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A Message from our Pastor and Teacher Second Sunday of Advent, with Communion, December 6,  “Those Who Dream ... of Peace” Every year on our way to Christmas we confront this strange-looking man in the wilderness with his uncombed hair, uncut nails, wild honey dripping off his scraggly beard and the smell of insects on his breath. His diet consisted of locusts. John the Baptist clothes himself in camel’s hair. He wore clothes that even the church rummage sale wouldn’t have handled. When he preached it was fire and brimstone every time. He is a lunatic in the wilderness who hollers, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is coming.” Yet, John the Baptist was a dreamer…a dreamer of peace. He knew well the adage, “No justice, no peace.” May we work toward a just and peaceful world for all, too

Sunday's Scripture  Mark 1: 1 – 8

New and Improved Access to Virtual Sunday Services! At 10:30 am on Sundays the worship video will premiere on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/RedlandsUCC.   Everyone can chat right on YouTube as the video premieres (if you are signed in to YouTube). This is simplest and easiest for everyone. Note that the YouTube chat is public, so we want to be cautious about posting things that are too personal or sensitive. If you just wish to watch, and not chat, the YouTube channel is also on the front page of our website at  www.uccredlands.org .   Following worship we have an hour of fellowship time on Zoom, hosted by Jill. More private concerns can be shared there. The Zoom meeting link is https://zoom.us/j/717827959. Click here for updated Zoom instructions for other meetings and events

Worship for Sunday, November 29 - First Sunday of Advent Prelude:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. by Mark Hayes           Sophia Ohanian   Welcome & Call to Worship:                                    Ross, Connie & Sylvia Mitchell Opening Hymn: #131 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Led by Zoe Petersen Opening Prayer:                                                      Ross, Connie & Sylvia Mitchell Children's Circle:                                                   Suzi Sternberg Lighting of the Advent Candle The Beardemphl Family Hymn:  One Candle Is Lit Community Joys and Concerns:                              Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose Special Music:  A Voice Cries Out, Prepare the Way of the Lord by Lloyd Larson The Abushanab and Pearson Families Scripture: Mark 1: 1 – 8                                         Ross, Connie & Sylvia Mitchell   Message:  "Those Who Dream...of Peace"                             Dr. Kirchner-Rose Communion Invitation and Prayer                                    Dr. Kirchner-Rose Offertory: Grant Us Peace arr. by Ryan Marvel                           Sophia Ohanian Prayer of Dedication:                                            Ross, Connie & Sylvia Mitchell Closing Hymn: Let There be Peace on Earth Led by Zoe Petersen                   Time of Reflection:  Believe by Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri    Sophia Ohanian

On December 6 - we will share together Holy Communion in our online interactive worship. Before the time of the service you will want to prepare some bread -- a slice, a small loaf, a tortilla, a rice cake--a wheat product is not necessary. Let it be something you alone, or you with others in your household may break and share. Prepare a cup or cups of juice of your choice of wine-with or without alcohol.

