St. John's Epistle for March 29, 2012

Dear beloved disciples of Jesus,

Members of the Property Committee invite you to come help them clean up the church grounds this Saturday, March 31, from 9 am until noon, at the church. Wear gloves if you have them. Tools will be provided.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday! After worship we have a brunch then an Easter Egg Hunt.  Invite your family and friends. The sermon is from Mark 11:1-11 and is called An April Fools Day Dilemma: Two Kings, Two Kingdoms, One Choice. Speaking of sermons, here is a video of last week's sermon.    

Next Thursday, April 5, at 7:00 pm you are invited to a Maundy Thursday Service featuring communion, tenebrae (dimming of the lights) and stripping of the church (removing the paraments). Come remember the last supper of Jesus with his disciples and renew your commitment to the Christ within you.

Next Friday, April 6, you may join our neighbors at Salem Lutheran Church in a Tre-Ore Service from Noon until 3 pm on Good Friday.

On Easter Sunday you may worship at a youth led sunrise service with a skit at 7 am in Fellowship Hall and a 10:30 am service with the adult choir and a sermon as we worship our risen Lord. I welcome the opportunity to walk through Holy Week with you starting this Sunday. 

Remember Holy Week is much more than attending an extra worship service or two. Holy Week is an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ and the Body of Christ which is the church. May the Holy Spirit rekindle God's fire within our hearts during the Holy Week that lays ahead. May the Christ within us arise and shine like the noon day sun.

Your anxiously anticipating Holy Week pastor,

Jon B.

-- 

Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Burnham

Pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church (Church's Website, Blog) 

5020 West Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035 (Map & Directions to church)

Phone church office 713-723-6262; Email church office

Sunday Schedule: Church School for all ages: 9:30 am; Worship 10:30 am; Youth Fellowship 5 pm

--
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 March 29, 2012

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 25

Easter Lilies: Purchase an Easter lily, $10 each, to beautify the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, and then enjoy it at home after the service. Sign up on the poster in the Narthex or place your check in the offering plate Sunday morning with “lilies” written on the memo line.

Sunday Circle, March 25, 12:30 pm: Join the Sunday Circle members as they attempt to become part of those whom Jesus honors as they work for shalom – Peace. We will be studying Matthew 5:9 and James 2:15-16.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by March 25 individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items. Remember they need to fit in plastic eggs!

St. John’s Breakfast, Saturday, April 7: Everyone is invited to Saturday morning breakfast at 8 am. At 8:30 am Teresa Darr and Pam Tedeschi will explore the modern world of quilting.

Sunrise Service, April 8, 7 am: Everyone is invited to join the youth-led worship service. Please bring your choice of flowers to add to the cross.

Special Request from BIM: Braes Interfaith Ministries is in need of toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap and deodorant). Please bring to the church office.

Saturday, October 13, 56th Anniversary Celebration: Please mark this special day on your calendar. A pot-luck will begin at 5 pm with a program to follow. Child care will be provided. Please keep looking for memorabilia, photographs, poetry, music, any and all remembrances of St. John’s for this event. Please contact Linda Dobbin with any ideas or items.

Easter ScheduleSunday
April 1: Palm/Passion Sunday, Church pot-luck picnic and Easter egg hunt
April 5: 7 pm Maundy Thursday Service
April 6: Tre-Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 pm – 3 pm
April 8: Youth Sunrise Service, 7 am & Worship Service, 10:30 am

St. John's Weekly Reminders, March 25

This Week's Calendar

Sunday, March 25 – 5th Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
12:30 pm Sunday Circle 4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship

Monday, March 26
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, March 27
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting & 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
7:30 pm Faith In Action Committee

Wednesday, March 28
10:30 am Holly Hall Book Review, St. Luke’s Methodist Church
6:00-8:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 21151
6:00 pm Sandwich Makers, McPhail Hall
7:00 pm Property Committee
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, March 29
8:30 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study, Buildings 1 and 2
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”

Friday, March 30
10:00 am 56th Anniversary Planning Committee

Saturday, March 31
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
9:00 am Church Clean-up
2:00 pm Court of Honor

