Psalm 121

There was so much new and different in moving to New Mexico.

There were so many things of wonder: hummingbirds abounding all summer; rosemary bushes with their little blue flowers that flower all winter; those desert willows with delicate flowers that are beautiful even in the heat of summer and after frost; the sunsets; the Cooper’s hawks; Cholla cactus; Ponderosa pines; Bean trees.

There were also thing that were just noticeably different: people walking so slowly in the heat; few drains in the streets; so many, many people with tattoos; sidewalks built right up to the street with nothing between you and the cars; no mosquitoes or horrible humidity!!; xeriscaping; and people riding the bus thanking the driver as they got off!

And there were new experiences that I’ve embraced: red and green chilies in foods; tomatillo anything; being outdoors so much more; walking to places; finding local places for unique treats and eats and conversation.

But the biggest, most obvious difference is the mountains – the beautiful Sandias especially, as they are really right next door. Of course, I have experienced mountains on vacation – mostly just driving through. But I have never lived close to mountains. And now, on any day, I have just to walk out of my apartment complex and look east – and there they are.

And so I have developed a little habit about these mountains that I not only enjoy, but also strengthens my faith. The first time every day I see the Sandias, I say my own adaptation of Psalm 121. (Ps 121 is listed as a Song of Assents – a song people sang as they made their way up to Jerusalem and the temple.) Here’s what I say (and it’s not set in stone – it may change from day to day):

“I lift my eyes up to the mountains – the mighty and beautiful Sandias.

But is that where my help comes from?

NO! My help comes from the Lord – who made these mighty

mountains -

and the whole world and all that is in it.

He made me - and He is my Keeper. He will keep my soul safe for forever. Amen”

This has been such an uplifting habit for me that I am looking at other things in nature that I could do the same with, things that when I look at them, I can connect to God. Trees; grass; water; sun; rocks – so many things that will help me keep God in the front of my eyes – and heart!

Prayer:

O Lord – the whole of creation reflects your power and love. Let me deeply see that each time I open my eyes.

-- Lyn Fitz

Please join Certified Lay Minister, Larry Luna, and Pastor Pam on a Spiritual Discovery Trip: Walking the Labyrinths. We invite you to participate in one or both of these labyrinth experiences, either in the beauty of northern New Mexico or here in Albuquerque. Our first trip will be on Wednesday, October 14th to the outdoor Labyrinth at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. We will meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. and drive separately or carpool to Santa Fe. After walking and praying at our first stop, we will head on to a labyrinth at Black Mesa Winery north of Espanola. Please bring a sack lunch and participate in the sharing of a love feast together. (You are welcome to do the wine tasting after our event is completed). The second prayer labyrinth trip is on October 18th at 1:00 p.m. when we will meet together at the outdoor labyrinth at New Life Presbyterian Church. We will then head on to the Center for Action and Contemplation to walk the outdoor labyrinth there at 3:00 p.m. You are welcomed to do both of these labyrinth experiences, or choose one. Larry will provide a pre-trip explanation and spiritual exercise in a zoom class on Sunday, October 11th at 1 pm. It is highly beneficial to the over-all experience to be a part of this 30 minute “tutorial”. We look forward to sharing in this Spiritual Discovery Trip! TO REGISTER: Email Larry Luna at larry.luna.nm@gmail.com.

Our next hosting rotation will be October 18th - 24th. The families are still at Church of the Good Shepherd, and we will be providing dinners each of the evenings, Sunday - Saturday. Like the rotation at the end of July, there is a Signup link HERE. If you have any questions please contact Linn Furnish: swimsew@comcast.net; 505-884-6626 or Jenn Shields: jennshields200@yahoo.com; 505-450-9978 

It seems like a very long time since we have been able to be together as a church family. Our staff has worked hard to keep us connected through virtual worship services, drive-in or small in-person services, and some Sunday School classes and other groups have been able to continue via Zoom, meeting safely at the church, in homes or even in parks. The Leadership Team wants to make sure everyone in our church family is being contacted in some way, especially those of our members and friends who might not have regular contact with people. We are looking for volunteers to help us call a small number of members to find out how they are, to let them know we are thinking of them and to find out how the church can help them. If that sounds like something you would enjoy doing and sending information back to the church about these members, please contact Barbara Stanfield, barbarastanfield@comcast.net. Thank you for considering helping in this important ministry of reaching out to our St. John’s family.

