Our Mission: "We are an inclusive Open and Affirming faith community reaching out with love, compassion, and justice."
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Thursday, August 12, 2021
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Congregational Gathering this Sunday |
The quarterly congregational gathering will be held this Sunday, August 15. It will be LIVE, and IN PERSON! The congregation will be asked to remain in the Sanctuary for the meeting. This is your chance to find out what the Board has been up to!
There will be fellowship time on the patio after the conclusion of the gathering.
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A Message from Our Pastor and Teacher
August 15: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost ~~ "Be You"
In the raising of Lazarus, Jesus days to the disciples, "Unbind him and set him free." As disciples of Christ, our extraordinary calling is to unbind people and set them free. But we cannot fulfill that calling if we are still in a tomb. The Divine is calling you back to life. Be brave. Be bright. Be you.
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Sunday's Scripture...
John 11: 38- 44
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Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost - Sunday, August 15 |
Prelude:.Morning Has Broken arr. by Renee Hyche McKee .............Sophia Ohanian
Welcome and Call to Worship: ........................................................ Sondra Hodson
Opening Hymn: #459 Come, O Font of Every Blessing...................Led by Jim Tong
Opening Prayer:.................................................................................Sondra Hodson
Children's Circle:................................................................................Mark Sternberg
Following the Children's Circle, children from age 4 through Grade 5 are
invited to exit through the back of the Sanctuary to attend Sunday School.
Community Joys and Concerns: ....................................Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose
Special Music: Be Thou My Vision by Mark Hayes ...........................
Scripture: John 11: 38- 44.................................................................Sondra Hodson
Scripture Hymn: #588 Be Still My Soul.............................................Led by Jim Tong
Message: Be You....................................................................... .Rev. Kirchner-Rose
Offertory: Letting Go by Isaac Shepard .......................................... Sophia Ohanian
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication:.........................................................................Connie Mitchell
Closing Hymn: #181 You Are Salt for the Earth, O People..............Led by Jim Tong
Benediction: .................................................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose
Time of Reflection: It Is Well With My Soul by Villa DuHavre ...............................................................................................Dee and Sondra Hodson
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Concerns:
- Paul Hodson and Charlie Wheeler requests prayers for Tom Owen and his wife, Karen. Tom is hospitalized and unresponsive.
- Prayers for Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard, who is facing severe health challenges.
- Rosemary Touhy requests payers for her niece, Sabrina, who just delivered a baby boy and has a broken ankle.
- Prayers for Nancy Sheets who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
- Prayers for Bob Sheets, husband of Nancy Sheets, who is scheduled for eye surgery for a torn retina.
- Prayers for Ross Mitchell who was recently hospitalized with blood clots.
- Prayers for Justin Orr, son of Floyd Orr, who has been diagnosed with COVID.
- Prayers for Sara Montez who begins more chemotherapy
- Prayers for Peter Tupou, Joette Orman, and baby Sage as Joette travels to Ireland for work. Joette will be in Ireland in August and September.
- Prayers for Sue Hammond who is having a bone biopsy on August 20.
- Prayers for Chris Nicoloff whois recovering from surgery for a stent in her aorta.
- Prayers for the family of Sally Engelen, mother of Debra Engelen, who passed from life to Life.
- Prayers for Rick Peetz, Sr, father of Rick Peetz, who is battling COVID.
- Prayers for Michael Flores who is facing health challenges and is looking for affordable housing.
- Prayers for the family and friends of Shirley Glass, who has passed from life to Life.
- Johanna Ballard requests prayers for her brother Dave, diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer
- Johanna Ballard requests prayers for her cousin Sharon who has Stage 4 bladder and colon cancer.
- Prayers for Krystal Rose, granddaughter of Charlie and Dee Dee Seek, who has been diagnosed with Covid.
- Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for an endangered father and his family trying to get out of Kabul.
- Carla Becerril requests prayers for family members, Stephanie and Brent, whose house burned down.
- Prayers for Connie Roener who is recovering from surgery for the removal of breast cancrer
- Prayers for Manny, friend of Carla Becerril, wo has been diagnosed with cancer.
- Prayers for Jessica Morgan who tore her Achilles tendon.
- Prayers for Mary Lou Haney whose doctors hope that IV antibiotics will clear up the infection in her hip.
- Prayers for Carole Beswick who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
- Prayers for Bill Whitmer who is recovering from heart surgery.
- Mary Lou Haney requests prayers for Carol, a family friend, who is hospitalized with an illness.
- Prayers for Gloria Ebert who fell last week.
- Prayers for Cindy McGuigan who is awaiting biopsy results.
