Summer Worship Schedule
From now through September 6, there will be only one service at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary.
Livestream, Nursery, & Children’s Worship will all be available.
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for like a hair in the throat, so are they.
“Eat and drink!” they say to you,
but they do not mean it.
-Proverbs 23:7
This week’s devotional text comes to us from a larger litany of wisdom urging the reader to guard their hearts against the vanities that can cloud judgement and lead to the destruction of themselves and their relationships with others.
One of the highlights in my undergraduate studies at Concordia College was studying Biblical Hebrew with Dr. Elna Solvang. Alongside Biblical Hebrew Dr. Solvang taught a variety of other Hebrew Bible course work that was captivating and timeless. I was drawn in from day one and always found myself squeezing in just one more class with her. Her tutelage is what led me to pursue a religion minor and later continue into seminary.
The Hebrew Bible was of mysterious to me upon my arrival as a freshman in college. The churches I had grown up in focused mainly on the writings of Paul and the Gospels. I knew very little outside the Marvel-esque stories of the great heroes. Dr. Solvang changed this as she invited us into the riddling nature of the poetry and wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible. What could these puzzling poems and intricately patterned analogies mean? Today’s devotional passage may lead to you ask the same question...
Ultimately, this brief passage within the larger context of Proverbs 23 deals with the idea of deceit. The opening remark, “for like a hair in the throat” is the Greek interpretation of the original Hebrew verb “sa’ar” meaning “thinking or calculating.” This analogy is used because host of the meal has ulterior motive here and the insincerity is repulsive. The closing phrase, “but they do not mean it,” doubles down on this notion, as in the Hebrew it translates to “his heart is not with them.” The Hebrew word for heart in this context is lev which can be better understood as some truest desires or motives.
With these ideas in mind, how can these words shape our lives as Christian people today?
Our thoughts and intentions are never isolated things. What fills the heart eventually shapes our words, attitudes, and actions toward others. In the Christian community, this truth carries deep importance. A heart rooted in selfishness, pride, or bitterness can quietly sow division, discouragement, and distrust. But a heart surrendered to Christ produces humility, grace, patience, and unity.
The church is strengthened when believers examine not only what they do, but why they do it. Service done for recognition loses its spiritual beauty, while even small acts done with sincere love can refresh an entire body of believers. God is concerned with the condition of the heart because our inner life always overflows into the lives of those around us.
When we allow Christ to shape our intentions, we become people who encourage rather than compete, forgive rather than resent, and build up rather than tear down. Healthy Christian communities are formed not merely by shared activities, but by hearts transformed by God’s Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord, purify our hearts and shape our intentions so that our lives strengthens one another. Help us to think with love, serve with humility, and reflect Christ in all we do. Amen.
-Dillon J. Swanson, Director of Music Ministries
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Worship & Potluck Picnic on Mill Mountain
Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 AM
Our worship service on Sunday, June 7, will be at Mill Mountain at 10:00 AM, with a potluck brunch at the picnic shelter to follow. The Fellowship Committee will provide coffee, juice, water, and biscuit sandwiches from Scratch Biscuit. We invite all the great RCPC cooks (and we know there are many of you) to bring your best homemade breakfast/lunch (BRUNCH) recipes because they are always grabbed up first. You can also bring fresh fruit, homemade bread, etc. Since RCPC prides itself on “going green,” we urge each of you to bring your personal water bottle as well as a chair for the service, meal, and time of fellowship. If you are unable to join us on Mill Mountain, a shortened service will be available at 8:00 AM in the Chapel.
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Summer Fellowship Hours After Worship
June 7 (Mill Mountain) & 21; July 5 & 19; August 2 & 16
Fellowship Hour Volunteers
The Fellowship Committee would welcome help from anyone who would like to help with Summer Fellowship Hours. You can help with set up (preparing coffee and water), providing snacks (baking/cooking or buying), or clean up (cleaning out coffee pots, water pitchers, and putting away supplies). If you're interested in helping, please contact Kathy Sebolt at 540-520-2538.
