Our Christmas Eve services are at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on December 24.
Who will you bring with you?
The 6 p.m. Service features our children and youth through music,
drama and dance as they express the meaning of this holy night in
their own unique fashion. The 11 p.m. Service will feature violin,
organ, piano, and solos by Mark Swindler as well as a few Christmas
carols and will conclude in candlelight. Both services will be
meaningful expressions of who we are as Christians and Presbyterians.
Unchurched folks are more likely to attend worship on Christmas Eve
than at any other time of year so consider which of your unchurched
friends you may invite to these services. They will appreciate your
invitation.
We will again receive the Christmas Joy Offering during worship this
Sunday. This offering supports the assistance programs of the Board of
Pensions, that provide support to retired and active church workers
and their spouses and families.
Michael Leach will serve as liturgist and Steven Leach will fill the
pulpit. Michael is a Sophomore at Trinity University and Steven is a
Senior at Princeton Theological Seminary. I appreciate their
leadership this Sunday as I will be away that day. I look forward to
seeing you on Christmas Eve or in the new year.
In the meantime, remember in prayer Julia McKisic, Frances Stanley,
Evelyn Weinburger and Lois Krewinghaus who broke her ankle. Also,
remember Bonnie Poole in Manor Place and Sherman Wilson in Brighton
Gardens with a fractured vertebrae in his neck, and the many families
who face this Christmas having lost a job and perhaps even their
homes.
Here is the Christmas story once again, as expressed in Luke's gospel:
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping
watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood
before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the
Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in
bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those
whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying
in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told
them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered
them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
-Luke 2:8-10
I leave you with this beautiful image from the evening lectionary
reading for today, Psalm 17:8, which says: "Guard me as the apple of
the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." May that be the
experience of you and you family during this holy season.
Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jon
- - -
To read this message online, click on
http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/epistle-for-december-23-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.
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St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort / Houston, TX 77035
T. 713.723.6262 / F. 713.723-4015 / Email: office.sjpc@gmail.com
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:30 am / Sunday School: 9:00 am
Dear church members and friend of the church,
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She
was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And why has this happened to me,
that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting,
the child in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:42-44)
And like the babe in Elizabeth's womb, our heart skips a beat from
sheer joy. We get this feeling about this time every year. Christmas
is coming once again.
Even as we rejoice, know not everyone is able to celebrate Christmas
in good health or good cheer. Our hearts and our prayers are with
Julia McKisic, Bonnie Poole, Frances Stanley, Ava Parker, and Evelyn
Weinburger.
A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy
Offering is one of four special offerings designated by the General
Assembly (GA.)
A gift to the Christmas Joy Offering helps the church explore its
partnership with families and individuals throughout their lives. Half
the offering supports racial ethnic schools and colleges where
students can discover their call and develop the skills to respond to
it. The other half supports the assistance programs of the Board of
Pensions, that provide support to retired and active church workers
and their spouses and families.
Now is a good time to get in shape. St. John's "Walking Together"
class meets every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in Room 209 for
approximately 45 minutes. All you need to bring are comfortable
walking shoes.
A "Stay Strong Stay Young" class, for improving bone density and
strength, meets every Tuesday and Thursday night 6:30 p.m. in Room
209. All weights are supplied. All are welcome.
This Sunday the Presbyterian Women Bake Sale will help you fill your
freezer for the holidays. The goodies will be in McPhail Hall both
before and after worship on December 20.
This Sunday, December 20, we are hosting a Blood Drive from 8 a.m. –
12:30 p.m. in the Scout Room of Building One. Walk-ins are welcome.
Come to worship God this Sunday as we continue our journey through
Advent. Our Christmas Eve services are at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on
December 24. Who will you bring with you?
Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jon > Home phone: 281-501-3964 | Cell phone: 281-838-5391
St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort, Houston, TX 77035
Phone 713-723-6262
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St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort / Houston, TX 77035
T. 713.723.6262 / F. 713.723-4015 / Email: office.sjpc@gmail.com
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:30 am / Sunday School: 9:00 am
