Worship Service Times

9:00 AM - Chapel

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - Sanctuary & Livestream

Baby & Toddler Nursery is available

Podcast March Herald

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.  Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.  Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Psalm 119: 89-91

I’ve always been very independent minded.  I am 7 years older than my sister, so we sort of grew up independent of each other due to our age difference.  I didn’t have any kids my age to play with in the neighborhood, so I found my own ways to entertain myself throughout the summer when we weren’t in school; exploring in the woods behind our house or throwing tennis balls against the wall or throwing the football up on the roof and running down the sidewalk, catching it as it slid down the slope.  My sister and I were both sort of like 2 only children living in the same house since she was so younger than me.

I’ve always believed that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to do.  I know I inherited that determination from my dad.  He dropped out of school to go to work for his father’s business, a garage and 24 hour wrecker service.  He learned all there was about engines, transmissions, body work, and pulling cars and coal trucks out of ditches when they slid off the road in snowy WV.  He could fix or repair just about anything that didn’t work right.  In his later years, he started repairing mantel clocks and grandfather clocks.  Who doesn’t have an old mantel clock that won’t work? He even fabricated a little lathe to make the tiny shafts and clock parts if he couldn’t find what he needed in his vast collection of used parts. He didn’t have any training; he just figured all this stuff out by trial and error along with determination and some innate talent for fixing things and hard work.  

Right after I got my driver’s license as a teenager, the first job I had was the summer of 83.  Our neighbor Bill worked for a furniture and carpet company in Bluefield.  He needed a crew to work that summer to lay carpet in a new large commercial building in Richlands, VA, about 50 minutes west of town.  With my parents’ permission, I went to work with Bill.  Every day that summer, every day for 8 straight weeks with no days off, I loaded up in Bill’s van with 3 other boys, local college students who were a little older than me, and we took off to Richlands, working 70 +hours a week that summer laying carpet.  Even making $3.35 per hour, earned enough money to buy my first car, with a little help from dad. Usually by Wednesday, we had already worked 40 hours, so I was making over $5 per hour for the rest of the week… Big Bucks!  Hard work pays off!  I can do it myself.  

I was also a pretty good student too, working part-time throughout high school so I could keep driving my car.  My parents made me pay for my car insurance and gas. I appreciate that now.  But it gave me more independence and fostered even further this sense of ‘with hard work and determination, I can do anything I want’.  Me, I don’t need any help from anybody.  I’ll figure out a way all by myself.

After staying home and taking classes at Bluefield College for the first 2 years after high school, I learned that Consolidated Coal Company offered a summer paid internship for students that expressed an interest in Mining Engineering.  I needed money because I really wanted to get out of my parents house by then.  Many of my high school friends had gone off to college and I felt stuck in Bluefield.  I didn’t want to continue living under my parent’s thumb another year.  I was determined to get out of the house.  This could be my chance!  I can do this!

I got the internship along with a couple of other boys at Bluefield College.  We would carpool from Bluefield / Tazewell to Grundy, VA for the summer and we all worked our tails off in the Buchannon #1 mine that summer.  We made really good money, but I knew after that experience that I did NOT want to be a Mining Engineer.  Hard work is one thing but working down in a hole 1000 feet plus below ground wasn’t for me.  However, my goal was accomplished!  After that summer, I had enough money to get an apartment in Blacksburg and started at VT that fall.  I did it!  I made it all by myself!

I tell these stories because I have a very hard time remembering that I can and need to rely on God for help in everything I do, if I would only ask Him for help.  I don’t want to admit that I need help.  I still want to do it myself.  I don’t need any help.  Then I remember my dad telling me why he didn’t worry so much about life because he knew the Lord would provide all he needs.  And He did.  We always got by, even when times were hard, even when he was laid off, or when he went on disability due to a back injury, he never worried.  He just prayed.  

Well, these days I days, I finally must admit that I can’t do it all myself. We all need God’s help dealing with the pressures in life.  From demanding and stressful jobs, to worrying about kids, financial worries, caring for aging or sick family members and parents.  We must forget the nonsense that “we can manage it all ourselves” and put our trust in the Lord, turn to Him in prayer and Thanksgiving and trust that He will provide.

