A Note From Pastor Randall
Dear Beloved of St. John’s,
In my sermon this past Sunday, I reminded us that how the Church marks time is distinctive. While Thanksgiving is primarily a secular holiday, the notion of giving thanks is practically universal. Indeed, our scriptures bear repeated witness of God’s people giving thanks--especially for what God has done--and we are often called upon to do the same.
The ever-quotable G.K. Chesterton once said this, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” My hope is that as you gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this year (in all the ways that you might gather to celebrate Thanksgiving), you would not merely pause for saying thanks, although that would be (as Chesterton suggested) the “highest form of thought,” but that even in the midst of the challenges and frustrations of our current pandemic-riddled world, you would find a way to express gratitude as well, that you and your loved ones might find ways to express and celebrate that “happiness doubled by wonder” that presses beyond simply offering thanks and instead invites us to wonder and, indeed, praise.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Randall
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Christmas Food Boxes 2021: For the John Marshall Community Center
Once again interested church members are invited to participate in our program of providing Christmas Food Boxes to needy families served by the John Marshall Community Center in the South Broadway area of Albuquerque. The Center will be reaching out to families in the area who use their services. The need is tremendous and our participation is much appreciated. This year’s timeline looks like this:
*By Sunday, December 12 or sooner, commit to Jack Nuzum (tel. 265-5241, jcnuzum@juno.com) as to the number of boxes which will be provided and by whom. You can also sign up in the Hospitality Center and pick up a list of suggested contents.
*On Saturday, December 18, bring the completed boxes to the WEST parking lot of St. John’s between 8 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
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Practice of Presence Cancelled Today
There will be no weekly Zoom meeting for Practice of Presence today, November 26, at 9:30 a.m. This group will resume its regular meetings next Friday, December 3.
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Ukulele Sunday With St. John's Jammers
The St. John's Jammers will meet this Sunday November 28 at 2:30 p.m. in room 149-151. This Sunday we will welcome all instruments, but try to put a focus on the ukulele. Extra instruments will be there, or ukuleles can be checked out at most Albuquerque public libraries. Christmas is around the corner so we will play some Christmas tunes. For information contact Chuck Phillips at 252-916-0958 or email at chuckphillips2086@gmail.com.
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Card Shower Recognition
One of our beloved St. John’s members, Irene Garvin, will be celebrating her 101st Birthday on Thursday, December 2! She so enjoys receiving cards in the mail and reading greetings from her church family friends! If you would like to participate in this surprise outreach, please send a card to her address printed in the current Church Directory or drop your card in the designated basket on the counter top as you pass by the Welcome Center this Sunday. Irene will be so surprised and elated to hear from all her cherished friends on this very special birthday!
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Group Leaders: Schedule Your Classrooms for 2022 by December 29
We are now booking our resource rooms and classrooms out into 2022. If you are a group leader or Sunday school teacher who needs a room each week, contact Debbie Brown in the church office by December 29 to reserve your room. Requests can be submitted by email to reception@stjohns-abq.org or over the phone at 505-883-9717, ext. 138.
You will need to submit the following information:
- Name of event/class
- Date(s)
- Start time and End time
- Room(s) requesting
- Classroom setup
- Contact person’s name, phone number and email address
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Zuni Elementary Thanksgiving Food Box Drive
Thank you UMW, Preschool Plus, the Family Spirit Class, and all our gracious participants who donated 15 frozen turkeys and bountiful boxes of canned goods for our Zuni Elementary Thanksgiving Food Box Drive! We successfully delivered the boxes by routine curbside pickup method from the FLC North Hallway. The recipients were so very appreciative of the safe and convenient manner in which this outreach was offered up. All the folks expressed their deepest thanks and gratitude for this support during our continued struggles with the pandemic. St. John’s continues to be a beacon of hope and loving support to many in the neighborhood and our community!
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Thank You For Supporting Angel Tree
Thank you St. John's for once again supporting Angel Tree in a very big way! All the Angels were taken by the end of the early service this past Sunday! Please remember to return your individually wrapped gifts, with the Angel's attached no later than December 5. Thanks again.
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United Methodist Women's "Christmas Festivities" on December 2
"Christmas Festivities" will be the focus of our December 2nd meeting of United Methodist Women. We're meeting in hybrid format (in-person and Zoom), so please join us at 10 a.m., in Room 245. Please enter the church from the west parking lot, and use the elevator, as needed. Masks are required. There are several things on our agenda: making missions-spending decisions, our Installation of Officers ceremony, conducted by Dee Dee Heffner, a couple of "fun" and inspiring Christmas activities, and snacking on Christmas cookies, of course! We invite you to join us in-person, or if you'd prefer the Zoom option, please contact Regina Hampton at hamptonmason1@msn.com, and the link will be shared with you a couple of days prior to the meeting. You need not be a member of UMW to join us --- everyone is welcome, anytime!
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New MexiChords Concert on December 18 with Special Guest Quartet Southwest Edition
New MexiChords presents their holiday concert "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in St. John's Sanctuary on Saturday, December 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. General admission is $10, and children under 6 can enjoy the concert for free! There are senior and group discounts available. For tickets and information call 505-803-4904, click here to download the full concert flyer, or click here to visit the New MexiChords website.
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Greetings Church Family,
At this Time of Thanksgiving Celebration, St. John’s United Methodist Preschool Plus, wish all of you, the happiness of good friends, the joy of spending time with family and the wonder of the holiday season. Have a truly blessed and memorable Thanksgiving!
We are so very thankful for all of You!
Blessings and Peace,
St. John’s UMC Preschool Plus Staff
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Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
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Virtual Prayer Quilt
Beverly Berardinelli (friend of Melanie Amend) is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.
In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Beverly: "Father, we ask that you will give Beverly the fortitude and motivation to put in the work needed to make a full recovery from her hip replacement surgery. Uphold her with a renewed heart and mind. Amen.”
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Wednesday evening for the Friday weekly edition. Click here to send your articles to editor Nicole Creaturo.
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St. John's United Methodist Churc
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.
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