Worship Service Times

9:00 AM - Chapel

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - Sanctuary & Livestream

Baby & Toddler Nursery is available during both services

Podcast Raleigh Court Herald April Issue

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

Online Pledge Form

The leech has two daughters;

    “Give, give,” they cry.

Three things are never satisfied;

    four never say, “Enough”:

Sheol, the barren womb,

    the earth ever-thirsty for water,

    and the fire that never says, “Enough.”

- Proverbs 30:15-16

As you see my assigned scripture for today’s devotional is… a little intense. From Book of Proverbs: The leech has two daughters; “Give, give,” they cry… There are things that never say, “Enough.” Not exactly the soft landing I was hoping for in these beginning days of Eastertide. But then again… maybe it is … Because on Easter Sunday I wore a new dress. I found it on Amazon, it’s nothing fancy, just something that felt fresh and spring-like and a little joyful for the day.

But you know how it goes - I searched for a dress…and suddenly my phone decided I needed aaaallll the dresses on Amazon and everywhere else. Instagram filled up with them, more colors, more styles, more options, more, more, more!!! And without even realizing it, I felt it rising up in me, that quiet, familiar pull … YES, maybe I do need all the dresses. I didn’t buy a multitude of dresses, only two, but I did recognize the feeling.

That little voice that never quite says, “That’s enough.”

So as I reflect back on the weeks before Easter, suddenly, that strange proverb doesn’t feel so strange anymore. “Give, give,” it says. Not because we are bad, but because we are human. We live in a world now where that voice is constantly fed. And that voice lives right in our pockets. It calls to us, enticing us with endless scrolling, endless feeds, endless options, and endless wanting.

But here we are, in the season of Easter. A time that proclaims something completely different. Not the voice of “MORE,” not the endless striving to measure up to others, and the constant chase to acquire something new and shiny (or florally in my case). But a time that shouts the words … “The Lord is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”

And in him, we are already held, loved, and enough. The world will keep saying, “Give, give.” But the Resurrection whispers something quieter, steadier, truer: You don’t have to keep reaching for more to be whole. 

In this Eastertide, maybe the invitation is simple - to notice the pull and name it, and to gently let it go. To live, even for a moment, as if what God has already given… is enough.

God, you know how easily our hearts start reaching for more. More things, more approval, more something we can’t quite name. Slow us down. Help us notice that pull without being pulled under by it. Remind us, gently, again and again, that in you, we are already enough. Amen. 

-Leigh Sackett, Director of Christian Education

Instant Church Directory

Make sure to add your picture! -

We'd love to see those Easter Pictures!

After many months of research and testing, the Hospitality Committee is excited to announce that we have an online directory for RCPC! Instant Church Directory will allow us as a congregation to stay connected on the go with a digital directory that includes pictures. Follow the instructions below to gain access to the directory through the website and/or mobile apps (available on iPhone and Android).

• Website: members.instantchurchdirectory.com (also linked at rcpres.org and click “Connect with Us”)
• Sign in with the email address you’ve provided RCPC—not sure what that email address is? Email Julie@rcpres.org or to find out or update. Follow the prompts in the email you’ll receive to finish setting up your log in.

Need help getting access or uploading a picture, email Julie@rcpres.org

Steel Drum Concert

Friday, April 17 at 6:00 PM - Fellowship Hall

Join PW for a night of Caribbean Music, Food, & Fun featuring the Bahama Mamas Steel Drum Band! Potluck dinner followed by music. Everyone at RCPC is invited. Bring a dish to share and wear your tropical colors. RSVP to Dawn Long at bdljlong@cox.net by April 14 or sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Area.

Savvy Seniors

Join us on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:00 AM for Game Day. There will be lessons in Mahjong, Bridge, and Five Crowns. Sign up online at the link below or in the Gathering Area for your choice of game. Bring along a snack to share with the group!

Women of the Church, Join Us for a Baby Shower Celebrating Isabella!

Saturday, May 16th at 10:30 am in the RCPC Fellowship Hall

More details to come soon, look for the invitation in your email at a later date. In place of gifts, contributions to the baby fund can be made via cash, checks, or online giving with a note "PW baby fund."

April Adult Sunday School

Full Class Descriptions Available Online at rcpres.org/adult-education

The Seekers

April 12—May 17: The Tears of Things by Richard Rohr

How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? In his most personal book yet, Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today. Come join the Seekers as they read and study this book together and reflect on its meaning in our own faith journeys.

Parent as a Verb

February-May: Book Study, Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley led by Eric Kessler

Confessions of the Church

January - May: Confessions of the Church: Nicene and Apostles Creeds. Led by Mike Lockaby

Discover RCPC - Room 202

Led by Andrew Whaley

April 12—26: During the Sunday School Hour (10:00 AM - 10:45 AM)

Discover RCPC is a way to learn more about our life together as followers of Jesus. In these gatherings, we will get to know one another better. We will learn about how and why we worship and what is distinctive about being a Reformed Church. We will learn about how Presbyterians practice their life in covenant with each other, and we will learn the story specifically of the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church: The Church of the Open Door. Email andrew@rcpres.org to sign up.

Children's Ministry Sunday - April 26 

"Once there was someone who said such amazing things and did such wonderful things that people began to follow him ..."

On Children's Ministry Sunday, April 26, the God Alive children and RCPC Preschool children will lead us in worship as we explore how Jesus' words and actions open our hearts and eyes to the world around us and a life of following him. Through story, song, and prayer, they will remind us that Jesus points us towards God's love everywhere-in creation, in one another, and in the small, sacred moments of everyday life.

