Weekly Witness

September 24, 2026

Sunday, September 27, 2026

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Book Drive and Cuba Partners Dedication

Scripture: Psalm 25: 1-9; Matthew 21:23-32

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: It's Not Fair  

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Deborah Huggins

Liturgist: Nancy Shambach

Psalmist: Bill Cox

Greeters: Liz Bushma & Ginger Wall

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

Flowers: Given in honor of Cyndi & Tom Pitts' 30th Anniversary!

Early Morning Security: Pat Gerlach

September Sanctuary Stewards: Sharon Hovey & Hazel Lathrop

October Sanctuary Stewards: Beth Miller and Denise Baker

Director of Music: Nancy Leffler

Accompanist: Nathan Secrest

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

In our last Sunday focusing on how God calls us to be the church together, we are looking at the parable of the two brothers in the vineyard. In the story, on brother refuses to help, and then has a change of heart and goes out to tend the vineyard, while the second brother says he will help, but does not.   

This parable is an important one in the life of the church- it challenges us to question where God is calling us, and we are not listening? Where do we need to repent? The second brother challenges us to look where God is calling us, and we think we are answering that call, but we have grown complacent. This passage challenges us to ask- where do we need to wake up to God’s call in our lives? Repentance and renewal are two ways to find God’s abundance and grace- hearing and responding to God’s call.  

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 

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, October 11th

11am (after worship)

Please plan to attend a special Congregational meeting to elect a deacon and to discuss and vote on the Pastor's terms of call.

R.E.A.D. IN BEAUTY BOOKMOBILE

(Reading Empowers Adventures & Dreams)

This is the LAST WEEK to donate books for the children of Chinle! We will have a special dedication during worship service on Sunday.

Suggestions:

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)

Thank you to all who lovingly donated books and funds towards this special mission.

Our New Pastor Wants

to meet YOU!

COFFEE ANYONE?

Every Monday and Tuesday, 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!

Thank you to all who participated in our Pizza and Puzzle Night! It was a lovely evening. We raised enough money to fund two scholarships!!

Pictured above are our 2nd place winners: Ginny O'Neill, Shannon O'Neill (front) Gero O'Neill, Alex O'Neill and Windy Jim (back).

Men's Breakfast

Saturday, Oct. 3rd, 8am

Please join us for a wonderful breakfast and fellowship. Jeff Huggins will be sharing stories with the men.

World Communion Sunday

October 4th, 2026

Las Placitas Presbyterian Church

7 Paseo De San Antonio Rd,

Placitas, NM 87043

On Sunday, October 4^th, 2026, we will gather at Placitas Presbyterian Church for a joint Communion and worship service with Cuba and Jemez Springs Presbyterian Churches.

We will have volunteers from all of our churches to help greet people at the door, take the offering, and serve Communion.

The offering taken on that day will be split: ½ will go towards the Global Witness offering and the other half will go to Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada en Cuba (IPCR). The IPCR collection will be hand delivered to someone from the Cuba Partners Network when they visit the US or when representatives from the US visit Cuba.

Please give your regular tithes and offerings either the Sunday before or the Sunday after at our home church to avoid any confusion.

Potluck luncheon: Las Placitas Church will be providing a turkey, a ham, bread and drinks. They ask that we bring sides and desserts. Please see the signup sheet in the Narthex. Call Ginny with any questions: 505-892-6664.

Youth Group Outing

October 11, 2026

11:00am (after worship)

Who: All Middle and High Schoolers, plus young adult

and parent chaperones

What: Lunch at the Mall and an Escape Room 

Time: We will meet at the church @ 11, and should be done and

back by 3:00pm.

Where: Albuquerque Escape Room (Near Cottonwood Mall)

Sign up here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AABA623A2F8C25-66057144-rrpc

Cost: Escape Room $27 & approximately $10 for Lunch

Friends are very welcome! Please note: We never want finances to stand in the way of anyone participating in our events. Due to the love and grace of many, scholarships are available for all of our events. 

Stated Annual Meeting

Presbytery of Santa Fe

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Ghost Ranch

Abiquiu, NM

The Annual Meeting of the Presbytery will be held in-person at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 and ending around 4:00 pm.

Purpose of the Meeting

• To approve the Annual Reports and the 2027 Budget.
• To elect and install new leadership for the Presbytery and elect members of Presbytery commissions and committees.
• To hear reports and approve motions from commissions and committees of the Presbytery.
• To share and reflect on what makes our places sacred.
• To participate in worship and unite as a body of Christ including a time of remembrance for those who joined the Church Triumphant in the past year.

• Register online for the meeting, room reservations and meals at Ghost Ranch by clicking on the button below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Instructions regarding payment for rooms will be sent to you by email in late September.

REGISTER

Questions?

Questions regarding meeting items can be directed to Tanya Blankinship at statedclerk@santafepresbytery.org or 505-345-5657. Questions about registration and accommodations can be directed to Tiffany Lo-Finch at admin@santafepresbytery.org or 505-345-5657



We all look forward to seeing you at this important meeting of our Presbytery.

Church Calendar

Sept 27, 2026 - Oct 3, 2026

From the Finance Committee

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 THIS 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!

It's that time Already?!?!

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

2026 Christmas Flowers Order Form

Orders and payment are due by

October 25, 2026

Cost: $10

Choice of Red, White, Cinnamon

(please circle)

Name ______________________________________________

Qty.                Color             In Memory of or In Honor of

_____ ___________________ ______________________________

_____ ___________________ ______________________________

_____ ___________________ ______________________________

Total # plants                     Amount Due

______________                       # plants x $10 ______________

Make checks payable to:   RRPC

Pick up plants after either service:

Christmas Eve service – December 24^th

Christmas Sunday – December 25^th

Name of person picking up plants _____________________

Thank you for your order!

and for enhancing our sanctuary!

September Birthdays

25 Scott Henriksen

25 Grace Warren

30 Bob Crowley

30 Carol Nieling

October Birthdays

1 Arlene Thomas

2 Reyes Chavez

3 Cyndi Pitts

4 Marv Bamberg

5 Meredith Beaton

9 Beverly Norman

12 John Husler

14 Anne Kinney

14 Nancy Shambach

15 Isabel Cato

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

 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