Third Sunday of Lent, March 8
"Settling For God"
Part of the difficulty with our faith journey is that we can be surprised by what our search for God turns up. We have a fulfilling experience making a meal for others, or we find a simple conversation with a newcomer to church meaningful. Our work at the church is sometimes tedious, but we like the company, or church decisions take forever, but we learn something about others - or ourselves - in the process. We may find ourselves wondering if this is all there is - has our climb up the spiritual wisdom mountain resulted in making sandwiches or driving someone to their radiation treatment? The woman at the well is wondering why Jesus is speaking to her when Samaritans and Jews are not to interact, and finds someone sitting at a well and not drawing water, an anomaly! Join us for worship where we will consider if God is enough for us - in our world of wealth, natural wonder, social and work relationships, and entertainment - can we settle for the company of the sacred! We worship in the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m., and you can join us online as well! Rev. Jake Pomeroy
Scripture: John 4:5-26
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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Sacred Saturday, March 7
This Saturday, we will gather from 9:00 a.m. – noon for Sacred Saturday. If you could use a time for reflection and community, this could be what you need. It’s a time for prayer, to walk and enjoy the grounds and sanctuary of RUCC, and a time for quiet internal contemplation. All are welcome as we gather in Micah Room in Mosaic Hall to begin.
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Daylight Savings, Sunday, March 8
DST starts this Sunday, March 8; set your clocks accordingly. (Spring forward)
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Calling all Worship Leaders, Ushers, Greeters and Children’s Circle Facilitators!!
If you covenanted to help with any of these aspects of worship, you are wanted at a Worship Workshop this Sunday, March 8th beginning at noon. We will meet together as a whole group to talk about worship and then break into smaller groups based on the roles we have covenanted to fill. We’ll be talking about each of the jobs and how to make RUCC an even more welcoming and worshipful place on Sunday mornings!
And, if you didn’t covenant for one of these jobs, you are welcome and wanted to attend – maybe the discussion will prompt you to join in as well!
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Floyd Orr Remembrance, Tuesday, March 31
Floyd Orr passed away three weeks ago and was a member of our faith community for many years. His family held a private ceremony - we are celebrating Floyd’s life here at church with a simple gathering on Tuesday, March 31, at 10 a.m. in the Micah room of Mosaic Hall. We will have a time of sharing, readings, and music - all are welcome.
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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.
Prayer Request:
- Prayers for Jon Herbert, who has moved home on hospice care.
- Prayers for Larry Rose as he continues treatment for prostate cancer.
- Prayers for compassion, shelter, and safety for all who are threatened by ICE presence and enforcement.
- Prayers for the RUCC search committee as they start a new stage in the work toward a settled pastor.
Ongoing concerns:
- Tom Miller
- Bill Buchanan
- Ruth Jordan
- Mary Lou Haney
- Craig Wesson
Please send prayer requests to Pastor Jake at jake@redlandsucc.org
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Office Hours for the Month of March
The office hours for the month of March will be Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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From the Desk of the President
This is a check-in to let you know that our new board is off and running! Our board members are actively engaged in their responsibilities, and the church is in good hands. We spent our all-day board retreat at the end of January getting to know each other, talking about our dreams and priorities for the church, and imagining ways that we could make our dreams a reality. We had wonderful support from Dan and Loring as we learned more about the technologies the church uses for communication, meetings, and documents. And Pastor Jake was our guide as we built the foundation for a cohesive, caring team. We have had our February board meeting, which was positive and productive, and our March board meeting will be on the 17th.
I am in the Micah Room on Tuesday mornings, usually by 10:00 or earlier, and leave at noon. As a retired professor, I refer to this time as my “office hours.” I just want you all to know that I am available to chat about any ideas or concerns you have about our church, or even just to visit a little! Please feel free to drop in!
In community,
Patty Little
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Settled Pastor update
Last week, we announced that our committee had invited three candidates for in-person visits. In our excitement to share this news, we inadvertently called them “finalists” for the position, suggesting that these are the last people we will be considering. This was a mistake. While it’s possible that one of the three may be called as our next settled pastor, it’s also possible none from this group will be called. So, we wanted to amend last week’s announcement to assure you that our search process remains open, and we will keep working to find a pastor who will lead us into the future. Thank you for your understanding and support.
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Be Safe at Church
We have had a couple of falls in the last few months, so now is an important time to remind ourselves to take care of each other around our church campus! Try walking to your car or in the garden with a buddy; you can help steady one another! Stewards are looking at repair projects in the parking lot and our garden areas, but designs and bids take time to sort out. We will repaint markers for our accessible parking spots and hope those visual markers will help us all! Mind how you go!
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Lenten Series Continues this Week
Still Speaking, Still Becoming: Faith, Community, and Meaning in a Changing World
What does it mean to live a thoughtful, meaningful Christian faith in our time?
This Lenten season, Redlands UCC continues to invite you to conversation exploring how faith is shaped at the intersection of institution, community, and individual experience. Together, we’ll reflect on trust and belonging, identity and calling, and how we each shape our personal theology within our public, everyday life.
These gatherings are designed for listening, reflection, and respectful conversation—no preparation required, and no pressure to agree. Whether you’ve been part of the church for decades or are still finding your place, you are welcome.
Soup supper begins at 5:30, and then we transition to our conversation. Please bring your own bowl and utensils for the meal. See Stacy Kaiser on Sunday to sign up to help with these meals.
