Weekly Witness

March 5, 2026

Sunday, March 8, 2026

3rd Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing campaign begins

Scripture: John 4: 5-42

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: Trust

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Dr. Meredith Beaton

Psalmist: Bill Cox

Greeters: Birgitta Gustafson and Helen Huntley

Ushers: Bill Cox, Craig Kelley, Virginia Kelley, Camise Kettner

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

March Sanctuary Stewards: Birgitta Gustafson and Sharon Hovey

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family and Friends,

During Lent the church has stressed three spiritual disciplines: prayer, fasting and almsgiving (based on Matthew 6: 5-21, the Sermon on the Mount). Last week we considered your prayer life. This week let's consider fasting.

Now in the Jewish tradition fasting has been associated with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Tisha B'Av (the destruction of the Temple). Fasting from food (and sometimes drink) was aimed at repentance, mourning, intercession and spiritual preparation. We have one instance of the Jewish rabbi Jesus fasting for forty days to prepare for his Messianic mission. 

So why would we as Christians fast? There is no requirement that we do so. In fact, Jesus stresses that when and if we fast that we do so "in secret"(Mt. 6:18). When we abstain from food, it is something between us and God alone. It is not for show, but for any number of other reasons: repentance, mourning, intercession, spiritual preparation.

My Easter Orthodox friends fast during much of Holy Week for purposes of 

spiritual preparation for Easter. For us as Presbyterians, maybe fasting should be seen as a way to break the food routine that we often get into. By breaking that habit, maybe we remind ourselves that the "Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Fasting reminds us that our calling is to "peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". Maybe setting aside a meal during the days of Lent could draw us closer to that "peace and joy". Even draw us closer to Christ who fasted forty days. And maybe we can use that meal money for ministries like the Storehouse to help those who are food deprived. 

So during Lent I invite you to consider giving up a meal here and there for your own soul and for the good of others who are hungry.  

Peace and hope,

Frank

Don't Forget!

This Sunday at 2:00am local time, clocks Spring Forward by one hour. You lose one hour of sleep. But we gain more daylight in the evenings.

Don't be late for church!!

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 Three Sunday, March 1 - Saturday, March 7

Week Four Sunday, March 8 - Saturday, March 14

Week Five Sunday, March 15 - Saturday, March 21

Attention Women!

CWU World Day of Prayer

Friday, March 6th

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women's group, is observing the World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 6th at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd NE. The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee fellowship, followed by the service at 10:00. The theme is “I Will Give You Rest, Come”. Each year, a different country serves as the writer of the worship service. This year the service is written by the women of Nigeria. It promises to be unique! Come…and bring a friend!

Men's Breakfast

THIS Saturday,

March 7th

8am

Join us on Saturday for a delicious breakfast, thanks to Bill Wehner.

Michael Hughes will speak on "AI in Action: What It Can Do". There will be a live demonstration of modern AI tools - images, voice, local AI, and practical everyday uses.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Campaign starts March 8 - March 29

Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The work done in support of the causes supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) — disaster, hunger, poverty, climate change, and immigration/migration and refugees —serves individuals and communities in need. This work provides people with safety, sustenance, and

hope.

Received during the season of Lent (Feb. 18–April 5), each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.

The Mission Committee thanks you for promoting and supporting One Great Hour of Sharing, an offering that responds directly to the call to do justice in Micah 6:8 - "What does the Lord require of you? … to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God."

Church Potluck

Capital Campaign Committee

Sunday, March 15th

On Sunday, March 15th, a Potluck will be held 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. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex. Please let us know if you will be coming so we order enough of the main dish.

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

2026 Soup ‘to go’ for Scholars

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

March 22 (order by March 15)

                    Split Pea with Ham

                    Creamy Potato

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 for your continued support.

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 8, 2026 - March 14, 2026

5 Jim Johnson

5 Janice Lemon

5 Graciela (‘Chela’) Rodriguez

7 Bill Kime

7 Steve Sproul

9 Karen Beaton

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

Easter Flowers

Deadline: THIS Sunday, March 8th

This is the LAST week to get your Easter Flowers ordered for Easter Sunday, April 5th!

Forms are available in the Narthex, as you enter the church. Please put the forms in the offering plate or give to Hazel Lathrop. Thank you!

Here are this year's choices:

🌿 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!

Storehouse West Update:

From February 17th until March 2nd, we donated 261 pounds of food!

Thank you so much for your continued generosity!!

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

Sara Dimmick - Navy

Sgt. Kevin Lomeli - Army National Guard in Kenya

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 - medical tests

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