The Art of Worship: Third Sunday of Advent
Week three of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday and we light the distinctly different pink candle. This week is the time to throw the parties! This is the Sunday of pure joy, the celebration of the gift that comes and the gift we are to and with one another. Let there be shouts of praise and hope.
My grandson Killian is a continued source of joy for me. He lives life with an exuberance and joie de vie like no one I know. Every time he sees me he runs towards me with his arms wide open like we haven’t seen each other in months. We embrace, squeeze each other tightly, smile and spin around. My worries of the week melt away as I am greeting him and I feel pure joy! Even in the midst of my worldly troubles. I’d like to think I’m the only one he feels this way about, but I am not. He treats all of his family this way. It is a glimpse of heaven for me and a reminder of my own journey home.
As Christmas comes closer the anticipation of joy can be seen in all children. They are trying their best to hold it in for another week plus a few days, but it is about to burst out of them. Let it... Click here to read the full article.
Click here to read all the articles in this series by Melanie Amend.
|
|
|
|
Thank You From Irene Garvin
Irene Garvin would like to express her deepest appreciation to all her St. John’s friends who made her 101st birthday such a special surprise on December 2. All the cards are such a delight to frequently reopen and reread! All the plants and flowers are such a bright, joyful decoration for the Advent Season. She feels so fortunate to be blessed with such loving and thoughtful congregational friends! You have offered the light of Joy from the Christ child to a beloved senior this season.
|
|
Youth Sunday School Takes a Break
Our Youth Sunday School (which meets at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays in the Youth Room) will have its final class this Sunday, December 12.
|
|
Slow Roll St. John's Takes a Break for the Winter
Due to the cold weather, Slow Roll St. John's will be taking a break for the winter and will re-convene in the warmth of the spring. Thank you to everyone who has participated this season!
|
|
Blessing Tree For Our Neighbors at Zuni
We have a special opportunity to bless Kids at Zuni and our community this Christmas with gifts. There will be Christmas Trees in the Narthex and the FLC this Sunday, with gift tags of needs and gifts for specific children at Zuni Elementary and others in our community at St. John’s. Please purchase the gift ($30 or less and please only what is listed to ensure each child receives equal gifts), wrap it, put the tag on the gift and return to the Blessing Tree no later than Sunday, December 19. Questions, please contact Pastor Tiffany (thollums@stjohns-abq.org). Also, if you are interested in helping to deliver these gifts, contact Pastor Tiffany. And most importantly, pray for these children and their families-that they would know in a new way this season that God loves them, and so do we!
|
|
Help Us Re-Stock Silver Horizons
Let's re-stock for Silver Horizons! We've heard that the shelves at Silver Horizons are looking a little "sparse", so let's work together to remedy that situation! In December, we're collecting the following items: mac-and-cheese (both stovetop and microwave), coffee, dry milk (shelf-stable powdered milk), toiletry items such as shampoo, toothpaste, disposable razor blades, etc., and paper goods such as paper towels, facial tissue, and bathroom tissue. In addition, cat food is in demand, since we know that seniors will often buy food for their pets, rather than themselves, when money is tight. As always, any non-perishable food donations are always welcomed and appreciated by Silver Horizons. Please place your donations in the wire bins, located in the Hospitality Center, throughout the month of December. We thank you!
|
|
Note From the Church Treasurer
It's not too late to turn in your commitment card to support St. John's budget for 2022. During Sunday worship in October, the Invitation to Give moment highlighted many ministries supported by our congregation. To date, we have received 150 cards. Your commitment helps us to plan for the new year. Not only to support these many ministries but to provide for salaries, utilities, building upkeep, etc. You can send in your commitment card by mail, place it in the plate on Sunday morning, or email the information to treasurer@stjohns-abq.org. By working together, we can continue to fulfill St. John's mission - Loving God, Loving Others, Changing Lives.
|
|
Last Sunday to Sign Up for Christmas Food Boxes for the John Marshall Community Center
Once again interested church members are invited to participate in our program of providing Christmas Food Boxes to needy families served by the John Marshall Community Center in the South Broadway area of Albuquerque. The Center will be reaching out to families in the area who use their services. The need is tremendous and our participation is much appreciated.
*By Sunday, December 12 or sooner, commit to Jack Nuzum (tel. 265-5241, jcnuzum@juno.com) as to the number of boxes which will be provided and by whom. You can also sign up in the Hospitality Center and pick up a list of suggested contents.
