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 January Issue

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

Online Pledge Form

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 

Proverbs 25:11 

I remember flipping through a Red Letter Bible for the first time and being surprised both by the red ink and how little there was of it. You know these Bibles, the ones where all of Jesus’ words are printed in red. This was done to catch the reader’s eye, to help them pay attention to the words Jesus actually said. If you flip through one of these Bibles, you’ll find there aren’t many “red letter words” in the Gospels. While these account for Jesus' ministry of preaching and teaching, Jesus says a lot fewer words than you’d expect. Jesus speaks in parables and stories, and changes his message depending on his audience, whether he’s just speaking to the disciples or to a larger crowd. He takes in his context and thinks about what it is he’s going to say and to whom and how to say it (even if we think he could have been a bit more straightforward at times). Jesus knew how to fitly speak a word for the moment he was in. 

As we navigate our weeks - with the expected and unexpected they will hold - perhaps we can hold onto thinking about how our words can be fitly spoken. We don’t need to have an answer for everything. We don’t need to speak the thoughts that don’t allow us to live into the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). We can consider the context and who we are with and wonder how best the conversation we have with them can be one that builds up a relationship. We’re never going to get it right all of the time. But in a world where there is so much pressure to perform and have an opinion about everything, might we consider only offering a word fitly spoken - for those words as the Wisdom of Proverbs tells us are like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 

Loving God, 

Thank you for the words you have spoken over us. Calling us your beloved children in whom you are well pleased. Thank you for your son Jesus who uses his words to teach us how to live. Help us  choose our words just as wisely as he did so our words can build up your people and your kingdom here on earth. 

Amen. 

-The Rev. Isabella Fagiani

RCPC Preschool Registration

RCPC Preschool begins priority registration for the 2026-2027 school year, for church members on January 12. We serve students aged 12 months through 5 years old 5 days a week! Email Betsy Prillaman at betsy@rcpres.org to set up a tour if you are interested.

Senior Session

Senior Sessions are going strong! 2026 will see a variety of programming and fun. Due to overwhelming response, we have decided to meet every month, so please join us on the third Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the church, unless otherwise noted. On January 20th, we will meet for games and snacks, so put that on your calendar. Bring a game and your favorite snack to share for lots of fun and fellowship. Don't have a game? Well, come anyway...there will be plenty. Hope to see you then. Beth Snead and Karen McNally 

Calling all Chili Cooks!

Consider supporting our Youth Chili Luncheon by providing a crockpot of Chili for us to sell on February 8th! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA4A723A2FA7-61361788-chili#/

Youth Group Dinner Cooks

Do you like cooking for a crowd? We could use your help cooking a meal for our Youth Group. Click below to see dates open for dinner. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4AABAB2CA6FC1-58223510-youth#/

Presbyterian Women Game and Fellowship Night

Friday, January 23—6:00 PM

Bring finger foods and games to share. Daughters are welcome! RSVP to Dawn Long at bdljlong@cox.net or sign-up on the sheet in the Gathering Area.

Variety Show

Wednesday, January 28

Fellowship Dinner at 5:30 PM

Variety Show at 6:30 PM

RCPC's annual Variety Show will be held Wednesday, January 28 following that evening's fellowship dinner. We've seen lots of talent the last few years, with lots of solos, duets, small ensembles, dancers, skits, and poets. It's also a great opportunity for members to get to know one another, and discover hidden talent! Special consideration will be given to young performers who need to leave early due to their school schedule. You can sign up below, or in the registration that will be posted in the gathering area. Those with questions can contact Jeff Bossert at jbossert71@outlook.com.

RCPC Rail Yard Dawgs outing 

Our next Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs hockey game will be Friday, February 20 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $18. The parking pass is $10 (attendees should plan to purchase those on their own) or attendees can take the shuttle from the Elmwood Park Garage. Parking rates may still enforced at the garage. Reservations are due by Tuesday, February 17th. Anyone with questions can contact Jeff Bossert at jbossert71@outlook.com.

