St. John's Epistle for April 29, 2009

The Lord be with you! Click on
http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/epistle-for-april-29-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.

Peace to you, Pastor Jon
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

St. John's Epistle for April 29, 2009

"Justice for All Children" slide show

Evan Harrel presented this slide show

in McPhail Hall on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

"Justice for All Children" slide show

Justice for Children Dinners, Part 3

May 3: Panel on Juvenile Justice and Child Advocacy

· The Cradle to Prison Pipeline: Brandi Brown (and guests), Director, Texas Youth Leadership Program/Freedom Schools, Children's Defense Fund

· A Prosecutor's View of the System: Lynne Parsons, Prosecutor, Harris County District Attorney’s office

· A Music Ministry Serving Incarcerated Youth: Bill Ward, Crosswalk MinistriesChild Advocacy: Claire Sabatier, Recruitment, Training/Retention Manager, Child advocates, Houston


McPhail Hall, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Justice for Children Dinners, Part 3

Scholarship Applications

The intent of the Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund is to provide a scholarship grant to any active St. John’s member who wishes to further an academic endeavor. The intent is for the scholarship grant to be used for undergraduate study and/or a technical or trade school and shall be given to the recipient to be used at his/her discretion.

To be eligible the applicants must submit a formal written request in which they outline their plans and goals. Please get an application from Vivian Ivy and submit your application before June 15, 2008. — Curtis Brisch

Scholarship Applications

St. John's Weekly Calendar

Sunday, April 26
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study
5:00 pm PYF Bowling
5:30 – 7:30 pm Justice for Children Dinner, Part Two

Monday, April 27
5:00-6:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, April 28
9:30 am Presbyterian Women's Activity Day
10:00 am Bible Leaders Study, meet in Jon’s office
6:30 pm “Stay Strong, Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:30 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Outreach Team Meeting

Wednesday, April 29
6:00 – 9:00 pm Trafton Academy, McPhail Hall
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, April 30
9:30 am Community Bible Study, McPhail Hall
6:30 pm “Stay Strong Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”

Friday, May 1
2:30 – 8:50 pm Pictorial Directory Pictures

Saturday, May 2
7:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
8:00 am Daisy Troop, 21174
8:00 am St. John’s Breakfast
8:00 am Shearn Work Day
10:00 am – 4:40 pm Pictorial Directory Pictures

Sunday, May 3
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study
5:00 pm PYF, TBA
5:30 – 7:30 pm Justice for Children Dinner (Part 3)

St. John's Weekly Calendar

Sunday Announcements

The Congregational Life Ministry Team is pleased to announce that the Honoree of the Year is Bob Hughes, who has given outstanding and exemplary caring service to St. John’s for many years.

Pictorial Directory Sign-Up: “Full” for now but more to come in August.

Shearn Elementary School Work Day, Saturday, May 2: An all day workday is planned at Shearn, 9802 Stella Link, to work on its campus. Contact John or Phyllis Freeman, 713-776-3548, for more details. Needed are workers with all abilities.

St. John’s Breakfast, Saturday, May 2: Please join us for breakfast at 8 am and stay to listen to our guest speaker, Mike Cole, at 8:30 am. No reservations required.

Introduction to Special Education Advocacy, May 6: Come find out more about this important new St. John’s ministry. An information session about becoming a volunteer advocate will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 10-11:30 am. See Ann Hardy or Suzette Harrel for more information.

Life-Scan, Saturday, May 9: St. John’s will host Life Line Screening, the nation’s largest provider of community-based preventive screenings. If you would like to make an appointment for one of its scans, please call 1-888-653-6441.

Scholarship Application Deadline, June 15: The Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship grant to any active St. John’s member to be used for undergraduate study and/or a technical or trade school. Applications can be picked up in the church office.

Sunday Announcements

Graduates Sunday

On Sunday, May 10, we will honor our graduating high school seniors
during the morning worship service. Parents and graduates please mark
your calendar.

