Hello St. John's,

As you know our beloved Kelly is leaving us in a few weeks. We are going to say farewell at the service on Dec 27th. We normally would have a reception where everyone could tell her good-bye and wish her well since that isn't possible we would like to shower her with cards. Please address the cards to:

St. Johns United Methodist Church

2626 Arizona St. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

in the bottom left hand corner put "For Kelly"

This will allow Debbie to separate out cards for Kelly.

Should you want to give a monetary gift to Kelly there are two ways. These gifts are not tax deductible and therefore will not show up on your giving statement. Make out a check to Kelly Giese and include it in the card or send it to St. John's as normally done and note that it is for Kelly. This will allow Doris to separate out those funds for Kelly. We will need to request a check to be cut by the 23rd so everything should arrive in at the church no later than Dec 22nd to be on the safe side.

Thank you for your steadfast devotion to God and St. Johns,

Karen Tidler

Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC)

will not meet today.

The extraordinary Ken Medema will be performing a special Christmas concert for St. John's live from his home in California, AND he wants you to be a part of it. As he says, "This is going to be a different kind of Christmas for many of us. Tell me about a meaningful Christmas in your past that was also out of the ordinary. A Christmas that perhaps was not what you planned for, expected, or wanted, but which turned out to be special anyway." If you would like to share a story, please submit a video or audio clip (1-2 minutes) by clicking here. Deadline is Tuesday at 10pm!

Romans, good news that changes everything, by Melissa Spoelstra

Facilitator: Karen Tidler

Bad news surrounds us. It comes through our phone, computer, and television screens. We encounter it in doctors' office, the workplace, and our own homes. If we're not careful, we can drift toward cynicism, fear or despair. As followers of Jesus, we must not lose sight of the fact that God has given us good news. We call it the gospel; it reminds us that God loves us and longs to redeem our suffering. The gospel truths shared with the early church at Rome echo into our day, reminding us that we still have good news to embrace personally and to share with others. In this study of Romans, we will take a posture of listening and learning as we approach this powerful book packed with good news that will encourage, inspire, and transform us. Email Donna at donnabruce@comcast.net.

"Incarnation" is a new 5-session Advent and Christmas study by Adam Hamilton, bringing a message of hope in the context of this complicated season of pandemic and elections. What can we learn from the names used for Jesus by the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels? Let us reflect together on the significance of the Christ child for our lives and for the world today. This Zoom study will be held on Monday mornings (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21 and Jan. 4), with a 10:00 am study led by CLM Mike Furnish (mdfurnish@comcast.net) and Tuesday evenings (Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and Jan. 5) at 7:00 pm led by CLM Joe Marshall (jmarshall62@gmail.com). Please contact either leader if interested. The study book can be purchased from Cokesbury.com.

We are planning a special “virtual choir” video of “Joy to the World” for the Christmas Eve service, and we’d love to have has many St. John’s members as possible participate. All you have to do is take a quick video of yourself singing the carol while listening to a prerecorded track, and submit it for Jim Ahrend and Shea Perry to work their magic with. Your family’s video will be mixed with all the others to make a huge, joyful, congregational carol.

Click HERE for instructions on how to submit your video. All ages are welcome! Please submit your recording by Wednesday, December 16!

Communion will be offered on December 16 and 23 in the west parking lot. You may “drive-by” between 11:00-11:30 and 4:30-5:00 p.m. Pastors Pam and Kelly will consecrate the elements with the gathered community at the beginning of each of these time slots. Individual cups with a wafer on the top will be provided. If you feel more comfortable bringing your own bread and juice, please feel free to do so. Chief Tim will also be assisting with the serving and with a prayer.

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

Join us for a very special St. John’s concert by Ken Medema, live from his home in northern California. Ken will invite your stories of favorite Christmases, and will improvise songs!

Join Alexis Corbin, Hovey Corbin, and family members for a fun and festive Christmas concert.

During Advent you are invited to participate in personal Advent Evening Prayer and Worship in the comfort of your home at the close of each day. Download this guide HERE.

Let’s share the spirit of Advent and Christmas by sharing photos of our at-home altar spaces, the lighting of Advent candles, and our holiday decorations! Please also consider sharing a favorite Advent & Christmas activity or memory! Email your photos and a description to Shea at communicate@stjohns-abq.org.

Bosque del Apache (south of San Antonio, NM, 90 minutes drive from St. John's)

Saturday, December 19 Afternoon

Walking route ~5 miles, level (options for shorter walks)

Meet 1:30 PM at St. John's East Parking Lot or 3:30 at the Bosque; return by 7:30 PM

$5 per vehicle admission to the preserve (or use a Parks Pass).

In the midst of the New Mexico high desert, the Bosque del Apache in winter is a superb site for watching waterfowl. We have chosen the afternoon time to watch flocks return to roost, as well as to enjoy the sunset, while we walk through the Bosque and God's handiwork. This is a time truly set apart from our everyday.

Watch for more details closer to the time. Please call Debbie Brown at the church office to reserve a space (505-883-9717); we are limiting group size for Covid safety.​

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:

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 our Youtube Channel. 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.

Sunday Community Activities: Click HERE to view all Sunday School Classes & groups! Join us in the virtual Sonshine Coffee Zoom immediately following the 11:00 am Worship with church Leadership Team members hosting. Zoom registration is HERE.

The Gruen family in the passing into glory of Marge

Ann Boland and family in the passing into glory of Bob

Roger and Donna Eaton in the passing of sister Virginia Davis

Donna Bruce in the passing of her brother

Karen and Hal Tidler in the passing of their brother-in-law

Kelly Giese is the recipient for the prayer quilt on display for December 7 - December 20.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Kelly: “Loving Lord, we ask that as Kelly moves forward to a new location and a new ministry, may your Holy Spirit lead and guide her and keep her steadfast, always abounding in your work and in your love. Amen."

 DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFERING: Two Ministries for Children

This month, we have the opportunity to support two wonderful ministries dealing with children. The Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas, has helped troubled children (ages 12-18) find a place to heal and grow in a loving Christian environment for over 125 years. Younger children thrive in homes of loving foster parents. “They (MCH) are here for me when no one else is.” “They never give up on us.” “I now know that God’s going to be there for me.

      A second Methodist-supported haven for children is Providence Place in San Antonio, Texas. Its motto says it all: “Giving God’s Children a Faith, a Family, a Future.” “Providence Place loved me and helped me make the best decision for my child without any pressure,” said one birth mother in the open adoption program. And, as an adoptive couple puts it, “It is indescribable the joy that Abby has brought into our lives.” Providence Place also helps young adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities develop their full potential and learn to live on their own with minimal assistance.  Both of these fine ministries rely on our generous donations.

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