Weekly Witness

November 13, 2025

Sunday, November 16, 2025

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Pledge Sunday

Sermon Text: II Thessalonians 3: 6-13

Livestream; Bulletin

Interim Pastor: Rev. Frank Yates

Last Week's Sermon: Resurrection People

Liturgist: Nancy Shambach

Psalmist: Cyndi Pitts

Greeters: Leah & Pat Gerlach

Ushers: Paige Furlano, Beth Miller, Pam Scalco, Karen Williams

Flowers: Given by Marie Fry, in memory of her husband, David Fry

Early Morning Security: Liz Bushma

November Sanctuary Stewards: Liz Bushma and Sharon Glass

Pastor-to-People

Dear RRPC Family,

This Sunday, November 16, two things will happen that I really look forward to.

First, during worship we will celebrate the time, talent and treasure that God has given to our congregation. This is Pledge Sunday so I hope you will bring your pledge cards and your time and talent cards to be presented during the offertory. You will be invited to bring them to the communion table as an act of dedication of yourself to the Lord for this coming year. This is a lovely communal response to God's

amazing grace to us. I hope you come with grateful hearts.

Second, I will be teaching the Adult CE class on Presbyterian 101, especially designed for our new officers and ongoing officers, but open to everyone in the church. This Sunday we will continue through Donald McKim's book Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers. Our topics this Sunday will be The Holy Spirit, Salvation, Church Worship and Sacraments. Quite a lot for one class! Hope you can read ahead and come with your questions and comments.

A final note. My wife Sharon and I will fly to the Yucatan of Mexico on Monday, November 17, and return Wednesday, November 26 (that is, if the airlines are functioning!!). I covet your prayers for us on our vacation to this special place-where we spent our honeymoon in July of 1985. While I am gone, emergency pastoral care will be available courtesy of Rev. Dewey Johnson, Pastor of Rio Grande Presbyterian Church, and our own

Rev. Margaret Crowl. Contact Ginny in the church office if you have a need. 

Peace and hope,

Frank

From Finance and Stewardship Committee

"Grace Upon Grace with Generosity"

“Our generosity is based upon the generous act of Christ on our behalf. Generosity flows from God into our hearts and then we are inspired to be generous.”

We thank those who have submitted their 2026 Pledge Cards and Time/Talent forms. We appreciate your support! This Sunday, November 16, is Pledge Sunday. Those who have not had the opportunity to submit their pledges can do so during the offering time by putting them in the basket that will be on the Communion Table. The Red Box, Pledge and Time/Talent Forms will also be on the counter in the Narthex if you prefer to submit your pledges in that manner.

This congregation has been awesome in supporting the Capital Campaign during the last three years. Your generosity has enabled us to address badly needed upgrades to our building and grounds, and we are confident that you will continue to support the church as we pursue seeking

a new pastor. Your support of our church leadership during the search process and beyond is highly valued. Blessings to all as we move forward with God’s grace and guidance. To Him be all glory.  

Thank you and blessings,

Finance and Stewardship Committee

Generosity (Part 3) - by Bill Wehner

Previously I asked how much you trusted God.

Here is something more to consider. How much do you trust God when things are going really badly? Oh, you probably had been praying to God for help in a tough situation, but when it gets even worse, is your trust still there? You’ve probably thought that God is ignoring you, or even that God may be saying, “oh you think that’s bad…just watch!”

This is a hard one.

Back in 2009 Rhonda and I were financially struggling. We had way more month than money and our three teen-and-older children had become very expensive. I did trust God and asked Him to please help me with our finances!

In God’s very quiet, mysterious way… He did.

I was returning home from my traveling job riding the Railrunner to the Bernalillo/550 station where Rhonda was going to pick me up. Halfway there, she called saying that she was sending a friend instead because she and our youngest son, Chris (learning to drive) were in a head-on collision, and our minivan was wrecked. Very fortunately, no one was hurt besides some cuts and bruises. Both vehicles were a total loss.

Really God? Is this what I get? I asked for help, and you take away our $392 a-month, yet-to-be paid off minivan? Financially struggling and now no vehicle?

