The Art of Worship: Ordinary Time
Ordinary time is the season that follows Epiphany (although most of the time it’s called “season after Epiphany”) that goes from January 7, 2022 - March 2, 2022.
Growing up I didn’t like Ordinary time. The White Rock United Methodist Church (where I grew up) met in elementary school gymnasiums and we always went early to set up chairs and transform a children’s table into an altar. My family and others all chipped in to help. My personal favorite was to set up the altar, but I dreaded ordinary time because the color green seemed to be up FOREVER! Week after week we put the green paraments out and I longed for the red, or purple, or even white! Somehow even the title Ordinary described how I felt about the season. As I got older Rev. Bruce Maxwell told the congregation green was representing growth and that struck an epiphany within me. I realized unlike the name “Ordinary time” it was actually an extraordinary time in the liturgical calendar... Click here to read the full article.
Click here to read all the articles in this series by Melanie Amend.
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Welcome Our New Receptionist Joy Heaviland
Stop by and say hello to our new receptionist Joy Heaviland! Joy is new to Albuquerque, and has lived here since July of 2021. After exploring her roots in Kansas City, MO, Joy felt the need to explore further and has lived in Christchurch, New Zealand, Fayetteville, AR, Denver, CO, and now resides in Albuquerque. “I love it here, the weathers nice, there’s a diverse culture, it’s a place I can call home” she says. Joy’s passion and calling is to lift people up when they are down and help where she can.
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She has volunteered her time at local nature organizations teaching youth about outdoor education, picking up trash or planting trees in neighborhoods and is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus. She is excited to be with St. John’s UMC and is looking forward to bringing a smile to your face.
Joy will be in the office from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Fridays.
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Dolores Sundt Has Passed
St. John's member Dolores Sundt passed away last week. Information about services is pending, and we will notify the congregation once they are finalized.
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A.V. Wall Has Passed
St. John's member and Chancel Choir member A. V. Wall has passed away. His son Kent thanks the church for providing his parents with fellowship, worship, and. music in their final years. Services are still in the process of being scheduled.
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Practice of Presence Cancelled Today
Today's 9:30 a.m. meeting for Practice of Presence has been cancelled. This group will resume next Friday, January 14, at its regularly scheduled time. Thank you for your understanding, and we'll see you all next week!
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Pick Up Nutcrackers This Sunday
The kind people who let us use their Nutcrackers for Advent may pick them up this Sunday, January 9, at the Welcome Center. Thank you for adding to the festive atmosphere of the church building!
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Thank You for Your Gifts to Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless and Silver Horizons
We would like to thank you for your generosity in our celebrations of our Savior’s birth at the Festival of Lessons & Carols and our Christmas Eve Services. The offerings for those events were for our community and we are happy to report that we are able to bless Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless with a contribution of $3,246 and Silver Horizons with a contribution of $5,797.00, which will be used to purchase the outdoor storage container they needed. May your gifts find their way to bless others in need!
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Weekend Meal Bags Needed for Zuni Students
Because more children have been added to the "needs" list for the Zuni Weekend Meal Bags project, we are in continual need of food items in pop-top, single-serve sizes. In January, we're collecting breakfast items for the bags oatmeal, individual shelf-stable chocolate and white milk, single-serve cereal boxes, and granola or breakfast bars. Please place your donations in the wire bins located in the Hospitality Center. Because the total cost of this project, per month, now exceeds $1,000, monetary donations are always welcome and the Weekend Meal program will be our Special Offering for the month of January.
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Family Promise Volunteers Needed
January 16 - 23
Our next hosting rotation for Family Promise will be January 16 - 23. The families are still at Church of the Good Shepherd (on Tennyson, near Tramway & Paseo). We will be providing dinners each of the evenings, Sunday - Saturday and washing bed linens. Like previous rotations, you can sign up through the registration link. Click here to access the sign up page and volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com; 505-450-9978 or Linn Furnish at swimsew@comcast.net; 505-884-6626.
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Church Women United Meets Today at 9:30 a.m.
Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, will meet on Friday, January 7 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. The theme will be “Empowering Refugee Women” and focus on the mission of Umoja Abq. Chantal Muhumure, founder of Umoja Abq, will share her experiences of growing up in Rwanda, then moving to ABQ in 2017, where she found other refugee women who were having the same challenges as she did. She is now a leader of this women’s empowerment organization that is working with community organizations across the city. Volunteers are needed, especially young women who are looking for specific volunteer ways that make a difference in people’s lives. A Zoom link will be sent out by Jan. 5th. If you would like to participate, contact Marilyn Stoops at 505-265-8358 or email her at mstoops@swcp.com.
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Jazz Vespers This Saturday, January 8
Join us on Saturday, January 8, at 5 p.m., live and online for our monthly Jazz Vespers Service. This month's service will feature music by vocalist and trumpeter Christine Fawson, pianist Robert Lah, bassist Colin Deuble, and drummer Cal Haines. The message will be brought by Rev. Dr. Scott Sharp. Click the video image above to watch from home, or click here to watch on our YouTube channel.
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Study The Lord's Prayer, New Book by Adam Hamilton Starting This Sunday January 9
Family Spirit Sunday School class invites you to join us in person in room 257 on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. as we study: The Lord’s Prayer: The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught. Click here to watch a quick introduction video by Rev. Adam Hamilton, about his newly published book.
"Most Christians know the Lord’s Prayer by heart. We pray it often, at different times and in different settings. We remember it as the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. But do we really understand and appreciate the meaning and power of its words, what we ask of God each time we pray it? When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus gave them this prayer. He likely taught it to his followers often, not just one time. He never intended the Lord’s Prayer to be a museum piece, framed and placed on a mantel or in a display case. It was Jesus teaching God’s people, through his disciples, how to pray"... Click here to explore the study.
