In this issue:

• Note from Pastor John
• Worship News and Sermon Video
• Programming Night - We Need Your Input
• Church News
• World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4th
• Charge Conference - Sun., Sept. 11th at 1 p.m.
• Nomination Committee
• GoFundMe for Ann LePage
• New Book Selection for All Booked Up
• UWF New Circle - Thurs., Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.
• UWF Annual Conference - Oct. 15-16
• Creation Care Tip
• Mission News - Food Pantry
• Great News about McCurdy Reading Buddies
• Giving Information
• Prayers
• What's Happening This Week
• Birthdays & Anniversaries

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

When I was ordained as an Elder, I was ordained into word, order, sacrament and service. At the time, Deacons were ordained into word, order and service. They were not able to perform sacraments, even though their ordination process is basically the same as it is for Elders. That changed at the last General Conference, which is the world-wide gathering of the United Methodist Church.

That was a very active conference, with the biggest decisions coming around the language the church had around LGBTQIA+ persons. News surrounding those changes sort of overwhelmed some of the other substantial changes that took place. But, one of those changes was that Deacons are now also ordained to sacrament.

This Sunday I will not be in worship as we are out of town to celebrate Elizabeth’s 8^th birthday, remembering she was not yet one when we were appointed here. Rev. Katherine de la rosa Salazar will be our guest preacher. Rev. Salazar is a deacon in the conference, and her appointment is to be the principal at McCurdy Charter School in Espanola. This is her first year there.

Because it is the first Sunday of the month, Rev. Salazar will also be presiding at the table for this service. This will be the first time that a deacon, in this iteration of deacons, will serve communion in this congregation. I know that for many of you this doesn’t really mean anything, but this is a big deal in broadening the table. This is a long-time coming and a well-deserved recognition of the role that Deacons play in their ministry to the world in their context.

This Sunday is also World Communion Sunday, a day to remember that we gather at the table not just locally, but with Christians around the world. It is our tradition to have different types of bread from around the world available to make this shared understanding of the table more concrete for us. If you have not already informed Carol Mead that you would like to bring a bread, please do so as soon as possible.

I hope that you will be in attendance this Sunday for this special service. Rev. Salazar will be preaching from Matthew on one of Jesus’ healing stories, which I was not going to be covering, so you are sure to hear a great message as well.

Blessings,

John

Prayer for the Week: Holy God, you love justice and hate oppression; you call us to righteousness and not to exploitation. Give us generous and loving hearts, and eyes to see the splendor of your reign, that we may live in truth and honor, and praise you for the transformation of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday: The scripture readings for Sunday, October 4, are Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14 and Matthew 8:28-9:1. Sunday's message, will be given by Rev. Katherine de la Rosa Salazar, a deacon in the conference and the principal at McCurdy Charter School, and will be on the passage from Matthew. Sunday is a traditional service and we will also receive communion.

Questions to help you prepare: Why do you think the demons ask to be sent into the herd of swine? What do you think would have been your response if it had been your swine who were destroyed? Why do the people beg Jesus to leave? What are your thoughts on this story?

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Did you miss Sunday's sermon or want to hear it again?

You can find other sermons in this series on our website.

To donate you can scan the QR code with your phone or use the link below. Please share with others who might want to help. Thank you for being God's love in action.

Scenes from Sunday's Animal blessing! 
Thank for everyone who brought out their pets.

Be a Reading Buddy

After a great summer we are now into the new school year. LEER is providing STARS Afterschool for Kinder through 6^th graders. Same values and goals: a safe, nurturing place that helps all children succeed academically. This includes Reading Buddies on Mondays at 4:15.

AND

We are gearing up to bring Reading Buddies into two elementaries this fall. Although we have had some administration challenges, I beilieve we will start the first week of October at JHR and TEQ Elementaries.

The children of these communities need your help (and so do I)!

