The Art of Worship: Fourth Sunday of Advent
My son bought a picture of the Milky Way galaxy this past week. It magically conjured up memories from my past. I remember as a child camping on the back porch under a very dark Los Alamos sky and marveling at the immense night sky. Seeing the Milky Way, stars abounding, a summer moon, even as a child I understood the enormity of the universe. Later in high school in the All-State chorus we sang How Excellent which was Psalm 8.
“How Excellent is thy name oh mighty Lord!
When I consider the heavens, the moon and the stars which Thou ordaineth.
What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visiteth him?
For thou has made man a little lower than the angels and has crowned him with honor and with glory.
Thou has put all things over the works of thy hands Thou has put all things under his feet. All sheep and oxen the beast of the field, the foul of the air and the fish in the sea.
Oh Lord our Lord, how excellent is they name in all the earth!”
The Christmas story is the focus of the 4th week of Advent. The story that has been told, learned, and retold... Click here to read the full article.
Click here to read all the articles in this series by Melanie Amend.
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Nancy Elizabeth Brooks Passed
St. John's member Nancy Elizabeth Brooks passed away on November 8, 2021. There will be no services held here in Albuquerque, but her family will have a service in New Haven, CT.
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There Will Be One 10 a.m. Service on December 26 (It's Ugly Sweater Sunday!)
On December 26, the Sunday following Christmas, we will have one all-church service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. This is the only service we will have that Sunday and it will also be available to watch over livestream. It will be ugly sweater Sunday, so join in the fun and wear your best ugly sweater to church!
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The Gift of the Nutcracker Children and Youth Art Exhibit
The Gift of the Nutcracker children and youth art exhibit is on display in the Narthex thanks to the Joi de Vie Art Ministry and Paul Chandler. Please come and see our young artists’ interpretation of our Advent series! The artists can pick up their art after Christmas!
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3rd-5th Grade Bibles Available
If you have a child grade 3rd-5th grade who would like to receive a Bible, please contact Pastor Tiffany (thollums@stjohns-abq.org). We will be presenting Bibles in early 2022 and want to make sure we are able to have a Bible for every child interested, especially with COVID interruptions of this wonderful time in our childrens’ lives.
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Confirmation 2022
We are wanting to offer a Confirmation class in early Spring 2022 for any youth, grades 6th-12th, who are interested in ‘confirming’ their faith through a special Confirmation experience. It will be a 12 week class with mentor experiences and concluding in a special Confirmation service during Sunday morning worship. If you have a youth interested, please contact Pastor Tiffany (thollums@stjohns-abq.org).
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Limited Hours at Church Office
Due to the Office Administrator, Debbie Brown, having limited working hours, some things have changed in the administration office:
Debbie’s working hours are from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Therefore, the administration office may not be manned on Thursdays and Fridays, which includes answering phone calls. So please be aware that if you call the office on those unmanned days, your phone call will go to voice messaging and your phone call will not be returned until the next Office Administrator’s business day, which will usually be the following Monday.
If you need to contact a staff member, you may call the office and dial their extension number, which may or may not go through as we are having problems with the phone system. (Note: most staff members are off on Fridays):
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- Pastor Randall Partin, ext. 122
- Pastor Tiffany Hollums, ext. 126
- Janice McCrary, ext. 121
- Matthew Greer, ext. 125
- Therese Macali, ext. 133
- Cathy Lubold, ext. 129
- Debbie Brown, ext. 138
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- Richard Castillo, ext. 138
- Nicole Creaturo, ext. 127
- Tim Nuzum, ext. 141
- Susan Brumbaugh, ext. 123
- Jim Ahrend, ext. 128
- Damian Cuaron, church phone
- (505) 315-4542
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Church Office Closed December 27 and December 31
In observance of the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the church office will be closed on Monday, December 27 and Friday, December 31. We will resume our regular office hours on Monday January 3.
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Family Promise Shopping Fundraiser
Today and Tomorrow
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!
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New MexiChords Concert on Saturday 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.
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Mountain Cathedrals Meets Saturday: 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.
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Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday
Saturday, December 18, will be the final Mobile Food Pantry of the year in the Family Life Center. Distribution of approximately 50 pounds of food for 50 households will be available. This is a drive through Food Pantry. Clients will wait in their cars and the food will be brought to them. The food distribution is FREE to people in need of food assistance. Name, address and phone is required in case we need to contact you about a food product after distribution. You will not be required to pay, put in volunteer hours, attend service or participate in any type of program to receive food. Food will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Please share with anyone in need of Food Assistance.
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Youth Reindeer Games This Sunday
Get ready for the first annual Youth Reindeer Games! What are Reindeer Games, you might ask? Well, you will have to come to find out! Join us from 4 - 6 p.m. this Sunday, December 19 in Youth Room 260.
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Last St. John's Jammers Meeting of the Year is This Sunday
Just a reminder we will meet Sunday for the last time this year. Any Christmas tunes you want to include let me know. Maybe we can get a drum and do "the little drummer boy".
I anticipate the second Sunday in January will be the first meeting in 2022. January is not a designated month to my knowledge, but February is "Black History Month", so maybe we can work on some African-American spirituals in January and February. "Wade in the Water" has always been a favorite of mine.
If you have any ideas what you would like to see this ministry do, please let me know and we can try and make it happen.
Musical term: Aproximemento - a musical entrance that is somewhere in the vicinity of the correct pitch.
I hope you are all having a wonderful, warm advent season. All the blessings of the coming of Christ.
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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.
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Women's Bible Study on Chasing Vines, Starts January 18
Women’s Bible Study: Chasing Vines, discover the true meaning of a fruitful, God-pleasing, meaning-filled life by Beth Moore.
- January 18 – March 1 (7 weeks)
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Class meets over ZOOM on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Maximum number for class is 16
- Facilitator: Gina Rivera
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Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net
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If you’ve ever tended your own garden, you know that the fruit is the most delicious when you’ve seen it grow. Beth Moore explores the ways God delights in watching things grow—and how the vineyard holds the secret to a more abundant and meaningful life. As she traces the metaphor through Scripture, Beth uncovers how every part of our own lives—even the rockiest soil—can be used by God to make a difference for His Kingdom.
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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.
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Virtual Prayer Quilt
Anita Keller is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.
In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Anita: "Lord, look upon Anita with eyes of mercy. May your healing hand rest upon her, restoring her to wholeness. Amen.”
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Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Wednesday evening for the Friday weekly edition. Click here to send your articles to editor Nicole Creaturo.
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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.
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