Graduates Sunday

Bob Hughes Named "Caring Person of the Year at St. John's"

Pictured here with his family, Bob Hughes was recognized as the "Outstanding Caring Person of the Year at St. John’s" at the Annual Caring Dinner on April 23 at Braeburn Country Club. Click here to view a slideshow of photographs of the Annual Caring Dinner. Bob has contributed hundreds of hours of service to maintaining and upgrading the church's physical plant and led us through the difficult process of bringing our facilities up to code with the City of Houston.

Bob Hughes Named "Caring Person of the Year at St. John's"

Justice for Children Dinners, Part 2

April 26: Panel on Education and Health Care

• Children's Health Insurance & the Healthy Children Program: Barbara Best, Chairman, Texas Chapter, Children’s Defense Fund

• The Whole and Healthy Child: Michael Aceves-Lewis, Development Director, Mission Houston

• Why Pre-School Matters: Evan Harrel, Executive Director,Small Steps Nurturing Center

• Special Education: Robin Rettie, special education advocate & consultant

Please gather in McPhail Hall, 5:30 -7:30 pm.
A light supper follows the presentation.

Justice for Children Dinners, Part 2

This Saturday: Special Education Advocacy

An informational session about becoming a volunteer advocate.
No previous experience is necessary.

When: Saturday, April 25th, 10:00-11:30 am

Where: McPhail Hall, April 25

What: Information about the special education process and the needs of low-income families for advocate services; the role and expectations for our volunteer advocates; information on future training opportunities.

Why: Because without volunteer advocates, more children will not receive the individualized special education and services they need to prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.

More: For more information about becoming a volunteer advocate or about other opportunities to help, contact Suzette Harrel at 713-501-4703; suzharrel@comcast.net, or Ann Hardy at 713-723-6266; hardy-johnandann@hotmail.com.

This Saturday: Special Education Advocacy

 

The Presbyterian Disaster Relief Team from New Covenant Presbytery addressed the Presbyterian Women's group in McPhail Hall on April 21, 2009.

St. John's "The Epistle for April 21, 2009"

The Lord be with you.

To view "The Epistle for April 21, 2009" ...
Click on http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/the-epistle-for-april-21-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.

Peace,
Pastor Jon
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

St. John's "The Epistle for April 21, 2009"

Justice for Children

Dr. Robert Sanborn, President, Children at Risk was the guest speaker at our first Justice For Children dinner on April 19, 2009.

Here are some facts about children in Houston that he shared with us.

There are over a million children in the Houston area.

47% of the children are at or near the poverty rate of $20,0000 per year for a family of 4.

There are 26 school districts in Harris County.

Houston has the 7th largest school district in the USA.

Only 2 school districts in the Houston area serve the universal free school breakfast.

50% of Houston children in the 9th grade won't graduate high school.

58% of Houston children are Latino children and that number is increasing.

24% of Harris County children live in poverty and a total of 47% live in low income families.

Texas is #1 in the USA in uninsured children.

The USA ranks 29th in the world on infant mortality - tied with Poland and Slovakia, and behind Cuba.

50% of children in the Harris County Juvenile Justice System have a mental health disorder. Texas ranks 49fh nationall in funding for outpatient mental health services.

Houston sends twice as many children to the Texas Youth Commission as does Dallas.

Houston is the American hub of human trafficing in the US. 14,000 to 17,000 persons are tracficked into the US each year - Houston is the hub. 70% are female and 50% are children.

Mentoring children is one way churches may be part of the solution.

Here is another way to get involved: Visit www.childrenatrisk.org and sign up for the e-advocacy email newsleter.

Justice for Children

Special Education Advocacy— April 25 or May 6

An informational session about becoming a volunteer advocate.
No previous experience is necessary.

When: Saturday, April 25th, 10:00-11:30 am, OR
Wednesday, May 6, 10:00-11:30 am.

