Weekly Witness

December 30, 2025

Sunday, January 4, 2026

2nd Sunday after Christmas

Scripture: Matthew 2: 13-23

Sunday: Livestream; Bulletin

Last Week's Sermon: Dreams and Visions

Guest Pastor: Rev. Russ Dykehouse

Liturgist: Hazel Lathrop

Psalmist: Dave Shambach

Communion Servers: Bill Cox, Betty Gobeille, Craig Kelley, Beth Miller, Ginny O'Neill, Joan Roschevitz

Greeter: Victoria Flick

Ushers: Victoria Flick, Betty Jarous, Steve Sproul, Ginger Wall

Flowers: Given by Virginia Kelley, in memory of her husband, Fred

Early Morning Security: Dave Sternberg

January Sanctuary Stewards: Ginny O'Neill and Scott Roberts

Pastor to People

Dear RRPC Family and Friends,

As we look to the new year, let us contemplate what God has in store for us personally and as a congregation. I hope you have good health and good spirits this coming year. Maybe you will consider some lifestyle changes to make your new year more fulfilling and meaningful. I plan to do the same. Taking care of our bodies and our minds will always be an act of stewardship of the life God has given us so generously. I hope we are all more effective disciples of Christ in the year of our Lord, 2026. 

And I have high hopes for you as a congregation in this new year. By God's grace and because of the hard work of our PNC, I trust that you will have a new pastor in your midst, before long. How long? God only knows! I guess we could have said that from the very beginning of our search. But I do believe that God has in store for you a wonderful pastor who will arrive in the new year to begin a new work with you. I can say without doubt that your new pastor will be blessed to serve you as a congregation. I have certainly been blessed by all of you.

So I invite your prayers for the new year. I pray that your own discipleship will grow and flourish in this coming year. And I pray that your congregation will be blessed by new elders and deacons coming on board, as well as your new pastor. God is faithful and trustworthy. Much to be thankful for on the threshold of 2026.

Peace and hope, 

Frank

The Worship Committee would love your help as we un-decorate the church this Sunday, January 4, right after worship. It does not take long and many hands make light work! Thank you!

Reminder:

Committee reports are due January 14th! Next Session Meeting will be January 20th to review year-end reports prior to the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 25th.

From Cyndi Pitts:

A lot of people were wondering what was up next for my son, Isaac, besides graduating in May from CSU.

Isaac Pitts was accepted into Washington State School of Veterinary Medicine!

He will begin his life long dream of becoming a vet next fall.

Congratulations Isaac!

January's Book:

The Last Devil to Die, by Richard Osman

We will be meeting at Nancy Henriksen's home on January 27th 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!

February's Book: Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Kimmerer.

For those who would like a head start.

Church Calendar

January 4, 2026 - January 10, 2026

02 Yassine Kamel

03 Sheila Malmo

06 Matuke Fomukong

07 Ron Schmidt

08 Blake Osburn

13 Scott Roberts

25 Bob Simpson

27 Ginny O'Neill

28 Valerie Mishos

29 Linda Maddux

30 Betty Gobeille, Bill Wehner

31 Hayden Smith

Memorial Service for Dick Pederson

A memorial service is being planned for Dick Pederson THIS Saturday, January 3rd at 1pm. Rev. Kathy Westmoreland will be officiating. Light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

Use this link to Livestream the Memorial Service: Livestream

Storehouse West

Giving

So far in December our congregation has given

$332.86 for the December 7th 2cents a Meal Offering

$84.54 from the collection jar in the narthex

and around 200 pounds of food.

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Please note we are still in need for people to transport goods from the church to Storehouse West. Right now, we have two people signed up and are looking for three more. Please call the church office at 505-892-6664.

---Your Mission Committee

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!

Thanks from Lorna

Now that the “ho ho ho”—“bah humbug” season is officially over I need to reflect on my own during that time. First, there was a yummy cookie exchange sponsored by Shirley Underwood; then some beautiful Christmas caroling from some wonderful RRPC members; and then some great gifts, via the Deacons. What a wonderful church I belong to!!! I was also blessed to have some great friends who kept my room in flowers and gifts. And to add to all this, the techs here at the Neighborhood continue to spoil me. I know God must love me to make my life here on earth so pleasant. No more bah humbugs.  - Lorna Van Dongen

Season’s greetings!

As we approach Christmas week, many of us are putting the final touches on our holiday “to-dos”– Here is one additional item to add to your list:

Register for the Luminosity Conference and finalize your workshop selections before early-bird registration ends on December 31.

A few things to keep in mind as the month winds down:

• Workshops are open and filling quickly
• Early-bird savings end 12/31
• Scholarships and group discounts are still available
• You can modify your registration at any time to add workshops

We hope Luminosity will be a bright spot in your plans for the new year—a time to learn, rest, and connect with others seeking renewed energy in ministry.

To learn more and register, please visit the Luminosity Conference website. If you have any questions about registration, workshops, or scholarship support, you can contact us at serving@presbyterianfoundation.org.

We would be delighted to see you at Luminosity 2026!

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Advent season,

The Luminosity Conference Team

Presbyterian Foundation | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Prayer Concerns

“And whatever you ask in Prayer, you will receive, if you have Faith.” Matthew 21:22.

Nancy Shambach, healing

Ona Mitchell, healing

Sheila Malmo's daughter, Alice

Protection for Everyone against Flu virus

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