July 3, 2026

Independence Day~250!

Sunday, July 5

Church Lunch Cookout

Come celebrate 250 years of true United States independent spirit - with a summer church cookout!

Burgers, Brats, Chicken & Hot Dogs will be on the menu, Sunday, July 5 in the Family Life Center starting at 11:45am.  All are welcome, no reservation required.  Adults $16, 12-17 years old $10 and 5-11 years old, and under 5 years old free.

The Food Ministry needs volunteers to help serve the Sunday lunch. If you can help, please Sign Up Here or contact Nancy Douglas de Baca at squidgete@yahoo.com or Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717.

Welcome to Our Incoming

Director of Spanish Language Ministries,

Abiel Diaz

You may know that in 2025, St. John's Futuring Team discerned a call to a new ministry of outreach to Spanish-speaking persons in our community. This is a population that is well-served by evangelical, Roman Catholic, and charismatic congregations, but mainline protestants have diminished in their outreach to them. We believe this is an opportunity for St. John's to play a positive role in our community. Toward that end, a working group began meeting late last year that is laying the groundwork for a Spanish-language ministry.

We are excited to hire Abiel Diaz to work with this team and launch this new ministry. This will be a part-time position and being funded as a pilot program. We are stepping out in faith with the hope that God is doing something new at St. John's.

Abiel has experience founding congregations and communities in Mexico, Peru, and here in the United States and we believe he is well-equipped to challenge us, stretch us, and engage with the Latino/a community here in Albuquerque. H will be beginning in early July, and his first task will be to get to know our community, especially the Spanish working group. If you have not been active in this group, but have interest, I encourage you to get involved. We need lots of people who want to expand our ministry in this new direction. Fluency in Spanish is appreciated but not required. 

Abiel will be in church in the weeks ahead and I encourage you to introduce yourself to him and his family as he prepares to get started. For more info about Abiel or the Spanish-language ministry, contact the church office. We are excited to see how this develops. 

-Josh  

Family Spirit Class, 

Join us for Unit 2 in July

 Adults, come join us, starting Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 9:30am to 10:30am at St. John's UMC in room 257 as we start to study Unit 2 in a new book and DVD series, UMC's Adult Bible Studies (ABS) series for Summer 2026: Spirit, Boldness, Opportunities. Cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Unit 2 of this book is about St. Peter in the book of Acts. Each week we will look at different passage (Acts 5, 8,10, 12) for the month of July. This Sunday is Lesson 5, Peter Reborn in the Spirit, focusing on Acts 5:12-16.

Summer is a great time to reflect on what God is doing. We will spend all this quarter in the Book of Acts, exploring how God worked in the early church, and how God can work in today’s church.

Watch a quick two-minute intro video with Rev. Greg Weeks,

see: https://youtu.be/2am7d2wchxs

See info about book on https://www.cokesbury.com/Adult-Bible-Studies-Summer-2026-Student



Come make new connections as we gather each Sunday. We will share joys and concerns as a small group, then pray, and then watch a short 10-minute video in class with comments from the author and then discuss questions from the Leader Guide. Folks are welcome to drop by any week to sample the class. Come try it out. Free admission. Open to all adults. Questions about this class? Please ask Brian Eagan, Email: eagan.brian@gmail.com 

UWF Invites You to a

Historical Tour & Potluck Picnic in Los Alamos

Tuesday, July 7

If St. John's members would like to carpool, there will be a group leaving from the Target parking lot on Paseo at 8:30am. If you have any questions, text Carol Wiggins at 505-321-0603.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

Corrales Bosque and Acequia

(North Section)

Saturday, July 11

Please join us at 7:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the San Ysidro Catholic Church (or meet us there at 8:00am). We’ll walk north on the acequia, then over to the Bosque, returning near the river. Plan to be back at St. John’s by 12:30pm. Bring a snack, water, sun protection, and possibly trekking poles.

In this time set aside, we consider Philippians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven." What does this mean?

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

Future trips: August 8, September (tbd), and October 17. Possibilities: Tree Springs (Sandias), Mt. Taylor, stargazing south of Tijeras - other ideas welcome!

Reading With the Pastor

Foundational Truths for a Clear-Sighted Faith

Have you ever wondered how pastors prepare for their sermons? Sometimes they have an idea for a sermon series, and they draw scriptures related to that idea from their store of biblical knowledge. Other times, they have a given list of scriptures, say, from the lectionary or a specific book of the Bible, and they develop a sermon series around those scriptures. Either way, they are likely to read a considerable number of other, related scripture passages while preparing their message, in addition to those we hear in church. In each week of this study, we’ll read the two scriptures Pastor Josh has chosen for the worship service, and we’ll read three related scriptures. During the week, we’ll think about the sermon text and see how various scriptures are related to each other. In doing so, we’ll better prepare ourselves to hear and understand the pastor’s message.

Pick up a study guide in the Hospitality Center or write or call Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or (505) 294-2877 to receive daily study tips by email.

