St. John's welcomes
Church Women United
Friday, November 5
Church Women United
Friday, November 5
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Holiday Gift Market - November 21
Holiday Gift Market: Sunday,
November 21, Noon to 3 p.m.
November 21, Noon to 3 p.m.
Come one; come all to St. John’s annual Holiday Gift Market! This year will be unlike any other as new activities and gift ideas will be introduced at the event.
This year, we will have:
• A Santa’s Workshop where children can build wooden items and make birdfeeders.
• Holiday pictures with Santa.
This year, we will have:
• A Santa’s Workshop where children can build wooden items and make birdfeeders.
• Holiday pictures with Santa.
• Caricature drawings for guests.
• Mark DeSouza and his quartet singing.
• Dave Rainwater leading a merry sing-a-long at the end.
• Our first-ever silent auction. See if you can win a Blu Ray DVD player, gift certificates from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Becks Prime, jewelry, and lots more!
• A larger soup selection.
A St. John’s tradition since 1989, the Market serves as a forum to support local and international charities that, in turn, help vulnerable populations and promote sustainable economies. From sweets and coffee to accent pieces and other household items, holiday shoppers will certainly find the perfect gift for that special someone.
We are counting on you, as well as your friends and family, to join this fun!
Come, ye thankful people, come!
Community Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 21 @ 4 pm
Congregation Beth Israel
5600 North Braeswood
50-voice Braes Interfaith Choir
Cantor Robert Gerber
Message by Pastor Matt Vandagriff,
Willow Meadows Baptist Church
Special offering for Braes Interfaith Ministries
Reception following the service
This is the twenty-second Community
Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the
Southwest Ministerial Association.
Community Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 21 @ 4 pm
Congregation Beth Israel
5600 North Braeswood
50-voice Braes Interfaith Choir
Cantor Robert Gerber
Message by Pastor Matt Vandagriff,
Willow Meadows Baptist Church
Special offering for Braes Interfaith Ministries
Reception following the service
This is the twenty-second Community
Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the
Southwest Ministerial Association.
St. John's Calendar, October 31
Sunday, October 31 Trunk-or-Treat
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 pm Trunk or Treat, parking lot
5:00 pm No Centering Prayer
Monday, November 1
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
7:30 pm Outreach Ministry Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 2
9:30 am Circles 1 and 2
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
1:30 pm Brown Bag Meeting, Special Educational Advocacy Ministry
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Evening Circle
Wednesday, November 3
Thursday, November 4
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
Friday, November 5
9:30 am Church Women United
Saturday, November 6
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
8:00 am St. John’s Breakfast
Sunday, November 7 Stewardship Sunday
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
12:00 pm Stewardship Barbecue Dinner
1:00 – 3:00 pm Crop Walk
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 pm Trunk or Treat, parking lot
5:00 pm No Centering Prayer
Monday, November 1
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
7:30 pm Outreach Ministry Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 2
9:30 am Circles 1 and 2
12:00 pm Staff Meeting
1:30 pm Brown Bag Meeting, Special Educational Advocacy Ministry
5:00 pm Hour of Prayer, Rm. 207
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:00 pm Scout Troop 688
7:30 pm Evening Circle
Wednesday, November 3
Thursday, November 4
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
Friday, November 5
9:30 am Church Women United
Saturday, November 6
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
8:00 am St. John’s Breakfast
Sunday, November 7 Stewardship Sunday
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
12:00 pm Stewardship Barbecue Dinner
1:00 – 3:00 pm Crop Walk
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
St. John's Weekly Reminders, October 31
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting on November 14, 2010 to receive a report from the Nominating Committee and to elect Elders to the Class of 2013, the Nominating Committee of 2011, the Scholarship Committee and the St. John’s representative to the Braes Interfaith Ministries Board.
