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A message from our Pastor and teacher
Sunday, February 23 ~ Seventh Sunday after Epiphany ~ "Allie and Simon"
This Sunday we are getting a story from Luke that is classic Jesus Christ—He accepts a dinner invitation from the local Pharisee, and at the meal a woman arrives with an alabaster jar of ointment, and she washes Jesus' feet with her tears. Simon, the Pharisee, judges the woman as sinful and sees a scandal in Jesus allowing her to touch him. Jesus stands up for the woman, and turns it into a teaching moment. My sermon will be about seeing past labels to see true human beings, and how pride leads us to not only judge others, but to value God's love and mercy less than "sinners" do. Those who are aware of the grace they have received love God more deeply and depend on God more readily—so we should all confess how much God has truly forgiven and blessed us.
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Concerns:
- John and Linda Hoeger appreciate everyone's prayers following John's brief hospitalization this week. John is tired, but back home and working with his doctors on adjusting medications.
- Prayers for Kathy Economen’s son Jeff who is struggling with bipolar disorder, and had an episode recently. Prayers that he finds healing, comfort and stability.
- Prayers for Jayne Miller who was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma. Prayers for treatment and healing.
- Ongoing prayers for Mary Lou Haney, and her daughter and caregiver Jennie, and Jennie’s fiancé Patrick. Prayers of gratitude for all those who celebrated her birthday with her this last week.
- Continued prayers of healing for Dick Ault who is experiencing a lot of pain in his legs due to spinal problems.
- Prayers for the friends and family of Fred Arth, who passed from life to Life on Jan. 29, 2025. Fred was a founding member of RUCC along with his parents, Helen and Aaron, and his brother Stephen, who remains a covenanted member.
- Prayers for the victims of oppression and violence around the world. This week we pray for the Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim minority living in China. More than 1 million Uighurs have been sent to internment camps and many have been subjected to crimes against humanity such as forced labor, sterilization and religious suppression.
Ongoing Concerns:
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Fred Freeman
Danny Anderson
Jerry Andrews
Bill Buchanan
Judith Gregory
Beki Hill
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
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Those affected by wildfires, including the UCC in Altadena
Jules Rattray’s sister, Jenny
Amber McGuigan
Cynthia McGuigan
Dondon and Scott Mong
Floyd Orr
D. Seek’s great grandson Jaxson
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Paisley Parcell
Carl Parish
Robert Silver
Steffen family
Tom Miller
Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
Michael White
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In this week's issue of The View:
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Lenten Series to begin Updated!
- Legacy service at San Bernardino UCC
- Caring for Kin collection
- Rummage Sale Updated!
- RUCC—A Moment in Time New!
- "Threads of Love" prayer group New!
- Consecration of Live Oak UCC
- Book Group
- Clean-Up Day Updated!
- Environmental justice New!
- Racial justice New!
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Lenten Series begins March 12
Dialogues on the Refugee Crisis
Feedback requested for planning purposes
This year's five-week Lenten Series, “Dialogues on the Refugee Crisis,” will take place on Wednesday evenings in Covenant Hall from 6-8 p.m., with a soup supper followed by discussion. Dates are March 12, 19, 26, and April 2 and 9.
During this year’s series, we will be reading together, watching short videos together, learning together, and listening to each other as we explore this difficult and timely topic. We will also look at what the Bible has to say about refugees and strangers in our midst, and the ways in which we are called as Christians to respond to this worldwide crisis. Child care will be provided.
We invite you to please respond to al_education@redlandsucc.org to let us know if you are hoping to participate this year, because there are study materials we need to purchase in advance. We are not requiring RSVPs! Your response will help us get a general idea of the number of people we should plan for.
We look forward to having you join us at our first session on Wednesday March 12!
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Caring for Kin — Last chance for eyeglasses donations is this Sunday
Caring for Kin is collecting your old eyeglasses. Just think how wonderful it will be to give the gift of improved vision. RUCC Seekers will make sure that the glasses are distributed internationally. Prescription and readers accepted with or without cases. Be sure and ask friends and family to contribute, as many folks have them stuffed in a drawer because they don’t know what to do with them. Now they can do good. Last collection date is this Sunday, February 23.
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Rummage Sale is this Saturday! 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Rummage Sale is almost here!!
We have been busy putting out all your lovely treasures. We have books, kitchen items, linens, office supplies, small electronics, and a chic clothing boutique! Come see how Covenant Hall and Founders Room have been transformed into a bargain-lovers paradise!! We're sure you will find a new treasure to take home.
And don't forget your E-waste. The truck will be in our church parking lot on Saturday, February 22 from 8:00 am-1:00 pm.
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RUCC—A Moment in Time…
1984—Building Begins on Church Campus
The photo shows construction beginning on the “Olive Avenue” (Bellevue) property. The view here is from the current entrance to Covenant Hall looking down toward the parking lot.
In 1980, the Olive Avenue property was completely paid for and a Building Committee, headed by Bill Dean, was formed and began making plans and obtaining funds. Leon Armantrout was hired as architect and Dr. Dave Conover as contractor. On March 5, 1984 a groundbreaking dedication service was held and construction began on the first phase.
The first phase multipurpose building was dedicated on October 7, 1984 and church services were moved to it. It was later renamed Covenant Hall after the present Sanctuary was built and dedicated on September 16, 2001.
