Weekly Witness

July 2, 2026

Sunday, July 5, 2026

6th Sunday after Pentecost

Communion

Scripture: Acts 14: 8-19; Psalm 145: 8-14; Revelation 22: 6-9

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Sunday's Sermon: The Lost Sheep

Guest Pastor: Rev. Russ Dykehouse

Liturgist: Marie Fry

Psalmist: Bill Wehner

Communion Servers: Anne Kinney, Hazel Lathrop, Ginny O'Neill, Karen Payne, Arlene Thomas, Lisa Wengerd

Greeters: Leah Gerlach & Karen Williams

Ushers: Linda & John Hood, Karen Payne, Ginger Wall

Flowers: Given by Joy Sternberg, in honor of Joy & Dave's 39th wedding anniversary and Leah Gerlach's birthday!

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

July Sanctuary Stewards: Helen Huntley and Linda Hood

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Dear RRPC members and friends,

One verse from the Psalter applies to many of you in the RRPC Family. It comes from Psalm 92: 14: "In old age the just still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap." Yes, many of you are still "full of sap"-life and hope and good cheer. I am grateful to serve such a congregation so "full of sap"!

I want to salute two such folks in our midst: Rev. Margaret Crowl and Rev. Russ Dykehouse. I am truly grateful for these two long-time servants of the Lord who continue to serve so well in our congregation. It is such a blessing to have two retired pastors among us who still serve so well and so enthusiastically. The ordination vows promise that we will be "friends and colleagues in ministry". Margaret and Russ have been just that for me and for all of us.

On Saturday, June 27, Margaret and her partner Dave gave a fabulous presentation on the Enigma Machine used by the Allies to crack the Nazi war code. On August 8, they plan to give a repeat performance. You don't want to miss it. Margaret and Bill Wehner have spearheaded our stucco campaign and they have been great. Margaret will preach on Sunday, August 30, to help the congregation welcome Rev. Dr. Deborah Huggins. 

This Sunday, July 5, Russ will be preaching for our congregation. Russ has also led Adult CE classes and done a lot of pastoral care. In fact, Russ briefed me when I first arrived at Rio Rancho on the pastoral needs of our congregation. Russ also preaches and offers communion at our sister congregation in Cuba on occasion. Russ and his wife, Genevieve, inspire us to advocate for "peace and justice" in our world.

I want to thank Margaret and Russ for being such good friends and such effective pastors. I thank God that they are still "full of sap"! They will continue to be a blessing, I am sure, for Pastor Deborah. Thanks be to God! 

Peace,

Frank

Memorial Service for

Patrick McCreary

THIS Saturday, July 4th

10am

Please join us for a memorial service on the morning of July 4th, as we celebrate the life of Pat McCreary. Let's support his wife, Jane, and son, Sean, as they welcome family and friends from out of town.

THANK YOU to all the

Volunteers who helped with Tree Trimming

& Bush Removal

Thank you to all who helped us trim trees and bushes in preparation of the Stucco and painting project which is scheduled to begin in mid-July.

Graveside Service for

Georganne Mellon

A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate her life.

Georganne Mellen, 73, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026. She was born on December 19, 1952, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to George and Mildred Mellen.

Georganne graduated from Highland High School and went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in English in 1975. She dedicated her professional career to education, serving at TVI, where she made a positive impact on the lives of many students and colleagues.

Georganne had a lifelong love of reading and enjoyed writing short stories. Her passion for literature and creativity enriched her life and inspired those around her.

A devoted member of Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, Georganne faithfully served as a liturgist and actively participated in the life of her church community.

Georganne will be remembered for her intellect, kindness, faith, and love of learning. She leaves behind cherished family members, friends, former colleagues, and fellow church members who will miss her deeply.

195 The Life & Theology of Bishop Desmond Tutu

$15 July 13

Monday

10:00 AM → 11:30 AM

Sessions: 1

Instructor: Frank Yates

Location: Oasis

The Life & Theology of Bishop Desmond Tutu

Description

Bishop Desmond Tutu (1931–2021) was a spiritual leader in the Anglican Church of South Africa during the turbulent years of apartheid and the return of Nelson Mandela from prison. During Mandela’s presidency, Tutu remained a central figure in the nation’s Truth and Reconciliation process. Bearing witness to the love and justice of Jesus Christ, he played a key role in South Africa’s transformation.



To Sign Up

Go to the Albuquerque Oasis website and search for Class #195.

From the Finance and Stewardship Committee

The May 31, 2026 graph (above), showing our church financial situation, is very encouraging.

We continue to receive pledge donations from you which is helping us meet our operational needs as well as a few unexpected projects.

We thank you for your continued support and ask that you contact any member of the Finance and Stewardship Committee with questions. 

Calling All Campers!

It’s not too late to join the list of folks interested in exploring the possibility of starting a RRPC Camping group! We now have 7 families interested! Please notify John Hood or Joy Sternberg soon if you would like by be on the ‘Charter List’. This is not a commitment, just an expression of interest. 

We will be accommodating RV’s, Trailers, Tents; and also, many campgrounds have cabins now for those who would like the experience of camping but do not own the equipment!

Our first information and planning meeting will soon be announced for later in July… probably after a Sunday service. Watch the Weekly Witness for date and time. 

Thanks, John

John Hood at: lindaandjohn46@gmail.com, 614-403-9724.

United Nations trip to New York City!



Anwi & Matuke Fomukong were selected to participate in a delegation of Presbyterian young adults that will attend the Political Forum of the United Nations! Please pray for Matuke and Anwi as they head to New York this coming week. Congratulations and blessings!

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 12th and 19th, to benefit the Stucco Project. Please support her efforts as she always does such lovely work!

Jewelry Workshops

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?

NEVER FEAR! A new signup sheet is now available:

Saturday, August 8th

3pm - 6pm    

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 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.  

Please note: So that everyone can have an “up close and personal” experience, attendance will be limited to twenty people. However, if there is sufficient interest, Dave will do a second presentation later this summer. 

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

Church Calendar

July 5, 2026 - July 11, 2026

Scholarships of Grace

On Sunday, we gave out $700 scholarships to 11 recipients. It is thanks to your support of our fundraisers throughout the year and generous donations to the scholarship fund that we were able to provide these scholarships for the past 14 years. To date, we have given out 118 scholarships to 34 individuals for a total of $71,200.

Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients:

Victoria Barkley, CMN - Nursing

Alison Cato, NMSU - Psychology

Ryanne Hughes, CMN - Liberal Arts

Glenna Leffler, UNM School of Law, Juris Doctor

Xavier Lopez, UNM - Theater

Isaac Pitts, Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine Medical Doctor

Aidan Nico Rodriguez, NM Institute of Mining and Technology - Computer Science

Graciela Rodriguez, MIT - Materials Science and Engineering

Wesley Smith, Rice University - MS in Interdisciplinary Studies

Trinity Tsosie, UNM, Digital Arts

Grace Warren, NMSU - Justice, Political Philosophy, Law & Political Science

Congratulations to all of our students! We are very proud of you!

July Birthdays

6 Leah Gerlach

6 Terry Gretchen

7 Riley Bushma

8 Max Hughes

11 Karen Payne

14 Jane Bergman

15 Doug Leffler

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!!

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..."

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