Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 11, “Better Than Going to Church”
In his letter to a small church group in Philippi, the apostle Paul speaks with tenderness to his sisters and brothers. He calls them his joy and his crown. He calls them by name: Euodia, Syntyche, Syzygus, Clement. He tells them to stand firm because they are a counter-cultural community that brings hope to a world governed by oppressive forces. This little church group reminds me of the one that cared for my childhood friend Cliff Strunk, when he was living with AIDS. On Sunday, I look forward to sharing the story of Cliff and the little church community that can inspire us in our calling to be a counter-cultural voice of hope and healing in the midst of our world’s oppressive forces. Pastor Michael Schiefelbein
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9
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 healing for Alicia Thompson undergoing chemotherapy.
- Prayers for successful back surgery for Carole Beswick.
- Prayers for successful eye surgery for Edward Schreur.
- Prayers for the city of Olesky in Southern Ukraine, cut off from food and in danger of starvation.
- Prayers of thanksgiving for the interfaith Clear the Road to Freedom pilgrimage and all those who participated in shining a light on the inhumanity of detention centers.
Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org
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RUCC represented at ICE Protest
RUCC was well-represented at the multi-faith protest against ICE detention in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 6. There were several hundred in attendance and the event received extensive local and national media coverage.
The protest was the culmination of Clear the Road to Freedom, a 96.5-mile sacred journey from Adelanto ICE Detention Center to the Metropolitan Detention Center and Federal Building in Los Angeles. The goal was to draw attention and cry out for immediate action to end the deplorable conditions and deaths at the detention centers throughout California and across the country. Protestors called for an end to cruel immigration policy and ICE detention centers.
Members and friends from RUCC included:
- Abby Harned
- Barbie Fiske-Phillips
- Joette Orman
- Keith Osajima
- Loring Fiske-Phillips
- Michael Schiefelbein
- Patty Little
- Peter Tupou
- Sage Tupou
- Sara Schoonmaker
The action was organized by Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), Nefesh LA, and Sacred Resistance, in partnership with No Camps California, Shut Down Adelanto Coalition, Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, and Matthew 25 SoCal, LA Voice, and UNITE HERE Local 11.
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The new Covenant booklets are here!
The Covenant booklets for 2027 are available before and after service in Covenant Hall 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
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Neighbors in Need, Sunday, October 11
We will have the Neighbors in Need offering in church or you can donate online through Realm.
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Bible Study, Monday, October 12
Please join us in the Sanctuary from 7-8:30 for Bible Study. We are continuing a series on the Parables of Jesus: this week we are discussing the Parables of the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:8-32. Hope to see you there!
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No Chair Yoga, Monday, October 12
Why would 20 people get up Monday morning and head to Covenant Hall? Because Chair Yoga is amazing. We will be meeting Monday mornings at 10 am throughout the rest of the year, starting 10/19. Please note: There is no Chair Yoga on October 12 due to the art show. See you on October 19th.
Donations appreciated.
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Mark Your Calendars! Art, For Heaven's Sake! 47th Annual Show October 16, 17, and 18
CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?
Sign-up sheets to help with the show will still be available in the Narthex before church this Sunday.
If you have signed up to help in any of the following ways: baking cookies or appetizers, helping to set up or take down the show, volunteering to help give the artists a break, check on the bathrooms and trash, or greet.
PLEASE CHECK THE SIGN-UP SHEETS FOR A REMINDER OF WHEN YOU ARE SCHEDULED. COOKIES AND APPETIZERS CAN BE BROUGHT IN DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16.
FRIDAY NIGHT SERVERS:
Plan to meet in the hallway outside the kitchen door at 5:30 p.m. on Friday for some brief instructions from Beki Hill. Please dress nicely (black pants and white shirt) and wear comfortable shoes.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE ART SHOW AFTER CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY, PLEASE USE STREET PARKING AND LEAVE OUR PARKING LOT FOR GUESTS. THANK YOU.
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, as 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! 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.
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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.
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Children and Youth Pumpkin Painting, October 10
See flyer for information. Contact Kathy McCool or Kara Tolan.
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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!
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Racial justice message
The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed removing race and ethnicity questions from the 2030 census and excluding many immigrants from the population used for congressional apportionment. Civil‑rights advocates warn that this would not erase racial inequality—it would erase the evidence needed to expose and challenge it.
Source:https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-opposes-trump-administrations-attempt-change-census
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Environmental justice message
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Third Quarter Donations for Wider Ministries
In the third quarter of 2026, RUCC Wider Ministries sent a donation to Heaps Peak Arboretum, Rim of the World Interpretative Association, Lake Arrowhead. Using Heaps Peak Arboretum as their laboratory, the Rim of the World Interpretative Association is a long -standing (40 years), volunteer, environmental group in the San Bernardino Mountains that introduces children to the environment, guides bird and nature walks, maintains trails, sponsors concerts, staffs the information booth at the Arboretum, and holds fall and spring native plant sales.
https://hparboretum.com/about/
| | 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, October 10
- 2:00 p.m. - Children and Youth Pumpkin Painting Party
Sunday, October 11
- 9:30 a.m. - Social time at 9:15 a.m. Seekers (Founders Room)
- 9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Childcare (0-4 years old)
- Children go to Sanctuary for Children’s Circle
- 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary, then go to classrooms)
- 12:00 p.m. - Environmental Meeting (Youth room)
- 12:00 p.m. - Shepherd Leader Meeting (Founders room)
Monday, October 12
- All day set up for AFHS
- 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, October 13
- All day set up for AFHS
- 7:00 p.m. - Stewards meeting (office)
Wednesday, October 14
Thursday, October 15
- All day set up for AFHS
- 6:00 p.m. - Jam Session with David Wells (Sanctuary)
Friday, October 16
- 6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m. - Art For Heaven's Sake!
- 7:00 p.m. - Women's AA Meeting (Private residence, contact Judith Turian for address)
Saturday, October 17
- 10:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. - Art For Heaven's Sake!
Sunday, October 18
- 11:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m. - Art For Heaven's Sake!
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- October 24 - Game and Conversation Night
- October 31 - Trunk or Treat
- November 8 - Covenant Sunday
- November 21 - Family Bowling
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