St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, April 3

Come for a “gunchy” breakfast prepared by Betty Nelson at 8 am.

At 8:30, we will welcome Molly Sweeney, our “Horse Whisperer/Horse Listener” from Sienna Stables and S.I.R.E.* She will be accompanied by an adult rider, who has autism. Also with us will be the parents of another adult rider. They will give their stories, and we can ask as many questions as we like.
Come and welcome Molly and her guests. If you need a ride, contact Linda Dobbin or Thalia Bunnell.

*S.I.R.E. is Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities. The organization’s name means Self Improvement through Riding Education.
— Linda Dobbin

St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, April 3

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

Maundy Thursday, April 1
Worship Service, 7 pm

Good Friday, April 2
Tre Ore Service, 12 Noon to 3 pm
Pastor, Jon, Sixth Word, 2:15 pm

The Tre Ore Service is at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort.

Easter Sunday, April 4
Sunrise Service, 7 am
Worship Service, 10:30 am

A light breakfast will be served in McPhail Hall following the youth-led sunrise service.

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

Blood Drive— Sunday, April 4

Jesus needs us to help the sick, and giving blood is one way that a non-medical person can render a vital medical service. Anyone 17 years or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in good general health may donate.

Come to the Scout Room 8 am – 12 noon on Sunday, April 4, and learn if you are one of the lucky individuals who can donate blood. Please consider answering Jesus’ call to tend the sick and help keep the blood drives coming to St. John’s.

Blood Drive— Sunday, April 4

St. John’s Breakfast Club— Saturday, April 3

Come for a "gunchy" breakfast prepared by Betty Nelson at 8 am.

At 8:30, we will welcome Molly Sweeney, our "Horse Whisperer/Horse Listener" from Sienna Stables and S.I.R.E.* She will be accompanied by an adult rider, who has autism. Also with us will be the parents of another adult rider. They will give their stories, and we can ask as many questions as we like.

Come and welcome Molly and her guests. If you need a ride, contact Linda Dobbin or Thalia Bunnell.

*S.I.R.E. is Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities. The organization’s name means Self Improvement through Riding Education.

St. John’s Breakfast Club— Saturday, April 3

St. John’s Circles— Tuesday, April 6

All St. John’s women are invited to join the Circle meeting which works with their schedule. The Circles meet on the first Tuesday of the month, Circle 1 & 2 meet at 9:30 am and the Evening Circle meets at 7:30 pm. The location of all three circles will be listed in the March 28 Sunday bulletin. Please call the church office for directions, 713-723-6262.

St. John’s circle meetings include prayer, Bible study and an opportunity to meet and enjoy each other’s hospitality, friendship and support.

St. John’s Circles— Tuesday, April 6

Caring Dinner — Wednesday April 7

Who will be recognized as this year’s outstanding caring person at St. John’s?
Come to the Caring Dinner at 6:30 pm to learn who was chosen. The recipient doesn’t even know he or she was chosen until the award is presented! Fun, fellowship and surprises make this a special event.

The dinner will be held Wednesday, April 7, at the Braeburn Country Club (8101 Bissonnet), and there will be carpooling from the church. Last year’s recipient was Bobby Hughes.

Caring Dinner — Wednesday April 7

Decade of the Child

PC(USA) DECADE OF THE CHILD – 2001-2011
During the decade of the child PC(USA) churches are encouraged to give special attention to and advocate for the needs of children: all children, both in our own community, in our country and around the world.

HERE ARE WAYS WE HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE:

**Children at St. Johns are nurtured by prayer and an active ChristianEducation program; including weekly Sunday School; summer Vacation Church School; Sunday church service children’s time, PYF and observing Children’s Sabbath in the fall.

**Volunteers make 600+ sandwiches a month for pre-schoolers in Houston.

**We contribute to Braes Interfaith Ministries to buy school supplies.

**We partner with Shearn Elementary School by helping on school work days and mentoring.

**St. Johns Presbyterian Women knit sweaters for children worldwide and caps for preemies in Houston.

**We are helping support orphanages in Haiti that have many new children after the recent earthquake.

**Our support for Living Waters for the World (LLW) has helped build clean water systems in Xmaben, Mexico and Arcahaie, Haiti. And plans are underway for more.

**Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services is provided office space at St. John’s and is also supported inother ways, especially at Christmas time.

**We help support Small Steps Nurturing Center – a pre-school for children in an at-risk area of Houston.

**We help support Special Education Partners, pro bono attorneys and advocates for special education studentswhose families need help finding their way through the school system.

**Our congregation and individuals help sponsor AIDS orphans at the Lulwanda Children’s Home in Ugandaand also helped Kathie Hartzog make two trips to the orphanage for teacher training and establish a library.

**Our contributions to Pennies for Peace help build schools in villages in Afghanistan that will include girls.

**Our purchase of Delicious Peace Coffee made from coffee beans grown by farmers in an Interfaith Co-op inUganda makes it possible for them to send their children to school.

**Our congregation’s support at our annual Living Gift Market in November helps children and families inmany areas of the world. Examples: Heifer Project; Appalachian Ministries; Presbyterian Border Ministries; Presbyterian Homes and Services; Small Steps Nurturing Center; MD Anderson Children’s Art Project; etc.

**Our Outreach Ministries Team sponsors Sunday evening suppers with speakers on key children’s issues inour community. The 2010 series will be on April 18, 25 and May 2.

**We received a grant from Presbytery for the Mustard Seed Project. Ten people received $100 as seed money to develop their own unique programs to benefit children.

