July 21, 2023

Josh's Jottings

A Prayer for the Start of Mission Trip (From the Book of unCommon Prayer)

"God, bring our minds and hearts into pure focus. We are your servants. Help us remember this above all things. We are your servants. Let us be your eyes. Let us be your ears. We are your children. We are here to take care of one another. The world is a scary place sometimes, God. We wonder how it can get so bad. Help us understand that your children must care for one another and, in doing so, care for others and the whole world. AMEN." 

I share this prayer for a few reasons. First, our youth are leaving on Sunday for their mission trip to El Paso. They'll be working in an under-served area of El Paso providing the same joyful VBS experience we shared with our kiddos here at St. John's. Mission trips are lots of work, but great fun too. Pray this prayer for our youth as they travel next week. 

Second, Nicole Creaturo, our exceptional Director of Communications and Media, is moving on to new adventures. Nicole has transformed our online worship ministry, communications, and so much more. All the more, she did so during the COVID emergency when we needed her gifts. She has had a mission here at St. John's, and that will not change as she turns the page in her life. Pray this prayer for her as she reimagines that mission in her new setting. Also this Sunday, please thank Nicole for her work and passion if you see her. Or if you watch the live-stream, let's flood the comments section with gratitude as well. 

Finally, I want you to pray this prayer for yourself, for me, and for our church. We are all in mission. Mission begins as soon as we walk out the doors of the church on Sunday and mission continues in our interactions and love for our neighbors, our families, and anyone in need in our community. Pray for your life to be a mission trip. 

Blessings to you this week. 

-Josh 

Memorial Service for Ken Yost on Saturday

There will be a memorial service held for Ken Yost on Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m. in St. John's sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Family Life Center. This service will also be livestreamed, click here to join the service online. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church Music Ministry. Click here to read more.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike on Saturday

The July Mountain Cathedrals hike will be Saturday, July 22, at Tecolote (Owl) Peak. This moderately easy route starts near the base of the Sandia Peak Ski Area at 8,800 feet elevation (so hopefully a bit cooler than in town). It is about 2.5 miles long, slightly rocky, and has an elevation gain of 318 feet. Wildflowers and amazing views of the East Mountain region await. We'll meet at St. John's East Parking Lot at 7:30 a.m. to carpool, with the option of meeting the group at 8:15 a.m. at the trailhead (Google Maps location Tecolote Trailhead). 

Where do we find the Lord? Can He only be found in a magnificent house built by our hands (e.g. see 2 Sam. 7)? Or is the full story far more wonderful? 

Save the date for the next hike: August 12

Omelet Bar Mix and Match on Sunday

Omelet Bar Mix and Match is happening Sunday, July 23. You can get a made to order 3 egg or egg white omelet that you can fill with a generous selection of meats and veggies. And each omelet comes with a piece of toast with jam or butter and a drink, all for just $7! Omelet Bar is in The SonShine Cafe between 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Bring a friend and enjoy a quality, made from scratch breakfast and great conversation in the fun sun of the cafe.

We need volunteers to be a Toast-Master (aka Chef de Toasted Bread) take money and be a runner—no running required. To sign up, text or call Nancy Douglas de Baca at 505-238-5895 or click here to sign up online.

Join Bible Study "Pool Party" Starting July 24

It’s hot—too hot for serious study. Let’s just hike along the creek, swim in the lake, take a dip in the river, or jump into the municipal pool. Join St. John's email Bible study, "Reading Our Bible Together," as we wade through many of the cool waters found in the Old and New Testaments, beginning on July 24. Pick up a study guide in the Welcome Center on Sunday, July 23, or call or write Regina Hunter at (505) 294-2877 or drhunter@nmia.com to receive study tips by email every weekday.

UWF Annual Rummage Sale and Trinkets & Treasures Sale on July 28-29

This year, the United Women in Faith's annual Rummage Sale and Trinkets & Treasures Sale are happening on the same weekend! This combined shopping event will be held on Friday, July 28, from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 29, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Proceeds from both of these sales benefit local missions. Come find that special item you've been waiting for in your shopping excursions. Details for these sales are below:

Rummage Sale

• Friday, July 28 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• In the Family Life Center
• Almost anything and everything can be found at our Rummage Sale, including tools, books, glassware, art, small appliances and linens
• Questions? Contact Regina Hampton at hamptonmason1@msn.com or Doris Bowen at bowen_g@msn.com

Trinkets & Treasures Sale

• Friday, July 28 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• In the narthex
• Here you will find collectibles, vintage items, depression glass, pottery, jewelry, home decor, etc.
• Questions? Contact Donna Bruce at donnabruce@comcast.net

Donate Your Items to the Sales

Donations for both the Rummage Sale and Trinkets & Treasures Sale will be accepted on Tuesday, July 25 - Thursday, July 27 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. No large furniture (sofas, chairs, dining tables, entertainment centers, filling cabinets or exercise equipment). Click here to see a list of pricing suggestions.

Memory Café Meets on August 5

Memory Café Albuquerque is having a Hawaiian Luau for our August meeting. Join us on the beach on August 5 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Sonshine Café. Our entertainment is a Hula Dancer who will also be teaching us a dance! We will also have beach ball games, trivia, snacks, and information for caregivers and loved ones. Click here to see the event flyer.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month from 1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m. in the Sonshine Café. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others traversing a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com.

