Weekly Witness

February 5, 2026

Sunday, February 8, 2026

5th Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: A Sense of Belonging

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Steve Sproul

Psalmist: Cyndi Pitts

Greeter: Birgitta Gustafson

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

Flowers: Given in memory of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

February Sanctuary Stewards: Arlene Thomas and Joy Sternberg

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family and Friends,

On Tuesday February 10 at 6pm at New Life Presbyterian Church on Eubank in Albuquerque, I will be participating in a Presbytery wide service of Justice and Hope. This will be the third such service where we gather to offer our prayers and reflections on the current situation in our nation. We face many points of tension and even violence in these troubling days. 

Why do we do such services? Our Presbyterian Book of Order has a section called The Directory of Worship. W-5.0304 is entitled "Services for Justice and Peace." Here is what it says: "God sends the church to work for justice in the world...for the common good, welcoming strangers in the land...bearing witness against systems of violence and oppression." The service on February 10 was inspired by such a mandate for us.

I will preach on Revelation 13. This text illustrates how the church once

rejected the totalitarian claims of the Roman Empire. It also gives us a model as well as encouragement to resist totalitarian claims in our times. "For such a time as this" we are called to worship and bear witness to the Lamb of God who rises above the Roman Eagle and every other false claimant to the Throne of God. 

You are cordially invited to worship with sisters and brothers from across the Presbytery on February 10.  

Peace and hope,

Frank

Giving Statements - Update

2025 Giving Statements

If we have your email address, you were sent your 2025 Giving Statement by email. The email address the statements are sent from is RRPC1004NM@GMAIL.COM. Be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK folders!

A paper copy of your 2025 Giving Statement will be available for you to pick up before and after the February 8th service.   

Due to the rising cost of postage stamps, we are doing everything possible to limit what we mail. If you have any questions regarding your Giving Statements send a message to treasurer@rrpchurch.org.

Pam Scalco

Assistant Treasurer

Justice & Hope Service

New Life Presbyterian Church

Tuesday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, February 10, at 6:00 p.m. at New Life Presbyterian Church,

individuals across the presbytery are invited to worship together

and share the gift of fellowship for our monthly alternative worship service.

As we address the current political climate in our country that can drain us of our energy, we also assert that it can connect us and empower us, for the church of Jesus Christ can ignite the hope that gathers like a candle flame refusing to be extinguished, a lantern of life carried by many hands,

a beacon of blessing that refuses to be devoured by darkness and despair.

Catherine Robinson and Frank Yates will lead this service, and everyone is invited to worship with us as we affirm that even in the darkest weather,

something in us is still reaching for the dawn.

Please join us!

Men's Breakfast

THIS Saturday, February 7th

8:00am

Topic: Disaster Preparedness- How to plan. 

Speaker: Chris Dyer

All are welcome for a delicious breakfast, fellowship and learning!

You're Invited!

We want to invite your congregation to a recital at St. Andrew by their accompanist and her husband on February 14, at 3 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. There will be a goodwill offering to benefit Governor Bent Elementary School. 

Join us as we begin the sacred season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Service.

This meaningful time of reflection marks the beginning of our Lenten journey — a season of repentance, prayer, and renewal in preparation for Easter.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

🕒 Time: 7:00 PM

During the service, we will share in Scripture, prayer, and the imposition of ashes, reminding us of our human frailty and our need for God’s grace: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

All are welcome to attend and participate in this solemn and reflective worship experience.

Come, begin the journey of Lent with us.

2026 Soup ‘to go’ for Scholars

The Scholarship Committee will be offering 16 oz. and 32oz. Containers of homemade soup that can be reheated.

February 22 (Order by February 15)

                   Broccoli Cheddar

                   Chicken with Wild Rice

March 22 (order by March 15)

                    Split Pea with Ham

                    Creamy Potato

A 16 oz. container of soup is $8.

A 32 oz. container of soup is $13.

Order forms will be available in the church narthex before and after church service beginning January 11^th. You can also call Don Underwood at 505 903-9889 and place your order.

Thank you for your continued support.

Laura Gonzales

Don Underwood

Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs

Women's Retreat

Saturday, February 7, 2026

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

9:30am-12:00pm

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, invites you to join them in a retreat on Saturday, February 7th at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5301 Ponderosa Ave NE) from 9:30-12:00. 

Pastor Erica Lea-Simka of the ABQ Mennonite Church will lead us in a study of St. Julian of Norwich of the Middle Ages. Her writings, Revelations of Divine Love are the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman.

Come join us! For more information, please contact Shirley Nilsson at (505) 463-3657.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

9:00 a.m - Noon

Join us for our annual Read and Ring, a fun morning of sight reading music with a chance to purchase music without paying shipping costs.

$15 – HMA Non-Members

$12 – HMA Members

$5 – Youth

Registration Deadline is January 23 to guarantee copies of the music are available.

February's Book:

Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Kimmerer

We will be meeting at Nancy Henriksen's home on February 24th 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!

March's Book: The Mighty Red, by Louise Erdrich.

For those who would like a head start.

Church Calendar

February 8, 2026 - February 14, 2026

7 Frank Yates

8 Nancy Leffler

8 Victoria Flick

8 Marie Fry

9 Linn Jenkins

10 Kaitlyn Leffler

12 Christie Alison

13 Anthony Collins

14 Tina Resner

18 Linn Jackson

18 Verona Schmidt

22 Mike Bushma

23 Tyler Warren

24 Karen Williams

25 Xavier Lopez

27 Bob Scott

28 Cameron Mitchell

28 John Hood

Greeters Needed

Greeters play an important role in welcoming all members and visitors to our church. They provide the invaluable first impression of our church community. If you would like to volunteer to be a greeter, please see the sign up sheet in the narthex. If you have questions, please contact Victoria Flick at 917-577-4846 or victoria.e.flick@gmail.com. Thank you!

Storehouse West

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!

Luminosity Conference

Registration closes February 20.

Dear Friends,

With just a few weeks remaining before registration closes, we wanted to remind you about the upcoming Luminosity Conference. This gathering is shaping up to be a meaningful space for learning, connection, and shared reflection.

Registration is still open at both regular and reduced pastoral rates, but February 20 will be the final day to register. Workshop availability is becoming more limited as attendees finalize their schedules, and we encourage you to register soon to secure your place.

Scholarships remain available for all participants, and additional planning resources—including travel details and meals—are available on the Luminosity website and FAQ page.

We hope you’ll consider joining us for Luminosity 2026.

Register Today

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.

Genevieve Dykehouse, rehab

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

Protection for Everyone against Flu virus

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