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 September Issue

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

Online Directory

10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.[a] 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.[b]   - Ephesians 3:10-12

I love these words - the wisdom of God in its rich variety. Paul is saying that somehow, through the church, this rich and varied wisdom of God is being made known.

I hope we all experience the wisdom of God in the church. But I know we also see that sometimes in the church we misunderstand each other. And sometimes we disagree with each other. And like in other places in life, we will sometimes disappoint one another. Church life can be messy!

But maybe that is part of what Paul means.

The context of this passage is important. Paul has been talking about Jews and Gentiles and they have been separated from one another by religion, culture, history, suspicion, and deeply held beliefs about who belonged and who didn't. And God's answer wasn't to erase their differences, instead God brought them together, AS THEY ARE! Paul says that this strange community of people who might otherwise have remained separated is actually revealing something about God.

Poet and Theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama has spent much of his life thinking about reconciliation and bringing people of differences together, particularly through his work in Northern Ireland. One of the things I appreciate about his understanding of reconciliation is that he doesn't describe it as everybody finally agreeing with one another. Reconciliation doesn't mean difference disappears. It means we learn how to live together in the presence of difference.

Ó Tuama often returns to an old Irish proverb: It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.

I love that image. We become shelter for one another. Not because we agree about everything or because every conflict has been resolved. We become shelter because we have decided that our differences will not keep us from recognizing the humanity in one another. And maybe that is something of what Paul sees when he looks at the church. The church is not meant to demonstrate God's wisdom because we have figured everything out. We demonstrate God's wisdom when people who might otherwise walk away from one another stay at the table. And we do not do this by our own strength and wisdom. We are drawn into this way of being through Jesus Christ, who breaks down the walls that divide us. His Spirit does not erase our differences, but helps us recognize the image of God in each person and gives us grace to remain present to one another. 

Ó Tuama asks two wonderfully simple questions about reconciliation: “Who are we to be with one another? And: “How are we to be with one another?”

Those feel like deeply Christian questions. Because the great question of the church isn't simply, What do we believe? It is also, Given what we believe about Jesus Christ, how then shall we be with one another?

Paul ends this passage by reminding us that in Christ we have access to God with boldness and confidence. We don't have to fight for our place or prove that we belong. We don't have to make someone else's place smaller so that ours can be bigger.

There is room. And maybe people who know there is room for them, can become people who make room for others. 



May we embrace the rich variety of God's wisdom that Paul imagined. And may we be a community filled with different stories, different experiences, different wounds, different gifts, different questions, and somehow, by the grace of Christ, become shelter for one another. 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. 

Savvy Seniors

The next A Matter of Balance Class will be starting on Thursday, October 1 at 1:30 – 3:30 PM in Room 201, and run through November 19. This 8-week class addresses balance issues, background information, and discussion. Sign up in the Gathering Area.

College Care Packages

We have 20 RCPC Youth Group Alums in college this year. We need your help in sending them a gift box of items that remind them just how loved by God and their church family they are! Please drop off flat items (silly, serious, studious, or a good snack) in the designated box in the Gathering Area by Sunday, October 11 to be packed. Some ideas: pens, post-it notes, ramen, granola bars, a handwritten note, a stress ball, candy, fidget toys, etc.

Fellowship Meals - Volunteers

The Fellowship Committee is always looking for people willing to help with Fellowship meals. Sign up to set up, serve food, or take leftovers on Thursday morning by clicking the link below.

RCPC Preschool

If you are interested in supporting RCPC Preschool this year, there are many ways you can help! We can always use volunteers and paid substitutes, or guest readers in our classrooms. Come join in on the fun!! You can also check out our Amazon Wish List (tinyurl.com/RCPCPreschoolWishlist2026) with some donation ideas.

In addition, the Fall Festival is right around the corner, and we are starting to collect donations for our raffle baskets. Some of the most popular items last year were tailgate and grilling items, high-quality children’s items such as strollers or bikes, and gift cards to local businesses. If you are interested in donating an item or service to our raffle this year, please reach out to Betsy at betsy@rcpres.org.

