St. John's Flashlight: November 2013

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

December 1 - Sign the Doorposts

Single Parent Family Ministry Si

gn the Doorposts

After Worship on December 1, we will walk to the construction site and sign the doorposts of the houses with our names, scriptures verses and prayers for those who will live in the houses.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Celebrating Living Gift Market

Living Gift Market - November 24, 2013

McPhail Hall before Market begins - Sunday Morning

Living Gift Market Photo Album

St. John's Holiday Schedule

St. John’s offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27 and Thursday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. (The church office is currently closed every Friday.)

St. John’s staff wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

November 24 Sunday Insert Highlights

November/December Beacon Newsletter is available for pick-up in the Narthex
and on the coffee table outside the church office.

St. John’s Holiday Schedule: St. John’s offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27 and Thursday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. (The church office is currently closed very Friday.) St. John’s staff wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Blood Drive, Sunday, December 1: Make a difference! Taking the time to make a donation can help up to four people who are in crises. No appointment needed.
Come to Room 209, 8 am – 12 noon.

Sign the Doorposts, Sunday, December 1: After worship we will walk to the construction site and sign the doorposts of the houses with our names, scripture verses and prayers for those who will live in the houses.

Advent Celebration: The Advent Booklets, Elements of Advent by Ron Glusenkamp, can be picked up in the Narthex on December 1, the First Sunday of Advent.

Sock Trees: Help decorate our Christmas Sock Trees in their holiday finery beginning on December 1, with newborn through kindergarten size socks. Presbyterian Women will deliver them to the House of Tiny Treasures and Small Steps Nurturing Center.

Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study, December 3: Please meet at 9:30 am in
Building 2 for Lesson 4, Passing through the Waters (Exodus 13:17-15:21).

St. John’s Breakfast - Saturday, December 7, 8 am, McPhail Hall. Everyone is invited. Breakfast will be a potluck, so please bring your favorite breakfast item to share. The program will feature holiday music from our own St. John’s young musicians, plus readings and poetry. Program assisted by Johnny Dyson. Friends are welcome!

Sights, Sounds and Smells of Christmas, December 8: All ages are invited to McPhail Hall during the Sunday school hour (9 – 10:30 am) for a special program sponsored by the Christian Education Committee.

Poinsettia Sign-up sheet in the Narthex: Help beautify the Sanctuary for our Christmas Eve Services by purchasing a poinsettia ($10 each) from Brookwood Community Center. All poinsettias can be taken home after the Christmas Eve service (5 pm and 11 pm).

November 24 - December 1 Church Calendar

This Week at St. John’s

Sunday, November 24 Living Gift Market

9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Living Gift Market, McPhail Hall
11:45 – 12:15 am Choir, Children & Youth, Rm. 209

4:00 pm Community Thanksgiving Service, Westbury Baptist Church

Monday, November 25

9:15 am Staff Meeting
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
6:00 pm Walking Together, Room 208
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer
7:00 pm Bells

Tuesday, November 26
7 am – 4 pm Kitchen Rented

9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day

Wednesday & Thursday, November 27 & 28

Church Offices Closed

Saturday, November 30
9:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, December 1
1^st Sunday of Advent
Blood Drive

8:00 am – 12 pm Blood Drive, Room 209

9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Sign the Doorposts

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

All Saints Day - November 17

Prayers for the families of

Curtis Brisch

Elaine DeSouza

Jim Schneider

Rev. Shute

Christmas Caroling - December 14

Christmas Caroling

December 14
5:30 - 8 pm

Join us for a Caroling cruise at the Ship Channel, aboard the Sam Houston, as part of our Seafarer’s Ministry.
The Sam Houston motors down and back up the Ship Channel, serenading ships and their crews docked in the Port.

RSVP to the church office (713-723-6262) or talk to Linda Dobbin or Claire MacAdam as soon as possible. Space on the boat is going quickly.

