Friday, October 16, 2026

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Worship at RUCC

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, October 18, "Art, for Heaven's Sake!”

Sunday’s passage from the Book of Exodus describes the artistic fashioning of the Israelites’ place of worship, called the Tent of Meeting, with beautiful colors and materials and designs. We’re fashioning our own worship space on Sunday with equisite creations from our annual art festival—Art, for Heaven’s Sake! In my reflection, I’ll share my experience of beauty in worship and invite you to consider it in yours as we celebrate the works of art in our sanctuary and beyond. Pastor Michael Schiefelbein

Scripture: Exodus 35:20-35

Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org

Caring for Each Other

Bring Your Prayers

There is a prayer request sheet at the entrance of the Sanctuary before worship each Sunday. Please write down any prayers that you would like to have included in our worship. The prayers we have received in the office will already be on the sheet.

Prayer Requests:

Prayers of thanksgiving for Carole Beswick’s successful back surgery and prayers for her continued recovery.
Prayers for Mary Lou Haney, who recently went on hospice. Also, prayers for Jennie and Patrick, her caretakers.
Prayers of healthful convalescence for Edward Schreur, recovering from eye surgery.
Prayers of thanksgiving for Erick, who was released from detention in Adelanto, due to a lack of evidence. Prayers still needed, as DHS is appealing. Erick's mother, Jane, is a friend of Jennie Haney.
Prayers of thanksgiving for Art, for Heaven’s Sake! for the artists, volunteers, and all the guests who celebrate works of art on our campus.
Prayers for an end to mass killings and armed conflicts in Sudan, Burma/Myanmar, Ukraine, and Haiti, and for relief for all victims of violence.

Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org

Transitions

The new Covenant booklets are here!

The Covenant booklets for 2027 are available before and after service in the Narthex this Sunday. Making a new covenant with the church each year helps us know that we are here for each other as members of a spiritual community. Personally, I love thinking about my covenant each year because the process helps me focus on why I am here, the ways in which my life is blessed by being in this community, and the kinds of things that I can do to help strengthen our connections between our members and our larger community. Together, we can do so much more than we can accomplish alone.

Covenant Sunday is November 8. This is a special Sunday where we have an opportunity to bring our covenants forward in a sacred space together. Doing this together is such a special experience that affirms our love and connections to each other and our commitment to our church family. I encourage you to participate in this joyful moment in church. If you will not be able to attend that day, it is fine to submit them to the church office early or late. Together, we are the church. Covenants are a beautiful way to affirm that.

2027 Covenant booklet

-Patty Little, RUCC President

Have questions about your Covenant booklet?

After the Congregational Gathering on October 25, Pastor Michael and a member of the Church Growth committee will be on hand in Founders Room to answer any questions you might have about completing your Covenant.

Groups & Gatherings

Bible Study, Thursdays, starting October 22 (temporarily)

Bible Study moves to Thursday for four weeks beginning on October 22. We will meet in the Youth Room from 7-8:30 p.m. We'll be studying the parables of Jesus using Amy-Jill Levine's book Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi as a guide. Please join us; newcomers welcome! Contact Andrea Morics for more information.

Listening for God in Short Works of Fiction: A Four-week lunchtime Series

Our recurring series returns with all new stories to read and discuss! We will meet on Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for four weeks beginning October 21. One story per week for four weeks.

The first story we will read is “The Gardener” by Rudyard Kipling. Please contact Andrea Morics to receive a copy of the story—there will also be copies available in the office.

Bring your own lunch as we spend time together discussing the spiritual truths which can be learned from some great writers.

See flyer (below) for more information.

Next Chair Yoga, Monday, October 19, Prospect Park

We will meet Monday, October 19, at 10:00 a.m. at Prospect Park. Please note: Regular chair yoga will meet Monday, October 26, in Covenant Hall. Thank you for being so flexible.

Mark Your Calendars! Art, For Heaven's Sake! 47th Annual Show October 16, 17, and 18

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO HELP IN ANY CAPACITY. YOU WILL BE GETTING OR HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A CALL OR TEXT TO REMIND YOU OF WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR.

If you still want to help, we will not turn you away! You can volunteer to

Set up the show (Today, October 16, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Setting up pop-up canopies, helping with lighting and decorating, assisting artists in setting up their booths.

Look for Paul Hodson and he’ll let you know how you can help.

If you are making cookies or appetizers, please bring them to the kitchen by 3:00 p.m. today, Friday.

Provide Show Support any time this weekend. Just come to the administrative booth by the check-out registers and we’ll let you know how you can help.

Providing brief breaks for artists during the show, monitoring doors, eating area or cashier line, checking the bathrooms for supplies, being a runner to pick up purchased art from the artists’ booths.

Take-down when the show is over at 5 p.m. Sunday.

You can also help us advertise the Art Show. Please “like” us on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/artforheavenssake

Every time you “like,” comment on and/or “share” the Art Show posts, potential guests and community members are introduced to our annual art festival.