Would you be interested in submitting a daily devotional for the Newsletter? If so, send an email to Pastor Pam at prowley@stjohns-abq.org!

Please include the following items when writing a devotion:

A Focus Word or Phrase

A Scripture (it can simply be referenced)

The Body of the Devotion (one page is a good guideline)

A Prayer or a Spiritual Practice

St. John’s will live-stream a worship service on Sunday morning at 9:30 am (Contemporary) on the Abide Facebook page and 11:00 am (Traditional) on the homepage of the website. We hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastors Pam and Kelly will lead, along with Shea Perry, Jim Ahrend, and Matt Greer). We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.

Missing getting together with your St John’s family after church? Join us in the virtual Sonshine Coffee Zoom immediately following the 11:00 am Worship. Church Leadership Team members starting with Jim Hickman will be hosting with the Pastors Pam and Kelly joining if they are available. Zoom registration is HERE.

Come join us for St John’s Blessing of the Animals. All God’s creatures are welcome! Chef Tim will have treats for us all and we will celebrate our relation to all creatures, as we worship with all creatures great and small, and witness to God’s goodness in creation. Masks required. We will meet in the east parking lot!

Please contact Debbie Brown, Office Administrator, if you have a Card Key to access entrance to the St. John’s facility. Debbie can be contacted at 883.9717 ext. 138 between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Thank you!

The class always welcomes new faces, whether they wish to become permanent members, are interested in a particular study, or need a Sunday School family while on temporary assignment in Albuquerque. We typically alternate between modern books and books of the Bible. We are currently nearing the end of I’d Like You More If You Were More Like Me, by John Ortberg. Contact Regina Hunter, drhunter@nmia.com, to be added to the invitation list on Sundays and to learn of the next book.

Family Spirit Class meets by zoom on Sunday mornings, 9:30 to 10:30. They are studying John Ortberg’s book The Life You've Always Wanted. Brian Eagen and Doug Sweet lead this study. Please contact Anita Hallstrom at anitah1@comcast.net if you would like to join this zoom class.

Christian Classics Sunday School Class is meeting by Zoom at 3:30 PM on Sundays. We are studying The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault. Contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@juno.com to join in.

Join us for a new series of concerts live-streamed from the St. John's sanctuary! Concerts are a benefit for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. musicatstjohns.org

FogoNuevo Duo

Gabriela Fogo, violinist

Luiz Barrionuevo, violinist and violist

Gustavo Pimentel, guitarist

The Ladies Book Club will meet Monday, October 5, at 1:00 pm in the Prayer Garden. We will be discussing “Love and Ruin” by Paula McLain, an interesting read about Ernest Hemingway, his life and his loves. Please bring your lawn chair and your mask, that’s a must! See you there, mapalook@comcast.net

To better streamline all the ways we communicate, the Youth Group has adopted the Slack app to merge and integrate the our direct messaging, digital calendar, Zoom account, and all our online documents. It is easy to join the threads that apply just to you. Join in here: bit.ly/joinumyfslack1

Summer is past, and as we get back to school? Our Solid Ground youth group will resume meeting every Sunday at 4:00-5:15PM with new games, discussions, and faith-building activities plus new features of the student led Soap Box and Top 5s. Log-in. at: bit.ly/Fall2020UMYF (case sensitive).

While we are not yet allowed to sing together, stay informed about the activities of the Sonrise Youth Choir, including weekly Zooms on Thursdays at 4:00 pm (Jackbox games!!), and musical workshops in the Fall! Email Shea at sonrisechoir@gmail.com!

Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, October 7 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We encourage you to bring your own elements (bread & juice). If you do not have your own elements, we will provide individually-packaged elements. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).

We will be offering all our classes via ZOOM so you can attend from the convenience of your own home - perhaps even in your pjs if you want!

