CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED TODAY - LABOR DAY

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 September Raleigh Court Hearld

Church Office Hours

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

Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM

“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”

-Galatians 6:10

I’ve had the privilege of being in spaces in recent weeks with Presbyterians from a variety of places in the country. In Highlands, North Carolina for the Zick Preaching Scholars program, I visited with pastors from Forth Worth, Texas; Berkeley, California; Battle Creek, Michigan; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the coast of North Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Stillwater, Minnesota; upstate South Carolina and deep southern Georgia.

Yesterday I was in Lake Murray, South Carolina to serve as a guest preacher. It was an invitation offered by RCPC member Molly Bullington’s sister who is a member there. It was yet another opportunity to connect with others in our theological family.

There’s a kindredness in these settings, shared stories of church leaders. Some of us share relationships with former pastors who influenced our call to ministry. There were years we were at the Montreat Youth Conference at the same time or knew the same campus ministry pastor. One pastor in Highlands is married to Blair Hartman, whose mother Elizabeth was the Director of Christian Education at RCPC in the 1980s. She told me they have Blair’s baptism blanket in their home.  

8 of the 12 Zick pastors I was with have been to Roanoke to participate in the Trent Symposium for Newly Ordained Pastors at Second Presbyterian when they were new in ministry.  

Molly Bullington and her sister grew up at First Scots Presbyterian in Charleston, South Carolina listening to the Moultire, Georgia drawl of Dr. Hughs from the pulpit each week. When I was five he left that church and came to Knoxville to be our pastor.  

It is even nearer. Jonathan Moelker (Isabella’s husband) was active in the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee while in college, a ministry my wife Rebecca was involved in 10 years before him. Emily Jarrett and I can recall favorite professors we each studied with in our times at Rhodes College. India Atkinson rang handbells at Davidson College Presbyterian Church next to my cousin Rachel Patton McCord when she was a student there in the early 2000s. This spring I sent a video of our son, Simon, pitching for James Madison Middle School with Sam Favor, RCPC member, behind the plate catching to my former youth pastor Joe B. Martin. Joe B. is the senior minister at Sardis Presbyterian in Charlotte, but was a high school classmate of Craig Favor, and when I was an adolescent played an important role in my call to ministry.

We share these stories and connections. They bind us beyond most other allegiances. There’s an infrastructure to relationships that allow for quick intimacy, understanding, and a feeling of family.

I can grow cynical about bureaucracy, whether in American politics or church politics. I’m pretty naive to the workings of the national office of our denomination and sometimes fail in my presbytery commitments. But these relationships, shared stories, shared hope in Christ- this is my treasure. To laugh and cry and sing and grow and understand that this work we do for Jesus in our small corner of the Christian family really shapes lives and communities.

What a gift to have these opportunities and share in these connections! Let’s rejoice that we are part of a theological family who can support and sustain one another!

PRAYER:

Connect me, O God, to your will and purpose.

Connect me with your people who point my life to you.

And use me to connect others to the miraculous power of grace.

Amen.

-The Rev. Andrew C. Whaley, Head of Staff

Explore Richmond VA and Be Transformed!

Racial Equity Subcommittee and the Justice and Mercy Commission are committed to exploring and responding to the intersectionality of structural racism, systemic poverty, and Church vitality in America. Join other members of Peaks Presbytery on a three-day, two-night pilgrimage to Richmond, VA to learn of its involvement in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Civil War, and broader VA history. Total cost is $190, registrations due by September 6. Register online here.

If you have questions, please contact Mark Derbyshire at samd123@vt.edu

Presbyterian Women (PW)

Presbyterian Women is gearing up to begin the 2024-2025 year. They are using the Bible Study "Let Justice Roll Down" God's call to care for neighbors and all creation, written by Reverend Dr. Patricia K. Tull, an A.B. Rhodes Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. Presbyterian Women meetings are open to all women and this year they are adding an evening circle to the options for PW in addition to the daytime circle. The new evening circle will meet on second Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 PM at RCPC and the daytime circle will continue to meet on second Tuesdays in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 AM.

