March 24, 2023

Jazz Vespers Moved to April 1

No, this is NOT an April Fool’s trick! We will be moving our monthly Jazz Vespers service to April 1 due to conflicts with Holy Week activities in the sanctuary. Service will begin at

5:00 p.m. as usual and refreshments will be served in the narthex after. Jazz Vespers will return to the second Saturday of the month in May. Please invite friends and family to this unique service featuring some of New Mexico’s best professional jazz musicians. For more information, please contact tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.  

Easter Egg Hunt April 2

The Easter Egg Hunt party will be Sunday, April 2 from 4-6 p.m. Join us for fun Easter egg hunts, games, food, prizes and, of course, the Easter Bunny! Invite your friends!

Mountain Cathedrals Hike on April 2

The next Mountain Cathedrals Sunrise Hike will be on Palm Sunday, April 2, at Travertine Falls. Logistics: Meet at 6:00 a.m. at St. John’s east parking lot or 6:30 a.m. at the Grand Enchantment Trailhead just outside of Tijeras (Google Maps: "Canyon Estates - Grand Enchantment Trailhead"); please RSVP in either case. Plan to be back to the cars by 8:30 a.m. and the church before 9:00 a.m. One mile round trip, elevation gain 300 feet, rocky trail, so moderate. Bring water, lights, and trekking poles if desired. For questions and to RSVP contact Mike Furnish at 505-440-7292 or mdfurnish@comcast.net. 

Palm Sunday is a critical juncture in the story of Jesus' journey in this world, his continued quest to save us, and the conflicts generated. Let us start our journey together through Holy Week contemplating this while a new day dawns in the mountains. 

Save the dates for other upcoming hikes: 

• May 20: Paliza Canyon Goblin Colony (Jemez Mountains)? 
• June 2? Moonlight walk 
• June 17: East Fork Jemez River?

Alta Mira Parenting Classes Start April 4

Alta Mira Specialized Family Services, Inc. Parenting Classes is offering a 6-week training on Parenting with Love and Logic. Parenting with Love and Logic ® is a way of working with children that puts parents back in control, teaches children to be responsible, and prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences. Classes are held virtually every Tuesday from 6 – 8 p.m. and go from April 4 through May 9. The cost is $45 per person or $65 per couple. Parenting with Love and Logic workbook included. Additional workbooks are available for an additional fee of $10. Click here to visit the Alta Mira website. Click the Training tab at the top of the page and then Parenting Classes. Select the Special Courses tab to register. Please email Ann W. Fenton at afenton@altamiranm.org or call (505)366-2163 if you have questions. The class has availability for 20 people. 

Do You Know About Locker #505?

 Come Learn on April 6

Do you know what a valuable asset it is to our community? And, it's located just around the corner from our church, on Menaul. On Thursday, April 6, at 10 a.m. in Room 245, Kim Kerschen, of Locker #505, will be our guest speaker for our United Women in Faith meeting. Kim will share updates, exciting accomplishments, and maybe even some suggestions for "serving" at Locker #505. Bring your enthusiasm, and if you wish, bring donations of new socks for kids, and we'll have a "Locker #505 sock collection box" available at the meeting. (Note: the sock sizes most in demand are: girls' and boys' small, and women's.) Our meetings are always full of fun chatter, yummy snacks, and inspiring information. All ladies of the church are invited, and visitors are always welcome.    

Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil on April 8

The Prayer Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 8, will be available to the church from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This is a self-guided prayer experience to help you spend these hours keeping watch with Christ.     

Women's Bible Study Signs and Wonders

Starts on April 11

The next Women's Bible Study will be on the book Signs and Wonders, a Beginner's Guide to the Miracles of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine. Class details:

• April 11 - May 16 (6 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., IN-PERSON
• Facilitator: Dara Bell
• Register by emailing Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net, signing up at the Hospitality Center on Sundays or calling the Church Office (505-883-9717)
• Participants will purchase their own books



In Signs and Wonders: A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine explores selected miracles of Jesus in historical and theological context. For each miracle, she discusses not only how past witnesses would have understood the events, but also how today’s readers can draw meaning from Jesus’s words and actions.

