“Set me as seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.” (Song of Solomon 8:6)

I love the Methodist symbol of the cross and the flame. It signals that we are to follow the servant path of Christ to the cross and beyond with the passion and power of fire. As with other of the powerful metaphors of scripture (e.g., water), fire has a dual valuation: both positive and negative. Like physical fire, metaphoric fire both helps and hurts (or, like controlled burns in forests, hurts first to help later!) But unlike physical fire, the fire of God can burn both outside and inside the human heart.

Without question the most common use of fire in scripture is to represent God’s judgment on idolatry and sin. From the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24) through Jeremiah’s prophecies of the burning of Jerusalem by Babylon (Jer. 21:10); from Jesus’ consigning the accursed in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats to eternal fire (Matt. 25:41) all the way to the end of time when the devil and all whom he has deceived are thrown into a lake of fire (Rev. 20:10), the message is the same: “…as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God” (Psalm 68:2.) Sometimes it is a judgment on the nations around Israel (Amos 1), but even more often it is pronounced on Israel or Judah (Amos 2; Joel 2:1-5) because they have forsaken God and mistreated their neighbors. At times, this ferocious anger of God is for the purpose of refining God’s people’s faith by burning away the dross and leaving the silver (Jer. 6:27-30.) Those who call upon the Lord will endure the testing as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3) or the young church in 1 Peter 1:7.

I found these passages disturbing, especially the large number of them. We like to think of God as endlessly merciful and forgiving. But scripture gives fair warning: there is a limit to what God will put up with: unrepented, willful wickedness will be punished. Just like a child must learn not to touch the flames, so we must learn that there are things we should not do or else feel the pain. An act of jealous spite or the hurt on a spouse’s face from a harsh word should burn inside of us to warn us that we are hurting God as well as our neighbor.

But fire also gives us heat and light and those more positive elements are also in scripture. The early books are full of the fires of sacrifice as the people of God show their devotion by offering up their finest animals to God. The priests keep a fire perpetually burning at the altar (Lev. 16:13) and offer burning incense symbolizing their prayerful offering to God. The Nazirites at the end of their time of devotion shave the hair they have left uncut as part of their commitment to God and burn it as a sacrifice (Num. 6:18.) The fire of sacrifice reveals (hopefully) an inner fire of faith and devotion to God reinforced by rituals that bind the community together and give individuals a chance to both celebrate and repair their relationship to God.

Fire as the light of inspiration and guidance is a powerful metaphor as well. Moses gets his revelation from God in a perpetually burning bush (Ex. 3:2.) The Children of Israel are guided

through the wilderness by a pillar of fire. God’s appearance on Mt. Sinai is like a devouring fire but spoken out of that fire is the law that governs the nation throughout its history (Ex. 19-20.)

The fire of God can appear from outside us revealing the often-frightening power of God, but in Acts 2 we learn of the fire that moves from outside to inside with the coming of the Holy Spirit to the waiting disciples. These are the flames of the Methodist symbol: the motivating power of God working within us to send us out like Peter and Paul to proclaim that God’s Kingdom has come in Jesus the Christ and we all can be a part of it. As the Beloved sings in the opening quote above, the power of God’s flaming love is stronger even than death.

If I feel like I am burning inside, is it a flame of inspiration or judgment? Or might it be the inspiration to repent before the flames consume me?! Can the ferocity of God’s anger be somehow an expression of God’s love? Can we keep the fire of devotion burning in the altar of our hearts?

-- Jack Nuzum

Click HERE to view the poll!

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.

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

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. communicate@stjohns-abq.org

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

Olga Perez Flora, mezzo-soprano

James Flora, tenor

Kristin Ditlow, pianist

FogoNuevo Duo

Gabriela Fogo, violinist

Luiz Barrionuevo, violinist and violist

Gustavo Pimentel, guitarist

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.

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!

United Methodist Women will meet, by Zoom, on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 am Our speaker will be Kristi Rhinehart, Program Director and Training Specialist for Four Winds Behavioral Health Center in Rio Rancho. Kristi will explain the program, as well as provide an update on the newly completed residential drug treatment center in Espanola. This meeting is open to anyone and everyone, so if you're interested in receiving a Zoom invitation, please contact Regina Hampton at: hamptonmason1@msn.com. You may arrive as early as 9:45 am, if you'd like to chit chat a few minutes prior to the meeting. We hope to see your smiling face!

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.

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.

Most of us have read only read bits and pieces of the book of Daniel: “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” and “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace.” This brief episode of St. John’s email Bible study will examine what else happened to Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Download a study guide, or call or write Regina Hunter for daily scripture readings and study tips, at 294-2877 or drhunter@nmia.com.

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.

Larry Gurule (friend of Jean Jones) is the recipient for the prayer quilt on display for September 14th through September 27th.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer): “Merciful Father, please hold Larry tight in your embrace as he faces medical challenges in his life. Show him your mercy, relieve his fears and anxieties and grant him a quiet mind and an expectant heart. 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