Sunday, July 26, 2026

Sunday, July 26, 2026
Tenth Sunday of Pentecost
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at 11:00 am.

PHILIPPIANS

Philippians 1:21
  For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

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

GATHERING MUSIC
“Lift High the Cross”
S.H. Nicholson
led by Andrew, 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
As we gather, we come together as people of the cross and resurrection.
We come as children of the Father
Reconciled by grace through the Son
And filled with God’s love through the Spirit.

PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Abba Father, we long for reconciliation and homecoming with You. Lord Jesus, we long for redemption and wholeness in You. Holy Spirit, we long for vitality and fruitfulness through You. Father, Son, and Spirit by Your grace bring us to completion in You. Amen.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
“Lift High the Cross”
hymnal #680

GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Jeremiah 10:11-22     
read by Rod Kutz

Thus shall you say to them: The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.

It is He who made the earth by his power,
    who established the world by His wisdom
    and by His understanding stretched out the heavens.
When He utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
    and He makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain
    and brings out the wind from His storehouses.
Everyone is stupid and without knowledge;
    goldsmiths are all put to shame by their idols,
for their images are false,
    and there is no breath in them.
They are worthless, a work of delusion;
    at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
The portion of Jacob is not like these,
    for He is the one who formed all things,
and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;
    the Lord of hosts is His name.

Gather up your bundle from the ground,
    O you who live under siege!
For thus says the Lord:
I am going to sling out the inhabitants of the land
    at this time,
and I will bring distress on them,
    so that they shall feel it.

Woe is me because of my hurt!
    My wound is severe.
But I said, “Truly this is my punishment,
    and I must bear it.”
My tent is destroyed,
    and all my cords are broken;
my children have gone from me,
    and they are no more;
there is no one to spread my tent again
    and to set up my curtains.
For the shepherds are stupid
    and do not inquire of the Lord;
therefore they have not prospered,
    and all their flock is scattered.

Hear, a noise! Listen, it is coming —
    a great commotion from the land of the north
to make the cities of Judah a desolation,
    a lair of jackals.

Luke 9:21-26
read by Rod Kutz

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then He said to them all, “If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of Me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “The Wonderful Cross”
Chris Tomlin / Isaac Watts / J. D. Walt / Jesse Reeves / Lowell Mason © 2000 Rising Springs Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs

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 1:20-30
The Unstoppable Gospel
Pastor Ryan

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
* “The Old Rugged Cross”
hymnal #235

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, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts”
Henry Baker
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
* “Wood and Nails”
Isaac Wardell / Keith Watts / Madison Cunningham © Hymns From The Porter’s Gate (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

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

MUSIC ENDS OUR COMMUNAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Fantasia 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.

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. Today is our second Cooler Sunday of 2026. We hope you’ll join us after today’s service!

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
We were finally blessed with a perfect summer afternoon and evening this past Wednesday, and the farmers market turnout was great! There were 916 adult visitors to the market who came by to shop and/or to buy their dinner from one of our ready-to-eat food vendors, and we were able to enjoy the blessing of being the meeting place for many, many families from our neighborhood who stayed for hours in our parking lot as their children enjoyed the activities.

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 17:1-4
Philippians 2:1-11

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.