Bible Study in Houston:

The Epistle for October 1, 2025 October 1, 2025   "Faith in the Storm" - Our Job Sermon Series in Book Form Dear Church Family,  As we conclude our Job sermon series this Sunday, I'm excited to share that the sermons, studies, and worship resources we've been using are being published as a book: Faith in the Storm: Finding Hope in the Book of Job. This comprehensive resource will be available on Amazon in the coming days. Over these past weeks, we've walked together through Job's journey—from devastating loss to honest lament, from the silence of God to His voice in the whirlwind, and finally to restoration that honors our scars. Many of you have shared how Job's story has given you permission to grieve honestly while still trusting God. That's exactly why this book exists: to help churches create sacred space for both tears and praise, for questions and faith, for lament and hope. The book includes all five sermons from our series, complete worship liturgies for every season, healing service resources, small group discussion materials, and personal reflection exercises. Whether you want to revisit the sermons we've shared, lead your own study group, or gift it to someone walking through their own storm, this resource transforms Job's ancient witness into contemporary hope. It doesn't offer easy answers—instead, it provides something better: companionship for the journey and trust in the God who speaks through storms. Thank you for wrestling with these hard questions alongside me. Your honest engagement with suffering and faith has shaped this resource. As Job discovered, and as we've learned together: "God speaks in the storm; we trust in God's faithfulness." Grace and peace, Pastor Jon     Advent Innovations Workshop *Saturday, October 4 *McPhail Hall, St. John’s Presbyterian Church Advent is the season that leads us into Christmas—a time of hope, waiting, and preparation. Join us for a workshop exploring fresh opportunities for spiritual formation this year. Together we’ll share ideas and plans for: Creative spirituality and prayer centers Special services of comfort for those who are grieving Educational events for all ages And more ways to deepen our walk with God Come, bring your imagination, and help shape meaningful practices for this holy season. 👉 Register in advance so we have a head count for lunch. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/252387241427054     Healing Hearts: A New Ministry of Care and Encouragement Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the Prayer Room on Wednesday, October 8th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM and on Monday, October 27th from 11:00AM to 12:00 Noon. Healing Hearts, a grief and bereavement support group. Led by Lisa Sparaco, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of our church, this group will provide a safe and faith-filled space for sharing stories, receiving encouragement, and walking together through seasons of loss. This is not a therapy group, but a ministry of care and prayer for all who grieve. Healing Hearts is open both to members of St. John’s and to the wider community. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors who may need such support. Meetings will take place in the Prayer Room, beginning in October 2025, on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM and the last Monday of each month from 11:00 AM–12:00 Noon. This schedule provides both an evening option for those who work during the day and a daytime option for those who prefer not to drive at night.   Men of the Church The Men of the Church meets tonight, Wednesday, October 1, at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. All men are welcome to attend.   Apostle's Creed Class We recite the Apostle’s Creed every Sunday in church. It is an ancient creed – it first appears in a form close to what we recite in 341AD. The creed summarizes essential doctrines and serves as a unifying symbol across various Christian denominations. However, it is very easy to recite the creed by rote without really understanding the importance of these doctrines to our Christian faith. The CE committee is offering an opportunity to dive into the Apostle’s creed to understand where these doctrine come from and why they are important. The class will be on 18 Oct from 8:30am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex so we can get a good head count for the materials and for lunch. We hope to see you there!   Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee for this year is composed of Shirley Boyd, Moderator; Michael Bisase, Clerk; and members Jim Austin, Franklin Caspa, and Wright Williams. If you have a suggestion for someone to serve as elder, please speak with one of them so your candidate may be prayerfully considered. We move forward in trust, asking God to open hearts, provide willing servants, and grant us wisdom in our discernment.   Peacemaking Offering On October 5, We will celebrate World Communion Sunday. We will also collect the Peace and Global Witness Offering . It enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. Envelopes are at the back of the sanctuary. The Peace and Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. 25% retained by congregations to support peacemaking efforts in their local communities. 25% retained by mid councils to support peacemaking efforts at the regional level. 50% supports peacemaking, reconciliation and global witness.   Living Gift Market – November 16, 2025 Mark your calendars! St. John’s will host the annual Living Gift Market on Sunday, November 16, 2025. This special event is part of our Faith in Action ministry, connecting us with global mission partners and providing an opportunity to give gifts that make a real difference in the lives of others . This year, we also plan to enjoy a fellowship meal during the market. Because several of our faithful cooks are ill or caring for loved ones, we are asking for help from the congregation. Beginning this Sunday, a sign-up sheet will be available in the Narthex for those willing to bring a dish. Your contribution will bless the whole church family and help make the market a joyful celebration of giving and sharing. Come, participate, and let’s make this year’s Living Gift Market a true witness to God’s abundance.     Friends of Lulwanda Fellowship Dinner Saturday, October 4, 5-8 PM Memorial Drive Presbyterian On Saturday, October 4, come and see how God is working at Lulwanda Children’s Home! Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 5-8 pm. $30 per person. Speak to Libby Adams if you plan to attend as she has reserved a table for us. Or, click here to register. We Want to Go Home Are these your dishes? If so, they are in the McPhail Hall kitchen waiting to be taken home! You can contact Virginia Krueger or Alvina Hamilton to pick them up. Thank you!   Alina Klimaszewska will be in Concert Friday, October 3, 7:30 pm, Belin Chapel, Houston Christian University. Alina and Dominika Dancewicz, The Polish Duo, will perform “Myths, Fables and Fairytales.” Don’t miss this wonderful concert.   Sunday Afternoon Zoom Book Study for Adults Have you ever wondered if you are following God’s will for your life? That you got it right? And just exactly how do you know? In the book The Way of Discernment by Steve Doughty, he draws from classic authors like Augustine and contemporary ones like Dietrich Bonhoeffer to reveal powerful ways in which to understand the practice of discernment. This is a study seeking clarity in discovering God’s guidance for both your personal and congregational life. Beginning on September 7 at 1:30pm on Zoom, come and join in from the comfort of your own home. This intriguing study will definitely deepen your faith and bless your spiritual journey. Books are available at Amazon.com (choose the green cover edition). Contact Lynne Parsons for the Zoom link at lynnep@sbcglobal.net. Everyone is invited.   T-Shirts Ready for Pick Up The St. John’s T-shirts will be in this week, we hope, and ready for pickup this Sunday, Sept. 28 after church service. Extras were ordered so if you need more or never got around to ordering, you are in luck! To help defray the cost of their purchase, we are asking for a “love offering” if you are able.   With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.  Harriet Harper, in hospice care Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery and flu Family of Evie Nielson Holly Darr, health concerns Family of Gerry Jump Karen Alsbrook, health Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns Family of Barm Alsbrook, death in family in Tennessee Madalyn Rodgers, Kathleen Captain's sister Joe Sanford, Scott Moore and Alice Rubio Those looking for a job St. Johns College Students Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes One Hope Preschool families and staff Caring for One Another in Prayer Our prayer list is a vital way we support one another, lifting up joys and concerns before God. From time to time, we update the list to ensure it reflects current needs. If a name has been removed and you would like it added back, please reply to this email and let us know who they are and why you would like them included. Your input helps us pray more intentionally and stay connected to those in need of ongoing support. Thank you for being part of this ministry of care and intercession. Prayer List Update – How Can We Pray for You? As part of our commitment to intentional and meaningful prayer, we periodically refresh our prayer list to ensure we are staying connected with those who need support. If you or someone you previously requested would like to remain on the prayer list, or if you have a new name to add, please reply to this email and let us know. We are grateful for the opportunity to pray with and for you.     