- Prayers for Kathy, a daughter of a friend of Mary Melcher, who will have have brain surgery this week for the removal of brain cancer.
- Prayers for Susi Jacobsen requests prayers for health concerns she is facing.
- Ken Hurley requests prayers for his sister, Sheila, who has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer and will undergo chemotherapy.
- Eliza Ames requests prayers for her brother Coyne who is hospitalized and is very ill.
- Prayers for Ted, Grandfather of Janet Wilson's neices and nephew, whose cancer has spread to both lungs.
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Prayers for Penni Pierce, friend of Inez Diggs, who continues to be on oxygen and is going through a series of evaluations to determine whether she is a good candidate for a double lung transplant.
- Prayers for Ronan Godfrey and family as Ronan has now been placed on Hospice.
- Prayers for Jeff Bonadiman, friend of Carole Beswick, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.
- Susan Kirkhart requests prayers for her sister, Cyndi Kuran, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
- Mark Janz is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
- Norma Erickson is facing multiple health challenges.
- Dee Dee Seek requests prayers for family member, Pieter, who is recovering from major surgery in Atlanta.
- Beth Welsh requests prayers for her brother, Michael, who is recovering from surgery following a work accident.
- Rosemary requests prayers for her friend Jill K, who is recovering from COVID.
- Melinda Sewer Muganzo, Music Director at Mentone UCC, requests prayers for her brother, Miguel Sewer who just went through a second liver transplant.
- Mary Mortensen requests prayers for Joe Adcock, father of Mary’s children, who has been diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer.
- Payers for Caroline, mother of Karin Blad, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
- Prayers for Keith, cousin of Maegan Hill, who is blinded by a blood clot.
- Prayers for Claudine, grandmother of Paul and Dante Welsh.
- Prayers for Greg Farrell, brother of Karen Walsh, who is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer.
Ongoing Concerns:
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Carla Becerril
Les Budai
Diane Campbell
Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King
Carol Chaney
Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen
Cousin of Rick Cruz
Norma Erickson
Betty Gayle
Jerry Greenfield
Emma Grimauld
Katia Hage
Beki Hill
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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
Larry Minor
Mary Mortensen
Maria Montana
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Carmen & Jim Neafsey
Kristin Farmer Preslica
Steve, Brother of Julie Phillip
Nancy Rojas
Adolph Romero
Joan Roth
Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene
Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother
Heather Tee
Arika Torres
Vasquez Family
Helga Vroom
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Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team |
"This is a time where we’re wrestling with these sins of the nation — whether it was towards the First Nations, whether it was slavery — where we’re wrestling with these problems now and their consequences. It’s time to deal with it,” says Sam Brownback, former Kansas governor, senator and U.S. ambassador. In 2016, Negiel Bigpond, whose family was forced from their land and marched across the country on the Trail of Tears, organized an event called All Nations D.C., in which Native American Christians from 27 tribes across the country gathered at the Washington Monument to offer a prayer of forgiveness to the nation. “We’ve already planted the seed of forgiveness even though we’ve never been asked,” Bigpond said."
- Source: Washington Post article by Emily McFarlan Miller, “An apology to Native Americans was buried in a 2010 defense bill. Now, some want the president to say it aloud.”
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From the Environmental Justice Team |
On Monday, the world’s leading authority on climate change, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, told the world the climate is dangerously close to a tipping point that would lead to climate chaos and that human activities – primarily burning fossil fuels and deforestation – are to blame.
With deadly and record-breaking forest fires, heat waves, floods and droughts occurring around the world and here at home, too many of us are already experiencing the devastating effects of increasingly extreme weather. This report’s “code red for humanity” is reaching an already weary audience.
The report made clear that we need to reduce emissions faster and more deeply than ever before to really address the problem.
Fortunately, the report also shows that changing course is still within our power. The severity of climate change impacts is not a matter of chance. They will be determined by the choices we make now – all of us, every community, every country, every sector.
If you’ve wondered what you as an individual can do, here is is a simple action recommended by the Citizens Climate Lobby that can have a big impact.You can email and call your Congressman and tell him to support putting a price on carbon in this year’s budget reconciliation bill when it arrives in the House.You can do this by going to: cclusa.org/house.
A price on carbon would help drive the deep emissions reductions we need. Please do your part in fighting the climate crisis.
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New Sunday School Classes Debut September 15 |
On Sunday September 15, 2021 during the worship service we will celebrate our fabulous RUCC Sunday School program.