Sunday, April 1 – Palm/Passion Sunday
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Church picnic
12:30 pm Easter Egg Hunt 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Centering Prayer 4:30
5:00 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205

This Week's Calendar

Scholarship Application— Deadline May 27, 2012

The Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship grant to any active St. John’s member who wishes to further an academic endeavor. The scholarship grant is to be used for undergraduate study and/or a technical or trade school and shall be given to the recipient for his/her discretion. To be eligible, the applicant must submit a formal written request which outlines his plans and goals.Applications are available in the church office. — Curtis Brisch

Scholarship Application— Deadline May 27, 2012

Appraisal Day— April 27

Braes Resale & Consignment Shop (10319 South Post Oak) will host an Appraisal Day, Friday, April 27, 11 am to 3 pm.

Three experienced antique dealers will appraise your treasures, with the exception of toys, furniture, art and expensive jewelry.

The Braes Resale and Consignment Shop is a non-profit entity, established in October 2008 as a resource for Braes Interfaith Ministries. The ministry provides food, clothing, school supplies and financial support for the needy of our community. All profit from the shop returns to BIM to help meet these needs.

Appraisal Day— April 27

St. John’s Holiday Schedule

St. John’s church office will be closed Monday, April 9 for the Easter holiday. St. John’s staff wishes everyone a wonderful Easter.

St. John’s Holiday Schedule

Presbyterian Women April Bible Study

Circles 1, 2 & 3 will meet Tuesday, April 3, at 9:30 am and the Sunday Circle will meet April 22, at 12:30 pm. The circles will focus on Lesson 8: Greatly Honored Are Those Who Have Been Persecuted for the Sake of Justice! Matthew 5:10; 13:20-21; Romans 8:31-39.

Presbyterian Women April Bible Study

Children’s Choir News

The members of the Children’s Choir have been diligently practicing on their anthem for Palm Sunday (April 1), which they will sing immediately after helping to carry in the palm branches during the regular choir processional time as the first hymn is being sung.

We are planning to sing for a Sunday morning worship service again in May. All elementary school-age children are welcome to come and bring a friend. We rehearse 11:45-12:15 most Sunday mornings–immediately after worship in Room 209.

—Your Volunteer Choir Staff: Kyra Noons, Rebecca Amador, and Shirley Boyd

Children’s Choir News

Come to Work Day - 9 am

Come to Work Day - 9 am

Celebrating Easter at St. John’s

Palm Sunday, April 1
Sunday School: 9:00 am
Worship Service: 10:30 am
Church Picnic: 11:45 am
Easter Egg Hunt: 12:30 pm

Maundy Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 6
Tre Ore (Three Hour Service): 12 Noon to 3 pm

The service will be held at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort. Worshipers are welcome to come and go as their schedules dictate. Pastor Jon will present the homily, "Today you will be with me in paradise" at 12:30 pm

Easter, April 8
Sunrise Service: 7:00 am
Sunday School: 9:00 am
Worship Service: 10:30 am

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

Celebrating Easter at St. John’s

St. John's Epistle for March 22, 2012

Dear well loved child of God,

Here is an update from our Session meeting on March 7. The Session received reports on:

●The budget after two months, with income and expenses within the usual norms.

●Repairs to Building I. The building has been repaired, carpeting done, painting is completed.

●Mary and Mallory Sterner's progress and Mary's work status.

And Session approved:

●Moving forward with the concept of setting up Session Liaison Groups within the congregation as a result of visioning meetings.

●Annual Statistical Report for the presbytery completed by Curtis Brisch and office staff.

●Faith in Action request to submit grant proposals to the presbytery for evangelism; peacemaking through the Lulwanda Children's Home, and a Living Waters for the World trip.

●Covenanting with the Reverend Linda Herron as a Parish Associate, which will not add any cost to the budget passed in the congregational meeting in January. The presbytery Committee on Ministries will need to approve this action.

For more news, here is the latest Beacon for March and April, 2012.

Come help clean up the church grounds on March 31, 9 am, Saturday. This is the day before Palm Sunday. 

