Thursday, April 30, 2020

Thursday

April 30, 2020

COMMUNITY

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As I read the Hebrews scripture above it resonated with me, especially the part about not neglecting to meet together and encouraging one another. What a challenge this has become during the days of COVID-19. I have been so impressed with the creativity I see among our Christian community. Worship, small groups and committees meeting by Zoom, WebX, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook live, etc.

On a typical day I am the first one up in our home. I love this time of day. It allows me to grab a cup of coffee and have some quiet and devotional time before the day begins. I found that I was having a hard time concentrating and delving into my devotionals. The loneliness of not seeing my church family and friends in person was impacting me. And yet, during one of my prayer times it was laid on my heart that I am still surrounded by my beloved community, just in a virtual way. I started exploring different ways to spend my morning quiet time. After 40+ years in youth ministry my community is huge! Pastors, youth ministers, children’s directors, Christian educators and even Bishops. What I discovered was a huge blessing. I was able to listen to a Lenten podcast by a former student, Rev. Josh Kouri who grew up here at St. John’s, and is now the pastor at Mesa View UMC here in Albuquerque. Another conference leadership student pastors a church in Baton Rouge. Fernie offers midweek worship online. A deacon acquaintance in the Dallas area shares front porch prayers each morning on Facebook. A pastor friend in Hereford, Texas starts every day with a devotional that is shared online. I could see their faces or hear their voices. And I could go on and on. Each and every one of these amazing people feed my spirit, lift my heart and inspire me to love and do good deeds. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses!

Let me encourage you to find fresh opportunities to pray and worship during these home bound days. Reach out, call, text, email and pray for those friends in your community who may need you during these challenging times. And if you would like to listen to some interesting sermons and devotions, feel free to get in touch with me and I can point you to some favorites.

Your community is still there. We may be gathering in new and unique ways, but we are steady and we will persevere. How can we not when we walk alongside the risen Messiah.

-- Dara Bell, Lay Leader

#photosfromhome with Evelyn Kent!

"What a wonderful idea! Here are a couple photos of our house (which we are moving out of today - just going down the road!)."

#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

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

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, and the Zoom link will be provided to the first 15 people to sign up! Sign-up is HERE. Thursdays at 1:30 pm.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE CLUB

Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm

"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM

Thursdays 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 FOR WORSHIP LIVE-STREAMED FROM THE SANCTUARY

St. John’s will live-stream a worship service 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.

ONLINE BIBLE STUDY

While many of us are in a stay-at-home mode we can find both our emotions and faith challenged. Max Lucado has written a book "You'll Get Through This" based on the story of Joseph. He has opened up the video presentation online for no cost. I will be facilitating a Zoom discussion of this material and incorporating material from his book and study guide. If you would like to join me each week for the next 7 weeks starting Tuesday May 7th from 10 - 11 then email me for details (ktidler@comcast.net). If you would just like to watch the online video go to Online Bible Study to sign up for the free videos.

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!

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

May 6 - 12:00 pm

Joel Becktell and Amy Greer

May 13 - 12:00 pm

The St. John's Music Staff

Therese Macali

Shea Perry

Curtis Storm

Natalie Bonelli

Jim Ahrend

God's great creations

Encourage me to be strong

And wait for the calm

-- Laura Sandison

MENTAL

HEALTH

MOMENT

WITH

SUSAN BRUMBAUGH,

LMHC

VIRTUAL

TAI CHI

WITH

KATHY

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!

FAMILY PROMISE

Family Promise has decided to keep the families at Church of the Good Shepherd until May. Since we are not hosting in April, Family Promise is asking for money to help off set the costs. Checks sent to St. John's can be noted "Family Promise" or you can donate online directly to Family Promise here. If you are willing to donate games, gift cards, lawn chairs, mini refrigerator, microwave, the use of an RV or rental home for housing families, please contact Jenn Shields. If you have other questions, please contact either Linn Furnish at swimsew@comcast.net - 505-884-6626 OR Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com - 505-450-9978.

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