Sunday, April 12, 2026
Sunday, April 12th
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Second Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.
GOSPEL OF JOHN: GOD’S OWN SON
John 20:27-28
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it in My side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Leader: light print / People: bold print / * Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING MUSIC
“Low in the Grave He Lay”
led by Leslie 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
Friends in Christ: The good news of Easter cannot be contained in one day. The Lord is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Easter is a season of resurrection. Fifty days to celebrateand explore the good news: The Lord is risen!
He is risen indeed!
This is the day the Lord has made:
We rejoice and are glad in it!
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
“Low in the Grave He Lay” (chorus only)
hymnal #245
Up from the grave He arose!
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose.
PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Living Lord, as You stood among your disciples, come to us this morning in Your risen power. Breathe Your Holy Spirit into our hearts. Make us glad to celebrate and worship You. Glory be to You, O God! Glory be to You, O Christ! Glory be to You, O Holy Spirit! One God forevermore. Amen.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen”
hymnal #3 (tune only)
Dan Goeller © 1998 Curb Word Music / David N. Johnson © 1968 Augsburg Fortress
GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
read by Rod Kutz
Now I want you to understand, brothers and sisters, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “This I Believe (The Creed)”
Ben Fielding / Matt Crocker © 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing (admin. by Capital CMG Publishing)
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 20:24-29
My Lord and My God
Pastor Ryan
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
“My Jesus, I Love Thee”
A.J. Gordon
led by Cynthia and Leslie
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
* “He is Lord”
Marvin V. Frey
THE LAST GOOD WORD
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Gravé in G
J.S. Bach
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.
All-Church Resurrection Art Project
What does the world look like because Jesus is alive? Today, following worship, you are invited to join an all-church art project that answers the above question. Downstairs during coffee hour there will be a place for you to create art . . . a picture, a word, a poem, a song . . . that tells us how you see the world in which Jesus lives.
Church Cleaning Day
On Saturday, April 25 we will hold a Church Cleaning Day starting at 9:00 am so that we can give the building a much-needed cleaning. Lunch will be served afterward. Any block of time that morning that you can give us to assist in the task would be greatly appreciated.
New Members class
A New Members class will be held at church on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 am to noon. Lunch will be served. If you are interested in membership in Ravenswood Covenant Church, or if you would simply like to learn more about us, please speak to Pastor Ryan about signing up for the class.
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 was worshipping at a Covenant church in the St. Louis area while attending college and has 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.
Covenant Home Altar available
The spring issue of the Covenant Home Altar, our denomination’s daily devotional, is available at the back table. Pick up a free copy and let it be a blessing to your prayer life.
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
Acts 15:1-11
Acts 15:12-21
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.