Happy Birthday Bryan Boyd (Laurie Henderson’s son) (Sept 27) Linsey Sen-Roy (Sept 28) Dave Muanza (Oct. 1) Virgil Fisher (Oct. 2) Christine Nelson and Amy Caraballo (Oct. 7) Barm Alsbrook (Oct 9) Alice Rubio, Jeffery Herbert(Oct. 10) Stewart Hall (Oct. 14) Brandon Mulder (Oct. 15) Elizabeth Ragan (Oct. 16) Jamie Crawford (Oct. 18) Atillio Ator (Oct. 19) Jonathan Hughes and Fran Urquhart (Oct. 24) James Adams (Oct. 25) Joene Moore and Nathan Herbert (Oct. 28) Happy Anniversary Dan and Linda Herron (Oct. 11) Barm and Karen Alsbrook (Oct. 15) Church Calendar Thursday, September 25 5:00 pm Exercise Class, Building Sunday, September 28, 16 th Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook 1:30 pm Book Study: The Way of Discernment, Zoom Coming Events Fri, Oct 3, Alina Klimaszewska in concert, HCU Sat, Oct 4, Advent Innovation - Spiritual Formation, 10 – 2, McPhail Sun, Oct 5, Caring and Fellowship Meeting immediately after church in Room 203 Wed, Oct 8, 7 to 8 pm, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Thurs, Oct 9, St. John's Friends United (formerly Keenagers), Potluck, Learn Mahjong Sat, Oct. 11, Blessing of the Animals, Courtyard October 12, Stewardship Season begins Sat, Oct 18, “Apostle’s Creed” Class, Session Room Mon, Oct 27, 11 to noon, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Nov 2, All Saints Service Sun, Nov 16, Living Gift Market Sun, Nov 30, First Sunday of Advent Thurs, Nov 27, Thanksgiving Sat, Dec 13, “What is the Gospel” Class, Session Room Wed, Dec 24, Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm Church Calendar Online For other dates, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/     2025 Session Members and Roles Elders on the Session: Class of 2025 Shirley Boyd: Christian Education Virginia Krueger: Caring & Fellowship Leonie Tchoconte: Caring & Fellowship Elders on the Session: Class of 2026 Barm Alsbrook: Stewardship and Finance Michael Bisase: Buildings and Grounds Jan Herbert: Christian Education Elders on the Session: Class of 2027 Lynne Parsons Austin: Worship Omar Ayah: Faith in Action Marie Kutz: Personnel and Administration Other Session Leaders and Support Staff Jon Burnham: Moderator of Session Lynne Parsons Austin: Clerk to Session Tad Mulder: Church Treasurer Amy Caraballo: Financial Secretary     Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount Coming next month, as we move into Stewardship Season, we will move into a new sermon series. Throughout "Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount," we explore how Jesus' teachings guide us in stewarding all aspects of our lives—our blessings, influence, resources, relationships, and faith. By aligning ourselves with kingdom principles, we become effective stewards who advance God's purposes on earth. This series challenges us to examine where our treasures lie, to seek God's kingdom above all else, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ the King. This series thoughtfully incorporates significant dates such as All Saints' Day and Christ the King Sunday, aligning their themes with the overarching focus on stewardship. By pairing teachings from the Sermon on the Mount with complementary Old Testament passages, we gain a deeper understanding of God's call to live as faithful stewards in every area of our lives.   Church Office Hours and Contact Info Our church office is open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Pastor Jon is typically available on Monday and Tuesday mornings, Alvina Hamilton serves on Wednesdays, and Linda Herron staffs the office on Thursdays. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please don’t hesitate to call us at 713-723-6262. To submit updates for the Prayer List or contributions to the Wednesday Epistle, kindly email Pastor Jon directly. Put "Epistle" in the subject line to make sure it gets in the Epistle. Church Website and Calendar Online Our church website: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/ For dates, times, and events, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/ Email Pastor Jon to request an addition to the church calendar or to add an event or article to The Epistle.

