May 13, 2022

This Sunday is Baccalaureate Sunday

Baccalaureate Sunday is this Sunday May 15 and seniors will be recognized in all worship services. There will be a scholarship presentation immediately following the 11 a.m. service in the prayer garden followed by a celebration reception in the Sonshine cafe for Seniors and their guests. 

Justice for Our Neighbors Presents on Sunday

Come hear about the work of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) El Paso, on Sunday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. El Paso is the newest JFON site in the country and the official JFON site of the New Mexico Annual Conference.

Justice for Our Neighbors El Paso is a United Methodist ministry providing affordable, high-quality immigration legal services and advocating for immigrants’ rights in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. We are part of the national JFON network, which includes 19 sites all over the country. JFON is affiliated with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).

Kristen Bowdre, Executive Director, will share about what is going on at the border right now, how JFON is responding, and some ways you and your churches can get involved and support the work. 

Find out more on the JFON website or on their Facebook page.

New Mexico Fire Response Special Collection This Sunday

The Albuquerque District of the New Mexico Annual Conference is asking Albuquerque district United Methodists to pull together in support of those affected by the many fires in our district, including the largest fire in the USA at this time. Hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes, some awakened in the middle of the night to evacuate without preparation. There are approximately 500 persons at the Glorieta Conference Center at this time. This is where we are currently focusing our response. 

We will have a special offering on Sunday, May 15, to aid those affected by the New Mexico fires. We will also be collecting any of the items listed below. Click here to see a printable Shopping list / Hygiene Kit list and instructions.

Here’s how you can help:

• Pray for the health and safety of those displaced by, in the line of, and fighting these fires. Pray for the stilling of winds. Pray for individuals and families who are traumatized by these events.
• Give money through your local church who will send it on to the conference office for distribution. Please write checks to St. John's United Methodist Church and put FIRE RESPONSE in the memo field.
• Give items needed now: hygiene kits, bottled water, phone chargers, pet food, toilet paper, diapers, women’s hygiene items; NO CLOTHING AT THIS TIME!
• Give children’s items: NEW! Puzzles, games, crayons & coloring books, bubbles, all kinds of balls, yard games.
• Volunteer at Glorieta. They especially need kitchen help as they feed the 500+ they are housing (call Daniel Ruff at Glorieta – 330-590-0981)

Please give generously! Questions? Contact Donna at donnabruce@comcast.net.    

Solid Ground UMYF Schedule

May 15: Youth Group meets from 4 - 6 p.m. Our theme is Seniors so come dressed as your favorite senior.

May 22 and 29: No youth group.

June 3: Reel to Real begins from 3-6 p.m. on Sundays! 

July 10-16: Youth mission trip to Sacramento Methodist Camp. Scholarships are available and registration will go live next week!! 

Summer 2022: Later in the summer will be Youth Week where youth will serve in the morning and enjoy fun activities in the afternoon. 

To receive more youth news, please email Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Mountain Cathedrals Hike on Saturday, May 21, at Tree Springs Trail

We will seek the cool of higher elevations on a beautiful walk from the Tree Springs Trailhead (near the Sandia Peak Ski Area) to a saddle overlooking Albuquerque. Logistics: Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the St. John's east parking lot or 8:10 a.m. at the trailhead (Google Maps: Tree Springs Trailhead). Plan to return to the trailhead by 2 p.m. and the church by about 2:30 p.m.  This route is moderately strenuous (1100 foot elevation change, 4.5 miles round trip).  Bring lunch, water, sun protection and enthusiasm!

Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules. Contact organizer Mike Furnish for more information at 505-440-7292 or mdfurnish@comcast.net.

Save the Date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hike is planned for Saturday, June 18 (although we might do another one meanwhile - stay tuned!).

Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday, May 21

Food will be distributed through the Mobile Food Pantry in the Family Life Center on Saturday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. There will be approximately 50 pounds of food for 50 households 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 at this location is FREE to people in need of food assistance. Food will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Click here to download and share the event flyer. 

Coffee With the Pastors on May 22

Our next “Coffee with the Pastors” will be Sunday morning, May 22, between the worship services. If you are new to St. John's, or if you’ve been attending St. John’s for a while and have questions about becoming a member, getting involved in ministries, programs, small groups, mission activities, or would just like to visit with the pastors, you are invited to join us! We will meet in room 245 on Sunday, May 22 from 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. or from 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. We’d love to have you come!

Omelet Bar Returns May 22

Omelet Bar 2.0, Slightly Modified, will begin Sunday, May 22 in the SonShine Cafe between 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. As always, you can get a made-to-order 2 or 3 whole egg or egg white omelet that you can choose to fill with a generous selection of meats and veggies plus a piece of toast with jam or butter. All for just $7 per omelet. Bring a friend and enjoy a quality, from scratch breakfast and great conversation around the cafe tables with folks from all 3 Sunday services! Don’t ome-LET it pass you by!