Hospitality Center Orientation/Reorientation on August 6

On Sunday, August 6, immediately following the 11 a.m. service, current volunteers and potential volunteers will gather for fellowship and lunch, in addition to an orientation / reorientation for what happens in the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings. We REALLY NEED more volunteers so if you think you would be a good "fit" for greeting and helping people on Sunday mornings through the Hospitality Center, then please plan to join us on August 6. We will provide the training and place you with an experienced person! You can volunteer as little or as much as you want. Shifts are 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Come join us! It's a great way to meet people and also to use that gift of hospitality! For planning lunch numbers, please contact donnabruce@comcast.net to RSVP by Tuesday, August 1.

Servers Needed for Zuni/St. John's Preschool Plus Teacher Appreciation Lunch

On August 2, St. John’s will be serving a free lunch to appreciate the teachers at our neighbor, Zuni Elementary, and the teachers at our own Pre School Plus. We are in need of servers to set tables with linen and flatware, serve drinks and lunch, eat with the teachers, and bus dishes and clean up. If you are interested, please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717 x141.

Please Help Host Family Promise Week in August

We need your help for Family Promise host week August 13-20! 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 (jennshields200@yahoo.com and 505-450-9978) or Linn (swimsew@comcast.net). Click here to sign up to volunteer online.

To see more information about Family Promise click here.

Asbury Pie Cafe Needs Help

I see postcards around the church, why? - 2023 Asbury Pie Cafe NEEDS help! Volunteers are gearing up for another New Mexico State Fair. There are many, many, many ways to help make the Asbury Pie Cafe successful. Just to list a few - attend pie parties, bake pies, store frozen pies, work at the Cafe, and/or donate. Click here to see a list of ways to help and click here to see an invitation to the pie parties. Both can also be found at the Hospitality Center and the Abide Service. Want more information - contact Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or 505-450-9978.

Pastor Josh's Office Hours

It’s been a great two weeks, getting to know so many of you at St. John’s. We are so lucky that our church is filled with people gifted with insight and passion for ministry and I am enjoying learning about all of you. A few persons have inquired about office hours and best times to meet with me when they have important information to share about our church and its ministries. 

In general, I’m available most of the time Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sometimes I can meet with people during the evening as well. To make an appointment to meet with me, contact me at JKouri@stjohns-abq.org or by calling the church at (505) 883-9717. Thanks! 

-Josh 

Youth Head to El Paso for Mission Trip

The Youth mission trip team will be leaving this Sunday, July 23, following the 11 a.m. worship service. We will meet in the SonShine Café for pizza at noon and then begin loading. The youth mission trip team will be going to El Paso to lead another fabulous week of Stellar Vacation Bible School for the Tobin Park United Methodist church and community, so please keep us in your prayers. The youth mission trip team will return Saturday, July 29 at 5 p.m.

Changes to This Week's Youth Schedule

There will not be Reel To Real this Sunday, July 23, but we will resume next Sunday, July 30! There will also not be Thursday Treats at Bahama Bucks on Thursday, July 27. 

Thanks to All Our Stellar Volunteers

Stellar Vacation Bible School and St. Kid’s Camp would like to thank everyone for their incredible support, prayers and a truly stellar out of this world week! Thank you to the many adult and youth volunteers and everyone who gave donations! We had a stellar time!

Prayer Quilt Recipient

John Bundrant is the recipient of the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for John: "Loving Father, restore strength to John's body and bring joy to his spirit. Amen.”

Albuquerque Christian Children's Home

Thank you, St. John's, for your generous donation to the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home (ACCH) through the May special offering. Alicia O'Rear, Development Director for ACCH, stopped by the church to personally thank us!

We can continue to help them through purchasing gift cards for ACCH for use in buying school supplies and needs for the children as they arise. They are in need of Amazon, Target, Visa and WalMart gift cards. You can purchase these in any amount and bring to the Hospitality Center on Sundays or the church office during the week. A representative from ACCH will pick them up from the church.



If you have questions, come by the Hospitality Center or contact Donna at donnabruce@comcast.net.

July Special Offering: Zuni Elementary Students

Believe it or not, school will be starting soon, and the children at Zuni Elementary School, right across the street, really appreciate our help getting ready for school. Supplies keep getting more and more expensive, and this month we have the opportunity to give money which will be used to purchase the exact supplies that the children need. So as school bells start ringing, let's start the new school year with generous donations.

Missions Collection: Supplies for Teachers

One thing we've learned over the years is that many school teachers end up buying additional supplies that are needed in their classrooms. For the month of July, we are collecting the following items for the teachers at Zuni Elementary.

1. Reams of copy paper
2. White board markers, erasers, and/or cleaning fluid
3. Liquid hand soap
4. Kleenix
5. Reward stickers
6. Glue sticks
7. Magnetic Clips
8. Colored Pens
9. Colored Markers - both skinny and fat ones
10. Post-it Notes

Please bring any of the above items during the month of July to the bins located in the Hospitality Center. Questions? Contact donnabruce@comcast.net.

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

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.