Presbyterian Baptism Services in Houston

What to Expect at St. John's Weekly Groups

Bearing Silence with Love

Houston is mega church central. We've got churches with tens of thousands of members packed into former sports arenas. Multiple campus churches with screens bigger than most movie theaters. Downtown churches with towering steeples and massive congregations. These places put on quite a show. Movie-theater lighting, concert-quality sound systems, messages that make you feel good about yourself. They're impressive, I'll give them that. But here's what I've learned after thirty years in ministry... Impressive isn't the same as meaningful. Entertainment isn't the same as discipleship. And just feeling good isn't the same as growing in faith. I'm Pastor Jon at St. John's Presbyterian, and I want to talk about why our more intimate, authentic church community beats the mega church experience every single time. The Challenge with Spiritual Entertainment Mega churches excel at one thing: putting on a show. They've figured out how to make Sunday morning feel like a concert mixed with a motivational seminar. The music is polished, the lighting is dramatic, and the messages are designed to send you home feeling inspired. But here's the question I keep hearing from people who've left mega churches: What happens Monday morning? When your boss is making your life miserable, when your teenager is making destructive choices, when your marriage is falling apart, when you're facing a health scare that might change everything - does that Sunday morning inspiration actually help? Most people who've come to St. John's from mega churches tell me they can't answer that question because they never had the chance to find out. They didn't know anyone at their church well enough to call when life got hard. As one former member put it... "I was entertained, but I wasn't equipped." The "prosperity gospel" that many mega churches preach sounds appealing. God wants you healthy, wealthy, and happy. Just have enough faith, give enough, and think positive thoughts. We believe differently. Real life includes suffering, disappointment, and circumstances beyond our control. I've counseled too many people who left mega churches wondering what they did wrong or why their faith wasn't strong enough when the prosperity message fell apart during real hardship. What People Tell Me They Actually Need from Church After walking alongside hundreds of people through life's ups and downs, I've learned what people actually need from their church community. They need people who know your real story. Not the highlight reel you post on social media, but the actual struggles, fears, and questions that keep you up at 3 AM. People who've left mega churches often tell me... "I attended for years without anyone knowing my name, much less my story. When crisis hit, I was on my own because nobody knew me well enough to help." They need biblical teaching that addresses real problems. Life is complicated. You need Scripture that speaks to workplace ethics, parenting challenges, financial stress, relationship conflicts, and moral decisions that don't have easy answers. They need spiritual guidance through life's major decisions. Should you take that job? How do you handle aging parents? What does faithfulness look like in your particular circumstances? People consistently tell me that mega church pastors can't provide personal guidance because they don't know members personally. You get generic advice that may or may not apply to your situation. The Alternative to Arena-Style Christianity: St. John's Presbyterian Houston's most famous mega churches represent a very different approach to faith than what we offer. They focus on feeling good, thinking positive, and expecting blessings without following in the footsteps of Christ. We believe authentic Christianity includes the more raw, personal experiences that don’t fit inside a hype-filled mold. That’s why St. John's Presbyterian Church offers something completely different. We know each other's names and stories. With about 200 active members, our pastors can actually provide personal spiritual guidance. When you're facing a major decision or going through a difficult time, you have people who know you well enough to offer meaningful support. Our teaching tackles real issues with biblical depth. We don't avoid difficult passages or controversial topics. We dig into Scripture and wrestle with how ancient truth applies to contemporary challenges. Sometimes that's uncomfortable, but growth requires discomfort. Our worship focuses on God, not entertainment. We follow a classical style with hymns, piano, organ, and volunteer choir. Our professional musicians provide excellence without turning worship into performance. The congregation participates together rather than watching a show. Our service changes lives beyond our walls. We partner with PCHAS for single parent family ministry, helping families on the verge of homelessness develop life skills and achieve independence. We maintain Anchor House for medical patients from out of town. We support kids in Uganda and seafarers far from home. This isn't busy work to keep church members occupied. This is kingdom work that makes a real difference in people's lives. We focus on intent over doctrine. We're moderate people who want to make the world a better place through Christ's teachings. We don't take extreme political positions on either side. In fact, our church is one of the few that is about evenly divided between Democrat and Republican. We don't tow the party line on issues. Each member we trust to have enough sense to read and interpret the scriptures themselves and make their own political decisions. It's called "The Priesthood of Believers" and it's right there in the Bible. Unlike many churches where diversity means some people wear suits and some people wear shorts to worship… we have diversity of politics, religious backgrounds, gender, age, and racial diversity. All who do their best to live by Jesus' teachings, we consider part of our family... regardless of secondary beliefs or characteristics. Why Size Matters for Spiritual Growth The mega church model assumes bigger is always better. More members, bigger buildings, larger budgets, greater influence. But spiritual growth doesn't work that way. Accountability requires relationship. You can't grow spiritually without people who love you enough to challenge you