Weekly Witness

July 9, 2026

Sunday, July 12, 2026

7th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23, Psalm 65: 1-13, Romans 7: 15-25

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Karen Beaton

Psalmist: Linda Hood

Greeters: Birgitta Gustafson & Karen Payne

Ushers: Bill Cox, Marie Fry, Craig Kelley & Virginia Kelley

Flowers: Given by Marie Fry, in honor of her husband, David,

on their 24th wedding anniversary

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

July Sanctuary Stewards: Helen Huntley and Linda Hood

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Dear RRPC members and friends,

Your congregation is unique in how the Psalter is used in public worship on Sundays. Your custom of having a separate reader share the Psalms is something I had not seen previously. It has the advantage of having in effect two liturgists each Sunday. Also, the context for each Psalm is given so that we can better understand it. 

This Sunday morning, during Adult CE, we will explore a book by C.S. Lewis entitled Reflections on the Psalms. Lewis wrote a number of what he called "devotional books" for the Christian life. Lewis did not see this book as an academic exercise, but as a guide to hearing and understanding the Psalms in public worship. It is one of my favorite books by Lewis.

This Sunday, we will pay particular attention to two issues raised by Lewis. First, the issue of the "cursing psalms" where one's enemies are in fact cursed. Lewis raises the question about the appropriateness of such sentiments in Christian worship, especially since Jesus told us to "love our enemies."

Second, the issue of "second meanings" in the Psalms, particularly how the New Testament writers re-interpreted the Psalms to point to Christ. 

I hope you will join us this Sunday after worship to consider these issues and others in our use of the Psalms. And to quote from many of the Psalms, "Praise the Lord!" 

Peace and hope,

Frank

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.

Matuke and Anwi's

first day at the

United Nations

in New York City!

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.

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?

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 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 12, 2026 - July 11, 2026

Scholarships of Grace

On Sunday, June 28th, 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!

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

Coming Soon

2026 School Supply Drive



Watch for more information next week!

July Birthdays

3 Robert Kettner

6 Leah Gerlach

6 Terry Gretchen

7 Riley Bushma

8 Max Hughes

11 Karen Payne, Michelle Garza

14 Jane Bergman

15 Doug Leffler

16 Thomas Richman

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..."

Nancy Leffler - Dad having emergency surgery

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