Living Gift Market - this Sunday, November 24

The Market transports shoppers around the world by featuring international gifts, food and entertainment. The Market is unique because it offers affordable, socially responsible and handcrafted gifts for the entire family — just in time for the holiday season.
Booths in attendance: 10,000 Villages, Heifer Project, Delicious Peace Coffee, Anchor House, Living Waters for the World and Seafarer’s Ministry . . . just to name a few. (See link for complete catalog below)

Delicious homemade soup will be served.
Silent Auction

Living Gift Market Catalog

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Beacon Newsletter

The Beacon Newsletter for November December 2013

Highlights include The Living Gift Market, Blood Drive and Christmas Schedule

http://www.flipsnack.com/FBAA8B7EFB5/fdnlwckh

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Called Congregational Meeting, November 17

Called
Congregational Meeting

November 17 (following service)

This Sunday the session has called a Congregational Meeting to hear a report from the Nominating Committee who will nominate the following candidates:

Elders: Mary Gaber, Susan Vanderworth,
Bob Hughes, Mary Herlitz

Scholarship committee: Lindsey Sen-Roy

2014 Nominating Committee: Kathleen Captain,
Brad Urquhart, Mary Hughes

Monday, November 11, 2013

Stewardship Sunday Thank You

A big thank you to two of our cooks for a wonderful meal on Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 10.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Living Gift Market, November 24

The Market transports shoppers around the world by featuring international gifts, food and entertainment. The Market is unique because it offers affordable, socially responsible and handcrafted gifts for the entire family — just in time for the holiday season. Delicious homemade soup will be served.

Booths in attendance: 10,000 Villages, Heifer Project, Delicious Peace Coffee, Anchor House, Living Waters for the World and Seafarer’s Ministry . . . just to name a few.

Living Waters for the World Mission Trip, November 5 - 13

Please add Léone Tchoconté, Mary Plail Risley and Brad Urquhart to your prayers. They are in Chankom, deep in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, helping to install a water treatment system. They are traveling with members from ChristChurch and St. Philip Presbyterian church. They will be working with local members of the Eterna Roca Iglesia Presbyterian Church.

Adopt-a-family from M.D.Anderson

This is the time of year when MD Anderson adopts families in need to help them have a good Christmas despite receiving cancer treatments. St. John's Women and several others have already donated. If you would also like to donate, you can write a check to MD Anderson "adopt-a-family" and deliver to the church office or give it directly to me (Mary Hughes). Thank you so much for your support of this worthy project. Deadline: December 1

— Mary Hughes

November 10 Sunday Highlights

Welcome to Stewardship Dedication Sunday today.
Pledge cards are available in the black attendance books.

Delicious Peace Coffee: A new supply of Thanksgiving Peace Coffee has arrived! The coffee can be found in the bookcase outside the church office, Building 2.

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, November 10: All youth, grades 6 -12, are welcome to come to the 5 pm meeting in McPhail Hall. Today’s focus will be planning the annual Christmas Eve Family Service and the skit for the Christmas message.

Sandwich Makers Needed, Wednesday, November 13, 6 pm: Help Houston’s hungry children by making 300+ sandwiches in McPhail Hall, and we promise you’ll be done in less than one hour!

Called Congregational Meeting, November 17: Please remain after Worship next Sunday for the called congregational meeting to receive the Nominating Committee’s report of the candidates for the Elder Class of 2016 and members of the 2014 Nominating Committee.

Presbyterian Bible Study, Sunday Circle: The Sunday Circle will meet November 17 following Worship in Room 205 studying Lesson 3, Set Free by God (Exodus 4:18-13:16). All women are invited to join the Bible study, led by Rev. Linda Herron.

Beacon Deadline: Please deliver all Beacon articles for the Holiday December issue by email, office.sjpc@gmail.com, or bring to room 208. The last chance to be part of this issue is Sunday, November 17, 12 noon.

Book Group: Our next book group meeting will be Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 pm. We will discuss the last two chapters of How God Became King by NT Wright. Bring your ideas for our next book. Drop-ins are welcome.

Share the Joy of Christmas: You can help make the holiday season brighter for those families whose members are receiving cancer treatments by supporting M.D. Anderson’s Adopt-a-Family. If you would like to donate, write a check to MD Anderson “adopt-a-family” and deliver it to the church office or give it directly to Mary Hughes.

Community Thanksgiving Service, November 24: The annual service sponsored by the Southwest Houston Ministerial Association will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 4 pm, at Westbury United Methodist Church (5200 Willowbend Blvd.). An offering will be taken to benefit Braes Interfaith Ministries.

