December 8, 2023

Josh's Jottings

This Sunday is a day to celebrate at St. John's. Going a ways back, 2003 was an interesting and powerful year in music. The song of the year at the Grammy's was "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones. It is one of my favorites. Johnny Cash released his landmark music video for his cover of "Hurt," a song by Nine Inch Nails. The video is widely considered one of the best of all time, capturing Cash both in his early years as well as in old age. 

Closer to home, a new music director was starting work, at St. John's UMC. In the 20 years since, Matt Greer has developed our music program, connected us with the community in new and pioneering ways, and transformed our choirs into communities where people find a place to be themselves while simultaneously sharing their gifts. Beyond his leadership in music, Matt is a tireless advocate for our church, a trusted friend to many of you, and a leader and mentor on our staff. 

This Sunday, we will celebrate 20 years of Matt's leadership. After the 11 o'clock service, there will be a reception for him in the Family Life Center. Be sure to join us and to thank Matt for his service of and love for our church. See you there. 

-Josh 

Reception in Honor of Matt Greer

Sunday

Please join us in the Family Life Center after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, December 10, to celebrate Matt Greer’s 20 year anniversary at St. John’s. We have been blessed to have Matt’s artistry, energy and professionalism in our Church. His music ministry is integral to what St. John’s is today. Please join us in honoring Matt, there will be a basket for cards and gifts.

If you would like to make a donation to the music ministry in honor of Matt's 20th anniversary, you may do so here. Or, put a check in the offering designated "Matt Greer 20th Anniversary Gift."

Jolly Elders

December 13

On Wednesday, December 13, Jolly Elders will meet at 11 a.m. in the choir room. Joy Singers will entertain us with a Christmas set. After the performance we will enjoy a catered meal in the Family Life Center. Please RSVP by December 10 to Carol Wiggins at carolmwiggins@aol.com or text 505-321-0603 so she will know how much food to order.

Mountain Cathedral Hike

December 16

Please join us Saturday, December 16 for a stroll through the volcanoes we all know on Albuquerque’s west horizon. Plan to be at St. John’s Methodist Church (east lot) at 8:30 a.m. or at the Volcanoes Day Use Area parking lot at 9:00 a.m. (when it opens). Bring snacks, water and sun protection; return by noon.

In the spirit of our Advent journey, we will focus less on reaching mountaintops (the Park Service doesn’t allow summiting the main volcanoes anyway) and more on what is along the way. In this arid landscape, as in our lives, there are surprises and wonders for those who look for them.

The hike is easy to moderate (2.5 - 3.4 miles; some up and down). There is a vault restroom at the trailhead.

Save the date: The next two Mountain Cathedral hikes will be January 13 and February 17. (Is there interest in a starlight hike as well?)

For more info, contact Mike Furnish (884-6626). 'Til our trails meet! 

Mobile Food Pantry

December 16

Our next Mobile Food Pantry is Saturday, December 16. Volunteers arrive about 9:00 a.m. and distribution begins at 9:30 - 10:00 a.m., depending on the time the Roadrunner food truck arrives. We are usually finished before noon. For more information, please contact Debby Smith at (505) 554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com.

New MexiChords Christmas Concert

December 16

The New MexiChords present their Christmas concert, "It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas," with two performances on Saturday, December 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., here, at St. John's main sanctuary with special guest quartet, "Quartet of All Time.”

Concerts are free and donations are appreciated. Join us as we celebrate the sounds of the season!

2024 Stewardship Campaign

A big thank you to those who completed your commitment cards. If you have not turned yours in, please do so by 4 p.m., December 15. If you cannot get to the office by then, you may call the office at (505) 883-9717, and give the information to Joy or Jamie.

Ushers Needed for Lessons and Carols

December 20

The church is in need of two more ushers for the December 20 Lessons and Carols service. If you are available to help with the offering, please sign-up through the sign-in sheet in the Usher room, or you may contact Karen Hall at (505) 259-6797, and by email at klhall66@gmail.com.

Calling St. John's Expert Costume Creators!

Children's Ministry needs some help with a couple costumes for this year's Christmas pageant. If you are a super stitcher and would like to help, please contact Angela Lybarger at (505) 250-3875.

Thank you!

Nursery Help Needed

As we meet the nursery needs for regular and visiting singers, musicians, and families during the busy month of December, St. John's desperately needs more folks who can help in the nursery on Sundays & Wednesdays, during Lessons & Carols, and on Christmas Eve. If you'd like to help but need Safe Sanctuaries training, then you're in luck! We are offering a training session on Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m. Please contact Angela Lybarger at (505) 250-3875 to sign up for nursery help and/or for Safe Sanctuaries training. 