-THANK YOU MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN’S FOR ALL YOU DO!!
From the members of St. John’s Outreach Ministries Team

Decade of the Child

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF)April Schedule:

April 4: Meet for sunrise service

April 11: PYF Meeting, 5 pm

April 18: Cooking for Evening Speaker Series, McPhail Hall

April 25: Off campus event, 5 pm

May 2: Off campus event, 5 pm

May 9: No PYF Meeting

May 16: PYF Meeting, 5 pm

May 23: PYF Meeting, 5 pm

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF)April Schedule:

Learn About Special Education Advocacy Program

Special Education Advocacy Informational Session

Interested in finding out more about special education advocacy?

Come to an information session on
Monday, April 26 10-11:30 am
Small Steps Nurturing Center,
2902 Jensen Drive.

Contact Suzette Harrel at 713-501-4703 or suzharrel@comcast.net.

Learn About Special Education Advocacy Program

Paper Wanted: April Recycling News

St. John’s has registered to participate in the Paper Retriever Earth Day Nationwide Paper Drive! To be one of the winners, St. John’s needs to recycle the same weight as we did last April. In April 2009 we recycled 11 tons (or 22,004.83 pounds).

We are recycling less this year then last year. So please remember to recycle your newspapers/inserts, catalogs, magazines, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, school paper, notebooks and folders in one of the five bins in our parking lot. Each bin will hold between one and two tons of paper. Please do not put cardboard, hard cover books, old phone books or food boxes in the bins.

Paper Wanted: April Recycling News

February 2010 BIM Statistics Report

During the month of February Braes Interfaith Ministries
served 831 clients (357 children and 474 adults),
18 of whom were homeless.

February 2010 BIM Statistics Report

Whatever Happened to Childhood?

St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Speaker Series:
Whatever Happened to Childhood?

Sunday Evenings, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

April 18
Is your child being commercialized?
Speaker: Ms Ann WilsonChristian Educator

April 25
Is your child more than a statistic?
Speaker: Dr. Steve Klineburg, Professor, Rice University
and Director of the Annual Houston Survey

May 2
Is the "environment" harming your child?
Speaker: Dr. Winfred Hamilton
Director of Environmental Health Section and Associate Director of Research/Policy Chronic Disease Prevention, Baylor College of Medicine

Light dinner & refreshments will be served.Babysitting will be provided

Whatever Happened to Childhood?

Sunday, March 28
Passion/Palm Sunday – Confirmation Sunday - Easter Egg Hunt
9:00 am Church School10:30 am Worship Service
3:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
4:00 - 5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt
5:00 pm Centering Prayer

Monday, March 29
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bell Choir
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688

Tuesday, March 30
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
6:30 pm “Stay Young Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, March 31
10:30 am Holly Hall Book Review

Thursday, April 1 – Maundy Thursday
9:00 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service
8:00 pm Chancel Choir

Friday, April 2 – Good Friday
12:00 – 3:00 pm Tre Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church
2:15 pm Jon Burnham presents the”Sixth Word”at Tre Ore Service

Saturday, April 3
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
9:00 am Daisy (Girl Scout) Troup 21174

Sunday, April 4 Easter
7:00 am Sunrise Service
8:00 am – 12:30 pm Blood Drive, Scout Room
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service

St. John's Weekly Reminder, March 28

Blood Drive April 4: St. John’s is on probation! Please come to Building II 8 am – 12:30 pm, and donate blood to help keep the drives coming here. Make a difference and help save lives!

March Holly Hall Church Drive for Operating Funds: Holly Hall depends on the generosity of others to help cover the cost of care for those residents who can no longer afford it. March is the month St. John’s reaches out a helping hand to Holly Hall. Please make your check payable to Holly Hall Church Drive.

On-going Spanish/English Conversation Opportunity: Every Thursday, 1-2 pm,
Come to Small Steps Nurturing Center (2902 Jensen Drive) to learn some Spanish
while helping others learn English. Contact Suzette Harrel for information.

Sundays 5:30 pm Evening Series: Whatever Happened to Childhood? Guest speakers will explore issues related to children, April 18 Is Your Child Being Commercialized?, April 25 Is Your Child More Than a Statistic? and May 2 Is the “Environment” Harming your Child? Don’t miss these special events.

Pennies for Peace- April 4: Bring your pennies (or any change) the first Sunday of the month. We’ll collect them in the Narthex after church. Help build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan that welcome girl students.

Session News from March 24 meeting.
-Jenny Glover will be our elected Commissioner to the Called Presbytery Meeting on April 6 to approve the Unification Plan between St. Philip Presbyterian Church and Central Presbyterian Church.
-St. John’s will participate in the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston’s Congregation to Congregation Project (C2C).
-The Session approved the request from St. John’s Special Education Ministry’s request to apply for a grant from the Lynn Johnson Social Justice Fund.
-There is a need for someone to update the St. John’s web site. See Brad Urquhart if you are interested.

St. John's Weekly Reminder, March 28

St. John's Epistle for March 25, 2010

Dear church members and friends of St. John's,

This Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday – the beginning of Holy
Week!! We have a tremendous service lined up for this Sunday with the
choir singing and handbells playing. We also have several young people
who will be confirmed and a couple of them will be baptized. The
children will wave the palm branches at the beginning of the service
and we will all recite the "Solemn Reproaches of the Cross" near the
end of the service. After the service you are invited to a reception
in the Fellowship Hall in honor of our confirmands.

Our Session met last night and here are the highlights from Mary
Herlitz, our Clerk to Session:

Jenny Glover will be our elected Commissioner to the Called
Presbytery Meeting on April 6 to approve the Unification Plan between
St. Philip Presbyterian Church and Central Presbyterian Church.

St. John's will participate in the Interfaith Ministries
of Greater Houston's Congregation to Congregation Project (C2C).

