Shoppers Needed

Start shopping now for St. John’s Children’s Holiday Sock Trees. The trees need socks, newborn through kindergarten sizes only. Please buy socks in all colors and all styles.

After the 2010 holiday season, the Presbyterian Women will deliver the socks to the House of Tiny Treasures and Small Steps Nurturing Center.

Shoppers Needed

July 2010 BIM Statistics & Status Report

During the month of July Braes Interfaith Ministries served 1320 clients (655 children and 665 adults), 13 of whom were homeless.

When was the last time you visited Braes Resale and Consignment Shop (10319 S. Post Oak Rd @ West Bellfort)? Every dollar earned at the store buys $27 worth of food at the Houston food bank.

July 2010 BIM Statistics & Status Report

September 19 Interfaith Service

A Special Invitation
to hear

Rev. Noelle Damico
National Coordinator of the PC (USA)
Campaign for Fair Food

SUNDAY

September 19
10:30 am Worship

3:30 pm
Interfaith Service
McPhail Hall


Reverend Noelle Damico of New York is coming to help
kick-off Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Houston.

She will speak on the appropriate response of faith communities
to the reality, injustice and inhumanity of human trafficking.

September 19 Interfaith Service

St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, September 11

On Saturday, September 11, St. John’s famous breakfast club will resume after the summer activities. Please jot down the date, as it is not the FIRST Saturday in September but the SECOND Saturday.

Breakfast is at 8 am as usual. Bring your own scrambled eggs and bacon (JUST KIDDING!), and we will have some knock-out downright delicious food for you. At 8:30 Johnny Dyson will begin his presentation, Life in a Putty Knife Factory, Adventures in and Around the Entertainment Business. If we can get him to do it, he might regale us with a few notes on his trombone. Bring your questions and your friends. We will begin the fall season with good stuff! — Linda Dobbin

St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, September 11

St. John's Weekly Reminders, August 29

Pennies for Peace: Next Sunday we will be collecting your pennies (or any change) in the Narthex after service. Your loose change helps build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Focus Registration: Our yearly Presbytery educational event with a choice of 25 workshops will be held on Saturday, October 2, at First Presbyterian Church, 4647 Preston Avenue in Pasadena. St. John’s Christian Education committee will pay registration fees for anyone who brings their application to the church office by September 1. If you are going to send in your registration form directly, you may register online or mail your application before September 15. Catalogues are available in Mary’s office.

St. John’s Holiday Schedule: St. John’s office and campus will be closed on Monday, September 6.

St. John’s Breakfast, Sunday September 11: Breakfast is served at 8 am, and at 8:30 Johnny Dyson will present his program, Life in a Putty Knife Factory, Adventures in and Around the Entertainment Business. The September breakfast is meeting on the second Saturday of the month due to the Labor Day holiday.

September 19, 3:30 pm Interfaith Service, McPhail Hall: All are invited to hear the Rev. Noelle Damico, National Coordinator of the PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food, in a special service. Rev. Damico is coming from New York to help kickoff Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Houston.

Session Highlights – August 25, 2010 Meeting
1. The status of St. John’s as a Red Cross Shelter was sent back to the Outreach Committee for study and a recommendation for the future.
2. Reports were received on the status of renovations to Building Two.
3. Session approved Memorial Gifts Scholarships to Michael Leach and Jarrett Lindsey.
4. Brad Urquhart and Bill Ehrenstrom were elected Commissioners to the called Presbytery Meeting on September 9.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, August 29

This Week at St. John’s - Aug 29 - Sept 5

Sunday, August 29 - Rally Day and Blessing of the Backpacks
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service

Monday, August 30
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
7:30 pm Outreach Ministry Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 31
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting and Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688
7:00 pm Nominating Committee

Wednesday, September 1

Thursday, September 2
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Friday, September 3

Saturday, September 4
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, September 5 Pennies for Peace
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service

This Week at St. John’s - Aug 29 - Sept 5

St. John's Epistle for August 26, 2010

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

This week I will highlight some of the good things going on at St.
John's. In the midst of our celebrations we also bring to God our
concerns for Julia McKisic who is on the Hospice Floor at Southwest
Memorial Hospital. Also, remember Lois who is a patient at St.
Joseph's where she is recovering from surgery and preparing for chemo
and radiation treatments. George will begin chemotherapy next week as
well.

