Sunday, May 25, 2025

Sunday, May 25th

Sunday, May 25, 2025
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 10:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.

PRELUDE
“How Great Thou Art”
led by Mary and Cynthia

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 67:1-5
Leader: May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make His face shine on us—
so that Your ways may be known on earth,
    Your salvation among all nations.
People: May the peoples praise You, God;
    may all the peoples praise You.
Leader: May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for You rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
People: May the peoples praise You, God;
    may all the peoples praise You.

UNISON PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank You for opening our eyes to your Light. Lord Jesus, thank You for opening our ears to Your Truth. Holy Spirit, thank You for opening our mouths with Your Grace. Father, Son, and Spirit, open our hearts to Your Good News today. Amen.

* HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works
Thy hands have made,
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout
The universe displayed:

refrain
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!

When thru the woods
And forest glades I wander
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze,

refrain

And when I think
That God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross,
My burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died
To take away my sin:

refrain

When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
“My God, how great Thou art.”

refrain

Covenant Hymnal, #8

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Bekah Carlson
Acts 9:1-9

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.

EPISTLE LESSON: Bekah Carlson
Galatians 1:11-17

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when the One who had set me apart before I was born and called me through His grace was pleased to reveal His Son to me, so that I might proclaim Him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus.

* MARVELOUS GRACE OF OUR LOVING LORD
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpour’d –-
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater -– yes, grace untold –-
Points to the refuge, the mighty Cross.

refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide —
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide —
Whiter than snow you may be today.

refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

refrain

Covenant Hymnal, #342

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 9:10-19
Double Vision
Pastor Ryan

* JUST AS I AM
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Covenant Hymnal, #331

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
Marta Klein, serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp

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
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
J.S. Bach
led by Mary and 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.

* CHRIST IS ALIVE!
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

Christ is alive! No longer bound
To distant years in Palestine,
But saving, healing, here and now,
And touching ev’ry place and time.

In every insult, rift, and war,
Where color, scorn, or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
And lives, where even hope has died.

Women and men, in age and youth,
Can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
And find the way, the life, the truth,
Revealed in Jesus, freed for all.

Christ is alive, and comes to bring
Good news to this and ev’ry age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring
With joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Covenant Hymnal, #259

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

POSTLUDE
Gravé
J.S. Bach
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
Today is the first 10:00 am worship hour of the summer. The school year is drawing to a close, which means that it’s time again for Ravenswood Covenant’s annual shift to the summer worship schedule. Sunday worship will return to the 11:00 am hour the Sunday after Labor Day.

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
Unseasonably cold weather as well as rain kept many people away from Wednesday’s edition of the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market, but we still had 324 adults brave the damp chill and visit our parking lot to shop at our vendor’s tents, grab a meal, and mingle with neighbors.

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 on 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

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.