Sunday, May 11, 2025
Sunday, May 11th
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME, GREETING, AND COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 86:8-10
Leader: Among the gods there is none like You, Lord.
People: No deeds can compare with Yours.
Leader: All the nations You have made
will come and worship before You, Lord;
they will bring glory to Your name.
People: For You are great and do marvelous deeds;
You alone are God.
UNISON PRAYER
Almighty God, You created all people in your image.
Lord Jesus, You brought salvation to every tribe and nation.
Holy Spirit, You welcome all people into Christ’s church.
Father, Son, and Spirit, may we learn to listen, bless, and serve all our neighbors. Amen.
* TO GOD BE THE GLORY
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And open’d the life-gate that all may go in.
refrain
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things He has done!
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
refrain
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
refrain
Covenant Hymnal, #72
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Jim Anderson
Isaiah 53:1-12
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before Him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity,
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.
Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases,
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of My people.
They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with affliction.
When You make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.
Out of his anguish he shall see;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, My servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out himself to death
and was numbered with the transgressors,
yet he bore the sin of many
and made intercession for the transgressors.
* I THANK GOD
Wandering into the night wanting a place to hide
This weary soul, this bag of bones
I try with all of my might
But I just can’t win the fight
I’m slowly drifting, a vagabond
pre-chorus 1
And just when I ran out of the road
I met a man I didn’t know
And He told me that I was not alone
chorus
You picked me up, You turned me around
And placed my feet on solid ground
I thank the Master, I thank the Savior
Because You healed my heart, You changed my name
Forever free, I’m not the same
I thank the Master, I thank the Savior, I thank God
I cannot deny what I’ve seen
Got no choice but to believe
My doubts are burnin’ like ashes in the wind
So, so long to my old friends burden and bitterness
You can just keep them moving
Nah, you ain’t welcome here
pre-chorus 2
From now till I walk streets of gold
I’ll sing of how You saved my soul
This wayward son has found his way back home
chorus
bridge
Hell lost another one, I am free, I am free, I am free
(repeat)
Hell lost another one, I am free, I am free
CCLI Song # 7169680 Aaron Moses / Chuck Butler / Dante Bowe / Enrique Holmes / Jesse Cline / Maryanne J. George © 2021 Bethel Worship Publishing; Heritage Worship Music Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Aaron Moses Chiriboga Music; Be Essential Songs; Holmeboy Music Group; Jesse Cline Publishing Designee; Jord A Lil Music; MJ George Music. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved.
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 8:26-39
Image of God
Pastor Ryan
* AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
God’s grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,
than when we’d first begun.
Covenant Hymnal, #341
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
Greg & Kristi Fauss, serving in Germany;
Renee Nicholas, serving as the national director for InterVarsity’s Graduate Healthcare Ministries
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
“As the Deer”
Martin Nystrom
led by Leah, Cynthia, and Dana
* 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.
* GOD REALLY LOVES US
I’ve got a friend
Closer than a brother
There is no judgement
O how He loves me
I’ve got a friend
And He is my strength
He is my portion
With me in the valley
With me in the fire
With me in the storm
Let all my life testify
chorus
Hallelujah
We are not alone
God really loves us, God really loves us
Hallelujah
O praise my soul
God really loves us, God really loves us
His mercy’s enough
His grace is sufficient
So come if you’re needing
Forgiveness or healing
His mercy’s enough
O, and this is our hope
The cross, it has spoken
Death is no more
Christ is the Lord
O this is our hope
chorus
bridge
(And O) What a Father
What a Friend
(Oh) What a Savior He is
(Sing O) What a Father
What a Friend
(O) What a Savior He is
chorus
CCLI Song # 7174815 Ben Glover / Dante Bowe / David Crowder / Jeff Sojka © 2021 Bethel Worship Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; 9t One Songs; Ariose Music; Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Inot Music; sixsteps Music; Sojka Songs. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved.
THE LAST WORD
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
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.
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.
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who attended the “What’s New With You” women’s luncheon last Saturday! This was the first social event we’ve had with Grace Church members. Thanks to Mary Spriggs, Sandy Gooden, and Colleen Carlson for their educational booths. The event ended with a drawing for a meal from Tre Kronor won by Gloria Evenson. Thanks to the Lunch Bunch for sponsoring the day, including Marlene Henry, Nancy Popovich, and Mary Ander-son for their work. Three men were also helpful in delivering food and gifts: Paul Shaheen, LeRoy Carlson, and Sam Vetter.
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 next 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
The tenth season of our farmers market begins next week! The opening day of the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market is scheduled for next Wednesday, May 14. The market will run every Wednesday from 4-8 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 can volunteer for as little or as much of the farmers market calendar as you see fit — please contact Bekah Carlson or the church staff.
Farmers market assistants
The Ravenswood Community Farmers Market is looking for help to set up the market every Wednesday afternoon and run the Gather Good Food tent while the market is in session. Hours are 2-8 pm Wednesdays at $20/hr. For more details, email ravenswoodcommunityfm@gmail.com.
Summer worship schedule
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. Beginning on Memorial Day weekend (Sunday, May 25), Sunday School and Faith Forum go on summer hiatus and the worship service will be moved up to 10:00 am. Sunday worship will return to the 11:00 am hour the Sunday after Labor Day.
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 Leader-ship 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.
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 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 Ravenswood Covenant that Sunday for those who aren’t going up to Covenant Harbor.
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. 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
Matthew 22:34-40
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.