Our Mission: "We are an inclusive Open and Affirming faith community reaching out with love, compassion, and justice."
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Jill is Back in the Pulpit this Sunday |
April 3, Communion and the Fifth Sunday of Lent ~ “We Are Fragile”
Jesus speaks the words that no one wanted to admit: he was not always going to be around. “Oh, don’t say that,” so many of us have said to a loved one who speaks the truth about the fragility of life. Perhaps we get uncomfortable because it reveals the precious nature of the present moment, laying bare the beauty and horror of it all. What if we stopped denying the limited nature of our lives and breathed in deeply the fragrance of vulnerability?
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Sunday's Scripture
John 12: 1 - 8
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April 3 ~Communion and the Fifth Sunday of Lent |
Prelude: ..April by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.........................................Sophia Ohanian
Welcome, Announcements, and Celebrations ......Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose
Opening Hymn: #52 There is a Name I Love to Hear
Opening Prayer:....................................................................... .....Janet Wilson
Childrens' Circle:...................................Susi AJacobsen and Erin Beardemphl
Joys and Concerns:................................................................Erin Beardemphl
Silent and Pastoral Prayer:.....................................................Erin Beardemphl
Prayer Response.......................................................................Covenant Choir
Scripture: John 12: 1 - 8...............................................,,................Janet Wilson
Special Music:.All My Trials by V. Johnson............................... Covenant Choir
Message: “We Are Fragile”...................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose
Offertory:.Lover of my Soul..............................................Gulia Bratosin, Vocals
Doxology:.................................................................................,Sophia Ohanian
Prayer of Dedication......................................................................Janet Wilson
Invitation to the Communion Table......................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose
Closing Hymn: #293 Sweet, Sweet Spirit
Benediction: ..........................................................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose
Time of Reflection: Reverie by Claude Debussy .....................Sophia Ohanian
On April 3, 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 your with others in your household, may break and share. Prepare a cup or cups of juice or your choice of wine-with or without alcohol.
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Concerns:
- Prayers for the family and friends of Glenda Bates, friend of Gretchen Andrews, who passed from life to Life.
- Prayers for Ken Hurley and his daughter Debbie. Ken' daughter Kelly passed from life to Life in a house fire.
- Paul Hodsonl and Charlie Wheeler ask for prayers for their friend Jerry Linkhart, who had a stroke recently.
- Eliza Ames requests prayers for Jennifer, Nicole, and Brody who are struggling with a changing reality.
- Floyd Orr requests prayers for Zelda Faye Smith who is facing health challenges.
- Caroline McAllister requests prayers for Mark.
- John Michael Rudik is recovering at home from pneumonia.
- Prayers for the mother of Dawne Simmons who is recovering from surgery on her vocal cords.
- We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Ukraine.
- Prayers for Dick Ault who broke his femur and is at Redlands Health Center.
- Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her neighbor, Lorenzo and his family. Lorenzo’s house burned down this past week.
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Prayers for Cid Breyer who fell and broke her femur in several places. She would welcome calls and cards! You may send cards to her home.
- Jennifer Brainerd requests prayers for her father, Gary, who is in the hospital with extreme confusion and agitation. Cause unknown.
- Kenneth Lee requests prayers for his mother, Melinda, who has had complications following surgery.
- Debra Van Engelen and Mark Janz request prayers for grandson, Johnathan, who is in the army stationed in Germany during this time of Russian build-up outside Ukraine.
- Prayers for Maegan Hill who faces challenges with MS.
- Prayers for Cynthia McGuigan who faces complications with her chemotherapy treatments. Cynthia and medical staff are determining next steps.
- Jolene Barrow requests prayers for her mother, Karen Barrow, who is facing continued health challenges.
- Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her friend Holly, who is recovering from surgery.
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Prayers for Eleanor Kemp who broke her hip and is recuperating at Mission Commons.
- Cid Breyer requests prayers for her sister in law, Karen, who is going through chemo and radiation for blood / bone cancer.
- Prayers for Carole Beswick who is recovering from partial knee replacement surgery.
