Weekly Witness

July 16, 2026

Sunday, July 19, 2026

8th Sunday after Pentecost

Dollars for Deacons Offering

Scripture: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43, Psalm 86: 11-17, Romans 8: 1-11

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Last Week's Sermon: Stubborn Resistance

Liturgist: Adam Pitts

Psalmist: Bill Cox

Greeters: Leah & Pat Gerlach

Ushers: Sharon Glass, Dave & Nancy Shambach, Karen Williams

Early Morning Security: Bill Cox

July Sanctuary Stewards: Helen Huntley and Linda Hood

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Dear RRPC members and friends,

This Sunday, July 19, we will have a special guest in the C. S. Lewis Seminar during the Adult CE hour. Cat Bradley is a friend of Meredith Beaton and an expert in the genre of Science Fiction. Cat will lead us through the Lewis Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. Lewis wanted to tell a great story that carried the themes of the Christian faith to its readers. And even if Sci Fi is not your thing, I think you will enjoy hearing Cat speak about these works of fiction.

At St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, there was an elder who was REALLY

into space fiction or Sci Fi. He took me into his garage once where he had built book shelves all around the three sides of his garage. These shelves were completely filled with his Sci Fi collection. Hundreds of books! I asked him why and he said, "Because in other worlds we see our own world better!" I always thought that was a great answer. Some space movies have really helped me see our world better, especially "2001". Remember that?

So I invite you to come this Sunday and learn more of what C. S. Lewis was up to in his Space Trilogy.

Peace and hope,

Frank

Matuke and Anwi's

United Nations trip

to New York City!

Our 2026 PW Birthday Offering

will take place on

Sunday, July 26th

Thank you for supporting Presbyterian Women!

Sunday Massages:

July & August

What? I can get a massage? Oh, and what in the world is CranioSacral therapy?

Twenty-minute manual therapy sessions are being offered every Sunday in July and August, with proceeds going toward the stucco project.

Massage Therapy helps pain relief, stress and anxiety reduction, and overall well-being. The list of benefits is much too long to print in the weekly witness.

Craniosacral Therapy is a light-touch manual therapy that works with not only the spine/nervous systems and CSF but all systems of the body to help with releasing tension, pain, dysfunction, trauma, and improve overall health.

You can choose between these two therapies, or have a combination.

If you love manual therapy, or if you haven’t tried it before, now is your chance.

There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Times are limited, so please sign up! A $20 donation is requested.

Any questions? Contact Lisa Wengerd:

Lisa Wengerd, CST, LMT  

NM Lic# 6662

Jewelry Sale

Sunday Mornings

in the Narthex

$15 donation

Sue Phillips will be selling Tree of Life Earrings in the narthex on Sunday morning, July 19th, to benefit the Stucco Project. Please support her efforts as she always does such lovely work!

Jewelry Workshops

THIS Saturday!

July 18 at 10am

July 25 at 1pm

Sue Phillips will be hosting two jewelry workshops at her house. All are welcome! You can make a necklace, earrings, or both. No experience necessary. She has all of the materials. Cost ranges from $15 and up. Feel free to call her with any questions: 505-892-6165. Please see the sign up sheet in the narthex.

Her address is: 5203 Ironwood Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114.

Did You Miss the Demonstration of the

German Enigma cipher machine?

Saturday, August 8th

3pm - 6pm    

A new signup sheet is now available:

Calling all history buffs and computer nerds! 

During World War II, a major allied effort was crackng the codes produced by the Nazi’s Enigma machine.  A team of British and American code breakers worked together on this secret operation at Bletchley Park, near London.  Alan Turing, an English mathematician and cryptologist, played a key role in breaking the Enigma machine.  He developed a computer-like devise that could find the keys needed to decipher messages. Dave Levenson’s father, Arthur Levenson, was on the team that worked with Alan Turing.  He obtained an original German enigma machine, which is now Dave’s. He is pleased to show it, explain how it was used, answer questions, and even let you press the buttons and spin the rotors. 

As a benefit for the stucco project, Dave (assisted by Margaret Crowl), will give a program on Saturday, August 8, from 3 to 6 pm. The program will consist of:

1. Afternoon tea with light refreshments 
2. Viewing of the award winning movie, The Imitation Game (2014) starring Benedict Cumberbatch, based on the Alan Turing story. 
3. Dave’s talk and demonstration of his Enigma machine.  

Suggested donation for the stucco project: $20 per person.  Sign up on the clipboard in the narthex. 

