Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
Come enjoy a free 4th of July concert this Sunday at 4 pm in the
sanctuary. Chapelwood United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will
present "Of Faith and Freedom" by Joseph Martin under the direction of
Tom and Andrea Jaber. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
This is a great opportunity to invite your neighbor or colleague to a
St. John's event. Take advantage of it.
French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831,
said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her
commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and
boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich
mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her
institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it
in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was
not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her
pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her
genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if
America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!" Find
your way to a church sanctuary and worship God on the 4th of July.
Recently, Jennifer Durand's and Ernesto Rodriguez' niece lost her
valiant fight against colon cancer. To carry on Luz Angela's memory
and love of teaching, a reading corner for future teachers and their
young students will be developed at the University of Houston-Downtown
campus in Alief.
To help build the "Luz' Reading Corner", Jennifer is collecting new
and 'very gently used' children's books, especially books about
geography, social studies and science, although Jennifer is accepting
any and all children's books.
A collection container for the books is located next to Vivian's
office. If interested, please write Luz Angela's name and your name
(the name of the donor) on the inside cover of the book.
With the new school year quickly approaching, the deadline for
donating books is July 18th.
Vacation Bible School was a great success. Thank you to Mary Sterner
and everyone who volunteered their time and effort to make this a rich
experience for all participants.
The Session met last night and here are the highlights of that meeting
from our Clerk to Session, Mary Herlitz:
* Mary Hughes went over plans for the November 13 Presbytery
Meeting at St. John's. She reminded us that ALL members would be
needed to help that day.
* Flooring for Building 2 was discussed and a motion for Building
and Grounds to proceed was passed.
* Session was reminded to attend the July 4th Concert at 4:00.
* Dave Nelson, Mary Sterner and Aaron Jacobsen were thanked for a
great VBS.
I am going on vacation this Monday, July 5, and will return on Monday,
August 2. During that time I will not email a weekly Epistle. My adult
"Wired Word" class will continue each Sunday morning at 9 am the
church library with Ann Hardy and Bill Ehrenstrom leading the
discussion. We have some interesting guest preachers who will fill the
pulpit during my absence and I think you will like them. Contact the
church office if you need pastoral care while I am away. I look
forward to returning renewed and ready for further service.
May the Lord bless and keep you as you live into resurrection life in
Christ this summer. In anticipation of our celebration on the Fourth
of July, I will leave you today with this Greek proverb: "A society
grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall
never sit in."
Peace 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 Epistle for July 1, 2010
