Weekly Witness for the Community

July 31, 2025

Sunday, August 3, 2025

8th Sunday After Pentecost

Worship with Holy Communion

Sermon Text:  Luke 9: 46-50

Livestream. Bulletin.

Spelled-out livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/UdZ4T7wRjIg

Pastor-to-People

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a confessional church. That means that our church leaders are to be "instructed and led by those confessions as they lead the people of God". And what are those confessions? There are twelve in our Book of Confessions, two from the early church (Nicene and Apostles' Creed), six from the Reformation period, and four from the contemporary church. These confessions declare "to its members and to the world who and what the church is, what it believes and what it resolves to do."

This Sunday August 3 in the Adult CE hour I would like us to look at two of these contemporary confessions: The Theological Declaration of Barmen written in 1934 in Germany in protest against the Nazi government, and the Belhar Confession written in 1986 in South Africa in protest against the apartheid government. These two confessions illustrate how the church has responded in times of real crisis when people were being mistreated by their government. I've provided links above to both of these confessions for you to read in advance of the class if you so choose.

These confessions may be helpful to us as we consider our present situation in the United States and how we as people of faith in Jesus Christ may wish to respond. I hope you can attend and think together about our responsibilities in the world.

Peace,

Frank 

Hey, All You Activities Planners!

Advanced notice on the Fellowship Hall's availability! Three Fridays this year and next: October 17, February 13, and April 24. Share Your Care will be closed those days as staff will be off-site in training.

Found: A Black Folding Knife Left on the Piano Last Sunday

It's in the church office on top of a file cabinet.

2025 School Supply Drive

The Mission Committee has been accepting donations for the Cochiti School year. This Sunday, Aug 3, will be the last day to donate to the School Supply Drive. The Cochiti administration has suggested the following items:

• boxes of Kleenex
• disinfectant wipes
• glue sticks
• personal water bottles (NOT bottled water)
• dry-erase markers
• wide-ruled single-subject notebooks

You can leave them on the small table under our display in the narthex. Thanks so much for your commitment to education.

Hello from Member and RRPC Elder Cheryl in Arlington, TX

Just a quick note to say that I miss everyone there at RRPC and the state of New Mexico in general! It is great to go to my ‘RRPC home church’ and view morning worship on livestreaming. Take care and keep up the good work!

Membership and Fellowship Corner

First, let me say that the church kitchen now looks and functions much more efficiently. Many thanks to Bill and Shirley, and to Nancy for painting the kitchen. The new flooring also looks tremendous — thanks to the Capital Campaign!

Second, thank you for all your wonderful food and monetary donations for our Fellowship time after worship. I can't thank you enough for your kindness. Remember, every little bit helps.

Third, as you know, when we have children, legally there must be two child care workers to attend them. So there may be times when extra volunteers might hopefully step forward to help with the food preparation for Fellowship time.

Thank you in advance for your help and all your support,

Meredith, Chair, Membership and Fellowship

Calendar

Aug 2 — Aug 8, 2025

Prayer Concerns

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.”

― Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274 

For the community, victims and their families in New York City, where a gunman with a mental health grievance against the NFL killed five people at 345 Park Avenue, where the NFL has office space.

For Reno, NV, victims and families, where three people were killed and three injured outside a casino.

For victims and families of a stabbing of 11 people at a Traverse City, Michigan, WalMart that was stopped by a Marine veteran with training in how to handle a knife-wielding attacker. Marine Derrick Perry also used a firearm but did not have to fire it.

For DR Congo, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Sudan, 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