Kathie Blakley, RUCC Historian
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Threads of Love Prayer Group
The first gathering of the “Threads of Love” (that name is still being pondered) prayer group happened Sunday. It was exciting to have folks interested in being a part of praying together as we create Prayer Shawls. These shawls will be for RUCC folks who might need an extra reminder that they are loved and being prayed for by their church family. After the shawls are created, they will be blessed by the congregation during worship and delivered to the individuals.
If you’re interested in trying something new, or rekindling an old talent, you are welcome to join in! The group is made up of every level from beginner through talented fiber artists. So, if you have a desire to try to create prayer shawls for people, whether crocheted, knitted or any other textile craftwork, please join in! If you are a beginner, there are folks available to help get you started. If you already know a bit, you can begin with 5” X 5” granny squares that will be pieced together, or make a shawl on your own that is roughly 6’ long. Also, we have been gifted with some yarn and needles if you need supplies! (Thank you, Janet Greenfield!)
Our next few gatherings are calendared for Sundays after church on these dates: March 30, April 27, May 18 and June 29. These are the set “meetings,” but folks might want to get together between these meetings as well.
For more information, contact Barbie Fiske-Phillips.
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Consecration of Live Oak UCC is this Sunday!
RUCC is invited to join in a special celebration this Sunday, February 23, at 3 p.m. This will be a joyful day as Rev. Sarah Averette-Phillips (daughter of Barbie and Loring) is officially installed at Live Oak United Church of Christ during their Service of Consecration.
The emerging Live Oak UCC is a unique congregation, born from the consolidation of Brea Congregational Church and the Congregational Church of Fullerton. This new church community is three years in the making and has taken countless hours of love, conversation, dreaming, and growing together to become the vibrant church it is today.
With gratitude for RUCC, the church that formed and believed in her, Sarah hopes to share this milestone with the community that helped shape her faith and ministry.
Live Oak UCC is located at 300 E. Imperial Hwy, Brea.
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Book Group meets Sunday, March 2
The next RUCC Book Group meeting is March 2, after church at noon, in Founders Room. We'll discuss the book Drawn Testimony: My Four Decades as a Courtroom Sketch Artist by Jane Rosenberg. Deborah Rada will lead the discussion.
"Rosenberg’s fascinating debut offers a front row seat to some of the most high-profile criminal cases of the last four decades."—Library Journal review.
"Perceptive, compassionate, and endlessly fascinated by how the human condition is revealed in the courtroom, Rosenberg tells riveting and resonant tales in image and word."—Booklist review
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RUCC Clean-Up Day, Saturday, March 15
Do you love our beautiful church grounds?! Do you want to make them even more beautiful?! Please mark your calendar for our spring RUCC Clean-Up Day on Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.—2 p.m. Many hands make light work—it'll be a fun and productive day!
Contact Carole Beswick if you have any questions.
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Racial Justice reflection of the week
“Won’t it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.”
— Maya Angelou, writer and civil rights activist
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- February 22 - Rummage Sale (see article)
- February 23 - Consecration Service at Live Oak UCC, Brea (see article)
- March 1 - 9 a.m.-noon, Sacred Saturday
- March 2 - Run Through Redlands, allow extra time to get to church
- March 2 - Noon, Book group, Founders Room (see article)
- March 9 - 2 p.m. - Legacy Service and reception at First Congregational UCC, San Bernardino (see article)
- March 9 - 4 p.m. - Installation of Rev. Joe Zarro, Redlands UCC Sanctuary
- March 12 - 6 p.m., Lenten Series on Refugee Crisis, Covenant Hall (see article; continues Wednesdays through April 9)
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March 15 - RUCC Clean-Up Day, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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March 30 - Threads of Love prayer group, Mosaic Hall (see article)
The church calendar is online at http://www.redlandsucc.org/calendar
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Sunday, February 23
- Seekers ~ 9:15 - Social and 9:30 - Discussion - Founders Room.
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service & Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship time, Covenant Hall
Monday, February 24 - President's Day
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7:00 p.m. - Bible Study at church or online
Tuesday, February 25
- 12 noon - Wider Ministries meeting, Founders Room
Wednesday, February 26
- 1 p.m. - Mahjong, Mosaic Hall
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Thursday, February 27
- 7:00 p.m. - Covenant Choir rehearsal in Micah Room
Friday, February 28
- 7 p.m. – Woman’s AA Meeting - Founders Room
Saturday, March 1
- 9 a.m. - noon, Sacred Saturday
Sunday, March 2
- Run Through Redlands (allow extra time to get to church)
- Seekers ~ 9:15 - Social and 9:30 - Discussion - Founders Room.
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service & Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship time, Covenant Hall
- 12 noon - Book group, Founders Room (see article)
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RUCC Staff
Senior Pastor: Rev. Joe Zarro
Music Director: David Wells
Associate Music Director: Sophia Ohanian
Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen
Director of Youth Ministries: Kathy McCool
Office and Property Manager: Veronica Bermudez
Child Care: Caitlin Walsh
Website: www.redlandsucc.org
Phone: 909-793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
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pastor@redlandsucc.org
musicdirector@redlandsucc.org
childrenseducation@redlandsucc.org
youth@redlandsucc.org
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office@redlandsucc.org
weddings@redlandsucc.org
theview@redlandsucc.org
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