*On Saturday, December 18, bring the completed boxes to the WEST parking lot of St. John’s between 8 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
|
|
Jazz Vespers on December 11
Join us on Saturday, December 11 at 5 p.m., live and online for our monthly Jazz Vespers Service. This month's service will feature music by vocalist Dianna Hughes, trumpeter Christine Fawson, pianist Robert Lah, bassist Colin Deuble, and drummer Cal Haines. The message will be brought by Rev. Dr. Scott Sharp. Click the video image above to watch from home, or click here to watch on our YouTube channel.
|
|
Usher Training on December 11
On Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center, we will be having a training for ushers. As we regather for on-site worship and look ahead to the new year, we will brush up on our ushering roles at all three worship services. If you have ushered in the past, we could use your attendance at this gathering as we make sure we cover all our bases. If you haven’t ushered before, you are also very welcome to join us as we hope to invite others to help serve in this vital role of hospitality and welcoming. We are especially hoping to build up our ushering team for our new Mosaic Service at
8:15 a.m. Ushering is a relatively low-stress way to be in service to your community and get to know people in the congregation. All are welcome.
|
|
Youth Ring 'N Wrap on December 11
Youth Christmas ‘elf’ wrapping day will be on Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m.- noon. Come and bring your wrapping skills to bless kids in need as we will help wrap Christmas gifts for Angel Tree and other kids in need. We will gather in the FLC entrance and be upstairs in Room 248. Elf hats and jingle bells are recommended.
|
|
Youth Gift Exchange on December 12
A gift exchange for our Youth Group will be held on December 12 from 4 - 6 p.m. Please bring a $10, wrapped gift to exchange. Youth Alumni are also invited!
|
|
Quintessence Holiday Concert on December 12
Join the singers of Quintessence and director Matthew Greer for “A Star Still Shines,” our first live concert in two years (also available by livestream) on Sunday, December 12 at
3 p.m. Quintessence will perform gorgeous music of the season, including works of Sarah Quartel, Morten Lauridsen, Marques Garrett, and others. Go to quintessence-abq.com for tickets. (All live attendees must remain masked, and must show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 at the door.)
|
|
St. John's Jammers Meets December 12 & 19
St. John's Jammers will meet on Sunday, December 12 and Sunday, December 19 at 2:30 p.m. in room 149/151, and all who are available are welcome to join. We will play whatever the group wants to play, but will likely focus on some Christmas tunes given the time of year. We will NOT meet on the 26th. If you have family in town any or all of those weeks please have them join us.
Musical term of the week: a patella - accompanied by knee slapping. Blessings and enjoy the season for all the light it has to offer.
|
|
Family Promise Shopping Fundraiser
December 17-18
Not sure what to get that special someone for Christmas, check out Kendra Scott Jewelry. Bonus- When you buy beautiful jewelry, you also support a charity that is working to end homelessness. Check out the flyer for more information. Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!
|
|
Mountain Cathedrals Meets December 18: Corrales Bosque and Acequias South Loop
We are planning a Mountain Cathedrals hike for Saturday, December 18, just before the winter solstice. This route starts and ends at the Corrales Parks and Rec site on Jones Road, and includes portions along the river and portions on the peaceful acequias, plus hints of Christmas. Why do we make ourselves so busy? It seems to take a conscious effort to set a time aside. Let us make this effort so we can reflect on what the Lord is making known to us now.
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (4 miles, negligible vertical, on-trail). Meet at St. John’s (East parking lot) at 8 a.m. to carpool or drive individually; return by about 1 p.m. Please RSVP and direct questions to Mike Furnish, CLM (mdfurnish@comcast.net).
Save the date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hike will be Saturday, January 22.
|
|
New MexiChords Concert on December 18 with Special Guest Quartet Southwest Edition
New MexiChords presents their holiday concert "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in St. John's Sanctuary on Saturday, December 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. General admission is $10, and children under 6 can enjoy the concert for free! There are senior and group discounts available. For tickets and information call 505-803-4904, click here to download the full concert flyer, or click here to visit the New MexiChords website.
|
|
A Festival of Lessons & Carols on December 21
A Festival of Lessons & Carols will be held on Tuesday, December 21 at 7 p.m. in our Sanctuary (masks are required) and will also be available to watch over livestream. Come and experience the Christmas story through songs and scripture, with choral anthems, and congregational carols accompanied by orchestra. If you are joining us in-person, please bring canned goods to be donated to Silver Horizons. Click here to visit our website and watch the performance online.
|
|
December Special Offering: Methodist Children's Home and Providence Place
This month we have the opportunity to support troubled children, teen mothers, adoptive parents, and young adults with special needs. The Methodist Children's Home and Providence Place, both in Texas, rely on our support. As one child put it" They (MCH) are here for me when no one else is. They never give up on us. I now know that God is always there for me too" Please give generously.
|
|
Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
|
SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Wednesday evening for the Friday weekly edition. Click here to send your articles to editor Nicole Creaturo.
|
|
St. John's United Methodist Churc
2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Office Hours (call only): Monday - Thursday, 9a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
