Sunday, June 1, 2025

Sunday, June 1st

Sunday, June 1, 2025
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.


PRELUDE
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
led by Leslie and Cynthia

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
based on Psalm 78: 1-4
Leader: People of God, open your ears! Come and celebrate the story of our God,
People: A story of compassion and mercy, of redemption and love; a story passed down from generation to generation, so that God’s people never forget the wonderful things our God has done!

PRAYER
Life-giving God, we gather in Your presence to offer You thanksgiving and praise for all that You have done for us.
Jesus Christ, through your life, death and resurrection we have been set free to love You with all our heart and soul and strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor.
Holy Spirit inspire our praise and our prayers, opening our lives to your presence.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to You belongs all praise and honor and glory and blessing,  Amen.

* REVELATION SONG
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Holy holy is He
Sing a new song to Him Who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

chorus
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of kings
You are my ev’rything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory
And power be to You the only wise King

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath, and living
  water
Such a marv’lous mystery, yeah

Jennie Lee Riddle © 2004 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
(verses 1, 3, and 4)
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful flesh Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Covenant Hymnal, #113

EPISTLE LESSON: Mary Spriggs
Galatians 2:11-21

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood self-condemned, 12 for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the gentiles to live like Jews?”

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not gentile sinners, 16 yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

EPISTLE LESSON: Mary Spriggs
Acts 9:19b-25

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

23 After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Pastor Ryan

Children 6 and under are dismissed to Children’s Church in the upstairs lounge. Parents can pick up their children in the lounge after the service.

REFLECTING ON THE WORD
Acts 9:32-43
Deer Mother
Pastor Ryan

* PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

refrain
Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, lin­ger near,
When my life is al­most gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

refrain

When the dark­ness ap­pears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the riv­er I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

refrain

Covenant Hymnal, #413

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: We continue to pray for: the Anderson family; Cynthia Arden; Nikolas Arden; the Binag family; Messian Burgos; Shirley Deliberto; Frank Coszach; Vira Coszach; Art & Rosa Hamilton; Trevor Hanks; Lidija Jagustin; Mary McKirchy; Maria Paulette; Mary Smith; Mary Spriggs; Dorinne Tamras; Lauren Vilardo; and Lydia Warrens

Ministries & Mission
Max & Ali McClure, serving in the Czech Republic;
Carlos & Karen Feijoo, serving in Ecuador

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.

GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@ravenscov.org

OFFERTORY
Prelude in C
J.S. Bach
led by Cynthia

* DOXOLOGY & PRAYER
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.

CALL TO COMMUNION
It is now our sacred privilege to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All who humbly put their trust in Christ and desire His help that they may lead a holy life; all who are truly sorry for their sins and would be delivered from them; all who would walk in love with their neighbors and intend to live a new life, following the commandments of God and walking from now on in His holy ways, are invited to draw near with faith and to receive this holy sacrament.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! Many will come from east and west and from north and south and sit at table in the kingdom of God. This is the Lord’s Table. Our Savior invites those who trust Him to share the feast He has prepared. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with His disciples, He took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your name. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

UNISON PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
We do not presume to come to this, Your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in Your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Your table. But You are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the bread and drink the cup, that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are delivered by the apostle Paul: “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE IN ME
Let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Let the blind say, “I can see”
It’s what the Lord has done in me
(repeat)

chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
To the Lamb that was slain
Hosanna, hosanna
Jesus died and rose again

To the river I will wade
There my sins are washed away
From the heavens’ mercy streams
Of the Savior’s love for me

chorus
(repeat)

I will rise from waters deep
Into the saving arms of God
I will sing salvation songs
Jesus Christ has set me free

chorus
(repeat)

Let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Let the blind say, “I can see”
It’s what the Lord has done in me

Reuben Morgan. © 1998  Hillsong Publishing
(Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) CCLI#349090

* GO, MY CHILDREN
Go, My children, with My blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river,
I have made you Mine forever.
Go, My children, with My blessing, you are My own.

Go, My children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story,
Here you touched Him, saw His glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.

Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me;
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you;
Here His tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.

I, the Lord will bless and keep you, and give you peace;
I, the Lord will smile upon you, and give you peace;
I, the Lord will be your Father,
Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
Go, my children; I will keep you, and give you peace.

Covenant Hymnal, #676

THE LAST WORD   
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE
Third Mode Melody
Thomas Tallis
led by Cynthia

INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.

* Please stand as you are able.