Church Calendar

July 19, 2026 - July 25, 2026

Music Notes

A new musical season is nearing. If you would like to participate in the music ministry of RRPC, we’d love to have you join us! (Please text or email me. My contact information is below.)

We combine hard work and singing intentionally with joy and laughter! 

“Pick-Up” Choir begins Sunday, August 2. Simply join us in the choir loft at 9:00 to learn an anthem to sing during the service.

We are very flexible with schedules realizing people have many different obligations for their time. If you would like to join the chancel choir and you have a special need, we can accommodate you! We love to solve challenges so that everyone can participate!

Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00 beginning August 27.

*Many choir members are willing to pick up folks who prefer not to drive at night, so join us!

JuBELLation Ringers (handbells) rehearsals also resume Thursday, August 27 from 6:25-7:25. We enjoy having new folks join our handbell choir! Not sure? Come try it out! You do not need to be able to read music because we can color code your part and teach you how to count in order to ring your bells. We are excited to have 6 new pieces to learn for our fall season!

Pastor Deborah, the worship committee, and I are planning through the Christmas season. Now is the time to let me know of a particular anthem you would like the choir to sing or the bells to play! Keep in mind that many favorite hymns have anthem or handbell arrangements. We appreciate your suggestions!

Thank you for the positive comments and continued support of our music program. We are blessed to have a worship family who enjoys making and hearing “a joyful noise!”

Peace, love, and joy,

Nancy Leffler, Director of Music Ministry

Text: (505) 263-2272, Email: Leffler_n@yahoo.com

2026 School Supply Drive



What happens at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church when the temperatures are 100 degrees and there is no rain in sight? The congregation holds a School Supply Drive!

When does this Drive start? Sunday, July 19

What should be donated? "the basics"

notebooks

loose leaf paper

pencils

colored pencils

crayons

markers

highlighters

What school will receive these supplies? 

Cochiti Elementary/Middle School in the Bernalillo School District

Where should the donations be placed in the church?

 at the special display in the Narthex

What is the last day to donate? Sunday, August 2

What happens to the items donated? In August, the Mission Committee will drive them to Cochiti-directly from your hands to the hands of the students!

Thank you for your constant support of education in our community.

July Birthdays

18 Russ Dykehouse, Susanne Provo

19 Jon Ball

20 Abou-Nica Fomukong

20 Lorna Van Dongen

21 Pam Shanklin

22 Tim Isaacs

23 Jianna LeNoir

24 Lisa Wengerd

25 Sharon Furl

27 Honora Langwell, Chuck Roth

28 Sharon Glass, Scott Strommen

29 Russ Gobeille

Volunteers Needed

Are you interested in helping our AV team on Sunday mornings? We need someone to help run the computer for our online worship and to learn how to assist in the sound booth.

If this sounds interesting, WE NEED YOU!

Please visit with Kevin or Lisa on a Sunday morning. THANK YOU!!

A note from Cheryl Miller

Greetings to everyone at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church,

I still LOVE this church even though I am

unable to attend - living in Texas!

I have sent some funds for your stucco campaign.

I pray, if it is in His will, that I move back to New Mexico and rejoin the church there one day. Until then, I stream the service online and am

very thankful that streaming is available.

Happy Summer - I am praying for rain there!

Sincerely,

Cheryl

Our Service

Men & Women

Please keep the following people

in your thoughts & prayers:

Christopher Ryan - US Marine Officer

RJ Van Sweden - US Marines

Tyler Warren - US Marines

Hayden Smith - Army

Cdr. Sarah Dimmick - Navy, serving in Kyiv, Ukraine

Sgt. Kevin Lomeli - Army National Guard, home!

Kevin A. Baker - US Air Force in England

Sgt. Herison Garcia - US Air Force, Florida

Sgt. Jerry Allard - US Army, Ft. Bliss, Texas

Sgt. Joseph Nolancola - US Air Force, overseas

If you have family members serving here or overseas, please call Ginny at the church office to add them to our list. Church Office: 505-892-6664.

Friendly Reminder

Please remember to lock all doors and check that all lights have been turned off as you exit the church building.

We need all the help we can get to save on our utility bills.

THANK YOU!

Prayer Concerns

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..."

Nancy Leffler - Dad having surgery on Tuesday

Beth Miller - prayers

Anne Kinney - tests

Sharon Patrick - surgery recovery

John Husler - heart issues & recovery

Birgitta Gustafson - surgery recovery

Margaret Crowl's sister, Ellen - treatments

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

For all victims of the earthquake in Venuzuela.

Peace on earth!

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

1004 24th Street, SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505.892.6664

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–3pm

Office email: manager@rrpchurch.org