Friday, July 24, 2026

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Worship at RUCC

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26

"God is Still Speaking"

 God is always near at hand. When we are afraid, when the world is chaotic, when we aren't sure where to turn, and even when we run away, God is still with us. This week we take heart in God's presence and still speaking Spirit, assuring us that we are never alone.

Rev. Chrissy Siva

Biography: Pastor Chrissy Siva earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in Women’s Studies with a focus in American Racial and Multicultural Studies. She then attended Pacific School of Religion, receiving dual Master’s Degrees—an M.Div. and an MA in Biblical Language. She loves looking at the original Hebrew and Greek versions of the Bible to enrich our understanding of the text and the ways it speaks to us today. She was ordained in 2015 to serve the Congregational Church of Fullerton. She led the church through a wilderness journey after they sold their building during the pandemic, and then through a merger with Brea Congregational UCC. She now serves as co-pastor at Live Oak UCC - a new church born from the Fullerton and Brea congregations that blends new ideas with tradition, centers justice in all things, and celebrates a diversity of music.  

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-15a

Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org

Caring for Each Other

Bring Your Prayers

For the time being, we are keeping the prayer requests 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 be on the sheet already.

Prayer Request:

• Prayers for comfort and healing for Michelle McNevin and Alicia Thompson.
• Prayers for Barbie and Loring Fiske-Phillips and family as they grieve the death of their brother-in-law Mac.
• Prayers for Nan Root and family, on the sudden death of her daughter-in-law. 
• Prayers for Steve Schuh as he begins radiation treatment.
• Prayers for wildfire season and the accompanying risk and anxiety.
• Prayers for peace in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, and the Sudan.
• Prayers for safe travel for those who are away.

Ongoing concerns:

• Tom Miller
• Bill Buchanan
• Ruth Jordan
• Jon Herbert
• Carol Buchanan
• Mary Lou Haney
• Craig Wesson

Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org

Stephen Barrick Arth Service, Saturday, August 8

Stephen Barrick Arth, a lifetime resident of the Redlands area, died on April 13, 2026. He was 72. Born August 16, 1953, to Aaron and Helen Arth, he was raised in the family orange grove on San Bernardino Avenue with his four siblings.

Steve was a founding member of Redlands United Church of Christ. He served his church family as an usher and groundskeeper. He was a lifelong Dodgers fan who loved watching the games and cheering on his favorite team.

Steve graduated from Yucaipa High School. He retired from Patton State Hospital after more than 30 years of working in food service.

Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Steve will be remembered for his infectious chuckle, good nature, and ever-present kindness.

Steve is survived by his sister, Linda Wyland of Lakeway, TX, and his nieces and nephews: Robert Schwab of Phoenix, AZ; Scott Schwab of Dana Point, CA; Lisa Arth-Pisano of Portland, OR; Matthew Arth of Redlands, CA; Kimberly Nishihara, of Gilbert, AZ; and Lauren Hall of Lakeway, TX. He is preceded in death by his loving parents; his big brothers, Fred Arth and Phillip Arth; and his older sister, Carol Schwab.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Redlands United Church of Christ (168 Bellevue Avenue, Redlands) at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Redlands United Church of Christ. Please indicate "Memorial Fund" in the check memo line or select the Memorial Fund if donating on Realm.

Transitions

Introducing Our New Transitional Pastor, Michael Schiefelbein

Pastor Michael comes to us after spending 4 years in retirement from the College Avenue UCC in Modesto. Michael served 16 years as senior pastor there. He and his husband Steve live in Palm Springs. Pastor Michael comes to us highly recommended by Rachael Pryor, our conference minister. Two fun facts: he is a retired English professor from Christian Brothers University, and he is also in ministry with the Enneagram Prison Project in California as a Riso & Hudson certified Enneagram teacher. Pastor Michael is looking forward to his ministry with us, and we are delighted he is accepting our call! He will start his time with us on August 9.

