Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 18
"Keeping Company"
The writers of the Gospel of John present us with the adult Jesus during Epiphany season - reinforcing that his connection to God is real. John shares with others that he has seen a dove descend and anoint Jesus with God’s Spirit. Who or whom do we follow in our lives - and on whose recommendation? Come join us for worship - in person or online - this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as we consider together where we get our marching orders for our lives!
Scripture: John 1:35-42
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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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 last 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! Next meeting is Sunday, January 18, 11:30 a.m. in the Youth room. 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 or Heather King.
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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 continued healing for Ruth Jordan, who is recovering from a fall and surgery
- Prayers of patience and strength for Ben Bohren, who continues with a month of radiation treatments.
- Prayers of thanksgiving for persons who have volunteered to help lead the church as area leaders in this new year.
- Prayers for healing for Patrick, a friend of Susi Jacobson, who is working his way through melanoma
- Prayers for the family and friends of Nancy Sellas, who passed last week from life to Life; she will be missed.
- Prayers for healing for Jon Herbert, who has been admitted to the hospital for an infection.
- Prayers for peace and healing for Dave Sanderson, Johanna Ballard’s brother, who has been placed in hospice
- Prayers for safe working conditions and a fair wage for persons working in service positions and unregulated industries.
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 is 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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Settled Pastor Search Committee Update
After a break for the holidays, the Settled Pastor Search Committee is back up and running. We are working on a round of second interviews that will continue into February. We also have new profiles to review, and we expect to do first interviews with some of these candidates. We continue to work hard. With each thoughtful and in-depth deliberation, we get clearer about what would be best for RUCC. We appreciate your support and will keep you updated.
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RUCC Orientation, Sunday, January 18
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 with lunch and small groups getting to know each other, and then a larger group presentation on some of the basics of the church, with lots of time for your questions.
Our next orientation is on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 12:45 p.m. in the Founders Room. No RSVP is necessary, but if you know you will be coming, please let Veronica in the office know.
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Next Chair Yoga, January 19
Jeanne Andrews is a gifted yoga instructor. We thank her for leading us toward health and wellness on Mondays at 10 am in Covenant Hall. Chair Yoga will continue through February. No more excuses! Just Do It! Donations appreciated.
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Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 25
The annual meeting is coming up soon on January 25, after church. We will start in the sanctuary, where we’ll vote on formal matters, then move to Covenant Hall, where we’ll hear reports from the area leaders about the life of the church while enjoying a potluck meal. The 2025 Book of Reports is now available on the church website. We had another wonderful year! My thanks to the board and all the other leaders who contributed reports to chronicle this year in our history.
Regards,
Dan Abushanab, Board President
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Game Night, Saturday, January 24
What a great way to start the new year. On Saturday, January 24th 5:30 to 8:00 pm, come spend time with friends, have some fun, challenge your brain, and enjoy a sweet treat. We are back to basics with our world-famous root beer floats. Enjoy Bunco, Scrabble, Mexican Train Dominos, Skyjo, Parcheesi, Candy Land and so much more. We have a special art project planned in preparation for our 100 Hearts Valentine's Day celebration.
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Save the Date: 100 Hearts Valentine's Day Celebration, Saturday, February 14
We are planning a fun potluck event, Saturday night, February 14. Mark it on your calendar. It will replace the February Game and Conversation Night. More information to follow.
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Silent Retreat, 2 spots open, Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22, Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside, CA
An Invitation to SILENCE - a great way to deeper communication with your God. Come join us on a Silent Retreat. Even the noisiest of us who can't imagine being silent for an hour, let alone a whole weekend, are amazed by the grace we receive during this holy time. 5 meals, single room - $300.00. Payment is due February 1. If financial help is needed, let us know. Contact Judith Turian or Pastor Jake for more information and to reserve our space.
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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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RUCC Book Group, Sunday, February 1
The RUCC Book Group’s next meeting will be on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Founders Room at noon. The selection to read and discuss for this meeting is Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. The presenter will be Claudia Tolar. The Book Group usually meets on the first Sunday of every month, and everyone is always welcome to join us.
“… a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.” (Amazon review)
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RUCC Kids and Youth: Light Bringers/First Readers Needed
Attn RUCC Families: Please sign up to have your child(ren) participate in our Light Bringer/First Readers program during worship.
- Children and youth will bring the light to our altar, (with parents/guardians helping if you wish), at the beginning of each service.
- Children and youth will also read our First Reading from the pulpit. (Again, with parental assistance if desired.)
- Please sign up by email with the date(s) you are available to: al_education@redlandsucc.org.
- Open to all ages grade 12 and under (even the very youngest can participate with parental assistance!)
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Bible Study, Monday, January 19
Bible Study is on Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
| | All Youth Movie Night, January 23 | |
Caring for Kin, January
So many wonderful, warm jackets and sweatshirts have been donated to help keep our kin warm!
Thank you!
We will continue to collect for two more Sundays ..... January 18th and January 25th.
These items will help several organizations in Redlands meet the needs of their clients.
Planning ahead .....
Our annual SOUPER BOWL competition is just around the corner.
Caring for Kin will be asking you to vote for your chosen football team with each can of soup that you donate!
Family Service has advised us that soup cans with a pull-top are the most desired by their families.
Let us know if you see them on discount somewhere between now and then.
This will be a two-week competition ...... February 1st and 8th only.
Go SEAHAWKS!?! GO PATRIOTS!?!? GO RAMS!?!? GO COLTS!?!
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Racial justice message
The Franklin, North Carolina city council voted unanimously to return the Noquisiyi Mound, a sacred Cherokee “mother town” site, to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians after nearly 200 years of non‑tribal control. Tribal leaders emphasized the mound’s deep spiritual significance and celebrated the decision as a meaningful act of cultural restoration. The next step is for the tribal council to formally accept the transfer, which will begin the legal process of returning the land to Cherokee stewardship.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/town-north-carolina-returning-land-eastern-band-cherokee-128962498
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Environmental justice message
The seeds for our nation’s environmental justice movement may have been planted by [Dr. Martin Luther] King’s legacy. …
Several of Dr. King’s quotes bring nature to civil rights such as: “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality.” … “The cities are gasping in polluted air and enduring contaminated water.” …
… Although ecological themes were never fully developed, Dr. King’s vision was ahead of its time in linking social justice and ecological consciousness.
Source:“Dr. Martin Luther King, Black History, and Green History,” Dr. Betty Whitted Holley, Creation Justice Ministries blog, 2/14/2018
| | 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, January 17
- 12:30 p.m. - Celebration of Life for Mara Dee Hodson
Sunday, January 18
- 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 Epiphany)
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - RUCC Orientation
Monday, January 19
- Office is closed
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
- 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. - Bible Study
Tuesday, January 20
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
- 7:00 p.m. - Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 21
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg
- 6:00 p.m. - Bells practice
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Thursday, January 22
Friday, January 23
- 5:00 p.m. - Search Committee
- 6:00 p.m. - Education Youth Movie Night
Saturday, January 24
- 10:30 a.m. - Funeral service for Katherine Peters
- 5:30 p.m. - Game Night
Sunday, January 25
- 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 (Third Sunday after Epiphany)
- 11:30 a.m. - Annual Meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- February 14 - 100 Hearts (Valentine's event)
- February 20-21 - Rummage Sale
- February 21 - E-Waste
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