I don’t remember much, but this…

Two weeks later I got a letter and a check from our insurance company. The letter said they paid the other owner, paid off our minivan, and the enclosed check of $8,000 was the remaining value of our loss. I mentioned it could be a down payment on another van, but Rhonda said, “no, that is what we have to buy a used car.” She was right. We’d better find a vehicle for that or less. And we did. We found a used Toyota Corolla for $7,800.

Then there was the realization.

God did answer our prayer…in our favor.

No one was hurt. No longer did I have a car payment, and I still had a vehicle to get around.

That was the beginning of our climb out of debt. God showed me that He did hear my prayer and answered me with what was best for me. And He showed me the difference between luxury and necessity. I didn’t see as God sees. He knows best and God does turn bad things to good even when it comes to money. Do I still trust God?

More than ever.

New Email Address



Please update your church directory with the following changes:

Marv & Aloy Bamberg

New email: marvnaloy@myctl.net

Karen Williams

New email: Karewill@gmail.com

Many Hands Needed!

Please sign up for Clean Up Day THIS Saturday! Refreshments will be provided! Call Leah Gerlach at 630-890-1158 to let her know if you are coming.

Let's make our church SPARKLE for the holidays!

Congratulations and welcome to our New Elders and Deacons!

Elders for Class of 2028:

Crystal Mitchell

Nancy Shambach

Karen Williams

David Sternberg

Deacons for Class of 2028:

Karen Beaton

Lyn Kulk

Hazel Lathrop

Lisa Wengerd

November's Book:

Carnegie's Maid

by Marie Benedict

We will be meeting at Nancy Henricksen's home on November 25th 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!



If you'd like a head start, December's book is: The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill.

Thanksgiving Pies 2025

One more week left to order your Thanksgiving Day pie! Fill out a form at the ‘Pie Table’ before or after church. Pies can be ordered by emailing Don Underwood at donunm@gmail.com or calling at 505 903-9889.

Pies will be ready for pickup after church November 23, 2025, until 1pm.

Orders must be placed by THIS Sunday November 16, 2025.

Choice of whole pies which feature homemade crust.

(15 pies of each type are available to order):

Laura’s Mom’s Heirloom Pumpkin Pie by Laura Gonzales: $18

                       A Thanksgiving Tradition

Decadent Maple Pecan Pie by Victoria Flick: $18

                     Real maple syrup makes this a special pie

Old Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie by Nancy Leffler: $18

         Homemade chocolate custard and fresh meringue

                 Definitely a favorite of chocolate lovers

Classic Apple Pie is SOLD OUT!



Whole Pies: Pumpkin, Pecan, and Chocolate pies are baked and will be ready to eat after thawing. Enjoy the aroma of the apple pie as you bake it in your oven at home.

Pie Slices: Fresh slices of Pumpkin and Chocolate pie can also be ordered.



Old Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie by Nancy Leffler: $5                 

Laura’s Mom’s Heirloom Pumpkin Pie by Laura Gonzales: $5

There will be a limited number of pies and pie slices available, so order early. 

Scholarships of Grace are awarded each summer to youth who are continuing their education on a certificate program or college and who were active or their families were active in our church during their high school careers. Scholarships are $600/year for up to five years. If we have a good fund-raising year, scholarships may be larger.

Church Calendar November 16-22, 2025

Dollars For Deacons

Normally held on the third Sunday of the month, our Dollars For Deacons collection will be held on Sunday, November 23rd. Special envelopes will be included in your bulletin. Money collected will help our deacons tend to the direct needs of our congregation. Thank you for your generosity!

November Birthdays

17 Addyson Landon

18 Dave Sternberg

19 Wandalea Henson

20 Ona Mitchell

23 Dave Levensen

25 Josh Landon

26 Pam Scalco

29 Maria Chávez, Priscilla Landon

News from Aloy Bamberg

concerning holiday meals

Storehouse West will not be able to provide Holiday food this year as they are struggling to feed the clients each month now. SHW and the Board are doing all they can just to meet the monthly needs and the client list is growing and growing.  ALL donations now are for their daily needs.  

