The eDisciple is on a new schedule for 2021. Rather than daily, the eDisciple will be sent on Tuesday and Friday mornings. In order to communicate in the eDisciple, please note the following deadlines:

Please continue to submit your information to Shea at communicate@stjohns-abq.org. We look forward to helping keep St. John’s connected in the new year!

Isaiah 66:7-9 -- “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

As the father of two natural children and one adopted child, I have twice witnessed the miracle of human birth. Those two experiences were unique and distinct, each from the other.

When Dave, our first, was ready to be born, my wife’s labor began in the wee hours of the morning. We headed for the big-city hospital around dawn. Our obstetrician was out-of-town, so his partner, whom we had never before met, was called to oversee the delivery. Many hours later, although Fran was tiring, there was little progress. A drug was administered to strengthen her labors. It didn’t help. Then, the baby’s umbilical cord became compressed against the walls of her body, and the fetal monitor showed his heart rate dip dangerously. The doctor carefully repositioned the baby, but not without a lot of pain for Fran. There was still no real progress. Finally, the obstetrician decided a Caesarean section should be performed.

Another hour passed -- there was no anesthesiologist available in the hospital to give her the necessary medication so that a C-section could be done. Almost in desperation at this point, the doctor was forced to perform a high risk, high-forceps type of delivery. Fifteen hours after her labor commenced, eleven hours after we arrived at the hospital, a very tired and sore mother, a frayed and fatigued father, and a worried doctor welcomed a healthy, completely normal seven-pound boy into the world.

Because of this myriad of difficulties with Dave’s birth, when the time came, three years later, for our second son Jonathan to be delivered, we were more than a little worried. By then we were living in the tiny, isolated west Texas town of Alpine, with only a small, minimally equipped hospital and a single obstetrician in the entire region. We seriously considered having Fran go to a larger city for the delivery. But our doctor reassured us concerning the hospital’s staff and equipment, and promised faithfully that he would not leave town anytime close to her due date.

Once again, Fran’s labors began in the wee hours of the morning and, once again, we arrived at the hospital just around sunrise. “Here we go again,” I thought, beginning to imagine all sorts of negative possibilities. But that was where the similarities ended. The hospital staff was efficient and professional, the labor intense but brief, and in slightly less than five hours total, it was over. The end result was identical -- a healthy, normal, seven- pound boy, a delightful second blessing to his proud parents.

Jesus, when asked about entry into the Kingdom of God, said these words: “You must be born again.” Spiritual rebirth, like ordinary human birth, is unique and distinct unto every person who seeks it. Some folks who seek it experience major, overnight change in everything about their lives. Others gradually come into the Kingdom over a long period of slow but steady reformation by God. There’s no one pattern, no single prescription. But the wonderful end is always the same: eternal life, by the grace of God.

Thank you, Lord, for both the miracle of birth – and the miracle of new birth! Amen.

-- Excerpted and Adapted from Dr. Dave Ring's 2019 devotional book, "Reflections 365"

This devotional has been contributed by Dr. Dave Ring, a retired United Methodist pastor affiliated with St. John's. They are taken from his year-long daily devotional guide published in 2019. If you would be interested in obtaining a personal copy of this book, you may search for and buy it on Amazon.com or contact Dr. Ring directly by e-mailing davering@davering.net.

Piedra Lisa Trail, Sandia Mountains

Logistics: Meet at 7:30 AM at St. John’s UMC east parking lot or 8:00 AM at the Piedra Lisa Trailhead just outside of Albuquerque (please contact organizer in either case). Plan to be back to the cars by 2:00 PM. ~5 miles, elevation gain 1,300 feet, so moderate - strenuous. Bring masks, lunch, water, sun protection. Restrooms may not available at St. John’s at this time.

Psalm 90 (the only psalm attributed to Moses) sets us in our place as mortals in God’s sight, a sobering thought as we ponder amazing views of the towering cliffs of the Sandias above us. We also look over the city of Albuquerque, and may be grateful that this psalm ends by expressing a hope that the favor of the Lord is upon us. God’s work and humans’ work in one sweep.

Please join us for this hike of meditation, sweat, and peace. Organizer: Mike Furnish, 440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net.

Donna Aubrey and family are the recipients of the prayer quilt on display for January 11 - January 24.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Donna and the Aubrey family: “Heavenly Father, we pray for peace and comfort during this time of mourning. Amen."

St. John’s will live-stream a worship service on Sunday morning at 9:30 am (Contemporary) on the Abide Facebook page and 11:00 am (Traditional) on our Youtube Channel. We hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastor Pam 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.

Sunday Community Activities: Click HERE to view all Sunday School Classes & groups! Join us in the virtual Sonshine Coffee Zoom immediately following the 11:00 am Worship with church Leadership Team members hosting. Zoom link is HERE

Women's Bible Study, Jonah, navigating a life interrupted by Priscilla Shirer

Women's Bible Study, The Names of God, His character revealed by Melissa Spoelstra

Monday, January 18 is M. L. King, Jr. holiday. Therefore the office will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Most Requested Non-Food Items needed:

Please write "SILVER HORIZONS" in the memo field of your check

Contact: Kathy Dieruf (kadieruf@gmail.com) with questions

  The pandemic has led to some significant long term changes for Family Promise. The families have been housed in one church since last March and other churches, including St. John's, have been providing meals and supplies on the usual rotating basis but without personal contact until Covid is behind us.

      That has worked well and the decision was made to obtain a permanent location which will double the number of families that can be served from 4 to 8. The good news is that a building has been found, but as you can imagine the costs are significant. Churches will continue to provide meals. Contact Jen Shields at 450-9878 if you are interested in helping.

  But the biggest way we can help now is to help pay the mortgage for the new location. Family promise has helped so many families find permanent housing, get jobs, learn parenting skills and more over the past 17 years. Let's help it continue to do this for the next 17 years. Please give generously throughout the month.

www.stjohns-abq.org

(505) 883-9717

2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110

Office Hours (call only): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm