Sunday, April 19, 2026
Sunday, April 19th
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Third 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
Acts 15:13-15
After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the gentiles, to take from among them a people for His name. This agrees with the words of the prophets.”
Leader: light print / People: bold print / * Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING MUSIC
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!”
led by Leah 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 118:1,14-17
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His steadfast love endures forever!
The Lord is my strength and my might;
He has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die, but I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Alleluia! God the Father is both loving and good!
Alleluia! Jesus Christ has conquered the grave!
Alleluia! God’s Spirit is moving in the world today!
Alleluia to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Amen.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!”
hymnal #255
GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Acts 15:1-11
read by Gregory Sager
Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”
The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and in cleansing their hearts by faith He has made no distinction between them and us. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Oh How Good It Is (Psalm 133)”
Keith Getty / Kristyn Getty / Ross Holmes / Stuart Townend © 2012 Getty Music Publishing; Parakeet Boots Music; Townend Songs
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
Acts 15:12-21
Unity out of Diversity
Pastor Ryan
SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
Peter Scholtes © Words: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation; Music: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation
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
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
arr. Ken Medema
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
“Christ is Alive!”
hymnal #259
THE LAST GOOD WORD
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Moderato Terth Toni
F.X.A. Murschhauser
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.
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.
Congregational business meeting
A congregational business meeting will be held at church on Sunday, May 31 following the 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.
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 16:16-24
Acts 16:25-34
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.