Concerns: Carla Becerril request prayers for her cousin Sally who is hospitalized with COVID. Carla Becerril requests prayers for Tim Brown who is hospitalized with COVID. Elizabeth Welsh requests prayers for her kitty, Salem, who is recoverying from surgery. MaCall Potter requests prayers for her kitty, Lucy, who is facing health challenges Lisa Dewey requests prayers for her father who sustained a head injury. Prayers for Danny and family, cousin of Jennie Haney, who has been diagnosed with COVID. Barbie Fiske-Phillips requests prayers for Sonja, who was diagnosed with COVID Prayers for Mary Lou Haney who will have outpatient surgery on December 3 Judith Turian requests prayers for Jill Bressler as she undergoes treatment for lung cancer and for Judith's close friend Terri, who is unable to travel to be with Jill because of COVID.  Kenneth Lee requests prayers for his father and sister who contracted COVID-19. Prayers for Susi Jacobsen who will have subtotal colectomy surgery on Dec. 4th. Prayers for Armando, family member of Carla Becerril, who is diagnosed with COVID. Prayers for Drew Morgan who will be underwent knee surgery on Nov. 23rd. Prayers for Lois, sister of Mary Lou Haney, who has COVID. Prayers for Ruth Jordan who is facing health challenges. Prayers for Millie Mahoney, friend of Chris Nicoloff, hospitalized with COVID. Prayers for Gene, a friend of Bonnie Pierce, who is a Nurse Practitioner and contracted COVID. Prayers for Sue Wallace who is recovering from surgery for the replacement of an aortic heart valve. Prayers for Michael, brother of Kathy Blanchard, who is in the hospital with COVID. Prayers for Carol Chaney who fell and tore her ankle ligaments and dislocated her knee Prayers for Helga Vroom who fell and has a compressed fracture in her lumbar vertebrae. Prayers for Betty Gayle, friend of Inez Diggs, who is recuperating from surgery for a broken femur. Cid Breyer requests prayers for Larry Minor, a family member, who is experiencing intense leg pain and is recovering from surgery. Connie Mitchell requests prayers for friend, Heather Tee, whose daughter Mallory has had numerous surgeries to remove a cancerous brain tumor, and whose father passed away this week Prayers for José, friend of the Fiske-Phillips, who was in a car accident. Prayers for the people of Armenia and the Armenian diasopora as they face hard times protecting their borders. Prayers for Leslie, sister of Barbie Fiske-Phillips, who is living through degenerative disks and vertebrae pain. Ongoing prayers for parents, teachers, students navigating online school. Prayers for Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveem who is facing medical challenges and seeks recovery to full health. Prayers for Diane, sister-in-law of Heather King, as she undergoes a second reconstruction operation this Friday after the first one developed complications. Prayers for Sarah Montez who begins chemotherapy this week.  Prayers for Barb, friend of Carla Becerril, whose mother has dementia. Prayers for Spenser, friend of Stacey Greene, who is recovering from brain surgery. Prayers for Missy, friend of Rosemary Tuohy, who has Lupus. Prayers for Dick Ault, who is awaiting knee replacement surgery. Ongoing Concerns

Gretchen and Aaron Andrews Carla Becerril Les Budai Diane Campbell Cousin of Rick Cruz Gloria Ebert Norma Erickson Ronan Godfrey Jerry Greenfield Emma Grimauld Katia Hague

Becki Hill Jody Hoelle Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray Emily Jones Hank Kirchner Amber McGuigan Bill McIntyre Amy McQulillian, friend of Gretchen Andrews Mary Mortensen

Maria Montana Carmen & Jim Neafsey Kristin Farmer Preslica Steve, Brother of Julie Phillip Nancy Rojas Adolph Romero Joan Roth Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother Arika Torres Rosemary Tuohy Vasquez Family

Reflection of the week from the RUCC racial justice team “As we wait and walk through Advent together, let us wrestle with the myths and metaphors that work to keep us locked in whiteness, and away from the gifts buried in the luminous darkness. When God made the heavens and the earth, the light was not born as a correction to the darkness. The light was spoken into existence out of blackness, and there is no inherent evil attributed to the dark. The vast and nurturing embrace of blackness birthed the light.  I contend that the dark is where God begins God’s work with and in us.”    - Excerpt from Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown’s advent devotion at https://justiceunbound.org/1st-sunday-of-advent/ Brown is the Lead Pastor of Plymouth Church United Church of Christ in downtown Seattle, Washington.  Kelle is a gifted creative artist, and thinker; a Womanist public theologian who is a curator of equity, justice, and adaptive change.

From the Environmental Justice Team The Environmental Justice Team is collecting tree seedlings that may be growing in your yard for our community Tree Project. Our plan is to pot them, display them on a stand in the front yard at one of Cynthia McGuigan's houses and give them away to anyone who wants them. Please let us know if you have any donations. Give us a call and we can make the necessary arrangements. Dianne Landeros - 792.4839 or Chris Nicoloff - 792.6082

ART, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE SILENT AUCTION ON FACEBOOK! Some Art, for Heaven's Sake! artists have donated pieces to be auctioned for the benefit of the Art Show. Please join the Facebook Group Art, for Heaven's Sale! Silent Auction to see the pieces that are available for auction. Please share this group with friends, and "like" it as well. There are some lovely things that could be just the thing for someone on your Christmas list.

Special Angel Tree Drive-Thru Event, Friday, December 4 Join us Friday, December 4th between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for festive holiday fun and drop off your financial donations for the RUCC Angel Tree fund! Drop of your donation at the same spot by Mosaic Hall that we used for the Covenant drop off on November 8. In exchange for your donation, you will receive tasty holiday treats,  joyful music, festive lights, and a warm and fuzzy feeling! You can also just stop by and say hi, no donation necessary to join in the holiday fun. Social distancing and masks are required, however. Click here for more details about the Angel Tree Fund, including how to contribute online.

