Friday, September 25, 2026 | |
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 27, “Humble and Strong”
People with political power in our country today view humility with scorn. They see it as weakness. But what if the humility that the Apostle Paul describes in his Letter to the Philippians is an expression of strength—strength of character, strength that comes from knowing you are part of something bigger than yourself? Humility is what we need to move beyond narcissism to community—in which all members know their dignity and strength. Pastor Michael Schiefelbein
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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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 pain relief and healing for Carole Beswick, awaiting back surgery.
- Prayers of healing for Mary Lou Haney with continuing health issues.
- Prayers of strength for Jennie and Patrick in their caregiving.
- Prayers of healing for Jade Welsh, recovering from a mental health crisis, and strength for the Welsh family as they offer him support.
- Prayers of healing for Rev. Dayna Clark after a serious fall and prayers of strength for Rev. Dave Clark, former interim minister, as he cares for Dayna.
- Prayers of healing for Danny’s Anderson’s sister-in-law Kim, recently hospitalized with pneumonia.
- Prayers of hope and justice for Haitian migrants in the US and other migrants in danger of losing their Temporary Protective Status and being sent back to danger.
Ongoing concerns:
- Cynthia McGuigan
- Susan Matthews
Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org
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RUCC Orientation, Sunday, October 4
Come to the RUCC Orientation if you have questions about the church, are looking for information about how to get involved, or are considering church membership. We’ll begin by getting to know each other, and then there will be a group presentation on some of the basics of the church, with lots of time for your questions.
Our next orientation is on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 12:45 p.m. in the Micah Room. No RSVP is necessary, but if you know you will be coming, please let Veronica in the office know.
If you have friends or family who might be interested in RUCC, this would be a great day to bring them to church.
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New Covenants are Coming!
The Covenants for 2027 will be available soon. 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 that 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.
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Multi-faith Pilgrimage for Immigration Justice
Several members of RUCC's Immigration Justice committee are walking and/or helping support the pilgrimage. Contact Sara Schoonmaker if you have questions.
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Caring for Our Church Home: Building Use & Clean-Up
Our church building is a shared space, and we are grateful for the many groups, ministries, and activities throughout the week. With so many people using our facilities, it is important that each group does its part to leave the space ready for the next person.
Please remember to clean up after your group meets. Thank you for helping us be good stewards of our shared church home!
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Bible Study, Monday, September 28
Please join us on 9/28/26 in the Youth Room from 7-8:30 p.m. We will begin a study of Jesus’ parables, using Amy-Jill Levine’s book Short Stories of Jesus as a supplementary text. (See flyer below.)
First-timers welcome! For this week, we will be reading the Introduction to Levine's book and taking a look at two Old Testament parables that are antecedents to Jesus’ parables: Judges 9:1-21 and 2 Samuel 12:1-7.
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Chair Yoga, Monday, September 28
Have you ever gotten out of bed in the morning feeling stiff and achy? Then done something you weren't sure you wanted to do and felt so much better? Well, that is the experience of many of us that look forward to Chair Yoga every Monday at 10 a.m. in Covenant Hall with Jeanne Andrews, a certified Yoga teacher, Come join us and start your week with more energy and optimism!
Donations appreciated.
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Book Group, October 4
The next RUCC Book Group meeting will be on October 4, after church at noon, in Founders Room. The group will be discussing, The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson and the discussion leader will be Susan Matthews. Join us if you can.
“…between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.” (Amazon review)
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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.
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Next Game and Conversation Night, Saturday, October 24
September Game and Conversation Night has been cancelled due to conflicting vacation times. The next fun and friendly Game and Conversation Night will be on October 24 at 5:30 p.m. in Covenant Hall. See you then!
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Caring for Kin, September 2026
This Sunday is our last Sunday to collect snacks and food items for Youth Hope. Their most needed items are the following:
- Pasta and sauce
- Cereal
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Canned foods (e.g., meats, fruits, veggies, beans, soups)
- Granola bars
- Fruit cups
- Snack-size bags of chips ("hot" varieties are the youths' favorites!)
In addition, Veronica in the RUCC office occasionally has opportunities to provide bottled water to unhoused people who come to the church looking for assistance. If you would like to donate some bottled water, she will have it available to distribute, and any extras will be donated to Youth Hope along with the rest of our collected food items.
Next month, we'll be collecting Thanksgiving meal foods for Family Service Association of Redlands. A list of specific items will be included in next week's The View.
| | 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, September 26
Sunday, September 27
- 9:15 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (Founders Room)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 11:30 a.m. - A2A Meeting
Monday, September 28
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
- 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study (Founders room)
Tuesday, September 29
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
- 3:00 p.m. - Social Justice Meeting
Wednesday, September 30
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg
- 6:00 p.m. - Bells practice
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Thursday, October 1
- 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Private Funeral
- 4:30 p.m. - Private meeting (Founders)
- 6:00 p.m. - Jam Session with David Wells (Micah room)
Friday, October 2
- 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Private Funeral
- 7:00 p.m. - AA Meeting (Founders room)
Saturday, October 3
- 7:30 - noon - Building windows will be cleaned
- 9:00 a.m.- noon - Sacred Saturday
- 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Private Funeral and reception (Sanctuary, kitchen, Covenant Hall, parking lot)
Sunday, October 4
- 9:15 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (Founders Room)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group (Founders room)
- 12:00 p.m. - RUCC Orientation (Micah room)
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- October 10 - Children and Youth Pumpkin Painting
- October 16-18 - Art, for Heaven's Sake!
- October 24 - Game and Conversation Night
- October 31 - Trunk or Treat
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