July 8, 2022

Jazz Vespers Service on Saturday

Our monthly Jazz Vespers service will be held this Saturday, July 9, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary (and online). Don't miss this spectacular service featuring music by Wendy Beach (vocals), Michael Anthony (guitar), Colin Deuble (bass), John Bartlit (drums), and Robert Lah (piano). Message will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Scott Sharp. Click the button below to watch the service live and online from home. 

Locker #505 Open House on Saturday

Locker #505, the charity organization we support by donating gently used clothing for children and teens in Bernalillo county, has officially moved! They are now located to the south of St. John's on Menaul (in walking distance from the church!). Stop by their open house on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to take a tour of their facility and see good work in progress. Refreshments will be provided! Their new facility is located at 6203 Menaul Blvd. NE.

No Youth Group Next Week

There will be no Reel to Real this Sunday July 10, and no youth meet up at Menchies on Wednesday, July 13 as the youth will be away on mission trip. 

Youth Mission Trip July 10-16

Youth mission trip is July 10-16 where we will be working at Sacramento Methodist camp for the week. We will leave from the church west parking lot Sunday July 10 at 2 p.m. and will return on July 16. Please pray for the team, the camp (as there has been recent flooding) and the youth and adults who are serving. 

Men's Summer Bible Study: Joseph and Daniel

Starts Monday, July 11

This summer we'll study two 'strangers in a strange land', Hebrew men who find themselves in the court of a foreign king. Hopefully, we'll discover ways of coping when we find ourselves 'out of place,' in situations that are unexpected and challenging.

We'll be meeting for FOUR MONDAYS, July 11 - August 1. We will have both morning and evening sessions, either 10-11:30 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. We'll also be taking advantage of the hybrid possibilities at church allowing men to attend both morning or evening sessions live or via Zoom. If you want to meet in person, come to Room 257, which is set up with camera, microphone, and screen to also allow Zoom participants.

If interested, please contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@juno.com or 505-221-9522.

Women's Bible Study on Forgiving What You Can't Forget Starts Tuesday, July 12

Our next Women's Bible Study will be on the book Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkeurst:

• July 12 - August 23 (7 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. IN PERSON
• Facilitator: Shanlii Payment
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net



When you've experienced hurt upon hurt or your heart has been completely shattered, offering forgiveness can feel unrealistic. We know God commands us to forgive. But how? Why? When? And are there exceptions? Though forgiveness is a major part of the Christian faith, most of us have never been taught much about it and have many unanswered questions. After over 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa has discovered and will share Scripture that not only provides the truth about forgiveness that our souls desperately need, but offers practical ways to let go of our bound-up resentment and finally heal.

Next Care Team Meeting on July 24

Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in joining our Congregational Care Team! Our next Care Team meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, July 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the library upstairs (Room 231). If you would like to be a part of this congregational care team ministry, please contact Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Volunteer for Family Promise July 17-24

Family Promise host week is July 17 - 24. We need two volunteers on Saturday, the 23 and Sunday, the 24 to provide a meal and spend time with the families from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. We also need someone to drop off hot breakfast meals. The bonding that goes on between the families and volunteers is integral to the success of the program. Click the button below to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or Dave Young at dajsover@wans.net.

Pie Party Donations Needed

Pie party donations are needed to pay for the fruit and other supplies to make pies. If you are able to donate, please put "Asbury Pie Cafe Supplies" in the memo line of your check or online donation. For cash donations, please write "Asbury Pie Cafe Supplies" on the envelope. In order for the Cafe to have enough pies, St. John's has been asked to provide more pies this year. Do you have an abundance of peaches, rhubarb or berries? We will gladly take them for our pies. If you are interested in baking and/or storing pies for the Cafe please contact Jenn Shields at jennshields@yahoo.com. Many thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the St. John's congregation.

Sign Up for Safe Sanctuaries Training

There will be Safe Sanctuaries training for anyone who needs it (those who volunteer with children or youth-renewable every 2 years) on August 3 at 10:30 am. To register, please email Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.  

