Saturday
August 1, 2020
STEPHEN MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT
Norm Falk
Stephen Ministry is an opportunity to help bring the healing power of the Gospel, and the support of the church family, to its members through assigned, Christ-centered, individual relationships. The Stephen Minister is a representative of a carefully structured and supervised community of caregivers who assist the church’s pastoral leadership to strengthen the spiritual and temporal lives of the congregation.
Lyn Fitz
When Jesus finished washing their feet...he asked, “Do you understand what I did for you?...I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you should also wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you John 13: 12-15. (ERV)

I spent most of my adult life in the Mennonite Church and one thing that I deeply appreciated was the Maundy Thursday service. As a church, we would have a simple meal, share the bread and cup, and then we would wash each other’s feet. One person did not wash the feet of all (as Jesus did), but we washed each other’s feet (as he asked us to do). We became servants to each other.

I see this reciprocity when I think what Stephen Ministry means to me. I can serve others. Using the gifts God has given me and the training I’ve had, I can reach out, care, listen and walk with people during a difficult time for them. But this is not a one-way street for me. The people who I serve also serve me; they allow me into their lives; they open my eyes by letting me see the world as they see it; they help me reach out and forget myself; they force me to look inward at myself and outward to God - to see Jesus more clearly, to love him more dearly, to follow him more nearly, day-by-day.* I am grateful for this opportunity to serve and be served. (Paraphrased from the hymn by Richard of Chichester)
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers are members of St. John’s who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide high quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or life challenge such as divorce, grief, job loss, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness.

How does someone get a Stephen Minister?
If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please call the office 505-883-9717 or email stephenministry@stjohns-abq.org
#photosfromhome
Pictures of the railroad depot in Lamy, NM.
-- Pam Rowley
#PHOTOSFROMHOME
A CALL FOR SELFIES AND AT-HOME PICTURES
Hi there! I love showing you photos of what we are doing at the church, but what I think would be an even more amazing thing to share is a picture of you! Send me pictures and/or videos of you/your family/your pets/your garden/your cooking/etc with a short description, and I will share them here and compile them for a project! communicate@stjohns-abq.org
-- Shea Perry, Communications Director
A CALL FOR DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Would you be interested in submitting a daily devotional for the Newsletter? If so, send an email to Reverend Dr. Pam Rowley at prowley@stjohns-abq.org!
TENDING SOIL AND SOUL
“We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand;
he sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love.”

St John’s gardeners and friends were gathered by these words from the hymn “We Plough the Fields and Scatter” at our ZOOM, meeting on Wednesday July 29, 2020. 

We gathered to hear about sharing garden produce with the St John’s Food Ministry kitchen. We learned best practices for growing, handling, and harvesting our garden bounty. 

John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Coordinator was our instructor.  During the class, we were reminded that when we “watch out for what is best for others” we are being Christ-like, as St Paul says in his letter to the Philippians. 

HERE is a link to the video training (Access Password: Hx?k3&Fp), please contact Kelly Giese through email at kellyg@stjohns-abq.org if you have any problems with the link. Chef Tim and Pastor Kelly are preparing documents to keep track of produce donated and a “Safe Handling” signature page to keep on file. 

Our next St John’s Garden event is a clean-up day for the garden area on Wednesday August 5th from 7:30 am to about 10 am. If you would like to help contact Kelly. We will be wearing masks and practicing safe-distancing. Please wear gloves for outdoor work. We will not have access to bathrooms but Chef Tim will have water for us.

St John’s Food Ministry continues to serve the people of Albuquerque with hot meals prepared in our kitchen, approximately 500 people per month! He shares a photo of his strawberry cream pie prepared last week! 
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY MOMENT FROM THE DESK OF THERESE MACALI:
WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE
Wednesdays | 8:00 am & 7:00 pm
Please join us on Wednesday mornings & evenings for a worship service of praise and prayer. This service will take place in the Memorial Garden of St. John’s on the west side of the building. This services is designed to be thirty minutes and will be led by Certified Lay Minister Larry Luna. Please bring your own lawn chairs and sit six feet from your neighbor. In an effort to keep all of us safe and healthy, masks are required.
Sundays | 9:30 & 11:00 am
St. John’s will live-stream a worship service on Sunday morning at 9:30 am (Contemporary) on the Abide Facebook page and 11:00 am (Traditional) on the homepage of the website . We hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastors Pam and Kelly will lead, along with Shea Perry, Jim Ahrend, and Matt Greer). We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.
DRIVE-IN COMMUNION SERVICE
Wednesday, August 5 | 7:00 pm
Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, July 1 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We encourage you to bring your own elements (bread & juice). If you do not have your own elements, we will provide individually-packaged elements. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).
Online Groups
ZOOM TUTORIAL
The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom HERE!

