Weekly Witness

September 10, 2026

Sunday, September 13, 2026

16th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Psalm 103: 1-13; Matthew 18: 21-35

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: I Am With You

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Deborah Huggins

Liturgist: Thom Hinks

Psalmist: Dave Shambach

Greeters: Birgitta Gustafson & Victoria Flick

Ushers: Denise Baker, Bill Cox, Virginia Kelley, Craig Kelley

Flowers: In honor of Marv & Aloy Bamberg

on their 70th Wedding Anniversary!

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

September Sanctuary Stewards: Sharon Hovey & Hazel Lathrop

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

How is God calling us to treat one another in our homes, church, and community? 

We had such a lovely Sunday! Thank you all for coming together to worship God- to make a joyful noise, and to bear witness to the grace and love we have received through faith! We started our first coffee and lunch dates this week- and I cannot wait for more! Our congregation has such beautiful stories and experiences to share.  

Our theme this month is all about being part of this amazing community- the church. Matthew is giving us the perfect readings to think about and strengthen our relationships together. My prayer is that this is a time of not only getting to meet all of you- but also for you to use this time to connect and reconnect with one another. Over the next three months, our focus is on getting to know one another.   

Last week, we started to think about conflict- and how we can use those hurts to move toward one another. This week we are focusing on the power of forgiveness. Matthew is giving us so much material to reflect on the question: How is God calling us to treat one another in our homes, church, and community? 

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 20:1-16. If you cannot join us in person, I invite you to participate from home using the practice of lectio Divina: 

  - First reading: Get a feel for the passage—what do you see, hear, smell, or feel? 

  - Second reading: Listen for a word or phrase that resonates with you. 

  - Third reading: Ask God how this passage is calling you into action, whether big or small. 

For more information on Lectio Divina, you can check out: https://www.upperroom.org/resources/lectio-divina-praying-the-scriptures 

With grace, joy and love, 

Pastor Deborah

R.E.A.D. IN BEAUTY BOOKMOBILE

(Reading Empowers Adventures & Dreams)

The bookmobile is one of the programs of Chinle Planting Hope, an organization dedicated to building community, living with hope, and walking in beauty.

Through the month of September, the Mission Committee asks for donations of children’s books. The list is provided by the bookmobile staff through Kathy Mitchell, daughter of RRPC member Ruthie Mitchell, and sister to members Ona and Crystal. Suggestions are as follows:

1.    Dog Man

2.     I Survived, series (including the new graphic novels)

3.     Ninja Cat books

4.     Captain Underpants

5.     The Baby-Sitters Club (new additions and graphic novels)

Books are always a priority for us, followed by incentives for children who return their books. …. While these are particularly popular with elementary students, any donations are greatly appreciated and help the Bookmobile tremendously.  I am truly thankful for any support provided to the children of Chinle and the surrounding communities. 

God be with you, Crystal

Please consider donating books to the Planting Hope Bookmobile in Chinle, AZ. You can place your donations on the display table in the narthex. At the end of September, the books will be blessed by Pastor Deborah.

Our New Pastor Wants

to meet YOU!

COFFEE ANYONE?

Every Monday and Tuesday in September, join Pastor Deborah in her office for coffee or tea. She would love to meet everyone in the church, and for those who work or are unavailable during the day, pop in for a morning drink get-together before work! Suggested time is 8am, but feel free to change to 7am or 7:30am to adjust to your schedule.

Signup sheet is in the church narthex. See Ginny with any questions.

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!

Attention Bell Choir

Fall Tune-Up is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th from 9am-12pm at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. Cost is $12.00 each. This is a great opportunity to brush up on skills and learn new techniques. Please let Nancy know if you can attend. We will submit one check for our group.

And there will be plenty of time to rest before coming to church for puzzle night!

Hope to see you there!

Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concerts

A concert to benefit Habitat for Humanity at

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

All are welcome!

Saturday, September 19, 3 PM: Sweet Jazz, headlined by Allison Davis, the host of the Jazz Hour on KUNM

From the Presbytery

Please forward this invitation to your finance leaders:

Join church finance leaders for a day of learning and sharing best practices. Hear about trends, tools, and stewardship methods to help build your church's financial sustainability. 

Saturday, September 26 from 9 am – 2 pm

La Mesa Presbyterian Church

7401 Copper Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM

This workshop is for pastors, elders, staff, and finance leaders; teams are more than welcome. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Those with long travel times can contact the Presbytery office to arrange hotel accommodations.

Church Calendar

Sept 13, 2026 - Sept 19, 2026

Book Club

Our Book Club resumes in September! Newcomers welcome!!

Our book for September is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.

We will meet at Nancy Henriksen's home on Tuesday, September 29, 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'd like a headstart; our October book is Best American Short Stories 2024 edited by Lauren Goff.

HAPPY READING!

September Birthdays

3 Ben Wakashige

4 Rebecca Isaacs

5 Aloy Bamberg

5 Roger Phillips

7 Tyler Landon

8 Carol Madden

9 Carolyn Sinclair-Shaw

15 Genevieve Dykehouse

16 Pegge Emery

18 Sue Phillips

19 Rachel Wirth

22 Socorro Tafoya

23 Kevin Cambell, Jack Mishos

25 Scott Henriksen

25 Grace Warren

30 Bob Crowley

30 Carol Nieling

New Email Address

Birgitta Gustafson has a new email address: bgustafson61@pm.me

Please update your directory or request one from Ginny in the office. manager@rrpchurch.org.

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

Prayer Concerns

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..."

Helen Pederson - prayers, test results

Len Kulk - surgery recovery

Bob Kettner - pulmonary embolism

Camise Kettner - as she starts school

Birgitta Gustafson - starting radiation Sept 3

Bill Wehner - continued recovery

Beth Miller - prayers, surgery recovery

Anne Kinney - chemo treatments

Margaret Crowl's sister, Ellen - treatments

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

For all victims of the fires across Canada and the United States. We are at an all-time high: Level 5 Fire Preparedness!!!

Praying for MORE RAIN!!

 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