Weekly Witness

July 30, 2026

Sunday, Aug 2, 2026

10th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Matthew 14: 13-21; Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Last Week's Sermon: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

Liturgist: Nancy Shambach

Psalmist: Cyndi Pitts

Communion Servers: Liz & Mike Bushma, Bill Cox, Marjorie Davison, Victoria Flick, Betty Jarous

Greeters: Meredith Beaton & Victoria Flick

Ushers: Len & Lyn Kulk, Ginger Wall, Karen Williams

Flowers: Given by Laura Laprade and Ginny O'Neill; In memory of our parents: Joan & Emilio DiSpirito and Richard Hale

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

August Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Karen Williams

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Dear RRPC members and friends,

This Sunday's Adult CE class will feature C.S. Lewis' book The Four Loves.

Originally given as radio talks on the BBC, the work was published in 1960, just three years before his death. This book shows the strong influence of his beloved wife, Joy Davidman, who was a gifted writer in her own right.

Lewis examines four kinds of love with their Greek names: a. Affection or Family love (Storge), b. Friendship love (philia), c. Romantic love (eros), d. Divine love (agape). I truly love this book and the tone it brings to this discussion. 

So I want to invite you to join us this Sunday after worship to think about love in its many aspects. And maybe to examine your own life and your loves. I would "love" to see you there on Sunday. 

Peace and hope,

Frank

Progress on the Stucco Project!

Ice Cream Social

Attended by Over 50!

Over 50 people enjoyed hot dogs and make your own ice cream sundaes at the Ice Cream Social sponsored by the scholarship committee. Enough money was raised to support more than one scholarship!

Thank you to all who attended, worked at the event or made donations.

Thank You

from Alison

Dear RRPC family, 



Thank you so much for the generous scholarship and for investing in my education. 

I am very grateful for your support and encouragement as I continue my degree in psychology. 

The scholarship given to me means so much and will help me tremendously. I'm so grateful for my church family and the support for my education. 

With sincere thanks, 

Alison Cato 

Monthly Men's Breakfast

THIS Saturday, August 1st

8am

Come and fellowship with the Men of RRPC on August 1st at 8am in the Fellowship Hall.  Discussion of: "Our faith journey through the decades of our lives". Come have a wonderful breakfast and share stories of your spiritual journey. 

Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concerts

Two concerts to benefit Habitat for Humanity at

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

All are welcome!

THIS 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

Attention Campers:

The first meeting of the newly formed 'RRPC Campers Group' will be this Sunday, August 2nd, after church. Grab some treats in the fellowship hall, then join us in Classroom C. You will be able to 'Voice your Thoughts'; get 'Answers to all your Questions' and let us 'Know your Preferences'. Plus, for the rest of your life you can brag that you were a part of the very first Organizational Meeting of the 'RRPC Camping Group' !! 

Questions? Text John Hood at: 614-848-6751 or email: lindaandjohn46@gmail.com 

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

Aug 2, 2026 - Aug 8, 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? THIS 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.

Book Club

Our Book Club resumes in September! Newcomers welcome!! Here is our list for this year in case you'd like to get a head start:

Book Club List 2026-2027

Tuesday, September 29 Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Tuesday, October 27 Best American Short Stories 2024 edited by Lauren Goff

Tuesday. November 24 Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny

Tuesday, December 15 The Serviceberry by Robin Kimmerer

Tuesday, January 26 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Tuesday, February 23 The Last Gift by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Tuesday, March 23 My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Tuesday, April 27 The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd

Tuesday, May 25 Trust by Herman Diaz

We will meet at Nancy Henriksen's home on Tuesday, September 29, to discuss Theo of Golden, by Allen Levi. She lives at 507 Cherish St. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Nancy: 505-306-1047.

August Birthdays

2 Janet Lacy

3 Chrystal Mitchell

7 Rhonda Wehner

8 Camille Hennek

10 Lori Osburn

13 Nico Rodriguez

18 Doug Thomas, Cyndie Tidwell

20 Kristen Henriksen

25 Virginia Kelley

27 Estela Roberts

28 Jim Langwell, Lea Manuel

31 Kaitlyn Landon

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

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