Everything we experience in life, the joys and sorrows, throughout all generations, have been given to us through God’s Grace and Holy Spirit.  His faithfulness continues.  His word stands firm.  All things serve Him.

Prayer: 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day, Lord.  Thank you for your son, who bore all of our sins so that we can come to you in Glory in Heaven.  Lord, please forgive us for our pride and determination to do it all ourselves.  Help us to remember that all of life’s happenings come from you.  We do nothing ourselves.  Rather than living in anxiety, worrying about all the things we must do, help us to remember to turn to you in prayer and make us open to receive your blessing and spirit in our lives and do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Amen.

-Matt Arnold, Elder

Capital Campaign & Renovation Project Update

The renovation project highlight video outlines the renovations to our building that have taken place since 2022 . Below is a link to a document about the overall building project and financial picture for the church. Please review all of the materials and consider how God is calling you to respond.

Overall Building Project: http://tinyurl.com/RCPCRenovationSummary

Our Response:

https://forms.gle/UkQzgEWRsC43ukqz7

Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation's "Sole Star"

RCPC member Liz Heddeston has accepted the challenge to participate in the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation's "Sole Star" campaign during the month of April to raise awareness and funds to help those impacted by breast cancer. All funds raised by this campaign stay in Southwest Virginia to help pay for breast health services like diagnostic mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds, and biopsies for uninsured and underinsured patients.  As part of the campaign, Liz will be wearing pink shoes throughout the month and is excited to share more about the mission of VBCF. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life, and it is predicted that 7,800 Virginians will be diagnosed this year. The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation empowers Virginians impacted by breast cancer through access, advocacy, education, and community action. If you are interested in learning more or making a donation, visit this link or reach out to Liz at lizcbarry@gmail.com.

Confirmation Stoles

It is time to make stoles for our 11 confirmands! We will gather on Friday, April 19 at 10:00 AM at Emily Jarrett’s home. If you are interested in helping, we need all skill levels, please email Emily to RSVP at dodsonjarrett@yahoo.com. 

Graduate Sunday

We’ll celebrate all the graduates within our church family during worship on May 5. Please submit a picture of your graduate with their name and where they are graduating from to julie@rcpres.org by April 21 in order that we can celebrate them. 

Job Opportunities - RCPC Preschool

Raleigh Court Presbyterian Preschool is in search of enthusiastic, patient, and kind people to join our team of teachers and assistants for the 2024-25 school year.  Hours are from 8:45 AM -12:15 PM and tuition discounts are available. (2, 3 and 5-day options are available) If you love children and are looking for part-time work, call Betsy Prillaman at (540) 343-5541- ext 109 or email at betsy@rcpres.org.

Children's Ministry Sunday

Come worship with us on Children’s Ministry Sunday, April 28 in both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services. Our preschool, God Alive kids, and even some youth and adults will lead us as we praise our Lord Jesus for all the ways his light guides us from generation to generation! With the expansion of the area in front of the Chancel, we are able to include expand the number of children participating in this year’s worship. You are invited to join us after the 11:00 AM service for cookies and lemonade on the front lawn.

Adult Small Groups

The Small Group lessons are based on the Sunday sermons and scripture. Being part of a Small Group is an experience rich in personal connection and spiritual growth. Small Groups discuss what is shared in worship, therefore the experience of worship is more deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts. As we contemplate it all together the concepts take root and our faith grows!

Monday 10:30 AM-12:00 PM - Andrew Whaley, Room 102

Tuesday 4:00 PM-5:30 PM - David Dixon, Room 201

Tuesday 8:00 PM-9:30 PM - Emilie Biddle, The Parlor

Wednesday 7:00 PM-8:30 PM - Leigh Sackett, Room 102

Thursday 10:30 AM-12:00 PM - Elise Hansard, Room 101

Blessing of the Animals

Join us on the front lawn of RCPC on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 PM for a blessing of the pets. Pets who are good in a crowd are welcome to join in person and for those pets who are a bit trickier to bring in person, we invite you to bring a picture of them! We'll give thanks for the way our furry friends help us to know and experience God's love and we'll bless each pet present in person or picture form. 

