January 30, 2026

Omelet Bar

Sunday, February 1

We had to postpone the scheduled Omelet Bar last week, but it's happening this week! Enjoy a freshly cooked omelet with several toppings to choose from, along with toast and a drink all for only $8.00! Have it for breakfast or lunch in the Sonshine Cafe from 7:45am to 1:00pm.  Great place to meet folks and enjoy fellowship with the St. John's family. If you would like to help, please click on this link to sign up: Omelet Bar Help

Meet & Greet ~ Sunday, February 1

Please join us for our 2nd Meet and Greet! This is a great opportunity to socialize and meet people outside of the sanctuary or the FLC! This one will be in the Sonshine Cafe from 10:30am -11:00am in the Sonshine Cafe on Sunday, February 1, 2026. There will be extra donuts and coffee, and we will be sharing some fun information as well! We'd love to get to know you better!  Sponsored by the Belonging Committee of the St. John's Futuring Team.

Ladies' Book Club ~ Monday, February 2

The Ladies’ Book Club will meet on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm in Room 241. Come share your love of reading. We will be discussing Lila by Marilynne Robinson. Homeless Lila takes shelter in a church and is drawn into the life of the gentle pastor. Contact Sara Perovich at sjperov@yahoo.com.

March book pick: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

United Women in Faith General Meeting

Thursday, February 5

Our next United Women in Faith General Meeting will be Thursday, February 5 at 10:00am. We will make pretzels and include information on the history of pretzels and their connection to Lent. See you on Feb. 5th for this tasty meeting. Got Questions, contact Linn Furnish at 505-884-6626.

Come Party with Us! Friday, February 6

St. John’s will be hosting a “Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies Watch Party” on Friday, February 6 from 12:00 noon – 3:00pm. Events will be televised live from northern Italy. Bring a party snack to share and join us in room #231 (Library) upstairs to see everything on the big screen. This event requires an RSVP by February 1.

Please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org to join the fun! This is a multigenerational event, and everyone is welcome.

Mountain Cathedrals Trip

Saturday, February 7

Tunnel Canyon - West Ridge Trail

Please join us at 8:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the Tunnel Canyon Trailhead, or at the trailhead (2.6 miles south of Tijeras) at 9:00am (please let me know you're coming!) This is a classic Manzanitas Loop in the pinons and limestone. (4.5 miles, 700 ft of climb and some rocky trail, so moderate difficulty). Plan to be back at St. John's by 2:00pm. Bring lunch, water, sun protection. In this season of Epiphany, we focus on welcoming Christ into our own lives.  What better way than in God's wilderness?

Contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net

Note: We are planning trips for the year. Please contact Mike if you have thoughts or suggestions

Memory Café

Valentines’ Celebration

Saturday, February 7

Join your friends at Memory Café for a Valentines’ Celebration! Who are the most famous and infamous couples in history? Play the game to find out! We will also have an opportunity to have a special photo with your Valentine. Special Valentines music and snacks. Memory Café Albuquerque will be February 7, 2026 at 1:30pm - 3:00pm in the Sonshine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month at 1:30pm - 3:00pm in the Sonshine Cafe. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others on a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com. You don’t need to register and there is no cost for the event. Join us for a fun time designed for you!  

Church Women United Retreat

Saturday, February 7

Church Women United Retreat - St. Julian of Norwich - will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 9:30am 12:00pm at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, located at 5301 Ponderosa NE. Erica Lee-Simka, pastor of the ABQ Mennonite Church, will be our leader for the retreat. She will center our deliberations around St. Julian of Norwich, an English "anchoress" of the Middle Ages.

Second Annual Wesley Dinner

Thursday, February 12

Join us on Thursday, Feb 12, from 6pm to 7pm to learn more about the Wesley Foundation and its positive impact on UNM and CNM students, as well as the community. During this inspiring dinner, you will hear from students sharing the meaningful difference the Wesley Foundation has made in their lives, connect with board members, and learn about exciting initiatives from our new Executive Director, Rev. Michele Walton.