Even if you can’t help out, be sure to come see what the talented fine artists, crafters, and musicians have in store for you. You don’t want to miss it!

Art Show Hours:

Friday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 11:30-5 p.m.

Next Game and Conversation Night, Saturday, October 24

UCC Women's Retreat at Pilgrim Pines, November 6-8

First Congregational Church of Long beach is hosting a women's retreat, November 6-8, at Pilgrim Pines Camp in Oak Glen. The theme is Learning to Walk in the Dark, based on a book of the same name by Barbara Brown Taylor. See flyer to register by October 16th.

Women's Retreat flyer

RUCC Silent Retreat, Malibu, November 20-22

Christmas Craft Faire, November 14 and 15

What is the Christmas Craft Faire? Members and friends of RUCC come together to share their artistic creations. Of the participants, 20 are church members and friends, and 4 are outside vendors. There are four "stores" that are fundraisers for the church: The Plant Store, The Puzzle Store, The Christmas Store, and the Bake Sale. Each year we give the Pastors Fund a healthy contribution to help individuals and families in the community. In addition, we always host a Pet Rescue, the Heifer International Foundation, and a non-profit. This year we have added a Vintage Clothing and Accessories Boutique. An interesting fact: there are no duplicates in the merchandise offered; each vendor is unique.

The event takes place in Covenant Hall and Founders Room on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, November 15, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can help with setup, packaging baked goods, helping vendors, etc., on Friday, November 13, from 2 to 6 p.m., that would be wonderful. We also need help staffing the "stores" during the sale. Let Ginny Cruz know how you want to help.

The Plant Store and Puzzle Store are almost stocked, but if you have an item to add, please do. We really are looking for donations to the Christmas Store and the Bake Sale! Drop-off for the Christmas Store begins October 25th. Please bring your items to the church office during Veronica's business hours or to church on Sunday. There will be a box by lost and found in Covenant Hall. If it's more convenient, you can bring items to Ginny's house. Call or text her to let her know you are coming. No large Christmas Trees! The Christmas Store has a variety of decorations, ornaments, and gift ideas. The Bake Sale is always a big hit. If you can, package them for sale, or drop them off and we will package them. Kim Lara-Kane, our Hospitality Area leader, is in charge of the Bake Sale.

Children and Youth

No Sunday School classes on October 18 because of the art show.

Parents, please be advised: Sunday school classrooms, as well as the nursery and Sparrow room, will not be available on October 18 because of the art show.

Helping Hands

Caring for Kin, October 2026

In the month of October, we will be collecting food for the Family Service Association of Redlands Thanksgiving food drive. They have provided the following list of recommended shelf-stable food items:

Thanksgiving Staples:

Boxed stuffing mix
Instant mashed potatoes
Gravy packets or jars
Canned green beans
Canned corn
Canned yams / sweet potatoes
Canned cranberry sauce
Canned pumpkin
Cornbread mix

Additional Items:

Boxed pasta/boxed rice
Macaroni and cheese
Cake mix
Evaporated milk
Boxed / shelf-stable milk
Cooking oils
Flour/sugar

Thanks for all you do to support our neighbors in need!

Social Justice

Racial justice message

A 47-year-old Peruvian national named Julian Curo-Churata died inside a federal hospital in Monroe, Louisiana, on September 29, 2026 — and [as of October 1], no agency has offered any explanation for why.

This is not an isolated event. It extends what government data already confirms as the deadliest period for immigration detainees in over two decades, a pattern that has drawn growing alarm from lawmakers, advocates, and federal courts alike.

Source:https://www.latintimes.com/peruvian-man-died-ice-custody-louisiana-three-days-no-one-has-said-why-599756

Immigrant Justice Team meeting, October 22

Please join us for "Letters of Resistance and Solidarity" on Oct. 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Covenant Hall. We will begin with a talk by organizers from the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ICIJ) about conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. We will then write letters to people incarcerated there, to show them they are not alone and express our solidarity with them.

Environmental justice message

The Wider Church

Third Quarter Donations for Wider Ministries

In the third quarter of 2026, RUCC Wider Ministries donated to Refresh and Renew Mobile Showers in Redlands, which provides showers and toiletries for disadvantaged and homeless residents. The mission statement at Refresh & Renew is "Refreshing the Body to Renew the Spirit." They say, “Our goal is to provide radical hospitality to the homeless youth and adults in our community. We provide showers as one step toward helping our guests find dignity and hope in their lives. You are the face of hope, care, and compassion.”

https://www.refreshandrenewca.org/

Bless and Be Blessed

Bless & Be Blessed is a space for our church family to share new or gently-used items they no longer need. Whether you’re looking to pass something along or find something useful, this is a simple way to care for one another and practice good stewardship within our community. Contact the office or send the information to the View when you have an item to offer or an item you need.

Around Town

Redlands Events for October 2026

Calendar

This week at RUCC