A LETTER FROM THE
CHRISTIAN SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
(Click image below)
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A MISSING DAUGHTER
Luke 15:20b-24
“….his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Back when our three children were all still small, the Ring family decided to visit southern California, with its abundance of child-friendly parks and other attractions. At the San Diego Zoo we were all fascinated to view the Australian koalas. We stood there for several minutes, ooing and aahing at these cute and cuddly creatures. But suddenly my wife, Fran, asked, "Where's Joanna?" I looked down and around me and replied, "She was here just a minute ago." I quickly counted noses -- two sons, but no daughter. Our youngest, then about three years of age, was missing. In a crowd of perhaps 20,000 people at the zoo that day, she had simply vanished into thin air.
The next forty minutes were a frenzied nightmare. We did all the wrong things, I'm sure, running in sixteen different directions shouting, "Joanna! Joanna!" Every imaginable horror story ever conceived about the abduction of a little girl flashed through our minds. Finally, when the adrenaline ran out, we collapsed on a bench, sadly lamenting that we'd probably never see our daughter again.
My wife then voiced the only sane thought of that hour: "We need to notify the zoo police." Just as we looked up to try and identify where to find such, a three-wheeled golf cart driven by a zoo staff member pulled into sight, with Joanna happily perched on the back, licking an ice-cream cone. Our daughter had already been found, safe and sound. Our family, praise God, was whole again!
The joy of that reunion, as well as the despair that preceded it, are both experiences I'll never forget. It all happened in less than an hour, but what an emotional roller-coaster ride!
Can you imagine the feelings that God has for us, His precious children, when one of us wanders away from His care into the perils and dangers of a life of sin? Oh, how it must hurt our Lord to the very depths of His heart to lose one of the children He has so lovingly and carefully made! And can you further imagine the immensity of the joy of our Lord when one of us returns to the family -- rejoining the great circle of the Father's love for all His children?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for including us in your expansive love. Thank you for watching over us even when we try to wander far away. Thank you for always restoring us to the family of your beloved children. Amen.
--Excerpted from Dr. Dave Ring’s 2019 published devotional book,
Reflections 365
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DRIVE-IN WORSHIP SERVICE
Saturday, June 6
7:00 pm
Come and worship in your car on Saturday, June 6 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. Message will be given by Rev. Scott Sharp. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).
As a gift offering for this service, please consider bringing either toilet paper, paper towels, or cans of soup. These items will be given to Silver Horizons for their senior clients.
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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 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.
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PEACE & JUSTICE SERVICES
Please join us this Sunday evening, June 7, at 7:00 pm for our Peace With Justice services. One service will be held in the east parking lot around the prayer labyrinth. The other service will be held at Quigley Park on San Pedro (several blocks from St. John’s). Both of these services will be led by our Certified Lay Ministers, Cari Neill and Mike Furnish. Please bring your own lawn chairs and sit six feet from your neighbor. In an effort to keep all people safe and healthy, masks are required.
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As we share in the peace and justice of all people, you are invited to bring $20 for an offering which will be sent to the General Board of Church and Society for peace and justice efforts in Minneapolis and around the world. The $20 bill is a reminder to us that George Floyd was taken into custody for a supposedly counterfeit bill. As a safe practice, offering stewards will collect these gifts rather than offering plates being passed.
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WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICES
Please join us on Wednesday mornings and evenings for a worship service of praise and prayer. Wednesday morning services will be at 8:00 a.m. in the playground area on the west side of St. John’s. Wednesday evening services will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Garden of St. John’s on the west side of the building. These services are designed to be thirty minutes and will be led by Certified Lay Ministers, Larry Luna and Joe Marshall. Please bring your own lawn chairs and sit six feet from your neighbor. In an effort to keep all of us safe and healthy, masks are required. THESE WEDNESDAY MORNING AND EVENING SERVICES will continue for the summer (at least that is the plan now).
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#photosfromhome
Pearl & Sweet Frida
-- Claudia Giese
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#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
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"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
Christine Fawson, trumpet
Jim Ahrend, piano
SJUMC Music Staff
Natalie Bonelli, soprano
Therese Macali, soprano
Curtis Storm, tenor
Shea Perry, soprano
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DRIVE-IN COMMUNION SERVICE
Wednesday, July 1
7:00 pm
Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, June 3 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We encourage you to bring your own elements (bread & juice). If you do not have your own elements, we will provide individually-packaged elements. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).
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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!
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
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link
HERE.
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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, join the class
HERE.
ST. JOHN'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: Theology in Popular Music - Mostly the Good
Last year’s study, “The Songs of Summer” seemed to be a hit, so we’re going to do it again. This summer we’ll listen to some popular music that sings about prayer and healing, some international music, some bluegrass and country, some great young singers who are the future of the Church, and some show tunes.
Download the study guide, or sign up for daily study tips by email by writing or calling Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.
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Photos from our Drive-In Communion Service on June 3:
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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
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. Susan also has a Youtube Channel with mindfulness tips
HERE.
VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY
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JUNE SPECIAL OFFERING: LOCKER #505
This month we at St John's have the opportunity to help the APS clothing bank called Locker #505. It provides clothing for students that they feel good about wearing, so they can concentrate on their school work and not worry about how they look.
If we remember back to our school days (I know- a long time ago for many of us!), I am sure we can remember how important feeling good about our appearance was!
With schools not in session since March, donations of lightly used clothing and money are down. New coronavirus procedures are in place so that students can still be served. Please give generously.
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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!
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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.
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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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