concert will feature a 45-piece professional symphony orchestra, including our own Cynthia Arden. Only the best for this grand celebration!
Make reservations now — ticket information can be found at https://revivomusic.com/event/america-250/ . The celebration will be done at 8:00 pm, allowing guests to get to fireworks starting at 9:30 everywhere! There is free admission for the concert portion for kids 12 and under.
Covenant Home Altar available
The summer issue of the Covenant Home Altar, our denomination’s daily devotional, is available in the narthex. Pick up a free copy and let it be a blessing to your prayer life.
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!
Farmers market help needed
Unfortunately, for the second week in a row we had heavy rain that played havoc with Wednesday’s farmers market, causing minimal foot traffic from visitors and an early exit by most of the vendors. We did manage to inflate the bounce house at
5:00 pm and ran the art tent, but it was definitely more of a neighborhood kids activity day than an actual functioning market. Sometimes that’s just the way it is when you host an outdoor farmers market. As we’ve seen for two straight weeks now, we are at the mercy of Chicago weather! 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!
Scripture for next Sunday
Isaiah 9:2-7
Ephesians 5:8-20
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
Our Thursday night Bible study just began our look at the Acts of the Apostles. The Bible study meets in the upstairs lounge at 7:00 pm. For more information, 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
* Sandra Gooden
* Art Hamilton
* Trevor Hanks
* Ron Koehn
* Esther Laraya
* Mary McKirchy
* Maria Paulette
* Heidi Perioli
* Brianna Randall
* Kris Sahlberg
* Mary Smith
* Dorinne Tamras
* Lauren Vilardo
* Eric Warren
* Lydia Warrens
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.