The Session approved the request from St. John's Special
Education Ministry's request to apply for a grant from the Lynn
Johnson Social Justice Fund.

There is a need for someone to update the St. John's web
site. See Brad Urquhart if interested.

Léonie Tchoconté is back from her mission trip to Haiti and Kathie
Hartzog has returned from her mission trip to Uganda. We look forward
to hearing more about their trips soon.

Hear is our Holy Week schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday,
Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy
Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at
Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7
am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on
the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the
Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

The Easter Egg Hunt is this Sunday at 5:00 pm at the church. Children,
bring your baskets.

The church picnic last Saturday was cold and wet but fun. We had a
good time playing games and sharing food and fellowship under a small
pavilion as the cold rain came down outside.

I hope to see you at the Palm/Passion Sunday service this Sunday. Then
make plans to attend the Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm next week.
This is an exciting time of the church year as we enter into Holy Week
this Sunday. I pray that this will be a time of spiritual renewal for
the congregation.

I would love to hear from you via email, phone call or personal
contact. Let me know how things are going with your spiritual life and
any ideas you may have as to how we can better fulfill our mission of
glorifying God by making disciples and meeting human needs.

Peace of Christ be with 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

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to st-johns-presbyterian-church+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.

St. John's Epistle for March 25, 2010

We install Solar Panels in Haiti

Here is a helpful Haiti project by our church. We install solar panels that run clean water systems. Watch the video below to learn more.

Solar Under the Sun is a new ministry which is teaming up with Living Waters for the World to add solar power to clean water systems already in Haiti. Some need to be rebuilt because of the earthquake. Please learn more at our site: http://solarunderthesun.org/

We install Solar Panels in Haiti

Clerk’s Comments

Your hardworking Session met on February 24, 2010. The meeting began with the good news that Ruth and Sherman Wilson had moved into University Place.

David Nelson and Lois Stowell reported on the February 6 Presbytery Meeting at St. Philip. Mary Sterner was recognized during the worship service for completing the requirements to become a Certified Associate Christian Educator, and the St. Johners present were invited to stand with her during that part of the service. Lois shared that the worship service was a powerful experience and enjoyed the keynote speaker Rev. Eric Hoey, director of Evangelism and Church Growth for the PC(USA). The title of his sermon was "JUMP-STARTING THE CHURCH."

St. John’s will be hosting the Presbytery meeting on November 13 of this year so you might want to know that 281 people attended the meeting. (139 elders, 108 ministers, and 54 visitors). Mark that day on your calendar now so that you will be available to help at the meeting and enjoy all our visitors.

— The Session will continue to meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
— George Dobbin was elected Treasurer for another year.
— Brad Urquhart, Aaron Jacobson and Max Kattner were elected to the 2010 Nominating Committee.
— There are 7 members in the Confirmation Class of 2010. They will be received into membership on Palm Sunday.

—Mary Herlitz, Clerk of Session

Clerk’s Comments

Paper Wanted: April Recycling News

St. John’s has registered to participate in the Paper Retriever Earth Day Nationwide Paper Drive! To be one of the winners, St. John’s needs to recycle the same weight as we did last April. In April 2009 we recycled 11 tons (or 22,004.83 pounds).

We are recycling less this year then last year. So please remember to recycle your newspapers/inserts, catalogs, magazines, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, school paper, notebooks and folders in one of the five bins in our parking lot. Each bin will hold between one and two tons of paper. Please do not put cardboard, hard cover books, old phone books or food boxes in the bins.

Paper Wanted: April Recycling News

One Great Hour of Sharing — Sharing Resources, Changing Lives

How many things can you do in a given week that will create lasting change around the world? Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. The gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities.

Where does the money go? The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 % of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while the Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32 %.

One Great Hour of Sharing — Sharing Resources, Changing Lives

Blood Drive— Sunday, April 4

Jesus needs us to help the sick, and giving blood is one way that a non-medical person can render a vital medical service. Anyone 17 years or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in good general health may donate.

Come to the Scout Room 8 am – 12 noon on Sunday, April 4, and learn if you are one of the lucky individuals who can donate blood. Please consider answering Jesus’ call to tend the sick and help keep the blood drives coming to St. John’s.

Blood Drive— Sunday, April 4

St. John’s Presbyterian Church Speaker Series:
Whatever Happened to Childhood?
Sunday Evenings
5:30 – 7:30 pm

April 18 Is your child being commercialized?
Speaker: Ms Ann WilsonChristian Educator

April 25 Is your child more than a statistic?
Speaker: Dr. Steve Klineburg, Professor, Rice University and Director
of the Annual Houston Survey

May 2 Is the "environment" harming your child?
Speaker: Dr. Winfred Hamilton, Director of Environmental Health Section and Associate Director of Research/Policy Chronic Disease Prevention, Baylor College of Medicine

Light dinner & refreshments will be served. Babysitting will be provided

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

Palm/Passion Sunday Confirmation Sunday, March 28
Worship Service 10:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 pm

Maundy Thursday, April 1
Worship Service 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 2
Tre Ore Service 12 Noon to 3 pm
Pastor Jon, Sixth Word 2:15 pm
The service is at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort. Worshippers are welcome to come and go as their schedules dictate.

Easter Sunday April 4
Sunrise Service 7:00 am
Worship Service 10:30 am
A light breakfast will be served in McPhail Hall following the youth-led sunrise service.

