Weekly Witness

December 17, 2025

Sunday, December 21, 2025

4th Sunday of Advent

Christmas Joy Offering

Scripture: Luke 1: 26-38

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Longest Night Service: Livestream; Bulletin

Christmas Eve Service: Livestream

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Advent Candle: John & Linda Hood

Liturgist: John Hood

Psalmist: Bill Wehner

Greeters: Leah & Pat Gerlach

Ushers: Velina Chavez, Sharon Glass, Ginger Wall, Karen Willians

Flowers: Our Congregation's Christmas Poinsettias

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

December Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Camise Kettner

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family,

Over the years I have known folks who just naturally "get into the Christmas Spirit". And I have known folks who are rather lukewarm

as well as those who just don't get it (the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge, for instance).

Funny how so many stories about Christmas trade on this division within the human family.  The "ho, ho, ho crowd", the "ho-hum" crowd", and the "humbug crowd" all find their way into our midst, maybe even into our own hearts. Maybe you are "ho, ho, ho" on Monday, "ho-hum" on Wednesday and "humbug" on Friday. It's tough hanging on consistently to whatever we are feeling is "the Christmas Spirit".

There are lots of reasons why. Sometimes it is the dark events in the world at this time of year. I don't need to spell them out but four come to mind: Bondi Beach in Australia, Brown University, Rob and Michele Reiner, Ukraine. Then there are the issues and challenges we all face personally in our families, in our circle of friends, and within our own hearts.

Then there is the Christmas tale itself, filled with light and shadows and darkness. Along with the angels singing in the heavens and the star heralding the birth of our Savior, there are the bystanders like the innkeeper in Bethlehem and the other innkeepers in Egypt (who are unknown, but I am hoping Bill Wehner will tell their story someday) who are oblivious to what is happening.

Then there is the darkness. The Roman imperial power under Augustus that forces people to return to their hometown to be taxed. Taxation hangs over Luke's birth narrative. And then there is Herod the Great (as he is called) who is willing to slaughter innocent children to keep

his grip on power. Violence hangs over Matthew's birth narrative. Money, power, and violence!

Light and joy. Indifference and oblivion. Hatred and cruelty. It's all there in the Christmas narrative. Sort of like the moods we experience during the Christmas season. 

So in this complex season of our lives, I wish for you some light and joy - some "ho, ho, ho" despite the "ho-hum" and the "humbug." There really is Good News here: Christ is born, Immanuel is with us. Love is born among us. So let us sing with the angels: "Glory to God in the highest!" Regardless of how we feel! 

Peace on earth,

Frank

The Capital Campaign Committee is appreciative of the congregation's and friends' generous support for the 3-year campaign to upgrade our HVAC cooling/heating units, install a new roof, replace the parking lot and improve the lighting; and our ongoing last project to upgrade our building's stucco. The stucco project will be completed in 2026. The campaign began October 2022 and concludes December 2025. Our current pledge balance (pledges still due) is about $26,000. The Capital Campaign will continue to accept donations through the end of the year. 

Doug sends holiday greetings to all!

Last Sunday, Joan and Liz visited with Doug Thomas at an assisted living residence in Albuquerque where he has been living for 2 months. He was in good spirits and said that he feels so blessed to be living there. 

His new address is:

Doug Thomas

6001 Roger Avenue NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

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

January's Book:

The Last Devil to Die, by Richard Osman

We will be meeting at Nancy Henriksen's home on January 27th 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!

February's Book: Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Kimmerer.

For those who would like a head start.

Church Calendar

December 21, 2025 - December 27, 2025

December Birthdays

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

Storehouse West

Giving

So far in December our congregation has given

$332.86 for the December 7th 2cents a Meal Offering

$84.54 from the collection jar in the narthex

and around 200 pounds of food.

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Please note we are still in need for people to transport goods from the church to Storehouse West. Right now, we have two people signed up and are looking for three more. Please call the church office at 505-892-6664.

---Your Mission Committee

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!

THANK YOU, Shirley!

The Presbyterian Women would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to Shirley Underwood for organizing such a wonderful Holiday Brunch and Cookie Swap for us at the Neighborhood Center last Saturday! The quiches were a huge hit and the Cookie assortment was amazing! We know what work went into organizing and wanted you to know how much we appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

We would also like to thank Nancy Leffler for playing all of our Christmas favorites including a Christmas Sing-a-long!

And an added shout out to the menfolk who helped us carry everything! Thanks guys!

Christmas Service Schedule

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

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

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

Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and future leaders of the church. 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. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

This offering will be collected on Sunday, December 21st and Christmas Eve. Thank you for supporting such a worthy cause. The Mission Committee is grateful for your generosity!

Music Ministry Christmas Party!

THIS Saturday, December 20th

1pm-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.

Pastor Frank, eye surgery & recovery

Ona Mitchell, Healing

Karen Payne, 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