Circles, Tuesday November 2: Circle 1, 9:30 am, Louise Cherry, Chair, will meet at the church; Circle 2, 9:30 am, Linda Dyson, Chair, will meet at the church; Night Circle, 7:30 pm, Kathleen Captain, Chair, will meet at the church.
Church Women United, Friday, November 5: Everyone is invited to the CWU program in McPhail Hall, 9:30 am, Building the Beloved Community.
Advent Booklet Deadline November 7: Writers and artists are needed for St. John’s Advent 2010 Devotional Booklet. This year the booklet will focus on Christmas carols. (Limit your writing to approximately three paragraphs or less.)
Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 7: Mark your calendar for this special day. Bring your pledge card to Worship then stay for the catered barbecue dinner.
Nov. 7 Crop Walk: Crop Walk is a community-wide event to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. If you are interested in walking or donating, stop by the table on the walkway after church.
Wine and Cheese Tasting Reception: A wine and cheese tasting reception will be held at The Braes Resale and Consignment Shop (10319 S. Post Oak) on the evening of November 11, 2010 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Bear Dalton, a local wine expert, has graciously selected the wines to be tasted.
Christmas Caroling, Saturday, December 4, 4:45 pm: Everyone is invited for caroling for the Seafarer’s Center. A sign-up sheet will be on the walkway.
Session News - October 27, 2010
- The Presbytery Hosting Taskforce gave an update on preparation for the
Nov. 13 Presbytery Meeting. All church members are asked to NOT park on our parking lot because we will need all those spots for guests. If you have not already been asked to help, please volunteer to any Session member.
- Jo Ann Golden and Kathy Roth, with Franklin Caspa as the alternate, were elected voting Commissioners to the Nov. l3 Presbytery Meeting.
- Both Jon and Mary had been on study leave during the last month and they shared
some interesting ideas they had discovered.Question them? It was interesting.
Circles, Tuesday November 2: Circle 1, 9:30 am, Louise Cherry, Chair, will meet at the church; Circle 2, 9:30 am, Linda Dyson, Chair, will meet at the church; Night Circle, 7:30 pm, Kathleen Captain, Chair, will meet at the church.
Church Women United, Friday, November 5: Everyone is invited to the CWU program in McPhail Hall, 9:30 am, Building the Beloved Community.
Advent Booklet Deadline November 7: Writers and artists are needed for St. John’s Advent 2010 Devotional Booklet. This year the booklet will focus on Christmas carols. (Limit your writing to approximately three paragraphs or less.)
Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 7: Mark your calendar for this special day. Bring your pledge card to Worship then stay for the catered barbecue dinner.
Nov. 7 Crop Walk: Crop Walk is a community-wide event to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. If you are interested in walking or donating, stop by the table on the walkway after church.
Wine and Cheese Tasting Reception: A wine and cheese tasting reception will be held at The Braes Resale and Consignment Shop (10319 S. Post Oak) on the evening of November 11, 2010 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Bear Dalton, a local wine expert, has graciously selected the wines to be tasted.
Christmas Caroling, Saturday, December 4, 4:45 pm: Everyone is invited for caroling for the Seafarer’s Center. A sign-up sheet will be on the walkway.
Session News - October 27, 2010
- The Presbytery Hosting Taskforce gave an update on preparation for the
Nov. 13 Presbytery Meeting. All church members are asked to NOT park on our parking lot because we will need all those spots for guests. If you have not already been asked to help, please volunteer to any Session member.
- Jo Ann Golden and Kathy Roth, with Franklin Caspa as the alternate, were elected voting Commissioners to the Nov. l3 Presbytery Meeting.
- Both Jon and Mary had been on study leave during the last month and they shared
some interesting ideas they had discovered.Question them? It was interesting.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
St. John's The Epistle for October 28, 2010
Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
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
Our prayers are with George who had a successful surgery today. Also remember Lois as she continues with chemotherapy.
Our sympathy is with the family of Bob Davis upon the death of his sister-in-law, Marguerite Y. Davis, who died in North Carolina on October 19.
