I had a great time away on continuing education last week at Austin
Seminary at their Winter Lecture Series. I enjoyed some fruitful time
for listening and reflection. I also enjoyed seeing a bit of Austin.
The seminary is on the north side of the UT campus. It's a nice
setting for the seminary. I'm glad to have the seminary nearby as it
is a great resource for ministry. There are not that many PC(USA)
seminaries in the US so it is nice to have one a couple of hours away.
We had a good session retreat a couple of weekends ago with excellent
participation. We worked on a covenant the session will make between
ourselves and God, ourselves and one another, and between ourselves
and the congregation. We will share it with the congregation when
completed as a model for how we will work together at St. John's to
glorify God by making disciples and meeting human needs.
We've had a few session members in and out of the hospital for various
reasons over the past month including Aaron who celebrated the birth
of his son Jonas, Jeanne who had surgery, Kathy who had a fainting
spell at choir last week, and George who had a procedure Monday
morning. I'm happy to report all of these folks are doing better now.
Keep the Session in your prayers.
Other prayer concerns include Bonnie Poole and Frances Sloan whose
cancer has returned. Frances is taking radiation and Bonnie is
preparing for chemo therapy. Jan Herbert's mother recently died and we
remember her family in prayer.
Congratulations to Mary Sterner who has received her certificate as an
Associate Christian Educator. She was honored during worship last
Sunday and at the presbytery meeting last Saturday. Way to go, Mary!
She and I will teach a confirmation class for 7th and 8th graders
beginning the last Sunday in February. Those who complete the course
may join the church as confirmed members on Palm Sunday, March 28.
Last Sunday was SouperBowl Sunday. We enjoyed soup for lunch after
worship and collected $1,274 for hunger. This money will be given to
Braes Interfaith Ministries (BIM) which is our church's local
cooperative distributor of food to the hungry in our community. Since
every dollar given to BIM is multiplied by $27 due to their purchase
at the wholesale level, in effect we contributed the equivalent of
$34,398 last Sunday. That's remarkable for a congregation of 300
members.
This Sunday is Valentine's Day and we will celebrate Scout Sunday.
Scouts will serve as greeters and will be introduced during worship.
They may also sell some mulch in the Narthex after worship.
On Sunday, February 21, St. John's will host a very special musical
event: "Your Kind of Music, 40 Years of Popular Music" with the Johnny
Dyson Band. Plan to come and bring a friend.
Our work in Haiti continues. We received a thank-you letter from
Michel Paul of the JeLA Orphanage and School in Limbé, Haiti. As of
February 2, 2010 St. Johns has sent $800 to JeLA and $200 to a second
orphanage, and in partnership with ChristChurch, our boxcar-sized
container is on its way to Haiti. A second container is ready to be
filled. The need continues. Thanks to all for your response.
Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jon
- - - - -
To view The Epistle online, click on
http://groups.google.com/group/st-johns-presbyterian-church/web/epistle-for-february-11-2010
- 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
