January 8, 2023

Funeral for Maribeth Gunning Tomorrow

The funeral service for Maribeth Gunning will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Family Life Center. Maribeth was pianist/organist at St. John’s from 1993 to 2018. The service will also be available by livestream here.

Youth Group is Back This Sunday

Youth group resumes this Sunday, January 8! See you from 4-6:00 p.m. We will start in the FLC for snacks and gym time. 

Men's January Bible Study: The Apocrypha Begins This Monday

The what?! The Old Testament Apocrypha are books that didn't make it into most Protestant Bibles (although they are included in Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions.) The Apocrypha includes history (the Maccabee revolt, where we get Hanukkah), wisdom literature, adventure stories, apocalypse...it's quite an interesting array of literature.

So, why bother studying the Apocrypha if these books aren't in the Bible? These books cover the gap in time between the two testaments. Lots of ideas developed in Judaism during these 300+ years that influenced the New Testament authors and early church leaders. Among those developments are the immortality of the soul and eternal punishment/reward, specific ideas about the Messiah, and the belief in a coming age that would replace this old, corrupt age. Many biblical scholars recommend the study of the Apocrypha for profitable study and reflection. 

The men's study will run on Mondays starting January 9, 2023, for six weeks ending on Feb. 13. The morning class will be a hybrid class, both live and Zoom, meeting in room 257 from 10-11:30 a.m. The evening class (7-8:30 p.m.) will be only on Zoom. Students will need to find the Apocrypha (a good version is The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha.)

If you are interested in participating, please contact Jack Nuzum, jcnuzum@juno.com.

Jolly Elders Meeting on January 11

Our next meeting of Jolly Elders will be on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m., in Room 245. Adults of all ages are cordially invited to come to our next meeting of Jolly Elders.

What did you do before TV on cold winter nights. Play games. Let's bring those games. Carol Wiggins looked up the history of some board games. After sharing stories of playing those games with family and friends, let's take time to play some of them.

The meeting will end by noon to allow everyone to depart church for lunch elsewhere on their own. Everyone must park their vehicles and enter St. John's United Methodist Church on the west side (the 2626 Arizona Street NE side) of the church.

Memory Cafe January 14

We will be meeting again on Saturday, January 14 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the SonShine Cafe. This month we will be celebrating winter with music, games and our traditional soft 

snowball fight. We will also be wearing our favorite football teams' colors to support them! 

Memory Cafe is a monthly social group for people with mild to moderate memory loss along with their spouse or caregivers. It is a supportive environment where caregivers and their loved ones can enjoy time together as well as meet others who are traversing a similar journey.

However, we are still in need of people who will commit to being involved in a monthly meeting and/or work behind the scenes to help plan and organize so that we may continue to offer these meetings. For more information, please contact Sharon Jensen at ssmjens@aol.com or 505-323-7522.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike: Corrales Bosque & Acequia January 14

God has given us a new year. Be in wonder that through Him things are made new.

This loop through the acequia and riverside parts of Corrales (~5 miles, fairly level) affords views of the village, the old San Ysidro church, waterfowl wintering over, and the slumbering Bosque by the Rio Grande.

Logistics: Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the St. John's UMC East Parking Lot to carpool or drive alone to the start of the hike , or at 8:30 a.m. at the start (Corrales Parks and Rec, 500 Jones Rd). Plan to return to the church by about 1:00 p.m. Bring sturdy walking shoes, warm clothes, sun protection, snacks, water, and enthusiasm!

Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules.

Organizer: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net.

Save the date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hike is planned for Saturday, February 18.

New Spirit Sunday School Resumes January 15

On January 15, we will begin a new study. A Harmony of the Four Gospels, by Orville Daniel, presents the Gospels side by side in chronological order. Dr. Daniel also presents the text in such a way that the reader does not miss any information – even one word – given by any of the four Gospel writers. Join us as we take a refreshing new look at the story of Jesus, in Room 151 at 9:30 a.m., January 15. You may also attend by Zoom. For questions, call or write Regina Hunter, drhunter@nmia.com or 505-294-2877.

New Year Sunday Lunch January 15

Happy New Year! A tradition from many cultures--from the emancipated African slaves celebrating freedom to the celebration of Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)— black-eyed peas are eaten at the start of the new year to bring good luck, health and abundance throughout the year. Come join in the celebration with Roasted Ham Carved to Order, Black-eyed Peas, and Cornbread from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center. No reservation required. Just $12 for adults, $6 for ages 12-17, $3 for ages 5-11, and under 5 is free. A donation basket will be out if you would like to buy a meal for a person experiencing homelessness—we will be taking 180 meals to feed 180 food insecure people at HopeWorks at the end of the month.

We need volunteers to help put on the lunch. If you are available, please sign up.  If you have questions, text or call Nancy Douglas de Baca at 505-238-5895.