Broken and Blessed, How God Used One Imperfect Family to Change the World by Jessica LaGrone, led by Barbara Stanfield

Deadline for registration: October 8

Maximum number for class is 11

Get Your Life Back, Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge, led by Karen Tidler

October 20 - November 24 (6 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:15 - 11:15 am

Deadline for registration: October 8

Maximum number for class is 11

Calling all Cars. Many children will not be able to trick-or-treat door to door this year because of Covid-19. Let's create a fun, safe, socially distant, costume-filled, and candy-laden option for children in our community on Oct 31st 2:30-4:30PM. To keep everyone safe, masks are required, gloves are needed, and individually wrapped candies are a must. We are looking for 25 people/families to participate. Can you join us? Please register to volunteer: https://conta.cc/3bPziEM

Photos from the 2019 Trunk or Treat:

St John’s Food Ministry continues to serve the people of Albuquerque--approximately 500 people per month!--with hot meals prepared in our kitchen,  Do you have a surplus of fresh produce from your garden that you would like to donate to St. John's to feed the hungry? If so, please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org.

The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom HERE!

Join St. John’s Music Director Matthew Greer for a new weekly session in which he talks about the music ministry, explores hymns and choral music, and chats with the occasional guest about music they love. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link HERE.

Meet by zoom with Pastor Pam for a 30 minute spiritual practice every Thursday afternoon. We will explore different ways to pray, to commune with God, to nurture our spiritual lives with Christ through the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Space is limited, join the class HERE.

Remember to get started on your family-history manuscript with Terri Link and Regina Hunter, Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00. If you have trouble connecting before 10:00, all Regina at 294-2877.

Reading Our Bible Together in 2020 will begin a new study, “Sermon Series,” on Monday, Sept. 27. Preachers love sermon series, partly because in a good sermon series, one idea will last for weeks. This episode of Reading our Bible Together will look at some of the sermons preached long ago by Moses, Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others, and we’ll see that these sermons still have important messages for us today. Download a study guide here. To receive daily study tips by email, write or call Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.

Anyone is welcome--no experience is necessary. (And, yes! It's okay for Christians to meditate.) If you want to learn more prior to starting, the sessions will be similar to ones she leads and records on YouTube. Each session will be hosted on Zoom. HERE is the zoom link. Please contact Susan Brumbaugh, counselor@stjohns-abq.org, or 505-506-6716, if you have questions.

Jane Faber is the recipient for the prayer quilt on display for September 28 - October 12.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer): “Father, we pray for Jane as she embarks on this new phase of her life. We pray these words: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen

With the Church currently closed, the prayer shawls have taken up residence with Hunt and Ann. They are actually quite comfortable in the coolness of their new home but they would love to be of comfort to someone in need of God’s love. Please contact Ann at mapalook@comcast.net or 768-7013 if you would like a shawl. If you call, the basket will await your visit in their courtyard. Blessings -

How we support you and your family in prayer during this difficult time? Prayers for health, employment, peace? Please send your prayer requests to the Prayer Team: mapalook@comcast.net or submit them on our website HERE.

It is hard to get out and many people shouldn’t. Is there something you need delivered from the store? If we are able to help, we have a few volunteers who would like to serve as Go-fers for people who need something but cannot get it on their own. Please pass any requests on to Jarrod at c.care@stjohns-abq.org

The St. John's staff includes a licensed mental health counselor who is available to meet virtually (using a smartphone or computer) in a secure online platform during these anxious times. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, counseling is available. Click here or contact Susan Brumbaugh at 505-506-6717 or counselor@stjohns-abq.org for more details about session and cost information. Susan also has a Youtube Channel with mindfulness tips HERE.

   As summer winds up this year, let's pause and remember the church camp experiences of our lives, wherever they may be.

You may remember youth camps, women's or men's conferences, marriage retreats, lay speaker schools and many more events Some people made their first commitment to Christ in a camp setting. Most remember growing closer to God.

   Sadly, this year most events at Sacramento and other camps were canceled by Covid resulting in not only lots of disappointment, but also serious financial hardship. We at St. John's have the opportunity this month to support our beautiful camp in the Sacramento mountains south of Cloudcroft and ensure future opportunities with other Christians to pray, worship, play and study in God's beautiful creation. Please give generously.

In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. We will keep you apprised as things develop.

Your St. John's pastors and staff are still very much on the job, and are available to you during this time. Please reach out to us if we can help you in any way!

www.stjohns-abq.org

(505) 883-9717

2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110

Office Hours (call only): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm