Epiphany, January 4
"Setting Intentions"
My wife teaches yoga, and in the yoga community setting, an intention is a regular part of yoga practice. What is our intention as we begin a new year? We notice in the reading for this Epiphany Sunday that the intention of the astrologers/magi is to celebrate the birth of the promised Messiah. As part of that journey, they learn of the King’s fears and a threat to their own lives. Our faith can help us set intentions and cope with detours along our life's way! Come join us as we begin a month of Creation Care in our worship and receive Epiphany Cards to help set our intentions!
First Reader: Barack Obama
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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An Epiphany Sacred Saturday
This Saturday, January 3, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, we gather for a Sacred Saturday mini-retreat. This week’s focus will be Epiphany. For those of us who received Epiphany Words last year, we will reflect on where that word has taken us, and how it is between us and our word. As we release the journey of 2025, we will welcome in the gift of a new word and a new perspective to consider. Whether you are a regular at Sacred Saturday or have never participated, you are welcome to this contemplative time in community.
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Covenants are always welcome.
We would love for you to join us.
If you didn't quite get around to turning in a Covenant on Covenant Sunday you're in luck - there's no deadline, and all are welcome, all the time. It's helpful for planning purposes for the board to have your information sooner rather than later, and it's helpful for Pastor Jake to have your statement to guide his pastoral leadership of the church. If you have any questions about covenanting or need more information about something in the booklet please speak to Pastor Jake, to your Shepherd leader, or to any member of the board.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry –Crocheters and Knitters Needed
The prayer shawl ministry that was begun this year is in need of help! We have a few hearty folks who have taken the plunge into creating these beautiful symbols of love and care, but our needs have been great recently, and we are running low on shawls to give.
If you or someone you know can knit or crochet, please consider creating a shawl or two or more! We can help supply the yarn and needles if you can supply the craft!
We meet as a group several times during the year, and all are welcome! However, it’s not necessary to join in the gatherings – all that’s needed is for you to create something, in love, for the folks of RUCC and beyond. We have been gifted several of our shawls from a group that was part of First Congregational Church, San Bernardino UCC, and for that, we are grateful! Please help us continue this ministry. If you have questions, please contact Barbie Fiske-Phillips.
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Bring Your Prayers
During worship, we are trying something new for our prayers - there will be a sheet at the back of the sanctuary with space for prayer concerns and joys…please write LEGIBLY whatever you would like to share with the community that day, and it will be shared during our prayer time together. Prayers may be edited for length, and it helps if you identify a person’s relationship to our community. Worship area will meet in January to see if this is a helpful tool for us going forward in the new year! Thanks!
Prayer Request:
- Prayers for Jon Herbert, who is recovering from surgery for a pacemaker a few weeks ago
- Prayers for peace and healing for Dave Sanderson, Johanna Ballard’s brother, who has been placed in hospice
- Continued prayers for the Hoeger family as they grieve the loss of their daughter Kat.
- Prayers for shelter and support for all persons who are temporarily unsheltered.
Ongoing concerns:
- Tom Miller
- Floyd Orr
- Bill Buchanan
Please send prayer requests to Pastor Jake at jake@redlandsucc.org
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Church Kitchen Remodel & Temporary Closure, January 2026
We’re excited to share that our church kitchen will be undergoing a remodel! This work will help us create a more functional, welcoming, and safe space for future meals, ministries, and community events.
Please note that the kitchen will be completely unavailable during the renovation period. As you plan upcoming events, meetings, or gatherings, keep in mind that no kitchen facilities—including sinks, appliances, dishwashing, or food prep areas—will be accessible.
We’ll provide updates as the project moves forward and will let everyone know as soon as the kitchen is back in service. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time!
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New Leadership for the Church Growth Area is needed
It’s time for new leadership for the Church Growth Area of our church. Term limits for board members allow for a healthy rotation of engaged members. As an area leader, you would coordinate the efforts of members who have volunteered to greet, welcome, and integrate visitors, as well as those who work on our church communications. A core of 4-5 people have been meeting monthly. Additional members expressed new interest in Church Growth in their 2026 covenants. Area leaders also serve on the church board, which includes preparing for and attending monthly board meetings. To ask questions or express your interest, contact the outgoing leader, Michael Dewey, or any board member, Veronica in the office, or Rev. Jake.
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Seekers on hiatus until January 4, 2026
The Seekers group will not meet on Sunday, December 28; instead, we will resume meeting on Sunday, January 4, 2026. On that Sunday, we will begin a new book: ONEING A Living Tradition, Volume 13, no. 2. The text can be purchased through the Center for Action and Contemplation at the online CAC Bookstore. Since this is the most recent volume, it will show on their main web page. Please join us Sunday, January 4, 2026, in the Founders Room at 9:15 a.m. for social time, with discussion of the reading starting at 9:30 am.
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RUCC Book Group, January 4
It’s a new year and there will be new books to read with the RUCC Book Group. The Book Group’s next meeting will be on Sunday, Jan.4, 2026 in the Founders Room at noon. This will be the meeting where members come to give a brief preview of one or two books they would be interested in reading and discussing in the coming year. Then the group will select books together for the first part of the year for the group meetings. Kathie Blakley will lead the discussion. The Book Group usually meets on the first Sunday of every month, and everyone is always welcome to join us.
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Next Chair Yoga, January 5
Chair yoga will continue on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and has been extended to the end of January 2026. All ages are welcome.
We are blessed to have Jeanne Andrews, certified yoga instructor, hold an introductory chair yoga session for the church family. Covenant Hall. Kid-friendly. Donations accepted.
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THE RUMMAGE SALE IS COMING!
This year, we will be selling items on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21.
Start saving your unwanted treasures! We will collect them in February.
We will have a committee meeting in mid-January. Please let Claudia Tolar or Pam Dunn know if you would like to be on the committee or assist with the sale.
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Immigrant Justice Team, January 8
The Immigrant Justice Team will meet in the Founders Room from 7-8 on Thursday, January 8, to plan for our work in the next period. Please join us if you are interested. Sara Schoonmaker
| | Bible Study, starting January 5 | |
Caring for Kin
The members at RUCC are so very generous!
They donated 488 pairs of socks during the month of December.
These socks are going out to the following organizations that indicated a need:
- Youth Hope
- Refresh and Renew
- Family Service
- Kelly and Rick Ferguson ..... working at the Columbia Street church with folks who are housing insecure.
- Ross and Sandy Cooper ..... who open their home to those in need for meals, laundry, showers, and more .
Makes me so happy that we can share. Claudia
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Caring for Kin, January
Help keep everyone warm!
We are collecting new and used jackets and sweatshirts for those in need.
Please be sure that used items are clean and in good shape, with working zippers.
At this time, we are only collecting jackets and sweatshirts.
You may wish to think about donating other good clothing to the February garage sale!
Thanks, as always, for your generosity and kind hearts!
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Racial justice message
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a Black death‑row inmate in Mississippi, whose conviction may have been influenced by a prosecutor with a long record of striking Black jurors. Civil‑rights advocates say the case highlights persistent racial bias in jury selection, especially in capital cases. The Court’s decision could set an important precedent for how racial discrimination in jury makeup is evaluated nationwide.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-mississippi-racial-bias-jury-2ad7c6c707471ec891eeee66decb4c1b
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Environmental justice message
About the Season of Creation:
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our siblings in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
Source: Season of Creation
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RaiseRight
'Tis the season to earn!
Even though the deadline to order physical gift cards has passed, there are still many ways you can continue to use the RaiseRight program during this holiday season. Here’s how to earn:
- Buy from stock – we have Stater Bros and Auto/Grocery only Master Cards in stock. Stop by the RaiseRight table after worship on Sundays to purchase using cash, check, or Zelle.
- Buy eGift cards from RaiseRight and use them to pay for all your holiday expenses or gift them. If you check the box to Send as a gift by email, you can have eGift cards sent directly to your loved ones. eGift card purchase from RaiseRight earns up to 20% back!
- Shop online through RaiseRight—log in to your RaiseRight account, click through to shop directly on a brand’s website, and earn upon completing a purchase. Install the RaiseRight Earnings Extension to easily activate online earnings for a brand, buy eGift cards to pay for your online purchase, or both at once!
- Dine locally—link a credit or debit card in your RaiseRight account to earn 5% every time you dine at thousands of restaurants nationwide and pay with your linked card while at home or traveling.
- Book travel through RaiseRight—save and earn by booking hotels and car rentals using RaiseRight's travel site.
Haven’t joined our RaiseRight program yet? For more information, email giftcards@redlandsucc.org or see Jennifer Brainerd or Pam Dunn at the table in Covenant Hall on Sundays.
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This week at RUCC
Saturday, January 3
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, January 4
- 9:15 a.m. -10:30 a.m. - Kids Zone early care
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers group (social time 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Second Sunday after Christmas - Epiphany)
- 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Book Group
Monday, January 5
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
- 2:00 p.m. - Church Growth Meeting
Tuesday, January 6
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch & Muse Lunch Group
- 11:30 a.m. - Artistic Journey Group
Wednesday, January 7
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Thursday, January 8
- 7:00 p.m. - Immigration Justice Team meeting
Friday, January 9
Saturday, January 10
Sunday, January 11
- 9:15 a.m. - Kids Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers group (social time 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary
- 12:00 p.m. -Shepherd Leader meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- January 18 - RUCC Orientation
- January 23 - Education Youth Movie Night
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