Preschool 2026-2027 Enrollment

St. John's UMC Preschool Plus is now enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year. We are currently accepting enrollment applications for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years old. Our program offers both full-time and part-time schedules in a nurturing, play-based, faith-centered learning environment designed to support your child's growth and development. If you are interested in learning more about our preschool program, we invite you to schedule a tour by calling 505-883-0496 or emailing preschooldirector@stjohns-abq.org. We look forward to meeting your family!

Preschool Job Opportunity

St. John's UMC Preschool Plus is hiring! We currently have both part-time and full-time positions available for dedicated early childhood professionals. Applicants must have experience working in the early childhood field and possess a Child Development Certificate or equivalent credential to be considered for employment. Starting pay begins at $19.00 per hour and may increase based on qualifications, credentials, and experience. If you are passionate about working with young children in a nurturing, faith-based environment, we encourage you to apply. Please send your resume to preschooldirector@stjohns-abq.org 

Did You Know?

Asbury Pie Cafe is a Long-Standing Tradition

Since 1994, St. John's has proudly participated in the Asbury Pie Cafe at the State Fair. This long-standing tradition has become a wonderful way for our church to serve the community while supporting the mission of our church.

Although we are grateful to receive a portion of our funding each year from the Lenten offering, those funds do not cover all of the expenses involved. Donations from our church family help us to continue this worthwhile ministry and ensure its success.

If you would like to support the Pie Cafe, monetary contributions are always appreciated. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue this meaningful tradition of service to our community. Please contact Doris Bowen. (bowen_g@msn.com)

      "Keep calm and eat more pie." 

Freezer Space Needed

When the Pie Parties start in July, we will need freezer space to store them. If you are willing to store some frozen pies, please email, text or call me: Debby Smith 505-554-4238 dysmith0427@gmail.com.

Please read the next announcement - about baking pies as we get closer to the State Fair. 😊 St. John’s has committed to delivering 320 pies this year, so there will be plenty of opportunity for you to contribute to the Asbury Pie Café! 

Asbury Pie Parties for the

2026 ~ NM State Fair

Join us for summer Pie Parties as we prepare delicious pies to be sold in the Asbury Pie Cafe as support of our community efforts. We need help on Tuesdays throughout July and August for:

• _{Making pie fillings}
• _{Cutting and preparing fruits}
• _{Rolling pie dough}
• _{Assembling pies}

No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and enjoy friendships, laughter, and the satisfaction of working together for a great cause. Whether you can work for one Tuesday or all six, your help is appreciated and needed.

Dates are as follows:

• July 7, July 14, July 28 (we skip a week for Rummage Sale) 8:30am - 11am

• August 4, August 11 (evenings from 5:30pm-7:30pm), & August 18

For all the important details please contact: Regina Hampton at (Hamptonmason1@msn.com)

"A little flour, a little fruit, and a lot of fellowship."

Church Office Closed

Friday, July 3

Please note the Church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the July 4 - Independence Holiday. Please conduct any church office business before or after this date or email reception@stjohns-abq.org for any inquiries, and someone will be in touch with you the next business day.

No Youth Sunday Activities

July 5



There will be no youth activities, Sunday School and Reel to Real, on Sunday, July 5, because the youth will be on their summer mission trip. Sunday activities will resume the following week, July 12.

Sweet~Sweet~Summer!

On Thursday, July 9, all youth are invited to spend an hour at Bahama Buck’s, located at 4411 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite E12, at 5:30pm for some refreshing, shaved ice and some time to just hang out and play games. This fun activity will continue each week throughout the entire summer. See you there!



Prayer Quilts



Inge Moller (Rachelle Luna's sister) 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 Inge. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Inge. "Loving Creator, we lift up Inge who is carrying the weight of many health struggles. You know every pain, every fear, and every weary moment she faces. Wrap her in your peace that surpasses all understanding and let your presence be a steady comfort in the midst of uncertainty. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

July Special Offering

Human Relations Ministries 

This is a United Methodist church-wide offering to support programs that work in local neighborhoods to build justice, offer hope, and walk beside those who need a second chance.

Examples would include community basics such as after school programs, help with food insecurity, and providing urgent home repairs.  But for the long haul, there are also places like Exodus House in Oklahoma that provide a safe space for those leaving prison, feeling forgotten and unworthy, with no place to go, and often with untreated substance abuse. They are in great need of help to overcome their pasts, their addictions, and become productive citizens.  When we give, we help church-based programs and volunteers across the US to show God's love to the least of these.  

  July Special Collections

Toiletry Items for Silver Horizons

Silver Horizons' Mission is to provide critical help to extremely low-income senior citizens, and the family members living with them, with life's basics: groceries, household bills and home repairs/retrofits. Each month, these three core services assist about 4,000 senior citizens.

Most of the Silver Horizon clients are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) designed to help low-income individuals and families buy food intended for home consumption - fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, breads, cereals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. It's mandate is to supplement food budgets, not to cover non-food necessities such as feminine hygiene products, personal care items or baby wipes, diapers, and other hygiene supplies.

This is where we can help! During the month of July, we will collect toiletry items: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body lotion, razors, shaving cream, men and women deodorants and antiperspirants. Please place your donations in the bins in the Hospitality Center.

Let's shower them with our generosity! THANK YOU, St. John's! You're the best!   

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.