This year we plan to have three different Sunday School classes:
- Sparrows: Pre K through K
- Doves: Grades 1 through 3
- Eagles: Grades 4 through 6
(Youth Group is for grades 6 through 12 and will meet every Sunday after church)
Make sure to join us on that day to kickoff a fantastic Sunday school year! We will all begin worship together as usual and the children will depart for their classes after Children’s Circle.
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Save the Date: Sunday School Parents and Volunteers Meeting |
On September 12 please join us after church as we discuss the coming year’s Sunday School plans. We will welcome your input as we plan another great year of Sunday School at RUCC!
We welcome all parents, volunteers, and anyone else who is interested in our Sunday School programs.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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SCRIP PROGRAM BACK IN FULL SWING! |
Scrip/Gift Card Program is still ongoing! – When you purchase gift cards to pay for your day-to-day expenses or provide as gifts, RUCC receives a rebate that helps fund our missions. It’s an easy way to raise some money for RUCC.
In-Person Orders and Pickup – We will have a table set up outside after worship – pick up your orders, place new orders, and learn about the scrip/gift card program. The scrip/gift card table will be staffed each Sunday; we may switch to every other week depending on demand.
Gift Cards in Stock – We have a limited number of Stater Bros cards ($25 and $100) available for purchase after worship service on Sundays.
eCards – Remember that you can buy eGift cards, available to you immediately, to use for online or in-person shopping or to send as a gift. Every time you buy, RUCC gets a small rebate. Go to www.shopwithscrip.com or download the RaiseRight app for your smartphone.
if you need an enrollment code, need help placing an order, or want to learn more about the program.
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Book Club Will Meet September 5 |
The book, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, by Caitlin Doughty, will be the RUCC Book Group selection for the group discussion on September 5. It’s a nonfiction book about “lessons from the crematorium” . They will meet after church at noon in the Founders Room, which is the smaller room right off Covenant Hall. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion.
"Armed with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre, Caitlin Doughty took a job at a crematory and turned morbid curiosity into her life’s work. She cared for bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, and became an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. In this best-selling memoir, brimming with gallows humor and vivid characters, she marvels at the gruesome history of undertaking and relates her unique coming-of-age story with bold curiosity and mordant wit. By turns hilarious, dark, and uplifting, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes reveals how the fear of dying warps our society and "will make you reconsider how our culture treats the dead" (San Francisco Chronicle).
Upcoming book selections include:
Sept. 5, 2021 Selection: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty
Presenter: Toni Momberger
Oct. 3, 2021 Selection: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Presenter: Nan Root
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The Personnel Search Expands |
The RUCC Personnel Committee is actively searching to fill two positions at RUCC. The first is the long-vacant nursery care position that has been on hiatus during the pandemic. For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.
The second position to be filled is that of Office and Property Manager. Our current Office Manager has announced her retirement. Click here for the job description and application instructions.
Please share this information freely with qualified people who may be interested.
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UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER |
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August 15 - Quarterly Congregational Gathering in the Sanctuary, immediately after Worship, followed by Fellowship time on the patio.
- August 17 - Board at 7 p.m. on TEAMS
- August 20-22 - Silent Retreat at Serra Retreat Center.
- September 4 - Sacred Saturday - 9 a.m. to noon.
- September 5 - Book Group
- September 12 - Seekers resume meeting
- September 12 - Sunday School Parents' Meeting
SPECIAL NOTE:
- Seekers Study Group will remain on hiatus until September 12
- RUCC Book Group resumes on September 5.
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This Week at RUCC
Calendar for August 15 - August 22, 2021
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Sunday, August 15
- 9:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday School - on zoom
- 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - In person from the Sanctuary and also livestreamed from the Sanctuary on YouTube. In-person Children's Sunday School following the Children's Circle.
- 11:30 a.m. Congregational Gathering in the Sanctuary, followed by Fellowship Time on the Patio.
- 11:30 a.m. Youth Group
Tuesday, August 17
- 7:00 p.m. - Board Meeting
Wednesday, August 18
- 12 to 1 p.m. "The Pastor is In"on Zoom
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Thursday, August 19
- 5:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
- 6:15 p.m. Bell Choir rehearsal
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Friday, August 20
- Women's AA closed group - 7:00 p.m. -Founders' Room
Sunday, August 22
- 9:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday School - on zoom
- 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - In person from the Sanctuary and also livestreamed from the Sanctuary on YouTube. In-person Sunday School following the Children's Circle.
- 11:30 a.m. Fellowship time on the Patio
- 11:30 a.m. - Youth Group
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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 Manager: Nancy Sheets
Child Care: Vacant
Caretaker: Vacant
Phone: (909) 793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
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