Our Christian sympathy is with the family of Frances Sloan who died
this week. Frances was a faithful wife, mother, and school teacher.
They traveled with her husband's job with Shell Oil and finally
settled in Houston. Frances had a mind of her own. Her house was
spotless. She was a good Presbyterian and was well loved by this
congregation. She was not afraid of death. Her memorial service will
consist of a private family service in Colorado.

Last Sunday we had another great musical service with Allen and Josh
Barnhill and their colleagues playing brass on anthems and hymns. We
appreciate them. The choir concluded our summer brunch series with a
wonderfully prepared and delivered lunch.

This Sunday promises to be an exciting one as we celebrate Rally Day
and a Blessing of the Backpacks. Gather at 9 am for a pancake
breakfast and fellowship in Fellowship Hall. The worship service at
10:30 am will also be in Fellowship Hall.

The backpack blessing is a prayer for blessings on all students and
teachers as they begin a new school years. All students and teachers
of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or briefcases to
worship in McPhail Hall as we celebrate the beginning of the school
and fall Sunday school programs. Take advantage of this opportunity to
invite friends this Sunday.

Lydia Schneider and Kay Greer are buying uniforms for students at
Shearn Elementary. The uniform requirements for Shearn students are
red polo shirts and khaki pants for both girls and boys. If your child/
grandchild/ niece/nephew, etc., has outgrown khaki pants/skirts or red
polo shirts and would like to pass them on to a Shearn elementary
student, please contact Lydia or Kay.

Our presbytery offers an excellent training opportunity called FOCUS.
This year it will be hosted by the First Presbyterian Church, 4647
Preston Avenue, in Pasadena. FOCUS gives you a choice of 25 workshops,
a bookstore and a delicious lunch (included in the $30 registration).
Course descriptions can be found by going to the Presbytery website at
www.pbyobnewcovenant.org and clicking FOCUS on the homepage. A copy of
the FOCUS handout is also available in the office. St. John's
Christian Education committee will pay all registration fees for
anyone who brings their application to the church office by September
1. If you are going to send in your registration form directly, you
may register online or mail your application before September 15.

St. John's office and campus will be closed on Monday, September 6, in
observance of Labor Day.

The carpet in Building II is being laid today and hopefully will be
finished by this Sunday. This enhancement to our facilities is a
proper expression of our faith in God and our hope for the future.

May the Lord continue to guide us as we glorify 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

St. John's Epistle for August 26, 2010

St. John's Weekly Reminders

Mustard Seed Project: Lydia Schneider and Kay Greer are buying uniforms for students at Shearn Elementary. The uniform requirements for Shearn students are red polo shirts and khaki pants for both girls and boys. If your child/grandchild/ niece/nephew, etc., has outgrown khaki pants/skirts or red polo shirts and would like to pass them on to a Shearn elementary student, please contact Lydia or Kay.

August September Beacon newsletter: The August/September Beacon issue will be assembled on Tuesday, August 24, in Room 203 at 12:30 pm.

Backpack Blessing and Rally Day, August 29: All returning students and teachers of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or briefcases to worship in McPhail hall as we celebrate the beginning of the school and fall Sunday school programs.

St. John’s Holiday Schedule: St. John’s office and campus will be closed on Monday, September 6.

St. John’s Breakfast, Sunday September 11: Breakfast is served at 8 am and at 8:30 Johnny Dyson will present his program, Life in a Putty Factory, Adventures in and Around the Entertainment Business. The September Breakfast is meeting on the second Saturday of the month due to the Labor Day holiday.

St. John's Weekly Reminders

This week at St. John’s, Aug 29 - Sept 5

Sunday, August 29 - Rally Day and Blessing of the Back Packs
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service

Monday, August 30
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
7:30 pm Outreach Ministry Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 31
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting and Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, September 1

Thursday, September 2
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm NO Chancel Choir until further notice

Friday, September 3

Saturday, September 4
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, September 5
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service

This week at St. John’s, Aug 29 - Sept 5

Sunday August 29 Events

Sunday, August 29
— Gather in McPhail Hall
Name Tag Sunday, Rally Day & Backpack Blessing

Name Tag Sunday

Begin your day on Sunday, August 29 by stopping at the tables staffed by the Evangelism Ministry Committee to write your name on the tags provided.
The name tags will allow everyone in McPhail Hall to greet everyone they meet using their name. This is a wonderful chance to say hello to people you don’t usually greet. Remember, a person’s name is the sweetest sound a person can hear!

Rally Day

St. John’s begins the fall schedule with a Rally Day celebration in McPhail Hall. Please gather at 9 am for a continental breakfast and fellowship. Remain for Worship services, which will begin at 10:30 am.

Blessing of the Backpacks

All students (primary, secondary, and college) are invited to bring their backpacks to church for a “Blessing of the Backpacks” during worship at 10:30 am in McPhail Hall. A backpack blessing is a wonderful way to bless part of your everyday life, connecting Sunday with the rest of your week.

Sunday August 29 Events

Rev. Damico and Human Trafficking Awareness Week

A Special Invitation to hear

Rev. Noelle Damico
National Coordinator of the PC (USA) Campaign for Fair Food

SUNDAY

September 19
10:30 am Worship

3:30 pm
Interfaith Service
McPhail Hall

Reverend Noelle Damico of New York is coming to help
kick-off Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Houston.

She will speak on the appropriate response of faith communities
to the reality, injustice and inhumanity of human trafficking.

May our rage prove determination, may our grief stimulate critical thinking, may our constraints birth a collaborative, community-based response and may our love foster loyalty to trafficked person’s human rights. — Rev. Damico

Noelle Damico is the National Coordinator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Campaign for Fair Food, which is the church’s partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to advance human rights for farm workers and socially responsible purchasing in the food industry. She sits on the Presbyterian Church’s Human Trafficking Roundtable and facilitates Freedom Network Training Institute trainings for Presbyterian clergy and leaders.

A published author of biblical and liturgical materials, Noelle is also ordained in the United Church of Christ and holds a M.Div. and Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Rev. Damico and Human Trafficking Awareness Week

Centering Prayer Workshop

Centering Prayer Workshop will meet on Sunday, September 12, 4:30 pm in Pastor Jon’s Office

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.

The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.

For more information about Centering Prayer visit contemplativeoutreach.org or attend the workshop in the pastor’s office at St. John’s on Sunday, September 12, at 4:30 pm.

Nothing is more beautiful than the uniqueness
that God has created.

… You don’t have to create the beauty
– you’ve got the beauty.

… You don’t have to create the freedom
– you’ve got it.

… You don’t have to create the image of God in you
– you have it.
… You don’t have to win over God’s love
– you have more than you know what to do with.
Thomas Keating, “Centering Prayer,”
Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ

Centering Prayer Workshop

Yarn Needed

Yarn needed for Guidepost Knit for Kids, Small Steps Nurturing Center,
Seamen’s Center & Hermann Hospital Newborn Clinic

Attention: Knitters/Crocheters
Contact Betty Nelson to pick up your yarn
and your pattern. Lessons are freely given.

Yarn Needed

Focus

Register by Sunday, September 1
— Saturday, October 2

The keynote speaker is Dr. Mel (Mary Louise) Bringle. Dr. Bringle is professor of philosophy and religious studies and chair of the humanities division at Brevard College in Brevard, NC. She is the author of two books – Despair: Sickness or Sin? and The God of Thinness: Gluttony and other Weighty Matters. Since beginning to write hymn texts in 1998, she has won numerous international text writing competitions and has been recognized as an “emerging text writer” by The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

Theme: renew. refresh. revive.
FOCUS will be hosted by the First Presbyterian Church, 4647 Preston Avenue, in Pasadena. FOCUS gives you a choice of 25 workshops, a bookstore and a delicious lunch (included in the $30 registration). Course descriptions can be found by going to the Presbytery website at www.pbyobnewcovenant.org and clicking FOCUS on the homepage. A copy of the FOCUS handout is also available in the office.

