Dear church members and friends of St. John's,
Your generosity caused us to have a great Stewardship Sunday! As of last Sunday we have 60 pledges for $308,378. That is well above last year's tally on Stewardship Sunday. Thank you to each of you generous givers! If you plan to pledge and have not yet turned in your pledge card, please do so at your earliest convenience.
This Sunday, November 20, we have a big day in more ways than one. First, we haver three young people who will be confirmed: Jackson Burnham, Colette Johnson, and Kaelan McGuire. A reception in their honor in the courtyard will follow the service.
Also during the service, the handbell choir will play a song in memory of Lee Shoemake and a brick has been placed in the columbarium in her memory.
Later, at 4 pm this Sunday, we are hosting a Community Thanksgiving Service which is sponsored by the Southwest Houston Ministerial Alliance. In addition to several local pastors, we are especially glad to welcome the Associate Rabbi and the Cantor from Temple Beth Israel who will participate in the service. The music will be outstanding as usual with a combined choir from several churches. We are hosting a reception in McPhail Hall after the service. Thanks to all who are helping with the reception and our choir who will sing and handbell choir who will play. It will be a great day of celebration.
One of the topics we cover in our Confirmation Class each year is "What is a Christian?" We often answer that question in one of two ways. We say the church is the people of God or we say the church is the place where the people of God gather. According to modern theologian Jurgen Moltmann, there is a third way of viewing the church. It's a liberating, Biblical view of the church. That is what you will learn about in the sermon this Sunday from Ephesians 1:15-23.
The congregation is invited to celebrate Harvest Sunday this Sunday. Your gift of $1.00 will buy $27.00 worth of food at the Houston food bank. Please bring your contributions this Sunday. All donations will be given to Braes Interfaith Ministries.
During their meeting on November 9, your Session:
- Designated these people to count the weekly collection: Curtis Brisch, Jo Ann Golden, Kathleen Captain, Pauline Hall, Ann Nelson and Marie Kutz.
-Completed a study of the book Missional Renaissance.
- Heard an update on the success of our Wish List gifts and projects.
There is much to be thankful for this time of year. Write a list of three things for which you are grateful. Focus on those three things in this Thanksgiving season. May the Lord be with all who are going through transitions in health or work or relationships. May the Lord bring healing to our lives. Especially this week we are grateful for the birth of Vincent to Mary and Marco Pina.
Peace,
Pastor Jon B.
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The Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Burnham
St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035
Phone 713-723-6262 | sjpresby.blogspot.com
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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
