Weekly Witness

July 23, 2026

Sunday, July 26, 2026

9th Sunday after Pentecost

PW Birthday Offering

Scripture: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52; Psalm 119: 129-136; Romans 8: 26-39

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Last Week's Sermon: Going to Court

Liturgist: Matuke Fomukong

Psalmist: Anwi Fomukong

Greeters: Marie Fry & Ginger Wall

Ushers: Pat Gerlach, Victoria Flick, Steve Sproul, Joy Sternberg

Early Morning Security: Steve Sproul

Flowers: In memory of Bob & Marian Flick, Victoria’s parents 

July Sanctuary Stewards: Helen Huntley and Linda Hood

August Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Karen Williams

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Dear RRPC members and friends,

This Sunday will be a special treat for our congregation. Our liturgists will be Matuke and Anwi Fomulong, two very talented young women.

This summer, they joined many other young people at the United Nations in New York City for an international conference. This Sunday during the Minute for Mission and then the Adult CE class, they will tell us more about their experiences. I can't wait to hear what they learned and felt in such an amazing setting.

Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, the Presbytery of Santa Fe, and the Synod of the Southwest, Matuke and Anwi were able to make the trip. And how happy I am that they did go, because they are richly deserving of our love and concern. What a bright future they have before them, by the grace of God.

So I invite you all to worship and to the Adult CE class this Sunday to learn from these amazing two young women what they have learned and experienced. We are grateful to God for them and their entire family. 



Peace and hope,

Frank

P. S. The scaffolding is up and the stucco work has begun. Thanks be to God and thanks to your loving generosity.

Matuke and Anwi's

United Nations trip

to New York City!

They will be giving a special presentation of their trip this Sunday after worship in Classroom A & B.

Please join us!

Health Update:

Nancy's Dad, in Indiana, made it through surgery and is recovering well. Nancy will return as soon as possible. Please continue to keep Nancy and her family in your prayers.

Our 2026 PW Birthday Offering

will take place

THIS Sunday, July 26th

Thank you for supporting Presbyterian Women!

Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concerts

Three concerts to benefit Habitat for Humanity at

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

All are welcome!

This Saturday @ 3 PM: Tatiana Shustova, piano, and Aaron Jacobs, violin, will perform.

Saturday, August 1, 6 PM: The Eleanors will play “folksy Americana with great vocal harmonies”.

Saturday, September 19, 3 PM: Sweet Jazz, headlined by Allison Davis, the host of the Jazz Hour on KUNM

Jewelry Workshops

THIS Saturday!

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.

REMINDER:

The Ice Cream Social is

THIS SUNDAY

from 5-7pm!

We hope to see you there!!

Men's Breakfast

Saturday, August 1st

8am

Come and fellowship with the Men of RRPC on August 1st at 8AM. Enjoy a great breakfast and conversation. (Program to be announced).

Attention Campers:

Plan to meet together after church on Sunday, August 2nd! Bring your thoughts and hopes with you, and your calendars. Be ready to share your favorite campgrounds in New Mexico, and events you might like to plan for. This is an idea and brainstorming time as we get organized for the start up of the RRPC Camping experience! 

If you are not able attend (😿), email John Hood (lindaandjohn46@gmail.com) to receive notes from the meeting.

Happy Camping 🏕️🥾🌲🦋

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 26, 2026 - Aug. 1, 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 2nd

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

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

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, surgery recovery

Beth Miller - prayers

Anne Kinney - chemo treatments

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 fires across Canada and the United States. We are at an all-time high: Level 5 Fire Preparedness!!!

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