- Prayers for Marcia Taack who is recovering from knee replacement surgery and has been diagnosed with cellulitis.
- Prayers for Carole Wesson who is currently in the Health Facility at Plymouth Village.
- Prayers for Eber, brother of Lara Urrutia, who is undergoing tests for a mass in his neck.
- Prayers for Lisa, friend of Beth Welsh, who is recovering from emergency surgery.
- Johanna Ballard requests healing prayers for her dear friend, Lana.
- Prayers for Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard, who is facing severe health challenges.
- Eliza Ames requests prayers for her brother Coyne who is hospitalized and is very ill.
- Beth Welsh requests prayers for her brother, Michael, who is recovering from surgery following a work accident.
Ongoing Concerns:
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Joe Adcock, family member of Mary Mortensen
Anden, nephew of Michelle McNevin
Jerry Andrews
Jeff Bonadiman
Les Budai
Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard
Diane Campbell
Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King
Dave, brother of Johanna Ballard
Carol Chaney
Caroline, mother of Karen Blad
Claudine, grandmother of Paul & Dantae Welsh
Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen
Cousin of Rick Cruz
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Norma Erickson
Michael Flores
Emma Grimauld
Katia Hage
Beki Hill
Jody Hoelle
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling
Susi Jacobsen
Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews
Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray
Emily Jones
Hank Kirchner
Amber McGuigan
Sara Montez
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Bill McIntyre
Maria Montano
Carmen & Jim Neafsey
Ryan and Evan Paul
Rick Peetz, Sr.
Kristin Farmer Preslica
Nancy Rojas
Adolph Romero
Joan Roth
Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene
Miguel Sewer
Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother
Heather Tee
Arika Torres
Rosemary Tuohy
Vasquez Family
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Special note regarding the Prayer List: Please review the list for any prayer requests you made that are outdated or that may be removed. Please notify both [email protected] and [email protected] of any changes that are needed. Thank you. |
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April will be a month of religious observance for many traditions and the time when millions celebrate Earth Day globally. Prepare for this month of celebration and remembrance with us on Thursday, March 31 at 6 p.m. Central Time
Join us on Thursday as we continue the work for our shared home and each other.
Register For The Earth Month Vigil Here
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LENT EVENTS
at Redlands United Church of Christ
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Mid-week Lenten Study - Wednesday, April 6
Lenten Series: this Wednesday April 6 at 6 p.m. This week’s leader is Georgia Sforza.
Georgia will be leading us in a discussion of the mystic Rumi. We use the book The Mystic in You by Bruce Epperly as the basis for our Lenten Series this year. If you would like to borrow a copy of this book, contact [email protected]. However, reading ahead of time is not a prerequisite for participating on Wednesday.
There are two ways to join the discussion
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In-person in Covenant Hall! We will gather for a soup supper at 6 p.m. and in-person study begins at 7 p.m. Kids program will also be provided!
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There is also an online meeting from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/567112071
We try to limit our use of plastics and one-use items, so if you can bring your own soup bowl, cup, spoon, and any other utensils for supper, that would be great.
Maundy Thursday Seder Dinner and Tenebrae Service - April 14
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Seder Dinner and Tenebrae Service: this sacred dinner and worship service will be held on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. on the patio (weather permitting.) Zoey Peterson will lead the Seder portion of the service. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. The Last Supper was a Passover Seder. Passover is the Jewish festival commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
- Please RSVP on the Mandy Thursday insert (in worship bulletin) or call the (909) 793-3520 to make a reservation for this evening.Please indicate whether you request the number of regular and vegetarian meals. The last day to make reservations is April 10. The suggested donation for the dinner is $10.
Good Friday - April 15
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Community Good Friday Service - The Ecumenical Good Friday service will take place at First Lutheran Church,1207 W Cypress Ave, Redlands, CA 92373 at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, April 16
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Easter Eggstravaganza with fun,activities, and an Easter Egg hunt! See article for sign-up information. All are welcome, but we want to ensure that we have enough supplies.