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

This week at St. John’s - March 21

Sunday, March 21 – 5th Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 - 5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:30-7:30 pm Confirmation Class

Monday, March 22
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bell Choir
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688

Tuesday, March 23
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting
10:30 am Circle Bible Leaders Meeting
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
6:30 pm “Stay Young Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, March 24
6:30 pm “Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers
7:30 pm Session Meeting

Thursday, March 25
9:00 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study
6:00-7:30 pm Brownie Troop 21151
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Saturday, March 27
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, March 28
Passion/Palm Sunday – Confirmation Sunday – Easter Egg Hunt
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
3:00 pm PYF
4:00-5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt
5:00 pm Centering Prayer

This week at St. John’s - March 21

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 21

Sign up for Easter Lilies: Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

St. John’s Easter Schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday, Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7 am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28, individually wrapped non-chocolate & non-melting candy, stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items.

Good Friday Tre-Ore Service, Friday April 2: Tre Ore is an ancient and moving liturgy of the Church which we have been observing with Salem Lutheran for many years. Pastor Jon will present the Sixth Word: “It is finished” from John 19:30a, 2:15 - 2:45 pm.

Sunday, April 4 Blood Drive: St. John’s is on probation! Please come to Building II 8 am – 12:30 pm, and donate blood to help keep the drives coming here.

March Holly Hall Church Drive for Operating Funds: Holly Hall, a Christian Retirement Community does not receive any funds from federal, state or United Way assistance. The Hall depends on the generosity of others to help cover the cost of care for those residents who can no longer afford it. March is the month St. John’s reaches out a helping hand to Holly Hall. Please make your check payable to Holly Hall Church Drive.

On going Spanish/English Conversation Opportunity: Every Thursday, 1-2 pm, Come to Small Steps Nurturing Center (2902 Jensen Drive) to learn some Spanish while helping others learn English. Contact Suzette Harrel for information.

Sundays 5:30 pm Evening Series: Whatever Happened to Childhood? Guest speakers will explore issues related to children. On April 18 Is Your Child Being Commercialized?, April 25 Is Your Child More Than a Statistic? and on May 2 Is the “Environment” Harming your Child? Don’t miss these special events.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 21

St. John's The Epistle for March 18, 2010

Dear church members and friends of St. John's,

Last Sunday we welcomed four new members into our church family: Dora
Belton; Marian and George MacNeill; and Mary Sterner joined by
transfer of letter from other Presbyterian Churches. We are excited to
welcome them into our church fellowship!

YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR CHURCH PICNIC THIS SATURDAY, March 20, at
Buffalo Run Park (Pavilion #1), 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd., in Missouri
City from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be a Potluck lunch at noon. Bring
food to share. Grills will be available. We will play games after
lunch. All ages are invited. Invite your friends, neighbors, family
and colleagues. This is a great opporunity to introduce a newcomer to
our church family.

Everyone is invited to the Annual Caring Dinner at the Braeburn
Country Club, 8101 Bissonnet, 77074 on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 from
6:30 - 8:30 pm. Please make your reservation and turn in your money to
the church office by Sunday, March 28. The price of $30 per person
includes valet parking, house garden salad, choice of entree, saffron
rice, steamed vegetable medley, hot rolls and butter, coffee or iced
tea, and Pecan Ball dessert. The Honoree of the Year will be presented
at the banquet. This is a person who has given significantly of their
time and talent to the ministry and mission of St. John's during 2009.

Léonie Tchoconté is back from Haiti and Kathie Hartzog is still in
Uganda. Keep her in prayer as she continues her work at Lullwanda
Children's Home on our behalf.

Here is our Holy Week schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday,
Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy
Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at
Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7
am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on
the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the
Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

Easter Egg Hunt supplies are needed. Please deliver to the church
office by Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28; individually wrapped candies
(non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous
small items.

The Lenten study "A Closer Look at Spiritual Disciplines" continues
each Sunday in March at 4 p.m. in Room 205 with Mary Sterner. All are
invited.

Coming in April is the St. John's Presbyterian Church Speaker Series
Whatever Happened to Childhood on the Sunday Evenings:

April 18, 5:30 - 7:30 pm / Is your child being commercialized?
April 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm / Is your child more than a statistic?
May 2, 5:30 - 7:30 pm / Is the "environment' harming your child?

A light dinner & refreshments will be served.

Peace of Christ be with 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 The Epistle for March 18, 2010

Book Group

St. John's Book Group— Wednesday, March 17
Please join St. John's Book Group as they continue to discuss A
History of God by British historian Karen Armstrong. The next meeting
will discuss Chapter 6, The God of the Philosphers. Everyone is
invited to join the discussion at 7:30 pm led by Greg Weiher.

Book Group

Annual Caring Dinner - April 7

Everyone is invited to the Annual Caring Dinner
to present the Honoree of the Year

at the Braeburn Country Club
8101 Bissonnet, 77074

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Price: $30 per person

Valet parking provided House garden salad, choice of entree, saffron rice, steamed vegetable medley, hot rolls and butter, coffee or iced tea, and Pecan Ball dessert.
Please make your reservation and turn in your money to the church office by Sunday,March 29.

Annual Caring Dinner - April 7

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

Palm/Passion Sunday Confirmation Sunday, March 28
Worship Service: 10:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt: 5:00 pm

Maundy Thuraday, April 1
Worship Service: 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 2
Tre Ore Service: 12 Noon to 3 pm
Pastor Jon, Sixth Word: 2:15 pm

Service will be held at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort.
Worshippers are welcome to come and go as their schedules dictate.

Easter Sunday April 4
Sunrise Service: 7:00 am
Worship Service: 10:30 am

A light breakfast will be served in McPhail Hall following the youth led Sunrise Service.

Celebrating Easter At St. John's

St. John’s Presbyterian Church Speaker Series

Whatever Happened to Childhood
Sunday Evenings

April 18, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Is your child being commercialized?

