Weekly Witness

March 12, 2026

Sunday, March 15, 2026

4th Sunday in Lent

Dollars for Deacons Offering

Scripture: Haggai 1: 2-15

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: A Checkered Past

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Birgitta Gustafson

Psalmist: Bill Wehner

Greeters: Leah & Pat Gerlach

Ushers: Marie Fry, Sharon Glass, Sharon Hovey, Karen Williams

Early Morning Security: Bill Cox

Flowers: In gratitude for the Capital Campaign and the Project Management Team!

March Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Sharon Hovey

To view Sunday morning service, simply click on the word Livestream above. You can always go to the church website;

Main page; scroll down to Next Livestream Service to access

the upcoming Sunday service.

Church Potluck

Capital Campaign Committee

THIS Sunday, March 15th

This Sunday, March 15th, we will be holding a Potluck after Church services in recognition of our Capital Campaign Committee and the work that they have accomplished over the last year. 

Please bring your favorite side dish, vegetable, or dessert to share. The main course will be provided.

This will be a great time of fellowship and thanks! We look forward to seeing you there. 

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family and Friends,

When I was growing up, I heard the preacher often talk about a "tithe." Now when you are young, you imagine all sorts of things about words you don't understand. I thought the preacher was talking about the "tide". Well, I didn't quite understand the concept of the "tide" either. So my little mind was left adrift hearing "tithe" but thinking "tide." As I got older I realized a lot of people were confused by the word "tithe", not to mention the word "tide."

So time for some clarification! A tithe is one tenth of (here is where it gets 

interesting, your pick): our income, our investments, our accumulated 

wealth, our projected earnings. Oh my, the many discussions I have heard over the years about giving based on your gross income or your adjusted income after taxes! Here is where we all start sounding like lawyers. Or maybe even

the scribes and Pharisees who "tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith"(Matthew 23:23) So let's consider "almsgiving," another word that is confusing. In the Gospels it mainly refers to giving money to the Temple in Jerusalem. But hear what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: "When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:3)

One last story, when I first started taking my faith seriously, I was in church and the collection tray was passed along my row. I reached into my pocket and thought I had given $10, but realized as the plate was passed along that I had inadvertently given $20! Now in high school, that was big money! I wondered if I could get change as the plate was passed behind me on the next row! Then I thought of Jesus' admonition: "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!" Since then I have tried very hard to give without calculating. But give with gratitude and with generosity. For Jesus reminds us that at the heart of giving is this: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Giving is a heart thing, not a calculated investment. "God loves a cheerful giver."(II Corinthians 9:7)

Peace and hope,

Frank

Project Update

Repairs to the stucco exterior are the fifth and final building project from the now retired Capital Campaign. Before the stucco can begin, there is “prep” work that involves water drainage and wood trim repairs, painting and tree removal. Tree removal is step one of the prep projects, which is now completed! Four trees were removed: two on the right of the main church building entrance and the other two at the nursery area on the west side. Bids for the remaining prep projects are in process. Thank you, Denise Baker

Lenten Devotionals

Our Lenten devotionals start on Ash Wednesday and continue through Easter Sunday. Feel free to print these out or ask Ginny (401-345-9935) for a hard copy.

Week Four Sunday, March 8 - Saturday, March 14

Week Five Sunday, March 15 - Saturday, March 21

Week Six Sunday, March 22 - Saturday, March 28

One Great Hour of Sharing

How Our Gifts to OGHS Are Used

One Great Hour of Sharing is the single largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Here are three of the ways we witness to christ’s healing love as we care for people and their communities.

Disaster Recovery

 The PC(USA) works with mid councils and churches to provide immediate

support after natural and human-caused disasters. It also assists with

long-term recovery efforts, connecting mid councils and churches with

resources to help them rebound and thrive.

Southern California Wildfires

Southern California faced multiple fires, exacerbated by strong winds

and dry conditions. More than 35,000 acres burned and destroyed

more than 16,000 structures. An initial grant from the PC(USA) provided

immediate support for urgent needs. National Response Team members

were deployed to provide a ministry of presence, assist with ongoing

assessments and help match identified needs with appropriate resources

to expedite recovery resources.

Hunger Relief

The PC(USA) works to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes,

working through relationships and partnerships in the United States

and around the world. As recognized by PC(USA) policies, hunger is an

extremely complex phenomenon with economic, political, environmental

and social causes. The PC(USA) seeks to find out why people are hungry 

and to encourage action that will help address the underlying causes.

If we all give a little, it adds up to a lot. Please give generously! Thank you!!

2026 Soup ‘to go’ for Scholars

The Scholarship Committee will be offering 16 oz. and 32oz. Containers of homemade soup that can be reheated.

Order by THIS Sunday, March 15

                    Split Pea with Ham

                    Creamy Potato

Pickup is NEXT Sunday, March 22nd!

