The Art of Worship: Christ the King Sunday on November 21
Growing up in the Methodist tradition I was steeped in the Liturgical year and the celebrations of the traditional Protestant calendar year. I was surprised to find how many are un-aware of this great way of celebrating our Christian faith. This column hopes to reveal, educate and entice the entire congregation to observe and participate in these long time traditions to enhance their Christian worship experience. If you are curious, want to learn more or help in the Worship Arts Team, feel free to contact me.
This Sunday, although it may seem like an ordinary Sunday, is a marker day in the Christian Calendar. As you go to church this week take time to notice the green of the season of Pentecost is gone and pure white is left in its place. We celebrate “The Christ the King Sunday” on what is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. It is the day we wrap up a year’s worth of worship by declaring whose we are. We reiterate our mission – to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
That being said, please join us after service as we prepare for the liturgical New Year ... Advent. The Hanging of the Greens is an entire day planned to prepare our facility, hearts and minds for this glorious season.
Melanie Amend
melamend@msn.com
A column from the Worship Arts Team
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The Gift of the Nutcracker Advent Series
Pastor Randall has announced that during Advent his sermons will center around the book, The Gift of the Nutcracker, by Matt Rawle. Several Sunday School classes and small groups will be studying and discussing this book during Advent to go along with the sermon series. The only one that requires a registration is the Women's Tuesday Class using Zoom (see information below); any of the other classes, you can just show up at the time and room designated.
If you are interested in your small group studying this book together or would rather study the book on your own, that's great! Books are available at the Hospitality Center in the Narthex for $8 each.
Groups who are studying the book, The Gift of the Nutcracker, during Advent and the sermon series are:
New Spirit Sunday School Class, Room 151, 9:30 a.m.; starts November 14, currently meeting in person and by Zoom. To join by Zoom, contact Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com. For additional info, contact Sara Perovich at 505-345-5444.
Revelation of God, Room 231. 9:30 a.m., starts November 28, in-person. Class Contact: Brenda Rogers at 505-293-7948.
Sundays, 10:45 a.m., in-person, Room 151, starts November 28. Class Contact: Gina Rivera at rivera.vg@gmail.com.
Women's Tuesday Class, 9:30 a.m., starts November 30, via Zoom, facilitator: Barbara Stanfield. To register contact Donna Bruce@donnabruce@comcast.net.
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Asbury Pie Cafe Final Report 2021
The numbers are in and considering the low state fair attendance, the Cafe didn’t do too bad. Pie sales where only down 32% while fair attendance was down 42% from 2019 pre-pandemic year. The Cafe grossed $48,208. After expenses and next year’s set aside, there’s $37,825 to give away! Charities receiving a percentage of these monies include: Silver Horizons, the Storehouse, Meals on Wheels, Good Shepherd, the Rock at Noonday, East Mountain Food Pantry, South Albuquerque Coop, Rio Grande Food Project, and Family Promise of Albuquerque. Many thanks and blessings to all the volunteers who helped with this ministry in 2021. As we look forward to next year, look for announcements beginning in July 2022 to signup as a volunteer!
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Thank You From deLong Family
Private graveside services were held on November 13 for Christian Patrick deLong, who passed away on March 31 of this year. Chris was laid to rest at Falling Waters Presbyterian Church at Spring Mills, WV. Thank you to everyone who sent condolences to the family. We appreciate your kindness very much.
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St. John's Jammers Cancelled This Sunday
Due to the number of events happening this weekend, the St. John's Jammers group will not be meeting at their regularly scheduled time at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, November 21. They will resume meeting on the last Sunday of the month, November 28.
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Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
The church office will be closed next Thursday and Friday (November 25 and 26) for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be open for regular hours again on Monday, November 29.
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Help Us Bring Comfort to Others in November
Your St. John's Missions Team is collecting items for two organizations in November, and we hope you'll participate! The counselor at Zuni Elementary is requesting the following items specifically for students who may be experiencing food scarcity at home (single-serving sizes in pop-top, pull-top, or packets would be best): shelf-stable chocolate or white milk, instant oatmeal packets, microwave mac-and-cheese, pop-top veggies, pop-top ravioli, granola bars, fruit cups/applesauce, and individual snack items.
We're also collecting "comfort" items for our veterans in need, through Blue Star Mothers including: hot chocolate packets, individual packets of sunflower seeds, small packages of wet wipes (unscented), hand warmers, foot warmers, chapstick, and dental floss. Pick up a "shopping list" in the Hospitality Center, and place your donations in the wire baskets throughout the month of November. Thank you for sharing comfort!