April 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Is your child more than a statistic?

May 2, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Is the "environment’ harming your child?

Light dinner & refreshments will be served.

St. John’s Book Group— Wednesday, March 17

Please join St. John’s Book Group as they continue to discuss A History of God by British historian Karen Armstrong. The next meeting will discuss Chapter 6, The God of the Philosphers. Everyone is invited to join the discussion at 7:30 pm led by Greg Weiher.

St. John’s Book Group— Wednesday, March 17

Presbyterian Women’s Program & Luncheon - Tuesday, March 16

"Nothing is too big for God’s power, or too small for His attention."
—Jeannette Clift George

Please join us at 9:30 am as we welcome Jeannette Clift George. She is the founder and Artistic Director of the A.D. Players. Her professional theater background includes seasons with the Houston’s Alley Theatre, Washington’s Arena Stage and touring with the New York Shakespeare Company. Jeannette Cliff George’s books include Daisy Petals, Some Run with Feet of Clay, and Travel Tips from a Reluctant Traveler.

All members of St. John’s and their friends are invited to the program and luncheon which follows. In April Phyllis Freeman will introduce the Director of Houston Rescue and Restore, who will speak on the subject of human trafficking in Houston.

Presbyterian Women’s Program & Luncheon - Tuesday, March 16

Easter Egg Hunt - March 28, 5 pm

Join St. John's Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF) for our Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 at 5 pm. We will play games such as Egg/Spoon Relay, Egg Toss and Egg Roll, we will sing some Easter songs, and of course...hunt for eggs! Remember to bring your own basket.

Easter Egg Hunt - March 28, 5 pm

Good Friday Service

You are cordially invited to join your friends from St. John's at a Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran Church on Friday, April 2. Tre Ore is an ancient and moving liturgy of the Church which we have been observing with Salem Lutheran Church for many years. At 2:15 pm, Pastor Jon will present the Sixth Word: "It is finished" from John 19:30a. That portion of the service will take about 30 minutes and you are welcome to enter at 2:15 pm and leave at 2:45 pm.

Good Friday Service

CHURCH PICNIC
Saturday, March 2011 am to 3 pm,
Potluck at Noon

Buffalo Run Park (Pavilion #1)
1122Buffalo Run Blvd., Missouri City

Bring Food to Share,
Grills available

All Ages Invited - Friends, Neighbors, Family (etc.) Welcome

We hope you’ll join us for food, friends and fun!
Directions to Buffalo Run Park, leaving from St. John’s campus, approx. 6 miles:
1. Head SW on West Bellfort.
2. Turn left on Chimney Rock.
3. Turn right at S. Main Street.
4. Turn left at Fondren Road.
5. Turn right at Buffalo Run/Cangelosi Road.The park entrance is on the right and immediately adjacent to Thurgood Marshall High School on Buffalo Run Blvd.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 14

Sign up for Easter Lilies: Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

Presbyterian Women’s Program, Tuesday, March 16: Everyone is invited to hear Jeannette Clift George, founder and Artistic Director of the A.D. Players at 9:30 am. A luncheon follows.

Church Picnic, Saturday, March 20: Please come to Buffalo Run Park (1122 Buffalo Run Blvd, Missouri City), 11 am to 3 pm. Potluck will be served at noon; bring your favorite dish to share. Grills are available.

March Beacon Newsletter: Please deliver all Beacon articles for the upcoming March/April issue by emailing, office.sjpc@gmail.com, or deliver to Room 208 or the church office. The last chance to be part of this issue is March 21, Noon.

St. John’s Easter Schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday, Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7 am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28, individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items.

Good Friday Easter Service: You are invited to join your friends from St. John’s at a Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran Church on Friday, April 2. Tre Ore is an ancient and moving liturgy of the Church which we have been observing with Salem Lutheran for many years. At 2:15 pm Pastor Jon will present the Sixth Word: “It is finished” from John 19:30a. That portion of the service will take about 30 minutes, and you are welcome to enter at 2:15 pm and leave at 2:45 pm.

March Holly Hall Church Drive for Operating Funds: Holly Hall, a Christian Retirement Community located at 2000 Holly Hall Drive, does not receive any funds from federal, state or United Way assistance. The Hall depends on the generosity of others to help cover the cost of care for those residents who can no longer afford it. March is the month St. John’s reaches out a helping hand to Holly Hall. Please make your check payable to Holly Hall Church Drive.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 14

This week at St. John's - March 14 - 21

Sunday, March 14 – 4th Sunday in Lent
HISD Spring Break
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Worship and Fellowship Committee Meetings
4:00 - 5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Centering Prayer

Monday, March 15
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bell Choir
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688

Tuesday, March 16
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s program and luncheon
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
6:30 pm “Stay Young Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, March 17
10:00 am – 2:00 pm Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, C. Brown,
7:30 pm St. John’s Book Group

Thursday, March 18
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Saturday, March 20
Church Picnic
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
9:00 - 10:30 am Brownie Troop 21174
11:00 am – 3:00 pm Church Picnic

Sunday, March 21 – 5th Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
12:00 pm Beacon Newsletter Deadline
4:00-5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:30 – 7:30 pm Confirmation Class

This week at St. John's - March 14 - 21

Haiti Relief Update

♥ As of Tuesday, March 2, two shipping containers/medical clinics filled with St. John's and ChristChurch donations have left for Haiti! We don't yet have a third container donated at this time but we are still collecting items.

♥ $1900 has been sent to the JeLA Orphanage.

♥ $800 has been sent to the Blanket School.

♥ A drilling crew is on-site and work has started on the well at the JeLA Orphanage. This well was donated by the Bellaire SW Houston Rotary Club. The St. John's/ChristChurch Living Waters team handled the arrangements. We plan to add a solar-powered electric pump and water treatment system to this well in June or July.

