Noon Day Ministries

On any given day, there are over 610,000 homeless people in the United States. October 10th was World Homeless Day. This coming Thursday and Friday is the national Homeless Standdown at Noon Day Ministries  The Stand Down is the one day of the year that is dedicated to honoring and assisting veterans who have found themselves homeless. This event is designed to help homeless veterans regain their dignity and self-respect. Thursday is the day devoted to veterans only and Friday is open to the general public. Stand downs will occur this week in cities all over the country.  

Noon Day Ministries was founded in 1982, by a man and his Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church, who served food to the needy after church. Today the organization serves over 108,000 lunches along with a multitude of other services on a yearly basis. 

I attended the Sunday Worship services held at Noon Day at 11am. Legacy Church hosted this day's service as well as every second Sunday of each month. There was onsite security and a police officer. Members of the church and the site were scattered throughout the service to provide assistance and help with any issues that could arise. 

There was music and then a message. The speaker shared his personal testimony. He talked about the time he spent in jail, drug use, and his many near death experiences. He talked about how God and his salvation brought him out of his darkness and onto a ministerial path. His message was about the Walking Dead. How we are all souls walking around dead without the love of God and of the Message of Jesus Christ. He focused alot of his message on the enemy of the devil and personal demons. He said his minister, however, always tells him - don't be scared, be prepared to receive the gifts of God. Have faith, God will show you who you should be. Lastly he wanted to remind the group that Jesus' presence in your life is Heaven. 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ~ Ephesians 2:4-5

There was also a place for homeless children and children of volunteers to learn about Jesus. After the sermon, there was an altar call and prayer available for people. There was more music then dinner was served to the people in attendance. A barber and a hairdresser were available after the service for people to get free haircuts and used clothes and books were available as well.

Different churches alternate conducting the Sunday Worship services at Noon Day, and all start at 11am. New Covenant Church hosts the service on the first Sunday of each month. Friends Feeding Friends hosts service on the third Sunday of each month.Noon Day hosts services on the fourth Sunday of each month. Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church hosts service on the fifth Sunday of the month (when there is one). All services are followed by a meal. 

No Matter where you are on your Journey or how Broken you may feel, you are ALWAYS worthy of God's Love!

THANK YOU Noon Day Ministries for providing the Love of Christ to the Needy on a Daily basis. 

Brethren in Christ Church

Brethren are a Brotherhood in Christ that came out of the Anabaptist Faith, just like the Mennonites. They also are a blend of Pietism and the Holiness movement. The denomination emerged in the late 1700's in largely German Immigrant areas of Pennsylvania. There are many different Brethren groups. Early Brethren in Christ members avoided “worldly” activities such as politics and certain amusements like card playing. Dress was simple and unadorned by jewelry, bright colors, or frills. Their plain uniform dress made them stand out in their communities which suited their belief of being a "separate people called out by God." Today many of the conservative congregations still hold true to the Plain living. Most churches, however, these days stay true to the strong religious doctrines and beliefs, but dress and live just as the average person. 

I visited the Desert Light Brethren in Christ Church's 10:30am service.

It is a Little Church with a Big Heart. 

As a newcomer they gave me a cross for my pocket and a small loaf of bread. First they sang their hearts out with Praise for the Lord. There was prayer and then communion. They had fellowship, or as they called it "loved on each other." The sermon was given by the music director about Grace. 

It was the story of Simon the Pharisee whom invited Christ to his house but did not provide him the common courtesy of washing his feet. The speaker said, Do not be like the Pharisees by not giving something to someone because they have nothing to offer you. The woman, that was labeled a sinner washed his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and anointed him with oil. Grace is giving without any expectation of return; not because someone deserves it, rather it is what Christ would do. Grace is glorified simply by the object of Grace. God's Grace qualifies you to serve him instantly so open your heart to the Grace of Jesus.  When the father looks at you, he looks at you with love even when what you bring to him is broken and burnt. 

For by grace you are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God. Not of works, that no man may glory. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 


Your Faith has saved you, go in peace. 

The church puts a heavy emphasis on mission work, such as fundraising for Navajo children and working with the Albuquerque Rescue Mission. They also have a 5pm Sunday service in Spanish. 

They were a super friendly church, very welcoming. 

