St. John's Epistle for May 17, 2012

Dear protected and loved people of God,

Last Sunday we had a good congregational meeting during which the congregation approved the concept of leasing some of our property to Presbyterian Children's Home and Services (PCHAS) to build four single story duplexes for a Single Parent Family ministry. Many good questions were asked and answered. The vote to approve the concept was not unanimous but it was overwhelmingly in favor. The vast majority of the congregation support this. Now attorneys from PCHAS and Presbytery of New Covenant will work with us to develop a lease agreement that, after approval by the Session, will then be sent to three different presbytery committees for their approval. 

Some people have wondered about the Meyerland Home Association (MHA) in relation to this project. This project came before MHA at their last meeting but that not many people were at that meeting. Therefore, in order to do their job as board members of MHA who are responsible for keeping their constituents informed about what is going on around the neighborhood, they plan to send a letter to all homeowners in MHA specifically about this project and they will call an informational community meeting about it on June 13 at which Dr. Ed Knight from Presbyterian Children's Home will be present to answer questions and I plan to be there as well along with anyone else from the session or congregation who may wish to attend. This is good news for St. John's in that it will help us communicate our vision for the project and how we are planning to put it beside West Bellfort Avenue on the property we own between us and the Methodist Church. Dr. Knight also said the MHA board member acknowledged that our church property does not fall within the boundary of MHA. Let us keep this exciting project in prayer as we move forward.

In other news, on Pentecost Sunday, May 27,  anyone who wants to come pray with me before the worship service may join me on the front pews between 10:15 - 10:25 am. You may come sit down front with me as people are entering the sanctuary for worship. If you seek prayer for healing at that time, let me know. Jim Austin will play the piano during that time to set the tone for the prayer time. The piano music and prayer time will end before the regular worship service begins. This prayer time will begin on Pentecost Sunday and will continue each Sunday thereafter for a while as we evaluate this new way of providing a time for prayer before worship. 

A couple of weeks ago on Senior Sunday we recognized our graduating high school seniors: 

• Sean Coughlen
• Patrick Harrel
• Mitch Sawyer
• Zach Sponberg

We also have several College Graduates of whom we are proud:

• Kim Ashworth, UT Law School
• Kyle Coughlen, A&M, Aerospace Eng. Degree
• Michael Leach, Trinity University, music
• Lauren Sponberg, U of H, hotel and restaurant management
• Erin Steckel – U of H, English Literature
• Stacy Vanderworth – UT Computer Science

We are also very proud of Jacqueline Lindsey who has received her Doctorate of Education from Texas Southern University.

For those who like to read ahead, the sermon text this Sunday is John 17:6-19 and the title is Intimate Conversations. The children's choir will sing this Sunday and the children's choir participants and leaders will be recognized during the service. 

Your listening for your God stories pastor,

JON BURNHAM

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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