"LORD LET OUR EYES BE OPENED"

Scripture reading: Matthew 20: 29-34

In the days before the Passover, Jesus is making his way toward Jerusalem. There is a large crowd following Jesus as he leaves Jericho. In the midst of all of the commotion, two men who are blind, sitting by the roadside, cry out to Jesus “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”.

The crowd, tells the blind men to be quiet, which seems to me a curious response to an unruly ground swell response to Jesus, the healer, passing through your village. Undaunted, the men yell out again “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!”. This time Jesus stops.

Jesus’ response is direct and simple “What do you want me to do for you?”. And here’s the kicker, it’s the blind guys who “see Jesus” for who he is. Their reference to the Son of David links Jesus to his royal lineage and is also perhaps an inference of being “the good shepherd” the compassionate one. The blind see. They recognize Jesus as Lord, when the crowd and the disciples don’t.

When Jesus asks what they want from him, they respond in faith “Lord let our eyes be opened”.

Practice:

This passage locates us in our journey with Jesus toward the cross. Just before he enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey with palm branches raining down all around the city. Jesus is seen by two men who cannot physically see, but know who Jesus is. May our prayer too, be “Lord let our eyes be opened”, in this moment. Let us not look away. Amen.

-- Pastor Kelly Giese

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

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.

"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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Sympathy to the Tucker family:

Dear St. John’s UMC,

My family and I would like to thank the faith community of St. John’s UMC for all you did for my Mom, Adelaide Tucker. She passed peacefully in her sleep on March 15th. St. John’s proved the true value of a church family. A special thanks to all of the Women’s circles. You truly do exemplify what it means to be a Christian.

In Christian love,

John Tucker and family

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