Where: McPhail Hall, April 25; Scout Room, May 6.

What: Information about the special education process and the needs of low-income families for advocate services; the role and expectations for our volunteer advocates; information on future training opportunities.

Why: Because without volunteer advocates, more children will not receive the individualized special education and services they need to prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.

More: For more information about becoming a volunteer advocate or about other opportunities to help, contact Suzette Harrel at 713-501-4703; suzharrel@comcast.net, or Ann Hardy at 713-723-6266; hardy-johnandann@hotmail.com.

Special Education Advocacy— April 25 or May 6

St. John's Sunday Weekly Reminders

Presbytery Women’s Program, April 21: Please come hear our special guest speaker Barbara Wilson, acting volunteer coordinator for New Covenant Presbytery Recovery Disaster Team.

St. John’s Wonder Team, Wednesday, April 22: Sandwich makers are needed! Please meet in McPhail Hall at 6 pm to make 300 sandwiches for local children.

Astro Promotion, Saturday, April 25: Save this date! Details will be announced.

Shearn Elementary School Work Day, Saturday, May 2: An all day workday is planed at Shearn, 9802 Stella Link, to work on its campus. Contact John or Phyllis Freeman, 713-776-3548, for more details. Needed are workers with all abilities.

St. John’s Breakfast, Saturday, May 2: Please join us for breakfast at 8 am and stay to listen to our guest speaker, Mike Cole, at 8:30 am. No reservations required.

Attention St. Johners: Please reserve the parking lot by the Sanctuary for those who have difficulty walking. We want to encourage everyone to attend the worship service and have noticed that our members with mobility problems are unable to park close to the Sanctuary. Thank you for your consideration.

Life-Scan, Saturday, May 9: St. John’s will host Life Line Screening, the nation’s largest provider of community-based preventive screenings. If you would like to make an appointment for one of its scans, please call 1-888-653-6441.

Vacation Bible School, June 14-18, 6-8 pm: All ages are invited to St. John’s 2009 Vacation Bible School, which will be held evenings during the third week of June.

Scholarship Application Deadline, June 15: The Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship grant to any active St. John’s member to be used for undergraduate study and/or a technical or trade school. Applications can be picked up in the Church office.

St. John's Sunday Weekly Reminders

St. John's Weekly Calendar

Sunday, April 19
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Town Hall Meeting to discuss the Ghanaians
4:00 pm Final Lenten study
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study
5:15 pm PYF – Prepare and serve dinner for Justice for Children Dinner
5:30 – 7:30 pm Justice for Children Dinner

Monday, April 20
5:00-6:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, April 21
9:30 am Presbyterian Women's program and luncheon
6:30 pm “Stay Strong, Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:30 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, April 22
6:00 “Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, April 23
9:30 am Community Bible Study, McPhail Hall
6:30 pm “Stay Strong Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
6:30 Caring Dinner, Braeburn Country Club

Saturday, April 25
7:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
9:00 am Girl Scout Troop, 4130
10:00 -11:30 am Introduction to Special Education Advocacy

Sunday, April 26
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study
5:00 pm PYF: Bowling
5:30 – 7:30 pm Justice for Children Dinner

St. John's Weekly Calendar

Scholarship Applications

The Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship grant to any active St. John’s member who wishes to further an academic endeavor. The scholarship grant is to be used for undergraduate study and/or a technical or trade school and shall be given to the recipient for his/her discretion. To be eligible, the applicant must submit a formal written request which outlines his plans and goals. Please get an application from Vivian Ivy and submit it before June 15, 2009.

— Curtis Brisch

Scholarship Applications

Vacation Bible School June 14-18

St. John’s Vacation Bible School for all ages will be held evenings during the third week of June. Become part of this fantastic week by calling Mary Sterner or David Nelson to volunteer.

Vacation Bible School June 14-18

Work Day at Shearn Elementary School, May 2

St. John’s provides support for Shearn Elementary School by providing mentors (six St. John’s members are mentors) and help on Work Days. You can help with the next Work Day!

