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A message from our Guest Preacher
Sunday, January 5 ~ Epiphany ~ Rev. Erin Beardemphl preaching
It's Epiphany time again! The day where we contemplate lessons of the year we just finished, prepare for the year ahead, and, oh right, retell the story of the Wise Ones from the East following a star in order to find a future king! The twist in this story is one that we might be inspired by: The future king wasn't found in the palace of the current king... I look forward to seeing folks Sunday so that we can explore all of this together!
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Concerns
- Prayers for those grieving during the holidays, whether from the loss of loved ones, loneliness, or another heartache. May the new year bring healing and hope.
- David Salvaggio was blessed with a successful open-heart surgery on Dec. 9 and is recovering well at home. He thanks all who sent cards and notes from the Munch and Muse group, and to the carolers who sang at his home Dec. 20. He hopes to return to church services in January or February.
- Mary Lou Haney has been in and out of the hospital a lot lately and went back on Christmas Eve with breathing troubles. Prayers for hope and healing.
- Prayers for Kimberly Anderson who passed from life to Life on Friday, Dec. 13. Her service will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 at RUCC. Prayers of comfort and healing for her husband Danny, her children Charles and Julia, and all those who knew and loved Kimberly.
- Prayers for Mary Mortenson who is recovering from an illness and hospitalization. She is home and making progress. Prayers for her healing, and for her husband Larry.
- We renew our prayers for the victims of violence and oppression around the world. With a new year having begun, we remember the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, the civil war in Sudan, now raging for nearly two years. The crisis is only expected to get worse in 2025, as outside powers—including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia—continue to meddle in the conflict.
Ongoing Concerns:
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Jerry Andrews
Johanna Ballard's brother
Judith Gregory
Sue Hammond
Beki Hill
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
Paisley Parcell
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Jules Rattray’s sister, Jenny
Amber McGuigan
Cynthia McGuigan
Dondon and Scott Mong
Floyd Orr
Carl Parish
Dee Dee Seek’s great grandson Jaxson
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Charlie Seek
Robert Silver
Steffen family
Sforza family
Tom Miller
Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
Michael White
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Sacred Saturday this week, January 4
It’s Epiphany time! For many at RUCC, Epiphany is especially meaningful. It is the time where we celebrate the gift of Epiphany Words – words that guide us, teach us and accompany us through our year. It’s a long-held tradition at our church, that each January, you choose a new word – or, as many would say, “the word chooses you.”
While our worship service this Sunday will include the customary ritual of getting a new word, we will also be offering an extended time during Sacred Saturday to bless the word that journeyed with you in 2024, and if you wish, to choose your word for 2025. Sacred Saturday will begin in Micah Room in Mosaic Hall at 9:00 a.m. We will spend time in community and in individual prayer and silence, closing this mini-retreat at 12:00 noon. All are welcome to join this contemplative time of community and solitude.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Georgia Sforza or Barbie Fiske-Phillips.
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Rev. Joe is on vacation until January 8
Rev. Joe and family are on vacation in Massachusetts to visit Sara’s family and their friends in the Boston area. They will be returning Jan. 8. Rev. Erin Beardemphl will be preaching this Sunday, Jan. 5, which is also the day for our tradition of Epiphany Words. Shepherd leaders and pastors affiliated with RUCC are providing pastoral coverage while Rev. Joe is away.
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Kimberly Anderson Memorial and Obituary
We will be having a celebration of life for Kimberly Anderson at 11 a.m. on January 11, 2025 in the RUCC Sanctuary with Rev. Joe officiating. Kimberly and her husband Danny retired to Redlands in 2022 to be near their children and start a new chapter of life. Her brain cancer was discovered in August of this year, and she passed on Friday, December 13. A lovely obituary with pictures of her and her family is available here: https://www.trinity.edu/news/trinity-remembers-kimberly-anderson. Cards are welcome and can be sent to Danny Anderson at his home address in Realm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to charity, especially those listed in the obituary (which includes The Sierra Club and Redlands AAUW).
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Caring for Kin
Thanks so much for all your donations of socks and underwear during the month of December. You donated 125 pairs of various types of underwear and 325 pairs of nice warm socks!
Your desire to help those in need will make a big difference to many. Thanks to Kerry and Pam for delivering the socks and undies, and to all the others who also volunteered to help.