Come and bring a friend to the "Trunk or Treat" event in the church parking lot this Sunday, October 31, 4:30 - 6 pm. Come celebrate the cooler weather as we welcome guests onto our campus and introduce them to the church in a fun, family setting.
This Sunday is our 5th Sunday "Service of Healing" during worship. Any who wish to be anointed with oil and prayed for by the pastor and elders may come forward after the sermon.
Here are some highlights from our session meeting last night:
· The Presbytery Hosting Taskforce gave an update on preparation for the Nov. 13 Presbytery Meeting. All church members attending are asked to NOT park on our parking lot because we will need all those spots for guests. If you have not already been asked to help please volunteer to any Session member.
· A Congregational Meeting was called to receive the report of the Nominating Committee.
· Jo Ann Golden and Kathy Roth, with Franklin Caspa as the alternate, were elected voting Commissioners to the Nov. 13, Presbytery Meeting.
· Both Mary Sterner and I had been on study leave during the last month and we shared some interesting ideas we had discovered.
Mary Sterner will take her final class toward becoming a Certified Christian Educator, "Worship and Sacraments," at First Church in Fort Worth on November 1-5, 2010.
"Hanging of the Greens" will be held during worship on November 28 and Sabrina Sen-Roy will be baptized that Sunday.
You are invited to an "Appraisal Day" at Braes Resale & Consignment Shop at 10319 South Post Oak Road, 77035 on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. Your treasures will be valued by experienced, knowledgeable antique dealers. There is a $2.00 donation for each item, and a limit of 3 per person. No furniture, dolls, or toys.
Mark your calendar and do not miss the Southwest Houston Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Southwest Ministerial Association, on Sunday, November 21, at 4:00 PM, at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood. This will be on the afternoon of the Holiday Gift Market. This is the twenty-second Community Thanksgiving Service.
Enjoy the cooler weather and feel the peace of Christ blowing through your life once again. Remember that you are beautiful and you are blessed. Live your life accordingly with gratitude to God.
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
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Anointing Service — 5th Sundays
On October 31, during the 10:30 am service, we will have an Anointing Service for Healing. Anyone who has a need for healing — whether physical, mental or emotional — is welcome to come forward for prayer after the sermon.
A few elders will support the prayer and I will use olive oil on my finger to mark your forehead with the sign of the cross. If you would prefer the prayer but not the oil, cross your arms when that time comes and say “prayer only.” We will offer this special service on the 5th Sundays beginning on October 31.
A few elders will support the prayer and I will use olive oil on my finger to mark your forehead with the sign of the cross. If you would prefer the prayer but not the oil, cross your arms when that time comes and say “prayer only.” We will offer this special service on the 5th Sundays beginning on October 31.
2010 Advent Devotional Booklet
Christmas and music are often intertwined with each other within our holiday memories. This year’s Advent booklet will explore this relationship as we ask anyone interested to write a few paragraphs about their favorite Christmas carol. Articles are due Sunday, November 7.
St. John’s Breakfast— Saturday, November 6
Bring a couple of friends and your appetite to the November breakfast. A delicious breakfast will be served at 8 am. At 8:30 Mr. Harrison from the Chaplaincy Department of the Houston Fire Department will speak about his job. As an added bonus he will also talk about kitchen fire safety.
Holiday Gift Market: Sunday, November 21, Noon to 3 pm
Come one; come all to St. John’s annual Holiday Gift Market! This year will be unlike any other as new activities and gift ideas will be introduced at the event.
This year, we will have:
• A Santa’s Workshop where children can build wooden items and make birdfeeders.
• Holiday pictures with Santa.
• Caricature drawings for guests.
• Mark DeSouza and his quartet singing.
• Dave Rainwater leading a merry sing-a-long at the end.
• Our first-ever silent auction. See if you can win a Blu Ray DVD player, gift certificates from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Becks Prime, jewelry, and lots more!
