KEEP WATCH
A few weeks ago, the children’s choir shared with us a song from Psalm 17, that included this verse “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”. God does keep us. I was struck by the children’s responses to my question of what “being the apple of God’s eye” means. One in particular, though I can’t remember who said it, “it means we are important to God”. It makes my heart happy to know that a child has that wisdom.
This moment may feel precarious, and yet we are loved and sustained by One who keeps us and calls us beloved. I am so grateful for the prayers you shared with me yesterday, the ways in which you are praying for “all conditions of people”. The prayers you shared help me pray in new ways. Thank you.
I know many of you have devotional books you read daily. If you would like to share those with me, I would be happy to hear what sustains you these days. One book I use, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, is The Divine Hours. There is a whole book for each season. The current one being, “Prayers for Springtime”. For each day there are morning, midday, vesper (to begin at the lighting of the lamps) and nighttime prayers, before bed.
The fixed hours of prayer have its origins in Judaism, from which Christianity came. In the psalms we read “seven times a day do I praise you” (Ps 119: 164a). And later, from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians we hear “pray without ceasing” (I Thes. 5:17) an admonition that recalls the work of prayer in the life of the believer.
The prayer below is from the night office or compline. It is from the Episcopal “Book of Common Prayer” and Tickle includes it in her book as well.
Prayer
“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. “
Practice
I invite you to pray this prayer at bedtime this evening. Maybe you have another “bedtime” prayer you use. Share it with me, I would love to read it! kellyg@stjohns-abq.org Until tomorrow, blessings.
-- Pastor Kelly Giese
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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!
"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM
TODAY -
Thursday, April 2 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.
REVISED MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
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
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link
HERE. Wednesdays at 1:30 pm.
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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!
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CHILDREN'S MESSAGE FROM THERESE MACALI:
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Join Us this Palm Sunday, April 5 For Worship Live-Streamed From the Sanctuary! St. John’s will live-stream a worship service from the sanctuary this Sunday at 11:00 am, 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 link is
HERE and will also be available on the homepage of the website.
A printed worship order will be emailed Sunday morning to the eDisciple list.
We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at matt@stjohns-abq.org.
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VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org
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