Here is our Holy Week schedule:

• Sunday, April 1, Palm/Passion Sunday: Church pot-luck picnic and Easter egg hunt
• April 5: 7 pm Maundy Thursday Service:
• April 6: Tre-Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 pm – 3 pm
• April 8: Youth Sunrise Service, 7 am
• Worship Service, 10:30 am 

Think of which events you will attend. Think of who you will invite to join you.

The sermon text this Sunday is quite dramatic: John 12:20-33. The story sounds apocalyptic with a voice from heaven that some hear as thunder, others think is an angel speaking to Jesus. Jesus then speaks God's word: "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die." (vs. 31-33) From thence comes the sermon title: Apocalypse Now: How to Lose and Gain a Life. You are welcome to come early and attend the Sunday School class of your choice.  

Your looking forward to the 5th Sunday in Lent fellow faith traveler,

Pastor Jon

-- 

Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Burnham 

Pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church (Church's Website, Blog) 

5020 West Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035 (Map & Directions to church)

Phone church office 713-723-6262; Email church office

Sunday Schedule: Church School for all ages: 9:30 am; Worship 10:30 am; Youth Fellowship 5 pm

--
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 March 22, 2012

Maundy Thursday Service— April 5 @ 7 pm

The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means "commandment." In the gospel of John, Jesus makes this statement during the Last Supper: "I am with you only a little longer. ... I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:33-35, NRSV). Please join in this special service, showing loving concern for one another, and partaking of Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday Service— April 5 @ 7 pm

St. John’s Breakfast— April 7

Everyone is invited to Saturday morning breakfast April 7 at 8 am. At 8:30 am Teresa Darr and Pam Tedeschi will explore the modern world of quilting.

St. John’s Breakfast— April 7

Easter Lily

Purchase a Easter lily to beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, then enjoy it at home after the service. Only a limited quantity of Easter lilies from the Brookwood Community are available, so don’t delay! To purchase your lily sign up on the poster in the Narthex, 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.

The Easter Lily, Latin name Lilium longiflorum, is the traditional Easter flower. According to Biblical scholars, the Easter Lily was found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Easter Lily

Your Faith in Action - Bringing Clean Water to the World

St. John’s member Leonié Tchoconté shares her stories of volunteering in Haiti for Living Waters for the World. Living Waters, a ministry of the Synod of Living Waters, trains and equips mission teams to share the gift of clean sustainable water with communities in need.

"In all four installations I participated in (Arcahaie July 2009, Port-au-Prince March 2010, Limbe/Cap-Haitian August 2010 and Blanket January 2011), the anxiety expressed for the need of pure water (prior to the installation) and the joy to receive pure water (after the installation) were noticeable among the people.

In Arcahaie some people had wells in their courtyard, even if it was not clean water; at least they had immediate access to water for bathing, laundry etc. That was not necessarily the case in Port-au-Prince, where I saw people collecting rain water running down the sidewalk.
In Limbe/Cape-Haitian a group of women walked miles several times each day to get water from the river (prior to the installation). After the installation there was a great change in their lives, not only in receiving pure water, but also cutting down on the walking distance with heavy buckets of water on their heads. Blanket’s situation is very similar.

The small changes are obvious immediately, but in one week (our length of stay there for each trip), we cannot evaluate the total impact on the health, nor can we evaluate the impact on the faith of the people we are serving. We pray, trust and hope that there will be fewer waterborne diseases and fewer deaths due to dirty water, and people’s faith will grow. We are blessed when we can see the power of prayer. We saw a man sob for joy in Limbe/Cap-Haitian, exclaiming that he had been praying for a water system for almost 10 years, and it was now happening and the extra care we provided the elderly and the children really touched him and other people."

St. John’s supports Living Waters for the World through its mission budget and also through the Holiday Gift Market. We recently received a thank you from the Living Waters staff ...

Please know that all of the staff and volunteers of Living Waters for the World appreciate your generous gift, and that we will be diligent in assuring that it is used wisely and well to serve people in need. Our sincere thanks to you for this generous gift, and for the trust in our ministry that is implied in your contribution.