A 16 oz. container of soup is $8.

A 32 oz. container of soup is $13.

Order forms will be available in the church narthex before and after church service. You can also call Don Underwood at 505 903-9889 and place your order.

Thank you to everyone who purchased soup for our scholars!!

Laura Gonzales

Don Underwood

Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs

Candlelight Vigil

Sunday, March 22 at 6:00pm

Second Presbyterian Church

A candlelight vigil, in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, on Sunday, March 22nd, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. We invite you to join us. We do this in solidarity with singing resistance groups throughout our nation and around the world, who are saying NO to the cruelty of government actions towards refugees, immigrants, the displaced, and those held in detention centers. We stand in solidarity with those killed or injured while exercising their constitutional and human right to protest. Future vigils are planned for the Sunday closest to Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice. This vigil is supported by the Pastors of the Presbytery of Santa Fe and church leaders.

March's Book:

The Mighty Red, by Louise Erdrich

We will be meeting at Nancy Henriksen's home on March 24th at 2pm. Her address is: 507 Cherish Street, Rio Rancho, NM. Feel free to contact her at nanscott4413@msn.com.

Please join us! All are welcome!

April's Book: Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy

For those who would like a head start.

Church Calendar

March 15, 2026 - March 21, 2026

With Heartfelt Sympathy

We are saddened to announce the loss of longtime member, James T. Johnson, who passed away on Friday morning. He was 99 and a day. The family is not planning a service at this time. Please keep his son, Don, and his family in your prayers.

12 Jim McInroy

18 Bill Shanklin

18 Jared Strommen

19 Stephanie Smith

22 Joshua Resner

24 George Austin

25 Helen Pederson, Sharon Young

28 Hazel Lathrop, Natalie Cato

30 Savannah Ball, Cameron Isaacs, Arthur Mitchell

🌿 Church Clean-Up Day – Let’s Serve Together!

Saturday, March 28th

Our church is more than just a building — it’s a place of worship, fellowship, and community. Now it’s our turn to give back!

We’re inviting everyone to join us for Church Clean-Up Day — a day of teamwork, laughter, and service as we freshen up our church home inside and out.

✨ Why Volunteer?

• Serve God through action
• Strengthen friendships within our church family
• Take pride in keeping our worship space welcoming and beautiful
• Be a blessing to everyone who walks through our doors

Many hands make light work! Whether you can give an hour or the whole morning, your help truly makes a difference.

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex (church lobby). THANK YOU!

I am so excited to share that our Ghost Ranch Youth Week registration form is now LIVE! We'll be registering our group for the next month -- our registration deadline will be April 15th -- those who register after April 15th will go on a waitlist and their inclusion will be dependent on space available. Please share this information with the youth in your context ASAP so they can consider this opportunity!

Logistics:

- Ghost Ranch Youth Week is available to any youth entering 6th grade in Fall 2026, through graduation seniors

- Cost is $450, of which the Presbytery will cover $125 per student. This leaves $325 for churches and families to split however they choose.  All payments from families should be made to sponsoring churches/schools (the Presbytery will invoice congregations directly, based on the number of youth your church is sending). This is a change in process from years past -- our recommendation would be that churches attempt to cover $200/youth, so that costs for families are limited to $125/youth. This is a great way to invite youth into group fundraising activities and build congregational investment in this experience for your young people. 

- You can read more about the theme and our worship leader in the attached flyer!

Any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We've had fantastic experiences the past few years, I'm excited for both new and returning youth to have this opportunity!

Peace,

Luke Rembold

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Presbytery of Santa Fe

Many Thanks from Beth Miller:

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, phone calls, and texts. They mean so much to me, and I do feel the power of your prayers. I am undergoing cancer treatment and will be for the next months. Many of you have offered your assistance, and as I move through this process, I will probably ask for help. Thank you!

God bless you, and take good care. I trust that God is with me as he always has been. Please continue to pray for me and my healthcare providers.

Beth

Flowers for the Easter Cross

On Saturday, April 4th, at 1pm, we will be having our annual flower cutting party to get them ready to be placed on the cross on Easter Sunday. Please bring scissors if you have them. Thank you!

Our Service

Men & Women

Please keep the following people

in your thoughts & prayers:

RJ Van Sweden - US Marines

Tyler Warren - US Marines

Hayden Smith - Army

Sarah Dimmick - Navy

Sgt. Kevin Lomeli - Army National Guard in Kenya

Kevin A. Baker - US Air Force in England

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.

Prayer Concerns

“And whatever you ask in Prayer, you will receive, if you have Faith.” Matthew 21:22.

Don Underwood - radiation treatments

Beth Miller - cancer treatments

Genevieve Dykehouse - continued recovery at home

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

Protection for Everyone against Flu virus

For DR Congo, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

For all victims of gun violence, war, and unrest.

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

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

505.892.6664

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–3pm