Sunday, April 26, 2026
Sunday, April 26th
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.
THE BOOK OF ACTS
Acts 16:29-31
The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
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
John 8:31-32, 36
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Yahweh, You liberated Your people from slavery in Egypt and captivity in Babylon. Jesus, You set free the oppressed and proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor. Holy Spirit, You liberated Paul and Silas from prison and the Philippians from sin and shame. Father, Son, and Spirit, lead us to freedom in Your name. Amen.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
hymnal #261
GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Acts 16:16-24
read by Eric Hillabrant
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a female slave who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Raise a Hallelujah”
Jake Stevens / Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helser / Molly Skaggs © 2018 Quiltmaker Music; Bethel Music 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
Acts 16:25-34
Get Free
Pastor Ryan
SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
“Out of My Bondage, Sorrow, and Night”
hymnal #330
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
“Be Thou My Vision”
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
“Praise You Anywhere”
Ben Fielding / Brandon Lake / Hank Bentley / Jacob Sooter
© 2023 Capitol CMG Paragon; Songs By That Dog Will Hunt; Ben Fielding Publishing; Brandon Lake Music; Just When Publishing; So Essential Tune
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 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.
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.
Prayer and blessing night
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!
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.
Farmers market help needed
Another season of the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market begins on Wednesday, June 3. 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!
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.
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 17:16-21
Acts 17:22-31
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.