Quintessence Concert on May 22

Join the singers of Quintessence and director Matthew Greer for “Jazz Hands!” a concert of jazz choral music featuring The Jim Ahrend Trio. The concert is in our sanctuary on Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m., and will also be available by livestream. Tickets are available at quintessence-abq.com, and St. John’s members can get a 25% discount by using the promo code SJUMC at checkout. Join us!

Preschool Plus is Offering Eight Summer Camps Starting in June

St. John’s Preschool Plus is offering eight fun-filled summer camps through the months of June and July for Preschool children 1 – 5 years of age. 

Each weekly camp will have a different and exciting Learning Theme! Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and extended care is available (8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Extended care cost is $5.00 per hour with an extended care contract. We also have an extended care reservation option at $5.50 an hour available for families needing occasional before and after care. Each camp will cost $150.00, with a non-refundable $25.00 deposit due at the time of camp registration. This deposit is included in the total price of the camp. Space is limited and camps fill up quickly! 

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Registration is easy! You can sign up on our website, call (505) 883-0496 or send an email to Preschooldirector@stjohns-abq.org.

Register Online for Vacation Bible School

June 27 - June 30, 2022 | Ages 5-11 (5th Grade)

Youth Are Invited to Help Lead the Fun

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Vacation Bible School is offered for children from age 5 through those who have completed 5th grade, and will be held daily from 9 a.m. to noon. Youth are invited to join us and help with the fun. Cost is $20 which includes a T-shirt, snacks, crafts and fun!

Our Vacation Bible School this year is centered on the the theme "Monumental", where we will explore the greatness of God and of God's love. Click the button below to register your child today. For more information, or to donate to the program so a child in need can attend, please contact Pastor Tiffany Hollums at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Reflections: A Series By Pastor Tiffany

During Lent Pastor Randall preached on "The Healing Journey", and after service homework was given to the congregation to reflect more deeply on that week's message. Pastor Tiffany is continuing this practice, by writing a weekly series called "Reflections", that you will be able to find on our blog. These articles will include a scripture reading, reflection questions, and prayer each week to explore the message from the previous Sunday sermon. This week, she reflects on the idea of people being every day saints, like Dorcas from our scripture reading on 5/8. She encourages the congregation to nominate an "ordinary saint" of St. John's:

Reflection Questions

Who are the ordinary saints around you-serving quietly…giving selflessly?

1. Take some time in the next few weeks to notice those who serve quietly around you-in your home, stores, schools, and community. Find a way to simply thank them.
2. Who are the ordinary saints here in our church family at St. John’s UMC? Over the summer we would like to share the ways some of these quiet saints are serving during our invitation to give. If you would like to ‘nominate an ordinary saint’-please email Pastor Tiffany with info at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.
3. Pray about ways in which God might be guiding you to serve in quiet ways-helping others, seeing the vulnerable, using resources and gifts you have already.

...Click here to read the full article.

Children's Ministry News

Sundays during 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship, children are dismissed from worship following the offering to attend Children's worship. During the spring and summer, we are meeting in the nursery which leads to the outdoor play area to have fun outdoor lessons and time to do projects outside. Parents can pick up their children following worship at the nursery door. 

The next few Sundays during Children's Chapel we will be putting together personal care kits for those affected by the fires here in New Mexico and will be collecting totes or bags, personal care items, snacks, cards, and other care items. 

On first Sundays (Communion Sunday), children worship with their families to receive communion but can do worship bingo to receive prizes after worship!! Worship bingo is a fun, interactive way to learn more in the service and has fun challenges.

Phyllis Eshbaugh Has Passed

St. John’s member Phyllis Eshbaugh passed away on Monday, May 9. Phyllis was diagnosed with dementia in 2007 and is now at rest with God. Her and her husband John Eshbaugh moved to Albuquerque in 2005 to be closer to her sister Anita Keller. They have been members of St. John’s since 2006. Phyllis was a part of St. John’s Chancel Choir and quilting group for many years. She will be greatly missed by her family, John, Jana Nolan, Jeff Eshbaugh, her sister, Anita Keller and many others. Prayers would be greatly appreciated as family and friends mourn the loss of this gracious Christian lady. No service has been arranged. If you would like to send condolence cards, please call the office at St. John’s for an address.

Notary Services Available at Church Office

Need an important document notarized? Come to St. John’s Office, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Joy Heaviland, Office Administrator, can be your notary.

Email Scam Alert

It has been brought to our attention that several members of our congregation have received emails from someone claiming to be Pastor Randall Partin, requesting that they purchase gift cards. If you receive one of these emails, please know that this is a scam. Do not make any purchases on behalf of St. John's and delete the message.

Know that neither Pastor Randall, nor any staff or person associated with St. John's would ever solicit donations in this manner. All communication from our pastors and staff will always come from our church email addresses (ending in @stjohns-abq.org) or from our church phone number (505-883-9717).