St. John’s Christian Education committee will pay all registration fees for anyone who brings their application to the church office by September 1. If you are going to send in your registration form directly, you may register online or mail your application before September 15.

Focus

Mustard Seed Update

For Children at BIM
My daughter and I are grateful to the members of SJPC for supporting our Mustard Seed Project in such a tremendous way by donating hundreds of items to help needy children in families served by BIM. Through their kindness and generosity and seed money from St. John’s PC and the Presbytery, smiles will be brought to the faces of God’s little children with donations of 95 stuffed animals, 100 toothbrushes, 122 tubes of toothpaste, 126 bars of soap, 105 combs, and 578 diapers. It was a wonderful experience to see the Holy Spirit’s love and compassion at work in our congregation. — Jana and Jennifer Burnham

Diapers for BIM
Mark and I took the last spot as Mustard Seed participants. As it’s our second year to participate, it was very nice to be able to have the funds to donate to BIM, which is very close to our family. We donated diapers of all sizes and wipes for the families of our area who go to BIM for help. We were made aware they were in dire need of such items and were happy to facilitate donating them! — Shannon DeSouza

Backpacks
Wayne and I had ideas for two projects, but when we heard about kids in Houston not having backpacks to start the school year, we decided to give directly to our community, purchased backpacks and donated them. It feels very good to know that over 25 kids will start the school year with backpacks due to our donation. Next year we hope to have a backpack drive for this cause and expand our Mustard Seed project. — Brittney Modlin and Wayne Patterson

S.I.R.E
I have received $100.00 from the Mustard Seed Project, and am giving it to S.I.R.E., the equestrian center at the Fort Bend location, to use as it sees fit for either equipment for the horses or for a family that is having trouble getting tuition for its child to ride. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help this very worthwhile organization. — Sincerely, Linda Dobbin

Uniforms
We decided to use the money to buy school uniforms for children at Shearn Elementary.
Below is a day-by-day play-by-play:
• We learned that children at Shearn Elementary are required to wear red polo shirts and khaki pants/skirts, etc.
• When items were on sale, we bought eight shirts & four pairs of pants for boys and eight shirts and four skirts
for girls in various sizes.
• We visited five resale shops and bought over 25 gently-used uniform items.
• One Sunday we received a call from a visitor who had seen our blurb in the bulletin asking for outgrown uniforms. She had gone out and bought brand new uniforms! Members also bought uniforms and gave cash donations for uniforms as well as offered uniforms their children had outgrown.
• Will delivered over 60 uniform items to Shearn the week before school started with notes handwritten by Lydia: May you be blessed as you study and learn this school year — From friends who care about you.

The administrative officials at Shearn were extremely grateful for the uniforms. Thanks to all of you who participated in this project! — Lydia Schneider and Kay Greer

Mustard Seed Update

St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, September 11

On Saturday, September 11, St. John’s famous breakfast club will resume after the summer activities. Please jot down the date, as it is not the FIRST Saturday in September but the SECOND Saturday.

Breakfast is at 8 am as usual. Bring your own scrambled eggs and bacon (JUST KIDDING!), and we will have some knock-out downright delicious food for you. At 8:30 Johnny Dyson will begin his presentation, Life in a Putty Knife Factory, Adventures in and Around the Entertainment Business. If we can get him to do it, he might regale us with a few notes on his trombone.
Bring your questions and your friends. We will begin the fall season with good stuff!
— Linda Dobbin

St. John’s Breakfast — Saturday, September 11

Sunday August 29

Sunday, August 29
— Gather in McPhail Hall
Name Tag Sunday, Rally Day & Backpack Blessing

Name Tag Sunday

Begin your day on Sunday, August 29 by stopping at the tables staffed by the Evangelism Ministry Committee to write your name on the tags provided.
The name tags will allow everyone in McPhail Hall to greet everyone they meet using their name. This is a wonderful chance to say hello to people you don’t usually greet. Remember, a person’s name is the sweetest sound a person can hear!

