April 6, 2020

excerpt from Stages on the Way Worship Resources for Holy Week, Iona Community, Wild Goose Worship Group, GIA Publications, Inc. Chicago

Introductory notes:

These readings for each day of Holy Week are intended to be read by people on their own, as personal reflections during Holy Week. They are inspired by stories from scripture and excerpted from the book Stages on the Way”

IT WAS ON MONDAY

Based on Matthew 21: 12-13

“It was on Monday that religion got in the way.

An outsider would have thought that it was a pet shop’s fire sale.

And the outsider, in some ways, wouldn’t have been far wrong.

Only, it wasn’t household pets, it was pigeons that were being purchased.

And it wasn’t a fire sale; it was a rip-off stall in a holy temple bartering birds for sacrifice.

And the price was something only the rich could afford. No discounts to students, pensioners, or social security claimants.

Then he, the holiest man on earth,

Went through the bizarre bazaar like a bull in a china shop.

So the doves got liberated and the pigeon sellers got angry.

And the police went crazy and the poor people clapped like made,

Because he was making a sign that God was for everybody,

Not just for those who could afford him.

He turned the tables on Monday…

The day that religion got in the way."

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!

REVISED MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - TODAY

Mondays, starting April 6, 2020, join Jack Nuzum online with a Zoom Bible study of the book of James. Two sessions per Monday, one at 10:00 am and one at 7:00 pm. If you aren't already on the Bible study list, contact Jack at jcnuzum@juno.com or 265-5241. Zoom is easy to use and James is full of great topics.

"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY

Wednesday, April 8 at 1:30 pm

"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM

Thursday, April 9 at 1:30 pm

Join Pastor Pam for a 30-minute spiritual exercise. Space is limited, and the Zoom link will be provided to the first 15 people to sign up! Sign-up is HERE. Thursdays at 1:30 pm.

Join Us this Maundy Thursday & Good Friday, April 9&10 For Worship Live-Streamed From the Sanctuary! St. John’s will live-stream a worship service from the sanctuary this Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm, and we hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastors Pam and Kelly will lead, along with Shea Perry, Jim Ahrend, and Matt Greer). Live-stream will be available on the homepage of the website.

We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.

Grace Weaver & Kristin Ditlow - "O rest in the Lord" by Mendelssohn

MUSIC FROM ST. JOHN'S

As part of our outreach during this unsettling time, the Music Ministry has launched “Music From St. John’s,” a series of video performances by local musicians. This is an effort to continue to provide beautiful music to our congregation and community, and also to provide work to local musicians who have been severely affected by cancelations. New videos will appear daily for the foreseeable future, and they are being created by Shea Perry. We hope you’ll enjoy and share the videos, and also consider making a donation to the New Mexico Musicians Relief Fund. The easiest way to view the videos is to go to the St. John’s Music Ministries Facebook page. Check back daily!

VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY:

ST. JOHN'S FACILITY IS CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 10

In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed through April 10. 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!

APRIL SPECIAL OFFERING: LENTEN OFFERING

Each year the funds we raise during the Lenten/Easter season go to many local ministries. A sample of those includes the following: Family Promise, Grace Meal, Asbury Pie Cafe, Wesley House, McCurdy Ministries, NM Ramp Project, Mobile Food Pantry, lunch bags for the homeless, Breaking Bread Meals, Silver Horizons and many more. In these difficult times these ministries need our help more than ever. Please give generously.

ST. JOHN'S PRAYER LABYRINTH IS OPEN

Please come to pray in the labyrinth any time of day. Park in the east parking lot near the front doors of the sanctuary/narthex doors. Our prayer labyrinth is directly to the south of the front doors. It is advisable to have one person on the labyrinth at a time. Enter the prayer labyrinth with a personal prayer and then quietly and contemplatively experience what God has to share with you during this time.

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.

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.

Congregational Care Corner

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

Give Online

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