An all day workday is planned for Saturday, May 2, 8am - 5pm. Several large projects are planned including painting outside and inside the building, paving a walk between the buildings, putting in a French drain and a water supply for the art room, and building a flat deck area for outdoor school plays and presentations. We are looking for skilled workers to lead projects and lots of other folks who just want to show up and help. Shearn is located at 9802 Stella Link near the 610 South Loop.

If you are interested, please contact Phyllis or John Freeman, 713-776-3548 or ppfreeman@comcast.net or freeman@rice.edu OR JUST SHOW UP!

Work Day at Shearn Elementary School, May 2

St. John’s Breakfast— Saturday, May 2

Hey folks, it’s time for our St. John’s Breakfast again, Saturday, May 2. Breakfast at 8 am (we haven’t figured that out yet but more information will be coming in the Sunday bulletin) and at 8:30 our own General Presbyter, Mike Cole, will be with us — we hope for a good turnout! Invite a friend, it should be a good meeting and Mike will have time for questions.
If you need a ride, contact Linda Dobbin at 281-778-5348 or Thalia Bunnell at 713-723-5215.

St. John’s Breakfast— Saturday, May 2

Presbyterian Women’s Program and Luncheon— Tuesday, April 21

All are welcome to this special program featuring Barbara Wilson, Acting Volunteer Coordinator for New Covenant Presbytery Recovery Disaster Team. Come learn about this wonderful organization and all the good it does! Lunch will be served after the program.

Presbyterian Women’s Program and Luncheon— Tuesday, April 21

Justice for Children Dinners

April 26: Panel on Education and Health Care
• Children's Health Insurance & the Healthy Children Program
Barbara Best, Chairman, Texas Chapter, Children’s Defense Fund
• The Whole and Healthy Child
Michael Aceves-Lewis, Development Director, Mission Houston
• Why Pre-School Matters
Evan Harrel, Executive Director,Small Steps Nurturing Center
• Special Education
Robin Rettie, special education advocate & consultant

May 3: Panel on Juvenile Justice and Child Advocacy
• The Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Brandi Brown (and guests), Director, Texas Youth Leadership Program/Freedom Schools, Children’s Defense Fund
• A Prosecutor's View of the System
Lynne Parsons, Prosecutor, Harris County District Attorney’s office
• A Music Ministry Serving Incarcerated Youth
Bill Ward, Crosswalk Ministries
• Child Advocacy
Claire Sabatier, Recruitment, Training and Retention Manager, Child Advocates, Houston

Justice for Children Dinners

Paper Recycle Report

St. John’s four paper recycle bins collected 12.93 tons (25,853 pounds) in January and 13.31 tons (26,612.81 pounds) in February as part of St. John’s Stewardship of the Earth. All together we saved 78.69 cubic yards of landfill.

Paper Recycle Report

Some Facts about Children in Houston

Dr. Robert Sanborn, President, Children at Risk was the guest speaker at our first Justice For Children dinner on April 19, 2009.

Here are some facts about children in Houston that he shared with us.

There are over a million children in the Houston area.

47% of the children are at or near the poverty rate of $20,0000 per year for a family of 4.

There are 26 school districts in Harris County.

Houston has the 7th largest school district in the USA.

Only 2 school districts in the Houston area serve the universal free school breakfast.

50% of Houston children in the 9th grade won't graduate high school.

58% of Houston children are Latino children and that number is increasing.

24% of Harris County children live in poverty and a total of 47% live in low income families.

Texas is #1 in the USA in uninsured children.

The USA ranks 29th in the world on infant mortality - tied with Poland and Slovakia, and behind Cuba.

50% of children in the Harris County Juvenile Justice System have a mental health disorder. Texas ranks 49fh nationall in funding for outpatient mental health services.

