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 February Raleigh Court Herald

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. -Colossians 4:10-11



“These are the only ones of the circumcision among my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” What Paul is clarifying in this statement is that Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are his fellow Jews who have been called out of their former life as converts to the ways of Jesus. He says they are the “only ones,” meaning all the other coworkers for Christ that are present must be Gentiles. 

We all know that Paul is committed to the inclusion of Gentiles. Paul loudly and frequently pushes the message that the Gospel does not discriminate based on circumcision status or any other identifying marker of this world, but that does not mean that Paul does not take comfort in the kinship found in his fellow Jews. They share in the same tradition, know the stories of their faith, are bonded by similar childhood experiences surrounding practices, feasts, holidays, and time spent in the Temple. Paul says – “they have been a comfort to me.”  Where do we typically find comfort? We find comfort in what is familiar to us. 

What is familiar to you that gives you comfort? Is it a connection to people within a geographical place, maybe where you grew up? … Bostonians always seem to have a strange kinship! Is it your college? … there are a lot of Hokies out there! Is it your sorority, do you still meet with those sisters today? Do you find familiarity and comfort in a community organization, like Rotary, Scouts, or the Junior League? Is it a sports team (just visit Texas to witness this)? Were you a “Theater kid” or like me a “Swimmer” and still feel a comradery with others who dedicated themselves to these pursuits? Do the colleagues in your occupation bring you comfort because you speak the same language, endure similar daily challenges, and celebrate company milestones? Are you like Paul, and your childhood church friends bring you comfort and familiarity through your moments of senior high handprints, backyard gardens, underground church, and trips to Massanetta, Montreat, and Camp Bethel?

Today, take a moment to ponder what group of people bring you comfort and familiarity? Who is your Aristarchus? Who brings you the comfort of your past and your history?

Lord, we know as Paul did, that Jesus Christ is the marker that Identifies us above all else. But we love familiar faces that share in our history, and we love the places and groups that connect us to our past. We thank you for the comfort you bring to us in what is familiar – whether it be our hometown friends, friends who share in our church background, friends of similar cultural experiences, or friends of similar lifestyles. It is a comfort to be seen and known in these communities, while also being opened by you to see the face of Jesus in all the new faces and places we encounter. Amen. 

~Leigh Sackett, Director of Christian Education

Chili Luncheon

Calling all chili makers & chili eaters!

The Youth Group will again host a Chili Luncheon on Sunday, February 9. We’re in need of families outside of the Youth Group who are willing to donate a crockpot of chili to the cause. If you can donate a Crock Pot of Chili or a Desert for the day - sign up online at tinyurl.com/RCPCChiliLuncheon2025 or email Isabella at Isabella@rcpres.org to provide food. You’re invited to purchase chili to go after the 9:00 AM service or to stay for a luncheon after the 11:00 AM service and enjoy a time of fellowship together.

RCPC Variety Show

Wednesday, February 12 after Fellowship Dinner

Almost time for RCPC's annual variety show! The past few years have brought out skits, soloists, duets, small ensembles, and poets. The evening is a great opportunity to get know our church families a little better. The event will be Wednesday, February 12 following Fellowship Dinner which will be at 5:30 PM. We'll give special consideration for younger performers who need to perform early due to their school schedule. Acts can sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Area or online at tinyurl.com/RCPCVarietyShow2025. Anyone with questions can contact Jeff Bossert at jbossert71@outlook.com.

RCPC Ornaments

The final order of cross ornaments is in! If you pre-ordered, your ornament will be waiting for you with your name on it at the front desk or on Sunday mornings in the gathering area! Call Emily Jarrett (662-610-2705) with questions.

Sermon Series: Find Your People

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors came out with a song in 2023 called “Find Your People.” In the lyrics, they talk about the kind of people we each need in our lives in order to know fullness, wholeness, and joy. From the beginning, the Church has been the community in which we “find our people,” and the Apostle Paul mentions many fellow travelers and co-laborers in the ministry who have enriched his life and enabled the Church to flourish. In these weeks, we will look at some of the people you find in the Christian community and how we might continue to nurture those relationships of grace and so manifest God’s purposes today.

February 9 - The One that Won’t Let You Lose Your Soul - Luke 11:5-8 & 2 Corinthians 7:6-16

February 16 - Who Understands What You’re Saying Before a Word is Spoke - John 15:14-17 & 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; 16:10-11

More Profound Alleluia

Mondays, February 3-25, 5:30 PM—6:30 PM

Led by Dillon J. Swanson—Room 201. Have you ever wondered about how hymns and service music are selected for worship at RCPC or why? This four-week class is a discussion-based class about the types of music we sing from our hymnal as well as the discernment process for selecting music for worship. The final class session will be an exercise in hymn selection where the class will actively discern and choose the hymns for an upcoming Sunday. It is the hope that through this class, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the use of hymnody in our church and therefore sing “a more profound alleluia” together in worship. 

