Sunday, February 9, 2025

Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am,
or on YouTube at noon.

PRELUDE
led by Dana

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 119:105-107
Leader: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
People: I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to Your word.

PRAYER
Almighty God, You protect the widows, the orphans, and the foreigners. Lord Jesus, You welcome the sick, the sinners, and the saints. Holy Spirit, You seek out the lost, the lonely, and the abandoned. Father, Son, and Spirit, send us out to love the people under Your care. Amen. 

* COME, CELEBRATE THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Come, celebrate the presence of the Lord
Whose Holy Spirit draws us all together.
One faith, one Lord,
Our hope has been restored
As gifts of love upon us have been poured.
Come, celebrate the presence of the Lord.

Come, celebrate the goodness of the Lord
Whose strong and loving arms are put around us.
Held in God’s care
Who hears our ev’ry prayer
And lifts us up to glory from despair.
Come, celebrate the presence of the Lord.

Come, celebrate the mercy of the Lord
Whose everlasting covenant is given.
Sin quarantined,
But God has intervened,
In Jesus’ name we now have been redeemed.
Come, celebrate the presence of the Lord. Come, celebrate the glory of the Lord
Whose kingdom is beyond our understanding.
Witness the show’r
Of blessing and of pow’r,
For God is present with us in this hour.
Come, celebrate the presence of the Lord.

hymnal #512

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Jim Anderson
Ruth 1

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. ² The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. ³ But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

⁶ Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered His people and given them food. ⁷ So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. ⁸ But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. ⁹ The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. ¹⁰ They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” ¹¹ But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? ¹² Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, ¹³ would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” ¹⁴ Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

¹⁵ So she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” ¹⁶ But Ruth said,

“Do not press me to leave you,
    to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
    where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people
    and your God my God.
¹⁷ Where you die, I will die,
    and there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus to me,
    and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!”

¹⁸ When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

¹⁹ So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” ²⁰ She said to them,

“Call me no longer Naomi;
    call me Mara,
    for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.
²¹ I went away full,
    but the Lord has brought me back empty;
why call me Naomi
    when the Lord has dealt harshly with me
    and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”²² So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Jim Anderson
Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His ancestor David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”³⁵ The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God. ³⁶ And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

* ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME
All the way my Savior leads me –
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me –
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

hymnal #402

CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Boaz Johnson

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
The Marys of the Bible: Recreation Models of Mentoring and Community in the Book of Ruth
Boaz Johnson

* I WILL FOLLOW
Where You go, I’ll go
Where You stay, I’ll stay
When You move, I’ll move
I will follow
Oh oh oh

All Your ways are good
All Your ways are sure
I will trust in You alone
Higher than my sight
High above my life
I will trust in You alone

chorus
Where You go, I’ll go
Where You stay, I’ll stay
When You move, I’ll move
I will follow You
Whom You love, I’ll love
How You serve, I’ll serve
If this life I lose
I will follow (You)

Yeah, I will follow You, yeah

Light into the world
Light into my life
I will live for You alone
You’re the One I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in You alone
In You alone

chorus

bridge
In You there’s life everlasting
In You there’s freedom for my soul
In You there’s joy, unending joy
And I will follow

ending
Yeah, I will follow You, yeah
I will follow You, yeah
I will follow You, yeah

Chris Tomln/Jason Ingram/Reuben Morgan © 2010 Rising Springs Music; SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Spirit Nashville Three; So Essential Tunes; Spirit Nashville Three

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: the Anderson family; Nikolas Arden; the Binag family; Messian Burgos; Cathy Cassidy; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Pastor Ryan; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Mary McKirchy; Maria Paulette; Brianna Randall; Mary Smith; Dorinne Tamras; Lauren Vilardo; Lydia Warrens; and the Westlind family

Ministries & Mission
Hydi & Jim Peterson, serving in Japan
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
French Melody
led by Leah and 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.

* LET US BE KNOWN BY OUR LOVE
Que la alegría sea nuestro motor
En cada hogar y corazón canta al Señor.
Que de nuestras vidas; bondad y esperanza.
Que la alegría sea nuestro motor!

