Sunday, August 30, 2026

Sunday, August 30, 2026
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at 11:00 am.

PHILIPPIANS

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

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

GATHERING MUSIC
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Ludwig van Beethoven
led by Erin, Andrew, and Cynthia

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 4:1, 6-8
Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Almighty God, You are the One whom the Hebrews called Yahweh Shalom: God is our Peace. Lord Jesus, You are the One whom Isaiah called the Prince of Peace. Holy Spirit, You are the One whom Jesus called the “Comforter.” Father, Son, and Spirit lead us and the whole world into Your heavenly peace. Amen.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
hymnal #11

GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Jeremiah 31:1-6    
read by Elliot and Jim Anderson

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.
Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
    found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
    the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
    O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with your tambourines
    and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
    on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
    and shall enjoy the fruit.
For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
    in the hill country of Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.”

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Goodness of God”
Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Ed Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson © 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon; SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes; Bethel Music Publishing

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
Philippians 4:4-9
Practicing Peace
Pastor Ryan

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “Be Still My Soul: the Lord Is on Your Side!”
hymnal #455

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
“God Is So Good” / “Worthy, You Are Worthy”
Paul Makai; Don Moen
led by Erin 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
* “God Is So Good (You Are Worthy)”
Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett © 2017 Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Vamos Publishing; Go Forth Sounds; Duetti Anthems

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

MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
led by Erin, Andrew, and 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.

Year-Round 10:00 AM Sunday Worship
The Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant has decided to move the Sunday worship schedule permanently to
10:00 am on a year-round basis. This means that there will not be the usual change back to an 11:00 am worship schedule for the school year starting at Labor Day weekend. Instead, Sunday morning worship at Ravenswood Covenant will remain at the 10:00 am hour throughout the upcoming school year. Sunday School and Faith Forum will now begin at 9:00 am when they return in September.

Staff Changes
Earlier this year the Leadership Team began discussions with Gregory Sager about our current financial position and the potential need to eliminate the paid position of church administrator. In June, considering our continued financial challenges, the Leadership Team made the decision to end the position in August. Gregory’s last day as church administrator was this past Friday.

Gregory has been a member of Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church for many years. We are grateful for his many contributions to our congregational life. Gregory will continue to serve as a lay leader as he leads the Thursday evening Bible study and serves as our usher on Sunday mornings.

We will have a formal recognition of his service and offer the congregation’s thanks to Gregory with a coffee hour in his honor on Sunday, September 20, 2026 after the worship service. Please take time today to say thank you to Gregory for his nine years of service as our church administrator.

Giving to date
Year to date income (tithe & outside groups): $107,818
Year to date expense: $148,170
Year to date deficit: ($40,352)

Actual average monthly tithe year-to-date: $10,915
Monthly tithe budgeted for 2026: $12,500
At current giving rates we are roughly $20,000 behind our 2026 tithe goal.

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
We had the best weather day of the summer on Wednesday for the farmers market, and in response 749 adult visitors turned up in our parking lot to buy and browse. The neighborhood children once again had a fantastic time at the bounce house, the art tent, and the science table.

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

Bekah Carlson requests that you save your cardboard toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls and bring them to the church for a project she’s planning to provide for the children at the market at the end of September. A box will be available outside the church office to collect them.



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
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Philippians 4:4-9

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.

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 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 is currently examining the Acts of the Apostles. The Bible study meets in the upstairs lounge at 7:00 pm. For more information, contact Gregory Sager at (773) 396-6175 or gregorysager121@gmail.com. Please note that the Bible study will not meet this coming Thursday, September 3..

* Cynthia Arden
* Nikolas Arden
* Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson
* the Binag family
* Messian Burgos
* Shirley Deliberto
* Veronica Clarke
* Frank Coszach
* Vira Coszach
* Sandra Gooden
* Rosa Hamilton
* Trevor Hanks
* Ron Koehn
* Esther Laraya
* Mary McKirchy
* Maria Paulette
* Heidi Perioli
* Brianna Randall
* Mark Safstrom
* 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.