The dinner is free of charge. Donations are appreciated, but are not required to attend the dinner. To sign up, go to: https://givebutter.com/lovewesley

and press the Donate & Tickets blue button.  

Can't come, but still want to support the Wesley? Press the Donate & Tickets blue button, and then press the "I'd just like to donate" button at the bottom left corner of the screen. We'd also like to thank those of you who donated to the St. John's special offering in November! For more information, contact Nancy Bowen bowenna@earlham.edu or Alissa Dickey mhdickey723@gmail.com



New Women's Bible Study~Lenten Study

February 17 ~ March 24

Seven Words: Listening to Christ from the Cross 

by Susan G. Robb

A new Women's Bible Study will begin Tuesday, February 17 and runs through Tuesday, March 24. Class is from 9:30am to 11:30am for a total of 6 weeks. The study will be led by Christine Cunningham.

While many of us naturally wish to avoid the reality of the cross, it's from the cross that Jesus speaks and shows his deepest love for us. It's from the cross that Jesus' full humanity draws us closest to him. It's from the cross, as Jesus breathes his last breath and speaks his last words, that his deep trust in the Father and his divine glory are revealed. Those who listen to Jesus' last words from the cross will discover what he most wants them (the world) to hear and will experience an intimate and divine awe only available to those who are willing to draw near his cross. The author looks at the seven last words of Christ on the cross through a lens that finds life and hope in his final sayings, while exploring each from a biblical and historical perspective.

Servers Needed for PEO Fundraiser Luncheon

Saturday, February 7

St. John’s is hosting for the 3rd year in a row the PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Founders Day Luncheon, and we need Front-of-the-House servers for set-up, bussing and cleaning for the luncheon from 10am to 2:30pm on Saturday, February 7. Questions, contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-220-5662. Please Sign Up Here! 

Congregational Directory

The congregation directory, prepared by the 75th Anniversary Celebration Team, is ready for pick-up. Copies are only available to those who gave us permission to publish their information. Pick-up Sunday after each service or come by the church office, while supplies last.

Orientation for Hospitality Center Volunteers  

 Sunday, February 15



Have you admired the smiling faces of the Hospitality Center volunteers on Sunday mornings? Have you wondered how to become one of the friendly folks who welcome visitors and answer their questions?

We invite you to attend an Appreciation/Orientation Luncheon in the Sonshine Cafe at 12:15pm right after the Traditional Service on Sunday, February 15. You will join our current volunteers as we thank all of you for your past and future Hospitality Center service. After lunch, we will adjourn to the Hospitality Center (HC) to provide information about the policies and procedures that guide our service there. You will leave knowing where to find the new member packets, the boxes of tissues, the first aid kit, and many other interesting things you've wanted to know about the HC! Please RSVP to Susan Perry by Sunday, February 8 at teachersusan@comcast.net or 505-350-9633 so our lunch count is correct. We look forward to seeing you there!

Ramps Project   

Looking for a Few Amateur Handypersons!

In June of 2019, four men of St. John's got together to solve a big problem. There are thousands of disabled people in New Mexico that have a difficult time climbing the stairs in and out of their homes. Some are elderly, some are infirm, and others have had devastating injuries or were born with their debilitating health challenges. This can lead to isolation, depression, falls, medical issues and potentially even suicide. Their vision became the New Mexico Ramp Project, eventually growing into a group of about a dozen teams statewide that use donated money and resources to build ramps for the disabled at no cost to the recipient. To date 667 ramps have been built throughout NM! Gaining easy access in and out of their homes is life changing for the disabled, their caregivers, first responders, medical personnel, and insurance companies. Unfortunately, the St. John's team was sidelined not long ago when their leader moved out of state. But a new leader has just stepped forward so if you might like to help St. John's re-establish a team to change someone's life by helping build a ramp in March please contact Dennis Smith at (505) 238-0502 or dennisksmith@protonmail.com. If you would like to learn more or donate please go to this website: NMRAMP.ORG.

Show Your Love for Our First Responders,

Zuni Elementary & Tierra Adentro NM Families!