Easter Sunday - April 17
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Gala Easter Service with Trumpets and Brass. It is just not Easter without a lavish display of Easter lilies. Watch this space for ordering information so you can contribute to the lily display, and then take "your" lily or lilies home to enjoy. Here's the form for ordering lilies. Deadline is April 3 - That's this Sunday!
- We will also follow the RUCC tradition of bringing flowers from our own gardens to decorate the altar Easter morning. After the recent rains, our gardens should flourish!
- Brunch after the 10:30 a.m. service.
- Easter Sunday Egg Hunt will take place in the garden for kids in 5th grade and under. Bring your basket! No basket? No worries, we'll have one to loan you. Youth in 6th grade and older will have their traditional Scavenger Hunt.
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Book Group this Sunday, April 3, at Noon |
The RUCC Book Group will meet Sunday, April 3, after church at noon, in the patio area in front of the church. We will be discussing Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie. The presenter will be Claudia Tolar, and everyone is welcome.
“Half of a Yellow Sun is a masterpiece in balancing truth and fiction. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel about the long-forgotten Biafran war tells a story that feels truthful, but is also clearly a work of fiction…The truth the book tells is about the horror and the pity of war. About the human beings who had to suffer it. Wikipedia can tell me that “almost two million Biafran civilians died from starvation” during the war, but it’s Half of a Yellow Sun that shows me what that really means.”-from The Guardian
Click here to see book club selections through June
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Beginning Tai Chi Class - April 7 |
Beginner Tai Chi starts next Thursday, April 7 from 6:00-7:00 pm. We will meet in Covenant Hall. Wear comfortable clothes and a smile on your face!
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The RUCC Easter Bunny depends on human adult-types to make our Easter Egg Hunts a success. Please bring individually wrapped Easter candies for both the April 16 and 17 Easter Egg Hunts. Please leave your candy donations in the kitchen. Questions? Contact Susi Jacobsen ([email protected]). |
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Silent Retreat - May 12-15 |
Each year a group from RUCC participates in a weekend-long silent retreat. Silent retreats help us to slow down, enjoy nature, and listen to the wisdom of the Divine. This year our silent retreat will take place in Los Altos. May seems like a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. If you delay making your reservation, you stand a chance of being left out.
When: May 12 – 15
Cost: $495 for three nights with your personal bedroom, personal bathroom, and 3 meals a day.
RUCC has reserved 12 spaces for this Silent Retreat. If you are interested in attending or have questions, please contact Pastor Jill, [email protected]. Scholarships are available.
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Rummage Sale Alert! Please Read this!
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Reminder ..... We are thankful for your generosity, and we love the treasures that you want to donate to the rummage sale. However, please hang on to them for another month. We have no place to store them at church at the present time. As April 30th draws near, we will give you the specifics of where and when to bring them in.
E-Waste advisory:
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1619 Project Discussion Continues - Monday April 11 at 5 p.m., Online |
"The 1619 Project speaks directly to our current moment, contextualizing the systems of race and caste that still define so much of American life today. It reveals the hidden truths around our nation’s founding and construction—and the way that the legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation, but continues to shape contemporary American life."
Sue Hammond will lead us in a discussion of the preface and the first chapter, entitled “Democracy” .
RUCC has copies of this book which you may borrow: contact [email protected] to borrow a copy.
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Don't Miss Out on this Year's Eggstravaganza |
Don’t miss this year’s Eggstravaganza—a long standing RUCC tradition filled with lots of fun and games. We have lots of plans in place: games, Easter cookie decorating, and of course, an Easter egg hunt!
Don't be left out: use this link to pre-register:
The event is FREE, but please register so that we are sure to have enough supplies.
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Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team |
There are hundreds upon hundreds of them—by one count, more than 800. They are mountains, valleys, creeks, lakes, and other physical landmarks with one thing in common: They all have the word squaw in their name.