Orientation Class: Learning About St. John's Starts April 16

“What is special about being a Methodist?” “What is going on at St. John’s?” “Where do I fit in?” These are key questions that newcomers ask about our church and we are having a class to discuss the answers. Visitors and new members are the primary focus for the class, but those who have been around awhile may want to reorient and re-energize themselves by entering the discussion. It's a great place to get to know others at St. John's as well.

The class will take place on four consecutive Sunday evenings in April and May. The first class will start Sunday, April 16 and we’ll end on Sunday, May 7. We will meet in Rooms 149/151 from 6-7:30 p.m., get to know each other and discuss the topics (our Christian faith, Methodism, St. John’s, my place.)

To register for the class, sign up in the Hospitality Center or contact Jack and Carol Nuzum at 265-5241 or jcnuzum@juno.com. 

Interested in CPR/AED/1st Aid Training?

St. John's would like to offer American Heart Association CPR/AED/1st Aid training. We are looking at mid May to early June. We need to know if anyone is interested and what day/days/times work. Minimum class size is 10. Times and costs are listed below. This training is encouraged for ushers and other volunteers at St. John's.

• CPR/AED is up to 3 hours 
• $40+tax for the textbook and CPR course completion card 
• $25+tax without textbook/card 
• 1st Aid CPR/AED is up to 5 hours 
• $60+tax for the textbook and 1st Aid CPR/AED course completion card  
• $25+tax without textbook/card 

This is life-saving training that I encourage everyone to consider. Please email or call Linn Furnish, RN (505-884-6626) and St. John's Parish Nurse, by March 31 if you are interested and list your available times.

Joie de Vivre Visual Arts Ministry Presents Visio Testimonium Passionis Christi

St. John's Visual Arts Ministry Presents Visio Testimonium Passionis Christi (a visual testimony of the Passion of Christ) for Lent 2023. Follow the passion of Christ and his journey to the cross from his return to Jerusalem, crucifixion, ressurection, and his ultimate victory. This exhibit (in St. John's Sanctuary lobby) offers the viewer an opportunity for meditative and prayerful reflection which brings the prophecies of the Old Testament to the good news of our redemption through his sufferings and sacrifices. Paintings in this exhibit are by Paul Chandler. For more information, click here to visit the Visual Arts Ministry webpage.

Ushers Needed for Holy Week

Ushers are needed for Holy week’s Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services (both are at 7:30 p.m.). There is a sign-up sheet in the usher room if you are interested in volunteering as usher for either service, or you can speak to someone at the Hospitality Center on Sundays about how you can help.

Ways to Submit a Prayer Request

If you have a prayer that you would like us to lift up, there are many ways to submit a prayer request at St. John’s:

1. Fill out a prayer card in the vestibule and drop it in the Prayer Request box after worship.
2. Fill out the Prayer Request section on the back of your check-in card during Sunday services.
3. Email a prayer request for the prayer chain to Ann Look, at mapalook@comcast.net.
4. Scan the QR code to check-in to worship or click the check-in link in the Sunday Livestream email. At the bottom of the check in form, you'll see a section where you can add your prayer request.
5. Use the St. John’s App. Click "More" on the menu, then “Care”, and “Send A Prayer Request”
6. Go to our website, and click the “Care” tab. Scroll to the bottom until you see “Prayer & Care” then fill out the fields and click submit.

Have a prayer that you would only like our pastors to see? Add the word "private" to your prayer request and it will only be seen by Pastor Randall and Pastor Tiffany.