Por la gloria del Padre,
Por la gloria de Jesus,
Por la gloria del Espiritu,
Que la alegría sea nuestro amor!

Let us be known by our love:
Let ev’ry word and ev’ry deed honor the Son.
Let our light shine in ev’ry eye.
Let us be known by our love!

For the glory of the Father,
For the glory of the Son,
For the glory of the Spirit,
Let us be known by our love!

© 2015 Curb Wordspring Music/SESAC (adm by W.B.M. Music Corp.), Bethel Worship Publishing/Mouth Of The River Music/ BMI (adm by Bethel Music Publishing), Common Hymnal Publishing/10000 Fathers/ ASCAP, Common Hymnal Digital/Ryan Flanigan Music/BMI (adm by Capitol CMG Publishing) Songbook design/transcriptions by Owen Stroud (owen@owenstroudmusic.com)

BENEDICTION   
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE
Andante
Gustav Merkel
led by Cynthia
please remain seated during the postlude

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. We’re asking everyone to return to our old practice of wearing nametags on Sunday morning. Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.

Pastor Ryan’s surgery
Please pray for Pastor Ryan, as he had knee surgery this past Tuesday. Pastor Ryan is taking time off work to recover at home until Tuesday, February 18. If you have any concerns that require pastoral care during his convalescence, please call the church office and we will provide care.

Sunday School
Sunday School meets at 10:00 am every Sunday, and all parents are encouraged to bring their children here to learn more about God and the Christian faith.

Furniture needed
Carla, a former attender of Ravenswood Covenant and participant as both a helper and a vendor in the farmers market, is emerging from a time spent in shelter care as a victim of domestic violence. She is now enrolled in school, and she and her daughter have moved into a new apartment in our neighborhood. They are interested in reconnecting to our church. They do, however, have some material needs in terms of a lack of furniture. If you or someone you know has spare items that you or they can donate, please contact Gregory in the church office, or you can call Carla directly at 773-618-6836. She and her daughter need:

* mattress and full-size bed frame for Carla
* mattress and twin-size bed frame for her daughter
* small kitchen table
* small couch
* desk for her daughter to do her homework
* desk lamp

Thanks!

Ravenswood Community Winter Market
Come visit Ravenswood’s new off-season indoor market, called Ravenswood Community Winter Market. It’s held at All Saints Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 1757 W. Wilson Ave., on Saturdays from 10:00 am to  2:00 pm! Our favorite farmer, John Patyk, will be there with fresh eggs, mushrooms, and meats! Nena’s Sweet Treats have macarons and fresh baked sourdough bread. Pride Coffee Roasters will he have fresh roasted coffee. Hilary’s Cookies will have cookies, English-style scones, cakes, and savory pies. The full vendor list includes: Monarch Beauty Farm, Lincoln Ice Cream Company (Hot Cocoa Bombs), DFG Designs & The Alchemy Kitchen, Cathie’s K9 Treats, EE Mercantile Co, Nonie’s Bees, Tamales Express, Gather Good Food, and a few more to come!

Live music by Bryan Harrell and a special kids table run by Ravenswood Covenant Church!

Covenant Home Altar
The winter issue of the Covenant Home Altar, a daily prayer journal published by our denomination and written by Covenanters from across the country, is available for free in the narthex.

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. Our teacher for February is Boaz Johnson.

Treats and coffee are provided each week. Join us in the upstairs lounge every Sunday in Faith Forum!

Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert
The Lake County Symphony Orchestra, featuring our own Cynthia Arden, along with the Northern Illinois University Choirs and Cor Cantiamo, will present Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as part of the LCSO’s “Timeless Masters” series next Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 pm at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake. For more information, go to https://www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com/ .

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 seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day in the worship service for the winter months. If you are willing to be a scripture reader this winter, 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.

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 recently begun a study of 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.

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

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.”

Scripture for next Sunday
Ruth 2:1-10; 4:1-10
Luke 1:46-56

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.