PW meetings are held from September through May and the first meeting of PW will take place on Tuesday, September 10 at 10:30 AM with installation of officers, Bible Study, and lunch. Officers to be installed are: Marsha Ellison, Moderator; Beth Snead, Vice-Moderator; Betty Nance, Treasurer; Maureen Guelzow, Recording Secretary; Sarah Stephenson, Corresponding Secretary; Bonnie Cooper, Missions Coordinator; and Frankie Doyle, Search Committee Chair. Ruth Marple will continue as daytime circle Bible Study leader and Emily Jarrett will serve as the evening Bible study and circle leader. Camilla Cabaniss and Lynne Fields will continue to serve as Circle leaders as well. Many thanks to all these women for stepping up to serve in these roles.

The circle meetings are included in the church calendar and an email will go out about the PW meetings. If you would like to be included in the 2024-2025 PW Directory for communications, please send an email with your name, address, phone number and email to Paula Mitchell at paula.mitchell19@gmail.com to be included.

PW Evening Circle

This fall, Presbyterian Women at RCPC is growing!! On the 2nd Wednesday evening of the month we will have a night circle that meets at 7pm at church. Both the Tuesday morning circle and the Wednesday evening circle will do the same study, Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation. In this study we will explore God’s call to care for our neighbors and for creation. Further, we will explore theological questions that point us to act and engage, in small and large ways. Please join us for our first gathering on Wednesday, September 11 at 7pm in room 202. If you have any questions, reach out to Emily Jarrett dodsonjarrett@yahoo.com or 662-610-2705! 

PW Fellowship Event

Calling all RCPC women! Throughout the year, Presbyterian Women will be hosting events for women of all ages from our church to come together in fellowship. Please feel free to join in any event that piques your interest.

September 14: Symphony Under the Stars - Join us for an evening with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra at Elmwood Park Amphitheater in downtown Roanoke at 7:30pm (gates open at 6 pm). The cost is $55/person for a table seat with our group. If you wish to attend on the lawn, it’s free admission! Please email or call Caroline LaCroix ASAP with your admission choice. Caroline will arrange for payment with you via email. Lacroixcaroline24@gmail.com or discuss via text or phone: 803-315-1664. More information about this event: rso.com/event/symphony-under-the-stars/

Adult Small Groups - Resume Week of September 15

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!

Sermon Reflections: Mondays 12:30 PM-2:00 PM - Andrew Whaley, Room 102

The Fools: Tuesdays 4:00 PM-5:30 PM - David Dixon, Room 102

Soul Sisters: Tuesdays 8:00 PM-9:30 PM - Emilie Biddle, Parlor

The After Dinner Crowd: Wednesdays 7:00 PM-8:30 PM - Leigh Sackett, Room 102

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

Sermon Series: Remembering the Future, Expecting the Past

September 8—October 20

As we move toward the 100^th birthday of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, on October 2, we are going to explore what it means for Christian people to remember God’s faithfulness. Memory gives life meaning, but memory can also become nostalgia which leads to destruction and paralysis. Hope drives us forward to the promises of God, but hope that forgets the past is amnesia which brings us to ideology and eventually idolatry. So how do we remember and how do we hope so that the purposes and promises of God are lived out as we begin our next hundred years? 

September 8 - Contemporary Remembering - Psalm 25:6-10 & Deuteronomy 1:5, 5:1-4

September 18 - Too Much, Too Well, Too Long - Psalm 89:1-4 & Psalm 89:38-52

September 22 - Humbling Memory - Psalm 103:1-14 & Deuteronomy 17:14-20

September 29 - Memories That Destroy - Exodus 17:8-15 & Deuteronomy 25:17-21

October 6 - Do Not Remember - Isaiah 43:16-21

October 13 - The Risk of Amnesia - Deuteronomy 15:7-15 & Hosea 4:1-6

October 20 - Generative Hope - Lamentations 3:22-24 & Micah 4:1-5 

Evening Prayer Service

Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 PM - Chapel

The Hope of Creation

A Service of Contemplative Prayer for the Care of Creation

Surrounded as we are with constant devastating news about climate chaos, biodiversity loss and the ever-growing mountains of pollution, it is easy to fall into despair. And yet as people of faith, we have hope—the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not yet see (Hebrews 11:1). As faith without action dead (James 2:26) – so hope without action is meaningless and, in this service, we acknowledge and lament our sense of despair, cling to our faith and hope, and commit ourselves to act with Creation for the renewal of life.

