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First Time Visiting St. John's Presbyterian: What to Expect


Walking into a new church for the first time feels a bit like showing up to a party where everyone already knows each other. You're not sure where to park, which door to use, or whether you'll accidentally sit in someone's "spot" they've occupied for thirty years.

I get it. And I want to remove every possible barrier between you and experiencing worship with us at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston.


This isn't a sales pitch. It's a practical guide from someone who remembers what it feels like to be new, written by a pastor who genuinely wants you to feel comfortable from the moment you pull into the parking lot.


Before You Arrive: The Basics


Our Sunday worship service starts at 11 AM and lasts about an hour. That's it. We're not asking for your entire Sunday.


We meet at 2026 West Bellfort Avenue in Houston. You can find us in the Westbury neighborhood, not far from the Medical Center. We're the church with the beautiful sanctuary that survived Hurricane Harvey's flooding and came back better than before.


If you're the type who likes to arrive early and get your bearings, that's perfect. If you're the type who slides in right as things start, that works too. We're not taking attendance for punctuality.


Where to Park (And Which Door to Use)


Here's where I can save you some confusion.


You have two parking options. There's a smaller lot right next to the sanctuary, accessible from Balmforth Lane. There's also a larger parking lot you can access from West Bellfort Avenue. Both work fine. Choose whichever feels easier.


Once you're parked, look for the long covered breezeway. Walk down it toward the sanctuary. You'll see our columbarium (memorial garden) on your right. The entrance you want is just to the right of that columbarium, the side entrance from the breezeway.


Someone will be at the door to greet you. They're not trying to corner you or make you fill out a visitor card before you've even caught your breath. They're there to answer questions and help you find your way. Use them. Ask anything.


What About Your Kids?


If you have young children, you have options.


We offer Sunday School during the worship service for young kids. It's led by a young adult church member and a grandmother from our congregation. The Sunday School room is in Building 2, right next to the sanctuary. Your greeter can point you in the right direction.


But if you'd rather keep your child with you during worship, we've thought about that too. There's a rocking chair and small play area at the back of the sanctuary. You won't be the first parent to use it, and you won't be the last. No one will give you dirty looks if your toddler makes toddler noises. We know what children sound like. It's fine.


The point is: bring your kids. We'll work it out together.


What the Service Actually Looks Like


We follow a traditional Presbyterian liturgical format. That means there's a predictable flow to worship. Call to worship, opening hymn, prayer of confession, scripture readings, sermon, prayers, closing hymn. If you've been to a mainline Protestant church before, you'll recognize the rhythm.


We sing hymns from the Glory to God hymnal. Not contemporary praise songs. Not the latest radio hits. Hymns. Rich, theological, sometimes hundreds of years old. Words that have carried Christians through joy and grief and doubt for generations.


Our music is led by Mark Swindler, our Music Director, and Alina Klimaszewska, our organist, pianist, and accompanist. Both are highly trained professionals with advanced degrees. You'll hear the difference. The music at St. John's is extraordinary, not because we're trying to put on a show, but because we believe worship deserves our best artistic offering.


We have a well-directed choir. The acoustics in our newly remodeled sanctuary are so good that professional musicians from around Houston ask to perform here. We host a Lenten Arts Series each spring featuring string quartets, brass ensembles, and piano arrangements. The space itself invites beautiful sound.


Communion: Who's Welcome?


We serve communion once a month on the first Sunday of the month. We also serve it on special occasions throughout the liturgical year like Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and our Christmas Eve Service of Candlelight and Communion.


Here's what I say every time we celebrate communion: "This is the Lord's table. All who are present are welcome to partake of the Lord's Supper."


I mean that. This isn't a Presbyterian table. It's not a St. John's table. It's the Lord's table, and you're invited.


When communion is served, ushers will guide you forward row by row. You'll take a small plastic cup of juice and a small piece of bread. You can partake right there or wait until you're back in your seat. Whichever feels right to you. When you're done, place your empty cup in the bowl held by one of our Elders as you return to your seat.


If you're visiting on a Sunday when we're not serving communion, you don't need to worry about any of this. But I wanted you to know ahead of time so there's no confusion if you happen to visit on a first Sunday.


The Offering: No Pressure


At some point during the service, ushers will pass offering plates down each row. You don't have to put anything in. You're a guest. We invited you.


The offering is for members and regular attenders who support the church's ministry. It's not an admission fee. It's not a test of your spiritual commitment. It's just how we fund the work we do together.


Pass the plate along. No one is watching to see what you do or don't contribute.


What to Wear (The Real Answer)


People at St. John's wear comfortable business attire or work clothes. A few men wear suits and ties. Others wear t-shirts and shorts. You'll see everything in between.


However you're comfortable dressing for church, your attire will fit right in here. We're far more interested in your presence than your wardrobe.


If you're overthinking this (and I know some of you are), here's the simplest answer: wear what you'd wear to a casual office or a nice restaurant. If that's jeans and a collared shirt, great. If that's a dress or slacks, great. If that's khakis and a polo, great.


You'll be fine.


