Weekly Witness

March 19, 2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026

5th Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

Scripture: Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: A House of Prayer For All People

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Cyndi Pitts

Psalmist: Cyndi Pitts

Greeters: Marie Fry & Ginger Wall

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

Early Morning Security: Steve Sproul

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.

Praying together 

for our partners in Cuba

Tonight!

Thursday, March 19

7:30 pm ET

While the call above from the apostle Paul is straightforward, living into the invitation to not be anxious, to let our concerns be known before God, and to do so with thanksgiving reads as a tall order given everything we know is happening throughout the world.

As the Cuba Partners Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (CPN), we are especially concerned for the people in Cuba because we share deep bonds of fellowship, mission, shared witness, and friendship with our Presbyterian-Reformed siblings.

St. James, the epistle writer, affirms that the “prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” In that spirit, we invite all of our CPN partners to an intentional, dedicated time of prayer tonight, Thursday, March 19 at 7:30pm ET. (5:30pm, mountain time).

Individually and collectively, we will offer prayers for our siblings, sister congregations, and ecclesial structures of the Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada en Cuba (IPRC), and for the people in Cuba.

Our invitation is to let our requests be known to God for health and well-being of all who live in Cuba, for courage and strength for our siblings in their witness and community presence, and for wisdom and increased faith for those who lead and guide the Presbiterio del Centro, the Presbiterio de Matanzas, and the Presbiterio de La Habana.

We echo the words of the message of the XV Synod of the IPRC to the whole church - 

Cuba needs change! We urgently need to breathe joy again and feel once more that truth, justice, and respect for our dignity as human beings are a palpable reality in the streets of (Cuba)… Presbyterian people: The time has come to walk hand in hand!.. The time has come to walk hand in hand as Cubans! To confront injustices, poor decisions, empty rhetoric detached from daily needs, and the lack of solutions that increasingly distance us from the society we dream of, need, and deserve.

May the example of God, who made the divine present with and alongside the disenfranchised of the world, make us resolute in our prayers, actions, and presence with and on behalf of the people of Cuba, and for a nation -- theirs and ours -- that truly lives up to its promises of solidarity, well-being, peace and dignity for all.

The Steering Committee

PC(USA) Cuba Partners Network

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family and Friends,

What a joy it was to gather around tables at our potluck luncheon last Sunday!

Many thanks to our Fellowship Elder Karen Williams for spearheading this event and all her helpers, especially those who brought food to share. It was a great meal and a wonderful celebration of what God has done among us these last three years.

Denise Baker did a wonderful job outlining all that has been accomplished because of God's grace and your generosity. It is a beautiful thing when the people of God come together for a common task, as was the case in the days of Haggai the prophet!

Now my great hope is that we can come together for the last project-the stucco job. All of us in New Mexico realize that stucco has to be redone eventually and our building is overdue. So we have $60,000 in the account now and the project will probably cost a bit over $100,000. So here is my hope.Can we come together over the next several months to raise the final amount? I truly hope so. I would love to present a finished stucco project to the new pastor whenever that person arrives. Wouldn't that be a great gift from all of us! 

I encourage you to pray and consider how you would like to participate on this final leg of our marvelous journey together. More to come.

Thanks be to God!

Frank

Church Potluck

Capital Campaign Committee

and Project Management Team

Thank you to everyone who donated food and time for our wonderful potluck send-off in thanks and gratitude for the Capital Campaign organizers and our Project Management team! The food was wonderful!!

Special thanks to our kitchen staff lead by Karen Williams who did an absolutely amazing job of setting up, organizing and serving such a wonderful meal! All of you: Kathy, Melina and Savannah, jumped right in with a "can-do" attitude and for that we are truly thankful!

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 Five Sunday, March 15 - Saturday, March 21

Week Six Sunday, March 22 - Saturday, March 28

Week Seven Sunday, March 29- Saturday, April 4th

OFFERING

3 opportunities to give

March 22^nd | March 29^th | April 5^th

Thank you for your generosity!

Your Mission Committee

One Great Hour of Sharing

More Ways Our Gifts to OGHS Are Used

PCUSA works not only in the US, but also throughout the world to alleviate hunger and poverty and to stand up for the “Least of These.”

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

Hope Restoration South Sudan

Supported over 20,000 women and girls by raising awareness about

gender-based violence, providing vocational training in tailoring and

bead-making, and improving economic self-sufficiency to reduce

dependency and vulnerability.

Taste of Peace “New Neighbors” (Ohio)

This ministry helps refugee women market their sweet and savory treats

to farmers market patrons and other customers in the Columbus area.

The mission is to work with, assist, and provide equitable opportunities

and enfranchisement to the local refugee population within the Greater

Columbus area by providing the tools, resources, and opportunities to

create economic stability and support for refugee women to be culinary

entrepreneurs.

Immigration and Refugees Ministry with the Least of These

The work and ministry of PC(USA) offices, advocates, and partners enable the

church to provide direct support to those navigating the complexities of the

immigration system, advocate for compassionate and just immigration laws

and policies, and collaborate with partners who directly respond to these

critical and complex issues in a range of communities and settings. Through

these ongoing efforts, the PC(USA) seeks to embody Christ’s call to justice,

compassion, and welcome for all who journey in search of safety and hope.

OGHS provides resources for the PCUSA to alleviate hunger and need and to pave a way for immigrants and refugees to receive justice and compassion. The Mission Committee of RRPC is grateful for your support in these efforts.

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

2026 Soup ‘to go’ for Scholars

Reminder – Pickup your soup order after church 3/22/2026

If you ordered Split Pea with Ham or Creamy Potato Soup from the Scholarship Committee, your soup will be ready for pickup after church 3/22/2026. Please pick up your order by 1pm.

Forgot to order? …  We may have a few extra containers of soup for sale after church 2/22/2026.

If you are unable to pickup your order, please call Don Underwood at 505 903-9889 to make alternative arrangements.

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.

On Sunday, March 29^th

Susan Keil Smith

will be presenting

a slideshow and discussion

about her recent visit to

Cuba

Please join us after worship

in classrooms A and B

Your Mission Committee

Church Calendar

March 22, 2026 - March 28, 2026

With Heartfelt Sympathy

We are saddened to announce the loss of Jim Johnson, longtime member of Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church.

Click here for his obituary.

Please keep his son, Don, and his family in your prayers.

https://www.frenchfunerals.com/obituaries/jim-johnson

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

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