Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
We are now in Stewardship season at St. John's. Rev. Mike Cole got us started with his presentation at a Sunday evening dinner a few weeks ago. Last Sunday Chaplain David Wells from the Seaman's Center preached the sermon and this Sunday our own Léonie Tchoconté will preach. These sermons from a church member and David Wells from the presbytery remind us that stewardship is about reaching out to the world in Jesus' name. This Sunday Brad Urquhart will present a Minute for Mission about the challenges and opportunities that are before us as our congregation faces 2011 as we continue to fulfill our mission of "glorifying God by making disciples and meeting human needs." Stewardship Dedication Sunday is on November 7. Please be in prayerful consideration about your thankful response to God's blessings in your life and in particular how that spiritual discipline of giving money will be reflected in your family budget next year.
Congratulations to Kathie Hartzog upon the birth of her granddaughter, Maliah Grace Hartzog, and to the parents: Tami and Reed Hartzog. We pray God's blessings upon the family.
Contact Phyllis or John Freeman if you are interested in serving on St. John's new Red Cross Team.
Shannon DeSouza requests you bring used coffee cans or jelly jars to the box by Vivian's office or in the narthex. They will be decorated and used for a special mission project.
The Holiday Gift Market (formerly the Living Gift Market) will feature some new additions this year including a silent auction to raise money to defray expenses of our members who wish to participate in a mission trip. The Outreach Committee seeks donations for the silent auction to be brought to the church office by Sunday, November 7. Any unused items, services, or donations will be greatly appreciated to help our first silent auction to be a success! We also look forward to live music by a brass ensemble and a cappella choral group. Soups will be served. Special activities for children are being planned. The new name, "Holiday Gift Market," will be used as a marketing tool for people in the community to better understand what we are doing so they may join us as we strive to reach beyond our own congregation.
Here are some prayer requests for those in our church:
- George in his upcoming surgery;
- Mary Hughes as she recovers from surgery;
- Lois as she continues chemotherapy;
- Helen as she transitions to living in her daughter's house as her therapy continues;
- Shirley as she strengthens her leg after recent back surgery.
We look forward this Sunday to welcoming a few new families into our congregation. The Session will receive these new members in my office at 10 am this Sunday and they will be introduced during the worship service. They join us by Reaffirmation of Faith in Christ. Let us welcome into our congregation San Juana and Jonathan Flores; and Claire and Tom MacAdams.
The Lord be with you.
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
