Weekly Witness for Facebook & Friends

December 26, 2024

Dec 29, 2024 - 1st Sunday of Christmas

Livestream worship and bulletin.

(If you are having problems accessing the live livestream (not the recorded version), please let the office know - 505.892.6664, info@rrpchurch.org.)

Liturgist: Birgitta Gustafson Psalm: Dave Shambach

Jan 5, 2025 - Second Sunday of Christmas - Epiphany

Links to Jan 5 livestream worship and the Jan 5 bulletin will be emailed and posted on our Facebook page by Jan 3rd. The livestream link will also be available on our website.

Liturgist: Thom Hinks Psalm: Bill Wehner

Rev. Frank Yates' December Sermons

Dec 1 - In Every Ending a New Beginning

Dec 15 - Standing on the Bridge

Dec 22 - Singing with Mary

Dec 29 - in Jan 9 Witness

Ordination and Installation Will Occur Jan 12 During Worship

November RRPC Operating Results

Important: 2024 Donations Are Due Tomorrow

Here are a few dates to keep in mind concerning your donations to RRPC that you want counted in your 2024 year-end statement.

• Cash or check donations in the Sunday offering have to be in by this Sunday, Dec 29. If mailed, they have to be postmarked postmarked by Dec. 31. The office is closed Dec 25-Jan 1.
• Checks that are mailed to the church must be postmarked no later than Dec 31, 2024.
• For stocks or other financial instruments, the donation must be made through a licensed brokerage company or other qualifying financial institution. 
• For donations of in-kind items like clothing, furniture, etc., please go by IRS guidelines.

Blessings,

The Finance and Stewardship Committee

A Yoga Class Will Start January 2nd After Gentle Movement!

The new yoga class will be held after the Gentle Movement class every Thursday. Classes information:

Yoga for Balance and Flexibility: Starting January 2nd

Enjoy a gentle yoga class that focuses on improving balance, increasing flexibility, and relaxing the body and the mind! This is a great class for all skill levels; especially beginners or those who have never tried yoga.

Please bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket, and a water bottle to class. 

**Because of limited space, registration is required.**

Time: 11:30-12:15 

Cost: $10 per class Please text Erin by Wednesday evening each week to register for the Thursday yoga class. Text: (505) 379-4131. Thank you! 

Gentle Movement...Now Two Years Old and Growing

The Gentle Movement Class is a great class for anyone who is interested in improving strength, balance, and flexibility! Stretches and exercises are done while comfortably seated in a chair. We progress to balancing and strengthening exercises while standing. If unable to stand, the entire class can be done while seated in a chair. Breathwork and mindfulness techniques are incorporated throughout the class to help relax the mind and body. The class wraps up with time in guided meditation. 

Time: 10-11 am 

Cost: $10 per class 

**Please text Erin by Wednesday evening if you plan to attend the class (505) 379-4131. This helps her know how many chairs to set up. Thank you! 

Erin Cato, PA-C, CHC, CYT, Certified Breathwork and Meditation Teacher, NASM-CPT, Heartmath Certified Practitioner, EFT/TFT Tapping Practitioner 

Email: echealthcoaching@gmail.com

Voice/Text: (505) 379-4131

Pastor to People

What a joy it has been to get to know so many of you these past three months culminating in our Christmas celebration together. You have been very warm and receptive, and for that I am deeply grateful. Your Christmas greetings were just lovely and lifted my spirits this holy season.

I truly enjoyed joining sixteen others in the congregation to go caroling Sunday. What beautiful music you brought to our dear friends in Christ in their homes and retirement centers! That is really what the Christmas Spirit is all about — sharing good music and gifts and hugs. A real blessing.

Now we enter into our extended Christmas celebration in the liturgical calendar until Jan 5 when we will celebrate Epiphany one day early (Epiphany is always Jan 6). The church office will be closed from Christmas Day until Jan 2 for some much-needed rest and relaxation. And yes we will worship God together on Dec 29, the last Sunday of 2024 if you can believe it!

So again, I want to thank you for your wonderful spirit at RRPC. It is indeed a privilege to serve you as your interim pastor. Let's pray for one another. Let's support and encourage one another. And let's praise God together and serve God with gladness.

A Blessed Christmas Season to you all,

Frank

Rev. Frank Yates, Interim Pastor

PS A special thank you to our music ministry for the magnificent music of Christmas. You lifted our hearts, and we are grateful!

Mission Corner

Two-Cents-a-Meal. This year’s final offering will be received this Sunday, Dec 29. The offering will be given to the St. Glory orphanage in Cameroon to provide food for the children. The conflict in the country has left many children homeless and without parents.

New Underwear and Socks Needed for Kids Clothes Closet (SHWKCC). Dressing Children with Dignity and Care. SHWKCC believes every child deserves to feel confident and comfortable in the clothes they wear. SHWKCC understands that kids can quickly outgrow their clothes, and they are dedicated to helping families cope with that among other things. So we're starting with the basics and collecting new underwear and socks for children (ages birth through high school) this month. Look for the green and red tubs in the narthex!

Christmas Joy Offering. This is the traditional Christmas Eve PCUSA offering. The Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition for 140 years. This year, the giving period was expanded and runs through Advent, ending Christmas Eve. There were some envelopes handed out Christmas Eve, and more will be available Dec 29. Also, see the envelopes and information by the front doors to the narthex.

For supporting all of the above and for all you give and do, the Mission Committee is grateful.

Church Calendar for Dec 29, 2024 – Jan 11, 2025

Prayer Concerns

Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them. ~Mahalia Jackson 

For the citizens of Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, and Ukraine.

For all victims of war, unrest, and gun violence.

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

1004 24th Street, SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505.892.6664

Email

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–1pm

Closed Dec 25 - Jan1; re-open Jan 2, 10am