Sunday, August 31 ~ "Shortest Sermon Ever!" ~ Rev. Dr. Ben Bohren preaching
Over many years of ministry, I have often been asked, “Pastor, I want to be a faithful follower of Jesus. I want to serve God faithfully; how do I do that?” Jesus was asked a similar question (honestly, in order to trick him). His answer was simple and direct and clear…LOVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE SELF AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF! What more do we need to know?? Got it? Drop the mic! Go do it!!
First Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Second Scripture: Mark 12:28-31
Ben is a member of both RUCC and North Hollywood First Christian Church. His ministry spans well over a half century in local churches, regional and national leadership, higher education, young adult mentoring, and much more. Ben is a graduate of Lynchburg College and Lexington Theological Seminary. These days, in between his frequent travels, he is mostly retired and lives in Palm Springs.
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Somethings's changed...
On Friday, the sanctuary underwent a few changes. See how many things you can identify in this picture!
As a preliminary step along the road to our new organ, we moved the piano to make room for the organ console (basically, the keyboard and pedals). The piano is now sitting behind where the pulpit used to be. And, because we want to see Sophia and vice versa, we moved the pulpit to the right side where the lectern was.
We're so grateful to Jean Arnott and the stalwart crew of volunteers from the LDS church who carefully hefted the instrument up the steps to its new home.
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An update from the Search Committee
We’re happy to report that the search committee’s preparations for reviewing applications is nearly complete. We’re finalizing questions for video interviews and getting our criteria and ranking sheets in order.
It’s good that we’re almost done preparing because candidate profiles have started coming in! Very exciting! And as many of us said, “it’s getting real!!!”
We’ll continue to update you on our process, but because we need to maintain strict confidentiality, we won’t be providing any information about candidates.
Please keep the committee in your prayers as we move forward in this important work.
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Search reminders...
- Rev, Jake Pomeroy begins Sept. 2 as our Transitional Pastor.
- Rev. John Walsh has volunteered to be on call for pastoral support until Jake arrives.
- Please share our settled pastor listing with anyone you feel may be interested.
- Search Committee members are: Sophia Beardemphl, Lisa Dewey, Pam Dunn, Kathy Economen, John Hoeger, Nick Mineo-Wells, Keith Osajima, Julie Philip, and Jules Rattray.
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In our thoughts and prayers:
- Prayers of welcome and ease for our Transitional Pastor, Rev. Jake Pomeroy, as he moves into his part-time life and ministry in Redlands and RUCC beginning in September.
- Janet Wilson asks for prayers for her friend Kourtney, who has been diagnosed with a complicated breast cancer.
- Prayers for the victims and families of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting and an end to gun violence.
- Every week we pray for the victims of violence and oppression around the world. This week, we pray for support and funding for the United Nations teams currently unable to investigate violence in the Gaza war. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Ongoing concerns:
- Jerry Andrews
- Tim and Ida Blakely
- Judith Gregory
- Mary Lou Haney, Jennie, and Patrick
- Tom Miller
- Floyd Orr
- Paisley Parcell
- Carl Parish
- Michael White
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Super Shepherd Sunday is September 14
Hello friends! Our next Super Shepherd Sunday will be September 14th. Please be on the lookout for communication from your Shepherd Leader for where your group will be meeting. If you are not in a Shepherd Group, then please reach out to Maegan Hill at maegan@redlandsucc.org.
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Caring for Kin
This Sunday, August 31, is the last opportunity to donate new, unopened toiletries and feminine hygiene supplies for Angels' Closet. Angels' Closet provides toiletries and clothing items to middle school and high school students in the Redlands area. Let's help them get the school year off to a great start!
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Sunday School has begun!
We look forward to seeing everyone! See Andrea, Jules or Kathy for more information.
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Calling all ringers, singers, and jammers!
I’m looking forward to seeing both returning and new folks to make some music this fall, starting September 3!
Here’s the schedule:
- Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., Celebration Ringers handbell rehearsal in the Sanctuary
- Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., Covenant Choir rehearsal in Micah Room
- Thursday, September 4, Jam Session at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
I hope to see you for one or more! Please contact me if you'd like more information!
David Wells, Director of Music
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Book Group
The next RUCC Book Group meeting will be on September 7, around noon, in Founders Room. We will discuss The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, and the presenter will be Charletta Campfield.
“The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.” (Amazon review)
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Volunteers sought to assist with office coverage
The Personnel Committee seeks to compile a list of members who could help cover the church office on days when Veronica is absent due to vacation or illness. If you can help, or if you want more details, please contact Carole Beswick.
Side note: The church office will be closed this Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
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Braver Angels Workshop
Holly Highfield, Braver Angels Inland Empire Alliance Co-Chair, invites members of RUCC to attend a Red/Blue Workshop, September 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church. Click here for registration.
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California Assembly to vote on "No Vigilantes" bill
California Council of Churches IMPACT is encouraging us to contact our state assembly member and ask them to support SB 805, the “No Vigilantes" Bill.
Elizabeth Sholes, Public Policy Advocate, writes "This bill would give local police the right and duty to demand identification from those purporting to be ICE agents. It would require said agents to remove masks while operating in this state. These are critical issues since we have confirmed reports of criminals posing as ICE to harm people in many ways, and assuring their identity is a major safety measure."
Find your legislators' information here. Calling their office is often the easiest and most effective means of letting them know your opinion.
Source: https://churchimpact.org/index.php/2025/08/25/urgent-no-vigilantes-bill-is-on-the-assembly-floor-call-your-member/
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This week at RUCC
Saturday, August 30
- 10:30 a.m. - AFHS meeting
Sunday, August 31
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers group (social time at 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary
- 12:00 noon - Accessible to All (A2A) meeting, Garden Room
Monday, September 1
Tuesday, September 2
- Rev. Jake Pomeroy begins as Transitional Pastor
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch & Muse lunch group, Covenant Hall
Wednesday, September 3
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg, Mosaic Hall
- 6:00 p.m. - Celebration Ringers handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary
- 7:00 p.m. - Covenant Choir rehearsal, Micah Room
Thursday, September 4
- 7:00 p.m. - Immigration Justice team meeting, Founders Room
Friday, September 5
- 7:00 p.m. - Women's closed AA meeting
Saturday, September 6
- 9:00 a.m.-noon - Sacred Saturday, Mosaic Hall
Sunday, September 7
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers group (social time at 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary
- 12 noon - Book group, Founders Room
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
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September 14 - Super Shepherd Sunday (check with your Shepherd Leader)
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September 20, 5:30 p.m. - Game and conversation night—more details in future issues of The View.
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