Weekly Witness

December 1, 2025

Sunday, December 7, 2025

2nd Sunday of Advent

2 Cents/Meal Offering

Sermon Text: Matthew 3: 1-12

Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: Now Is the Moment

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Advent Candle: Ball family

Liturgist: Savannah Ball

Psalmist: Linda Hood

Greeters: Craig Kelley, Beth Miller

Ushers: Len & Lyn Kulk, Victoria Flick, Steve Sproul

Communion Servers: Marjorie Davison, Marie Fry, Pat & Leah Gerlach, Joy Sternberg, Ginger Wall

Flowers: Given by Bill Kime, In memory of my wife, Sarah

Early Morning Security: Steve Sproul

December Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Camise Kettner

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family,

It sure was good to see everyone in worship on Sunday after being gone for our vacation. Your warm reception meant a lot to me. And your words of concern and comfort were very meaningful. I am happy to report that my wife Sharon is doing much better from her six nights in the ICU. And I am doing much better after my fall and eight staples in my head. (Thank you for not bringing your magnets to church!)

The Body of Christ is subject to wounds and accidents and illness. When one part suffers the whole body suffers. That is why we care so deeply when one member suffers some kind of misfortune. Normally as the pastor I am reaching out to those who suffer. This time you reached out to me with many kind words and emails etc. Thank you!

This week two of our members are hospitalized: Karen Payne and Georganne Mellen. In visiting with them I was reminded again of how important caring for folks really is. When Sharon was in the ICU, several of our friends and family and a hospital chaplain (that I knew from Shepherd of the Valley) visited us. It meant a lot.

I hope we can always keep that in mind about the Body of Christ. When one is hurting, we are all hurting. So let's remember all our folks in need with prayers, cards, emails, phone call, visits and offers of practical assistance-especially Karen and Georganne. This is how we demonstrate our love for one another in Christ. It is a beautiful thing when people love one another in Christ and show it with their deeds.

Thank you all for being a loving and caring congregation.

Peace and hope,

Frank

2 Cents a Meal Offering

Sunday, December 7th

Our 2 cents/meal offering, normally collected on the 5th Sunday of the month will be collected

THIS Sunday, December 7th.

Thank you for all you do to help our neighbors in need during the colder months and throughout the holiday season!

From the Finance and Stewardship and Capital Campaign Committees:

We appreciate the continued support of the RRPC community for church operations and the capital campaign. As we near the end of 2025, we are asking that you complete your pledges for:

1) the operational budget,

2) per capita which is $37 per member, and

3) the Capital Campaign

by Sunday, December 14 so that your donations can be processed through our bank by the end of the year. 

Thanks so much for your assistance with this issue. 

Again, RRPC is awesome! 

Happy Advent!

Here is your Advent devotional created by you,

the congregation! 

Advent Devotional

Advent Devotional - Large Print

From the Worship Committee

December's Book:

The Woman in the Library

by Sulari Gentill

We will be meeting at Nancy Henriksen's home on December 16th at 2pm. Her address is: 507 Cherish Street, Rio Rancho, NM. Feel free to contact her at nanscott4413@msn.com.

Please join us! All are welcome!

Church Calendar

December 7, 2025 - December 13, 2025

December Birthdays

03 Ruthie Mitchell

06 Remi Strommen, Diane Wakashige

09 Kathy Hallquist

13 Paige Furlano

14 Bob Pierce

17 Beth Miller, Joy Sternberg

18 Hadley Furlano, Kim Mishos

19 Amanda Ball, Georganne Mellen

21 Dede Denham, Mark Kilgannon

23 Roberta Pierce

25 Liz Bushma, Wesley Smith

25 Nancy Henriksen

26 Bill Cox

28 Birgitta Gustafson

Congratulations to our very own Chaplain, Sheila Malmo, who was sworn in with the Sandoval County's Sheriff's office on November 7th! We wish you well in your new endeavors!

Storehouse West

Storehouse West and the Board are doing all they can just to meet the monthly needs and the client list is growing and growing.  

ALL donations now are for their daily needs.  

Storehouse West Food Pantry: 1030 Veranda Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM (505) 892-2077 www.storehousewest.org

Current needs:

• Soup
• Fruits & vegetables
• Meat or meat pouches
• Tomato products
• Pasta Sauce & Pasta
• 1 lb. or 2 lb. bags of Rice
• 1lb. bags of Dried Beans
• Ramen noodles
• 16 oz. plastic jars of Peanut Butter
• Breakfast Cereal
• Shelf stable Milk of all types No GLASS JARS, please!

Please consider donating food or money for our neighbors in need. The Mission Committee thanks you for your gifts.

Calling all bakers!

Let’s provide cookies for the

Guardians of the Children

Annual Christmas Party

Saturday, December 6^th

Please bring your cookies to the nursery and place in the refrigerator any time before December 5^th.

Thank you very much!

Men's Breakfast - THIS Saturday, Dec 6, 8:00 am

Do join us for our traditional hearty breakfast, Fellowship, 

and a very special program provided by Sheila Malmo and Leah Gerlach: "Understanding Loss - Our Journeys in 

Becoming Grief Counselors" This you don't want to miss!

Christmas Caroling!

Sunday, December 14th

1pm

Join us in the Fellowship Hall. Dress warmly as we carpool to various neighborhoods for Christmas caroling! Contact Meredith Beaton with any questions: (505) 463-4841.

Come See

An Interfaith Children's

Christmas Choir

Monday, December 15, 2025

5:30 pm

Cottonwood Mall

This performance will help promote the new Giving Machine (in the mall) to help those with needs around the world.

Music Ministry Christmas Party!

Saturday, December 20th

12pm-5pm

Sue & Roger Phillips home

5203 Ironwood Dr. NW

All members of our musical groups: Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, Old Time Religion Band, including AV people and their spouses and families are invited to our annual potluck Christmas Party out at Sue & Roger's new home. Come and stay for however long you'd like. Bring something yummy to share!

Prayer Concerns

“And whatever you ask in Prayer, you will receive, if you have Faith.” Matthew 21:22.

Karen Payne, broken wrist

Georganne Mellon

Sharon Yates, continued recovery

Genevieve Dykehouse, on the loss of her brother

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

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