Current needs:

• Soup
• Fruits & vegetables
• Meat or meat pouches
• Tomato products
• Pasta Sauce & Pasta
• 1 lb. or 2 lb. bags of Rice
• 1lb. bags of Dried Beans
• Ramen noodles
• 16 oz. plastic jars of Peanut Butter
• Breakfast Cereal
• Shelf stable Milk of all types No GLASS JARS, please!

Please consider donating food or money for our neighbors in need. The Mission Committee thanks you for your gifts.

Storehouse West Food Pantry: 1030 Veranda Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM (505) 892-2077 www.storehousewest.org

Let's gather together for Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27th

11am-1pm

Fellowship Hall

Please see the sign up sheet in the narthex, or call Ginny at the church office to add you to the list: 505-892-6664.

For any questions, see Liz Bushma.

We hope you can join us!

Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering

On November 30, we will be inviting our church family to participate in the Thank Offering. This offering has been part of Presbyterian Women’s mission since the 1880s.

In 2025, the Creative Ministries Offering Committee of the Presbyterian Women received 37 Thanks Offering applications. After prayerful consideration ten projects were awarded funding. These projects will provide funding for such services as housing, much needed food, health care, and children at risk. The ten projects are located in many parts of our country, from Alaska, to New York, to Nebraska, to Louisiana, and Kentucky to name a few.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We thank you in advance for your participation. Remember, on November 30th, there will be special envelopes for this offering. If you have questions, please contact either Liz Buzhma or Leah Gerlach. We are so thankful for our most generous church family.

RRPC Presbyterian Women

Help Us Decorate for Christmas!

Sunday, November 23rd

(after worship)

The Worship Committee invites you to help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, November 23 right after worship. This is a joyful task and many hands make light work!



Please mark your calendars and join us!

Deadline: Sunday, November 23rd

It's that time of year again when the Worship Committee asks our RRPC family to volunteer to write a page of our Advent Devotional. The theme this year is Gifts of the Spirit: the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. You can reflect on when you have experienced those gifts, or how we can give those gifts to others in this dark time. You can also share a holiday recipe, craft or tradition for this devotional! If you signed up on Sunday, thank you! If you would like to participate, please email Birgitta at birgus61@gmail.com. I will also have a table set up this coming Sunday. The deadline for all submissions is Sunday, Nov. 23. 

Help Relieve Medical Debt

We now have a wonderful opportunity to lighten the burden of medical debt for many New Mexicans. The partnership between the Presbytery of Santa Fe and PHF allows donations collected by the Presbytery to purchase uncollected medical debt owed to Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) at the rate of $0.07 on the dollar. PHS writes off the remaining $0.93. Patients who receive debt forgiveness are randomly selected using an algorithm based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, with a focus on those who work, sometimes at multiple jobs, but do not earn enough to live on. PHS provides 100% financial assistance to all patients with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, so the program aims to help those that do not qualify for total assistance. Every patient whose debt is forgiven is notified by PHS that a financial contribution from the churches of the Presbytery of Santa Fe and its partners has covered their debt.

Over the past three years, our total collected contribution from churches, individuals, and faith partners is $118,043. This amount has erased over $1.68 million of medical debt for 899 individuals in New Mexico.

Just a $10 donation forgives $142 of medical debt; a $25 donation forgives $357 of medical debt. The potential benefits and blessings to the people of New Mexico are enormous, as PHS operates nine hospitals and serves one in three New Mexicans with healthcare or coverage. We encourage other faith communities to participate in this effort to bring peace and comfort to our New Mexico community. 

All donations should be made through the Presbytery of Santa Fe and received before December 15th to be included in the 2025 contribution.

To access their website, click HERE.

Prayer Concerns

“Prayer is asking God to align you with His will rather than asking Him to be aligned with yours.”

Karen Payne, knee surgery & recovery

Jim McInroy

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

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

For all victims of gun violence, war, unrest

and all those recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

 Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

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

505.892.6664

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9am–3pm