Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
I have been very impressed with the "Stations of the Cross" contemplative experience provided by the Christian Education Committee during this Lenten season. It's hard to explain how it works. You have to experience it. I hope you will. Please speak to Mary Sterner if you want a Lenten journal to use at home.
On April 21 we celebrate Holy Week with a Maundy Thursday Service including a celebration of the Lord's Supper and a Tenebrae (dimming of the lights) Service. Then on Good Friday we will join with Salem Lutheran in their Tre Hour (Three Hour) Service at which several area pastors will participate including me as I will present a meditation on the last words of Christ on the cross, "Father, into your hands ..." at 2:30 pm.
Last Saturday we had a big day as we welcomed Houston Mayor Annise Parker to St. John's. This Saturday is another big day as our Presbyterian Women welcome a presbytery-wide Spring Gathering at St. John's.
The children's choir is practicing for 30 minutes in the Exercise Room (Room 209 in Building II) after each worship each Sunday during Lent. They will sing during the Palm Sunday Service. Shirley and Linda are leading the group and Kyra is helping direct the singing. This is for elementary aged children in Grades 1-5.
This Sunday we will explore the bodacious vision of dry bones reconstructed by God's Spirit into living beings as described in Ezekiel 37:1-14. This story symbolizes the cycle of deconstruction followed by reconstruction that occurs as a natural process in communities. This is a spiritual as well as economic reality. The main message, however, is not to our own spiritual development but to the congregation as a a whole. Where are we seeing signs of new life in this congregation? One place I am seeing God's reconstruction of lives here is through new ministries such as Partners in Educational Advocacy led by Suzette and Ann. You may have heard me mention this ministry in the prayers of the people during worship. They are applying for a grant from presbytery and so have written a good description of who they are and what they do. I encourage you to read all about it online at this link.
This Sunday you will be hearing about our One Great Hour of Sharing offering which we will receive on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while the Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32 percent.
Once again, the School Supply Committee is reaching out to you as we begin making preparations for the 2011 School Supply Program at Braes Interfaith Ministries. The supplies have been ordered and received and packaging will soon begin. Call the church office to learn how you may contribute.
The Freemans are leading a work group to Texas City to work on Hurricane Ike restoration. They are leaving the church parking lot at 8 am this Saturday and returning at 6:30 pm. Participants, remember to take your lunch.
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