Ticket Reservation >> https://forms.gle/KLkzLrqXmdjE3fEZ6

Parking Passes >> https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01006389E0786760

Congregational Retreat: What Not to Wear

 March 13—15, 2026 at Massanetta Springs

"As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ' - Galatians 3:27

Pack your bags and join us at Massanetta Springs in 2026 for our congregational retreat! We will be exploring what it means to "put on Christ" as followers of his way. Scripture gives us several images of what we can clothe ourselves in as we take off the labels of sin and step into the hope of resurrection. There will be invitations to participate in "theme nights," tie-dying activities, a chance to share a story about a particularly meaningful piece of clothing, and a time to work on knitting and crochet projects. We may even recreate the 1980s photo at the church from Massanetta Springs in our shorts and tube socks! Hubler is reserved for those aged 60+, with mobility issues, or with children 3-years-old or younger. This year we also have two Airbnb options! Forms, pricing, and more details are available in the Gathering Area or online at rcpres.org/retreat. Forms and payment are due to Leigh Sackett or Julie Satterwhite by January 31. 

Adult Sunday School

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

The Seekers

January 18-25: AI, Faith, and You: Artificial Intelligence, Christian Spirituality, and Morality

Led Virtually by Andy Morgan, Director of Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN

Parent as a Verb

January 4—18 & February 1—8: Raising Awe Seekers by Deborah Farmer Kris. Led by Isabella Fagiani

Confessions of the Church

Beginning January 4: Confessions of the Church: Nicene and Apostles Creeds. Led by Mike Lockaby

Discover RCPC

January 11—25 (During the Sunday School Hour): Discover RCPC is a way to learn more about our life together as followers of Jesus. 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. Led by Andrew Whaley

Important January Worship Dates

January 18—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Worship Service

5:00 PM—Hill Street Baptist Church (111 Madison Ave NW)

Keynote speaker: Dr. N.L. Bishop, Community Ambassador for Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Special music from the choirs of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, Hill Street Baptist Church, and Temple Emanuel

January 25—Youth Sunday

Join us for worship at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM where we’ll be led in word and song by our 6th—12th graders. Youth families please save Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 AM—12:00 PM for rehearsal.

Mission Partner Support

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of January, we are supporting the emergency support given by Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) and the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC). This emergency support aids neighbors with rent, mortgage and utility payments. All money raised this month will be split between the two organizations so we can aid neighbors throughout the city. 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 the RAM & PCC in the text box.

We’re thankful for your generosity in the month of December, as we raised $2,141.56 for our Alternative Giving partners.

Pump-a-Pint Blood Drive

RCPC’s Winter Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday January 27, 2026 from 1:30 PM –5:3 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sign-ups are available on the Red Cross website at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG. You are welcome to schedule your appointment or you can contact Lillian Alexander at 540-632-8921 or alexanderlj@yahoo.com and she will gladly get you on the schedule! The sign-up sheet will also be available in the gathering area before and after Sunday worship services in January. The Pump-a-Pint Mission Group would love to have you join the ranks of faithful donors here at RCPC. Come for the snacks and fellowship, leave knowing you have saved three lives! Thank you for your continued support of this vital mission!

Earth Care

Our extended plastics collection continues this month on Wednesday, January 28 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the parking lot. Reminder: we collect hard plastics, styrofoam, and e-waste. this collection will take place monthly on the last Wednesday.

West End Center Homework Helpers

Do you have some afternoon time to help a child complete their homework? West End Center is in need of homework volunteers. The time is 3:30 - 5:30. You can stay for one group or do both. Come for one day a week or more if you can. These children just need a buddy to sit with them to help with the instructions and encourage them. If they complete their assignment, play a game, practice math facts or read a book. For more information call Susan Kessler or West End Center - 540-342-0902.

Sudanese/South Sudanese Mission Group Update

Requests from Sudanese families: carpets, dresser, dining table and chairs

Thank you again for your generosity! -Sudanese/South Sudanese Support Group, Camilla Cabaniss, Kathleen Carroll, Fred Hoffman, Janet Miller, Marty Saviers, Sandra Whitt

Prayer Requests

Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Jackie Blakeman, Rachel Cooper (Daughter of Carolyn Wilson), 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, Cheryl Gilliland, Barbara Lashley, Susan Lindstrom, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Rusty McCown, Philip Moore (Hunter Moore’s father), Louise Morris, Betty Nance, Connie Pearlman, Amy Starr Redwine, Randy Remington (friend of Betty Remington), Ian Richardson (brother-in-law of Jonathan Crook), Janis Wertz, and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, January 9. 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