Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 25
"Coming Together "
There are four parts to our text for worship this week - the first matches the work of Jesus to prophecy in the Hebrew Bible that claims the connection between that work and God’s purpose. Then comes a call for repentance - literally to turn around and face the other direction! Next Jesus gathers followers from the lowest class of the area - fishermen working under the commercial control and license of the occupying Roman forces. Finally, there are reports of Jesus working as both a teacher and healer, a notice to persons of that time that Jesus can perform the same tasks as any other competing religious figure of the time. What if we put together the call to repent with the gathering of followers - we get a community of change! Come join us for worship online or in person this week as we look at how we are agents of change together!
Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23
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!
If you have questions, please contact Barbie Fiske-Phillips or Heather King.
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Susan Rodgers Hammond's funeral service, Tuesday, February 17
Susan Rodgers Hammond was a long time member and friend of RUCC. A Memorial Mass and Reception for her will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 3:00 p.m. at El Carmelo Retreat House, 926 E. Highland Ave., Redlands, CA 92374. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Sue Hammond Memorial Scholarship Fund: scholarships.rcsf@gmail.com.
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Dee Hodson's funeral service, thank you
I can't begin to thank everyone enough for helping to make Mom's celebration of life so special. Everything was done so beautifully, and without a working kitchen, too. You are the best!
Extra special thanks to Pam and Barbie, who got everyone together to make it happen. A big thank you to Loring for doing the sound. And Sophia, what can I say; the folk piece was perfect!
Sondra Hodson
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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 is back in rehab and being treated for an infection.
- Prayers for all who are under threat from ICE enforcement - may your elected officials act with care and compassion around immigration.
Ongoing concerns:
Please send prayer requests to Pastor Jake at jake@redlandsucc.org
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Church Kitchen Remodel & Temporary Closure, January 2026
We understand you are excited to see the progress of the kitchen. But for your safety please refrain from entering the kitchen until it is completely finished.
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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Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 25
The annual meeting is scheduled for January 25, immediately following church. We will start in the sanctuary, where we’ll vote (absentee ballot) 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 sandwich. 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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“Dinners for 8ish” is back again for 2026!
Participants will share a meal at four dinners over the course of a year. Your “set" (see below for what that means) will host one meal and get hosted three times, each time with three different sets of people. When you host, you provide a main course and beverages. The other three times you'll be assigned to bring an appetizer, a salad, or a dessert. You’ll end up having four nice meals with a total of twelve sets of people.
EVERYONE can participate in this great activity for the church! Feel like your house is too small to host? You can host your meal at the church or borrow a larger hosting home from someone else. This is a beloved activity, and we don't want anyone to be left out!
A “set” of people of your choosing may consist of an individual, a couple, a small group of friends (approx. 2-3), or a family. The point is to keep the total number of guests at the meals manageable (8ish).
Sign up now, and we’ll get you dining with your new RUCC friends in no time. If you have questions, please contact Hospitality Area Leader Kim Lara-Kane or Loring Fiske-Phillips at D48ish@redlandsucc.org.
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Next Chair Yoga, January 26
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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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 your space.
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THE RUMMAGE SALE IS COMING! Start collecting your treasures!
This year, the sale will last two days--Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, from 8:00-1:00 each day. We will start collecting your donations on Sunday, February 15. Please do not bring us anything before then. We are looking for clothing, household items, Christmas decorations, linens, small working appliances, pet supplies, and most anything else. We cannot take any furniture or car seats. We already have plenty of books.
We are looking for volunteers to help set up, work on Friday and Saturday, and especially to help pack up any leftovers Saturday afternoon. Please let Pam Dunn or Claudia Tolar know how you can help or contact us with any questions.
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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!)
| | All Youth Movie Night, Tonight, January 23 | |
Bible Study, Monday, January 26
Bible Study is on Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m in the youth room.
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Caring for Kin, January
Sunday, January 25, will be our last Sunday to collect jackets and sweatshirts.
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
Claudette Colvin, whose refusal at age 15 to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus helped lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement, has died at 86. Her family and foundation described her as a courageous, witty, and deeply grounded figure whose early act of defiance shaped American history. Colvin’s legacy includes her role as a plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the Supreme Court case that ultimately struck down bus segregation.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/claudette-colvin-civil-rights-arrested-alabama-dies/
| | 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 24
- 10:30 a.m. - Memorial service for Katherine Peters
- 5:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. - Game Night
Sunday, January 25
- 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. - Annual Meeting
Monday, January 26
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
- 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. - Bible Study
Tuesday, January 27
- 7:00 p.m. - Silent Retreat meeting
Wednesday, January 28
- 10:30 a.m. - Mah Jongg lesson
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg
- 6:00 p.m. - Bells practice
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Thursday, January 29
- 5:00 p.m. - Search Committee Meeting
- 6:30 p.m. - Immigration Justice Meeting
Friday, January 30
Saturday, January 31
- 2:00 p.m. - Funeral service for John Charles Donoghue II
Sunday, February 1
- 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 after Epiphany)
- 12:00 p.m. - Search Committee Meeting
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
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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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