Your faith in action!
Through service and financial gifts, St. John’s is bringing living waters to a thirsty world

Your Faith in Action - Bringing Clean Water to the World

March 7 Session Highlights

Reports on:
●Budget after two months, with income and expenses within the usual norms.
●Repairs to Building I. Bldg has been repaired, carpeting done, painting is completed.
●Mary and Mallory Sterner’s progress and Mary’s work status.

And Session approved:

●Moving forward with the concept of setting up Session Liaison Groups within the congregation (result of visioning meetings)
●Annual Statistical Report for the presbytery (completed by Curtis Brisch).
●Faith in Action request to submit grant proposals to the presbytery for marketing(evangelism), peacemaking through the Lulwanda Children’s Home and a Living Waters for the World trip.
●Covenanting with the Reverend Linda Herron as a Parish Associate, which will not add any cost to the budget passed in the congregational meeting in January. (The presbytery Committee on Ministries will need to approve this action.)

March 7 Session Highlights

Weekly Reminders - Week of March 18

Girl Scout Sunday Today: Girl Scout troops 21151 and 21174 will participant in today Sunday’s Service. They invite everyone to McPhail Hall after the service for cake and refreshments. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of America.

Easter Lilies: Purchase an Easter lily, $10 each, to beautify the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, and then enjoy it at home after the service. Sign up on the poster in the Narthex or place your check in the offering plate Sunday morning with “lilies” written on the memo line.

Beacon Newsletter Assemblers: Come to Room 203 Tuesday, March 20, at
9:30 am to assemble the March/April 2012 church Beacon newsletter.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by March 25 individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items. Remember they need to fit in plastic eggs!

Special Request from BIM: Braes Interfaith Ministries is in need of toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap and deodorant). Please bring to the church office.

Saturday, October 13, 56th Anniversary Celebration: Please mark this special day on your calendar. A pot-luck will begin at 5 pm with a program to follow. Child care will be provided. Please keep looking for memorabilia, photographs, poetry, music, any and all remembrances of St. John’s for this event. Please contact Linda Dobbin with any ideas or items.

Easter Schedule
Sunday, April 1, Palm/Passion Sunday: Church pot-luck picnic and Easter egg hunt
April 5: 7 pm Maundy Thursday Service:
April 6: Tre-Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 pm – 3 pm
April 8: Youth Sunrise Service, 7 am
Worship Service, 10:30 am

Weekly Reminders - Week of March 18

St. John's Weekly Calendar: March 18 - 25

Sunday, March 18 – 4th Sunday in Lent – Girl Scout Sunday
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Girl Scout Reception, McPhail Hall
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
12:00 pm Beacon Deadline
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study

Monday, March 19
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
6:00 pm Pack 8 Scout Troop
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:00 pm Bell Choir
7:30 pm Worship Committee

Tuesday, March 20
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s “Fun” Day
9:30 am Beacon Assemblers, Room 203
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, March 21
6:00-8:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 21151
7:30 pm Caring Committee
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, March 22
8:30 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study, Buildings 1 and 2
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”

Saturday, March 24
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, March 25 – 5th Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
12:30 pm Sunday Circle
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, McPhail

St. John's Weekly Calendar: March 18 - 25

St. John's Epistle for March 15, 2012

Dear blessed friends in Christ,

This Saturday is St. Patrick's Day. When I sang in the Belhaven College choir back in the day, we ended every concert with this Irish blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again, until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

God blesses. That is what God does. God invites you and me to be blessed by God and be a blessing to others. 

May you and those you love be blessed and be a blessing today, on St. Patrick's Day, and especially this Sunday as we celebrate Girl Scouts Sunday. Girl Scout Troops 21151 and 211174 will participant in next Sunday's Service. They invite everyone to McPhail Hall after the service for cake and refreshments. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of America.

You may want to read the fascinating texts for this Sunday: Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21. The sermon title is Snake-bit by the Gospel: How to Fall in Love with the World. Speaking of sermons, here is the audio of last week's sermon.