• A larger soup selection.
A St. John’s tradition since 1989, the Market serves as a forum to support local and international charities that, in turn, help vulnerable populations and promote sustainable economies. From sweets and coffee to accent pieces and other household items, holiday shoppers will certainly find the perfect gift for that special someone.
We are counting on you, as well as your friends and family, to join this fun!
This year, we will have:
• A Santa’s Workshop where children can build wooden items and make birdfeeders.
• Holiday pictures with Santa.
• Caricature drawings for guests.
• Mark DeSouza and his quartet singing.
• Dave Rainwater leading a merry sing-a-long at the end.
• Our first-ever silent auction. See if you can win a Blu Ray DVD player, gift certificates from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Becks Prime, jewelry, and lots more!
• A larger soup selection.
A St. John’s tradition since 1989, the Market serves as a forum to support local and international charities that, in turn, help vulnerable populations and promote sustainable economies. From sweets and coffee to accent pieces and other household items, holiday shoppers will certainly find the perfect gift for that special someone.
We are counting on you, as well as your friends and family, to join this fun!
Why We Give
Ask most Presbyterians to list spiritual disciplines, and the inventory will likely include praying, studying the Bible and worshiping regularly. With another moment to think about it the list might broaden to include fasting, meditating, walking labyrinths and perhaps exercising.
Financial generosity probably won’t make the list of spiritual disciplines. It should.
Spiritual disciplines are those time-tested practices of faith that deepen our awareness of God’s presence, open our hearts to God’s guidance and nurture our understanding toward Christian maturity. Perhaps Presbyterians aren’t accustomed to thinking of financial generosity as a spiritual discipline, because when our pastors speak about money, we suspect they are motivating us to meet the church’s budget. Thinking of financial generosity as a spiritual practice redirects our attention from the church’s need to receive and toward the individual’s need to give. This is why, at our best, we do not “take a collection” but rather we “receive an offering.”
Disciplined generosity unleashes the God-planted instinct to share. Intentional generosity is a foundational spiritual discipline.
Heart follows dollars
In Matthew 6:1-2 Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them . . . . So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do ….”
“Whenever you give alms,” Jesus begins, “And whenever you pray,” he continues in verse 5. “And whenever you fast,” he says (verse 16). Jesus takes the tripod of Jewish piety and prioritizes the legs in a specific order. Lest we think that Matthew’s order is happenstance, consider this: Jesus concludes in verse 21 with that juiciest of stewardship observations, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When I was in high school I told my dad that I wanted a car. He smiled and said, “Fine. Get a job and buy one.” So I got a job, but I didn’t buy a car. Something else suddenly seemed more important. I saved for college. My college education means a great deal to me because I helped pay for it.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Hearts follow dollars. Dollars lead hearts. We assume that the heart works in the opposite direction, that first we care, then we share. So someday, we think, we will trust God to provide enough so that we can share with others. Someday, we think, when we have all we need, we will practice generosity.
Jesus says that if we want to trust that God will provide, we begin by trusting that God has already provided. Treasure first. Hearts follow. First we share, and in so doing we grow to care.
Step 1: Make a promise
Step 2: Share in proportion to your resources
Step 3: Be persistent in giving
- Excerpts from Presbyterians Today, September 2010, Karl Travis
Financial generosity probably won’t make the list of spiritual disciplines. It should.
Spiritual disciplines are those time-tested practices of faith that deepen our awareness of God’s presence, open our hearts to God’s guidance and nurture our understanding toward Christian maturity. Perhaps Presbyterians aren’t accustomed to thinking of financial generosity as a spiritual discipline, because when our pastors speak about money, we suspect they are motivating us to meet the church’s budget. Thinking of financial generosity as a spiritual practice redirects our attention from the church’s need to receive and toward the individual’s need to give. This is why, at our best, we do not “take a collection” but rather we “receive an offering.”
