Please pray for the family and friends of Richard Batt, who passed away on Christmas Eve. Richard is the son of Fran Batt, and was 55 years old when he passed.

Please pray for the family and friends of a dear congregation member, Jack Hulette, who passed away in his home this past week.

May the light of Christ shine forever upon Richard and Jack and all who loved them.

Luke 2:25-32 -- Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Clyde was a mean old man. Everyone who knew him had told me so. Even his wife, Julia, warned me to steer clear of her husband. But I was young and determined, and I had made a pledge to my small congregation that I would visit in every home of a church member during my first six months as their pastor. So I brushed aside Julia’s warning and said I would come to visit in her home anyway.

When I arrived at their house, at first it appeared I would be lucky. Clyde was off in a room by himself with his head buried in a book. He barely grunted as I passed by. His wife and I visited for a half-hour or so, then I got ready to leave.

I headed for the back door, going out just the way I’d come in, when I was stopped in my tracks by a single, sharp word, “Preacher!” Clyde was calling out from the room in which he’d been reading. I moved to his doorway, “Yes, sir?” “Preacher!” he boomed out again. He held up a Bible for me to see. “Preacher, if what this book says is true, I need to repent of my sins and accept Christ as my Savior before I die.” I couldn’t believe my ears. Clyde had just told me exactly what I wanted to tell him -- but didn’t have the nerve to say.

I responded, “Yes, Clyde. That’s just what you need to do.” He said, “Preacher, I’m 82 years old, and I’ve never been baptized. Am I too old to be baptized?”

The very next Sunday morning Clyde was baptized and publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ. And for the next 19 months, until Christ called him to leave the earth, he and Julia sat together on the very front row of the church, never missing a Sunday. Clyde was the most attentive listener to my sermons in the whole congregation. He regularly told me he was making up for lost time.

Clyde Hunter received the grace of Jesus Christ at age 82. On the other end of the age scale, I’ve also baptized two premature infants -- fresh out of their mother’s womb. The marvelous grace of Christ is available to all, regardless of age.

If we're breathing and conscious, Lord, we can receive your grace. Open us, Lord, to your unconditional love. Amen.

-- Excerpted and Adapted from Dr. Dave Ring's 2019 devotional book, "Reflections 365"

This devotional has been contributed by Dr. Dave Ring, a retired United Methodist pastor affiliated with St. John's. They are taken from his year-long daily devotional guide published in 2019. If you would be interested in obtaining a personal copy of this book, you may search for and buy it on Amazon.com or contact Dr. Ring directly by e-mailing davering@davering.net.

Click HERE to view COVID-19 safety tips courtesy of Linn Furnish and United Methodist Women!

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, will gather together via Zoom on Friday, January 8th at 9:30 am. Following a fellowship time, we will participate in the Human Rights Celebration, “United to Serve.” A special speaker, Kari Lenander, Executive Director of Border Servant Corps, a ministry of Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces, will share information on their humanitarian aid to support the 1300 refugees and asylum-seekers residing in a network of 11 shelters and homes as well as those being returned to Ciudad Juarez. Anyone wishing to join us in this Zoom meeting should contact Marilyn Stoops at mstoops@swcp.com.

Susan Brumbaugh, staff mental health counselor at St. John's, is offering a FREE weekly gathering on FRIDAYS (normally at 9:30 am) to practice mindfulness meditation. Each 30-minute session begins with a brief welcome, a description of the focus (e.g., breath, body, senses, emotions, thoughts), a 15-20 minute guided practice, and an opportunity to debrief and share experiences. 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.

From now on, the Newsletter will be sent out on Tuesday and Friday at 6:30 am. If you would like an announcement included, please submit to Shea at noon Monday or Thursday!

It’s that time again.

Yes, it’s time for NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS. May I suggest one that is often overlooked… “review your estate plan”.

Authorities suggest that plans be reviewed every 3 to 5 years. Laws change, conditions change, beneficiaries change. It is worth the time to make sure your plan is still what you want when you are no longer here to control your wishes.

I would ask that your plan include the church that has been a part of you and your family’s lives all these years. I suggest you do this by including the SJUMC Endowment Foundation as part of your plan. A simple tithe of your estate is an easy way to do this. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

Our foundation has been in existence now for over 30 years, and during that time distributed to the Church over $1,000,000.00. These dollars allowed us to do many things over and above what was possible with our operating budget. Your gift will be invested in our existing endowments, and the earnings will be used long after you are here to pass the plate.

Additional information is available, and I would be glad to share it with you. Please contact me at 505-256-7334.

Loren Keller

Foundation Board

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! (Pastor Pam 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

Women's Bible Study, Jonah, navigating a life interrupted by Priscilla Shirer

Women's Bible Study, The Names of God, His character revealed by Melissa Spoelstra

Youth Parent Meeting Jan 10th. Parents, come join on Zoom early on Sunday afternoon January 10th from 3:00PM-3:30PM for our Spring Semester Parents Meeting. Let’s check in and chart a course for the semester head. Zoom link HERE.

New Youth Group Spring Zoom: Happy New Year! Not only is there a new year, but a new Zoom, at Sunday youth group with new games, new series, new discussions, and new faith-building activities every Sunday from 4:00-5:15PM! Click HERE.

Most Requested Non-Food Items needed:

Please write "SILVER HORIZONS" in the memo field of your check

Contact: Kathy Dieruf (kadieruf@gmail.com) with questions

  The pandemic has led to some significant long term changes for Family Promise. The families have been housed in one church since last March and other churches, including St. John's, have been providing meals and supplies on the usual rotating basis but without personal contact until Covid is behind us.

      That has worked well and the decision was made to obtain a permanent location which will double the number of families that can be served from 4 to 8. The good news is that a building has been found, but as you can imagine the costs are significant. Churches will continue to provide meals. Contact Jen Shields at 450-9878 if you are interested in helping.

  But the biggest way we can help now is to help pay the mortgage for the new location. Family promise has helped so many families find permanent housing, get jobs, learn parenting skills and more over the past 17 years. Let's help it continue to do this for the next 17 years. Please give generously throughout the month.

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