Weekly Witness

November 30, 2024

Dec 1, 2024 - First Sunday of Advent

Livestream worship and bulletin.

Liturgist: Marie Fry Psalm: Cyndi Pitts

Advent Candle Lighters: Bill & Pam

Special Events: First Sunday of Advent; Officer Training, Part 2

Finance & Stewardship Corner

Thank you to all who submitted pledge cards for 2025. If you haven't submitted yours yet, there is still time to do so. Pledge cards will still be available in the narthex this Sunday; check the front of the small red locked box where you can drop your cards into the slot at the top. You can also mail or email your pledge if those are better alternatives to bringing it to worship or the church office.

If you are able to pay your per capita of $37 per member living in your household, we would appreciate it. Per capita is a set amount of money per member that congregations pay to the larger Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) to partially offset administrative costs. 

We appreciate your prayerful consideration of supporting RRPC’s mission and operations. 

The Finance and Stewardship Committee

The Biker Guardians and Their 'Wards' Will Be Back Next Saturday, Dec 7! Cookies for the Party Are Due Thursday, Dec 5

To help support the Guardians of the Children's annual children's Christmas party,we are providing cookies and other baked items. If you can bring something to help us provide for 125-150 people, please sign up on the sheet in the narthex. The treats need to be here by 4pm Thursday afternoon, Dec 5th. Please put them in the Sunday School classroom (aka, 'the nursery', if you're a Founding Member).

New Horizons Band Concert Next Weekend

Please join us next Saturday, Dec 7, at 7pm to hear RRPC's Jubellation Ringers and the New Horizons Band of Rio Rancho! They will have a selection of holiday favorites and more to delight you as we celebrate the Christmas season.

Advent Devotional

A huge thank you from the Worship Committee to all who contributed to our Advent Devotional this year!

Pastor to People

This Sunday morning after worship at 11:15 we will gather in Classroom A&B for our second officer training. We will try to answer briefly two questions: What

do Presbyterians believe and what are we called to do? The Book of Order (F-2.01) says this about our Confessions of Faith: "In these statements the church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do." Our twelve confessions outline what we believe about Jesus Christ and so many other things as well. I will present a short summary of what is called "Reformed Theology."

Then we will consider this question: "What are we called to do?" We will go over the mission of the church, our calling in the world. We will pay particular attention to what is called the "Great Ends of the Church" (Book of Order, F-1.0304). These "ends" or "purposes" describe what we are called to do in the name of Jesus Christ. Ultimately we are called

to transform the world with the Good News of God's Love in Christ. Quite a mission!

So I encourage all our officers about to be ordained and/or installed to attend. And anyone else who needs a "refresher course" in what we believe and are called to do!

Meanwhile, have a blessed Thanksgiving! 

Peace and hope,

Frank

pastor@rrpchurch.org, 505.681.0625

Project Management Team (PMT) Update

Several large shrubs, (aka 'junk trees' as labelled by one member of the PMT) are being removed in the southeast section of the new parking lot. Landscaping is restoring the church grounds to their pre-parking-lot-replacement splendor.

Mission Corner - December Giving Opportunities

Our Donations of Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Please bring your potato flakes packets and gravy mix for Storehouse West’s Christmas meals by this Sunday. Our church's assigned goal for this holiday was the same as the one for Thanksgiving — 750 eight-ounce packages of potato flakes and gravy mix packets, for a total of 1,500 packets!

Adopt-a-Family. This year we have adopted two large families from a local elementary school. Here's how it works:

1. Look for the small white Christmas tree on the counter in the narthex. 
2. Take a slip from one of the lettered stockings. 
3. Sign the space for your person on the sign-up sheet. 
4. Bring your wrapped gifts to the church (with the slip attached) by Dec. 15th and put them under the Giving Tree display table. 

Additionally, there is an option to buy gift cards for the parents and siblings of our adopted families not covered by the program. There's a box next to the angel tree to drop gift cards.