Join Families of Faith

Families of Faith is nearing the end of our first year! We will meet the following Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 for dinner, NewSound Choir and Bible Club: 

• March 30 
• No Families of Faith on April 6 for Maundy Thursday service 
• April 13, 20, 27 
• May 4, 11, and 18 

Fish Fry Announcements

Fish Fry Week 4

We had an exciting fourth Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, March 17! That night:

• 470 meals served
• $297.12 dollars in tips donated to Steelbridge/The Rock
• 14 neighborhood residents attended
• A total of 128 volunteers worked on both Thursday and Friday
• 12 Boy Scouts from Troop 285 worked
• 4 interns from Mandy's Farm worked

What We Need:

• Second shift (5:30 - 7 p.m.) volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, see Wayne at the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings or contact him through email at jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

Read "Word a Day" Lenten Series by Pastor Tiffany Hollums

Pastor Tiffany Hollums decided that each day during Lent, she would choose a word to prayerfully reflect upon.She is sharing her Lenten reflections here and hopes to inspire our readers to join in her journey. Click the button below to read the latest articles in this series.

DAY 25: PRAISE

Readings: Psalm 146; Isaiah 60:17-22; Matthew 9:27-34

Reflection:  

I give praise to you, oh Lord.  

You have lifted me from shadows 

And you have lit my path before me.  

In those moments that I am tempted to forget-remind me, Lord.  You alone are true and steady in a world that is constantly shifting. I praise you in the midst of the swirling.  I praise you because I can see.

Youth Group on Sunday

Youth group this Sunday from 4-6 p.m.! Bring bags of candy or prizes to fill Easter eggs and help get ready for the Easter egg party April 2!

NewSound and Sonrise Choirs Sing on Palm Sunday, April 2

NewSound and Sonrise Choirs will be singing at the 11 a.m. worship service on Palm Sunday, April 2. Call time is 10 a.m. in the Sonshine Café. After service, Sonrise will stay for lunch and choir practice at 1-2 p.m. Then youth are invited to stay and help set up for the Easter egg hunt which begins at 4 p.m. The Easter egg hunt party will be 4-6 p.m.

NewSound Choir sings in service on Palm Sunday and Mother’s Day in the 11 a.m. service. It is never too late to join! Contact tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for details!  

Youth Prayer Vigil on Saturday, April 8

Youth Prayer vigil will be Saturday, April 8 from 9 p.m. to Easter Sunday morning. There will be a nocturnal egg hunt starting at 9 p.m. and then we will take shifts praying through prayer stations until Easter Sunday. We do need parents to sign up for hour shifts. For more info contact Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.  

Sonrise Choir on Easter Sunday

Sonrise Choir helps lead the 8:15 a.m. Easter Sunday service! Call time is at 7:30 a.m. For information or questions contact tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.

Summer Events

Youth Bells: The Youth Bell Choir will begin in the summer on Sundays before youth group. Updates coming soon! 

Sacramento Mission Trip: The youth mission trip will be July 23-29. Be on the lookout for some exciting news on this trip coming very soon.

Lenten Offering: Special Offering for March

The six weeks of Lent are a time of preparation, of sacrifice, of renewed focus on God, and of giving. Traditionally, this offering has supported many and varied local ministries. Such ministries have included Mobile Food Pantry, Asbury Pie Cafe, the Ramp project, Barrett House, Hopeworks, Family Promise, Zuni school, lunch bags for the homeless and many more. 

In this time of inflation and shortages, our support of such ministries is even more important. So as we remember Jesus sacrifice for us, may we also sacrifice in our own small way and continue St. John's tradition of giving generously to those in need during this Lenten season.

Paper Products for Silver Horizons

You've responded so generously with your donations for Silver Horizons, but as you know, the need for assistance is ongoing and increasing. This month, we're collecting paper products, such as facial and toilet tissue, and paper towels. With prices soaring on all grocery items, you can imagine how difficult it is for senior citizens on a fixed income to buy these essentials. Many of these seniors are also caring for grandchildren or other family members, so the demand is even greater! When you shop, we hope you'll pick up one or two "extras" for the clients of Silver Horizons. Our St. John's Missions Team thanks you for cheerfully giving!  

St. John's United Methodist Church

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.

Pastor 24-Hour Hotline | (505)808-1624

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.