St. John's congregation can purchase $20 Fish Fry Dinner tickets as a donation for our local heroes—our police officers and firefighters! Starting January 25 through March 22, stop by the Hospitality Center on Sundays to grab your tickets. Know someone who'd love a delicious Fish Fry Dinner? Spread the joy by gifting tickets to family, friends, or neighbors! You can also purchase advance tickets on Sundays in the Hospitality Center from January 25 through the end of the Fish Fry season. Our Fish Fry Team has also chosen to support two special programs for the 2026 Fish Fry tip jars: Zuni Weekend Meal Bags that St. John's lovingly provides to families and snacks for the tutoring program at Tierra Adentro NM (TANM) Charter School. Now you can also donate on Fish Fry Sundays in the Hospitality Center to support either the Zuni weekend meal bags or TANM tutoring snacks—or both! Got Questions? Contact Wayne at 505-294-1018 or jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

Recycling Donations Still Needed

Children’s & Family Ministry still needs your donations of wrapping paper tubes, paper towel, and toilet paper tubes (and any other sizes of cardboard tubes). We will be using these items during VBS this summer and we’ll need lots of them! Please bring all donations of cardboard tubes to the front office. Questions? Contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thanks for your help!

Routine is Good



Youth Sunday School is on Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. service in room 258. This semester we are enjoying a deeper dive into the childhood favorite videos of Veggie Tales. Then in the afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m., join us for Youth Group as we have snacks, play games, and discuss how our faith can grow and be applied to everyday life.

If you need any additional information or have any questions, please reach out to our Youth Director Brett Reece at youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org.



Prayer Quilts

Mary Young is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center. 

If you pass through the Hospitality Center this week, please tie a knot in the quilt while praying for Mary. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Mary. "Heavenly Father, we lift Mary into your loving care. Wrap her in your peace that surpasses all understanding, and let your healing power flow through every part of her body. Strengthen Mary's spirit when she feels weary, and remind her that she is never along in this journey. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

    February Special Offering

Support our Missionary

We are eager to continue our support of UMC Missionary to Nicaragua, Dr. Belinda Forbes. She is a liaison for Faith and Health Partnerships with AMOS Health and Hope, a group that provides many services to unreached communities in Nicaragua. For example, people struggling with chronic diseases such as diabetes are able to see a doctor for the first time ever at an AMOS Health Fair. Expectant and young mothers receive support at "Parenting with Love and Health" groups. But most of all, Belinda runs dental clinics. There is only 1 dentist for every 20,000 people in Nicaragua. When 10 year old Justo arrived at a clinic recently he said, "all my teeth hurt"! What a relief when he left! And after learning about preventative strategies to keep his teeth healthy, he was excited to receive his gift bag of dental supplies.

  We at St. John's can help Dr. Belinda continue to help children like Justo and be the hands and feet of Christ in Nicaragua. Please give generously.

February 2026~Special Collection

Help Local Seniors Keep

Their Furry Friends Fed

We're launching a pet food collection drive to support low-income seniors in our community who are struggling to afford food for their beloved pets. Many older adults on fixed incomes face an impossible choice: buy food for themselves or their companions. Too often, seniors share their own meals with their cats and dogs, which can lead to health problems for their pets and leave our neighbors without adequate nutrition themselves.

During the month of February, we're collecting unopened bags and cans of dog and cat food for Silver Horizons to distribute to low-income seniors with pets. Most needed items are: dry dog and cat food (all sizes), canned pet food, senior pet formulas, and small breed options.

Your donations will go directly to seniors in our area, ensuring that no one has to choose between feeding themselves and feeding a cherished companion who provides comfort, companionship, and purpose. Please place your donations in the missions' bins in the Hospitality Center. Thank you for helping us keep pets and their people together and healthy. 

St. John's United Methodist Church | (505) 883-9717

2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

If there is an after-hours Congregational Care need, you may leave a message on Lauren Morgan-Smith’s church office phone 505-883-9717, ext. 127 – or email care@stjohns-abq.org and she will respond as soon as possible.