A LETTER FROM THE
CHRISTIAN SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
(Click image below)
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COLD FEET?
Revelation 2:2-5a
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
My wife, Fran, and I had been married for just a short time when I decided that we should do together what I had often done before solo -- to go tent camping in the mountains. Fran was raised a city girl, and she readily admitted her unfamiliarity with anything wild and untamed. Her words were, “I go where the cement grows.” But notwithstanding, to please her husband, she agreed to accompany me on the venture.
We camped near Red River, New Mexico. I put up my little pup tent, we did some hiking together, and I fished in the nearby stream. Fran did a creditable job of making dinner over a small, open fire. But when it came time for sleep, I realized something was amiss. My tiny tent had been fine for just me, but the two of us simply couldn’t both fit comfortably into it. Being newlyweds we were more than willing to snuggle up very close, but that still wasn’t enough. About six inches of my legs and feet stuck out no matter how hard we tried to creatively maneuver ourselves into the limited available space.
Shortly after nightfall it began to rain -- a cold, drizzling rain that lasted most of the night. My feet were repeatedly getting soaked, and I was becoming chilled. I finally gave up and climbed into the car to sleep. Fran, on the other hand, slept like a baby, warm and comfortable in the tent. In the morning, she was bright and chipper. “You know, this camping business is better than I expected,” was her opening statement to me. I grumbled something back at her which was less than positive. The experienced camper wasn’t having any fun, but the novice city girl was truly excited.
One of the many odd things I discovered as a pastor of churches is that, in the Christian faith, long experience is not always a good thing. New Christians are usually excited about and eager to share their faith and their freshly-found love for all persons. Those who’ve spent many years in the faith, and who ought to value their Christianity even more, are more often unwilling to share the joy and excitement and love of knowing Jesus than novice believers. It doesn’t make logical sense, but it’s the way things are. Maybe some of these long-term church-goers, like me after camping out at Red River, are suffering from cold feet.
Spiritual Discipline:
Diligently seek to renew your zeal for the Lord and His purposes for you.
--Excerpted from Dr. Dave Ring’s 2019 published devotional book,
Reflections 365
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"MUSIC FROM ST. JOHN'S"
LIVE-STREAM CONCERTS
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm
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
Fred Sturm, piano
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DRIVE-IN COMMUNION SERVICE
TODAY | Wednesday, June 3
7:00 pm
Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, June 3 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). Download order of worship
here.
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A MOMENT OF CELEBRATION
St. John's members Lawrence and Bess Oliver celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary today!!
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An Invitation to Discipleship for Peace & Justice
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#photosfromhome
This spring I have embarked on a series of woven designs, each one in bright and cheerful colors. The idea behind this series is to weave patterns that resemble quilts. The design of the patterns is a challenge to my creative skill and keeps my brain working on rhythm and color play.
-- Sue Phelps
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#PHOTOSFROMHOME
A CALL FOR SELFIES AND AT-HOME PICTURES
Hi there! I love showing you photos of what we are doing at the church, but what I think would be an even more amazing thing to share is a picture of you! Send me pictures and/or videos of you/your family/your pets/your garden/your cooking/etc with a short description, and I will share them here and compile them for a project! communicate@stjohns-abq.org
-- Shea Perry, Communications Director
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DRIVE-IN WORSHIP SERVICE
Saturday, June 6
7:00 pm
Come and worship in your car on Saturday, June 6 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. Message will be given by Rev. Scott Sharp. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).
As a gift offering for this service, please consider bringing either toilet paper, paper towels, or cans of soup. These items will be given to Silver Horizons for their senior clients.
YOUTH SUMMER SURVEY
The Summer months are here & Solid Ground United has a quick 3-minute survey where we want to hear from parents & students to help us plan how we get back together in person; entries are put in a drawing for a $30.00 gift card to Starbucks or Keva Juice. Everyone please go to: bit.ly/youthsummersurvey
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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.
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ZOOM TUTORIAL
The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom
HERE!
ZOOM YOUTH GROUP
Sundays from 4:00 - 5:15 pm
Students, come join us for games, discussion, community, and faith-building every Sunday from 4:00-5:15 pm! Go to: bit.ly/UMYFSolidGround (case sensitive) with the password: 048658
PARENTS CLUB
Mondays from 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Is distance learning with your child harder than you thought? Are the challenges of parenting in close quarters overwhelming at times? Or do you just miss talking with other parents? I know that I certainly do, so join us for Parents Club on Zoom Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm! Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.
"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link
HERE.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE CLUB
Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday Night Bible Club is still on! Grade school friends join us on Zoom to get your weekly Bible lesson, watch the So & So Show, and pray with your friends. Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information!
"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM
Thursdays at 1:30 pm
Join Pastor Pam for a 30-minute spiritual exercise. Space is limited, join the class
HERE.
ST. JOHN'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: Theology in Popular Music - Mostly the Good
Last year’s study, “The Songs of Summer” seemed to be a hit, so we’re going to do it again. This summer we’ll listen to some popular music that sings about prayer and healing, some international music, some bluegrass and country, some great young singers who are the future of the Church, and some show tunes.
Download the study guide, or sign up for daily study tips by email by writing or calling Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.
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Congregational Care Corner
PRAYER SUPPORT
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
GO-FER TEAM
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
ONLINE COUNSELING SERVICE AVAILABLE
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.
VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY
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ST. JOHN'S FACILITY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. A re-open date is to be determined! 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!
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CONTACT US
Office Administrator, Debbie Brown, will be answering the phone at St. John’s every weekday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Please call the office if you have any concerns or pastoral care needs. Debbie will get messages to Pastor Pam and Pastor Kelly. The office number is 505-883-9717.
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Contact Us
www.stjohns-abq.org
(505) 883-9717
2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org
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