June 26, 2026

Josh's Jottings

In a few days, fifteen of your youth and five adult leaders are putting that truth into action. On June 28, our Summer Mission Team heads to Georgia to take part in disaster response work, helping families recover and rebuild from storms that happened 2 years ago. 

We're asking our church family to hold this team in prayer starting on June 27, the day before the youth depart. 

• For our youth and adults: for their safety as they travel, at the work sites, and during the hard work. Pray for hearts open to where God leads them. 

• For those they'll serve: pray for comfort, provision, and hope for the communities affected. Also pray for tangible relief through our team and other teams who are part of the ongoing volunteer efforts through United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.

• For transformation: pray that God will use this trip to bring peace and to change lives, both of those served, and of our youth as they work together. Mission trips are occasions when people hear their calling or see the world or God in a new way. Amidst the work, the long hours, the situations beyond our comfort zones, and the silliness, God is at work. 

Thanks to all who helped the youth reach their fundraising goal for this trip, to those who will surround us in prayer, to the parents who trust us with their youth, and most of all to the youth themselves for spending a week of summer serving others. Travel safe and do all the good you can!

Did You Miss the Pipe Organ Encounter?

We had a packed choir loft last Sunday for Jim Ahrend and Nathan Cleaveland’s Pipe Organ Encounter. Jim and Nathan explained how the instrument worked, answered a lot of questions, and even played a little. If you were unable to attend, click here to watch the video!

Omelet Bar

Sunday, June 28

Hungry for food and fellowship on Sunday before or after your worship service? Come by the SonShine Cafe between 7:45am and 1:00pm to get your made-to-order omelet that you can top with a variety of fillings of meats, cheeses, veggies, and salsas to make your omelet unique to you. Your choice of toast and a drink is included, all for just $8! 

We need volunteers to make Omelet Bar happen. If you would like to volunteer to be a cashier, omelet runner or toastmaster, 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. 

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.

Taste and See

Discovering God Among Butchers,

Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers

by Margaret Feinberg

A new Women's Bible study will be held on Tuesdays, starting June 23 - July 28 for a total of 6 weeks from 9:30am - 11:30am in Rooms 245/257 and will be led by Shanlii Payment.

To register, stop by the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings or contact Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net.

Join Margaret Feinberg as she sets out on a remarkable journey to unearth God's perspective on food. What you discover will forever change the way you read the Bible - and approach every meal. This groundbreaking book provides a culinary exploration of Scripture. You'll descend 400 feet below ground into the frosty white caverns of a salt mine, fish on the Sea of Galilee, bake fresh matzo at Yale, ferry to an island in Croatia to harvest olives, spend time with a Texas butcher known as "the meat apostle," and wander a California farm with one of the world's premier fig farmers. With each stop, Margaret asks, "How do you read these Scriptures, not as theologians, but in light of what you do every day?" Perhaps God's foodie focus is meant to do more than satisfy our bellies. It's meant to heal our souls, as we learn to taste and see the goodness of God together. After all, food is God's love made edible.

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 

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."

Continuation of the Letter....

from Ricardo Devine, Executive Director

of The Rock at Noonday

(Biblical Hospitality for the Homeless, Hungry and Hurting)

Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to hear the story of a man and his wife who are trying to build a better life together. They met and married while living on the streets, and their journey has not been easy. They continue to struggle with addition, but they have made a commitment to keep moving forward together. He recently shared with me that he wants to start his own business doing weeding and property clean-up work. Even though his wife still struggles, he is determined to help both of them move toward a better future. Their story has reminded me that no matter what circumstances people are in, they still live full human lives. They love, laugh, cry, struggle, rejoice, and dream. When we see someone on the street, it can be easy to only see addition, mental health struggles, or poverty. But at the end of the day, every person desires to be seen, known, and loved.

This is one reason homelessness is so difficult to break. Even when life on the streets is dangerous and painful, many people have built relationships there. They know the people around them. They have struggled together, survived together, and lived life together. Leaving that behind can feel frightening and, at times, almost impossible.

That is why your support matters so much. Thank you for helping us keep the doors open. Thank you for volunteering, giving, praying, serving meals, sharing the gospel, and offering a smile to someone who may feel forgotten. We may not always see the full impact right away, but lives are being changed one day at a time.



With gratitude,

Ricardo Devine

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.

Summer Camp – It Takes a Village!

Last Sunday we shared the recent success of summer camps at St. John’s by offering a slide show of the wonderful experiences enjoyed by kids in the Quintessence and VBS camps. Here are some incredible additional details…

During VBS, campers & volunteers alike contributed to the Locker 505 service project. In just a few days’ time they donated 6 pairs of shoes, 34 outer articles of clothing and 19 pairs of socks and underwear. All these items will be shared with kids in our local community. Great job!

It truly takes countless volunteer hours to make summer camps successful, and this year was no different. Between the Quintessence and VBS camps, 21 volunteers logged almost 500 hours supporting campers from 3-10 years old during the 5 days of camp. Our church Youth donated over 200 hours and earned $1,000 toward their mission trip to Georgia later this month. The dedication of all our volunteers was both AMAZING and absolutely appreciated!!

Reel to Real

The youth ministry continues their summer Reel to Real program this Sunday, June 14. We will meet at 3:00pm. in the upstairs theater room, #250. We will watch a movie and then discuss it, concluding at 6:00pm. Any incoming sixth graders all the way through just graduated seniors are invited to participate all summer. This Sunday’s movie will be Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2005, PG-13.

Sweet~Sweet~Summer!

There will be no Bahama Buck’s sweet treats on Thursday, July 2, because the youth group will be on their summer mission trip. Sweet treats will resume the following week, July 9.

Prayer Quilts

Sara and Bob Perovich are the recipients 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 Sara and Bob. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Sara and Bob. "Heavenly Father, bring calm to every mind touched by confusion. Quiet anxious thoughts and replace chaos with your peace. When understanding fades, draw near with comfort and reassurance. Strengthen caregivers with wisdom and patience and surround every heart with your calming presence. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

  June Special Offering

Zuni Special Supplies

This month we will continue our long support of our neighbor Zuni. In addition to the weekend meal bags that we provide, when school starts in August we do something more. Teachers eagerly await the luncheon given for all of the staff. Why? Not only do they get a great meal, but we give them presents galore, supplies for their classrooms based on their specific requests. So with our giving this month, we all have the opportunity to put smiles on the teachers faces as they help the children of Zuni. Let's give generously for really big smiles!

  June Special Collections

       Hygiene Kits for Albuquerque

Healthcare for the Homeless

Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Their work includes primary health care, social and behavioral health, street medicine and harm reduction outreach and dental care. Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless collaborates with public and private sector organizations to ensure the best care for their clients, and to address the systemic causes of homelessness.

During the month of June, we have the opportunity to support this important ministry by collecting the following items needed for hygiene kits for the homeless: plastic water bottle (16 oz), sunscreen (travel size), socks (new), deodorant, ChapStick, Ziploc gallon baggies, bar of soap, toothpaste (travel size), toothbrush (individually wrapped), shampoo (travel size) and band-aids.

These simple items can make a meaningful difference in someone's daily life. Donations may be placed in the bins located in the Hospitality Center. Thank you for your generosity and for helping care for our neighbors in need.

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.