Weekly Witness

October 22, 2026

Sunday, October 25, 2026

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Reformation Sunday - Kirking of the Tartan

Friday: Helen Pederson's funeral: Livestream; Bulletin

Scripture: Psalm 1; Matthew 22: 34-40

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Deborah Huggins

Liturgist: Karen Beaton

Psalmist: Thom Hinks

Greeter: Denise Baker & Karen Williams

Ushers: Pat Gerlach, Betty Jarous, Joan Roschevitz, Joy Sternberg

Flowers: Given by Pat & Leah Gerlach in honor of our 55th Wedding Anniversary!

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

October Sanctuary Stewards: Denise Baker & Beth Miller

November Sanctuary Stewards: Liz Bushma & Sharon Glass

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

Caring for God’s Kingdom together



I start out my mornings with a Spanish lesson on my phone, going over vocabulary and simple sentence structures. I have studied Spanish on and off for 36 years- and it is hard to feel my progress- until I am out somewhere, and I am able to offer a moment of hospitality and connection- when I can find the word I am trying to convey- when I can communicate- in Spanish- then I know that I am actually on a journey that gets me closer and closer to fluency.

Matthew continues to challenge us this week as we think about the greatest commandment. As Jesus urges us to set our hearts, souls, and minds on God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we are reminded about the call to love God and to love others. What I love about this passage is both the utter simplicity of it- and the complete impossibility- all at the same time. This is an aspiration- a goal that we will not be able to achieve in our lifetime- but a goal that moves us to live closer to God every day.

One day, I may be fluent in Spanish- perhaps if I have the chance to live there- or if I can commit to studying, speaking, and reading every day- until then- I stretch my memory, grow my vocabulary, and work on my diction- progress is slow, but the journey is so much fun.

We had a fantastic conversation this week in Bible Study. To prepare for worship next week, you are invited to gather in my office on Monday at 10:00 AM for an hour to read the scripture for the upcoming sermon. Next week, we will focus on Matthew 5: 1-12.

Warmly,

Pastor Deborah

Deadline: THIS Sunday, October 25th

Yes, it's time to order your Christmas Poinsettias for the Sanctuary!

Forms are located in the Narthex. See Hazel or Ginny with questions.

THIS SUNDAY

Remember to wear plaid in honor of Reformation Sunday! (above)

Pop back home after worship and bring your real pets (dogs, cats, anything else in it's proper container) and stuffed animals for a Blessing from 12pm-1pm. We will have cars drive up, give each real pet a sticker, blessing, and a pup cup. Please park then bring your stuffed animals for a blessing, sticker, and ride in Brighty Boo and get ice cream for the whole family! This should be a really fun event! (See below)

Assisted Hearing at

Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church

We are pleased to announce that we have several options available to make our worship more accessible for all listeners. We have an FM hearing loop that can be used with a receiver or your device. We have voice over WiFi available to connect to your phone from Audiofetch, and we have printed copies of our sermon available from any usher. 

Our New Pastor Wants

to meet YOU!

COFFEE ANYONE?

New signup sheets for November are out! Pastor Deborah would love to meet you!! Pop in for a morning drink get-together before you start your day! Suggested time is 8am or 9am. Please feel free to write in what time works for you.

Signup sheet is in the church narthex. Call Ginny with any questions: 505-892-6664.

Lunch with

Pastor Deborah

Every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12pm

Pastor Deborah wants to meet ALL

of our church members and friends! September is booked!

Sign up sheet for October is available now. Bring your lunch and join her in the library. Call Ginny in the office 505-892-6664 and she will gladly help you sign up!

Join Us for Toddler Time

Parents and Caregivers of toddlers are invited to bring children to Toddler Time: a free, structured play group starting Wednesday, November 4th from 9:30am - 11am/ We are excited to welcome you to this fun event!

We are excited to begin registration for our Presbytery of Santa Fe Fall Youth Retreat, November 21-22, this year held at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, ABQ. 

This is a FREE 2 day, 1 night sleepover retreat for youth in grades 6-12. We'll begin with registration Saturday at 9:30 am, and wrap up after worship on Sunday (estimated around 10:45-11 am). Parents and families are also welcome to join us for worship on Sunday, if you'd like! 

All participants are required to register using our registration form. The form will close a week before the retreat so that we can finalize food plans. A packing list will be provided as the date approaches, after registration!

Church Calendar

Oct. 25, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026

Book Club

Our book for October is Best American Short Stories 2024 edited by Lauren Goff.

We will meet at Nancy Henriksen's home on THIS Tuesday, October 27th, at 2pm to discuss the book and have a time of fellowship.

All are invited!

Nancy lives at 507 Cherish St. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Nancy: 505-306-1047.

For those who would like a head start; our November book is Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny.

HAPPY READING!

October Birthdays

20 Kay Peters Johnson

21 Ciprano Chavez

21 Margaret Crowl

21 Roy Schoenneman

23 Roger Ball

24 Camise Kettner

28 April Kron

28 Aksel Strommen

30 Aiden Warren

ALL SAINT'S DAY

NEXT Sunday, November 1st

If you have a loved one who has passed away this past year: brother, sister, parent, or grandparent. We would like to remember them with a toll of the bell in next Sunday's worship service.

Give Ginny the name of your loved one on Sunday or call her at the church office by Tuesday: 505-892-6664.

We also ask that you bring in a food item for Storehouse West in honor of your loved one. Thank you!

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. Sara 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

Thanks from Ginny

Thank you to everyone who sent me and my family cards, phone calls, prayers and hugs for us as we mourn the loss of my mother, Georgia Hale.

She was a nurse, military wife, mother, grandmother, elder and deacon in her church, was very involved in choir, played the organ and piano by ear, was an excellent pie baker, loved to garden, and will truly be missed.

Your thoughtfulness has been most appreciated. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Thank you, all!

 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