Rally Day

St. John’s begins the fall schedule with a Rally Day celebration in McPhail Hall. Please gather at 9 am for a continental breakfast and fellowship. Remain for Worship services, which will begin at 10:30 am.

Blessing of the Backpacks

All students (primary, secondary, and college) are invited to bring their backpacks to church for a “Blessing of the Backpacks” during worship at 10:30 am in McPhail Hall. A backpack blessing is a wonderful way to bless part of your everyday life, connecting Sunday with the rest of your week.

Sunday August 29

St. John's Epistle for August 19, 2010

Dear church family and friends of the church,

Lois Stowell is facing major surgery on Friday as she continues to
struggle against cancer. Please keep Lois and her sister, Ellen, in
your prayers.

Since my last Epistle we have celebrated the life of Bonnie Poole with
a meaningful memorial service. Bonnie was a person who always made me
feel good about myself. I always felt better after visiting Bonnie.
She will be greatly missed by her family and church friends.

We are upgrading the flooring in Building II where the church offices
are located. Thanks to the generous gift of an anonymous donor, we
were able to upgrade to tile in the hallway. The original carpet we
chose to be installed was found to be flawed. New carpet has been
ordered and that will be installed hopefully next week. David
Wintersgill, our Buildings Coordinator, is in charge of the project so
speak to him if you questions or concerns. The church school classes
which normally meet in Building II will meet in McPhail Hall or the
Scout Room this Sunday.

All returning students, of all ages, are invited to bring their
backpack or briefcase to Worship on August 29 for the "Blessing of the
Backpacks." This is a great opportunity to bring school children
friends to worship in McPhail Hall on August 29. Also, Rally Day is
Sunday, August 29. We will meet in McPhail Fellowship Hall at 9 am to
begin the fall Sunday School program.

May the Lord continue to feed and nourish your soul as we anticipate the transition between Summer and Fall. It is good to be back with you and I look forward to the upcoming year of service, fellowship and worship with you at St. John's. 

This Sunday is our final summer brunch after worship and it promises
to be a good one with Kristi as the head chef and the chancel choir in
charge. So don't miss the brunch this Sunday!

The worship music has been fabulous the last couple of Sundays. Last
week Anne Rowland sang and played guitar. This Sunday Alan Barnhill
will direct some of our youth brass players in some interesting and
inspiring arrangements. Then the choir will be back on August 29 when
we worship in McPhail Hall.

This week is a week of prayer for our children and youth. You may take
a prayer guide from the table in the Narthex.

This summer I "discovered" Anthony de Mello and his wonderful stories.
According to one story, when God created the world and gloried in its
goodness, Satan shared his rapture--in his own way, of course, for as
he contemplated marvel after marvel, he kept exclaiming, "How good it
is! Let's organize it!"

"And take all the fun out of it!"

Have you ever attempted to organize something like peace? The moment
you do, you have power conflicts and group wars within the
organization. The only way to have peace is to let it grow wild.
(Taking Flight, p 82)

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 August 19, 2010

August 11: Building Closed for Carpet Installation

August 11: Building Closed for Carpet Installation

St. John's Calendar, August 8 - 15

Sunday, August 8
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am St. John’s Breakfast Group Brunch
12:00 pm Fellowship Committee Meeting
12:00 pm Worship Committee Meeting

Monday, August 9
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
7:00 pm Evangelism Ministry Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 10
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, August 11 –
Building Two Closed – All Doors Locked for 24 Hours – No Entry
6:00 pm Sandwich makers, McPhail Hall

Thursday, August 12
11:00 am Faith Summit, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm NO Chancel Choir until further notice

Friday, August 13

Saturday, August 14
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, August 15 Week of Prayer for our Children & Youth
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Evangelism Ministry Committee Brunch
12:00 pm Beacon Deadline

St. John's Calendar, August 8 - 15

St. John's Weekly Reminders, August 8

Week of Prayer for our Children and Youth, August 15-21: The prayer guide is available on the table in the Narthex.