This Saturday, December 6, Is Sacred Saturday This Saturday is Sacred Saturday again! Please come and center in to contemplation, community and silence. As Advent continues, and we find ourselves waiting with expectation of what is to come, it is good to rest. It is good to ponder. It is good to connect to one another, ourselves and to God. We will gather from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. You can join in from the Zoom link below...         PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A NEW ZOOM LINK! THE OLD ONE EXPIRED Topic: Sacred Space Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3570... If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! Barbie

RUCC Book Group Meets on Zoom This Sunday, December 6 at Noon The RUCC Book Group will meet on Zoom, at noon, on Sunday, December 6 to discuss the selection, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The presenter will be Rosemary Touhy. All are welcome. Zoom information is found elsewhere in The View.

LAST CALL! WE NEED PHOTOS OF YOUR FIRST BIBLE Question: Did you receive a Gift Bible from your childhood congregation-and if so-do you still have that Bible? If the answer is yes, we would love for you to send us a photo of you and your childhood Bible for us to use in an upcoming church service! Take a "selfie" with your bible or ask someone else to take it for you. Please send your photographs to this link: http://www.tinyurl.com/RUCCupload

It's Not Too Late to Shop with Scrip! Happy Holidays RUCC - Attached is the holiday edition newsletter covering the gift card (scrip) program that gives a portion of the funds to RUCC for every gift card purchased. This fundraising program benefits RUCC while you do your regular gifting and shopping. Highlights for the holidays include. There's even an order form to make your shopping easier. Free Ship-to-Home options - have physical gift cards shipped directly to your home. Select USPS for free shipping In-Person - Visit us in front of RUCC church doors to buy gift cards on Sundays, December 6, 13, and 20, between 1 p.m.and 2 p.m. Pay with check - Send a check to RUCC with your order form for physical gift cards. Online payment options still available on shopwithscrip.com or the RaiseRight app. Physical Gift Card Orders –. Place your orders by midnight on:  *December 6  December 13  December 20 – this will require special arrangements to get to you before Christmas *Orders will only be placed these weeks if there are enough orders to cover shipping costs.   And there are always options to buy eGift cards through the RaiseRight app or the shopwithscrip.com website.     If you have questions on how to set up your online account or want to learn more about the Gift Card/Scrip program, contact Jennifer Brainerd at [email protected]. Sincerely, Jennifer Brainerd

"Love will find a way." Well, so will GINGERBREAD HOUSES!! -- Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m. Our special tradition continues! Gingerbread house decorating is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. It will be held outside on the patio. Masks and social distancing are required! Each gingerbread house comes with a bag of decorations and can of frosting.  To make your reservations (required!), please email [email protected] so we have an accurate count for individual bags of decorations and tables to set up. If you are unable to participate in person, take advantage of "curbside pickup" of your materials to enjoy at home. And a GINORMOUS THANK-YOU to Barb Lord and Heidi Malone for once again making the marvelous houses!!!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER Continuing through December: Art, for Heaven's Sake                             www.artforheavenssake.org December 3 - Prayer Polygon at 7:30 p.m. December 4 - Angel Tree "drive through" 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. December 5 - Sacred Saturday December 13 - Gingerbread Houses on the patio at 1:00 p.m. December 18 - Feastings on Zoom. December 20 - "Drive By Showers of Love" beginning at 3 p.m.

THIS WEEK AT RUCC (or on your computer, tablet or smart phone....)

From Your Editor... You may notice that this week's View has a slightly different "look." Constant Contact decided to impose a new "editing system" on its users, and emails using the old editor were become increasingly difficult to update. On the whole, the new editor is fairly intuitive, and the Customer Service folks are very helpful when I can't figure out something. I am sure I'll be able to refine the newsletter over the coming weeks, but this week's "first attempt" was a little daunting! The new editor does not have a function for charts or tables which made doing the weekly calendar a bit of an adventure. I welcome your suggestions and feedback as the adventure of transitioning to the new system continues. Sincerely, Carol Robb

RUCC Staff   Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose Honorary Minister of Arts and Worship:  Rev. Erin Beardemphl Music Director: Jim Tong Accompanist: Sophia Ohanian Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Vacant Office Manager: Nancy Sheets Child Care: Vacant Caretaker: Vacant   Website:  www.uccredlands.org Phone: (909) 793-3520   Staff and Other Emails [email protected]          [email protected]         [email protected]      [email protected]          [email protected]   [email protected] [email protected]