For January, we are collecting jackets, sweatshirts, and hoodies. As you are cleaning out your closets to make room for your Christmas presents, you may find jackets, sweatshirts, and hoodies that are in good shape, but that you no longer need. Also, please be on the look-out for these items on sale and let all of us know of the bargains you find!
The Caring for Kin cart will be out each Sunday for you to drop off your generous donations for our kin.
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Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one...
Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? If you find yourself in the same situation, make sure you check the Lost & Found tub in Covenant Hall. And when you find it, call your church family together and say, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost stuff."
If you and your stuff don't get reunited like in Luke 15:8 The Parable of the Lost Coin, it will be donated to charity.
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Bible Study resumes January 6
The group will resume on January 6 at the usual time: Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. in person at church, or online.
Please consider joining us on the 6th; don’t worry about jumping in midstream! We are currently looking at the Gospel stories of the Nativity in Matthew and Luke, with guidance from the book The First Christmas by Borg and Crossan.
Contact al_education@redlandsucc.org for more information or if you need help sourcing a copy of the book.
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Out with the old, in with the new!
As you are going through your new Christmas items and replacing older items, please start saving for the RUCC Rummage Sale. We will be collecting items the week of February 16-21. The sale will be on Saturday, February 22. Clothes, kitchen items, art, linen, books--we'll take everything except furniture. There will also be an e-waste collection. We are looking for volunteers to help with set up, clean up and sales. Please let Claudia Tolar or Pam Dunn know how you can help.
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Environmental Justice Message
“[President Jimmy] Carter's interest in promoting renewable energy was on display at his January 20, 1977 presidential inauguration. Solar panels were installed to warm the reviewing stand near the White House, where Carter watched the inaugural parade. … Carter wanted a ceremony that reflected his values. That extended to the reviewing stand, which was built so it wouldn't end up in a landfill after the ceremony. Instead of wood, it was made of steel [and was later recycled as a bandstand].
The inauguration set the stage for Carter's four years as President. His environmental legacy has shaped how the country is responding to climate change today.”
To see the full article, which discusses not only Carter’s environmentally positive contributions, but one negative - promoting domestic coal production in the interest of national energy security - go to the source: Jeff Brady, “Jimmy Carter’s environmental legacy set the foundation for today’s climate action,” National Public Radio, 12/29/24: https://www.npr.org/2024/12/29/1158426645/jimmy-carters-environmental-legacy-set-the-foundation-for-todays-climate-action
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Racial Justice reflection of the week
"I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over. The test of a government is not how popular it is with the powerful and privileged few, but how honestly and fairly it deals with the many who must depend upon it."
Source: Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1924 – December 29, 2024), Inaugural address as Governor of Georgia, January 12, 1971.
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Book Club!
The RUCC Book Group will meet this coming Sunday, Jan.5, 2025, after church, at noon, in Founders room. The group will discuss and share books that they have enjoyed reading. It’s a good opportunity to learn about different books and different genres. They will also begin scheduling the Book Group meetings for the first semester of 2025. Everyone is always welcome!
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Game Night - January 17, 5:30 p.m.
Fun and fellowship for all ages. Something for everyone!
- Cornhole tournament
- Root beer floats
- Eat before you come
- Bring your favorite game (if you like)
- You're invited to bring something for the inpatients at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital
- Contact Ginny Cruz for more info
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- January 4, 9 a.m.-noon - Sacred Saturday (see article)
- January 17, 5:30 p.m. - Game Night (see article)
- January 26, 11:30 a.m. - Annual Meeting of the Congregation
- February 22 - Rummage Sale (see article)
The church calendar is online at redlandsucc.org/calendar
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Sunday, January 5 - Epiphany
- Seekers ~ 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:15 to 10:15 - Discussion - Founders Room.
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship in Covenant Hall
- 12 noon - Book Club in Founders Room (see article)
Monday, January 6
- 7 p.m. - Bible Study at church or online (see article)
Tuesday, January 7
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11 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
Wednesday, January 8
- 1 p.m. - Mahjong, Mosaic Hall
- 7 p.m. - Choir rehearsal
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Thursday, January 9
Friday, January 10
- 7 p.m. – Woman’s AA Meeting - Founders Room
Saturday, January 11
Sunday, January 12
- Seekers ~ 9:00 a.m. Social; 9:15 to 10:15 - Discussion - Founders Room.
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship in Covenant Hall
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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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