♥ Medical, personal hygiene supplies and clothes are being accepted for the 3rd container. Money is needed for direct aid to the orphanage, and the solar-powered water treatment system.

♥ Checks can be made payable to St. John's with Haiti Relief in the memo line. Volunteers are also needed for the water system installation trip, particularly for the solar power system installation. Please contact John (713-776-3548, freeman@rice.edu) if interested.

─ John Freeman

Haiti Relief Update

Everyone is invited to the
Annual Caring Dinner

to present the Honoree of the Year

at the Braeburn Country Club
8101 Bissonnet, 77074

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Price: $30 per person

Valet parking provided House garden salad, choice of entree, saffron rice, steamed vegetable medley, hot rolls and butter, coffee or iced tea, and Pecan Ball dessert.

Please make your reservation and turn in your money to the church office by Sunday,
March 29.

St. John's The Epistle - March 14, 2010

Dear church members and friends of St. John's,

This Sunday we will welcome four new members into our church family!
Dora Belton; Marian and George MacNeill; and Mary Sterner will join by
transfer of letter from other Presbyterian Churches. We are excited to
welcome them into our church fellowship! We look forward to their
continued contributions to our mission and ministry.

The sermon this Sunday from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 is the familiar
parable of the prodigal son but we will look at it in a different
light this time. We will focus in on the elder brother in the parable
and how he was paralyzed by resentment. Malachy McCourt once said,
"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to
die." How are we poisoning ourselves with resentment? Who are we
hurting when we allow resentment to fester inside us? Such reflections
are especially appropriate during the Lenten season as we allow the
Holy Spirit to shine a laser light into our souls and expose the
corruption within.

Last Sunday we commissioned Léonie Tchoconté to Haiti & Kathie Hartzog
to Uganda. Keep them in prayer as they continue their mission work
there on our behalf.

Hear is our Holy Week schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday,
Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy
Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at
Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7
am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on
the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the
Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

Easter Egg Hunt supplies are needed. Please deliver to the church
office by Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28; individually wrapped candies
(non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous
small items.

The Presbyterian Women invite you to a program featuring Jeannette
Clift George, founder and Artistic Director of the A.D. Players at
9:30 am this Tuesday, March 16 and to the luncheon that follows.

Mark your calendar for a church picnic on Saturday, March 20, from 11
am to 3 pm, Potluck at Noon
at Buffalo Run Park (Pavilion #1), 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd., in Missouri
City. Bring food to share. Grills will be available. We will play
games after lunch. All ages are invited and by all means invite your
friends, neighbors, family and colleagues. Join us for food, family,
friends and fun!

The Lenten study "A Closer Look at Spiritual Disciplines" continues
each Sunday in March at 4 p.m. in Room 205 with Mary Sterner. All are
invited.

Remember to change your clock forward one hour this Saturday evening,
March 14, so you will be on time this Sunday morning. ;-)

Peace of Christ be with 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 The Epistle - March 14, 2010

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 7

Sign up for Easter Lilies: Purchase your Easter lilies from Brookwood Community by signing up on the order form in the Narthex. The lilies can be taken home after the Easter morning 10:30 service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

Day Light Saving Time: Remember to change your clock next Sunday morning, March 14.

Presbyterian Women’s Program, Tuesday, March 16: Everyone is invited to hear Jeannette Cliff George, founder and Artistic Director of the A.D. Players at 9:30 am. A luncheon follows.

St. John’s Easter Schedule: March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday, Confirmation Sunday and Easter Egg Hunt at 5 pm, April 1, Maundy Thursday Service at 7 pm, April 2, Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran, 12 noon – 3 pm, April 4, Easter sunrise service at 7 am and worship service at 10:30 am.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28; individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items.

Good Friday Easter Service: You are invited to join your friends from St. John’s at a Good Friday Tre Ore service at Salem Lutheran Church on Friday, April 2. Tre Ore is an ancient and moving liturgy of the Church which we have been observing with Salem Lutheran for many years. At 2:15 pm Pastor Jon will present the Sixth Word: “It is finished” from John 19:30a. That portion of the service will take about 30 minutes, and you are welcome to enter at 2:15 pm and leave at 2:45 pm.

Ongoing Spanish/English Conversation Opportunity: Every Thursday, 1-2 pm, come to Small Steps Nurturing Center (2902 Jensen Drive) to learn some Spanish while helping others learn English. Contact Suzette Harrel for information.

March Holly Hall Church Drive for Operating Funds: Holly Hall, a Christian Retirement Community located at 2000 Holly Hall Drive, does not receive any funds from federal, state or United Way assistance. The Hall depends on the generosity of others to help cover the cost of care for those residents who can no longer afford it. March is the month St. John’s reaches out a helping hand to Holly Hall. Please make your check payable to Holly Hall Church Drive.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 7

This week at St. John's - March 7 - 14

Sunday, March 7 - 3rd Sunday in Lent
Presbyterian Youth at Conclaves, Cho-Yeh
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 - 5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
6:30 - 7:30 pm Confirmation Class

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

Tuesday, March 9
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
6:30 pm “Stay Young Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, March 10
6:00 pm Wonder Team Sandwich Makers
7:00 pm A/P, Fellowship & Property Committee Meetings
7:30 pm Finance Stewardship & Christian Education Committee Meetings

Thursday, March 11
9:00 am - 12:30 pm Community Bible Study
6:00 - 7:30 pm Brownie Troop 21151
6:00 - 9:00 pm Trafton Academy, McPhail Hall
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Caring Committee Meeting
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Saturday, March 13
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, March 14 – 4th Sunday in Lent
Day Light Saving Time Begins
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Worship Committee Meeting
4:00-5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Centering Prayer