The exact derivation of squaw is unclear. Some etymologists say that it's an Algonquin word for "woman"; others say that it's a mistranslation of the Mohawk term for "vagina." In any case, it's inarguable that over the centuries the word became a misogynistic and racist slur directed at Indigenous women—a means of using language to demean. Yet the word is etched across the American landscape. There are at least 1,400 places across the United States whose official names contain a racial slur of some sort. By far the most common epithet is squaw (hereafter, I will use sq***).
Last November, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, vowed to change that. Secretary Haaland announced the creation of a formal process to review and replace derogatory place-names. She also officially classified the term sq*** as offensive and created a federal task force to find replacement names. "Racist terms have no place in our vernacular or on our federal lands," Haaland said. "Our nation's lands and waters should be places to celebrate the outdoors and our shared cultural heritage—not to perpetuate the legacies of oppression."
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From the Environmental Justice Team |
Good news on the transportation front:
EPA restores California’s authority to set its own auto pollution rules
By Russ Mitchell, The Los Angeles Times, 3/9/22
“The Biden administration on Wednesday reinstated [California’s] authority to set motor vehicle pollution standards stricter than the federal government’s. That includes tighter restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
‘This is truly important,’ EPA Administrator Michael Regan told The Times. ‘Not just for the people in California but for the nation as a whole. We are proudly reaffirming California’s long-standing authority to lead in this area.’
‘The restoration of our state’s Clean Air Act waiver is a major victory for the environment, our economy and the health of families across the country that comes at a pivotal moment underscoring the need to end our reliance on fossil fuels,’ [Governor Gavin] Newsom said in a statement.”
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Fair Trade Items Have Been Restocked |
The "Equal Exchange Fair Trade” project was created to allow local and indigenous farmers to sell coffee, tea, and chocolate and other products more directly to consumers. This puts more money into the hands of local communities to help lift them out of poverty.
Fair Trade sales ceased when we suspended in-person church services. Your favorite Fair Trade products are back now. Please see the oak hutch in the hallway for products and pricing. There's a variety of coffees, teas, and chocolate products -- just in time for Easter entertaining or for welcome hostess gifts!
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UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER |
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April 2 - Sacred Saturday will not be held today. Meetings resume on May 7
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April 3 - Special Event with Shannon Downey. Click here for details.
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April 3 - Book Club - see article above
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April 6 - Midweek Lenten Study
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April 7 - Beginning Tai Chi class starts 6 - 7 p.m. in Covenant Hall
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April 10 - Palm Sunday
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April 11 - Second discussion session of The 1619 Project
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April 12 - Stewards
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April 13 - Midweek Lenten Study
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April 16 - Eggstravaganza - Details and registration here. The event is FREE, but we need to know how many participants to expect.
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April 17 - Easter Sunday and Brunch
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April 19 - Board
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April 24 - Quarterly Gathering
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April 30 - Rummage Sale - see article above.
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May 12 - 15 - Silent Retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, CA . -- See article above.
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June 10 - 11 - SCNC Annual Gathering
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Sunday, April 3
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9:15 a.m. Seekers
- 9:30 a.m. Virtual -Kids' Zone
- 10:30 a.m. Worship Service & Communion. Kids remain in Church - No Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. Youth Group
- 11:30 a.m. Fellowship on the Patio
- 12 p.m. -Book Club
- 12 p.m. Maj Jongg on Sundays
Monday, April 4
Tuesday, April 5
Wednesday, April 6
- Noon "- The Pastor is In" Zoom gathering.
- 1:30 - Mah Jongg
- 6:00 p.m. Mid-week lenten study. See all details above. Both in-person and on Zoom. Special section for the children
Thursday April 7
- 5:00 p.m. - Staff Meeting
- 6: p.m. Tai Chi class begins
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Friday, April 8
- 7 p.m. Closed women's AA meeting in the Founders' Room.
Saturday April 9
Sunday, April 10
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9:15 a.m. Seekers
- 9:30 a.m. Virtual -Sunday School
- 10:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School.
- 11:30 a.m. Youth Group
- 11:30 a.m. Fellowship on the Patio
- 12 p.m. Maj Jongg on Sundays
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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 and Facilities Manager: Karen Hester
Child Care: Joette Orman
Phone: (909) 793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
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