Disciplined generosity unleashes the God-planted instinct to share. Intentional generosity is a foundational spiritual discipline.
Heart follows dollars
In Matthew 6:1-2 Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them . . . . So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do ….”
“Whenever you give alms,” Jesus begins, “And whenever you pray,” he continues in verse 5. “And whenever you fast,” he says (verse 16). Jesus takes the tripod of Jewish piety and prioritizes the legs in a specific order. Lest we think that Matthew’s order is happenstance, consider this: Jesus concludes in verse 21 with that juiciest of stewardship observations, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When I was in high school I told my dad that I wanted a car. He smiled and said, “Fine. Get a job and buy one.” So I got a job, but I didn’t buy a car. Something else suddenly seemed more important. I saved for college. My college education means a great deal to me because I helped pay for it.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Hearts follow dollars. Dollars lead hearts. We assume that the heart works in the opposite direction, that first we care, then we share. So someday, we think, we will trust God to provide enough so that we can share with others. Someday, we think, when we have all we need, we will practice generosity.
Jesus says that if we want to trust that God will provide, we begin by trusting that God has already provided. Treasure first. Hearts follow. First we share, and in so doing we grow to care.
Step 1: Make a promise
Step 2: Share in proportion to your resources
Step 3: Be persistent in giving
- Excerpts from Presbyterians Today, September 2010, Karl Travis
St. John's Calendar, October 24
Sunday, October 24
9:00 am Church School
10:00 am Called Session Meeting to receive new members
10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
Monday, October 25
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
Tuesday, October 26
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting
10:30 am Holly Hall Book Review, St. Luke’s
10:30 am Bible Leaders with Mary
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, October 27
6:00 pm “Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers
7:30 pm Session Meeting
Thursday, October 28
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
Saturday, October 30
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
Sunday, October 31 Trunk or Treat
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 pm Trunk or Treat, parking lot
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
9:00 am Church School
10:00 am Called Session Meeting to receive new members
10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
Monday, October 25
6:30 pm “Walking Together”
7:00 pm Bells
Tuesday, October 26
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Activity Day
9:30 am Presbyterian Women’s Board Meeting
10:30 am Holly Hall Book Review, St. Luke’s
10:30 am Bible Leaders with Mary
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, October 27
6:00 pm “Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers
7:30 pm Session Meeting
Thursday, October 28
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Bible Study
6:30 pm “Stay Young, Stay Strong”
7:30 pm Chancel Choir
Saturday, October 30
8:00 am Women’s Bible Small Group
Sunday, October 31 Trunk or Treat
9:00 am Church School
10:30 am Worship Service
4:00 pm Trunk or Treat, parking lot
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
St. John's Weekly Reminders, October 24
“Wonder Team” Sandwich Makers, Wednesday October 27: Please gather in McPhail Hall at 6 pm to help make 300+ sandwiches for Kid’s Meals. We promise you will be home within the hour.
Advent Booklet Deadline November 7: Writers and artists are needed for St. John’s Advent 2010 Devotional Booklet. This year the booklet will focus on a Christmas carol, why it is important and what memories, feelings and emotions are present as we sing or listen to the carol. (Limit your writing to approximately three paragraphs or less.) Please see Mary Sterner or Pam Tedeschi if you are interested.
Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 7: Mark your calendar for this special day. Please bring your pledge card to the Worship service and then stay for the catered barbecue dinner.
Nov. 7 Crop Walk: Crop Hunger Walk is just around the corner! Crop Walk is a community-wide event to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. If you are interested in walking or donating to Crop Walk, stop by the table in the walkway after church.
Volunteers Needed: The Evangelism Committee runs the after-church coffee, juice, and snacks but can't do it without the help of some special volunteers. There is nothing to buy; we just need volunteers to help serve, preferably two, and return the trays and snacks to McPhail Hall. Evangelism will purchase and keep a supply of snacks in McPhail Hall. If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Captain.