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St. John's Jammers Meets This Sunday January 9
The St. John's Jammers will get together this Sunday, January 9, at 2:30 p.m. in room 149-151 in the Family Life Center. If you were given a new instrument to celebrate Christmas, or made a New Year's resolution to spend more time with that banjo that has been hiding in the garage, please join us.
We understand that there has been an uptick in the Omicron variant. We will social distance at this meeting and wear masks, but understand if you are not comfortable getting together. We will continue to follow the church's COVID policy on small group gatherings, and keep this group updated on any changes.
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New Bible Study, Who Is This Guy, Begins January 10
WHO IS THIS GUY? Sometimes when you’re watching a movie, suddenly there’s a minor character who looks vaguely familiar. Do you wonder, “Who is this guy? Have we seen this guy before?” St. John’s own email Bible study, Reading Together in 2022, is also wondering about that. Beginning on January 10, we’ll learn to recognize some of the biblical characters who are definitely among the supporting cast — even when their influence or actions are important. Pick up a study guide in the Welcome Center, or write or call Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 505-294-2877 to receive daily study tips by email.
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Men's New Year Bible Study on Isaiah Starts January 10
Isaiah is a rich, sprawling book, often called the 'Fifth Gospel' because of its message of hope and the many passages about the coming Savior. New Testament authors quote Isaiah more than any other Old Testament book except Psalms. It is very long and repetitious as well, so we're going to do an edited version that hits the highlights over six weeks.
The study will be on six Mondays, January 10, 2022, through February 14, at both 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Classes will be on Zoom and perhaps live as well through hybrid technology. If you are interested, contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@juno.com or 505-562-5241 to sign up or more information.
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Jolly Elders Meets on January 12
Our next meeting of Jolly Elders will be on Wednesday, January 12, beginning at 11 a.m., in Room 245. Adults of all ages are cordially invited to come to our next meeting of Jolly Elders, where we will have Anna Sanchez, Director of the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs (or a designated representative) speak to us on the topic of “The Mission of the Department of Senior Affairs.” Did you know that among other programs that the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs operates six senior centers and two multigenerational centers for the City’s residents? Please attend with your comments and questions about what is going on at the Department of Senior Affairs. The meeting will end by Noon to allow everyone to depart church for lunch elsewhere. Wearing face masks is required at the meeting.
Due to new church security regulations for this weekday mid-day meeting, everyone must park their vehicles and enter St. John's United Methodist Church on the west side (the 2626 Arizona Street NE side) of the church.
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Mountain Cathedrals Hike at El Malpais on January 22
We are planning a Mountain Cathedrals hike for Saturday, January 22 at Sandstone Bluffs in El Malapais National Monument. We’ll descend from a beautiful overlook, hike below several prominent sandstone arches, gingerly walk on a recent lava flow, cross an arch for those not too acrophobic, then enjoy ridge top views on the final leg.
Consider: We see this scenery as a snapshot in time, where a day is brief in the life of this place. Much of the Bible was written before the recent lava was extruded. Yet each day is important. Let us live in and be thankful for this day as we learn from yesterday and prepare for tomorrow. Difficulty: Moderate (4 miles, some scrambling, some off-trail). Meet at St. John’s (East parking lot) at 7:30 a.m. to carpool or drive individually; return by about 4:30 p.m. Please RSVP and direct questions to Mike Furnish, CLM (mdfurnish@comcast.net).
Save the date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hike will be Saturday, February 19.
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Youth Kickoff to Spring on January 23
Youth kickoff for the Spring semester will be Sunday, January 23 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. If you are interested in receiving the youth newsletter with updates about this event and other youth events, please email Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.
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Women's Bible Study on Determined, Living Like Jesus in Every Moment Begins February 9
Our next Women’s Bible Study will be on the book Determined, living like Jesus in every moment by Heather M. Dixon.
- February 9 – March 23 (7 weeks)
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Class meets IN-PERSON on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Facilitator: Dara Bell
- Cost: purchase study guide
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Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net
Imagine waking up every single day convinced that the twenty-four hours ahead of you are a precious gift to be used wisely. Now imagine that you know exactly how to spend them to be a force for God’s good. How, then, do we walk out unwavering joy-filled faith every day, determined to let go of the things that keep us from experiencing abundant life and fulfilling the plans God has for us? The answers are found in following the footsteps of the One who lived fully, because He was determined that we might do the same.
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January Special Offering: Weekend Meals for Zuni Elementary
In the past few months, Pastor Tiffany, Chef Tim, and members of the missions committee have been putting together nutritious light meals for needy students at Zuni. The students receive the meals before they go home for the weekend. These meals focus on nutritious foods, such as fruit and milk that doesn't require refrigeration, which can be expensive. Also, the counselor has recently identified additional students who could benefit from the meals. Now instead of 20 students, we will serve 40. Therefore, this month we at St. John's can provide more funds for more hungry students right next door! Please give generously.
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Comfort and Joy for Low-Income Seniors
We know how difficult the winter months can be for low-income seniors in our area, but staying warm shouldn't be one of those hardships. It's been our tradition, in January, to collect warm items, such as hats, gloves, lap blankets, warm socks, and shawls in adult sizes, for the seniors in need, served by Silver Horizons. New items are preferred, but very gently-used items will also be accepted. Please place your donations in the wire bins located in the Hospitality area, and remember to take advantage of after-Christmas sales on these much-needed comfort items. Thank you for your "heart warming" donations!
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Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
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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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