Year to Date Revenue:  $87,323.26
Year to Date Expense:  $112,148.72
Year to Date Deficit: $24,825.46

Please wear a nametag
We’ve had a number of visitors and new attendees lately, and it’s very important that we not only welcome them warmly to our church but also let them attach a name to a face. Please wear a nametag and let visitors know who you are! Blank nametags and Sharpies are available in the narthex.

Summer worship schedule
We are now in our summer worship schedule, which means a 10:00 am worship hour. Sunday School and Faith Forum are now on summer hiatus. Sunday worship will return to the 11:00 am hour the Sunday after Labor Day.

Summer Book Club
You are invited to take part in the Summer Book Club, led by Pastor Ryan, which will meet two Thursday evenings in each of the three summer months, at 7:00 pm in the upstairs lounge. The book is The Great De-churching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham. The Summer Book Club will meet on June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24, and August 7 and 21.

Books cost $17. Pastor Ryan has 10 copies available for purchase.

Scripture reader sign-up
We’re seeking people to read the scripture passages of the day in the worship service for the coming months. If you are willing to be a scripture reader this summer, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church office or in the narthex on Sundays, or contact Gregory Sager or Pastor Ryan. Feel free to sign up for more than one Sunday if you like.

Farmers market
We again had unseasonably cold weather this past Wednesday, although the weather was drier than it had been the previous Wednesday, which probably kept some folks from joining us at the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market. Nevertheless, 704 adult visitors visited our parking lot to shop at our vendor’s tents, grab a meal, and mingle with neighbors, and there were a great many children in attendance who enjoyed the bounce house and the art tent.

The market will run every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the church parking lot until the middle of October. The church not only hosts the market, it also operates the children’s activities that are a part of the market — and  this year we are also going to reinstate our greeting tent, so that our neighbors visiting the market can get to know the church that hosts it a little better. If you would like to help staff our activities — you are free to volunteer for as little or as much of the farmers market calendar as you see fit — please speak to Bekah Carlson or the church staff.

Farmers market supplies
The farmers market is off to a great start!  If you are looking for a way to help support the market, we have a need for supplies that we use quite a bit throughout the summer at the science table and at the art table, both of which the church runs for the children visiting the market. Please consider buying any of the following:

Paper Towels – Baby Wipes – Blue Dawn Dish Soap – Corn Starch – Baking Soda –
White Vinegar (1/2 to 1 gallon size)

We will continue to update this list throughout the season as our needs change.  Thank you for all your continued support and prayers.

Congregational business meeting
Ravenswood Covenant will hold a congregational meeting next Sunday, June 8, after worship. We will be voting upon candidates to serve on the Leadership Team and as our church’s Gather (Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church) delegates, and there are other important business items that need to be decided by the congregation. We hope to have Zoom access available for members who are unable to be present in person to attend and vote remotely. Please mark your calendar and plan ahead to attend this important meeting.

Covenant Harbor Sunday
Ravenswood Covenant has not held a Covenant Harbor Sunday since before COVID, and this is a tradition that we’d like to revive. On Sunday, June 29, Pastor Ryan will preach at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp’s worship service in Lake Geneva, WI, and the Ravenswood Covenant community is encouraged to attend. Plan to pack lunch, as we’ll eat at the camp’s waterfront picnic tables afterwards, and the waterfront will be open for swimming. The camp’s boathouse has been reserved for Ravenswood Covenant as well. Announcements regarding rides to Lake Geneva will be made as Covenant Harbor Sunday approaches. Worship will still be held at Ravenswood Covenant that Sunday for those who aren’t going up to Covenant Harbor.

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.

We have Zoom available for those who would like to take part in the Bible study but cannot be physically present. Here is the Zoom link for the Bible study.

Meeting ID: 839 2337 6849
Passcode: 318853

Pastor Ryan’s office hours
Pastor Ryan is in the office Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you would like to meet with Pastor Ryan, please call the church office in advance to schedule an appointment.

Coffee hour changes
There is now a coffee hour bulletin board downstairs in the fellowship hall! (It’s right next to the kids’ serving window.) Please look there for updated serving instructions as well as to find out what team you’re on. We’ve had some turnover, so we encourage you to sign up to join a serving team if you haven’t done so already. A self-sign-up will now be available on the board so that you can pick which Sundays work best for you. As always, thanks for serving!

Scripture for next Sunday
Acts 2:1-4
Galatians 4:1-7
Acts 2:22-25, 38-41

Art Used in this Bulletin: Steve Erspamer, SM
Clip Art for Year A © 1992, Archdiocese of Chicago.

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.