Weekly Witness

May 21, 2026

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Day of Pentecost

Church's 40th Birthday Celebration

Dollars for Deacons Offering

Scripture: John 20: 19-23, Psalm 104: 24-34, Acts 2: 1-21

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: And Jesus Prayed

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Hazel Lathrop

Psalmist: Thom Hinks

Greeters: Liz Bushma & Ginger Wall

Ushers: Pat Gerlach, Sharon Hovey, Steve Sproul, Joy Sternberg

Early Morning Security: Craig Kelley

Flowers: Given by Leah & Pat Gerlach for Pentecost

May Sanctuary Stewards: Crystal Mitchell and Karen Williams

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

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.

Dear RRPC Family & Friends,

On Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1986, in the Community Auditorium in Rio Rancho, the brand new Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church was chartered by the Presbytery of Santa Fe. The organizing pastor, Rev. Kay Huggins, welcomed 80 charter members into the fold. 

This Sunday, on our 40th anniversary, I want to give thanks for six of those charter members who are still members of our congregation: (in alphabetical order) Nancy and Scott Henricksen, Lori and Blake Osburn, and Sue and Roger Phillips. We give thanks for your faithfulness and your perseverance through all these years. And we celebrate with you the forty years of your service to Christ in this congregation. We are indebted to you all and grateful for you all.

Peace and hope,

Frank

Words from Pastor Kay

Dear RRPC Family & Friends,

When we began 40 plus years ago, we could not imagine this day of celebration! 

We were an eager group of about 25, quite spontaneous and Spirit-driven. We didn’t have a blue-print or a how-to-become-a-church manual. Moreover, we were a strange blend of younger and older, richer and poorer, Easterners, Mid-westerner, Northwesterners, and New Mexicans; most had a dash of Presbyterianism.  On chartering day, there were about 80 members joining and one child, Stephanie Lawlor being baptized, excepting more, we held the charter “open" until, at the end of 1986, we numbered over 100. 

At first, we dreamed on the scale of us; we wanted a home! But when forced to wait for “the way to be clear” to build (nine long months), our vision expanded from "just-for-us" to “who is our neighbor” mission/ministry with the surrounding community…and the promise of more yet to come. At several points, when we thought we were stalled…the Spirit moved into our dreams providing new possibilities. Out of a little, much was made. Now, 40 years have been filled with so, so, so many faith stories of visions and dreams, of determination to share and uplift, of supplications and surprises. God is faithful; every Pentecost comes with a new surge of energy and grace. 

May it be so today! May the RRPC worshipping community be blessed with excitement, a bit of confusion, and a powerful sense that God is indeed at work in/through this beloved congregation. 

Blessings on your day, 

George and Kay Huggins  

Words from Pastor Kathy

Beloved RRPC Friends,

Congratulations on your 40^th anniversary as a congregation! What a journey it has been! So much to celebrate, so much for which to be grateful.

Forty is a significant number in scripture and usually marks a time of significant transformation and new beginnings.

We can look at Noah’s 40 days on the ark, Moses’ 40 days on the mountain from which came the ten commandments. There are the 40 years the Hebrews traveled in the wilderness to become a people and a nation and the 40-year reigns of David and Solomon. Elijah spent 40 days in the wilderness before being sent out again to do the prophetic work of God. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before starting his earthly ministry and as a Risen Christ spent 40 days appearing to his followers before ascending to heaven. Each of these were times of growth, either for one of God’s servants, or for God’s people. Each were times of setting a new direction led by God. In each instance, the time spent was God’s time to care for, renew, and guide those who were part of the divine plan for God’s people.

This has been such a time for you, as well! You are about to start a new adventure with a wonderful new pastor who, with God’s help, will serve alongside you, as together, you discern God’s path for this chapter of your life as a congregation. Everything God has done with you up to now has brought you to this point. It is my prayer that you will continue to be faithful and loving disciples of Jesus, open to the leading of the Holy Spirit among you. God has already done great things in these past forty years- imagine what the next forty will hold!

Gratefully,

Pastor Kathy Westmoreland

Words from our New Pastor, Deborah Huggins

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet".

-Frederick Buechner 

Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC, 1973.

When I worshiped with you in April, Savannah Ball invited me to join you on Mother’s Day for your Youth Service. I was delighted to join you for worship online, and I was overjoyed to see the organization, inclusivity, and faithfulness of our young people as they led our community in worship. 

It was so clear that our young people had been called by God, and our congregation to lead us in worship, as they continue to lead us into who God is calling us to be. 

For the last year we have heard a lot about “the call process”- or how a church hires a new pastor- but call, or vocation, goes way beyond Pastors and nominating committees. 

Theologian Fredrich Buechner wrote that God gives each of us different gifts and skills- things that we love, and that we are good at. He also tells us that the world is full of need. Vocation, according to Buechner, is when we can find places where those two things come together. This, he says, is where we find God’s presence and love, and where we find our purpose.

Vocation- or God’s call- is for each of us- not just in big transitions- but for small ones too. Children learn to consider what Jesus would do when learning about right and wrong, Young adults wrestle with the question of call as they think about college and career. And even when our lives are more settled and planned, we have to rely on God every day to make ethical decisions at work and at home, and our retirees pray about what their second chapter may be. Each of us learns to rely on God when we make decisions, seeking God’s voice every day. 

