Thursday June 11, 2020

THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE Fridays from 9:30 - 10:00 am Susan Brumbaugh, staff mental health counselor at St. John's is offering a free (hopefully weekly) gathering to practice mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is about developing the ability to be present in the moment with non-judgmental awareness. Formal meditation can build neural pathways that help us stay anchored during emotional storms and help us build resilience.

Meeting together virtually gives us an opportunity to have company on the journey. 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. If you want to learn more prior to starting, the sessions will be similar to ones she leads and records for  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.

WITH GOD'S HELP, I AM READY! At the time I was a mother of three school-aged children, I had the privilege of attending a women’s Bible study for years. I believed it helped me build my relationship with God and prepared me for the challenges that work and family life presented. The year that we were studying the history of Israel was the same year that one of my sons started middle school. It proved to be a trying time for him because he was starting in a middle school where he was a newcomer, having moved from a magnet school to the neighborhood school. His new school peers often came from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and many were native Spanish speakers. In my Bible study of young David’s life, I was impressed by David’s confidence and his willingness to take on battle with Goliath. David reasoned that God would be with him and that he was prepared for the challenge. He had faced many trials with God’s help while he shepherded the family flock of sheep. My son was in my daily prayers as I asked for strength for him and that God would help him find encouraging teachers and caring relationships with other students. At one point, my son announced that he just couldn’t go to school that day. We talked about how difficult it is to make transitions and be in new situations that make us uncomfortable. I was able to share with him the scriptures about David’s life. We talked about past challenges that my son had faced and how they were preparing him for his new school year and how God was, and would continue to be, present with him. He received help and guidance from the principal, the counselor and his teachers. He kept at it and began to feel his way into the school setting. He was an active member of the church youth group and choir. Eventually, he asked if he could invite a new friend, Hector, home after school. Hector was a soft-spoken, polite boy. He was born in Mexico and his family went back and forth between the two countries. My prayer for friends had been answered! The school year progressed and things became smoother. As I look back on that now, I see that God can use scripture, friends, and experience to help us meet the uncertainties of life. The two boys grew up and moved away. Hector moved to Mexico for years, married a woman from his hometown, and returned to Albuquerque. When back in Albuquerque, Hector is still someone my son calls in order to arrange a meeting. When I reflect on my own life I can see God’s handiwork along the way. Today’s challenges are not too big for God. I am ready to face a new day. Alleluia! Dear God, Help us this day to take on the challenges we meet! Let us be comforted and strengthened as we read your Word. Even though we may be distant for a time, let us be warmed by the encouragement of friends and family. Amen. 1Samuel 17: 32-37, NIV 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” -- Sara Perovich

#photosfromhome Digital readers are made for times like this, as is the Albuquerque Public Library’s great e-book selection. The beverage can by my side usually reads Quarter Celtic, though. -- Bob McKeown

#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

DRIVE-IN WORSHIP SERVICE Saturday, June 13 7:00 pm Come and worship in your car on Saturday, June 13 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE). please consider bringing either toilet paper, dry beans, pasta, rice, or dry cat food. These items will be given to Silver Horizons for their senior clients.

"MUSIC FROM ST. JOHN'S" LIVE-STREAM CONCERTS Wednesdays at 12:00 pm Join us for a new series of concerts live-streamed from the St. John's sanctuary! Concerts are a benefit for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. musicatstjohns.org June 17 - 12:00 pm SJUMC Music Staff Natalie Bonelli, soprano Therese Macali, soprano Curtis Storm, tenor Shea Perry, soprano

Photos from our Music from St. John's concert with Christine Fawson & Jim Ahrend!

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP LIVE-STREAMED FROM THE SANCTUARY 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.

WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICES Wednesdays 8:00 am & 7:00 pm Please join us on Wednesday mornings and evenings for a worship service of praise and prayer. Wednesday morning services will be at 8:00 a.m. in the playground area on the west side of St. John’s. Wednesday evening services will be at 7:00 pm in the Memorial Garden of St. John’s on the west side of the building. These services are designed to be thirty minutes and will be led by Certified Lay Ministers, Larry Luna and Joe Marshall. 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. THESE WEDNESDAY MORNING AND EVENING SERVICES will continue for the summer (at least that is the plan now).

MOUNTAIN CATHEDRALS Saturday, June 20 7:30 am Mountain Cathedrals is headed out June 20 at 7:30 am from St Johns east parking lot. We will travel to a trail at the far corner of the Manzanita Mountains, called David Canyon, just south of I-40, less than 25 miles from St John’s. NOTE: due to church closure the bathrooms will not be open in our building before or after the hike. We will plan to stop on the way to the trail. We will also take individual cars, so no ride shares will be offered. This hike of approximately 5 miles, includes ponderosa forest and magnificent views of the Manzano Mountains, making it feel like you’re in a remote wilderness. There are Gambel and wavy-leaf oak, as well as open meadows, wild flowers, lots of woodpeckers, hawks, and other birds. You may want to bring binoculars! You will need to bring water and snacks or a light lunch for yourself. Make sure you have sunscreen and a hat. This is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of about 500 feet, that is gently sloped. We plan to return to the church between 1-1:30 pm. As with all of our hikes there will be time for reflection on scripture and we will celebrate communion with individual cups and wafers. As we gather at the church we ask you to wear masks. When we arrive at the trailhead, we will space out to at least 6 feet apart as individuals or family units. Masks will not be required on the hike unless you would like to use them.

DRIVE-IN COMMUNION SERVICE Wednesday, July 1 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 Classes

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! ZOOM YOUTH GROUP Sundays from 4:00 - 5:15 pm Students, come join us for games, discussion, community, and faith-building every Sunday from 4:00-5:15 pm! Go to: bit.ly/UMYFSolidGround (case sensitive) with the password: 048658 PARENTS CLUB Mondays from 7:30 - 8:30 pm Is distance learning with your child harder than you thought? Are the challenges of parenting in close quarters overwhelming at times? Or do you just miss talking with other parents? I know that I certainly do, so join us for Parents Club on Zoom Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm! Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org. "COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY Wednesdays at 1:30 pm Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link HERE.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE CLUB Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 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. Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information! "SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM Thursdays at 1:30 pm Join Pastor Pam for a 30-minute spiritual exercise. Space is limited, join the class HERE. ST. JOHN'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: Theology in Popular Music - Mostly the Good Last year’s study, “The Songs of Summer” seemed to be a hit, so we’re going to do it again. This summer we’ll listen to some popular music that sings about prayer and healing, some international music, some bluegrass and country, some great young singers who are the future of the Church, and some show tunes.  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 Memorial Service for Adelaide Tucker Saturday, June 13, 1:00 p.m. French Mortuary Chapel Lomas/Eubank 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 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

JUNE SPECIAL OFFERING: LOCKER #505 We recently heard that the Bernalillo County clothing bank called Locker #505, which serves APS, was broken into and items taken were some of their most expensive items to replace. Locker 505 provides clothing for students that they feel good about wearing, so they can concentrate on their school work and not worry about how they look. If we remember back to our school days (I know- a long time ago for many of us!), I am sure we can remember how important feeling good about our appearance was! With schools not in session since March, donations of lightly used clothing and money are down and they have not been able to have the two fund-raisers they desparately need to have items available for the children. New coronavirus procedures are in place so that students can still be served. We are collecting all the month of June for Locker 505 so please give generously. You can give on-line or send your check to the church. Be sure to designate "Locker 505" in the memo field of your check or on-line giving.

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. A re-open date is to be determined! 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.

Give Online

Contact Us www.stjohns-abq.org (505) 883-9717 2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org

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