This week at St. John's - March 7 - 14

Braes Interfaith Ministries - School Supply Program

February 22, 2010

Dear Friends of Braes Interfaith Ministries,

Once again the School Supply Committee has been making plans for our annual School Supply Program. As we have done in the past, our order based on a list supplied to us by HISD, has already been placed with Educational Products, Inc. (EPI). This was done in December so that we may receive an additional discount. We are fortunate to be able to work with this wholesaler and by packaging the items ourselves the cost is nearly one-half that of most retailers. The economy continues to be a problem for many and this past year has brought more clients to our doors seeking assistance. Braes Interfaith Ministries’ School Supply Program is one which benefits many of our clients’ children and of which we are most proud.

Last year we gave out supplies to over 1,100 children and this year we expect to see an increase in the number. Vouchers are issued beginning in April and the supplies will be handed out during the summer months.

Again, thank you. It is the faithful support of each of you and that of our coalition congregations that continue to make this program a success. You are truly a blessing to these children and to Braes Interfaith Ministries.

Sincerely, Charlotte Stafford, Chairman
School Supply Program, Braes Interfaith Ministries

Braes Interfaith Ministries - School Supply Program

St. John's View this page "Epistle for March 4, 2010"

Dear church members and friends of St. John's,

This Sunday we will celebrate the Lord's Supper and will have a brief
commissioning prayer for Léonie Tchoconté for her upcoming mission
trip to Haiti and for Kathie Hartzog as she returns to Uganda. You can
keep up with Kathie's journey and ministry in Uganda on this blog:
www.ugandaorphans.org. Grace International has sent representatives to
our Living Gift Market every year since 2003 or 2004, at which time
St. John's members bought bricks to help build an orphanage and later
began sponsoring children. That is how and when we became a 'partner'
church.
 
The founding director of Grace International began praying for someone
from our congregation to go to Lulwanda Children's Home and come back
to help us our congregation get more personally connected to the
children, staff, and mission there. Kathie responded and went there in
July 2009 to help install the new library and provide teacher training
to the early childhood teachers.  They called her in late December to
ask her to return on this trip to continue the teacher training and
have asked her to return again, July 2011, at which time they plan to
train even more teachers from the surrounding school district. Let's
keep Kathie and Léonie in prayer as they represent us in the mission
field.

You are invited to a Lenten study called "A Closer Look at Spiritual
Disciplines" each Sunday during March at 4 p.m. in the session room.
Come study spiritual disciplines led by Mary Sterner.
Mary Sterner will be leading Conclaves for all the youth in our
presbytery for the third weekend in a row! Several people from our
church will attend this weekend including Shannon DeSouza, Brittney
Modlin, Christianna Johnson, Dave Nelson, Wayne Patterson, Michael
Rodgers, Zarek Lopez-Edwards, Brendan Ehrenstrom and Jacob Ehrenstrom.
Let's keep them in prayer this weekend.

Mark your calendar for a church picnic on Saturday, March 20, from 11
am to 3 p.m., Potluck at Noon
at Buffalo Run Park (Pavilion #1), 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd., in Missouri
City. Bring food to share. Grills will be available. We will play
games after lunch. All ages are invited and by all means invite your
friends, neighbors, family and colleagues. We hope you'll join us for
food, friends and fun!

Mark your calendar for a Sunday evening speaker series at St. John's
titled: "Whatever Happened to Childhood?" on April 18, 25 and May 2
from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Children are bombarded with technology,
media, unsafe environments, and unhealthy choices.  All these things
are making childhood a lot more difficult than it was several years
ago. St. John's Presbyterian Church is hosting a discussion series
with prominent Houstonian leaders about various topics that are
related to children.  The discussions are free to the public and
dinner will also be served.  So join the discussion and maybe we can
figure out how to help bring childhood back.   

Everyone is invited to join us for breakfast on March 6 at 8 am. At
8:30 am Max Kattner will present his program, "FPSO Production Unit
Conversions."

Elder Dr. Mary Louise (Mel) Bringle, Professor of Philosophy and
Religious Studies at Brevard College, will speak at the Presbyterian
Women's Spring Gathering at First Presbyterian, Houston. Dr. Bringle
is also a composer of hymn lyrics, and chair of the committee to
create a new denominational hymnal for the PC(USA). She will speak and
sing on "Undersung Heroines in the Lineage of Jesus" Tues., March 9,
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Last Sunday we had a great "Go Texan" celebration. See the bulletin
board in McPhail for photos.

Peace of Christ be with 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 View this page "Epistle for March 4, 2010"

Celebrating Lent

Entering into Lent at St. John’s

1. The word "Lent" means:
a) to have given someone something
b) spring season
c) something you pick off your clothing
d) to give up something
(The correct answer is b: spring season. "Lent" comes for the Anglo-Saxon work "Lengten" – when the days start to lengthen)

2. Lent begins on which day?
a) Fat Tuesday
b) Maundy Thursday
c) Ash Wednesday
d) Mardi Gras
(The correct answer is c: Ash Wednesday, the 7th Wednesday before Easter)

3. Lent consist of 40 days and
a) does not include Sundays
b) does not include weekends
c) includes all days of the week
d) can include whichever days you choose
(The correct answer is a: does not include Sundays. Sunday is the "Lord’s Day")

Please join us at St. John's as we celebrate Lent!

