New Members -
Valerie and Sarah
A Message from Rev. Richard D. Gould
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of Ranchos Presbyterian Church,
“Do not fear, for I am with you,
Do not be afraid, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you; I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
God’s people are exiled in Babylon, a foreign land. Subject to powers they do not control, subject to circumstances they never see coming, subject to such a complete disruption in their lives that it appears to have no end!
Sound familiar?
Isaiah writes that God essentially says, “Take courage! Do not give up; do not give in.…for I am with you.”
As prophetically gifted as Isaiah is in his day, three hymn writers also poignantly describe what we are experiencing – all base their work upon Isaiah 41. A sampling:
Fear not I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
(Hymn: How Firm a Foundation, vs 2)
I am weak but Thou art strong,
Jesus keep me from all wrong,
I'll be satisfied as long,
as I walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be…
(Hymn: Just A Closer Walk with Thee, vs. 1)
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty; hold me in Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.
(Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, vs. 1)
“Feed me till I want no more….” This would usually be a Communion Sunday when we gather to share fellowship with each other around the Lord’s Table. Circumstances prevent that this Sunday, but that day will eventually return.
Until then, pray for each other, pray for our city, state and nation, pray that this will pass quickly so we can soon be restored person-to-person in our own Sanctuary.
Remain strong, remain faithful; this, too, shall pass…
Richard
Richard D. Gould
Pastor , Ranchos Presbyterian Church
Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico 87557
Ongoing Events
The following renovations have been completed:
Worship & Children's Sunday School - every Sunday at 9 am
Communion during Worship - 1st Sunday of each month
Home Communion is also available.
Fellowship following Worship - 2nd Sunday of each month
Refreshments are provided.
Upcomin Events
April 2020
The following Holy Week Services have been cancelled: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Worship Services.
El Descanso Cemetery News: The gate is open and you may begin cleaning your loved one's grave-site if you wish. The first work- day organized by the committee will be April 25th. The second work-day will be May 16th, both beginning at 8:00 a.m. Please bring tools, gloves, etc. to help with the clean-up. If you are a member of the church and cannot attend the work day or send someone to help, please send in your $20 fee or place it in the offering plate. Contact Edwardo Martinez at 575-770-6724, if you have any questions. Thank you!
Cancelled - The Women's Missionary Society Dinner Meeting that is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 6 PM has been cancelled. We will keep you updated on future events.
Cancelled -The Ranchos Session Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 5:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Mission Committee Volunteer Opportunity - If you are interested in serving on the Mission Committee, please let Patti O’Connell know.
A Fellowship Gathering takes place on the 2nd Sunday of the month following worship. Refreshments are served & everyone is welcome! If you would like to help, the sign up sheet is on the back table.
Taos Men’s Shelter Meal sign-up sheet is on the back table in the sanctuary. Contact Patti O’Connell about providing meals: (email) patti@casa-sombrilla.net; (home) 575-776-2925; (cell) 214-686-8434.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of Ranchos Presbyterian Church,
“Do not fear, for I am with you,
Do not be afraid, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you; I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
God’s people are exiled in Babylon, a foreign land. Subject to powers they do not control, subject to circumstances they never see coming, subject to such a complete disruption in their lives that it appears to have no end!
Sound familiar?
Isaiah writes that God essentially says, “Take courage! Do not give up; do not give in.…for I am with you.”
As prophetically gifted as Isaiah is in his day, three hymn writers also poignantly describe what we are experiencing – all base their work upon Isaiah 41. A sampling:
Fear not I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
(Hymn: How Firm a Foundation, vs 2)
I am weak but Thou art strong,
Jesus keep me from all wrong,
I'll be satisfied as long,
as I walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be…
(Hymn: Just A Closer Walk with Thee, vs. 1)
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty; hold me in Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.
(Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, vs. 1)
“Feed me till I want no more….” This would usually be a Communion Sunday when we gather to share fellowship with each other around the Lord’s Table. Circumstances prevent that this Sunday, but that day will eventually return.
Until then, pray for each other, pray for our city, state and nation, pray that this will pass quickly so we can soon be restored person-to-person in our own Sanctuary.
Remain strong, remain faithful; this, too, shall pass…
Richard
Richard D. Gould
Pastor , Ranchos Presbyterian Church
Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico 87557
Ongoing Events
The following renovations have been completed:
- New handicap accessible bathrooms have been added;
- a new storage room has been added;
- a handicap accessible walkway and portal have been added;
- we have upgraded the ceiling of the east portal along the fellowship hall and office;
- the sanctuary and fellowship hall roofs have been repaired and a new maintenance product has been applied;
- we have repaired the bell tower.
- we have replaced the windows in the sanctuary on the west wall;
- re-stuccoing of the church building;
- painting the east window sills and front doors;
- painting the Fellowship Hall;
- Handicap parking space;
- installing a security fence and gate.
- Parking lot Drainage improvements
- adding a new sign;
- landscaping
Worship & Children's Sunday School - every Sunday at 9 am
Communion during Worship - 1st Sunday of each month
Home Communion is also available.
Fellowship following Worship - 2nd Sunday of each month
Refreshments are provided.
Upcomin Events
April 2020
The following Holy Week Services have been cancelled: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Worship Services.
El Descanso Cemetery News: The gate is open and you may begin cleaning your loved one's grave-site if you wish. The first work- day organized by the committee will be April 25th. The second work-day will be May 16th, both beginning at 8:00 a.m. Please bring tools, gloves, etc. to help with the clean-up. If you are a member of the church and cannot attend the work day or send someone to help, please send in your $20 fee or place it in the offering plate. Contact Edwardo Martinez at 575-770-6724, if you have any questions. Thank you!
Cancelled - The Women's Missionary Society Dinner Meeting that is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 6 PM has been cancelled. We will keep you updated on future events.
Cancelled -The Ranchos Session Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 5:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Mission Committee Volunteer Opportunity - If you are interested in serving on the Mission Committee, please let Patti O’Connell know.
A Fellowship Gathering takes place on the 2nd Sunday of the month following worship. Refreshments are served & everyone is welcome! If you would like to help, the sign up sheet is on the back table.
Taos Men’s Shelter Meal sign-up sheet is on the back table in the sanctuary. Contact Patti O’Connell about providing meals: (email) patti@casa-sombrilla.net; (home) 575-776-2925; (cell) 214-686-8434.