World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday is October 4, and we need your help. We will come to the Lord’s Supper with a visual arrangement of breads from around the world. We are asking for world globes to use at this service as well as different types of natural fabrics such as silk, linen, batik, Indian cotton, and the like. Please bring your fabric and globes to the church by Thursday, October 1 labeled with your name so that you can reclaim your items. Please plan on picking up your items after the 11:00 AM worship on October 4.

Adult Small Groups

Being part of a Small Group is an experience rich in personal connection and spiritual growth. Here we grow in love and faith as we share in the joys and sorrows of life, focused on the grace of God. The Sermon Reflections Groups listed below reflect on the Sunday sermons and Sunday scripture during their gatherings.

• Monday Small Group: 12:30 PM—2:00 PM, Room 102
• Led by Hannah Anderson. Contact Person: Reif Kessler (drk611@aol.com)
• Tuesday Small Group: 4:00 PM—5:00 PM, Room 102
• Contact Person: David Dixon (dixonnd50@gmail.com)
• Tuesday Women’s Small Group: 7:30 PM
• Contact Person: Emily Jarrett (dodsonjarrett@yahoo.com)
• Wednesday Small Group: 7:00 PM—8:30 PM, Room 102
• Contact Person: Stephanie Danco (scvdanco1@gmail.com)
• Thursday Small Group: 10:30 AM—12:00 PM, Room 101

Additional Small Groups:

• Parents of Young Children: Every other Monday beginning September 14, 6:00 PM.
• Contact Person: Autumn Quinn (autumngrh@gmail.com)
• Men’s Small Group: Every other Monday beginning September 21,7:00 PM
• Contact Person: Chris DeFalco (chris.a.defalco@gmail.com)
• They will be reading Love Wins by Rob Bell
• 20something’s Small Group: Third Tuesday of the month beginning September 15 at 6:30 PM.
• Contact Person: Sarah Danco (sdanco8@gmail.com)

Sermon Series: Grace for You

September 12—October 4

What does it mean to be a Christian? It is a radical trust that our life and value are not defined by what good we accomplish or what evil we avoid, but that we are people who receive undeserved acceptance, favor, and love. In the fast pace of modern life, with judgments over any of our behaviors, the Gospel of Jesus assures us that Grace is the ultimate power. This grace finds us in chaos, assures us in failure, carries us in grief, and raises our voices to sing God's praise.

10/4 – Ephesians 4:1-5 – Music Ministry Sunday

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.

Mission Partner Support

Each month, we designate all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of September, we are supporting the Hunger Mission Team. 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 Hunger Mission in the text box. As of

September 20, we have collected $1,711.51 for Hunger Mission.

Tailgate for Hunger

Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on the Front Lawn of RCPC.

Registration and details available online at rcpres.org/tailgateforhunger

Teams of Two $20 (includes dinner)

Cornhole Station Sponsor $100 (includes 1 free team and 2 free dinners)

Sudanese Mission Group

Margaret Opi’s twin girls will be starting classes at Va Western next month. They live on the other side of town from the college and their commute would be easier and shorter with a car. Anyone with a reliable car that they are looking to sell or have suggestions?

Contact Sandra - sandrarcpc@yahoo.com or text 540-330-3451

Pump-A-Pint Blood Drive

Tuesday, September 29

1:30 PM—5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sign-ups are available on the Red Cross website at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG. You can also contact Lillian Alexander at 540-632-8921 or alexanderlj@yahoo.com to schedule your appointment. A sign-up sheet will also be available in the Gathering Area before and after Sunday worship services in September. 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!

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!

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

Prayer Requests

Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, 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), Chuck Garst, Carolyn Hampton (Mary Hampton’s sister-in-law), Mary Hampton, Elise Hansard, Debra Harris, Bill Haynie, Mary Hopkins (great-aunt of Tyler Person), Cameron & Susie Hutto, Susan Lindstrom, Bob Nesmith, Connie Pearlman, Amy Starr Redwine, 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, September 25. 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