Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
The Apartment Ministry is having an Open House Sunday, May 15, from 1-3 pm at The Greenbriar Apartments, 7777 Greenbriar. The last apartment is being moved this week and we have a chance to see one of them before we put in a tenant. The parking is limited, but there is a garage on the premises and a short walk to apartment 1046. During this time, I will offer a prayer of blessing for our new apartments.
Last Sunday the children sang again and it was fantastic. We appreciate all the parents and children and the adults who are working with them, led by Shirley and Kyra. We had a large crowd in worship last Sunday which was Mother's Day, with attendance around 165 when our usual attendance is around 122.
On Tuesday we held a Memorial Service for Lee Shoemake in the sanctuary with a reception in Fellowship Hall after the service. Lee was such a sweet person. My reflections about her focused on Romans 12:3-8, a passage about humble Service in the Body of Christ. Lee's gift was serving God through teaching especially in the area of music. Lee served as the lay director of the handbell choir and the chancel choir, always ready to step in and direct when the music staff person needed her help.
She was our congregation's fund raiser for Holly Hall for years. She would get up and encourage people to give. She was a diligent leader.
Lee had the gift of encouragement. Just to look at her shining smile and sparkling eyes uplifted me whenever I saw her. I think she had the same effect on everyone. She lifted spirits by her very presence. She loved to give encouragement to people.
Lee was a generous, giving person. Anything you wanted her to do she would do it and she was so easy and delightful to work with. She was merciful and slow to anger. She was full of forgiveness and saw the best in other people. And she was such a cheerful person. Her very presence was uplifting. No wonder people were drawn to her.
Lee was a dear lady and a great leader in this church and she will be greatly missed in this congregation.
Here are some Session Highlights from the May 11 meeting as recorded by Mary Herlitz, our Clerk to Session:
*Received information about the upcoming Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala (June 6 to 11)
*Allen Barnhill was invited to bring his Rice University trombone students to St. John's for another concert on June 22.
*Session approved Pastor Jon's vacation and study leave dates.
*This is the year St. John's may submit the names of Elders who would like to be elected to serve as Alternate Commissioners to the 220th General Assembly. Information on how to submit your own name is in a folder in the Narthex.
*Session received the sad news that the Jacobsen family will be moving back home to Omaha, Nebraska this summer.
I will be in the pulpit this Sunday and then away on vacation next week from Monday, May 16 through Sunday, May 22. Rev. Linda Herron will be preaching on May 22 and I appreciate her leadership while I am away. I will not publish an Epistle next week. I hope to see you in worship this Sunday. The sermon text this Sunday is Psalm 23.
Peace,
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
