Weekly Witness

June 4, 2026

Sunday, June 7, 2026

2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Communion

Scripture: Genesis 12: 1-9, Psalm 50: 7-15, Romans 4: 13-25

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: A Triune Commission

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Liturgist: Steve Sproul

Psalmist: Bill Cox

Communion Servers: Bill Cox, Marjorie Davison, Leah & Pat Gerlach, Sharon Glass, Pam Scalco

Greeters: Marie Fry & Karen Williams

Ushers: Paige Furlano, Betty Jarous, Arlene Thomas, Ginger Wall

Flowers: Given by PW Bible Study Group in honor of Marjorie Davison's 98th birthday!

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

June Sanctuary Stewards: Linn Jenkins and Cyndi Pitts

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Join us Sunday, as we celebrate Marjorie Davison's 98th birthday!

All are invited!

Dear RRPC Family & Friends,

Looking ahead to my last three months with you as interim, I have decided to focus the summer sermons on the lectionary readings from Paul's Letter to the Romans. I really do love that letter and look forward to thinking with you about the implications of Paul's thoughts for our life in Christ.

One could argue that the Reformation began when that Augustinian monk in

Wittenburg, Germany, Martin Luther began studying the Letter to the Romans. Luther felt that the heavens opened when he realized that justification by faith was God's gift to us, not something we could somehow earn. That realization undergirded all the teaching he then did on Romans at the university in his city. And that insight was the basis of his preaching in the university chapel. That teaching and preaching sparked the fire that would become the Reformation. 

Every time the church has experienced renewal and revitalization, somehow Paul's Letter to the Romans seems to be in the mix. That happened again in the 1920's when Karl Barth's commentary on Romans was published. This "Neo-Orthodox" take on Paul led to theological renewal throughout Europe and America. Barth's influence can still be felt. Certainly I still feel Barth's influence upon me.

So I invite you to carefully read the Letter to the Romans again and ask yourself these questions:

What is Paul saying to me in my faith journey? What is Paul saying to the church? And finally what is Paul saying to the world? I do believe that the Spirit continues to speak to the church, and I do believe Romans can help us hear the Word of the Lord.

Have a blessed summer,

Frank

P.S. Our church library has books on Paul and the Letter to the Romans. Take a look!

The Chronicles of Narnia

This Sunday, after worship service, we will be having a discussion in classroom A & B on The Chronicles of Narnia, with Pastor Frank and Joy Sternberg. Please join us!

Donations and Stuff

From the Worship Committee:

We have noticed that some items have been apparently donated to the church and left in the worship closet behind the cross and in the banner closet in the library. We ask that anyone who has items they would like to give the church to please talk to Ginny about the items first so that she can pass the information to the appropriate committee. We have very little storage space and are not in need of additional items related to worship. Items related to worship (like banners and paraments) must be approved by the worship committee. Thanks for your assistance with this!

THANK YOU!

Our Storehouse West collection total from last Sunday was $400.07! Thank you all for your generosity!

[And a shout out to Dave, Joy, Pat and Leah for transporting the donated food to the Storehouse West facility. We are grateful for your service.]

Men's Breakfast

THIS Saturday, June 6th

8:00am

Please join us for a great breakfast and fellowship.

Pastor Frank will be speaking to us about Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.

PLEASE NOTE: The Men's Breakfast will not be meeting in July. Next meeting will be Saturday, August 1st.

Service of Justice and Hope

Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Las Placitas Presbyterian Church

7 Paseo De San Antonio Rd, Placitas, NM

On Wednesday, June 10, at 6:00 p.m., the Presbytery of Santa Fe is invited to gather at the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church and worship together for a Service of Justice and Hope.

As a community of faith, we can shine God’s light into the world’s darkness, refusing to keep our light in the sanctuary but instead revealing a new dawn for those whose vision had dimmed, and conveying the warmth of love, mercy, and compassion in the cold corridors of cruelty and indifference.

The light of the world is not just a metaphor; it is God’s power that shapes a new reality through the steady glow of the many faithful disciples whose brilliance will not dim. So please join us as we worship together at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church for a Service of Justice and Hope.

It's NOT TOO LATE to SIGN UP!

Women's Fashion Show & Luncheon

NEXT 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.

Congregational Meeting

to Elect a New Deacon

Sunday, June 14th

We will have a brief Congregational Meeting at the beginning of our worship service to elect Betty Jarous as our newest deacon. If the way be clear, we will ordain and install her later in the service. Please plan to attend!

Come view an original

German Enigma cipher machine

Saturday, June 27th

3pm - 6pm    

Calling all history buffs and computer nerds! 

During World War II, a major allied effort was breaking the codes created 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, June 27, 3 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.  

Please note: So that everyone can have an “up close and personal” experience, attendance will be limited to twenty people. However, if there is sufficient interest, Dave will do a second presentation later this summer. 

Suggested donation for the stucco project: $20 per person.  Sign up on the clipboard in the narthex. 

Refresh and Reset Our Church Home

It's time for some Spring Cleaning! In the next couple months, some decluttering, cleaning, rearranging and painting will be completed in anticipation of the arrival of our new pastor Rev. Deborah Huggins in September. Be on the look out for new artwork provided by Betty Gobeille and Nancy Shambach.

Church Calendar

June 7, 2026 - June 13, 2026

Rio Rancho

Presbyterian Church:

The First 25 Years 1986-2011

Helen Huntley took on the huge job of researching and putting together a history of RRPC. Members provided photos and memories

and proofreading of the final document but it was the huge effort of Helen that made this history a reality. Nowhere in this publication

does she take credit. We do so now.

We honor and thank her for this contribution to our beloved church.

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 each item is intended for. Thank you so much.

June Birthdays

6 Adam Pitts, Gerald Tafoya, Gus Tafoya

7 Laura Gonzales

8 Kevin Johnson, Glenna Leffler

9 Marjorie Davison

11 Jimmie Leonard

12 Margaret Furlano, Dave Shambach

14 GregJones, Lee Malmo

17 Linda Hood

18 Ginger Wall

20 Millie Crabb

22 Linda Downey

23 Shirley Underwood

24 Marj Austin, Pat McCreary

25 Len Kulk

27 Tom Pitts

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.

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.

Margaret Crowl's sister, Ellen - treatments

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