Worship Service Times

9:00 AM - Chapel

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - Sanctuary & Livestream

Baby & Toddler Nursery is available

Podcast January Herald

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn and the morning star rises in your hearts.  

2 Peter 1:16-19

I enjoy hearing a good fish tale. Whoever is telling the story is adamant about how big the fish was and the length of time it took to net it. I hear phrases of “you should have seen it!” and “I’m not kidding, this sucker was massive!”.  The third time around hearing it, the fish has gained 10 oz. and the fight is an hour longer than originally told.

The story is amusing, and I take it with a grain of salt. Occasionally I get to fish the same spot the storied fish was snagged. I go the same time of day or the same outgoing/incoming tide.  The time of year is the same as well as the water temp. I use the same bait that was used by the storyteller. I am eager with excitement for my supposed one-hour battle with a finned beast.  The ending result is sometimes a decent fish, or a pesky crab, a skate, or even nothing.  Nothing like what is described in the fish tail. I guess I am not holding my mouth right. 

In Peter 2 of scripture, Peter is writing that scripture and the tale of the coming of Christ is nothing like an amusing fish catching story. It is not a fable told by man through time or a well thought of idea that could happen. Peter assures us that the scripture is truth. He tells us in two ways. He writes that he was a witness on the mountain when Gods voice echoed down. Peter then brings up the fact that the prophecies in the Old Testament about Gods truths have in fact come true.  We are to trust these written words and not take it as a fictional novel. It is Gods words given through people to us in the form of scripture.

Let us read Peters words with open hearts and take them as truth. As we do so, we have the assurance we will not catch a skate, or a pesky crab. We will catch “The Morning Star” shining bright in our hearts. Let us have assurance from scripture that we will all be in the bright Glory Light of Christ once again. As we follow scripture and receive the shining light; love, help one another, and have fun making your own fish tales. 

-Hunter Moore, Elder

The RCPC Variety Show is back on Wednesday, February 21, immediately following Fellowship Dinner this year, at 7:00 PM. We’ve had a lot of great participation the last few years, including funny skits, musical acts, and poems (and a lot of talented families, on stage together!) Register your act by Wednesday, February 14 online at tinyurl.com/RCPCVarietyShow2024 on the paper form in the Gathering Area. Those with questions can contact Jeff Bossert at jbossert71@outlook.com.

Black History Month

Justice, Equity, and Belonging Mission Group

Elected in 2015, Bishop Michael Curry is the first African American to serve as presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church. He is also the first African American to serve as bishop of a southern state, North Carolina. He has written five books about the power of love to bring forth racial equity and justice.

Bishop Curry writes, “If love is your purpose, it means praying through participation in the life of our government and society…Through fashioning a civic order that reflects goodness, justice, and compassion and the very heart and dream of God for all of God’s children and God’s creation.”  We are to pray. However, prayer includes participation in the issues of the day such as gun violence, protecting the environment, affordable housing, minimum wage, etc., issues that disproportionately impact Black citizens.     

Bishop Curry believes the church must always maintain partisan neutrality, “We don’t tell people how to vote. That’s not our job. Everybody must make that decision based on their own conscience. But partisan neutrality does not mean moral neutrality. The church must always be a moral voice for what is good, for what is kind, for what is just, for what is loving. That’s the nature of the church. That’s Jesus of Nazareth.” 

Micah 6:8. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

-Maureen Guelzow

The Peaks Presbytery is offering a Zoom Bible Study for 3 weeks each Monday from February 12 to 26, and people can join at either 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM or from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. Zoom information will be available closer to the first session.

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

You’re invited to step in from the cold and enjoy a morning of Pickleball in the RCPC Fellowship Hall on Saturday, February 17 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM/Noon. Come in and play, or try your hand at it, or come in for fellowship and cheer on those playing.

Social Media Fast

"What are you giving up for Lent?" A Christian tradition is to give up something for the forty days of Lent, to help us remember our reliance on God and to strengthen our connection with our savior. This year, as we look at Jesus as Fully Human, we are inviting you step back from your digital existence and live with eyes lifted, ears open, and hands reaching toward others. We are inviting you to take a fast from Social Media in Lent. This would be a break from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, Snapchat, and other media like this. We will not be posting things on the church accounts during this season either. Perhaps we will come to know ourselves, others, and God more deeply in this time of increased attention to the present moment around us.