Women's Bible Study on Jesus & Women, in the First Century and Now Starts on January 17

Join Women's Bible Study as we explore Jesus & Women, in the first century and now by Kristi McLelland

• January 17 - February 28 (7 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., IN PERSON
• Facilitator: Shanlii Payment
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net, signing up at the Hospitality Center on Sundays or calling the Church Office (505-883-9717)
• Participants will purchase their own books

Imagine walking the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus of Nazareth—braving jostling crowds just to touch the edge of His cloak and hear Him say, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” Those words, once meant to comfort a hurting woman’s soul thousands of years ago, were also meant for you. Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. Examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today.

Families of Faith Resumes January 19

Families of Faith will resume on Thursday, January 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Book Swap

The Book Swap is a bookcase located next to the old altar across from the church office. It provides an opportunity for members to exchange children’s and adult printed books only. Books in excellent condition are much appreciated. For further information, please contact Debbie Eagan at deborah.eagan@gmail.com.

Please Help January Family Promise Host Week

We need your help for Family Promise host week January 15 - 22. Family Promise is a national program that supports homeless families in cities across the United States including Albuquerque. For six weeks during the year, St. John’s is responsible for meals brought to the Montgomery site. In addition, we are asked to stay on site for two hours to give relief to the permanent staff. If you would like to pair up with someone to provide a meal and stay for two hours, please contact Jenn or Linn. To volunteer, please check out the link to sign up: Family Promise: 2023 January Family Promise Meals. If you have questions, please contact Jenn Shields - jennshields200@yahoo.com - 505-450-9978 or Linn Furnish - swimsew@comcast.net. To see more information about family promise click here.

We Fit Together Like a Hand in a Glove

Our partnership with Silver Horizons just keeps growing stronger, thanks to you! Throughout January, we're making a major push to collect much-needed non-food items for the clients of Silver Horizons. Please consider donating any of the following new or gently-used items: towels; linens; small area mats/rugs; hats, gloves, and scarves; jackets and coats; lap blankets; magnifying glasses, and items for grandchildren, such as toys, games, or child-size gloves, hats, scarves, and socks. In addition, the following toiletry items are always in demand by Silver Horizons' clients: disposable razors, toilet tissue, and facial tissue. Please place your donations in the wire bins located in the Hospitality Center, and be assured that they will benefit the people who truly need them. Thank you! 

Kids Are Still Hungry But You Can

Help Meet the Need

The second semester is underway again at Zuni Elementary, and we're ramping up our efforts to help fight the problem of food insecurity for the 45 Zuni students we serve through this program. If you enjoy shopping for these students, we're collecting the following individual-sized food items in January: microwavable mac-and-cheese cups; shelf-stable white and chocolate milk; instant oatmeal packets; and nut-free granola or cereal bars. If you'd prefer to leave the shopping to us and make a monetary donation, that's fine, too. Checks may be made payable to "St. John's UMC", with "Zuni Meal Bags" on the memo line. Please place your food donations in the wire bins in the Hospitality Center, knowing your contributions are making a difference for these precious students. We thank you!  

NM Conference Lay Servant Academy

at St. John's

Three Lay Servant courses are available for this event, which will be held at St. John's Friday 1/20 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. (including dinner) and Saturday 1/21 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., including continental breakfast, lunch and snacks). Consider that we are blessed to be a blessing. Our Lay Servants are important leaders in the life of the church. For many, it's the first rung on the ladder to being prepared to live into their calling.

• Basic Lay Servant Training (facilitated by Joan White, CLM; text is "Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant's Book" by Sandy Jackson and Brian Jackson)
• Leading in Lay Pastoral Care (facilitated by Joe Marshall, CLM; text is "Lay Pastoral Care Giving" by Timothy M. Farabaugh)
• Embracing Personal Prayer (facilitated by Mike Furnish, CLM; text is "Lord Teach Us to Pray" by Margie Burger)

Gina Rivera is facilitating this Academy. The cost for participating is $45. All are welcome to sign up for any of the three, but can only receive lay servant credit for the basic course unless they have already completed that course. The texts are available from the Upper Room or Amazon.

For more information and signups, see https://www.nmconfum.com/lay-servant-training/ or contact Mike Furnish (505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net).  

New #BeUMC Sermon Series Coming Next Week

As we look ahead to the new year, we will have an opportunity to recommit ourselves to life together within the United Methodist tradition. Starting January 15, Pastor Randall will offer a sermon mini-series using the materials related to the #BeUMC campaign. For four Sundays, we’ll explore four key elements of our life together as United Methodists: discipleship, belonging and inclusion, how we are better together, and how God is at the center of all that we do. A downloadable discussion guide is available for small groups and Sunday School classes.

January Special Offering: El Calvario

Border Ministries



El Calvario United Methodist Church (Las Cruces) is on the historic Camino Real Trail and has been "serving the poor, welcoming the stranger and giving hope to the captive" (Matthew 25) for many years. These days it provides a vital place of hope and help for immigrants and refugees, providing emergency services such as food, clothing, shelter, medical services, transportation. Longer term ministries such as the Resiliency and Well-Being Program focus on job training, education, advocacy, and helping to provide a cultural bridge to new lives in the USA. 

In January we have the opportunity to do something to relieve the suffering at the border, both short term and long term, by providing much needed financial support for El Calvario ministries. Please give generously.

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.