Where Are the Restrooms?


I'm including this because it's the kind of detail nobody tells you and everyone wants to know.


Clean, newly remodeled restrooms are located behind the worship stage where the pulpit sits. If you exit through either of the side doors from the sanctuary, you'll find them at the back.


There are also restrooms in Building 2, the church office building.


The sanctuary itself was completely remodeled after Hurricane Harvey flooded it in 2017. Everything is clean and new. The acoustics are remarkable. The space itself invites you to breathe and focus.


After the Service: What Happens Next?


When worship ends, you have options.


Pastor Jon will be greeting people at the main sanctuary exit. If you'd like to shake his hand, introduce yourself, or ask questions, he'll be there. He's genuinely interested in meeting you, not just collecting names for a database.


If you're not a handshake-at-the-door person, you can exit through one of the side doors. No offense taken. Some people need to get home. Some people process worship quietly. We understand.


There's informal fellowship in the narthex (the receiving room at the entrance to the sanctuary) and on the covered breezeway outside. Coffee, conversation, people catching up with each other. You're welcome to join in, or you can slip out. Both are perfectly acceptable.


During the service, we pass around an attendance pad. If you sign it and leave your email address, you'll get added to our church newsletter list. You'll receive:

  • "The Epistle" each Wednesday (our church newsletter)
  • A devotional on Thursday
  • A worship bulletin with announcements each Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning


If you leave your phone number on the attendance pad, I'll call or text you after the service. Not to pressure you. Not to launch into a membership pitch. Just to say thank you for visiting and to answer any questions you might have.


You control how much connection you want.


What Makes St. John's Different?


I could tell you we're friendly (we are). I could tell you we're welcoming (we try to be). But those words don't mean much because every church says them.


Here's what actually sets St. John's apart in Houston's crowded church landscape: we're small enough that you can actually be known.

You won't get lost in a crowd of thousands. You won't spend months as an anonymous face in the back row. You won't have to navigate a complex system of membership classes and volunteer requirements before anyone learns your name.


At St. John's, you'll be noticed. Not in an intrusive way. Not in a "we're going to bombard you with attention" way. But in a good way. In a way that says you matter, your presence makes a difference, and we're genuinely glad you're here.


We're also serious about faith in a city that often treats church as entertainment. We don't have light shows or fog machines. We don't have a coffee bar in the lobby or a bookstore in the foyer. We have hymns and liturgy and scripture and silence and a congregation that's wrestling with what it means to follow Jesus in Houston in 2025.


That might sound boring to some people. To others, it sounds like exactly what they've been looking for.


The Real Question: Will You Fit Here?


You're reading this article because you're looking for a church, or at least church-curious. Maybe you've been burned before. Maybe you're tired of superficial Christianity. Maybe you want depth but don't know where to find it.


St. John's isn't for everyone. We're too small for people who want anonymity. We're too liturgical for people who want spontaneous worship. We're too traditional for people who want the latest trends.


But we might be exactly right for you if:

  • You want to actually know people's names and have them know yours
  • You value theological depth over emotional manipulation
  • You're looking for a faith community that takes mission seriously without making it a marketing campaign
  • You prefer being part of a church family rather than an audience
  • You want worship that's rooted in centuries of Christian tradition rather than the latest cultural moment


The only way to know if St. John's is your church is to show up.


Your First Visit: A Simple Plan


Here's your step-by-step guide for Sunday:


Before 11 AM:

  • Park in either lot (Balmforth Lane or West Bellfort Avenue)
  • Walk down the covered breezeway toward the sanctuary
  • Enter through the side door (to the right of the columbarium)
  • Greet the person at the door, ask any questions
  • Grab a bulletin
  • Find a seat anywhere (there are no assigned spots, despite what you might fear)


During the Service:

  • Stand when others stand, sit when others sit
  • Sing if you want to, stay quiet if you prefer
  • Sign the attendance pad when it comes around (or don't)
  • Pass the offering plate (contribute or don't)
  • If it's the first Sunday, participate in communion (or remain seated)


After the Service:

  • Exit through the main door to meet Pastor Jon, or exit through a side door if you prefer
  • Join the informal fellowship if you want, or head home if you need to
  • Expect a call or text if you left your phone number


That's it. Nothing complicated. Nothing scary. Just worship with people who are trying to follow Jesus together.


One More Thing


If you're still nervous (and some of you are), here's the truth: we were all new once.


Every single person at St. John's had a first Sunday. Every Elder, every choir member, every long-time member walked through that side door for the first time not knowing what to expect. Some of them came alone. Some came with family. Some came because they were desperate for something real after years of disappointing church experiences.


They showed up. They came back. They found what they were looking for.


Maybe you will too.


Our address is 5020 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77035. Service starts at 11 AM on Sunday mornings. The door will be open. Someone will be there to greet you. The rest is just showing up.


We'd love to meet you.


Visit St. John's Presbyterian Church this Sunday at 11 AM. For more information about our community mission work in Houston, our weekly Bible study groups, or to learn more about what makes Presbyterian worship unique, explore our website or give us a call.