Can you read with 2 children once a week at their elementary school? We'll provide the resources. You provide the care and attention. We need you and we need you to share this opportunity with others.

You can choose either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Here is the link to sign up for any of these opportunities.

https://mccurdy.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteers/GW_Volunteers__VolunteersJobListing

Please let me know if you have questions, need help, or have groups I can share this great work with!

And the library is back open to the public Tuesdays from 3-6 and 2^nd Saturdays from 10-1!



Peace in your life. Power in your work.

Kercida McClain

Director, LEER (leh-EHR, to read)

512.718.1340 (cell) 505.753.7221 (office)

Available in apple store and google play!

There are several ways you can make your

tithe and offering payments.

1. Go to our website then click on "Give Securely Online" at the top right-hand column. Set up a one time or a reoccurring gift.
2. In-person drop off your check
3. You can mail your checks to the church office:

715 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos, NM 87544

We thank you for your faithfulness!

Praise and Thanksgiving:

• Praise for Pastor John and our leadership

New and Ongoing Prayers:

• Prayers for Ann LePage.
• Prayers for the families and teachers of McCurdy Charter School, their retired principal, Bernadette French died of cancer over the weekend. 
• Prayers for healing for Lucia Affatato who was just diagnosed with Parkinson's.
• Pray for Will Darby as he deals with dementia and his loss of independence.
• Prayers for relationship between my children.
• Prayers for people released from addictions.
• Prayers for Valerie's nephew dealing with addiction and life consequences.
• Prayers for rain and water for our lands, including the farm lands of the Navajo Nation.
• Prayers for Travis Martinez who is going through a difficult season.
• Prayers for Lynn Kluegel for her current treatment to continue to working.
• Prayers for the situation in the Middle East.
• Prayers for our country and our world.
• Prayers for healing for Mark Brussard, Bodil Brandow, Stacey Castille, Liz Martinez, Sandra Jo Rudloff, Erelne Seay, Judy Thompson,and Harriett Zickert.

Church Families to pray for this week:

Lee Weinland                                       

Katie Weinland

Brad & Camille Wescott 

Amanda White & Family                       

Harriet Zickert

If you have a prayer request or praise that you would like to share please call, 505-662-6277 or email, office@lafumc.org, the church office. If you would like your prayer to be confidential just let us know.

Wednesday, September 30

NO Choir

7 p.m. STARS NA meeting in Church Library on Zoom tonight.

Thursday, October 1

7 p.m. Troop 122 in Fellowship Hall


Sunday, October 4

9 a.m. Bible History Class

10 a.m. Traditional Worship In-person and Online

World Communion Sunday

Monday, October 5
1:30 p.m. Clubhouse Knitter's Group at Ridge Park Clubhouse 
505 Oppenheimer Dr. Los Alamos

6 p.m. Emmaus Potluck Dinner in Fellowship Hall

7 p.m. Emmaus Forth Day Talk in Friendship Center

Wednesday, October 7

5:30 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal in Sanctuary

6:15 p.m. Chancel Voices in Sanctuary

7 p.m. First Light Rehearsal

7 p.m. STARS NA meeting in Library (C1)

If you see your name missing or the date needs correcting

please email the church office at office@lafumc.org.

Birthdays

Oct. 2: Doris Jackson

Oct. 3: Elizabeth Nash

Oct. 4: Nels Hoffman

Oct. 5: Alden Kaufeld

Oct. 8: Geniece Courtright

Oct. 10: Deana Carnes

Oct. 12: Susannah Rousculp

Oct. 13: Peggy Goldman

Oct. 13: Bob Risch

Oct. 14: Sarah Hoffman

Oct. 14: James Risch

Oct. 15: James Barefield

Oct. 15: Linda Nash

Oct. 15: Marianna Elizabeth

Oct. 22: Ella Leschnitzer

Anniversaries

Oct. 11: Lloyd & Denise Brown

Monday through Friday

9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

505-662-6277 or office@lafumc.org