The Bible in Black & White

For several years, Second Presbyterian Church has sponsored conversations and Bible studies called "The Bible in Black and White," gathering people of diverse racial backgrounds for discussion of the scripture, to create opportunities for listening across differences and together encountering the Holy Spirit. This year, these studies are expanding to include members of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Hill Street Baptist Church. Joining members of Second Presbyterian Church and Loudon Avenue Christian Church, this study offers opportunity for people from three historically black congregations to join with two predominantly white congregations to grow in our knowledge of one another and help bridge differences in race and story in our city. The pastors of all of the congregations will participate in leadership throughout the weeks of the study. Please plan to join us for this rich opportunity!

Wednesdays in April at Noon at Second Presbyterian Church

Book: Delivered into Covenant by Walter Brueggemann

Adult Sunday School: April 7 - May 12, 2024

The Seekers: Book Study

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

In Falling Upward, Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward." In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness. The Seekers will study this book together as they contemplate how growth and transformation is for all of God’s people, no matter where they are in life. Led by Nancy Ayling & David Dixon | Room 201

Discover RCPC

Discover RCPC is a way to learn more about our life together as followers of Jesus. In these gatherings, we will get to know one another better. We will learn about how and why we worship and what is distinctive about being a Reformed Church. 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.

Teacher: Andrew Whaley / Room: 202. April 14 - May 5

Parent is a Verb

The Parent is a Verb class will continue throughout the spring! Led by Leigh Sackett, Wade Whitehead, & others | Room 102

Mission Partner Support 

Each month, we are designating all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of April, we are supporting the work of Habitat for Humanity. In 2023, Habitat for Humanity received $3,000 in support from our church. Your generosity will encourage us to meet that amount in 2024. You can place your money in the offering plate or make an online gift at rcpres.org, noting that it is for Mission and making a note for Habitat for Humanity in the text box. As of April 7, we have collected $434.08 for Habitat for Humanity.

CarePortal is LIVE at RCPC!

RCPC has joined 32 other churches locally to serve at-risk children through CarePortal. We established CarePortal with a core team late last year and are responding to needs to support children in our community. 

Here are some highlights of what we have provided so far:

• Diapers and wipes to support a young mother care for her newborn
• A new infant car seat to relieve the stress of an expectant mother
• A toddler bed and mattress to allow a grandmother to take guardianship of her grandchild which will also reunite him with his siblings
• A pack-n-play to a young mother living in temporary housing to keep her child safe

These are very small acts of kindness, but they make a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors who are struggling with day-to-day survival. If you have ever wanted to help, but thought “how do I know I am helping the right people?”, be assured that all of these needs are first vetted by a sponsoring organization, such as DSS. Then we choose the needs we feel led to support with our tithe, talent, and/or time.

Please prayerfully consider signing up to our RCPC CarePortal Response Team using the link below:

https://system.careportal.org/church/100598/kiosk/sQ2sT5Yw8mFSWOAazABqN7dSd

There is no obligation by signing up. You’ll simply get access to CarePortal and be on our email list to be aware of opportunities to serve when you are able. If you want to learn more or have any questions, please contact Chris DeFalco at chris.a.defalco@gmail.com.

Prayer Requests

Tom Alcoke, Dawn Blakeman, Jackie Blakeman, Brendan Brown (Kathy and Les Brown’s grandson), Beverly Day and family (friend of Camilla and Johnsey Cabaniss), the Lester & Lewis families (friends/neighbors of Frankie Doyle and Marilyn Martin), Susan Lindstrom, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Melissa Martin (friend of Lisa Boylan), Dave Owen-O’Quill, Garland Parry, Hugh Wellons, and all caregivers.

Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and Greg Shaff after the passing of Margaret’s father, Herbert Clark Milton, on Sunday, April 7.

(Prayers request as of Friday, April 12. Names in bold indicate an addition to the prayer list this week.)

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