Ezra 6:22 -- For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

Something uniquely “21st century” happened to me. But it wasn’t a good thing. My computer caught a virus. A friend of mine’s e-mail, unbeknownst to him, was infected. When I received and read a message from him to me, my computer picked up the virus. I immediately noticed that something was wrong, as my computer’s performance slowed down markedly. Fortunately, later that same day my friend found out about what had happened, and sent me instructions on how to cure this particular virus. It took three doses of the necessary cyber-medicine, but my computer’s speed was ultimately restored. After that incident I bought a high-end virus-protection subscription for my machine.

Isn’t it interesting how, over the most recent couple of decades, we’ve taken the vocabulary from a totally different realm of human experience -- health and medicine – and employed it to explain a new portion of our lives -- the arena of computers and the internet? The strange part of this vocabulary shift is that it fits, and fits well. Just as humans can pick up viruses from the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, computers can pick up viruses from the electrical impulses which power and nourish them. Just as catching a virus slows us down and makes us sick, so a computer’s performance can be slowed and degraded by a virus. And just as we need medicines to rid our bodies of viral infections, computers need “cyber pills” – antivirus software -- to help rid themselves of viral infestations.

Viruses are highly contagious to both human bodies and modern-day computers. Something else which is also highly contagious, among humans at least, is attitude. A bad attitude on the part of one person -- in the workplace, for example -- can rapidly infect everyone else they come in contact with, until a whole group’s day is ruined. Fortunately, good attitudes are equally infectious. Someone who comes into work with a smile and a good word for those around him or her will lift everyone’s day -- until the whole crew is feeling better.

The word of God, on the subject of attitude, says that as a person thinks in his or her heart, so is he/she. I encourage you to spread a positive attitude -- from your heart to that of others around you.

Help us, Lord, not to spread viruses – but to exude good attitudes. Help us to lift up the precious people you place in our sphere of influence. 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.

"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTOR PAM - NEW ZOOM LINK

Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastor Pam! Zoom link HERE.

United Methodist Women will meet Thursday, January 7th, at 10 am via Zoom. For our program, Ann Edenfield Sweet will share a little of her story and why she started the Wings for LIFE program. We'll learn what they're doing during this unusual time of Covid, as well as how God has opened doors never imagined. Wings is an empowerment program that provides life skills, education, training, and support for children and family members of prisoners to reduce generational crime and imprisonment. As always, our meetings are open to everyone (including men). If you aren't a circle member and would like to join this Zoom meeting, simply email Regina Hampton at hamptonmason1@msn.com, and she will send an invitation to you! We hope you'll join us on the 7th!

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, will gather together via Zoom on Friday, January 8th at 9:30 am. Following a fellowship time, we will participate in the Human Rights Celebration, “United to Serve.” A special speaker, Kari Lenander, Executive Director of Border Servant Corps, a ministry of Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces, will share information on their humanitarian aid to support the 1300 refugees and asylum-seekers residing in a network of 11 shelters and homes as well as those being returned to Ciudad Juarez. Anyone wishing to join us in this Zoom meeting should contact Marilyn Stoops at mstoops@swcp.com.

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! (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.

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 registration 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

Youth Parent Meeting Jan 10th. Parents, come join on Zoom early on Sunday afternoon January 10th from 3:00PM-3:30PM for our Spring Semester Parents Meeting. Let’s check in and chart a course for the semester head. Zoom link HERE.

New Youth Group Spring Zoom: Happy New Year! Not only is there a new year, but a new Zoom, at Sunday youth group with new games, new series, new discussions, and new faith-building activities every Sunday from 4:00-5:15PM! Click HERE.

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