Christmas Caroling, Saturday, December 4, 4:45 pm: Everyone is invited for Christmas caroling for the Seafarer’s Center. The caroling will take place on the Sam Houston boat as it sails through the harbor. Due to security procedures at the Houston Port, advanced reservations are required ahead of time using identification such as your driver’s license. A sign-up sheet will be on the walkway.
Chef’s Needed, November 21: Volunteers are needed to make soup for the Holiday Gift Market. If you are interested, please contact Betty Robinson.
Empty Coffee Cans Needed, November 21: St. John’s Outreach Committee needs coffee cans to be used at the Holiday Gift Market. Bring them to the church office.
Advent Booklet Deadline November 7: Writers and artists are needed for St. John’s Advent 2010 Devotional Booklet. This year the booklet will focus on a Christmas carol, why it is important and what memories, feelings and emotions are present as we sing or listen to the carol. (Limit your writing to approximately three paragraphs or less.) Please see Mary Sterner or Pam Tedeschi if you are interested.
Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 7: Mark your calendar for this special day. Please bring your pledge card to the Worship service and then stay for the catered barbecue dinner.
Nov. 7 Crop Walk: Crop Hunger Walk is just around the corner! Crop Walk is a community-wide event to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. If you are interested in walking or donating to Crop Walk, stop by the table in the walkway after church.
Volunteers Needed: The Evangelism Committee runs the after-church coffee, juice, and snacks but can't do it without the help of some special volunteers. There is nothing to buy; we just need volunteers to help serve, preferably two, and return the trays and snacks to McPhail Hall. Evangelism will purchase and keep a supply of snacks in McPhail Hall. If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Captain.
Christmas Caroling, Saturday, December 4, 4:45 pm: Everyone is invited for Christmas caroling for the Seafarer’s Center. The caroling will take place on the Sam Houston boat as it sails through the harbor. Due to security procedures at the Houston Port, advanced reservations are required ahead of time using identification such as your driver’s license. A sign-up sheet will be on the walkway.
Chef’s Needed, November 21: Volunteers are needed to make soup for the Holiday Gift Market. If you are interested, please contact Betty Robinson.
Empty Coffee Cans Needed, November 21: St. John’s Outreach Committee needs coffee cans to be used at the Holiday Gift Market. Bring them to the church office.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
St. John's Epistle for October 21, 2010
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
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thank you St. John’s Knitters and Crocheters
27 sweaters have been mailed to WorldVision Knit for Kids. The sweaters will be distributed to needy children in our inner cities and in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central and South America.
Thank you for your loving gifts of warmth. — Betty Nelson
Thank you for your loving gifts of warmth. — Betty Nelson
Help Wanted on Sunday Mornings
The Evangelism Committee will begin the after-church “coffee, juice, and snacks” but can’t do it without the help of some special volunteers. There is nothing to buy; we just need volunteers to help serve, preferably 2, and return the trays and snacks to McPhail Hall. Evangelism will purchase and keep a supply of snacks in McPhail Hall. If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Captain.
Holiday Gift Market - November 21
Holiday Gift Market
(Formerly Living Gift Market)
Sunday, November 21
Noon to 3 pm
(Formerly Living Gift Market)
Sunday, November 21
Noon to 3 pm
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 - in time for the holiday season.
Booths will include: 10,000 Villages, Heifer Project, Pennies for Peace, Delicious Peace Coffee, Matthew’s Market, Anchor House, Coalition of Appalachian Ministries, and Living Waters for the World/Solar under the Sun.
Booths will include: 10,000 Villages, Heifer Project, Pennies for Peace, Delicious Peace Coffee, Matthew’s Market, Anchor House, Coalition of Appalachian Ministries, and Living Waters for the World/Solar under the Sun.
This year’s Market will include:
children’s activities
homemade soup
a silent auction
musical entertainment
Bring your friends & neighbors
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