Looking ahead, here is our Holy Week Schedule:

Sunday, April 1, Palm/Passion Sunday: Church pot-luck picnic and Easter egg hunt

April 5: 7pm Maundy Thursday Service

April 6: Tre-Ore Good Friday Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 pm – 3 pm

April 8: Easter Sunday, Youth Sunrise Service, 7 am

April 8: Easter Sunday, Worship Service, 10:30 am

Your blessed and blessing friend in faith,
Jon B.

--
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 March 15, 2012

Weekly Reminders

Easter Lilies: Purchase an Easter lily, $10 each, to beautify the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, and then enjoy it at home after the service. Sign up on the poster in the Narthex or place your check in the offering plate Sunday morning with “lilies” written on the memo line.

Beacon Newsletter Deadline: Please deliver all Beacon articles for the upcoming March/April 2012 issue by email (office.sjpc@gmail.com) or hand deliver to Room 208. The last chance to be part of this issue is Sunday, March 18 at 12 noon.

Girl Scout Sunday, March 18: Girl Scout Troop 21151 will participant in next Sunday’s Service. They invite everyone to McPhail Hall after the service for cake and refreshments. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of America.

St. John’s Clean-Up Day, Saturday, March 31: Please come 8 am – 12 noon and help make the church shine for Easter Sunday.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by March 25 individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items. Remember they need to fit in plastic eggs!

Special Request from BIM: Braes Interfaith Ministries is in need of toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap and deodorant). Please bring to the church office.

Saturday, October 13, 56th Anniversary Celebration: Please mark this special day on your calendar. A pot-luck will begin at 5 pm with a program to follow. Child care will be provided. Please keep looking for memorabilia, photographs, poetry, music, any and all remembrances of St. John’s for this event. Please contact Linda Dobbin with any ideas or items.

Easter Schedule
Sunday, April 1, Palm/Passion Sunday: Church pot-luck picnic and Easter egg hunt
April 5: 7pm Maundy Thursday Service:
April 6: Tre-Ore Service, Salem Lutheran Church, 12 pm – 3 pm
April 8: Youth Sunrise Service, 7 am
Worship Service, 10:30 am

Weekly Reminders

St. John's Weekly Calendar: March 11 - 18

Sunday, March 11 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
11:45 am Fellowship Committee
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study

Monday, March 12
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, March 13
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, March 14
6:00-8:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 21151
6:00 pm “Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers, McPhail Hall
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, March 15
8:30 am – 12:30 pm NO Community Bible Study, Buildings 1 and 2, Spring break 6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong” 7:30 pm CE Committee Meeting

Saturday, March 17
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
9:00 am Troop 21174

Sunday, March 18 – 4th Sunday in Lent – Girl Scout Sunday
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Reception hosted by Girl Scouts, McPhail Hall
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
12:00 pm Beacon Deadline
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205

St. John's Weekly Calendar: March 11 - 18

St. John's Epistle for March 8, 2012

Dear bearer of the cross,

Last Sunday's sermon from  Mark 8:31-38 and was called How to Carry a Cross. If you look at a cross you may notice how the beams intersect just like a plus sign. The only difference in the cross and the plus sign is that the cross is longer below than it is above the intersection. Why? Perhaps the longer below the middle section cross teaches a spiritual truth. Growth occurs beneath the surface. Growth down below is something you can't see. The same principle applies in our spiritual lives as applies for a flower. The flower's growth occurs most significantly long before you ever see evidence that it is even alive. This is how spiritual growth occurs within you. You do not even notice it is happening. You may not see much evidence of the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, self control) in your life. Yet these spiritual fruits may be growing roots underneath the surface of your life. If you would like to view last week's sermon it is available here.

Last night the Session had a good meeting. We extended an invitation to Rev. Linda Herron to work with the Session and me in the role of Parish Associate and she graciously accepted. This is an unpaid position. Here is the covenant the Session wants to enter into with Linda pending approval by the Committee on Ministry at their meeting next month. Join me in prayer for God's blessings on this relationship for both Linda and for our congregation. Speak to a Session member if you have a question about this. In addition, we also talked about how each Session member may serve as a liaison between each church member and the Session. Our desire is for good relations between the Session and the congregation. We are open to new ways of being in communication with the congregation. Speak to a Session member if you have an idea about how to cultivate connections between the Session and the congregation. We are all in this together.

Your fellow traveler with open ears on this Lenten journey,

Pastor Jon

-- 

Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Burnham (Jon's Blog) 

St. John's Presbyterian Church (Church's Website, Blog) 

5020 West Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035 (Map & Directions to church)

Phone church office 713-723-6262; Email church office

Sunday Schedule: Church School for all ages: 9:30 am; Worship 10:30 am; Youth Fellowship 5 pm

--
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 March 8, 2012

Courtyard flowers are blooming

Now is a good time to meditate in the courtyard with the flowers in full bloom.

Courtyard flowers are blooming

Tre-Ore Service, April 6

Ecumenical Tre Ore (Three-Hour) Service on Good Friday, April 6, from noon to 3 pm at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church (4930 W. Bellfort)

The service, during the traditional hours before Christ’s death, is in seven parts and focuses on Jesus’ words from the cross.

Noon – Introduction and “Father, forgive them…”
Pastor Karin Liebster (Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church)

12:30 - “Today you will be with me…”
Pastor Jon Burnham (St. John’s Presbyterian Church)

12:55 - “Women, here is your son…”
Minister J. Stephen Sandifer (Southwest Central Church of Christ)

1:20 - “My God, My God…”
Pastor Matthew Vandagriff (Willow Meadows Baptist Church)

1:50 - “I am thirsty.”
Chaplain Stephen Martin (VA Medical Center/ELCA)

2:15- “It is finished.”
Rector Gena Davis (Grace Episcopal Church)

2:35 - “Father into your hands…”
Pastor Tommy Williams (Westbury United Methodist Church)

Worshipers may come and go between the parts.

Tre-Ore Service, April 6

PFY - Presbyterian Youth Fellowship

All youth (grades 6-12) are invited to join Pesbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF) activities each Sunday from 5-6:30 pm in McPhail Hall with dinner served at 6. Each Sunday night will involve Bible study, mission projects, group games, fun, and fellowship! Join us!

March 4: 5 pm meeting
March 11 & 18: No PYF — Spring Break!
March 25: 5 pm meeting

For questions about PYF, please contact Mary Sterner. Email: mary2d@yahoo.com, phone: 713-417-6106

PFY - Presbyterian Youth Fellowship

Girl Scout Sunday— March 18

St. John’s sponsors two Girl Scout troops. The leaders and members will be serving our church for Girl Scout Sunday on March 11. Troop 21151, of which Elizabeth Ragan and Shadai Adams are members, recently completed the religious recognition with God and Family, a result that keeps God’s name in the organization’s named awards. As has become a tasty custom, cake will be served following worship. Please stop by and congratulate all the hard working Girl Scouts for focusing on God and his blessings upon us.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of America. Juliette Gordon Low traveled to England and befriended Lord Baden Powell and his wife, Olave. The Scouting movement had begun there, and Daisy brought the movement back to Georgia. The uniforms have changed, the cookie flavors and prices have changed, but the goal of finding the leader in each girl has not changed. The goals of Girl Scouting are now easily recited – Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

Thank you to each member for your support financially and prayerfully as we lead young women into adulthood with a focus on service, leadership, and self-discovery.

Girl Scout Sunday— March 18

Presbyterian Women March Bible Study

Circles 1, 2 & 3 will meet Tuesday, March 7, at 9:30 am and the Sunday Circle will meet March 26, at 12:30 pm. The circles will focus on Lesson 7: Greatly Honored Are the Peacemakers! from Matthew 5:9 and James 2:15-16.

Presbyterian Women March Bible Study

March 4 Weekly Reminders

Chili Cook-Off Today: Everyone is invited to McPhail Hall today for our Go Western Chili Cook-off. Come enjoy the fellowship, western wear and amazing varieties of chili! Learn whose chili will win the trophy! Drinks and desserts will be provided.

