Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 9
"Breathe"
In Sunday's gospel scene, Jesus walks on the water, while Peter sinks in fear. But fear isn't a bad thing according to this scene—until it traps us in our heads. How do we find freedom? How do we come to a place of trust and courage? Hint: It starts with taking a breath.
-Pastor Michael Schiefelbein
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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Environmental Justice Member's Moment, August 9 - Water
- Impact of the climate crisis on water (drought, water shortages).
- Need to conserve - avoid runoff, responsible irrigation (drip), planting native and drought-resistant plants.
- What our church is doing to address this - pollinator garden, drip system in community garden, other gardens, drought-resistant and native plants?
- What we as individuals can do?
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Bring Your Prayers
For the time being, we are keeping the prayer requests 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 be on the sheet already.
Prayer Requests:
- Prayers for comfort and healing for Michelle McNevin and Alicia Thompson.
- Prayers for Nan Root and family, on the sudden death of her daughter-in-law.
- Prayers for Steve Schuh as he begins radiation treatment.
- Prayers for peace in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, and the Sudan.
- Prayers for safe travel for those returning from summer travels back to school and work.
Ongoing concerns:
- Tom Miller
- Bill Buchanan
- Ruth Jordan
- Jon Herbert
- Carol Buchanan
- Mary Lou Haney
- Craig Wesson
Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org
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Stephen Barrick Arth Service, Saturday, August 8
Stephen Barrick Arth, a lifetime resident of the Redlands area, died on April 13, 2026. He was 72. Born August 16, 1953, to Aaron and Helen Arth, he was raised in the family orange grove on San Bernardino Avenue with his four siblings.
Steve was a founding member of Redlands United Church of Christ. He served his church family as an usher and groundskeeper. He was a lifelong Dodgers fan who loved watching the games and cheering on his favorite team.
Steve graduated from Yucaipa High School. He retired from Patton State Hospital after more than 30 years of working in food service.
Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Steve will be remembered for his infectious chuckle, good nature, and ever-present kindness.
Steve is survived by his sister, Linda Wyland of Lakeway, TX, and his nieces and nephews: Robert Schwab of Phoenix, AZ; Scott Schwab of Dana Point, CA; Lisa Arth-Pisano of Portland, OR; Matthew Arth of Redlands, CA; Kimberly Nishihara, of Gilbert, AZ; and Lauren Hall of Lakeway, TX. He is preceded in death by his loving parents; his big brothers, Fred Arth and Phillip Arth; and his older sister, Carol Schwab.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Redlands United Church of Christ (168 Bellevue Avenue, Redlands) at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Redlands United Church of Christ. Please indicate "Memorial Fund" in the check memo line or select the Memorial Fund if donating on Realm.
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Bible Study on hiatus for 4 weeks
Bible Study is on hiatus, resuming Monday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room; we'll be discussing Mary and Martha. Please save the date and join us!
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Next Chair Yoga, Monday, August 10
Chair Yoga may sound like it is easy-peasy, but it is quite a wonderful yet gentle workout. For the last eight months, 15 to 20 friends and neighbors of RUCC have gathered on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Covenant Hall to stretch, strengthen, and breathe. There is a private funeral in the Sanctuary that morning. Our fearless leader, Jeanne Andrews, a gifted certified yoga instructor, challenges us to work a little harder in modified yoga poses. Afterwards, you feel the best kind of tired. It is for people of all abilities. We would love to have you give it a try. Donations appreciated.
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Super Shepherd Sunday is coming soon
It’s Sunday, August 23, right after church. Come, eat food, hang out with friends, and maybe make some new friends. Learn about the latest goings-on at church, bring your questions and concerns, or share your joys.
Your shepherd leader will communicate with you the location and time within a few days, and that information will be in The View next Friday.
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UCC Event, August 16
An exciting event is on the horizon! RUCC is teaming up with Live Oak UCC, Alta Dena Community Church, and Mount Hollywood UCC for a SoCal UCC outing. Angel City Football Club, SoCal's premier women’s professional soccer team is playing Washington Spirit at 6:00 p.m., August 16, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Tickets are $43 per person. We will try to coordinate a ride share to the event as soon as we have a better idea on how many people are interested. Please contact Barbie Fiske-Phillips or Kim Lara-Kane for more details. We hope RUCC will have lots of folks attend and build new memories with our fellow UCC friends.
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Game and Conversation Night, Saturday, August 22
Game and Conversation Night is back.. See you on Saturday, August 22, Saturday, at 5:30 in Covenant Hall. Our Hospitality Chef will be creating a wonderful, casual dinner for us. This church venue brings together all ages across generations for a night of fun, laughter, and community. We have a "prize table" where everyone can bring an item they no longer need but think others would use and take any items for the table that they can use. We have prizes for the kids also. So bring your favorite game or join others. If you would like to help in the kitchen at 4:30, please let Ginny or Kim know. Help Ricky set up tables at 5:00. This is a no-stress event!
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Book Group meeting September 6
Upcoming Book Group selections:
Sept. 6 Selection: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Presenter: Charletta Campfield
Oct. 4 Selection: The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
Presenter: Susan Matthews
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Mark Your Calendars! Art, For Heaven's Sake! 47th Annual Show October 16, 17, and 18, 2026
“The Art Show” – You hear this quite often in conversation around our church. In case you were wondering what it is all about, here you go.
Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Fine Arts Festival is a three-day annual art festival on the grounds and gardens of the Redlands United Church of Christ. The Redlands United Church of Christ holds this event to support the arts and the community.
This premiere art festival of the Inland Empire features 72 artists and crafters representing a wide variety of media, including acrylics, photography, watercolor, oils, stained glass, jewelry, pottery, and metal sculpture.
In addition to original art, the festival offers a craft boutique, a fabulous food truck experience, incredible music, and artist demonstrations. A gala “Meet the Artists” reception open to everyone is held on Friday evening to open the show.
This is one of the biggest fundraisers for our church, but it doesn’t magically happen. The members and friends of our church make it happen, so mark your calendars and watch for upcoming information on how YOU can be a part of making this premier event a huge success.
| | Save the Dates for Children and Youth activities | | QUESTIONS? Contact Kara Tolan or Kathy McCool in Education. | |
Caring for Kin, August 2026
In the month of August, we will be collecting unopened toiletries, underwear, and socks for Angel's Closet. Angel's Closet provides clothing, shoes, accessories, and toiletries to elementary, middle, and high school youth in Redlands whose families have difficulty affording these items. Items they specially requested this year include the following:
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Soap and body wash
Shampoo
Deodorant
Lotion
Sanitary pads and tampons
Underwear - all sizes, youth through adult
Socks - all sizes, youth through adult
Angel's Closet expressed gratitude for all RUCC does to support their organization. Thanks for your continued generosity this year!
Thank you,
Diana Steele-Jones
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Lost & Found Reminder
Have you misplaced a jacket, water bottle, dish, umbrella, or another personal item? Our Lost & Found box, located in Covenant Hall, may have what you're missing!
We invite everyone to take a few moments to look through the Lost & Found and claim any belongings. To help keep the area organized, all unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill on August 10.
If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office. Thank you for helping us keep our shared spaces tidy!
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Racial justice message
If we can go back and revisit Wong Kim Ark, we can go back and revisit Brown versus Board of Education.” That decision in 1954 ruled illegal the separate but equal clause that created segregated public schools.
Dahni Tsuboi, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice SoCal, shared a sense of relief but also expressed concern that more justices didn’t support birthright citizenship.
“I think, actually, it should have been 9-0, but 6-3 is what’s unfortunate because this is one of those cases where the language, the spirit, the intention of the Constitution, what we say in the 14th Amendment, is absolutely clear,” said Tsuboi. “That if you are born here on American soil, you are an American."
Source: https://asamnews.com/2026/06/30/aapi-advocates-respond-to-birthright-citizenship-decision/
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Environmental justice message
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Excerpted from the Ecological Servants Project regarding Native American communities and their relationship with the natural world:
"For thousands of years, Native American communities have lived in harmony with the natural world, guided by spiritual, cultural, and practical understandings that view Earth, not as a resource to be exploited, but as a sacred relative—alive, intelligent, and worthy of deep respect. They remind us that protecting the planet begins with remembering our connection to it.
Water is life:
Many indigenous communities hold ceremonies and prayers for water, recognizing it as a sacred being that gives life. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's slogan "Mni Wiconi" - Water is Life - echoes a core value in Native belief systems: protect the water as you would your own body.
Indigenous water protectors often take direct action to stop pipelines, mining, and pollution that threaten watersheds and aquifers.
To honor this value, we can reduce water waste, protect local waterways, and support clean water access for all communities. Simple acts like picking up trash near rivers, using biodegradable soaps, and pushing for stricter pollution laws make a difference."
-Dianne Landeros, environmental justice team
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Third Quarter Donations for Wider Ministries
In the third quarter of 2026, RUCC Wider Ministries donated to YouthHope Foundation. The organization’s mission is to build confidence and promote self-sufficiency for homeless, runaway, trafficked, and at-risk youth, ages 14-24, by providing trust, hope, support, and education. YouthHope was established to provide a support system for youth in a safe and caring environment so they may grow to be healthy, self-sustaining adults. YouthHope is located in Redlands and provides services to youth residing in the surrounding areas of the Inland Empire. Since 2009, YouthHope has served over 6,600 different youth with groceries, meals, clothing, and bus passes. They assist struggling youth in finding housing, enrolling in career training or college, creating resumes, and finding jobs.
youthhope.org
| | 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. | |
This week at RUCC
Saturday, August 1
- 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, August 2
- 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 10:30 a.m.- Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
Monday, August 3
Tuesday, August 4
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
- 11:30 a.m. - Artist Journey Group
Wednesday, August 5
Thursday, August 6
- 4:30 p.m. - Private meeting
Friday, August 7
Saturday, August 8
- 2:00 p.m. - Funeral service - Stephen Arth
- 6:00 p.m. - Education kids and youth rootbeer float party
Sunday, August 9
- 9:15 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
- 12:00 p.m. - Education Empire bowl
- 12:00 p.m. - Environmental Group meeting
- 12:00 p.m. - Shepherd Leader meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- Game and Conversation Night, August 22
- Super Shepherd Sunday, August 23
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