This Week at St. John's Nov. 10 - 17

This Week at St. John’s

Sunday, November 10 Stewardship Dedication Sunday

9:00 am Church School
9:45 am Choir, Children & Youth, Sanctuary
10:30 am Worship Service
11:30 am Stewardship Barbecue Lunch
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, McPhail Hall

Monday, November 11

9:15 am Staff Meeting
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
6:00 pm Walking Together, Room 208
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer
7:00 pm Bells

Tuesday, November 12

9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day

Wednesday, November 13

12:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:00 pm “Wonder Team” Sandwich Making, McPhail Hall
6:00 pm Girl Scout 21151, Scout Room
7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, November 14
9:00 am – 12 pm Community Bible Study
7:30 pm Christian Education (CE) Meeting

Saturday, November 16
9:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group

Sunday, November 17 Beacon Deadline

9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 am Congregational Meeting to elect Elders
11:45 – 12:15 am Choir, Children & Youth, Rm. 209
11:45 am Sunday Bible Study Circle
12:00 pm Beacon Newsletter Deadline
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Inquirer's Class Invitation

I would like to invite all interested people to join me in an Inquirer's Class in my office on Sunday, November 17 at 4 - 6 pm, followed by a light dinner. We will be finished by 7 pm.

is is an orientation for those who wish to join as a member of St. John's.We will discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what it means to be a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Please let me know if you would like to come or if you have questions. You may reach me by email (burjon@gmail.com) or by phone ( 281-838-5391).

Peace,

Pastor Jon Burnham

Monday, November 4, 2013

News from Braes Interfaith Ministries

We have been aware for several months that the space the resale shop occupies is going to be remodeled by the owner. We were notified recently that we need to vacate the property by December 1.

The Braes Resale Shop will close its doors at the current location on November 23. That will give us several days to empty the shop of the remaining items and fixtures. When we find a suitable location and if funds permit, we can re-open.

Since the Resale Shop also housed our clothing ministry, that must also be suspended. The clothing ministry has been a vital part of our mission for many years, and last year we distributed $57,000 worth of clothing to clients through the resale shop. If you know of a location that would be interested/able to host the clothing ministry until we have a new location for the shop, please let us know.

Things you can do:
►Visit the shop and encourage others to do so.
►If you think you know of a possible location for the shop, please let us know.
►If you are available to help at the shop, let us know.
►Seriously seek the Lord’s guidance in finding a location for the clothing ministry for an interim period.
►If you know of a space to store fixtures or items not sold, please let us know.
►If you can donate funds to the clothing ministry, we would be extremely grateful. We will need start-up funds to open a shop at a new location.

Contact BIM at 713-723-2670 or bimdir@hotmail.com

Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 10

Sunday Insert Reminders: November 3

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, November 3: All youth, grades 6 -12, are welcome to come to the 5 pm meeting in McPhail Hall. Today’s focus will be the beginning preparations of projects for the Living Gift Market. The money raised at our booth will benefit summer PYF trips.

Presbyterian Women Bible Study, Tuesday, November 5: The PW Circle will meet Tuesday in Room 205 studying Lesson 3, Set Free by God (Exodus 4:18-13:16). All women are invited to join the Bible study, led by Rev. Linda Herron, from 9:30 – 11 am.

Please Help: I am collecting clean, dry, unripped newspaper bags and plastic zipper-style sandwich bags for the Starbucks pastries for St. John's after church snacks. Your help would be much appreciated. A box will be outside the office for donations. Thanks! - Mary Plail

Living Gift Market: Calling for donated homemade items for the Silent Auction for the Living Gift Market which will take place on Sunday, November 24. The proceeds from the Silent Auction help fund mission trips. Call Claire MacAdam, 713-729-2470, or Phyllis Freeman, 713-857-3522.

Community Thanksgiving Service, November 24: The annual service sponsored by the Southwest Houston Ministerial Association will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 4 pm, at Westbury Baptist Church (5200 Willowbend Blvd.). An offering will be taken to benefit Braes Interfaith Ministries.

St. John's Calendar: November 3 - 10

This Week at St. John’s

Sunday, November 3 Hymnal Dedication

9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
11:45 – 12:15 am Choir, Children & Youth, Rm. 209
4:00 – 5:30 pm Unbinding Your Soul Class
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, McPhail Hall

Monday, November 4

9:15 am   Staff Meeting
10:00 am Bob’s Crew
5:00 pm   Hour of Prayer
6:00 pm   Trafton Academy, McPhail Hall

7:00 pm Hand Bell Practice
7:00 pm Worship Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 5

9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study

Wednesday, November 6

12:00 pm Centering Prayer
6:00 pm Girl Scout 21151, Scout Room
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
7:30 pm Session Meeting

Thursday, November 7
9:00 am – 12 pm Community Bible Study

Saturday, November 9
9:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group