Sunday Summer Brunch: Please come to McPhail Hall following Worship for good food and fellowship. Today’s chefs are from the St. John’s Breakfast Group.

Mustard Seed Project: Jennifer and Jana Burnham are asking for new small stuffed animals, toothpaste and toothbrushes, which will bring smiles to the children whose parents are BIM clients. A collection box is located by the church office.

Mustard Seed Project: Lydia Schneider and Kay Greer are buying uniforms for students at Shearn Elementary. The uniform requirements for Shearn students are red polo shirts and khaki pants for both girls and boys. If your child/grandchild/ niece/nephew, etc., has outgrown khaki pants/skirts or red polo shirts and would like to pass them on to a Shearn elementary student, please contact Lydia or Kay.

Faith Summit, Thursday August 12: Did you know that Houston is ranked among the lowest in the nation in caring for our children? The Faith Summit, kicking off A Week of Prayer for Children and Youth (August 15-21), will provide up-to-date information on this issue. The Summit will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. To register, visit the Children at Risk website, clicking on August 12 Faith Summit.

August September Beacon newsletter: Please deliver all Beacon articles for the upcoming issue by email, office.sjpc@gmail.com, or deliver to the church office or Room 208. The last chance to be part of this issue is 12 noon on August 15.

Supplies Needed for Haiti: Léonie Tchoconté will be traveling to Haiti next week with ChristChurch for Living Waters and is collecting construction paper, children’s scissors, hand liquid soap (few), paper towels, small staplers, handwashable paint and small clear drink cups (not medicine cups). A collection box will be outside the church office.

Backpack Blessing and Rally Day, August 29: All returning students and teachers of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or briefcases to worship in McPhail Hall as we celebrate the beginning of the school and fall Sunday School programs.

St. John's Weekly Reminders, August 8

St. John's Epistle for August 5, 2010

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

I'm back from a month's vacation feeling renewed and ready for
continued service with this congregation. I appreciate all those who
have "kept things going" and "held down the fort" while I was gone and
especially I appreciate the church staff and the elders on Session who
have continued their good work as usual. This congregation is blessed
with a competent and reliable staff and outstanding lay leadership and
I feel fortunate to be working alongside you in mission and ministry.

We are happy to welcome back our organist, Alina Klimaszewska, who
returns to us this Sunday after several months in Poland to be with
her family as her father and grandmother passed away. Alina is so
sweet and such a fine musician and we are happy to welcome her home
this Sunday.

Our Christian sympathy is with the family of Bonnie Poole who died on
Tuesday evening. Bonnie's family invites you her memorial service this
Tuesday, August 10, at 2 pm in the sanctuary and to the reception in
Fellowship Hall after the service. Bonnie was full of the light of
Christ and she has suffered through various cancer treatments for the
past couple of years. She has finally made the transition to the life
to come where there are no more tears, no more pain or suffering.

Also, while I was away, Eleanor Brown died and her memorial service
was held in our sanctuary. Eleanor loved St. John's so much. Every
time I visited her at Holly Hall she would ask me specific questions
about the church that let me know she was paying close attention to
our congregation even though she couldn't regularly attend. She was
able to attend the July 4 concert of patriotic music and the reception
and she was in fine form on that blessed day. All of us who were
blessed to know her realize Eleanor was a special kind of person whom
we will dearly miss.

New carpet is set to be installed in Building II next Wednesday,
August 11, so be aware that we will have to keep out of Building II on
that day and watch our step for the rest of next week as the carpet is
installed. This will be a significant and much needed upgrade to our
church facilities and we appreciate the memorial gifts from the family
of Abel DeSouza that made this possible.

On the last Sunday of this month, August 29, we will celebrate Rally
Day and the Blessing of the Backpacks. We will worship in Fellowship
Hall that day. This is a good opportunity to invite that friend that
you have been thinking about inviting to church. Such invitations are
the life blood of our church since most people who visit our church do
so because a church member invited the to attend.