Nursery on"Summer Siesta"

Our nursery is taking a 'summer siesta' during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services, but we will invite 'littles' (under age 4) to join us in Children's Chapel, which dismisses after the offering in both services. Bring your little to the back of the worship area during the offering where we have incredible staff and volunteers who will help our little friends to worship with us. 

If you are interested in serving in the nursery ministry in the fall, please contact Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Children's Chapel Explorers Series

During the summer, children will be exploring our church during Children's Chapel and visiting such places as the garden, the prayer labyrinth, the SonShine Cafe and other places where we will have a wonderful time learning by exploring. Children (ages 1st-5th grade during the summer) dismiss for children's chapel following the offering in the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services. Pickup will be at the nursery (room 138).

Summer is a Great Time to Start Tai Chi

It’s a great time to join the Tai Chi class. The class meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center (great air conditioning).  Tai Chi does not require a particular level of physical fitness or coordination. It  may be done standing or with some modification, can be done seated. No special clothing or equipment is required. All age groups are welcome to join us. Looking forward to seeing you soon. If you have questions contact Kathleen at  kathleen_sta@yahoo.com or 505-220-4814.

Youth Service Teams at St. John's Garden

The St. John's Garden has been blessed with the help of two youth service teams; one locally from Sandia Presbyterian Church and another team from Houston.

The Sandia group raked, weeded, cleaned up, and planted 4 grow boxes in Hoop House 1 with Bob Bowman, Elda Pinsonnault, and Suzanne Shave, with Bob providing a presentation on the issues to be considered for vegetable gardening. In addition, the team made homemade baguettes and learned knife skills with Chef Tim in the kitchen.

The Houston group learned all about composting from Regina Hampton in addition to thinning carrots, pulling weeds, and tasting herbs. Chef Tim taught the group knife skills and how to dice an onion using onions from our herb garden.



Several other youth teams are scheduled for July and August. If you are interested in helping with their visits, please contact Regina Hampton at hamptonmason1@msn.com.

Sandbags for Fire Damaged Areas Around San Miguel and Mora Counties

The emergency managers in San Miguel and Mora Counties are expecting a lot of flooding as the monsoon rains increase and burned areas have no way to slow or retain the rain. We would like to provide teams of people to help make and deploy sandbags around those areas. The Annual Conference office is looking for teams of 4-8 persons to go to the fire areas for a day and help make and distribute sandbags that would be a lot of help. Please let Hap Escue (505-453-2800) or Mike McGinnis (505-328-4774) know what you can do and they will work with the county emergency managers to get you on their schedule. Thank you.

July Special Offering: Zuni Elementary School Supplies

It's hard to believe, but school will be starting again soon. So this month we have the opportunity to support our neighbors at Zuni Elementary school. Chef Tim has the back-to-school staff luncheon on the calendar, and United Women in Faith, along with this special offering, will purchase school supplies to be given to the school at that time. There may be more opportunities for continued support in the coming year, so please give generously.

Give Good Stuff for Teens!

July is traditionally the month when our Missions' Team focuses on back-to-school needs, particularly through this month's Special Offering designated for our neighbor to the north, Zuni Elementary. But, let's face it: there are many older students throughout our area with basically the same needs. Therefore, in addition to the special offering for Zuni, we've decided to expand our focus to collect snack items and non-food school items for middle school and/or high school students in our broader community.  We'll collect these donations throughout July and August, and as the school year draws nearer, we'll determine which middle schools and high schools might be in greatest need for these in-kind donations. So, as you shop over the next two months, please keep these snack items in mind (all single-serve sizes; no nut-related items): granola bars, cheese-and-crackers, protein bars, cereal bars, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheez-its, dried fruit, popcorn, and cup-of-noodles. Also, when you shop for the following non-food items, please be mindful of the sizes and types that would be preferred by middle and high school students: general school supplies, art supplies, backpacks, and reusable water bottles. Please place your donations in the wire bins in the Hospitality Center.   Let's all join together to help students absolutely thrive in this coming school year --- they deserve it!  We're so very grateful for your generosity!  (Note: Our collection of food items for the Zuni Weekend Meal Bag Project will resume in September.)

Pastor 24-Hour Hotline | (505)585-5435 

Pastor care is available for after hours emergencies. Any congregational care needs, please send those to Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well.