Weekly Witness

December 11, 2025

Sunday, December 14, 2025

3rd Sunday of Advent

Choir Cantata

Scripture: Psalm 146: 5-10

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Longest Night Service: Livestream

Last Week's Sermon: In Praise of Crazies

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Advent Candle: Chavez/Lopez family

Liturgist: Victoria Flick

Psalmist: Thom Hinks

Greeter: Birgitta Gustafson

Ushers: Bill Cox, Craig Kelley, Virginia Kelley, Camise Kettner

Flowers: Given by Meredith Beaton in memory of her parents: Arlene & Allen Beaton

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

December Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Camise Kettner

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family,

The pastor of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Albuquerque is a friend of mine. In fact, we went on a spiritual pilgrimage to Turkey together

a number of years ago. I have attended worship there many times. What most impresses me about Greek Orthodox worship is how much of the liturgy is sung. Both the priest and the quartet of singers lead most of the service in song. It is quite uplifting. 

Music is central to Christian worship, especially during Advent and Christmas. Yes, there are candles and trees and decorations, but in this season of the church year, music has a central place. And so it is at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church. This Sunday the musical gifts of our church will be on full display. I am so grateful to Nancy and Nathan for leading our music ministry. And for all our amazing singers and musicians that play such a variety of instruments, including our newly refurbished bells. 

I want to thank all of you for sharing your time and talents, especially for our lovely celebration of the birth of Jesus. This Sunday you are all cordially invited to hear our choir present a Christmas Cantate. It will be our sermon in song. So I hope you can attend and be uplifted by the gift of music. And for those of you online, I hope you enjoy it as well.

So the Psalmist says, "Sing a new song to the Lord." May that song fill you with joy and happiness this Sunday.

Peace and hope,

Frank

Presbyterian Women's

Thank Offering

Our Thank offering, normally collected on Sunday, November 30th totaled $805.00!

Thank you very much for your generosity!

Good friends, good food, good times!

Happy Advent!

Here is your Advent devotional created by you,

the congregation! Hard copies are available in the narthex.

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!

January's Book: The Last Devil to Die, by Richard Osman. For those who would like a head start.

Church Calendar

December 14, 2025 - December 20, 2025

December Birthdays

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

Please Help

Storehouse West

We are incredibly grateful to Aloy and Marv Bamberg, who have, (for 18 years!!), taken the food donations from our church to Storehouse West. Thank you!

They are now ready to pass on this mission opportunity. Please call the church office today and sign up to be a part of a new group that will provide this vitally important service.

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.

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.

Christmas Service Schedule

Sunday, December 14th: 3rd Sunday of Advent, 10am, Christmas Choir Cantata

Wednesday, December 17th: Longest Night Service, 7pm

Sunday, December 21st: 4th Sunday of Advent, 10am, JuBELLation Ringers

Wednesday, December 24th: Christmas Eve Service, 7pm

Music Ministry Christmas Party!

NEXT 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!

We hope you’ll join us for the upcoming Luminosity Conference, March 9-11 in 2026! If you haven’t registered yet, now is a great time to do so. Through powerful keynote/plenary sessions from faith-based leaders, dynamic workshops, and meaningful conversations, we’ll explore how to navigate challenges, maximize church and ministry, and lead with confidence, in your own faith communities.

Workshops Now Open Online

The full list of conference workshops is now available online. You can visit the Luminosity website to:

• Review workshop titles and descriptions
• Explore topics that best fit your ministry context
• Book your hotel stay

Scholarships Available

We are committed to making Luminosity accessible to as many faith leaders as possible. Scholarships are available for those who may need financial assistance to attend. Details and application information are available on the conference website.

To learn more and register, please visit the Luminosity Conference website. If you have any questions about registration, workshops, or scholarship support, you can contact us at serving@presbyterianfoundation.org.

We would be delighted to see you at Luminosity 2026!

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Advent season,

The Luminosity Conference Team

Presbyterian Foundation | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Prayer Concerns

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

Ona Mitchell, Healing

Ginny O'Neill, sinus congestion

Karen Payne, fractured rib, recovering at home on Friday

Sharon Yates, continued recovery

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