New Ensemble! Genesis Ringers

Rehearsals: Tuesdays (6:30 PM - 7:15 PM)

4^th Grade – Adult

As the name implies, this ensemble is for beginning and early advancing handbell ringers of all ages in 4th grade and up. The Genesis Ringers offer music in worship 4 Sundays a year at the 11:00 AM sanctuary service. In this ensemble of children, youth, and adults, we will learn the basics of handbell ringing and music reading. Parents (or other adult family members) and students can enjoy this choir together. While the basics of music gained from piano lessons or participation in a school orchestra, band, or choir are helpful, music reading is not required and can be learned while participating in this ensemble. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Dillon J. Swanson as soon as possible, so plans for the structure of the ensemble can begin. The goal for this ensemble is to be 9-12 ringers. If you would like more information, don't hesitate to reach out with questions by emailing dillon@rcpres.org! Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 PM in the music room.

Rehearsal Schedules

• Genesis Ringers: Tuesdays at 6:30 PM (starts September 10)
• Raleigh Court Ringers: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
• God Alive Choir: Wednesdays during God Alive (Starts September 11)
• Sanctuary Choir: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

Mission Partner Support 

Each month, we are designating all cash and coin to one of our local mission partners. For the month of September, we are supporting Hunger Mission Group. In 2023, the Hunger Mission Group received $8,500 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 using the QR code, noting that it is for Mission and making a note for Hunger Mission Group in the text box.

Presbyterian Community Center

The Presbyterian Community Center is collecting gently worn and used sneakers for recycling and as a fundraiser. PCC will take used sneakers in ANY condition between now and September 15. The better the condition the more they will get from your donation. But you can donate any used sneakers. Bring your sneakers to 1228 Jamison Ave, SE between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday or 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays. Our EarthCare Mission Group may try to coordinate a local drop-off - details later.

Ties Tuesdays

James Madison Middle School is starting an initiative this fall that invites students to dress up on Tuesdays. To support this effort we need ties!! If you have any ties no one is wearing anymore at your house, please consider donating them to Madison!! There will be a collection box in the foyer! Any questions, reach out to Emily Jarrett dodsonjarrett@yahoo.com or 662-610-2705.

God Alive Kickoff

Wednesday, September 11

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Let’s begin “ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER” at our God Alive Kick-off! Parents and children both will attend our kick-off this year on Wednesday, September 11 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at RCPC. Kids will enjoy the inflatable water slide on the church lawn. They will also be able to play on the playground. The children will be supervised by adult volunteers and youth volunteers. Parents meeting will begin at 4:15 PM in the Chapel. It is required that one parent be present. All will join together for a pizza dinner after the meeting.

Youth Ministry Kickoff

Sunday, September 8

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grownups of youth and youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to a time of celebration and getting to know one another as the upcoming Youth Ministry year begins! As part of Kick Off, the Youth Committee will share the youth ministry calendar, offer opportunities for parents to support Youth Ministry, and ways for parents to continue growing in their own faith while their youth do so within Youth Ministry. Youth will get to meet their Youth Advisors, discover the theme for the year, and get to play games with each other. Dinner will be provided. SAVE THE DATE: Youth Lock-In is Friday, September 13 at 7:00 PM to Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 AM.

Prayer Requests

Marvin & Roena Barbre, Dawn Blakeman, Jackie Blakeman, Brendan Brown (Kathy and Les Brown’s grandson), Mayuen Chice, Beverly Day and family (friend of Camilla and Johnsey Cabaniss), Nancy Farthing, Betty Garner, Paul & Betsy Keister, Susan Lindstrom, Megan Mallare (friend of Kathy Grove), Melissa Martin (friend of Lisa Boylan), Rusty McCown, Debbie Miller, Billie Murphree (Dawn Long's mother), Jon Nance (Bill and Betty Nance's son/stepson), Garland Parry, Connie Pearlman, Bob Snead, Hugh Wellons, and all caregivers.

(Prayers request as of Friday, August 30. 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