Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives
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Weekly Disciple
December 20, 2019
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OMELETTE BAR THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 22
Made-to-order omelettes for only $5 in the Sonshine Cafe from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
CHRISTMAS DECORATING FLASH MOB
Friday, December 20 4:00-6:00 pm
Following the loss of Matthew Kulek, the family is moving back to town. We are looking for volunteers and external Christmas lighting items to help them celebrate. To see the full list of items we need to lend/donate, go to: bit.ly/KristmasKulek
MEMORY CAFE TEAM LEADERS NEEDED
We are looking to enlist the assistance of 4 or 5 more team leaders for our dynamic Memory Cafe Program in 2020. We need a couple of volunteers to plan & provide simple monthly snacks and a couple of volunteers to help with quarterly program planning. If interested, call Angie Young at 715-0292 or sign-up in the Hospitality Center, and Angie will provide more details.
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MOUNTAIN CATHEDRALS
December 21, 2019; Corrales Acequias and Bosque Preserve; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (meet at St. John’s). Level, dirt and asphalt trails, 4 - 7 miles. More info - contact Kelly Giese or Mike Furnish. Next trip: Saturday, January 18.
Our December hike will be close to town. The planned route will cross through a unique mixture of adobe homes, small farms, deciduous forest and pass near the Rio Grande. We will be able to identify a number of architectural styles of roofs: Spanish revival, pueblo style, Santa Fe style among them. We hope to see some wildlife, especially birds. In preparation for the hike dress in layers, bring sunscreen, some light snacks, binoculars if you have them and a hat if you like.
As we walk we will share in a reading from Luke 2, the story of the birth of Jesus and the story of the announcement to the shepherds by angels. How are you now experiencing the good news of great joy? Come join us for this hike on the winter solstice as we reflect on what the Lord is making known to us, now.
REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR
When you complete collecting your food for the Reverse Advent Calendar program, be sure to bring it to the Hospitality Center so we can deliver it to Silver Horizons! THANK YOU so much for participating in this program to feed the hungry in Albuquerque!
END-OF-YEAR GIVING
If you are making gifts at the end of the year and would like to take the tax deduction (if able) in 2019, please make sure that your gifts are received by December 31, 2019, postmarked by December 31, 2019 or, if using a credit card, the credit card transaction date must be December 31, 2019. Giving statements for 2019 sent in January 2020 will reflect contributions received accordingly. Please feel free to contact Doris Bowen, Treasurer, if you have questions about giving up to this time. Bowen_g@msn.com (Bowen underscore g) or 505-410-7213.
IRA ROLLOVER GIFTS
Remember that if you are 70 1/2 you may make a charitable IRA rollover gift to St. John’s United Methodist Church that has significant tax advantages to you. It allows you to give from pre-tax assets. If you do not itemize, the IRA rollover still allows you to give while receiving tax benefits. Additionally, and IRA rollover gift may help you avoid income that could push you into a higher tax bracket. Please consult your tax professional for specific ways it may help your tax burden. If you would like to make a charitable IRA rollover gift, just notify your IRA custodian.
YOU HAD TO BE THERE! AND MORE STUDY GUIDES ARE HERE!
The crowd of people wanting a study guide for “A Look at Crowds in the Bible” exceeded expectations. New stock has been delivered. The readings for this time of year are short, so you won’t have any trouble catching up. Pick up a study guide in the Welcome Center, or call or write Regina Hunter to join the email study: 294-2877 & drhunter@nmia.com.
NEW MEXICHORDS CONCERTS:
The New MexiChords will present their annual Christmas concerts, A New Old Fashioned Christmas, on Saturday, Dec 21, at 2:00 and 7:30 and on Sunday, Dec 22, at 2:00 in the sanctuary. Their guests will be St. Johns’ own group, the Joy Singers. General admission tickets are $10.00 (under 6 are free) and they are good at any of the three concerts. Tickets will be available at the door or you can get one from members of the Joy Singers. Call 323-6435 for additional information.
