Sunday, May 3, 2026

Sunday, May 3, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.

THE BOOK OF ACTS

Acts 17:5-6
While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers and sisters before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also.”

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
Psalm 98:1-4
O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have gotten him victory.
The Lord has made known His victory; He has revealed His vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 

PRAYER SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE
Lord God Almighty, You are holy! Jesus Christ, the Messiah, You are holy! Spirit of God, You are holy. Father, Son, and Spirit we sing Your praises because You are holy! Amen.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”
hymnal #113                 

GOD, WE’RE LISTENING
Acts 14:1-7             
read by Francisco Bartolon

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. But the residents of the city were divided: some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region, and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

SINGING OUR LOVE TO GOD
* “Build My Life”
Brett Younker / Karl Martin / Kirby Kaple / Matt Redman / Pat Barrett© 2016 Kaple Music; Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Said And Done Music; sixsteps Music; Thankyou Music Ltd; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Martin, Karl Andrew; 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 17:1-9
Upside-Down World
Pastor Ryan

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
“This Joyful Eastertide”          
hymnal #250

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
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
J. Wyeth
led by Leah, Dana, 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

You do not need to be a member of Ravenswood Covenant Church to participate in Holy Communion.
All that is required is personal faith in Jesus Christ.

SINGING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD
“Jesus Firm Foundation” 
Bryan Brown / Jason Ingram / Tony Wood © 2012 worshiptogether.com songs; All Essential Music; Open Hands Music; So Essential Tunes; Songs From Exit 71

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.

Confirmation Sunday service and lunch
Next Sunday, May 10, as part of the worship service our three confirmands — Ella Brask, Bertie Del Angel, and Ryan Jackson — will be presented to the congregation, make their public faith witness, and participate in worship as we confirm them. After the service there will be a lunch downstairs in the fellowship hall. Please plan to join us for this important event in the lives of three of our young people and for celebration and fellowship afterwards.

Missions report in Faith Forum
Next Sunday, May 10, in Faith Forum Mark Westlind will report on the just-finished missions trip that he and Alice made to Argentina over the past several weeks. It promises to be an exciting and inspirational report! Faith Forum, RECC’s adult Sunday School class, meets every Sunday at 10:00 am in the upstairs lounge.

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 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!

Lunch Bunch gathering
The women of the church are invited to gather together for a bring-your-own lunch in the fellowship hall downstairs at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 13. Beverages will be provided. Colleen Carlson will present a talk on “Craziness”. All women are welcome. Bring a friend!

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 worships with us as he does a graduate internship in Chicago, 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)

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
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 2:1-11
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
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.