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Youth Collecting Winter Wear for
Community of Hope Homeless Ministry
The youth are collecting winter wear for the Community of Hope homeless ministry. We are looking for donations of coats (preferably large or larger), hats, gloves and scarves. We will be going to serve at Community of Hope the first Sunday of December and will take your gifts then. Please drop off the items at the Hospitality center in the narthex.
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Immigration Volunteer Fair on Saturday
If you're interested in doing any kind of volunteer work with immigrants from Central or South America, Afghanistan or Africa, mark your calendar and come to an Immigration Volunteer Fair on Saturday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St Michael & All Angels, 601 Montano NW, 87107. Service providers from large and small non-profits, churches, and organizations from all over Albuquerque will tell you what they do and how you can help. You can sign up when you find the kind of work that matches your interests and availability. Don't miss it!
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Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday
Road Runner Food Bank offers a monthly food distribution on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next mobile food pantry will be held on November 20 at 10:30 a.m. from 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 people about a food product after distribution. There is no requirement 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 who you know is need of food assistance.
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Hanging of the Greens Celebration
on Sunday
St. John’s United Methodist Church and the Worship Arts team will be holding a Hanging of the Greens Celebration on November 21 to prepare our facility for the season of Advent! Come and go as your schedule provides. Work, eat, listen to music, and have some fun with the St. John’s community. RSVP sheets can be found in the Hospitality Center as well as in the FLC.
Hanging of the Greens Event Schedule:
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10:30 a.m. - (following Abide service): Begin set up/staging for FLC side of the building, put up banners, hang greens in FLC, and put wreaths on doors upstairs
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12:00 p.m. - (following Sanctuary service): Quickly put away banners, altar cloths, and current decor in the Sanctuary
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1:00 p.m. - Soup and salad lunch
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1:30 p.m. - Family Activity Stations start where kids can decorate cookies and paint nutcrackers
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2:00 p.m. - Music at St. John’s concert in Sanctuary featuring organist Alcee Chris (decorating will continue in the FLC side)
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3:15 p.m. - (after concert): Hang banners, greens in Sanctuary, and decorations for Narthex
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5:45 p.m. - Soup and salad dinner
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Music at St. John's Presents Alcée Chriss on Sunday at 2 p.m.
"Music at St. John's" present concert organist Alcée Chriss in recital in the St. John's sanctuary! A winner of several international organ competitions, Mr. Chriss will perform works of Sergei Rachmaninov, Marcel Dupré, Maurice Duruflé, J.S. Bach, and Fela Sowande. Join us live in the sanctuary (masking required) or by livestream on our YouTube Channel. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received. Join us!
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Learn About Wings for LIFE This Sunday
Ann Edenfield Sweet, Wings For LIFE International’s Executive Director/Founder, will share about Wings’ 27-year history. Ann will share about this unique ministry for family members of prisoners, why and how she started it, and how YOU can be involved in this fun and life-changing prison ministry too. Everyone is welcome!
This presentation will be held during the Family Spirit Sunday School Class, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., this Sunday, Nov. 21, in Room 257 (upstairs, across from the Youth Rooms).
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Last Day to Choose an Angel from the Angel Trees This Sunday
It's that time of year again! Angel Tree, a ministry that gives Christmas gifts to children in the name of their incarcerated parent(s) has been supported by St. John's for many years.
This Sunday, November 21 is the final day that the Angel Trees will be in the Welcome Center and the Family Life Center for those who have been attending worship in-person. At that time you can either take your Angel and go shopping, or let us know that you'd like someone to shop for you.
Should you choose to have someone shop for you, please bring $40 in cash or a check in that amount, made payable to St. John's United Methodist Church. If you choose to shop yourself, please bring each individually wrapped gift back to the East Parking lot, between 10 a.m. and Noon on Saturday, December 4. Should you be interested in volunteering in some way to help with this ministry, please call Kathy Scherlacher at 505-823-6692.
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Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
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Virtual Prayer Quilt
Beverly Berardinelli (friend of Melanie Amend) is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.
In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Beverly: "Father, we ask that you will give Beverly the fortitude and motivation to put in the work needed to make a full recovery from her hip replacement surgery. Uphold her with a renewed heart and mind. Amen.”
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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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