REVELATION CLASS - WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS
Wycliffe Bible Translators presentation Sunday, December 22nd at 9:30 in Classroom 149/151. Eric and Allison Pyle, daughter and son-in-law of Richard and Terry Bryant, will give a presentation on Eric’s current work with the Digital Bible Library, which provides access to the Bible in over 1,000 languages. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
CONGREGATIONAL INFORMATION MEETING
Sunday, January 5 at 12:15 pm
Please join together in a congregational meeting in the Sanctuary. Building facility needs will be discussed and the schedule for the upcoming replacement of the roofs on our campus will be shared. (If you have questions prior to January 5 that you need answers to, please contact Jim Hickman.) We will also have reports from the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Finance Committee. A capital campaign will be outlined. We look forward to your attendance!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE IN JANUARY
WNL classes are shaping up! Our first gathering will be Wednesday, January 8.
CONTRA DANCE: We will have a Contra Dance January 8 6:00-7:00 pm in FLC. All youth and children and families are invited to attend. We welcome back the band “Cheap Shots” and our caller Marj Mullany.
January 8 - “DEEP DIVES INTO GENESIS”: Also that evening for non-dancers, Jack Nuzum will teach on “Deep Dives into Genesis, After the Fall”, 6:00-7:00 pm in Room 151.
After the Apple: Join Jack Nuzum as he continues the study of Genesis finishing the story of humanity's emergence into self-consciousness depicted in Genesis 3 with the eating of the fruit. We are plunged into time, consequences, and shame with all these imply. Don't worry if you haven't made the previous classes: Jack will catch you up!
January 15 - THE TRADITIONAL PLAN: A Defense of Traditional Marriage Rev. Jay Armstrong Rm 151 6-7 pm
BETHEL BIBLE SERIES
The New Testament portion of the Bethel Bible study will begin on Wednesday, January 8, at 4:00 pm in room 151. Anyone who has previously completed the Old Testament portion of the study is welcome to join us. For questions or to register, call Karen Tidler at 239-0291.
JOLLY ELDERS
Learn about various issues regarding affordable housing in Albuquerque at the next meeting of Jolly Elders on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Meet at 12:30 in Room 243 for our shared dish dinner; after which fellow church member and Attorney for the Albuquerque Housing Authority, Brian Eagan, will give a presentation about various local government agencies and private sector organizations who all play a role in addressing various issues related to affordable housing in the Albuquerque community. What are the missions of the Albuquerque Housing Authority, the City of Albuquerque Community Development Division, the Bernalillo County Housing Department, the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico and other housing related groups? Where is the City of Albuquerque going to construct the new centralized shelter for the homeless? Bring your own table service, a dish to share, and an attitude for fellowship. Adults of all ages are welcome!
CHILI LUNCHEON --- YOU'RE INVITED!
Our annual UMW Chili (and soup) Luncheon is set for Thursday, January 9, in Room 241. We'll begin at 10:30 am with our program presented by Therese Macali, our St. John's Children's Ministry Director. Lunch, hosted by our Executive Committee, will follow. The luncheon is free and reservations are not needed. We gladly welcome guests and visitors, so please put this date on your calendar as, together, we warm hearts and tummies!
CASA ESPERANZA
Dinner is Served! The next Casa Esperanza dinner will be Monday, January 20 at 5:30
pm. The meal and fellowship provided is a ministry to the many caregivers and patients that have to be away from the comforts of home. Please sign up, to provide food or help serve, in the Hospitality Center or at the Abide Service. Contact Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or 505-450-9978 for more information.
CREDIT CARD FEES
St. John’s United Methodist Church is pleased to offer the congregation the ability to use a credit card to make contributions, pay for lunches, and a variety of other things. As you know, the church pays a fee of 3.0% on the amount of your transaction for this privilege. The total fees paid by the church in 2019 will be around $15,000. Please consider adding 3% to your contribution to help defray this cost. You are greatly appreciated!
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Women's Bible/Book Studies Beginning in January
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First Corinthians, Living Love When We Disagree
by Melissa Spoelstra (Bible study)
Tuesdays, January 14 – February 25, 2020 (7 weeks), 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., led by Dara Bell
Cost of study materials, $11; registration deadline, December 29, 2019
With more and more ways to communicate in a culture that encourages sharing the details of our lives, there exists greater and greater opportunity for disagreement. Our differences seem more pronounced. Our words sound more divisive. Even as Christians, we struggle to get along. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians living in Corinth about this very thing, encouraging them to not ridicule one another but to work together to show the love of Christ. In this six-week DVD study, you’ll explore Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and discover how to live love even when you disagree.