Drawing from Jesus' teaching about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, we'll be invited to trust, to notice, and to live with open hearts. Our children have a special gift for seeing what adults often miss, and on this Sunday, they will lead us in rediscovering that way of seeing-full of wonder, compassion, and joy.

Come and be led by the faith of our children as we open our eyes to the love of God all around us. Following the 11:00 AM worship service, we will enjoy cookies and lemonade on the lawn together.

Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. -Matthew 13:16

Flower Dedication

The RCPC Floral Guild offers to arrange flowers in memory or in honor of a loved one. If you would like to honor a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion on a specific Sunday, please contact Julie Satterwhite at julie@rcpres.org or call the church at 540 343-5541. The cost is $80, which is for two arrangements placed in the Chancel of the Sanctuary.

Graduate Sunday-May 3

We'll celebrate all the graduates within our church family during worship on May 3. Please submit a picture of your graduate with their name and where they are graduating from to julie@rcpres.org by April 20 so we can celebrate them. If you're a high schooler who is graduating, we'll celebrate with you during the 11:00 AM worship service on May 3 and again at Youth Group that evening with our traditional Senior Send Off.

Graduation Gifts for High School Seniors 

You're invited to help celebrate our High School Seniors by writing a card of support, encouragement, or affirmation for them as they head off into their next adventure. Don't let it stop you if you don't know the youth personally from writing a card. This is our chance to remind them just how loved they are simply by God and by this community, with the hope that these cards can be turned to on all sorts of days that come with college. Please turn in cards to Isabella's box at the church by 9:00 AM on Sunday, May 3rd. The cards will be given to the youth as part of their gift during the 11:00 AM Service on Sunday, May 3rd. Here are our seniors: Anna Favor, Lydia Goad, Hannah Hertz, Daniel Owen-O'Quill, & Lily Ward

Rethinking Justice Workshop for This Week

Roanoke Justice Ministries is an ecumenical organization seeking to address real community problems in our city and region. The work of RJM focuses on the call of God in Micah 6:8 to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbling with your God." God provides in the prophets a vision of a healthy and just society. We as Christians can join together to seek changes that exceed what we can do as individuals or congregations.

RJM is part of a national network of faith-based organizations with a similar purpose, the Direct Action Research and Training Center (DART). We are working with other member organizations as we form our own network in Roanoke. Presently, we are searching for a lead organizer to help us in our efforts.

In recent months, clergy have attended conferences and members have participated in a host of conversations. We are ready now for the next step- a Rethinking Justice Workshop. This event will feature Bishop Lafayette Scales from Columbus, Ohio, as well as members of the DART network in Richmond, Virginia. We will gather to learn more, grow in our biblical understanding of justice, and continue to strengthen a network of support.

WHEN: Thursday, May 7, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM

WHERE: Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church (2505 Electric Road, 24018)

CONTACT: Carol Burmeister-Prichard (cbp449@gmail.com)

Who is involved? Presently, clergy and members of the following churches are part of Roanoke Justice Ministries:

St. Gerard Catholic Church, Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, Raleigh Court United Methodist Church, Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, Cave Spring United Methodist Church, Christ Lutheran Church, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, St. James Episcopal Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Hill Street Baptist Church, Williams Memorial Baptist Church, Refreshing Church, Spirit of Unity Baptist Church, Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke

Mission Partner Support

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of April, we are supporting Habitat for Humanity. You can place your money in the offering plate or make an online gift, noting that it is for Mission and making a note for Habitat in the text box. As of April 5, we have collected $1,285.72 for Habitat for Humanity.

Hunger Mission Team Volunteers

The portion of the Hunger Mission team that serves Lincoln Terrace Elementary could use your help on Thursday mornings through the end of May. Our greatest need is for help with loading food from the food closet onto tables for packing in the gathering area. While there is one designated slot for Cart Loader on Sign-Up Genius each week, the Cart Loader works with another volunteer to load food and prepare for packing. Cart loading begins at 9:00 AM and packing begins at 10:00 AM. You can sign up to help by using the link below or contact Paula Derbyshire at (540) 309-8816. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0949AAAC28A7F94-57911905-lincoln#/

Prayer Requests

Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Fred Davis, Beverly Day and family (friend of Camilla and Johnsey Cabaniss), Nate Ellison (son of Jay and Polly Ellison), Nancy Farthing, Carolyn Hampton (sister-in-in-law of Mary Hampton), Debra Harris, Cameron & Susie Hutto, Susan Lindstrom, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Louise Morris, Betty Nance, Connie Pearlman, Amy Starr Redwine, Cheri Sathe (mother of Lizzie Kessler), Shirley Scruggs (sister of Susan Davis), Campbell Tims (granddaughter of Kay Tims), and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, April 10. Names in bold indicate an addition to the prayer list this week.)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR GROUPS

• RCPC Preschool: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM
• Centering Prayer at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church: Monday, 10:00 AM
• Scouts-Troop 2 B: Monday, 7:00 PM
• AA-Primary Purpose: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 AM
• Tai Chi: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 PM
• Hip Sober Chicks: Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Opera Roanoke Chorus: Thursday, 7:00 PM
• Al-Anon: Friday, 11:45 AM

The Herald - Deadline for Articles: 10th of each month

This Week @ RCPC - Deadline for Articles: Wednesday of each week

Send submissions for The Herald and This Week @ RCPC to Julie Satterwhite 

Video Board in the Gathering Area - Send Information to Carole Banks