Weekly Witness

December 19, 2024

Dec 22, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Livestream worship and bulletin.

(If you are having problems accessing the live livestream (not the recorded version) please let the office know. We know about the issues during Wednesday's worship.)

Liturgist: Isacc Pitts Psalm: Thom Hinks

Advent Candle Lighters: The Pitts Family

Greeting: Pam Scalco

Ushers: Liz & Mike Bushma, Joy Sternberg, Pat Gerlach

Weekly Flowers

Sanctuary flowers last Sunday were given by Joan Roschevitz in memory of Larry Roschevitz. Flowers this week are from 32 church individuals and families, in memory of/in honor of loved ones, or in celebration of God. (Good work, Hazel!)

Christmas flower dedications

Frank Yates' December Sermons

Dec 1 - In Every Ending a New Beginning

Dec 15 - Standing on the Bridge

Christmas Eve Worship, 7pm

There will be extended gathering music with Jennifer and Leah starting at 6:40. Livestream.

RRPC Evaluation Survey for the Pastoral Search Self-Study Group

The mission/self study group has created a survey for all of our members to fill out in order to paint an accurate picture of who we are as a congregation and where we would like to go in the future. It is critical that we collect the thoughts and feelings of as many members as we can! Is 100% participation too much to hope for? We don’t think so! You can fill out the survey by clicking here, or you can fill out a paper copy available on the table in the narthex this Sunday. If you would rather answer the survey by speaking with a member of the group, by phone or in person, please email Birgitta Gustafson. You can expect a call from a group member. If you fill out a paper copy, please drop off in the box on the narthex counter.

Link to the Evaluation Survey.

Finance & Stewardship Corner

Thank you to all who submitted pledge cards for 2025. If you haven't submitted yours yet, pledge cards are still available in the front of the small red locked box on the narthex counter; and you can drop completed ones into the slot at the top. You can also mail or email your pledge card if that's easier.

The Finance and Stewardship Committee would very much appreciate your generous help as we come to the end of this calendar year in two additional areas. First, if you are able to pay your 2025 Per Capita of $37 per person, we would appreciate it. This money helps fund the administrative costs of our presbytery. Second, please complete your 2024 capital campaign pledge by Dec 29.

In all things, we are grateful for God's grace and generosity to us. And we are grateful to all of you, our beloved church family.

Important: 2024 Donations Are Due by Next Sunday, Dec 29

As 2024 is rapidly coming to a close, there 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 for the Sunday offering or brought to the church office must be received no later than Dec 29, 2024. 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 donations that involve stocks or other financial instruments, the donation must be made through a licensed brokerage company or other qualifying financial institution. (NOTE: RRPC is not licensed to handle the sale of stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments).
• For donations of non-monetary items such as clothing, furniture, etc., download Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for detailed IRS guidelines and forms.

Blessings,

The Finance and Stewardship Committee

Best Phone Number to Use for the Office is the Landline (505) 892.6664. Not the Office Manager's Cell.

Good news, there is an online service with inbound and outbound capability to which we will be subscribing soon. Once it's set up, users will just text the landline number, and we'll get a notification.

Capital Campaign Corner

A heartfelt thank you for your generous pledges during the first two years of the Capital Campaign! Our current/remaining outstanding pledge balance is $56,000. If you plan to finish out your 3-year pledge for the 2024 calendar year, there is still time. Plan for your donation to be received at the church office by Dec 29 or postmarked by Dec 31, 2024. And also please plan to come to our Capital Campaign Second Year Celebration in the Fellowship Hall on Jan 12, after our ordination and installation of new church officers meeting. It will be a special fellowship time!

No Men's Breakfast in January

Enjoy the holidays and plan to join us at our next breakfast on Feb 1. Program to be announced.

A Note From Kathy Hallquist

Thank you to the Fellowship staff and the men's choir for serenading my birthday celebration last week. It was wonderful, the cake was delicious, and it made my birthday complete.

Pastor to People

Last Sunday afternoon I went to see Mariachi Christmas at Popejoy. Performed by students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from far-south Texas, it was a delightful program. There were of course beautiful Mariachi music in Spanish as well as colorful dancers performing wonderfully. There were traditional Christmas songs in English and in Spanish, and even Santa Claus showed up. The evening ended with the performers distributing poinsettias (which originated in Mexico) to older people in the audience. The highlight of the show for me was a procession where a banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe was carried down the aisle and onto the stage. The devotion to the Virgin was very moving. Made me cry.

All of this is to say that somehow the "Spirit of Christmas" comes to us in unexpected ways. For me, it is almost always associated with music. Christmas music of all kinds can do that for me. This year it was Spanish music performed so brilliantly by the Mariachis. I hope the music of this season lifts up your spirits and fills you with good hopes and brings good will to all. And hopes of peace on earth.

This Sunday we will listen to a famous piece of music, Sussex Carol, based on Mary's prayer in Luke 1, sometimes called the "Magnificat" (from the first line: "My soul magnifies the Lord."). We will consider Mary's song and how lovely it is and how compelling it is. I hope you go away singing Mary's song in your heart. 

Finally on behalf of myself and the staff at RRPC, let me wish you all the most joyous of Christmas blessings.

Peace on earth,

Frank, Karen, Nancy, Nathan, Alisha, Kathy, Tina, and Riley

PS May I make two requests of you?

First, please fill in the Evaluation Survey from the Mission Study Team. We really need your input.

Second, please turn in your pledge cards for 2025 if you have not done

so. We are working hard to formulate the 2025 budget and need to know where we will stand this coming year. Really appreciate your participation. Merry Christmas!

December Witness Schedule

The final Witness in 2024 will come out this Thursday, Dec 26, and the next one will be out two Thursdays later, Jan 9. Articles for the Dec 26 - Jan 9 edition should be sent to the office by noon this coming Monday, Dec 23.

Ladies Who Lunch in '25 — Jan 13, 2025, 11:15 — Village Pizza, 4266 Corrales Rd, Corrales

Please place your order at the counter when you walk in, so the staff can get going on separate checks. To help move the line along, check out the menu here or on the counter in the narthex and make your decision.

They will have a pizza buffet for us as well — just pizza, no soup, salad, or beverage. The manager estimates the cost of the buffet at $8 per person.

Rev. Frank Yates has agreed to be our speaker for our social time....and he wants you to ask him questions...so get your thinking caps on and be ready. He is quite excited to meet with you and get to know you all on a social level. So, sign up and let's start the new year off with a large group of us wonderful ladies lunching. Bring guests if you’d like.

Any questions, please ask Meredith 505.463.4841.

New Draft of Phone Directory

Download draft directory.

Hard copy. There are printed copies available in the narthex. A final directory will be published in the spring. Since this is a draft, there's an opportunity for you to check your listing, as well as anyone else's you notice, and let the church office know what needs changing. And many of you have, thank you! Here are corrections/additions that have come in since the draft came out 3 weeks ago.

Mission Corner

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!

Giving Tree. This Christmas, RRPC is supporting the work of the Compassion International Giving Tree program. See the display on the table with the lit Christmas tree near the front doors.

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 Christmas Eve PCUSA offering. The Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition for 140 years. This year, the giving period has been expanded and runs through Advent, ending Christmas Eve. An usher (or two!) will be handing out envelopes and some additional information about the offering Sunday. You can return the envelopes Sunday or on Christmas Eve.

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

Church Calendar for Dec 21 – Dec 27, 2024

Prayer Concerns

'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. ~Alice Walker

For those affected by the mass shooting Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, WI, where 3 died and 6 were injured.

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 Dec 25 - Jan1