Worship Service Times

9:00 AM - Chapel

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - Sanctuary & Livestream

Baby & Toddler Nursery is available during both worship services

Podcast Raleigh Court Herald October Issue

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

Online Directory

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

-Luke 13:6-9 

There are seasons in our lives when everything seems to flourish. We have energy and purpose, and we can see the fruit of God’s Spirit all around us. And there are other seasons when life feels harder, when we are tired or discouraged, when we wonder whether anything at all is making much of a difference.

In Jesus' parable, a fig tree has failed to produce fruit for three years. The owner is ready to give up on it. But the gardener asks for more time. He offers to loosen the soil, nourish the roots, and tend to the tree for another season.

What a beautiful picture of grace. Where someone else sees only what is missing, the gardener sees what might yet become. And rather than demanding more from the tree, the gardener offers it what it needs to grow.

Perhaps this is something of what God does for us, and what God invites us to do for one another.

As we enter this season of giving, we are reminded that the life of our church is about so much more than what we can measure or count. It is about the patient work of tending relationships, nurturing faith, caring for those who are struggling, welcoming those who are searching, and trusting that even when we cannot see it, something good may be taking root.

Our generosity becomes part of that tending. We give not simply because of the fruit we have already seen, but because we believe in the possibilities of what God is still growing among us.

And what a gift it is to be part of a community that keeps making room for another season of grace.

Gracious God, thank you for the patience and tenderness with which you tend our lives. When we are weary, nourish us. When we are discouraged, renew our hope. When we cannot see what is growing, help us trust that you are still at work. Make us generous with our resources, our time, and our love, so that we might help cultivate a world where others can flourish. Amen. 

-Leigh Sackett, Director of Christian Education

Youth Dinner Volunteers

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

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.

Hearing Assist Technology

The church is adding a hearing assist technology called Auracast for the Sanctuary. We will have a few dedicated units to be used during the service. Many of our members have hearing aids that have that technology built in.

Because there are so many different companies making hearing aids and OTC options, we need to know what device our members are using and if the units include Auracast. We will have a postcard-sized paper for you to complete available at the AV "booth" during Sunday's services or at the receptionist desk. You can return them to the same location. We will need to schedule individual appointments to get you connected.

Mission Partner Support

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of October, we are supporting Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM). 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 RAM in the text box. As of October 11, we have collected $1,016 for RAM

Drumstick Dash

Move Your Feet So Others Can Eat. Please join our Raleigh Court Team and sign up for the annual Drumstick Dash. https://www.drumstickdash.net/

Enter the following code for a 15% discount:

DashwithLeigh-Anne

Wrapped in Love

Are you interested to learn how to crochet or knit? Do you have a yarn project you'd like to work on surrounded by friends? Come join the Wrapped in Love ministry for coffee and refreshments on Saturday, November 7 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at the home of Emily Jarrett. We have yarn, crochet hooks, and knitting needles available for those who need them to make prayer shawls and blankets. RSVP to Rebecca Whaley at rebecca.whaley@gmail.com for more details. All ages and experience levels welcome!

Hunger Mission Packing Volunteers

The Hunger Mission is off to a great start with packing food for Lincoln Terrace Elementary student backpacks! We pack food most every Thursday morning in the gathering area. Check out the SignUp Genius (below) for details about ways to volunteer. If SignUp Genius is not for you, volunteers are welcome to walk in on Thursdays to pack from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to Paula Derbyshire at 540-309-8816. Many thanks!

Prayer Requests

Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Gloria Brumley (mother of Trish Brumley), Ben Bower (brother of Susan Kessler), Camilla Cabaniss, Wayne Carter (friend of Ruth Marple), Beverly Day & family (friend of Camilla & Johnsey Cabaniss), Jay Ellison, Nate Ellison (son of Jay & Polly Ellison), Margie Hale, Carolyn Hampton (Mary Hampton’s sister-in-law), Mary Hampton, Elise Hansard, Debra Harris, Declan Hoffman and family (neighbors of Brad and Darlene Kennedy, and John and Charlotte Engleby), Mary Hopkins (great-aunt of Tyler Person), Susan Lindstrom, Blakely Lockhart (granddaughter of Barbara Lashley), Randy Remington (friend of Betty Remington), Kim Richards, Shirley Scruggs (sister of Susan Davis), Campbell Tims (granddaughter of Kay Tims), Jerry & Janis Wertz, and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, October 23. Names in bold indicate an addition to the prayer list this week.)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR GROUPS

• RCPC 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
• Troop 2: Monday, 7:00 PM
• Roanoke Valley Choral Society: Monday, 7:00 PM
• AA-Primary Purpose: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 AM
• Tai Chi: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 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