Palm Sunday

Our Mission: "We are an inclusive Open and Affirming faith community reaching out with love, compassion, and justice."

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Thursday, April 7, 2022

A Message from Our Pastor and Teacher

Palm Sunday, April 10, Holy Week Begins ~ “Even the Stones Cry Out”

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples begins to joyfully shout with praise. The Pharisees try to silence them, but Jesus responds: “I tell you, even if these were silent, the stones would shout out” (Luke 19:40).

All of creation cries out with praise—that message rises above the noise, even if the oppressive powers want to silence it. As we begin our walk through Holy Week, let us ask: What can’t be silenced? What must be said?

What things can we not stay quiet about? What is bubbling up that we need to give voice to—faith questions, apologies, issues of justice, truth-telling? As we go deeper into the story, the truth will soon be set free.

Sunday's Scripture

Luke 19: 28 – 40

April 10 ~ Palm Sunday

Prelude: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna arr. by Raluca Bojor............Sophia Ohanian

Welcome and Announcements...............................Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose

Call to Worship:...................................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Opening Hymn: # 216 All Glory Laud and Honor

Opening Prayer:......................................................................Sondra Hodson

Childrens' Circle:........................................ Rev. Kirchner-Rose and Jim Tong

Joys and Concerns:............................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Silent and Pastoral Prayer:.................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Prayer Response.......................................................................Covenant Choir

Scripture: Luke 19: 28 – 40 ............................,,..................... Sondra Hodson

Anthem:.Festival Sanctus by John Leavitt ............................... Covenant Choir

Message: “Even the Stones Cry Out”...................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Offertory: Jesus, Lover of My Soull.................Giulia Bratosin, Sophia Ohanian

Doxology:.................................................................................,Sophia Ohanian

Prayer of Dedication...............................................................Sondra Hodson

Closing Hymn: # 195 On a Hill Far Away vs 1,3,4

Benediction: ..........................................................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Benediction Response:........................................................... Covenant Choir

Time of Reflection: Love to Thee arr. by Sharon Kim...............Sophia Ohanian

Concerns:

Prayers for Nan Root and her family. Richard Johnson, her older brother in Minnesota, passed from life to Life Wednesday.
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's daughter Kelly passed from life to Life in a house fire.
Paul Hodson 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.
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.
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.
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 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:

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

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

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

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.

Maundy Thursday Seder Dinner and Tenebrae Service - April 14

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 Maundy Thursday insert (in worship bulletin) or call (909) 793-3520 to make a reservation for this evening. The last day to make reservations is April 10. Please indicate whether you request the number of regular and vegetarian meals. The suggested donation for the dinner is $10.

Good Friday - April 15

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

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

Gala Easter Service with Trumpets and Brass and a lavish display of Easter lilies.
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! Vases will be set up on the altar--don't forget to bring some of the floral bounty from your garden.
Brunch after the 10:30 a.m. service will be provided by the Hospitality Area.
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.

Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team

“We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”

...................- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968).

Closing words from the "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, Memphis, Tennessee, April 3, 1968 (the day before he was assassinated). Source: http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/.../mlking.html

From the Environmental Justice Team

In his encyclical on climate change, Pope Francis excelled in connecting climate change to economic inequality while also criticizing a modern anthropocentrism that views “nature” as an object to be exploited for human ends.

Pope Francis’s views reflect a historic and evolving current among faith traditions. This current regards environmental consciousness and social justice as intimately intertwined. As part of this prophetic current, the language of “creation justice” has emerged. The word “creation” inherently evokes meanings that transcend artificial divides between the “human” and “nature.” “Creation” signals the truth of our interconnected reality. Moreover, it evokes the sacred story of origin that not only speaks to our common connection to each other but to our common connection to God. As Genesis 9:15 reminds us, God’s covenant is not only with humans but with “every living creature.”

From “What Is Creation Justice and Why Does It Rock?” Berndt, Brooks.

Link to article:

https://www.ucc.org/what_is_creation_justice_and_why_does_it_rock/

Tai Chi Class begins 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! Contact Pam Dunn for more information.

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.

Please join us even if you missed the first session—past participation is not a prerequisite. If you have any questions, or would like to help with this project, please contact [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

Don't Miss Out on this Year's Eggstravaganza

April 16

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:

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../rucc-eggstravaganza-2022...

The event is FREE, but please register so that we are sure to have enough supplies.

My Work to Do

What is My Work To Do? A growing community of white people, and their People of Color allies, building stamina for talking about whiteness and race in everyday life. Remember: you are welcome and encouraged to attend any series more than once.

Please register and/or invite a friend, family member, or colleague to join you on the journey!

For all details and registration information, please go to myworktodo.com

Rummage Sale - Saturday, April 30

RUCC is holding the “Mostly Annual” Church Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m.to 1 p..m..in Covenant Hall. We need volunteers to help set up, work the sale, and clean up afterwards. Please consider helping in one way or another. Claudia Tolar will have a Rummage Sale sign-up sheet out before and after church for the next few Sundays, or you can contact Kathie Blakley, Pam Dunn, or Claudia Tolar to sign up. We also appreciate your donated “treasures”, but please don’t bring them until the week before the Rummage Sale as we do not have storage space at the church.

E-Waste advisory:

E-Waste must be brought only on the morning of April 30th, when the company is here to accept them directly from you. Click here for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items . This is a golden opportunity to get rid of things cluttering up your house or garage!

April 30 - Chapman University's 38th Founders Day with the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

Come hear the Rev. Dr. William Barber II speak on the same stage that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King did in 1961!

The Office of Church Relations is very pleased to bring the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II to teach and preach on Saturday, April 30, 2022 on Chapman University's campus in Orange, CA.

Click here for registration and details