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Savvy Seniors
Tuesday, June 16 at 10:00 AM
The Savvy Seniors have been having a great time meeting, learning, and playing new games, hearing interesting presentations from Delayne Caldwell of the LOA and Nelson Harris, and enjoying socializing over lunch. But, it doesn't end there. On June 16th, we will be playing games again and continuing to better our skills at Mahjong, Bridge, and Five Crowns. Please feel free to bring other games to share if you would like, and bring a snack to share. We are also offering a class starting on Thursdays, June 18- August 6, 1:30 PM—3:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, led by staff from the Local Office on Aging. "A Matter of Balance" is an 8-week course that addresses the issues of aging and physical balance. There is a cap of 12 members for the class, so sign up soon in the Gathering Area. A second class will be offered in the fall. On Sunday, July 19, we are planning lunch out after church; more information soon. We hope to see you at the next Savvy Senior event. Please see all sign-ups on the clipboard in the Gathering Area.
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Fellowship Outing -
Salem Ridge Yaks Game
Friday, June 12 at 6:35 PM
Our 2026 RCPC baseball outing - our first game with the now re-branded Salem Ridge Yaks, facing the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, will be Friday, June 12 at 6:35 PM at Salem Memorial Ballpark. Our seats will be in section 305. And a heads up to young people - it's also "Mythical Magic Night' at the ballpark, where dragons roam the earth, and there are post-game fireworks! You can register at the link below, or on the sheet posted in the gathering area through Wednesday, June 11. Tickets are $11 each - please turn your money into the church office, or you can get it to Jeff Bossert. Anyone with questions can contact Jeff at jbossert71@outlook.com
NEW!
The ticketing office has now adopted digital ticketing, meaning they'll be sent to attendees via text the day of the game. For those without a smart phone, the RidgeYaks can still print their tickets at Will Call.
| | Christian Education & Worship | |
Bible & Music Camp 2026 - Registration now open!
Rescue in the Night: The Story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den
July 27-30, 2026 | Registration deadline June 30
This summer we step into the dramatic story of Daniel, a man of unwavering faith who found himself facing a den of lions after courageously standing up to the jealousy and deception of King Darius’ officials. Through engaging Bible lessons, music-making, and play, campers will explore how Daniel’s courage can inspire their own lives today. Daniel teaches us that our faith is stronger than our fear, and God is always with us when we stand strong in doing what is right. At the heart of the week is our featured musical production, “Rescue in the Night.” Campers, led by members of our Youth Choir, will take part in bringing this story to life through singing, dancing, acting, and working together to prepare a lively and meaningful performance for family and friends at the end of camp. The structure of Bible and Music Camp contains half-day & full-day programming schedules to allow for the participation of a variety of age group. Registration details online at rcpres.org/biblemusiccamp
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Bible & Music Camp Shepherds
The job of a Shepherd at Bible and Music Camp is to nurture the group you are shepherding by leading them to their different activities, assisting the leader of that activity, and helping and encouraging the children as they worship, sing, learn, create, and play. You are not alone as a shepherd! Each group has at least 3 shepherds. The beauty of this job is that your essential task is to engage with the wonderful young people of our church! You will be blessed by getting to know these children. We hope you will sign up to shepherd them along in their faith!
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Sermon Series for May 31- August 30:
The Judges: Challenging Leadership in Chaotic Times
Israel lives in a season of communal transition. No more are they nomads wandering in the wilderness. They have entered the Promised Land, but Judges tells us this new life is far from peaceful. We are still many years from the later stability created by David and his kingship. Judges is the in-between times, the season of transition from one generation to another and from a tenuous desert life to a settled generational existence.
This summer we will journey with the Judges through this season of intrigue, turmoil, acts of heroism, decisions of great hubris, and see how these stories speak to our lives in times of uncertainty, instability, and transition.
June 7 – Ehud
Judges 3:12-30 – Southpaw
June 14 – Deborah
Judges 4:1-24 – A Woman’s Touch
June 21 – Gideon
Judges 6:1-27 – Demolition Man
June 28 – Gideon
Judges 6:26-40 – Morning Dew
July 5 – Gideon
Judges 8:22-28; 33-35 – Tyranny & Idolatry
July 12 – Abimelech
Judges 9:1-6 – Playing Dress Up
July 19 – Samson
Judges 13:1-14; 24-25 – What to Expect When You’re Expecting
July 26 – Samson
Judges 14:1-20 – Petulant
August 2 – Samson
Judges 15:1-8 – Turning Tail
August 9 – Samson
Judges 16:4-22 – Pillow Talk
August 16 – Samson
Judges 16:23-31 – Ego’s End
August 23 – Micah
Judges 17:1-13 – Shelia-ism
August 30 – Ending
Judges 21:25 – In Our Own Eyes
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Mark Your Calender!
