Friday, October 23, 2026

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Worship at RUCC

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, October 25, "The Widow's Might”

The topic of giving can be intimidating. But it gives me the chance to talk about a couple of great Dickens characters, Miss Flite and Aunt Betsey Trotwood. They came to mind as I reflected on Sunday’s scripture reading from the Gospel of Luke. It features a widow whose extravagant donation in the offering box could lead us to compare her to the flighty Miss Flite, who gives her money away because she’s losing touch with reality. But what if the widow is more like the pragmatic but big-hearted Aunt Betsey, who takes in her desperate young nephew, David Copperfield, and generously pays for his education? How do we live from a sense of abundance rather than from a sense of scarcity in our giving? My reflection on Sunday will explore this question—with the help of Dickens. Pastor Michael Schiefelbein

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4 (The Message Version)

Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org

Congregational Gathering This Sunday After Church Service

The entire congregation is invited to gather after the worship service this Sunday in Covenant Hall. During our Fellowship time, the Board, led by our Board Clerk, Teri Hilker, will talk about the church and the new 2027 Covenant booklet that many folks now have. You will learn more about how the church operates, and the area leaders who serve on the Board will explain the various ways you can serve, as listed in the Covenant booklet. Enjoy our community time as we discern for ourselves as individuals the ways we can come together in service.

Patty Little

RUCC Board President

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 for continued recovery from cancer for Maureen Gates and her son-in-law Stevie Siever, and prayers for her son Orion’s mental health.
Prayers for recovery from brain surgery for Maria Theresa Ramirez.
Prayers of comfort for Mary Lou Haney, in hospice care, and strength for her caretakers, Jennie and Patrick.
Prayers for children who have suffered from the trauma of violence and war, especially those in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and Sudan.

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

Super Shepherd Sunday, November 1

Sunday, November 1 is the last Super Shepherd Sunday of 2026. Each group gathers for food, conversation, meeting or welcoming new people into your group, find information about goings on in the church and asking questions of your shepherd leaders.

Here is the information about where the groups will meet. If you’re not sure which group you are in, contact the office or Judith Turian, Shepherd Area Leader, and you will be informed which group is yours.

Group 1 :(Kara and Rosser Tolan )

TBD (Kara and Rosser will contact you with time and meeting place.)

Group 2 :( Karen Twichell and Karen Walsh)

Meeting after church at Karen Twichell’s home

Group 3: (Pam Dunn and Cid Breyer)

Meeting after church in Mosaic Hall—Micah Room

Group 4: (Maeghan Hill and Jayne Miller)

Meeting at Jayne’s home. This will have a Thanksgiving theme. Look for more details being sent by Maeghan and Jayne.

Group 5: (Heather Abushanab and Heather King)

Meeting after church across the street at Heather Abu’s home

Group 6: (Dawne and Kevin Simmons)

Meeting after church in the Garden Room

Group 7: (Kathy Economen and Pat Gordon)

Meeting after church in Founder’s Room

Transitions

The new Covenant booklets are here!

The Covenant booklets for 2027 are available before and after service in Covenant Hall this Sunday. After this Sunday, the leftover Covenant booklets will be mailed out. If you are a new member, there are extras in the office. 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

2026 ART, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE! IS OVER

BUT WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR!

The Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Planning Committee wants to

THANK YOU !!

for all your help in making this year’s show successful.

Your willingness to help and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated.

We thank you, the church thanks you, the many artists thank you,

and the community thanks you for a job well done.

We hope to see you again next year!

October 15, 16, 17, 2027

Bible Study, Thursdays (temporarily), October 29

Please join us in the Youth Room on 10/29/26 from 7-8:30 for Bible Study. We are continuing a series on the Parables of Jesus: this week we are discussing the parable of the Good Samaritan. Hope to see you there! Bible Study will be on Thursday for the next 3 weeks.

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

Please join us as we read and discuss great Short Works of Fiction during lunchtime. We meet on Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for four weeks. One story per week.

This week’s story is “Pray Without Ceasing” by Wendell Berry. Please contact Andrea Morics to receive a copy of the story—there will also be copies available in the church 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 26

Chair yoga will meet on Monday, October 26, in Covenant Hall at 10:00 am.

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

The retreat house requires a count of participants by October 30. If you would like to attend, or you need more information, please contact Judith Turian as soon as possible to reserve a spot or to find additional info. If you decide to attend after October 30, your reservation will depend on whether Serra Retreat Center still has space.

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.

Reading and Book-Signing - Sunday, November 22, Noon, Covenant Hall

Pastor’s Michael’s Memoir

Disguised as My Life: A Faith Journey

Now Available on Amazon!

(Books will be available at the event for purchase. All profits from books sold to RUCC members/friends will be donated to RUCC. For books purchased directly from Amazon, email Pastor Michael for donation credit: michael@redlandsucc.org)

From the first page, Michael's writing evokes such intimacy and expression that his story feels more like a conversation between two friends. His life's journey is at once remarkable and relatable: an epic pilgrimage through places and movements that define a generation, and an unpretentious collection of one person's anecdotes and experiences that range from endearingly awkward to profoundly moving — sometimes in the same moment. Michael's authenticity is courageous, laying bare the sacred, demanding, and at times even painful struggles of vocational discernment. For anyone who has ever wrestled with identity, belonging, faith, or purpose, Michael offers not a roadmap to perfection, but an invitation to find grace, love, and compassion in the wandering. His story is uplifting precisely because of the human frailty woven through this transcendent adventure. Michael’s willingness to examine his own heart becomes an opportunity for the reader to do the same, with a gentleness perpetually rooted in the forgiveness and mercy of God's unconditional love. –Rev. Rachael Pryor, Conference Minister, Southern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ

Link to preview

Children and Youth

Helping Hands

Caring for Kin, October 2026

This Sunday will be our last day to collect items 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

Details on our November collection will be provided in next week's View. Thank you!

Social Justice

Racial justice message

Japanese people have been passionate about baseball since its introduction to Japan in the 1870s. Prior to WWII, Japanese American baseball flourished up and down the west coast. On December 7, 1941, that world was shattered as loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry became identified as "the enemy".

Manzanar National Historic Site was the first of ten major Japanese American "internment camps" constructed in 1942. Located 225 miles north of Los Angeles, Manzanar held over 10,000 Japanese American people. Over 120,000 people, most of them American citizens, were imprisoned without due process of law in the largest mass incarceration in United States history.

The camps devastated Japanese American communities, but one aspect of pre-war life they were able to hang on to was baseball. In the words of Manzanar incarceree Takeo Suo: “Putting on a baseball uniform was like wearing the American flag."

On October 17, 2026, through its historical re-enactment doubleheader played on Manzanar's lovingly restored ballfield, the Manzanar Baseball Project honored Japanese Americans who found a way to play the game they loved in spite of injustice.

The project is a tribute to the spirit and determination of the Japanese American community, the power of baseball to uplift and unite people, and the importance of safeguarding the rights and principles enshrined in our Constitution.

Source:https://www.mzbbp.org/

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