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Sermon on the Mount
by Jen Wilken (Bible study)
Tuesdays, January 14 – March 10, 2020 (9 weeks), 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. led by Ann Look
Cost of study materials, $13; registration deadline, December 29, 2019
Most of us have only encountered the Sermon on the Mount in fragments, considering its subdivisions as complete teachings in their own right – a study on blessedness
; a reflection on the Lord’s Prayer; a discussion of religious devotion, money, ambition, and relationships. But what if we navigated these three chapters in Matthew as they were originally heard: as one cohesive, well-ordered message, intended to challenge us to think differently about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a citizen of the kingdom of Heaven? Come and learn from Jesus, just as His disciples did.
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God of Creation, a study of Genesis 1 - 11
by Jen Wilken (Bible study)
Tuesdays, January 14 – March 17, 2020 (10 weeks), 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., led by Donna Bruce
Cost of study materials, $14; registration deadline, December 29, 2019
The opening lines and chapters of Genesis teach us fundamental truths about God. We watch Him bring light after darkness, order after chaos, and rest after toil—all through the power of His Word. Over 10 sessions of verse-by-verse study, dive into the first 11 chapters of Genesis by following three critical stages of understanding: comprehension, interpretation, and application. Revisit familiar stories and historical figures, challenge your basic knowledge, and discover deeper meanings in the text. As God reveals Himself through Scripture, we can only begin to understand ourselves when we first glimpse the character, attributes, and promises of our Creator
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YOUTH IN WORSHIP FOR TWO WEEKS
Today is the 4th Sunday of the month, and all students will be in worship this morning at 9:30 AND next week also in the unified service at 10:30 am. Back up with Round Table on January 5.
SOLID GROUND YOUTH GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Due to the Christmas holiday, there will be no Sunday youth activities Dec 22. We plan to join “The Collective” joint youth group event offsite for their event on Dec 29— 9:00PM-12:00 am @ Del Norte Sports N Wellness; it’s FREE. We will be back up and running full strength on Sunday, January 5.
SONRISE CHOIR
Hey there! Come sing with us in the Sonrise Youth Choir! Find us on Instagram here: instagram.com/sonrisechoir.
Learn more about our Youth programs
here
!
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Click the image below to access our Advent & Christmas calendar!
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Friday, December 20th
We thank you for all of the volunteers who help our many ministries.
Saturday, December 21st
We thank you for all of the paid staff who guide us and keep things going.
Sunday, December 22nd
We ask that you prepare our hearts for the Birthday of your son.
Monday, December 23rd
We thank you for the opportunities to attend beautiful worship services.
Tuesday, December 24th
We thank you for all of the blessings we have.
Wednesday, December 25th
We thank you God for the marvelous gift of your son. Thank you for loving us so much.
Thursday, December 26th
We thank you for the missionaries who sacrifice to spread your love.
Friday, December 27th
We thank you for the many opportunities we have to serve you.
-- Karen Tidler
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Weekly Activities
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL/NURSERY
A Sunday nursery is available for young children in Room 138. See “This Week at St. John’s” for children’s Sunday School class locations.
NEW BOOK STUDY IN THE NEW SPIRIT CLASS - Sundays at 9:30 am
We in the New Spirit Class would like to invite congregation members to join us for an upcoming book study on Sunday mornings. We will be studying John Ortberg's I'd Like You More If You Were More Like Me: Getting Real About Getting Close. Ortberg is both insightful and humorous and this will be a study of developing relationships with God and others by avoiding common relationship pitfalls and responding to our need for others. The study starts on December 8, 2019, at 9:30 AM Sunday mornings, in Room 151.
FAMILY SPIRIT CLASS - Sundays at 9:30 am
The Family Spirit Class meets at 9:30 am Sunday on the second floor in the education wing across from the youth room. This Sunday, our Advent study continues with Amy-Jill Levine’s book, Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent. This four-week study includes a weekly DVD presentation and discussion handout. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Doug Sweet if you have questions at 554-6047.