All RCPC Presbyterian Women

Join us for Women, Wine, and the Word at Ellen Austin's home on Friday, February 16, at 6:30 PM. As our church focuses on deepening our connections to one another, we invite RCPC women to join us for a relaxed evening of conversation and fellowship. Please bring a heavy hors d'oeuvres to share. RSVP to Ellen at ebaustin11@gmail.com by Sunday, February 11, or on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area.

Looking ahead - please save these dates for our upcoming PW events:

• March 23, 10:00 am: Brunch and Blooms (flower arranging)
• April 28, after 11:00 am worship: Hike (trail to be announced)
• June 21, 5:30 pm: Poolside Party

Next monthly meeting: Tuesday, February 13 at 10:15 AM in the RCPC Fellowship Hall.

Ash Wednesday & Lent Communion Services

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, February 14

Fellowship Dinner at 5:30 PM - Fellowship Hall

Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 PM - Chapel

Wednesday Morning Communion in Lent

Join us in the Chapel during the Lenten season each Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM for a time of reflection, scripture, music, and eucharist. As we walk with Jesus to Jerusalem and his cross, we prepare ourselves by coming to him to receive life in the bread and in the cup. You are then invited to stay after the thirty-minute service for a time of fellowship and shared breakfast and coffee. Eucharist, Word, Community. Let us learn from Jesus what it means to be Fully Human. 

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

Adult Sunday School Offerings:

February 18-March 24

Full class descriptions available at rcpres.org/adult-education

The Seekers: Lenten DVD Study - Savior, What the Bible Says About the Cross

The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. But what exactly did Jesus do to save us from our sins? Why was the cross necessary, and what does it mean for us today? In Savior: What the Bible Says About the Cross, Magrey deVega faithfully describes the need for reconciliation between humankind and a holy God through Jesus’ death on the cross. The Bible uses many images to understand the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection, and deVega guides us through these images to achieve a richer understanding of the Christian faith. By exploring the mystery of salvation through the cross, we can deepen our love for God and others and strengthen our commitment to follow Jesus.

Led by Nancy Ayling & David Dixon | Room 201

Parent as a Verb

By request and popular demand the Parent as a Verb class will continue throughout the winter and spring! This class engages in proactive strategies and ideas for learning limits, focuses on child development and what to expect as well as how to navigate the unexpected, explores ways to connect children with church and faith life, and shares in the ways to enjoy the many different seasons of parenting.

Taste and See — A Lenten Poetry Study

Journey with us in word and rhythm through the Lenten season. We will study Lenten poetry and write our own poetry for this time of repentance, reflection, renewal, and finally, out of the darkness, rejoicing!

Look on the heart by sorrow broken,

Look on the tears by sinners shed;

And be Thy feast to us the token,

That by Thy grace our souls are fed.

From Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken by Reginald Heber

Led by Leigh Sackett | Room 101

House of Bread Bake Sale

One more chance to get some House of Bread goodies before the end of our winter session! We'll be at Covenant Presbyterian (1831 Deyerle Road) from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14 selling Cinnamon Sweet Rolls, Sharp Cheddar Bread, Maple Coconut Granola and Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's only a couple miles down the road so swing by and see us on your way to the RCPC fellowship dinner and Ash Wednesday service.

Children's Worship Doodle Bags

If you have extra small notepads around your house or received them in the mail,from solicitors, consider donating them to be used in the children's new Worship Doodle Bags. These little pads give our children something to write on during worship. Children have a great capacity to listen and draw at the same time! You may put these notepads in Susan Kessler's Elder box by the office. Thank you!

Prayer Requests

Dawn Blakeman, Brendan Brown (Kathy and Les Brown's grandson), Jim & Janet Davis, Billy Grove, Susan Lindstrom, Bruce Loving, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Garland Parry, and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, February 9. 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