Groups & Gatherings

Bible Study on hiatus for 4 weeks

Bible Study is on hiatus for the next four weeks. We will resume on Monday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room; we'll be discussing Mary and Martha. Please save the date and join us on August 24!

Next Chair Yoga, Monday, July 27 in Mosaic Hall

Chair Yoga may sound like it is easy-peasy, but it is quite a wonderful yet gentle workout. For the last eight months, 15 to 20 friends and neighbors of RUCC have gathered on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Covenant Hall to stretch, strengthen, and breathe. Monday, July 27, we will join together in Mosaic Hall. There is a private funeral in the Sanctuary that morning. Our fearless leader, Jeanne Andrews, a gifted certified yoga instructor, challenges us to work a little harder in modified yoga poses. Afterwards, you feel the best kind of tired. It is for people of all abilities. We would love to have you give it a try. Donations appreciated.

Game and Conversation Night is skipping July

We are skipping July and looking forward to August 22nd for our next time of family fun.

Book Group meeting August 2

The RUCC Book Group will be reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and discuss it at their next meeting on August 2, at noon, in Founders Room. The presenter is Kathie Blakley.

Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime. (Amazon Review)

Upcoming Book Group selections:

August 2 Selection: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

            Presenter: Kathie Blakley

Sept. 6 Selection: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

             Presenter: Charletta Campfield

Oct. 4 Selection: The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson     

             Presenter: Susan Matthews

Mark Your Calendars! Art, For Heaven's Sake! 47th Annual Show October 16, 17, and 18, 2026

“The Art Show” – You hear this quite often in conversation around our church. In case you were wondering what it is all about, here you go.

Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Fine Arts Festival is a three-day annual art festival on the grounds and gardens of the Redlands United Church of Christ. The Redlands United Church of Christ holds this event to support the arts and the community.

This premiere art festival of the Inland Empire features 72 artists and crafters representing a wide variety of media, including acrylics, photography, watercolor, oils, stained glass, jewelry, pottery, and metal sculpture.

In addition to original art, the festival offers a craft boutique, a fabulous food truck experience, incredible music, and artist demonstrations. A gala “Meet the Artists” reception open to everyone is held on Friday evening to open the show.

This is one of the biggest fundraisers for our church, but it doesn’t magically happen. The members and friends of our church make it happen, so mark your calendars and watch for upcoming information on how YOU can be a part of making this premier event a huge success.

Children and Youth

Contact Kara or Kathy in Education.

Helping Hands

Caring for Kin in July

This Sunday is our last day to collect school supplies for Women of Faith. The organization especially needs the following items for the upcoming school year:

Backpacks 

Wide-ruled notebooks

Loose-leaf college-ruled notepaper

Pencils and pencil sharpeners

Pencil pouches

Glue sticks

Scissors (medium-sized)

Black Sharpies

Crayola crayons - 64 count box 

Crayola markers 

Next month, we will be collecting toiletries for Angel's Closet. See The View next week for more details!

Thank you,

Diana Steele-Jones

Environmental justice message

The Wider Church

Immigrant Justice Team, July 30

On July 30 at 7:00 p.m., there will be a film screening of the documentary "Jesus was a Migrant" at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Cajon St. The film is 30 minutes and we will have time for discussion afterward. All are welcome. 

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.

Around Town

• Redlands Events July and August 2026

Calendar

This week at RUCC

Saturday, July 25

Sunday, July 26

• 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
• 10:30 a.m.- Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
• 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

Monday, July 27

• 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga (Mosaic Hall)
• 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study

Tuesday, July 28

Wednesday, July 29

• 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg

Thursday, July 30

• 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Private Funeral

Friday, July 31

Saturday, August 1

• 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday

Sunday, August 2

• 9:15 a.m. - Kids' Zone
• 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
• 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
• 12:00 p.m. - Book Group

Useful Information

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