On Sunday, it was clear that our young people heard, and responded to God’s call to leadership in our church- in planning, in writing and choosing prayers, in reflecting the work of the church and showing us our strengths. And, it was just as clear how dearly our community holds these young leaders, affirming God’s call in their lives. Thank you so much for the invitation to worship with you. 

40 years of ministry together in Rio Rancho - what a beautiful legacy of hope, service, grace and love celebrated today. You have blessed this community for the last four decades. I am so honored to be called as your new pastor, to be part of God's work with you, and I cannot wait to see what God will do among us in our next season. As we reflect on this anniversary, I hope that you will share stories, laugh together, and see not only all of the fun that you have had, but that God will give you glimpses of your strengths - the special gifts that God is calling you to share. There is such a strong and beautiful history here. I pray that God will continue to help us share our gifts and strengths to meet the world's deepest needs, right here in our neighborhood and beyond. Congratulations, and many blessings!

As I continue to prepare to be with you this fall, I am overjoyed to see how the Holy Spirit is blowing through our lives- I am excited to see how God is calling us together- and how God is preparing us, calling us to serve together in Rio Rancho. 

I continue to pray for God’s love and grace, for healing and wholeness, for wisdom and patience. See you in September!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Deborah

50s Drive-In Fundraiser

The 50s Drive-In Diner fundraiser was

a tremendous success. The Scholarship Committee raised enough money to fully fund 1 scholarship. A big thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and music. Aside from a bit of wind, a good time was had by all. Keep your eyes pealed for the scoop on another fun event coming up soon.  

Thanks, Christie

CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF ROUTE 66

IN NEW MEXICO

Hazel Lathrop will be giving her Route 66 presentation:

Tijeras Canyon: 5 Miles of Road and Hundreds of Stories

at the Raymond Sanchez Community Center

9800 4th St NW

Loma Colorado Library

Saturday, May 23^rd at 11am

For more information about the series and the dozen locations for presentations go to:

New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series: Home

Birthday Celebration               

& Pentecost Sunday

THIS Sunday, May 24th

Join us on Sunday, May 24th after worship to celebrate the birthday of the founding of our church and also Pentecost Sunday! We will be wearing fire colors (reds, oranges) for Pentecost. The menu includes pulled pork and pulled turkey sliders, various salads and two huge celebration cakes of chocolate and vanilla. This is a great day to invite neighbors and friends. See the sign up sheet in the narthex to let us know you're coming!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP IN ADVANCE! If you forgot to sign up, just COME! There's always enough food.

And THANK YOU to Shirley & Don Underwood for organizing

such a great event!

2 Cents-a-Meal:

Keep the Cornucopia Full!

On Sunday, May 31, the

2 Cents-a-Meal Offering will be received and given to Storehouse West.

For many in our community, SHW provides access to a cornucopia of nutritious food. Because of the current economic conditions of rising inflation and job losses, many families cannot afford to purchase food. At the same time, SHW’s resources are being squeezed by inflation, affecting how much food they can purchase and keep on hand. Single parents, the disabled, persons with limited education and job skills, and retirees are among those most in need of help. Your gifts can put food on their tables, a smile on their faces, and give them a sense of hope. Please give as you are able. The Mission Committee thanks you for caring for our neighbors.

And a P.S. - Want to give more often? Look for the jar labeled for Storehouse West in the narthex on Sunday mornings and drop in your spare change or spare dollars. Every little bit adds up to make a difference for those in need. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE!

Women's Fashion Show & Luncheon

Saturday, June 13th

11am - 4pm

Sponsored by the Cato Store

Suggested Donation $15

Come on out for a spectacular event to benefit the Church Stucco Project! A chicken salad lunch will be provided. There will be three drawings for $50 gift cards from Cato's and Les Combes!

Come and cheer on RRPC's own models! This is a great opportunity to invite friends for a fun & relaxed time!!

Please see the sign up sheet in the Narthex.

If you have any questions,

please see Meredith Beaton or Betty Jarous.

Church Calendar

May 24, 2026 - May 30, 2026

From the Kitchen

If you bring and leave anything in the kitchen, the fridge or freezer Please label it with your name, date, and who/what it is for. If left unlabeled it might be thrown away. It is very helpful to know what item is intended for. Thank you so much.

May Birthdays



15 Erin Carrasco

16 Chris Dyer

19 Rodger Kane

24 Pat Gerlach

25 Tori Van Sweden

29 Ndingsa Fomukong

Building & Grounds

Suggestion Box

If you have a question, good idea, or want to help, we have a suggestion box on the counter in the narthex. Paper and pen is available. Please leave us a note!

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. Harrison 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.

SHOW YOUR CARE!

Please stop by the attractive wooden CARE NOTE display in the narthex! You will find helpful pamphlets on a range of timely topics from Dealing with Illness to How to Pray. These ecumenical notes are thoughtfully written and not at all preachy. Consider CARE NOTES for yourself as well as friends or family – anyone who might need a little extra support… If you have any questions, please see Linda Hood.

Prayer Concerns

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

Victoria Flick - surgery recovery

Linda Maddux - further treatment

Pat McCreary - recovery at home

Beth Miller - cancer treatments

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

Protection for Everyone against our dreaded allergy season!

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

Office email: manager@rrpchurch.org