TAI CHI - Thursdays at 10:30 am in the Family Life Center
It’s a great time to join the Tai Chi class. Tai Chi does not require physical fitness or coordination and may be done standing or seated with some modification. All age groups are welcome. No special clothing or equipment is required. Contact kathleen_sta@yahoo.com or 220-4814.
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Mission & Outreach
DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFERING: Two ministries for Children
This month, we have the opportunity to support two wonderful ministries dealing with children. The Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas, has helped troubled children (ages 12-18) find a place to heal and grow in a loving Christian environment for over 125 years. Younger children thrive in homes of loving foster parents. “They (MCH) are here for me when no one else is.” “They never give up on us.” “I now know that God’s going to be there for me. A second Methodist-supported haven for children is Providence Place in San Antonio, Texas. Its motto says it all: “Giving God’s Children a Faith, a Family, a Future.” “Providence Place loved me and helped me make the best decision for my child without any pressure,” said one birth mother in the open adoption program. And, as an adoptive couple puts it, “It is indescribable the joy that Abby has brought into our lives.” Providence Place also helps young adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities develop their full potential and learn to live on their own with minimal assistance. Both of these fine ministries rely on our generous donations.
MEMORY CAFE PROGRAM
Join us on Saturday, December 14th at 2:30pm in the Sonshine Cafe. We will enjoy a Jolly Holiday sing-along, and decorate some holiday cookies. We will relax with some healthy, sit-in-a-chair, movement exercises, and we will craft a simple warm scarf project as a Community Outreach to Seniors in need this holiday!
ZUNI FOOD BOX DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS
Thank you all UMW Circles, Preschool Plus, Therese & Children's Sunday School, the Family Spirit Class, the Looks, Eatons, and Perrys for the generous contributions to filling 15 Thanksgiving Food Boxes and providing 15 frozen turkeys for families in need at Zuni Elementary School this past week. Our support was deeply appreciated and our efforts were indeed a welcome Blessing for the families.
WAYS WE CAN SERVE
See what’s happening in December for missions at St. John’s! Come by the Hospitality Center to pick up your copy or download
here
.
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FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise will be hosted at St. John's January 12 -19. Many hands make light work. Please stop by the Hospitality Center and Abide Service to sign up to volunteer. Family Promise Volunteer Reorientation class will be held Tuesday, January 7 at 6:00 pm in room 231. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Family Promise and recent changes to our policies. Have questions? Contact Jenn Shields, 505-450-9978 (jennshields200@yahoo.com) or Linn Furnish, 505-884-6626 (swimsew@comcast.net).
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Prayer & Congregational Care
COUNSELING SERVICE AVAILABLE
The St. John's staff includes a licensed mental health counselor. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally with a difficult situation, counseling is available. See https://www.stjohns-abq.org/counseling-at-st-johns or contact Susan Brumbaugh at 505-506-6717 or
counselor@stjohns-abq.org
for more details about session and cost information.
PRAYER QUILT
Amy Martino and Rosalia Hargis are the recipients of the prayer quilt hanging in the Hospitality Center.
YOU MATTER TO US!
A person may be hospitalized or have another crisis in their life, and St. John’s may not know. Please call 883-9717.
PRAYER SHAWLS
If you know someone in need of comfort, healing, or encouragement, please consider giving them a shawl or lap robe that has been made with prayer. These can be found in the Hospitality Center.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
If you would like someone to visit, call, or pray for a loved one or for yourself, please write to Jarrod Conyers, Congregational Care Coordinator, at jconyers@stjohns-abq.org or call 883-9717.
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Getting Oriented
ONLINE GIVING
You can give to the church electronically by using a debit or credit card. Click the link below, or visit the Giving Page on the church website and follow the simple instructions found there.
LOST & FOUND
A beautiful children’s quilt was left in the Hospitality Center. If this belongs to your child and you can describe it, please contact the office.
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Contact Us
www.stjohns-abq.org
(505) 883-9717
2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org
Shea is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
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