Weekly Witness

September 25, 2025

Sunday, Sep 28, 2025

16th Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon Text: Luke 16: 19-31

Livestream. Bulletin.

Liturgist: Hazel Lathrop

Psalmist: Bill Wehner

Greeter: Lyn Kulk

Ushers: Pat Gerlach, Joy Steinberg, Victoria Flick, Steve Sproul

Flowers: Given by the Session in gratitude for Karen Payne

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

September Sanctuary Stewards: Sharon Hovey and Linda Hood

October Sanctuary Stewards: Beth Miller and Denise Baker

Pastor-to-People

This Sunday we will mark an important transition in the life of our congregation.

About three years ago Karen Payne became our office manager. She has served

our congregation well. Karen has a real heart for our members and also those in

need in our community and our nation. There is a real Christ-like concern she has brought to this position. And so we want to thank her for her service to Christ and her service to our congregation. And I want to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

This Sunday we will honor Karen during the worship service and the reception that follows. I would like to ask you the members of the congregation to shower Karen with your cards of appreciation and love. Please bring them to the reception and we will have a container for them. I know your kind words will be most appreciated by Karen as we wish her well in the next stage of her journey.

Also this Sunday we will welcome Ginny O'Neill as our new office manager. Ginny and her family moved to NM last summer from Rhode Island where Ginny served as a church secretary in her Presbyterian congregation. Not only that, but she was also Clerk of the Session and was active in the music ministry. Since joining RRPC, Ginny has sung in our choir and played in our bell choir. Ginny brings a wealth of experience

and knowledge to this position and we are really blessed to have her. Please make her welcome as she settles into her new position.

So this Sunday we give thanks to God for both Karen and Ginny. And we ask God's blessings upon them both. 

Peace and hope,

Frank

Fall Class at UNM by Pastor Frank

Beauty: Its Philosophical, Psychological and Religious Dimensions

We’ll explore what Plato called "the form of the Beautiful," which for him was an eternal blueprint in heaven. Philosophers, psychologists and theologians have long struggled with the meaning of Beauty-its source, its enchantment, its uses and its abuses. Many artistic expressions have been banned over the years-some thinking it quite ugly and others thinking it quite beautiful. So there is always controversy over this question: Is that beautiful or what? We will use as our basic text: Roger Scruton's Beauty: A Very Short Introduction available online.

To register for this course, go to continuinged.unm.edu. Type in Beauty to search for programs. Course #19787.

Men's Breakfast - Saturday, October 4th, 8:00am

Please join us for fellowship and a hearty breakfast by Bill Wehner.

Hello Church Family and Friends,

I would like to thank you for the support you are giving to the music program at our church!



We had a wonderful audience at our concert this past Sunday. Many even participated in a handbell ringing change!

I also want to thank all of the musicians who

shared their time and talent to make the concert happen.

Thanks to your generosity, we are a little over halfway to our goal to have the bells refurbished.

If you would like contribute, please indicate “handbells” on the memo line or envelope with your donation.



With Joy,

Nancy

Fundraiser for Bells' Refurbishment

Sue Phillips will have a display of silk flower arrangements for a freewill offering in the Narthex before and after church for the next three weeks: Sept. 28, October 5 & 12.

The arrangements include Fall, Christmas, Spring, and Easter themed baskets and vases.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and visit with our Mission co-workers Leith and Carol Fujii!

Guest Speaker- Loretta Downs

Loretta Downs, is an internationally known, uplifting and inspiring speaker who teaches lessons from 40 years experience supporting individuals and their loved ones through the end-of-life journey. She has a Master’s degree in gerontology and is a certified advance care planning facilitator. She believes that “There is no age at which death is not on the path with us. Whether preparing for your final chapter or supporting someone you love, awareness and preparation are the keys to creating a good ending.”

She will be providing 2 programs in Fellowship Hall this Saturday, September 27, at NO COST to participants. The schedule will be:

-9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

-10:00 - 11:00 a.m. “Making Friends with Death: A Conversation About Matters Most to You”

-11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Refreshments

-11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. “Advance Care Planning: What Is It? Why Bother Doing It? How Can I Begin?”

If you would like to attend one or both of these programs, please call Victoria Flick, 917-577-4846, to register.

Loretta will also be with us on Sunday, September 28 to provide the Adult CE program, “We Are All Walking Each Other Home”. Dying is a spiritual experience with medical implications. The journey to our final transition cannot be walked alone. After enjoying Fellowship time with us, Loretta will lead us in an exploration of ways to support the end-of-life experience with gratitude and grace so that peace can be reached before the final stage of transformation.  

No registration is needed if you would like to join in the meaningful conversation with Loretta, just find a seat in Classroom A/B at 11:15 a.m.

Building and Grounds

We all know that there are Sanctuary Stewards each month dedicated to ensuring that the sanctuary is ready for Sunday and special services each month. The building and grounds committee is starting a stewardship program to ensure that our church grounds are kept welcoming and beautiful throughout the year.

There are many ways to participate, including such tasks as watering potted plants, picking up trash, weeding, and raking leaves. There is a poster in the narthex with more details, along with a sign-up sheet.

Once we have a list of those willing to serve, we will meet to organize our team. If you have questions talk to Pat Gerlach, Dave Sternberg or Leah Gerlach. Thank you for helping to care for our beautiful church. 

Church Calendar Sept 28 - October 4, 2025

Update from the Pastor Nominating Committee

The Pastor Nominating Committee has been diligently working to find the right pastor to lead Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church. Along the way, we’ve discovered a reality we didn’t anticipate: this is a whole new economy for churches searching for pastors. Costs have risen sharply including salaries, insurance, and benefits (especially for pastors with families).

The good news is that we believe we are close to calling a strong candidate. But to present a competitive and faithful Terms of Call, we need your help.

Your pledge makes the difference. Our Finance Committee has confirmed that even modest increases in pledges across the congregation would give us the ability to extend a call with confidence. This is the time to make sure we can call the pastor God is preparing for us.

We are asking you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge. Even a small increase across our church family can bridge the gap and allow us to extend a competitive offer that will sustain our ministry for years to come.

God has been leading us through this process, and with His guidance and your faithful support, we know we have a bright future with new opportunities. To increase your pledge, contact Beth Miller, (505) 994-2332, or Pam Scalco, (505) 331-8356.

With gratitude,

Your Pastor Nominating Committee

Prayer Concerns

The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. ~Oswald Chambers

Nancy Harris-Ball

Pam Shanklin

Dick Pederson

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

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