THANK YOU Desert Light Brethren in Christ Church for graciously welcoming me into your family. 

Hope Evangelical Free Church

The Evangelical Free Church is the product of the merger of two revival churches - the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. The Swedish group had its formal beginnings in Boone, Iowa in the late 1880's. At the same time, two Norwegian-Danish groups began to fellowship together in Boston, Massachusetts and Tacoma, Washington. These groups respectively became the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. The two merged in 1950 to the form the Evangelical Free Church of America. 

Evangelical refers to a commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel and to the authority of Scriptures. 

Free refers to the way the church is governed - by the lay people of the congregation. 

I visited Hope Evangelical Free Church today for their 10:45 am Sunday Service. 

Jesus Christ pronounced Yes over You!

The service was simple and sweet. There was much musical worship to start the service off. I do not know if it was the decorations or something else but the sanctuary was very serene.  Pastor Josh Swanson gave a sermon entitled, "The Martyr." He spoke of St. Steven who was stoned to death by the Israelites. Stephen has been brought before the Sanhedrin for being a missionary of Jesus of Nazarene. Rather than defend himself, he gave a speech about Abraham, Moses, and the legacy of Jesus. He also chastised the Israelites for the prosecution of prophets. He knew his fate was sealed so he used his audience as an opportunity to give Testimony of his faith in Jesus. Stephen was then stoned to death and became the first recorded Martyr (other than Jesus) in the Christian religion. Pastor Swanson spoke of the courage Stephen had when facing death. He talked about the everyday sacrifices that people make - for jobs, for fitness goals, for monetary gain and status but how many sacrifices do we make for God, our Religion, or to live a life according to Jesus' teachings. 

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ~ Acts 2:44-45

It is very Cool to love Jesus these days, but it is not too trendy to dedicate your life to sacrifice and selfless acts. The minister talked about the criticism that people receive when they make sacrifices in the name of Religion and how they are often labeled as extreme or overboard. 

After the sermon there was an offering, more music, announcements, and a prayer to send the congregation off for the week. 

THANK YOU Hope Evangelical Free Church sharing your service with me. 

Praising God with the Baptists

Baptists first came about in England in the 17th century as part of the separation of Protestants during the reform movement in the Church of England. One of the congregations that split off only accepted "believers" and they would baptize the converts as a symbol of their commitment of faith. Their opponents thus nicknamed them "Baptists," and the name stayed with them. (BHHS)

According to the National Baptist Convention, a Gospel Church is a "congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ"

Today I attended the 11am Sunday service at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Mt Olive is a 115 year old church in the heart of Albuquerque. It has been a vibrant part of Albuquerque's past and present. Although Mt. Olive has historically been an African American congregation, they are completely welcoming to all of God's children. Musical ministry is a large part of this church community, with solos and a choir being an integral part of the worship service. 

Before service, the ministerial team prepared themselves by forming a prayer circle with a private prayer. 

The service began with an uplifting prayer then the spirited musical worship began. The choir and musicians praised God in a joyous and wonderful way and the congregation joined in, singing and clapping.   

Their LOVE for The Lord was contagious

The congregation then greeted each other.  Members came up to me and greeted me with a handshake or a hug. They were very friendly and welcoming to me as a newcomer. 

Reverend Michael Sumbry preached the Gospel. His sermon spoke of the harmony of God's Law and the Gospel. He talked of the purpose of God's law including - how God's law exposes our faults such as pride or a mean spirit; how it teaches us our utter helplessness without God; and serves as a vehicle to Christ. 

For Christ is the end of the law. 
                           Romans 10:4
            For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
                                                                                                                  Romans 6:14

What God's law cannot give us, Jesus Christ does ~ Rev. Mike

After the sermon, he summoned all the people who serve as leaders (deacon, Sunday school, etc.) in the church to the front of the church. He had the congregation bless them for the New Year and then he washed their feet. He said the feet washing served not only as an expression of love for them but also a reminder that we all are here to be of service to one another. 

Communion was then shared, followed by fellowship after service. 

It was a great service - If you have never Praised and Worshiped God in such a glorious way, you are truly missing out on an amazing experience. 

THANK YOU Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church for welcoming me into your home to praise the Lord!