Celebrating Lent

Easter Calendar for St. John's

March 7, 3rd Sunday of Lent
March 14, 4th Sunday of Lent
March 21, 5th Sunday of Lent
March 28, Passion/Palm Sunday & Confirmation Sunday
& Easter Egg Hunt 5 pm
April 1, Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm
April 2, Good Friday, Tre Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 Noon - 3 pm
(Pastor Jon will present the "Sixth Word", 2:15 - 2:45 pm)
April 4, Easter Sunrise Service 7 am & Worship Service 10:30 am

Easter Calendar for St. John's

St. John’s Breakfast— Saturday, March 6

Everyone is invited to join us for breakfast on March 6 at 8 am. At 8:30 am Max Kattner will present his program, "FPSO Production Unit Conversions." What a mouthful! You will have to come to breakfast to learn more!

Upcoming St. John’s Breakfasts:
April 3: Molly Sweeney, the "horse whisperer" of Sienna Stables and our SIRE (Houstons’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center) horses. She will tell us how to "cuddle up" to an animal that large.

May 1: David Lobpries of the Texas Parks and Wildlife will give us a presentation of some of the parks and will be zeroing in on the subject of ducks.

June 5: Eddie Russell of Cornelius Nursery will be talking to us about plants, trees and flowers of Houston and the Gulf Coast region.

St. John’s Breakfast— Saturday, March 6

Lilies for Easter

Purchase a potted Easter lily from Brookwood Community to help beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, then enjoy it at home after the service. To purchase your lily, sign up on the poster in the Narthex beginning on March 7, placing your check (made out to St. John’s with "lilies" written on the memo line) in the envelope on the bottom of the poster. The lilies cost $10 each. You may also place your check in the offering plate Sunday mornings.

Lilies for Easter

St. John's Lenten Study

Lenten Study:

"A Closer Look at Spiritual Disciplines"
Meeting at 4 pm

on the Four Sundays of March

(7, 14, 21 & 28)

Learn about Spiritual Disciplines and Different Disciplines for Different Personalities. Explore the disciplines of Simplicity and Gratitude.

St. John's Lenten Study

Spring Picnic

CHURCH PICNIC
Saturday, March 20
11 am to 3 pm, Potluck at Noon
Buffalo Run Park (Pavilion #1)1122
Buffalo Run Blvd., Missouri City

Bring Food to Share, Grills available
Games Following Lunch
All Ages Invited
Friends, Neighbors, Family (etc.) Welcome

We hope you’ll join us for food, friends and fun!Directions to Buffalo Run Park, leaving from St. John’s campus, approx. 6 miles:
1. Head SW on West Bellfort.
2. Turn left on Chimney Rock.
3. Turn right at S. Main Street.
4. Turn left at Fondren Road.
5. Turn right at Buffalo Run/Cangelosi Road.The park entrance is on the right and immediately adjacent to Thurgood Marshall High School on Buffalo Run Blvd.

Spring Picnic

St. John's Weekly Reminder, February 28

Circles, Tuesday, March 2: Circle 1, 9:30 am, Louise Cherry, chair, will meet at the church, Marjie Knight hostess. Circle 2, 9:30 am, Linda Dyson, chair, will meet at the church with circle members bringing a goodie. Night Circle, 7:30 pm, Kathleen Captain, chair, will meet at Ann Nelson’s, 5423 Willowbend.

St. John’s Breakfast, Saturday March 6, 8 am: Come for breakfast at 8 am, and then our own Max Kattner will present his program at 8:30 am, FPSO Production Unit Conversions. Come and learn!

Easter Lilies: Easter lilies, from Brookwood Community, will be available to purchase next Sunday. The lilies can be taken home after the Easter morning 10:30 am service. The lilies cost $10.00 each.

Pennies for Peace – March 7 – Bring your pennies (or any change) the first Sunday of each month. We’ll collect them in the narthex after church. Help build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan that include girl students.

March Holly Hall Church Drive for Operating Funds: Holly Hall, a Christian Retirement Community located at 2000 Holly Hall Drive, does not receive any funds from federal, state or United Way assistance. The Hall depends on the generosity of others to help cover the cost of care for those residents who can no longer afford it. March is the month St. John’s reaches out a helping hand to Holly Hall. Please make your check payable to Holly Hall Church Drive.

Session News from February 24, 2010 meeting:
* The Session will continue to meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
* David Nelson and Lois Stowell reported on the February 6 Presbytery Meeting, in which Mary Sterner was recognized for becoming a Certified Associate Christian Educator.
*George Dobbin was elected Treasurer; Brad Urquhart, Max Kattner and Aaron Jacobsen were elected to the Nominating Committee for 2010.
*Jon Burnham shared the good news that Ruth and Sherman Wilson have moved toUniversity Place, and Sherman’s health is improving.

St. John's Weekly Reminder, February 28

This week at St. John’s - Feb 28 - March 7

Sunday, February 28 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Go Texan Day and Chili Cook-off
9:00 am Church School10:30 am Worship Service
11:30 am Chili Cook-off, McPhail Hall
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
5:00 - 6:30 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
6:30 - 7:30 pm Confirmation Class
Monday, March 1
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bell Choir
7:00 - 8:30 pm Venture Scout Crew 688
7:30 pm Outreach Ministry Meeting
Tuesday, March 2
9:30 am Circles 1 and 2
11:30 – 1:30 pm Brown Bag Luncheon, Special Education Advocacy Ministry
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
6:30 pm “Stay Young Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Evening Circle
Wednesday, March 3
Thursday, March 4
9:00 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
Friday, March 5
Saturday, March 6
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
8:00 am St. John ‘s Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 am Daisy (Girl Scout) Troop 21174 S
Sunday, March 7 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00-5:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:30-7:30 Confirmation Class

This week at St. John’s - Feb 28 - March 7