Preschool Plus

Our Preschool Ministry is getting ready for our Christmas program. This year our Christmas program will be The Fumbly Bumbly Angels. Our cute little angels are hoping to get into the heavenly choir, but we always seem to fumble bumble things up. Our Program will be Thursday December 21 at 6:00 p.m. The Preschool Staff would like to say thank you for sharing in the mission of serving children and families in our community and we hope your holiday season is filled with love and beautiful memories!

Blessings and Peace,

Cathy Lubold 

Birthday Wishes

The Congregation is invited to send birthday wishes to Irene Garvin for her 103rd birthday on Saturday, December 2. You can find her address in the church directory or call Joy, at the office, (505) 883-9717 ext. 138.

Family Spirit Class

Advent Series

In December, please join us at St. John's UMC on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in room 257 as we study a new book and DVD, An Unlikely Advent: Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story, a new book by Rachael Billups.

Each week we will watch a short 10 minute video in class with comments from the author and then discuss questions from the book. In December 2023, we will study Advent. And folks are welcome to drop by any week to sample the class and try it out. Free admission and open to all adults. Questions about the class? Email: eagan.brian@gmail.com

Watch this quick introduction video to meet Rev. Rachel Billups, (less than 2 minutes)

And watch Session 1 - An Unlikely Advent, Session 1 (ten minutes) by Rachel Billups

Click the link HERE for more information about the book study and author.

Coalition in Response to the

Lives Lost From Street Racing

On October 8, 2023, Jenna Hamilton, was killed as the result of a horrific street-racing crash on Louisiana NE. The driver of one of the speeding cars died as well. In response to this tragic accident, members of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church are seeking to form a coalition to address the increasingly dangerous practice of speeding and drag racing on our city streets in Albuquerque.

Initially, they plan to contact Tammy Feibelkorn, the city councilor in whose district the accident occurred. With her input, they hope to first create a committee broadening into a coalition with the intent of requesting renewed interest in and funding to combat this public health issue.

If you would like to serve on this important committee or have ideas for combatting this dangerous practice, please contact: Paula Mills, mother of Jenna Hamilton, at (505)-974-1784, or email, epmills@live.com.

The greater the chorus, the greater the impact we will have. Please prayerfully consider joining in this effort.

Christ Pageant Practices

Hello families, kids, helpers, and participating youth. Mark your calendars for "The Mysterious Animal" practice times. We will meet this Sunday, December 10, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. and next Sunday, December 17, from 12:15 - 2 p.m. We will also have a practice on Saturday, December 23, time to be determined.

See you in the sanctuary!

Lions, Tigers & White Elephants?

The Christmas season has arrived. As our usual youth group activities proceed throughout the next few weeks, I want to build our students’ anticipation for the white elephant gift exchange at youth group on December 17. It is always a fun event with some great recurring gifts. If you have any youth (grades 6 – 12) that would like to participate, we would love to have them join us that day at 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

Every student must bring a gift with a $15 limit, that has already been wrapped, is age appropriate and gender neutral. We will also have some holiday treats for this fun event. If you have a gift you would like to donate for our gift exchange, we will be playing some games to hand out the excess we may have. Just follow the same rules for the gifts that were stated earlier. If you have any questions or need more information feel free to contact Brett, youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org.

Prayer Quilt Recipient

Matt Greer is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

If you pass through the Hospitality Center this week, please tie a knot in the quilt while praying appreciation for Matt. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Matt. "Father, we are thankful that you have shared Matt with St. John's for these past 20 years. We are grateful for the gifts with which you have blessed Matt and we pray that you will give him a fresh supply of strength, anointing his projects, ideas, and energy so that even his smallest accomplishment may bring you glory. In Jesus's name. Amen.”

Snack Items

During the month of December, we will be collecting "snack items" for Tierra Adentro New Mexico (TANM) Arts Charter School, located in NW Albuquerque, and serving mid- and high-school students. The function of TANM is to ensure quality education in the arts and academics for children, while facilitating a deep understanding and practical application of New Mexico’s cultural roots and traditions.

We currently provide weekend meal bags each week for five of their students who are homeless/food insecure and will continue to do so. However, they have identified an additional 50 students who are food insecure and we would like to help out any way we can. This month we are collecting snack items which will be distributed by the counselor as needed at TANM. Suggested SINGLE-SERVE items are: cheese and crackers, beef jerky, applesauce, pudding, fruit cups, granola bars, power bars, cereal bars, ravioli, spaghetti-os, macaroni and cheese, soups (pull tab openings), ramen noodles, trail mix, fruit snacks, boxed drinks and juices, chips, pretzels, Goldfish, Vienna sausages, pop tarts, or oatmeal. Please place your donated items in the bins in the Hospitality Center.

THANK YOU, St. John's, for all you do for those who are food insecure!

Our worship services are livestreamed so you can watch them from home. To watch a worship service live, click on the service that you would like to watch on Sunday morning at its scheduled time.

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

Pastoral care is available for after-hours emergencies. Please send any congregational care needs to Pastor Josh at jkouri@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well.