Tuesdays | 5:30–7:30 PM Mar 10 • Mar 17
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RUCC Book Group, Sunday, March 8
The RUCC Book Group will next meet on March 8, 2026, at noon in Founders Room. This is the second Sunday of March. The selection will be The Peacekeeper by B.L. Blanchard, and the presenter will be Judith Turian.
“Against the backdrop of a never-colonized North America, a broken Ojibwe detective embarks on an emotional and twisting journey toward solving two murders, rediscovering family, and finding himself.” (Amazon review)
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Next Chair Yoga, March 9
Jeanne Andrews is a gifted yoga instructor. We thank her for leading us toward health and wellness on Mondays at 10 a.m. in Covenant Hall. Donations appreciated.
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Caring Hearts, Monday, March 16
Caring Hearts is at it again. We will be at Brookside Health Center, 105 Terracina Blvd, Redlands, on March 16, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in helping with crafts with the patients, please contact Ginny Cruz.
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Immigrant Justice Team, March 19 & 26
We are partnering with the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ) to offer training for anyone interested in participating in two upcoming projects:
March 19 (7-8:30 p.m.): IC4IJ will train us to be Legal Observers, so we can be part of their Rapid Response Network to go to places where ICE has been sighted in our local area and offer support.
March 26 (7-8:30 p.m.): IC4IJ will train us to visit immigrants incarcerated in the Adelanto detention center. Our goal will be to offer moral support and to engage in advocacy to monitor conditions and civil violations within the center.
If you have questions, see Sara Schoonmaker
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Game and Conversation Night, Saturday, March 28
We will have Game and Conversation Night every other month starting in March, on the fourth Saturday of the month. Our next gathering will be Saturday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m. in Covenant Hall. If you would like to contribute a sweet treat, please let Ginny know.
On the alternate months beginning in April, Hospitality will plan a special event, so stay tuned for more information.
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Bible Study to go on a short hiatus
Bible Study is on hiatus for four weeks, in order to leave the calendar more open for the Lenten Series.
We will resume meeting on March 23. Stay tuned for details on what we will be studying at that time--and please make plans to join us then!
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CARING FOR KIN, March
CARING FOR KIN, March
For our March collection, we are going to try to supply several local organizations with some of the personal/grooming items that they most need.
Some of the organizations need sample or travel-sized items, while others require the regular-sized products.
The most common items asked for, so far, are:
- deodorant
- toothpaste
- shampoo
- conditioner
- shaving cream
- body lotion
- sanitary napkins
If you would like to see the specific items for which each organization has asked, there is more info on our Facebook page, on the lists hanging on the Caring for Kin cart, and here:
List of organizations
Thanks for your kind hearts and generous natures!
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Environmental justice message
A broad coalition of health and environmental groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today over its illegal determination that it is not responsible for protecting us from climate pollution and its elimination of rules to cut the tailpipe pollution fueling the climate crisis and harming people’s health.
“Revoking the endangerment finding sets our country down a dangerous path that will have unimaginable consequences for so many. It ignores the real harms that people and communities like ours along the Rio Grande in South Texas are already experiencing from declining rainfall, heat, and fragile ecosystems,” said Tricia Cortez, executive director of Rio Grande International Study Center. “We have a moral obligation to our current and future generations to protect their future and the well-being of our planet’s climate.
Source:“EPA Sued Over Illegal Repeal of Climate Protections,” press release, Environmental Defense Fund, 2/18/25
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Environmental Justice Team meeting, Sunday, March 8
March 8 - noon: Environmental Justice Team meeting after church service. We will meet in the Youth room. Grab your snack and join the meeting at noon. Remember: Earth Day is coming up!
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February 2026
At the first quarter meeting of RUCC Wider Ministries in 2026, we decided to donate to four nonprofit organizations, including the Wildlands Conservancy.
Founded in 1995, The Wildlands Conservancy is now active in three Western states, primarily in California, having established 25 nature preserves covering 200,000 acres. Whitewater Preserve, Oak Glen Preserve, Bluff Lake Reserve, and Bearpaw Reserve are familiar to many in the Redlands area. The non-profit system aims to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the Earth and to offer programs that enable children to experience the wonder and joy of nature. The lands are open to the public at no charge. wildlandsconservancy.org.
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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.
- Floyd Orr's family wants to donate his nearly new walker (with seat) to someone in our church. Please contact Valerie Naftzger.
- I am giving away my mother's vintage doll. I.D. (early Jumeau) 22 inch. Name "Promentte" antique Bisque, French. She needs repairs. The same doll in good condition costs $495 online. Please contact Valerie Naftzger.
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This week at RUCC
Saturday, March 7
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, March 8
- 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 (Third Sunday of Lent)
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
- 12:00 p.m. - Worship Training
- 12:00 p.m. - Environmental meeting
Monday, March 9
Tuesday, March 10
- 5:30 p.m. - Lenten Series
Wednesday, March 11
- 9:30 a.m. - Private funeral
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg
- 6:00 p.m. - Bells Practice
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir Practice
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 13
- 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Education Youth Tie-dye party
Saturday, March 14
Sunday, March 15
- 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 (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
- 12:00 p.m. - Shepherd leader meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- March 28 - Game and Conversation Night
- March 29 - Palm Sunday
- April 3 - Good Friday
- April 5 - Easter Sunday
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