To kick off our summer series, we will be joined by the Rev. Dr. Isabelle Hamley of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom for an online lecture and Q&A. Dr. Hamley is the head of religious life for the university and the author of the recent theological commentary God of Justice and Mercy. She will help us to see an overview of this book and its contemporary resonance in our world today. Wednesday, June 3; Lunch in the Fellowship Hall at Noon and Lecture at 1:00 at RCPC and via Zoom Link in the This Week @ RCPC email (available June 1). For those who cannot attend in person or online, a recording of the lecture will be posted afterward.
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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.
| | Opportunity for Generosity & Mission Updates | |
Mission Partner Support
Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of June, we are supporting the Rescue Mission. 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 the Rescue Mission in the text box.
As of May 24, we have collected $2,160.81 for House of Bread.
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Rescue Mission
Supporting Our Neighbors Through the Rescue Mission of Roanoke In June, our loose plate offerings will support the vital work of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, an organization dedicated to caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our community with compassion, dignity, and hope. Specifically, our giving will help sustain the Mission's Community Health Worker, Greyson. In this role, Greyson reaches beyond the walls of the Rescue Mission to connect with individuals who are not currently using Rescue Mission servicesmany of whom are experiencing homelessness, isolation, or significant health challenges. Through consistent outreach, listening, and relationship-building, Greyson helps connect people with medical care, resources, and pathways toward stability. For those who are already guests of the Rescue Mission, Greyson provides a deeper level of personal contact-walking alongside them, understanding their individual needs, and helping coordinate care that supports both physical and emotional well-being. This position has been funded through a grant, but that grant has ended. Our loose plate offering in June will help to bridge funding to continue this service until the Rescue Mission finds a more permanent solution.
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Pump-a-Pint Blood Drive
Tuesday, June 2
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
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'll be happy to get you scheduled. The sign-up sheet will also be available in the Gathering Area before and after Sunday worship services starting May 17. 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!
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Prayer Requests
Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Beverly Day & family (friend of Camilla & Johnsey Cabaniss), Nate Ellison (son of Jay & Polly Ellison), Nancy Farthing, Carolyn Hampton (Mary Hampton’s sister-in-law), Debra Harris, Jackie Hart (friend of Susan & Al Knighton), Bill Haynie, Mary Hopkins (great-aunt of Tyler Person), Cameron & Susie Hutto, Susan Lindstrom, Louise Morris, Connie Pearlman, Amy Starr Redwine, Kim Richards, Shirley Scruggs (sister of Susan Davis), Campbell Tims (granddaughter of Kay Tims), and all caregivers.
(Prayers request as of Friday, May 29. Names in bold indicate an addition to the prayer list this week.)
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Birthdays: June 1-7
6/1 Crystal Clayton, Lynnie McCurdy, Lori Tosoni
6/2 Maddie Sackett
6/3 Lee Williams
6/4 Amelia Martin, Analise Martin
6/5 Noah Britt, Dick Wagner
6/6 Becky Guynn, Gregory Shaff
6/7 Roena Barbre, Ralph Berrier, Kathy DeFalco
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Monday, June 1
6:00 PM - Fellowship Committee
7:00 PM - Session & Examination of New Officers
Tuesday, June 2
9:00 AM - Staff Meeting
1:30 PM - Blood Drive
4:00 PM - Small Group: Dixon
5:00 PM - Mission Committee
Wednesday, June 3
12:00 PM - Summer Series: Lunch & Lecture/Q&A with Dr. Hamley
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Thursday, June 4
Friday, June 5
2:00 PM - Funeral: Fred Davis
Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
8:00 AM - Worship: Chapel
10:00 AM - Worship & Potluck Brunch: Mill Mountain
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WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR GROUPS
- Centering Prayer at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church: Monday, 10:00 AM
- AA-Primary Purpose: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 AM
- Tai Chi: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 PM
- Hip Sober Chicks: Thursday, 6:30 PM
- Al-Anon: Friday, 11:45 AM
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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
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