I'll be back in the church library this Sunday at 9 am for another
discussion about current events. You are invited to join me there.
Anne Rice -- author of a popular series of vampire novels -- got our
attention a few years ago when she abandoned her atheism, became a
Christian and returned to the church of her youth. She got our
attention again last week when she announced she was leaving
Christianity -- finding the attitudes and teachings of some of its
members not to her liking -- but not leaving Christ.
 
Is such a thing possible? Can one be a Christian without also being a
part of Christianity and the church? Rice's announcement provides a
good opportunity to talk about the linkage between being a follower of
Jesus and being a part of the church -- warts and all. It also invites
us to consider what practices and prohibitions churches sometimes
promote that Jesus would not bless. So those will be the topics of
discussion this Sunday morning at 9 am in the library. If you are an
adult who is not in another church school class, I hope to see you
then. Otherwise, I hope to see you in worship at 10:30 am.

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 August 5, 2010

Recycle News

- 63,750 (50 pounds!) soda can tabs were delivered to Houston’s Ronald McDonald House on June 1. Please continue to bring your tabs to church.

- St. John’s five recycle paper bins collected 10.06 tons (20,112.99 pounds) in April and 9.42 tons (18,849.71 pounds) in May as part of St. John’s Stewardship of the Earth.

- 49 pounds of alunimun cans were recycled.

- 1 box of used ink cartridges was mailed to Green School Project.

Recycle News

Summer Seamen’s Boxes Items

Summer is the ideal time to collect items (for example, hotel and travel goodies) for St. John’s mission to the Port of Houston and visiting seamen, which are delivered in November.

Needed items are toothbrushes, toothpaste, large bars of bath soap, disposable razors, deodorant, shaving cream and lip balm. Bring all donated items to the Recycle Center in McPhail Hall.

Summer Seamen’s Boxes Items

St. John's Calendar, August 1 - 8

Sunday, August 1 Pennies for Peace Collected
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Congregational Pot Luck Brunch

Monday, August 2
6:30 pm “Walking Together”

Tuesday, August 3
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688

Wednesday, August 4

Thursday, August 5
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm NO Chancel Choir until further notice

Friday, August 6

Saturday, August 7
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, August 8
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am St. John’s Breakfast Group Brunch
12:00 pm Fellowship Committee Meeting
12:00 pm Worship Committee Meeting

St. John's Calendar, August 1 - 8

St. John's Weekly Reminder, August 1

Mustard Seed Project: Jennifer and Jana Burnham are asking for new small stuffed animals, toothpaste and toothbrushes, which will bring smiles to the children whose parents are BIM clients. A collection box is located by the church office.

Faith Summit, Thursday August 12: Did you know that Houston is ranked among the lowest in the nation in caring for our children? The Faith Summit, kicking off A Week of Prayer for Children and Youth (August 15-21), will provide up-to-date information on the issues and current needs of at-risk children; it will highlight practical ways to respond, and it will mobilize prayer for the children of our city. The Summit will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. To register, visit the Children at Risk website, clicking on August 12 Faith Summit.

Backpack Blessing, August 22: All returning students and teachers of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or briefcases to worship in celebration of the beginning of the new school year.

Rally Day, August 29: Mark this date on your calendar and make plans to meet in McPhail Hall as we celebrate the fall Sunday School program.

Supplies Needed for Haiti: Leonie Tchoconte will be traveling to Haiti this month with ChristChurch for JeLe and is collecting construction paper, children’s scissors, hand liquid soap (few), paper towels, small staplers, handwashable paint and small clear drink cups (not medicine cups). A collection box will be outside the church office.

Session News from the July 28, 2010 Meeting

• Bill Ehrenstrom reported on some changes that may be made to our
• Red Cross program. More news in August.

• Jo Ann Golden and Kathleen Captain reported on the July 28, 2010
• Presbytery meeting.

• David Nelson reported that the cake auction brought in $2,636.00
• for youth activities.

St. John's Weekly Reminder, August 1