Sunday, May 4, 2025

Sunday, May 4, 2025
Third Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am

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

WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE

CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 133
Leader: How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
People: It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
Leader: down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
People: For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

UNISON PRAYER
Lord God, you created us to live together in unity.
Lord Jesus, you teach us to live together in unity.
Holy Spirit, you inspire us to live together in unity.
Father, Son, and Spirit, as you are One, make us one through your love. Amen.

* SING A NEW SONG TO THE LORD
Sing a new song to the Lord,
He to whom wonders belong!
Rejoice in his triumph and tell of His power,
O sing to the Lord a new song!

Now to the ends of the earth
See His salvation is shown!
And still He remembers his mercy and truth,
Unchanging in love to His own.

Sing a new song and rejoice,
Publish his praises abroad!
Let voices in chorus, with trumpet and horn,
Resound for the joy of the Lord!

Join with the hills and the sea
Thunders of praise to prolong!
In judgment and justice he comes to the earth —
O sing to the Lord a new song!

Covenant Hymnal, #25

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Isaiah 66:1-5

Thus says the Lord:
Heaven is My throne,
    and the earth is My footstool;
so what kind of house could you build for Me,
    what sort of place for Me to rest?
All these things My hand has made,
    so all these things are Mine,
            says the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look,
    to the humble and contrite in spirit
    who trembles at My word.

Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human,
    whoever sacrifices a lamb like one who breaks a dog’s neck,
whoever presents a grain offering like one who offers pig’s blood,
    whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense like one who blesses an idol.
Just as these have chosen their own ways
    and in their abominations they take delight,
so I will choose their punishments
    and bring upon them what they fear,
because, when I called, no one answered,
    when I spoke, they did not listen,
but they did what was evil in My sight
    and chose what did not please Me.

Hear the word of the Lord,
    you who tremble at His word:
Your own people who hate you
    and reject you for My name’s sake
have said, “Let the Lord be glorified,
    so that we may see Your joy,”
    but it is they who shall be put to shame.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Paul Shaheen
Acts 6:1-7

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

* ALLELUIA! SING TO JESUS
Alleluia! sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”

Alleluia! not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now.
Alleluia! He is near us;
Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise:
“I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! bread of heaven,
Here on earth our food, our stay.
Alleluia! here the sinful
Come to You from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, hear our plea
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own.
Alleluia! born of Mary,
Earth Your footstool, heav’n Your throne.
As within the veil You entered,
Robed in flesh, our great high priest,
Here on earth both priest and victim,
In the eucharistic feast.

Alleluia, sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”

Covenant Hymnal, #267

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 7:51-60
Prophetic Witness
Pastor Ryan

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
Grant & Miho Buchholtz, serving in Japan; 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
“Now the Silence”
C. Schalk
led by Mary

* 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.

* AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE
As we gather at Your table,
As we listen to Your Word,
Help us know, O God, Your presence;
Let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
Till we claim it as our own;
Teach us through this holy banquet
How to make Love’s vict’ry known.

Turn our worship into witness
In the sacrament of life;
Send us forth to love and serve You,
Bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, Your great compassion
To forgive as You forgave;
May we still behold Your image
In the world You died to save.

Grant us vision, gracious Spirit,
Seeking guests to share that feast
Where triumphant love will welcome
Those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us
Nor will pride our peace destroy,
As we join with saints and angels
To repeat the sounding joy.

Covenant Hymnal, #551

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.

* FOR ALL THE SAINTS
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed;
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
In praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Covenant Hymnal, #767

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

POSTLUDE
“Come, Holy Ghost, God & Lord”
A. Armsdorf
led by Mary

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

* Please stand as you are able.

Our thanks to Mary Anderson for serving as our organist while Cynthia recovers from knee surgery.

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 allow them to attach a name to a face. We’re asking everyone to return to our old practice of wearing nametags on Sunday morning. Blank nametags and Sharpies will be available both in the narthex and in the sanctuary.

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 winter, 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.

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 after-wards, and the waterfront will be open for swim-ming. Announcements regarding rides to Lake Geneva will be made as Covenant Harbor Sunday approaches. Worship will still be held at Ravens-wood Covenant that Sunday for those who aren’t going up to Covenant Harbor.

Faith Forum
Faith Forum is Ravenswood Covenant’s adult Christian education class that meets during the Sunday School hour during the school year. This year’s edition of Faith Forum features a series of teachers who will each explore a topic over a one-month period. Mark Westlind is this month’s teacher, and on Sunday, May 18 he will be leading a Faith Forum conversation over Zoom that we will have with our missionary in Ecuador, Karen Feijoo.

Treats and coffee are provided each week. Join us in the upstairs lounge every Sunday in Faith Forum!

Farmers market
Farmers market season is fast approaching! The first farmers market takes place on Wednesday, May 14. 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 market’s activities for children. If you’d 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.

Annual Meeting delegates needed
Ravenswood Covenant needs delegates for the annual meeting of our denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church, which will be held June 25-28 in Orlando, FL but which our delegates will attend remotely via Zoom from here in Chicago.

If you are a member of Ravenswood Covenant who is willing and interested in remotely attending this meeting on our behalf, please contact the church office or the pastor, or speak to one of the members of the church’s Leadership Team.

Covenant Home Altar
The new issue of the Covenant Home Altar, the quarterly-published daily devotional of our parent denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church, is available for free in the narthex. Pick up a copy!

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. The Zoom link for the Bible study is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83923376849?pwd=YUlYVXBmOVdwV0d5L20ySng3aHU3Zz09

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
Luke 24:44-47
Acts 8:26-39

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.