Houston sends twice as many children to the Texas Youth Commission as does Dallas.

Houston is the American hub of human trafficing in the US. 14,000 to 17,000 persons are tracficked into the US each year - Houston is the hub. 70% are female and 50% are children.

Mentoring children is one way churches may be part of the solution.

Here is another way to get involved: Visit www.childrenatrisk.org and sign up for the e-advocacy email newsleter.

Some Facts about Children in Houston

April Session Highlights

During their meeting on April 16, your session:

*Approved a contract with Suzanne Huff of The Greenery to enhance and maintain all the flower beds and shrubs on the church property.

*Approved a proposal to use undesignated memorial funds to repair cracks in the brick work in the sanctuary building.

*Watched a video called "Insights: Presbytery of New Covenant 2009" and learned that our presbytery leads the denomination in the number of new church developments and the number of candidates to become Ministers of Word and Sacrament.

April Session Highlights

St. John's Epistle for April 15, 2009

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.

To view this Epistle you may
Click on http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/epistle-for-april-15-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

St. John's Epistle for April 15, 2009

April 12 Worship Insert Items

St. John’s staff wishes everyone a blessed and happy Easter. Please note the church offices were opened on Good Friday but will be closed on Easter Monday.

St. John’s Book Club, April 14: All readers are welcome to attend the Book Group, at 7:30 pm. This meeting will decide on the next book to be read, so please bring your ideas and suggestions.

Beacon Newsletter Assemblers: The newsletter will be assembled Tuesday, April 14 at 12:30 pm in Room 203. No experience is necessary!

Sharing Our Parking Lot: St. John’s will be providing overflow parking for the Westbury Giant White Elephant Garage Sale being held at Westbury United Methodist on Saturday, April 18.

Town Meeting, April 19: Please plan to remain after worship service next Sunday for the purpose of hearing and responding to a report by the Ghanaian Task force.

Presbytery Women’s Program, April 21: Please come hear our special guest speaker Barbara Wilson, acting volunteer coordinator for New Covenant Presbytery Recovery Disaster Team.

Astro Promotion, Saturday, April 25: Save this date! Details will be announced.

Attention St. Johner’s: Please reserve the parking lot by the Sanctuary for those who have difficulty walking. We want to encourage everyone to attend the worship services and have noticed that our members with mobility problems are unable to park close to the Sanctuary. Thank you for your consideration.

Life-Scan, Saturday, May 9: St. John’s will host Life Line Screening, the nation’s largest provider of community-based preventive screenings. If you would like to make an appointment for one of its scans, please call 1-888-653-6441.

St. John’s Supports Children Events: St. John’s is sponsoring two events, Justice for Children’s Dinners (Sundays April 19, April 26 & May 3) and Introduction to Special Education Advocacy (April 25 or May 6). Please see the two inserts for full details.

April 12 Worship Insert Items

Sunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday – One Great Hour of Sharing
7:00 am Sunrise Service
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
12:00 pm Beacon Deadline
12:00 pm Caring Dinner Registration Deadline

Monday, April 13 Church Offices Closed
5:00-6:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, April 14
9:30 am Presbyterian Women's Activity Day
6:30 pm “Stay Strong, Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:30 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Book Group
7:30 pm Support Ministry Team Meeting

Wednesday, April 15
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, April 16
9:30 am Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Strong Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:30 pm Session Meeting

Friday, April 17
7:00 – 10:00 pm Trafton Spring Dance, McPhail Hall

Saturday, April 18
7:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Westbury White Elephant Garage Sale, will use our parking
lot for overflow cars.
9:00 am Daisy Troop, 21174

Sunday, April 19
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Town Hall Meeting
4:00 pm Final Lenten study
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study
5:30 – 7:30 pm Justice for Children Dinner

Small Steps video from Fox Houston on April 10, 2009

In this "Worth Your Time" segment, local kindergarten students from the Small Steps Nurturing Center in Houston's First Ward collect thousands of pennies to help purchase school supplies for underprivileged children in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Small Steps video from Fox Houston on April 10, 2009

St. John's Epistle for April 8, 2009"

The Lord be with you during this Holy Week.