Greeking Out & The Gospel

Led by Andrew Whaley - Room 202

Sunday School February 2 - March 2

"Greeking Out" is a National Geographic Kids podcast that condenses ancient Greek myths into digestible 20-minute episodes. These stories cover great battles and treacherous journeys. These are stories that the Gospel writers, the Apostle Paul, and others in the first century would have heard in their surrounding culture. Knowledge of these tales can enhance the beauty, wonder, offense, and radical message of the Gospel of Jesus. In this class we will listen to episodes of this podcast and then compare and contrast it with biblical narratives to see how the way of God's grace turns our notions of heroics, justice, and power on their heads. This class is intended to be intergenerational, open to high school students and adults.

Adult Sunday School - February Classes

The Seekers—Room 201

Spiritual Roots in Archeology – Great Courses (begins February 16)

Stonehenge. Machu Picchu. The Acropolis. The Great Pyramids at Giza. Sites such as these have captivated the world for centuries—even millennia—since their creation. They are works of great beauty whose construction required spectacular feats of engineering, involved the efforts of hundreds of thousands of individuals, and incurred a tremendous financial cost on the civilizations that created them.

But why were these massive sites created? What impulse drove ancient cultures to devote such time and labor into these projects? Why are we so transfixed by their presence today? And what do these and other mysterious sites reveal about our ancestors—and about humanity as a whole?

The answer to these and other eternal questions is the dynamic force of religious belief. Religion, in its many forms, is among the most powerful of all human impulses. The philosophical and intellectual side of religious practice is well studied—but religion also manifests itself physically. From cave art to intricate burial chambers to grand hilltop temples, the material expression of spirituality is less understood but offers equally deep insights into why humans believe in something larger than themselves.

Parents as a Verb—Room 102

Epic Fails and Epic Wins

Real life stories shared from visiting parents on the epic fails and wins that they experienced throughout their parenting days. What worked, what didn’t, what were their struggles, and where did they find joy. This will be a lighthearted time together of stories shared that will spur discussion from our class participants currently in the thick of parenting.

Exploring Christian Theology—Room 101

Led by Mike Lockaby

As we continue our exploration of the history of how Christians think and talk about God, we'll be looking at the way we talk about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit throughout the winter/spring semester. And as we conclude our studies in the spring, we'll be discussing a question that early Christians did not actually talk about much -- what it might feel like to be a person (a fraught word, incidentally) who is both a human being and God. 

Mission Partner Support 

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of February, we are supporting Family Promise. You can place your money in the offering plate or make an online gift using the QR code, noting that it is for Mission and making a note for Family Promise in the text box. Last month, we’re thankful for your generosity as we raised $2,580.09 for RAM and PCC.

House of Bread

House of Bread will be set up on Wednesday, February 5, at Black Dog Salvage. Students and volunteers will be selling simple white bread, blueberry streusel bread, maple coconut granola and two varieties of chocolate chip cookies. Please come out between 3:30 and 5 PM to meet the bakers and enjoy some tasty baked goods!

Sudanese/South Sudanese Mission Group

NEEDED: Folks to help move furniture once it warms up some. Please let us know if and when you are available. Your help will be most appreciated!

Sudanese/South Sudanese Support Mission Group-Camilla Cabaniss, Kathleen Carroll, Fred Hoffman, Janet Miller, Marty Saviers, Sandra Whitt (sandrarcpc@yahoo.com; 540-330-3451)

Prayer Requests

Susan Ard, Ginger Barbour (friend of Elise Hansard), Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Jackie Blakeman, Mayuen Chice, Beverly Day and family (friend of Camilla and Johnsey Cabaniss), Lynne Fields, Cameron & Susie Hutto, Susan Lindstrom, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Melissa Martin (friend of Lisa Boylan), Rusty McCown, Louise Morris, Steve Pottinger (Bob & India Atkinson’s son-in-law), Cameron Stanley (Grandson of Betty Nance), and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, January 31. Names in bold indicate an addition to the prayer list this week.)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR GROUPS

• Preschool: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Centering Prayer at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church: Monday, 10:00 AM
• Cub Scouts: Monday, 6:30 PM
• BSA Troop 2: Monday, 7:00 PM
• Roanoke Valley Choral Society, Monday, 7:00 PM
• AA-Primary Purpose: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 AM
• AA-Seeds of Hope: Tuesday, 5:30 PM
• Tai Chi: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 PM
• Hip Sober Chicks: Thursday, 6:30 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