Sunday, July 19, 2026

Sunday, July 19, 2026
Ninth Sunday of Pentecost
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at 11:00 am.

PHILIPPIANS

Philippians 1:18b-19
  I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my salvation.

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

GATHERING MUSIC
“Jesus, O Joy of Loving Hearts”
Henry Baker
led by Erin 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 126:1-6
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
Shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice! Rejoice that God the Father has given us another day of life. Rejoice that Jesus has saved us from our sins. Rejoice that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice! Amen.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
“Jesus, O Joy of Loving Hearts”
hymnal #493

GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Jeremiah 10:1-10     
read by Colleen Carlson

Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:

Do not learn the way of the nations
    or be dismayed at the signs of the heavens,
    for the nations are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the peoples are false:
a tree from the forest is cut down
    and worked with an ax by the hands of an artisan;
they deck it with silver and gold;
    they fasten it with hammers and nails
    so that it cannot move.
Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
    and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried,
    for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them,
    for they cannot do evil,
    nor is it in them to do good.

There is none like You, O Lord;
    You are great, and Your name is great in might.
Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
    For that is Your due;
among all the wise ones of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms
    there is no one like You.
They are both stupid and foolish;
    the instruction given by idols
    is no better than wood!
Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish
    and gold from Uphaz.
They are the work of the artisan and of the hands of the goldsmith;
    their clothing is blue and purple;
    they are all the product of skilled workers.
But the Lord is the true God;
    He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth quakes,
    and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

Acts 16:25-39
read by Colleen Carlson

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 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.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison, and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Cornerstone”
Edward Mote / Eric Liljero / Jonas Myrin / Reuben Morgan / William Batchelder Bradbury © 2011 Hillsong MP Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hillsong Music Publishing UK (Admin. by Capitol CMG 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 1:12-19
Letter from Prison
Pastor Ryan

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “Blessed Be Your Name”
Matt Redman © 2002 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music

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
Prelude in C
J.S. Bach
led by 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
* “You Shall Go Out with Joy”
hymnal #663

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

MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Ludwig van Beethoven  
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.

Cooler Sunday
During the three summer months, on the fourth Sunday of the month, Ravenswood Covenant hosts what we call “Cooler Sunday” during coffee hour. Folks from the church will grill hamburgers and hot dogs outside, and the church will provide drinks as well, while the rest of the congregation is asked to bring sides and desserts to pass. Our second Cooler Sunday of 2026 takes place next week, on July 26. We hope you’ll take part!

Covenant Home Altar available
The summer issue of the Covenant Home Altar, our denomination’s daily devotional, is available in the narthex. Pick up a free copy and let it be a blessing to your prayer life.

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
It was another modestly-attended farmers market on Wednesday, as again the oppressive heat (combined this time with an unhealthy air alert in Chicago caused as per usual by Canadian wildfires) kept foot traffic down. In fact, we decided to forego setting up the bounce house and set up sprinklers instead so that children could enjoy a water day at the farmers market. Our tally for the day was 470 adult visitors, which actually could’ve been worse. But the neighborhood children certainly enjoyed the opportunity to splash around on a hot day!

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!

Scripture for next Sunday
Jeremiah 10:11-22
Philippians 1:20-30

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
Our Thursday night Bible study just began our look at the Acts of the Apostles. The Bible study meets in the upstairs lounge at 7:00 pm. For more information, 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
* Sandra Gooden
* Rosa Hamilton
* Trevor Hanks
* Ron Koehn
* Esther Laraya
* Mary McKirchy
* Maria Paulette
* Heidi Perioli
* Brianna Randall
* 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.