Storehouse West (SHW) Kids Clothes Closet (SHWKCC): Dressing Children with Dignity and Care. SHW believes every child deserves to feel confident and comfortable in the clothes they wear. Their Kids Clothes Closet is dedicated to ensuring that children from birth through high school have access to gently-used clothing, as well as new underwear and socks. They understand that kids can quickly outgrow their clothes and they are dedicated to helping families cope. RRPC is collecting new underwear and socks for children (birth through high school) this holiday season. Look for the green and red tubs in the narthex to put your gifts! 

Giving Tree. This Christmas, RRPC is supporting the work of Compassion International's Giving Tree program.

Here’s how it works:

1. Select a Giving Tree recipient from the narthex display.
2. Place your check or cash in the envelope provided and then in the donation box.
3. Fill out your name on the back of the corresponding ornament and hang it on the tree.

Christmas Joy Offering. This is the traditional PCUSA offering we usually take on Christmas Eve. The Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition for 140 years. This year, the giving period has been expanded and runs through Advent, Dec 1-Dec 22.

There are two programs that receive Christmas Joy offering proceeds:

1. God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions.
2. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges, which provide education and leadership development to students while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage.

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

Church Calendar for Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2024

Men’s Breakfast, Next Saturday, Dec 7, 8am

You are invited to join us for a delicious breakfast, fellowship, and a guest speaker, Jan Wilson, volunteer for End of Life Options New Mexico. Death and dying continues to be a difficult subject for many to discuss. Ms. Wilson will lead a program about medical aid in dying, one of the options we have in New Mexico. Jan will explain how medical aid in dying care works and will take time for questions and discussion.  

Mexican Dinner at 2nd Presbyterian Next Saturday, 4pm

The Women's Association at Second Presbyterian, 812 Edith Blvd, NE, ABQ, will be hosting their annual Mexican dinner Saturday, Dec 7, from 4-6:30pm. Cost is $13 for adults and $6.50 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Fellowship Corner: From Meredith

Next Monday, Dec 9th, we will be having our next Ladies Lunch at a wonderful new restaurant and winery… called D. H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro, Cottonwood, just south Rio Rancho on the Westside in Albuquerque. It is located on the American Road, which runs right past Intel behind Don Chalmbers Ford and Perfection Honda. You can reach it from Westside Blvd off 528, or west from Corrales. 

They are open M-TH from 11am til 9pm; Fri-Sat, 11-10; and Sun 9-8, with a large regular menu. On Monday thru Friday from 11-3, they offer a special menu with 11 different lunches for $11 each. Beverages of course are extra. They also give a military discount. We will be having a private room at no cost and possibly a special speaker/guest… to be finalized. 

You just might make this your new restaurant of choice… 2 different bars, a gorgeous location with awesome scenery, and a huge rock waterfall.

The luncheon menu (front and back) will be posted along with a sign-up form in the narthex. 

PLEASE SAVE December 9th, AS THIS WILL BE OUR CHRISTMAS UNCHEON. IT WILL BE SPECIAL.

The Annual Presbyterian Women's Brunch and Cookie Exchange is Dec 14, 9:30am, at the Neighborhood

The deadline to sign up (in the narthex) is next Sunday, Dec 8. Our host is Shirley. Location: The Neighborhood, 900 Loma Colorado Blvd, NE. Brunch will be provided. Please bring a batch of cookies and an empty container for your take-homes. All women are welcome. 

Found - Rudolph!

A reindeer 'brooch', in the sanctuary. You can claim it in the church office.

Parking Request

Some of our folks who don't have a handicapped placard would like to park closer to the main entrance. If you are able, please leave the spaces nearest the church entrance for our folks who would appreciate a shorter walk to the sanctuary. Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.  

Prayer Concerns

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

~Meister Eckhart

For all victims of gun violence.

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

For all victims of war and unrest.

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

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

505.892.6664

Email the church office

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–1pm

Closed Federal holidays