December 16, 2022

Letter From the Pastor


Dear Beloved of St. John’s,


As we journey through the season of Advent and look ahead to Christmas and the end of the year, we have much to hope for, anticipate, and, indeed, give thanks for!


We continue to grow into a post-COVID model of church and ministry, unpeeling the onion of the past few years and finding new ways of being in mission and ministry together. I’m thankful that our in-person worship attendance continues to recover: we are now just under 60% of what our pre-COVID attendance figures were, which is the upper bounds of what most churches are experiencing. We are seeing new faces alongside familiar faces, welcoming new people into our community and, especially, seeing more and more families with young children. And, as I try to mention from time to time, we regularly have approximately the same number of persons joining us online as on campus for worship—our reach is wider than it ever has been (and widening)! 


Financially, we are in fairly decent shape as the year draws to a close. Our overall income has outpaced expenses by about $16,000, which is a little more than 1% of our annual budget—not much breathing room, but to the good, for which we can also be thankful!


Earlier this month, our Church Council agreed to designate our Christmas Eve offering (collected at all four services) to be shared equally with Family Promise and Heading Home, two of our ministry partners who work to address homelessness in our community. Our Lessons and Carols offerings are designated for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, another partner doing excellent and needed work. As we celebrate the great gift of Christ in this season, may our generosity be a gift to others that makes a real difference in Christ’s name.


If you would like to get caught up on your financial commitment for 2022 or make any extra year-end contribution (we could use all the help we can to finish strong and start 2023 on solid footing), please be sure to do so before December 30th. With the Christmas and New Year holidays falling on weekends this year, mail and banking will be complicated, so please be sure to mail, drop off, or have your online contribution done in time.


I continue to find myself blessed beyond measure to be in ministry with you. May this season and the new year bring even greater opportunities for us all to bless others.


In Christ,

Randall

Lessons and Carols Tuesday and Wednesday


Featuring the St. John's choirs, accompanied by professional orchestra, performing music of Susan LaBarr, Bradley Ellingboe, Gustav Holst, Mack Wilberg, and others. With special guests Olga Perez Flora, mezzo-soprano and James Flora, tenor. A free will offering will be received to benefit Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless. The nusery will be open.


Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.


(Live at St. John's, and by livestream on our YouTube Channel)


Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m.


(Live at St. John's)

Mobile Food Pantry This Saturday


The Mobile Food Pantry delivers nutritious food, including fresh produce, directly to hungry people in need across New Mexico. Started in 2008, the program currently partners with more than 100 sites across New Mexico.


Our next Mobile Food Pantry is Saturday, December 17. Volunteers arrive around 9:30 a.m. and distribution begins at about 10:15 a.m., depending on the time the truck arrives. We are usually finished by noon.


If you are interested in helping or have questions, please contact Debby Smith at 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com.

Youth Gift Exchange This Sunday

 

On December 18 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. will be the Solid Ground gift exchange (bring a wrapped gift under $10) in the FLC.

WeCare Group Meeting This Sunday

 

The WeCare group for caregivers will meet this Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hospitality Center.  

 

Christmas at St. Johns December 24


Join us for one of four services offered on Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24. The nursery will be open at the 4:00 p.m. service. Find more information on our website https://www.stjohns-abq.org/christmas.


12:00PM | Contemporary Service| Sanctuary

4:00PM | Traditional Family Service| Sanctuary

7:30PM | Candlelight Service |Sanctuary

11:00PM | Candlelight Service |Sanctuary

Celebration of Life For Jim Collins

December 26

 

Please join the Collins family, Kay, Jeff and Beth, for a Celebration of Life for Jim Collins at the home of Jeff Collins, Monday, December 26, 2022 3:00 – 6:00 pm, 9444 Allande Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Come and share your favorite memories of Jim as we celebrate his life. Jim passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 surrounded by family at his home in Frisco, Texas. Jim was an active member of St. John’s for over 40 years.

New MexiChords Barbershop Holiday Concerts Friday and Saturday


Join New MexiChords Barbershop Harmony Society Chorus for "Christmas Eve in My Home Town" with the Eldorado High School Choir as a special guest. The concerts will take place Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 with group discounts available. Kids 6 and under are free. For ticket information please call (505) 242-4451. The concerts will take place at St. John's. We look forward to gathering in person to celebrate the holidays.

Maribeth Gunning


We are sad to share the news that longtime St. John's organist Maribeth Gunning passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 14, at home. Maribeth was on the St. John's staff from 1993 to 2018, and a beloved member of the Albuquerque musical community for decades. Her contributions to the worship life of St. John's and the success of the music ministry are immeasurable.


We will let you know when information about arrangements is made available.


We are so grateful to have had Maribeth ass part of the St. John's community. May choirs of angels receive her.

No New Spirit Sunday School Class Until January


The New Spirit Sunday School class is canceled until January 8, 2023. On January 15, the New Spirit Sunday School class will begin a new study. 

Family Promise in Need of Volunteers


JANUARY FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK: January 15th - 22nd. We need volunteers to provide meals and spend time with the families. It's a wonderful chance to help families stay together during difficult times. Please check out the link to sign up. Family Promise: 2023 January Family Promise Meals (signupgenius.com)


If you have questions, please contact Jenn Shields - jennshields200@yahoo.com - 505-450-9978 or Linn Furnish - swimsew@comcast.net.

Nursery Available for Holiday Services


The nursery will be available for Lessons and Carols services and at the Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 p.m. There will not be nursery available for morning services on December 25 and January 1.

Servers Wanted for Cookie Receptions

After Lessons & Carols


The Food Ministry will be having a cookie, coffee and punch reception in the Welcome Center/Narthex after each Lessons and Carols on December 20 and 21st to encourage fellowship, to get warm and cozy in the Christmas season, and to support the hard work of those who participated in the Festival of Lessons and Carols. 


If you would like to help serve punch or coffee or help refill the cookies and punch, please sign up using the link below. No experience necessary, just a smile and a, somewhat, steady hand. Servers can attend the Lessons and Carols and still serve as the reception will be set up and starts at the conclusion of the Festival.


Questions, please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org.

Click Here to Volunteer

No Mountain Cathedrals in December


There will be no Mountain Cathedrals in December. Please join us on January 14 for the next hike (location to be decided soon). Contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, mdfurnish@comcast.net.

December Special Offering: Methodist Children's Home and Providence Place



This month we have the opportunity to support these two fine ministries as they provide help for troubled children, teen mothers, and young adults with special needs. Other important programs provide support for foster parents and help for foster children as they transition to adult life. Adoptive services and parent education are also available. As one child put it, "They (MCH) are here for me when no one else is. They never give up on me. And now I know God is always with me too." Please give generously.

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Watch the 8:15 a.m. Mosaic Service Livestream
Watch the 9:30 a.m. Abide Service Livestream
Watch the 11 a.m. Traditional Service Livestream

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St. John's United Methodist Church

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.

Pastor 24-Hour Hotline | (505)808-1624

Pastor care is available for after hours emergencies. Any congregational care needs, please send those to Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well. 

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