Presbyterian Women Bible Study, March 6 @ 9:30 am: All St. John’s ladies are invited to this special study, focusing on Matthew 5:9 and James 2:15-16, from Confessing the Beatitudes.

Juice and Cookies at Small Steps Nurturing Center, March 6: Come and visit the 2902 Jensen campus at 2 pm and learn about the Small Steps family. Please contact or RSVP to Verna Noack, 713-236-0330, or email vnoack@ssnc.org.

Easter Egg Supplies Needed: Please deliver to the church office by March 25 individually wrapped candies (non-chocolate & non-melting), stickers, novelties and miscellaneous small items. Remember they need to fit in plastic eggs!

Special Request from BIM: Braes Interfaith Ministries is in desperate need of toiletries. Please bring toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, toilet paper, deodorant, razors, lotion and shampoo to the church office.

Delicious Peace Coffee Available: St. John’s has received a new supply of organic and free trade coffee from the Peace Kawomera Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative, Uganda. See the bookcase outside the church office to make your selection.

56th Anniversary Celebration planned for October: Please put on your thinking caps, delve into your memories, and help me put together a panorama of memorabilia, photographs, poetry, music, any and all remembrances of our wonderful church. Please contact me with any ideas or items. Linda Dobbin

SAVE THIS DATE: Church pot-luck picnic andEaster egg hunt will be held on Palm/Passion Sunday, April 1.

March 4 Weekly Reminders

St. John's Weekly Calendar, March 4 - 11

Sunday, March 4 - 2nd Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
11:45 am Chili Cook-off, McPhail Hall
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study
5:00 – 6:30 pm PFY, Presbyterian Youth Fellowship

Monday, March 5
10:00 am Bobby’s Crew
6:00 pm Pack 8, Building One
6:30 pm Walking Together
7:00 pm Bell Choir

Tuesday, March 6
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Circle Meetings
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
7:30 pm Faith in Action Committee

Wednesday, March 7
6:00-8:00 pm Girl Scout Troop 21151
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
7:30 pm Session Meeting

Thursday, March 8
8:30 am – 12:30 pm Community Bible Study, Buildings 1 and 2
6:00 pm Trafton Academy, McPhail Hall
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”

Saturday, March 10
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, March 11 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Fellowship Committee
11:45 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
4:00 – 4:30 pm Centering Prayer
4:30 – 6:00 pm Lenten Study, Room 205

St. John's Weekly Calendar, March 4 - 11

St. John's Epistle for March 1, 2012

Dear child of God, 

Wandering in the fields; the man asked him, What are you seeking? (Gen 37:15)  

What are you seeking? Good question. For what you are seeking is what you will find. Joseph was seeking his brothers. He found them and they threw him in a pit.

Later in this story Joseph finds his brothers again under very different circumstances. Joseph is now Vice-Regent in Egypt, and, to paraphrase a Bob Dylan lyric, "They were lonely and it was his world."

The key seeker in the Joseph story is the LORD who provides protection for Joseph and his backstabbing brothers. The LORD has the same desire and intention for YOUR protection. 

God takes the initiative in human salvation. That is a key concept from the Reformation. It sounds like frothy words until you experience it in your own life. How is God seeking you? Where is God finding you today? "The Hound of Heaven" is a 182-line poem written by English poet Francis Thompson. Here Richard Burton reads this poem. Here's hoping the Hound of Heaven finds you well today.

Wherever you may be wandering this week, steer your horse over to Fellowship Hall after worship this Sunday for the Chili Cook-Off. If you want to wear some Western attire that's fine also. In the meantime, may the peace of Christ be with you as we prepare for communion during worship on the Second Sunday of Lent this Sunday.

Your Spiritual Cowhand,

Pastor Jon

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The Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Burnham
St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035
Phone 713-723-6262 | sjpresby.blogspot.com

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St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort / Houston, TX 77035
T. 713.723.6262 / F. 713.723-4015 / Email: office.sjpc@gmail.com
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:30 am / Sunday School: 9:00 am

St. John's Epistle for March 1, 2012