SUMMER YOUTH GROUP ZOOM
Sundays | 4:00 - 5:15 pm
IT IS SUMMER, and we have a new series for students exploring new games, discussions, and faith-building activities every Sunday from 4:00-5:15PM! Go to: bit.ly/Summer2020UMYF (case sensitive) password if needed is 233374. NEW SUMMER URL
PARENT'S CLUB
Tuesdays | 7:30 pm
"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY
Wednesdays | 1:30 pm
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link HERE.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT KIDS' BIBLE CLUB
Wednesdays | 6:00 pm
Wednesday Night Bible Club is still on! Grade school friends join us on Zoom to get your weekly Bible lesson, watch the So & So Show, and pray with your friends. This summer we are taking a Focus on Faith! Don’t miss it! Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information!
NEW SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT CLASS 101
Thursdays | 1:30 pm -- Starting August 6th
Meet by zoom with Pastor Pam for a 30 minute spiritual practice every Thursday afternoon. We will explore different ways to pray, to commune with God, to nurture our spiritual lives with Christ through the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Space is limited, join the class HERE.
THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE
Fridays | 9:30 - 10:00 am
Susan Brumbaugh, staff mental health counselor at St. John's, is offering a FREE weekly gathering on FRIDAYS at 9:30 am to practice mindfulness meditation. Each 30-minute session begins with a brief welcome, a description of the focus (e.g., breath, body, senses, emotions, thoughts), a 15-20 minute guided practice, and an opportunity to debrief and share experiences.
Anyone is welcome--no experience is necessary. (And, yes! It's okay for Christians to meditate.) If you want to learn more prior to starting, the sessions will be similar to ones she leads and records on YouTube . Each session will be hosted on Zoom. HERE is the zoom link. Please contact Susan Brumbaugh, counselor@stjohns-abq.org, or 505-506-6716, if you have questions.
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? Point 3b: God wants to give you abundant life.
St. John’s email Bible study returns to our study of salvation, and in particular to the idea that God’s plan for your salvation is broader than you think. Although there’s nothing in the Bible about “prosperity gospel,” scripture does say that God’s plan for your salvation includes a desire that you be healthy, safe, and comfortable and that you enjoy life in constant relationship with him.  Download the study guide, or sign up for daily study tips by email by writing or calling Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.
Congregational Care Corner
Prayers for the Passing of 2 Beloved Church Members
Elizabeth (Betty) Erickson passed away on 6/29/20, and Harold Gruen passed away on 7/25/20. Prayers for the family and friends of these beloved members.
VIRTUAL PRAYER QUILT
Jean Jorgensen is the recipient for the prayer quilt on display for July 20th – August 2nd.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer): “Father, please hold Jean tight in your embrace so that she can be stronger than the challenges in her life.”

PRAYER SUPPORT
How we support you and your family in prayer during this difficult time? Prayers for health, employment, peace? Please send your prayer requests to the Prayer Team: mapalook@comcast.net or submit them on our website HERE.

GO-FER TEAM
It is hard to get out and many people shouldn’t. Is there something you need delivered from the store? If we are able to help, we have a few volunteers who would like to serve as Go-fers for people who need something but cannot get it on their own. Please pass any requests on to Jarrod at c.care@stjohns-abq.org

ONLINE COUNSELING SERVICE AVAILABLE
The St. John's staff includes a licensed mental health counselor who is available to meet virtually (using a smartphone or computer) in a secure online platform during these anxious times. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, counseling is available. Click here or contact Susan Brumbaugh at 505-506-6717 or counselor@stjohns-abq.org for more details about session and cost information. Susan also has a Youtube Channel with mindfulness tips HERE.

VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY
AUGUST SPECIAL OFFERING: WESLEY FOUNDATION
  School at UNM will be starting soon in some form this year. It will be an stressful time for all students, so our opportunity to financially support Wesley House, for both the students who live there and those who participate in other Wesley Foundation programs is more important than ever.

 Please pray for the students and their leaders as they reach out to other students on campus as well. Please pray that Wesley House may be a place where all may find God's love and peace in these difficult times. Please give generously.
ST. JOHN'S FACILITY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. We will keep you apprised as things develop.

Your St. John's pastors and staff are still very much on the job, and are available to you during this time. Please reach out to us if we can help you in any way!
CONTACT US
Office Administrator, Debbie Brown, will be answering the phone at St. John’s every weekday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Please call the office if you have any concerns or pastoral care needs. Debbie will get messages to Pastor Pam and Pastor Kelly. The office number is 505-883-9717.
Contact Us
www.stjohns-abq.org
(505) 883-9717
2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Office Hours (call only): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org