To view the Epistle, click on
http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/epistle-for-april-8-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

St. John's Epistle for April 8, 2009"

Good Friday Video

Good Friday Video

2009 Confirmands

2009 Confirmands: (L to R, Back to Front) Katanga Muanza, Benjamin Muanza, Austin Gorby

Brendan Ehrenstrom, Christiana Johnson, Gabriel McGuire

2009 Confirmands

Dan Shaw Memorial Service

Dan Shaw's family invites you to his memorial service this Thursday, April 9, at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of St. John's Presbyterian Church and to a reception in McPhail Hall immediately after the service.

Dan Shaw Memorial Service

April 12 @ 7 am, youth-led service

Continental breakfast served

Maundy Thursday Service

The day before Good Friday is called Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “commandment.” In the gospel of John, Jesus makes this statement during the Last Supper: “I am with you only a little longer. ... I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:33-35, NRSV).

Please join in this special service on April 9 at 7 pm, showing loving concern for one another, and partaking of Holy Communion. That is what the Lord asked of his disciples and asks of us.

Maundy Thursday Service

Smile for the Camera!

St. John’s will be getting a new pictorial directory soon!

The Congregational Life/Caring Ministry Team is working with LifeTouch Church Directories on this project. Watch for further information regarding family photos, which will be taken on May 1 & 2 by LifeTouch photographers. Information will be in the Epistle and the bulletin in coming weeks. We look forward to scheduling time for everyone to have a new photograph to go into the new directory, which is expected to be available in September.

Smile for the Camera!

One Great Hour - Sundays April 5 & 12

On Sundays April 5 & 12 St. John’s will have the opportunity to share God’s love with our neighbors by participing in the One Great Hour of Sharing. The refugee and the stranger have found food and safe shelter; those stunned by the aftermath of disasters have found relief and help rebuilding. Communities seeking to take control of their future have found partners in development.

Allocation of OGHS gifts:After deducting administrative costs (up to 5%) and the costs of creating and distributing promotional materials (roughly 5 %), the gifts are divided among:

Presbyterian Hunger Program (36 percent)
For ministries working to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in the nation and throughout the world, as well as ministries addressing homelessness and affordable housing.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (32 percent)
For disaster response and ministries with refugees.

Self-Development of People (32 percent)
For partnerships with groups of people who are oppressed by poverty or social systems, who want to take charge of their own lives, and have organized to do something about their own condition.

One Great Hour - Sundays April 5 & 12

April 5: Sunday Insert Items

Maundy Thursday Service, April 9, 7 pm: Please join in this special service.

Circles, Tuesday, April 7: Circle 1: Connie Brown, chair, will meet at the church at 9:30 am; Circle 2: Marjie Knight, chair, will meet at Phyllis Freeman’s, 9206 Mullins at 9:30 am; Night Circle: Vivian Ivy, chair, will meet at Simone Westmoreland, 4410 Waycross, at 7:30 pm

Tre Ore, April 10: This come-and-go worship service begins at 12 pm at Salem Lutheran (4920 W. Bellfort). The service is in seven parts focusing on Jesus’ words from the cross. Pastor Jon will present his reflection at 1:20 pm.

Astro Promotion, Saturday, April 25: Save this date! Details to be announced.

Presbytery Women’s Program, April 25: Please come here our special guest speaker Barbara Wilson, acting volunteer coordinator for New Covenant Presbytery Recovery Disaster Team.

