Weekly Witness for Facebook & Friends

February 21, 2025

This Sunday, February 23

The Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

Sermon Text: Luke 6: 27-38

Livestream worship. Bulletin.

Liturgist: Cyndi Pitts Psalm: Bill Cox

Flowers

Easter is Apr 20, but the ordering deadline for Easter flowers is Mar 16. ...in four short weeks!


Choices this year are hanging baskets, with either petunias or geraniums; a spider plant basket; lilies; and 6 1/2" potted plants of geraniums or daisies. Order form here and in the narthex (both e- and hard-copy have larger photos of choices). Please put your orders in the offering basket or bring/mail/email to the church office.

Update on Hayden, 2024 Graduated Senior

Having had his Soldiers Ceremony (graduation from basic training) on Thanksgiving Day, Hayden Smith is now at Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning), Georgia. He will graduate AIT Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Mar 12th, and will then enroll in pre-Ranger School (RASP), then go on to Ranger School, and finally to Airborne School. His training will mostly be at Ft Moore. He is for the most part enjoying the experience/challenge, and he appreciates all of your prayers.

Finance Corner - January Results

Click above link to view graph.

Pastor to People

In interim training we were taught that the first thing an interim pastor should do is to identify the leadership of the church. Well, I think I have figured that out. And I am happy to report to you that I saw the leadership of your congregation hard at work last night during the Session meeting. Your congregation is blessed with really good leaders who care deeply about the faith and our ministry here in Rio Rancho.

For instance, Liz Bushma gave an opening devotional using a drawing of a rose. There were three categories for us to fill out. One, the Rose stood for things we are grateful for. Second, the Thorn stood for the challenges in our lives. Three, the Bud stood for the things we are hoping for, looking forward to. I found this exercise to be very helpful, and I commend it to you for your own devotions.


It is that kind of insight and creativity that I so appreciate. That is what good leaders do. The Session's deliberations were so thoughtful and hopeful last evening. I wish we had a video of the exchanges. All very respectful and well thought out. It was the kind of Session meeting that when you finish you feel you have accomplished some important tasks. And it was all done with a good spirit.


So, dear Rio Rancho Presbyterians, just know you are being well served by the elders on our Session governing body. They really care about you as a congregation and are working and praying for you. It was an honor to serve as the Moderator last night. So please continue to pray for your Session and give them input on the ways we can serve you better. 


Peace and hope,

Pastor Frank

Mission Corner

A Special Fellowship This Sunday

The Mission Committee

invites you 

to a

Mission-in-Action

event following worship

this Sunday, Feb 23rd.

Please join us in the Fellowship Hall

for yummy treats

and the opportunity to assemble

50 Gift of the Heart school kits for those in underdeveloped countries.

All materials supplied!

See you then.


Special Thank Yous to Verona, Margaret, and Genevieve for sewing the school kits bags for the supplies!


From the Dignity Mission....

The change in circumstances on the ground along the border forces us to realign our priorities and change the way we meet the needs of those we serve at the border by reducing the types of donations we will receive and the methods by which we can receive them. 


Transporting supplies across the border into Mexico poses one of the biggest hurdles. Consequently, we can no longer accept any used items. Dignity Kits, Children’s Kits, and snack bags are still very important, so raising cash to purchase the products used in assembling these kits and bags becomes our number one priority. Food of course is critical, and we plan to purchase it in Mexico; so that's why cash donations are most important.  

Donations can be made in one of two ways: 

1.   A check written to Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, with Dignity Mission noted in the memo line, mailed to Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 768, Placitas, NM 87043. Or

2.  On-line giving

To navigate the payment portal: Click “More” in the top right-hand corner of the Home Page, click “GIVE” on the drop-down menu, click “CLICK HERE TO GIVE”, click the box next to Dignity Mission on the Donation page (2nd one down), enter an amount, frequency and start date, and click “Continue.” Complete the form and submit.

Thank you!

Spring Ring Handbell Concert Saturday, Mar 8, 4pm

Where: Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Rd, NE, Albuquerque

Featuring: Five RRPC JuBellation ringers!

Church Calendar for Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2025

Sunday, Feb 23

Pick up soup orders

10 Worship

11:15 Special Mission Fellowship

11:15 Worship Committee


Monday, Feb 24

7 AA


Tuesday, Feb 25

10 New Horizons Band

11 Building & Grounds Committee

2 Book Club (Guttenberg's Apprentice)



Wednesday, Feb 26

 7 Al Anon



Thursday, Feb 27

10 Gentle Exercise

11:30 Yoga

Please do not enter the sanctuary when classes are in session.

6:25 Bells rehearsal

7:30 Choir rehearsal



Friday, Feb 28

7 AA


Saturday, Mar 1

8 Men's Breakfast

10:30 Communion Prep

Prayer Concerns

Amen is not the end of a prayer, it just gets us ready to go to the next level.

~Gary Busey

For our country.

For Palestinians and others returning home to Gaza.

For Israel and Ukraine.

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

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

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

505.892.6664


Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–3pm