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 May Raleigh Court Herald

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

"Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use." - I Timothy 4:11-14 MSG

Paul sent this message to affirm and encourage Timothy telling him he could be a faith leader and example to others even in his youth. Paul recognized that Timothy had great potential to minister to others, and they accomplished great things together. 

In the past few months, I have had the great privilege of being part of the confirmation journey for some of our 7th and 8th grade youth. This group of young people are active and have many talents and gifts of the Spirit.  They play soccer and baseball, they bake, they sing, they act, they play musical instruments, they create art, they write poetry. They are funny and compassionate and energetic and loving. Like Timothy, they have great potential to do big things for God. This group asked insightful questions, showed interest in the workings and beliefs of the Presbyterian church, recognized and respected ways people from other traditions worship, demonstrated a heart for mission and outreach, and discussed inclusion and showing love for all people despite differences. They are coming to an understanding that God’s grace has always been theirs, and they are exploring ways to pray and look to Jesus’ life as their model for how to live. 

This coming Sunday, our confirmands will stand before our congregation as our newest members, and we will enter into a covenant in ministry with them. At RCPC these young disciples have opportunities to learn as their faith grows and changes, to serve in mission to underserved members of our community, to fellowship with all ages, and to witness church members as examples. As they navigate the challenges youth and life bring, they will need us to be examples in love, faith, and integrity and for us to walk with them in their faith journeys. 

They are also shining examples for us. As we welcome these new beloved members, I invite you to see them and to hear them, to embrace them and to recognize that our church family is stronger and richer because they are part of it. 

-Dawn Long, Deacon

Flower Dedication

The RCPC Flower 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.

RCPC Preschool Spring Plant Sale

Support the RCPC Preschool and purchase flowers/plants from their Townside Gardens fundraiser. Plants make a great Mother's Day gift or are a way to add color to your garden. Download the form below.

Orders due May 16

Salem Red Sox Game

Our next RCPC Salem Red Sox outing will be on Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM. We'll be back in Section 303 (upper level, up from the first base line) where we've been for most games. Tickets are $11. You can bring your money to the church office, where it can be left in Dawn Long's mailbox, or get it to Jeff Bossert. Register online at tinyurl.com/RCPCRedSox2025 or on the sheet in the Gathering Area. Anyone with questions can reach out to him at jbossert71@outlook.com. 

Justice, Equity, and Belonging Training

The Justice, Equity and Belonging Mission Group is sponsoring an hour-long training on Thursday, May 29th at 5:30 pm at Raleigh Court. The training will be provided by Ray Higgins of Roanoke Justice Ministries, of which Raleigh Court is a member church. 

Have you ever wondered how to talk with a friend or family member about race or issues around racial equity? Do you sometimes feel ill-equipped or struggle to find the words that would be both kind and meaningful in such a discussion? The goal of this training is to equip Raleigh Court's members to approach racial topics with more confidence, knowing that Christ's call for our lives is not only to do justice, but to walk humbly with our God and to love our neighbor. We will also be considering topics affecting the wider community, including improving housing opportunities and reducing gun violence. 

We hope you can join us for this opportunity. Questions, please contact either Maureen Guelzow or Mark Derbyshire.

Sermon Series: April 27-May 25

Resurrection of the Body: The Five Senses of New Life

In the Apostles’ Creed we affirm, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” The New Testament goes to great lengths to affirm that the risen Jesus appeared in a physical body and not just as a Spirit or an Idea. Why does it matter? How does it shape our life in the resurrection, to declare that it affects the body of Jesus and thus our bodies as well? In these weeks we will look at stories of the risen Jesus appearing to his followers through each of the five senses, to see how the resurrection affects our bodies and how we use them to the glory of God.

Confirmation Sunday: May 18

We’ll celebrate our new confirmands during the 11:00 AM worship service. Confirmands, families, and mentors are invited to a reception in the Columbarium at 10:00 AM. 

Third Thursday Evening Prayer Service

May 15 at 7:00 PM - Chapel

While we explore The Five Senses of New Life in Sunday morning worship, this Evening Prayer service will give us a chance to encounter and use all of our senses during worship. We will pray over the concerns of our neighbors, taste the Eucharist, and spend time worshipping God through the use of all of our senses.

Mission Partner Support 

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of May, we are supporting the Haiti Mission Group. You can place your money in the offering plate or make an online gift here, noting that it is for Mission, and making a note for Haiti in the text box. As of May 4 we have collected $393.30 for the Haiti mission group.

Pump-a-Pint Summer Blood Drive

RCPC’s Summer Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday June 10 from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sign-ups are available at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG. You are also welcome to contact Lillian Alexander at 540-632-8921 or email 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 May. 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!

House of Bread

House of Bread will host its final bread stand of the spring session on Wednesday, May 14 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM at Black Dog Salvage. Swing by to stock up on Maple Coconut Granola, pick up a loaf of Cinnamon Swirl Bread, or try our Sundried Tomato and Herb Scones. 

Rescue Mission - Open Interviews

The Rescue Mission of Roanoke is holding open interviews on May 12 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for both employment and volunteer opportunities. More information is available here.

Prayer Requests

Susan Ard, Ginger Barbour (friend of Elise Hansard), Marvin & Roena Barbre, Sandy Barksdale (Bev Stroud’s sister), Dawn Blakeman, Jackie Blakeman, Mayuen Chice, Collie Family (friends of Paul Kessel), Beverly Day and family (friend of Camilla and Johnsey Cabaniss), Richard Fife and family (friend of Elise Hansard), Cameron & Susie Hutto, Cheryl Gilliland, 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), Amy Starr Redwine, Robin Scott, Pat Wade, and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, May 9. 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