March Sessions Highlights: At their meeting on March 26, your session . .
1. Scheduled a called congregational meeting on April 5 to elect Georgiana Simmons to serve on the Nominating Committee.
2. Scheduled a town hall meeting for the congregation on April 19, immediately after Worship, for the purpose of hearing and responding to a report by the Ghanaian Task Force.
3. Scheduled a “Stewardship of Time and Talents” volunteer sign up opportunity after worship on May 17.
4. Heard a report on the “Justice for Children” Sunday night series which will be held in McPhail Hall on April 19, 26 & May 3.
5. Agreed to host a meeting of New Covenant Presbytery on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

April 5: Sunday Insert Items

St. John's Weekly Calendar

Sunday, April 5 – Palm Sunday – One Great Hour of Sharing
9:00 am-12:00 pm Presbyterian Women’s Bake Sale, McPhail Hall
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service followed by called Congregational meeting
11:45 pm Reception for Confirmands, McPhail Hall
4:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt, church grounds
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study

Monday, April 6
5:00-6:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688
7:00 pm Bell Choir 7:00 Evangelism Team Meeting

Tuesday, April 7
9:30 am Presbyterian Women's Circles
6:30 pm “Stay Strong, Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:30 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Christian Formation Ministry Team Meeting

Wednesday, April 8
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, April 9 Maundy Thursday
9:30 am Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Strong Stay Young” followed by “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 10 Good Friday
12:00 – 3:00 pm Tre Ore Service, Salem Lutheran

Saturday, April 11
7:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, April 12 – Easter – One Great Hour of Sharing
7:00 Sunrise Service
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
12:00 Beacon Deadline
12:00 Caring Dinner Reservations due
5:00 pm Centering Prayer, Pastor's study

St. John's Weekly Calendar

St. John's Christian Sympathy for Dan Shaw's Family

Dan Shaw died this morning at Houston Hospice in the presence of his
family.
Arrangements are pending and will be shared with you by email as soon
as we know them. Our Christian sympathy is with Sally and their family
at this time.

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Click on http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/christian-sympathy-for-dan-shaws-family
- 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
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St. John's Christian Sympathy for Dan Shaw's Family

St. John's UPDATE for April 2, 2009

Dan Shaw is now at Houston Hospice as of 6:00 PM on April 1, 2009.
Keep him and his family in prayer as they make the transition to this
new phase of his illness.

For an UPDATE from St. John's, Click on
http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/st-johns-update-for-april-2-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.

Peace,
Pastor Jon
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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
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St. John's UPDATE for April 2, 2009

Camp Cho Yeh video: "Birthday Rap" by Jon Yingst

Check out the energy and enthusiasm on "The Birthday Rap." Wow. Wonder if they'll do that on MY birthday? Guess you have to be there to get the special treatment.

Camp Cho Yeh video: "Birthday Rap" by Jon Yingst

Video: Camp Cho Yeh ~ Cup Game

Here is the "Cup Game" video courtesy of Jon Yingst's cell phone. Taken at last weekend's Conclaves event. St. John's had 15 participants in the presbytery youth retreat known as Conclaves, at Camp Cho-Yeh, March 27, 28 & 29. St. John’s participants are Josh Barnhill, Brendan Ehrenstrom, Jacob Ehrenstrom, Austin Gorby, Nate Herbert, Christianna Johnson. Johanna Ramas, Joseph Schafer, Gabrielle Williams, Becky Crawford, Erin Crawford, Aaron Jacobsen, David Nelson, Mary Sterner and Jon Yingst. Jon Yingst posted a few videos from the retreat here. They had a great time. We are proud of Mary Sterner for leading these youth retreats for the presbytery. This is her third (and final) one for this year!!!

Video: Camp Cho Yeh ~ Cup Game

St. John's Epistle for April 1, 2009

Click on http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/st-johns-epistle-for-april-1-2009
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't
work.

The Lord be with you as we prepare for holy week which begins this
Sunday!

Peace,
Pastor Jon Burnham
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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
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St. John's Epistle for April 1, 2009

One Great Hour of Sharing

Here is a video about the One Great Hour of Sharing offering that we will receive on Easter Sunday.

One Great Hour of Sharing