Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
We had a productive budget meeting last night hosted by the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Moderators of the various committees were present. We ended the year in better financial shape than we expected but we still face a potential shortfall due to the loss of some generous members who have died in the past couple of years. The Session will determine the final 2011 budget during their meeting on January 22 and will present it to the congregation during our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, January 30 following worship.
Last Sunday's service in Fellowship Hall was very good. It's nice to see everyone sitting closer together in the sunlight afforded through the large windows in McPhail Hall. This Sunday we will be back in the sanctuary for our first Sunday with the newly installed carpet.
During worship this Sunday, January 16 we will celebrate the Ordination and Installation of Elders. Jennifer Durand and David Wintersgill will be ordained and installed to a three year term of service. Libby Adams, Kathie Hartzog and Tad Mulder will also be installed to a three year term of service. Evan Harrel will be installed to fulfill the remaining two years of service of Lois Stowell's unexpired term on the Session. Youth Elder, Sean Coughlen, is out of town this Sunday and will be ordained and installed later to a one year term of service. The oncoming elders will have several constitutional questions to answer as part of the installation service and the congregation will have these two questions to answer this Sunday.
(1) Do we, the members of the church, accept Libby Adams, Jennifer Durand, Evan Harrel, Kathie Hartzog, Tad Mulder and David Wintersgill as elders of St. John's Presbyterian Church, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?
(2) Do we agree to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?
Prayerfully consider how you will answer these questions to the congregation and the implications of your answers. As we will see demonstrated in our scripture readings this Sunday, working together in ministry can be a very productive venture when we encourage one another, respect one another's decisions, and follow those who are elected to guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church. This was true for the partnership between Paul and Sosthenes which produced the letter we know as 1 Corinthians. It was also true for Simon who brought his brother, Simon, also known as Peter, to meet Jesus. I wonder who you will bring to meet Jesus at St. John's this Sunday?
All Committee Day is coming up next Saturday, January 22, 8:30 am. Mark your calendar and plan to join us as we kick off the new year.
Our young people will kick off their new year with a Youth Lock-In on Saturday evening, January 22, from 9 pm - 9 am in Fellowship Hall.
Georgiana is at home after surgery at Methodist Hospital in the Med Center. Lelia is still at St. Luke's and Lee is at Seven Acres. Remember them all in prayer. Remember Léonie in prayer as she is in Haiti on a mission project this week sponsored by the Herdon United Methodist Church in Virginia.
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