when you're making poor choices. That requires the kind of close relationships that former mega church members tell me are impossible in crowds of thousands. Discipleship requires mentorship. Following Jesus isn't intuitive. You need people who are further along in the journey to show you what faithfulness looks like in daily life. People often share with me that mega churches can't provide that personal guidance. Service requires local knowledge. Effective ministry understands community needs and builds relationships over time. I've heard from many people that mega churches often parachute in with programs designed elsewhere rather than developing organic responses to local challenges. Our community garden brings together church members and neighbors with no religious connection. We know our neighborhood because we live here, worship here, and serve here. The Prosperity Gospel vs. Real Faith Many mega churches promote some version of the prosperity gospel - the idea that God wants everyone healthy, wealthy, and successful. They say to just have enough faith, give enough, and claim your blessings. This theology sounds appealing, but it's not biblical. The Bible is full of faithful people who suffered - Job, Jeremiah, Paul, and ultimately Jesus himself. People who've left prosperity-focused churches often tell me they couldn't handle suffering, so they blamed themselves for lacking faith. We believe that authentic Christianity acknowledges that life includes suffering, disappointment, and circumstances beyond our control. But it also promises that God walks with us through those valleys and uses even our pain for purposes we can't always see. At St. John's, we don't promise that faith will make your problems disappear. We promise that you won't face those problems alone. We'll walk with you through job loss, illness, family crisis, and grief. We'll celebrate with you during good times and support you during hard times. While our style doesn't pump you up to feel invincible for a short period of time... our members find that this understanding serves them with a deeper sense of peace, especially when life gets hard and challenges arise. What Former Mega Church Members Tell Me They Missed For all their resources and programs, people consistently share with me that mega churches can't deliver the things that matter most for spiritual growth. They can't provide pastoral care during crisis. When you're facing surgery, job loss, or family emergency, you need people who know you personally. Former members tell me that mega church pastors can't provide that care because they don't know their members individually. They can't offer authentic community. Real community requires vulnerability, commitment, and shared responsibility. People often explain to me that those things don't scale to thousands of people. You can't have authentic relationships with people you only see in auditorium seating. They can't provide theological depth. Former members frequently tell me that mega church messages must appeal to the broadest possible audience, so they avoid anything controversial or challenging. As one person said, "You get watered down feel-good messaging that barely addresses Jesus's deeper teachings." The St. John's Difference in Houston's Church Scene Houston's religious landscape includes options from house churches to mega congregations. St. John's occupies a sweet spot that combines the intimacy of small churches with the resources and stability of larger ones. We're big enough to offer diverse programming for different ages and interests and small enough that people can actually know each other. We're traditional enough to offer theological depth and historical perspective and contemporary enough to bring these messages into the daily lives and concerns of our members. We're committed enough to maintain long-term partnerships with local and international service organizations and innovative enough to develop new ministries as opportunities arise. This combination attracts people who've tried mega churches and found them lacking. They come looking for authentic relationships, biblical depth, and meaningful service opportunities. They stay because they find a church family that knows them, challenges them, and supports them through all of life's seasons. What to Expect at St. John's Let me be clear about what you'll find at St. John's versus what you might expect from mega church experience. Our worship is participatory, not performance-based. We sing hymns together, pray together, and share real prayer concerns during the service. Our professional musicians provide excellence, but the focus is on congregational participation rather than entertainment. Our teaching is biblical, not inspirational. Sermons connect Scripture with daily life challenges, but we don't avoid difficult passages or controversial topics. Sometimes the truth makes you uncomfortable before it sets you free. Our community is authentic, not artificial. People know each other's real stories - the struggles as well as the successes. We provide genuine support during crises, not just thoughts and prayers. Our service is transformational, not transactional. We're not trying to get blessed by doing good deeds. We're responding to God's grace by loving our neighbors in practical ways. Our expectations are clear, not hidden. Following Jesus requires commitment, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. We don't promise easy Christianity or guaranteed prosperity. If you're looking for spiritual entertainment, stay with the mega churches. If you're ready for spiritual transformation, come see what authentic Christian community looks like. Making the Switch from Mega Church to Authentic Church Many people come to St. John's after years in mega churches. They've enjoyed the inspiring messages and excellent music, but they tell me they're hungry for something deeper. The transition takes some adjustment. You won’t feel like a ghost inside our congregation. You have a high likelihood of actually meeting eyes and exchanging blessings with another person during our service. If you share it with them, our members are likely to know your name and ask about your life. You'll also be expected to participate, not just attend. And that means simply being present and “with us” in mind and spirit during the service. You'll hear challenging sermons that let you think deeply about how the scripture applies to your life, not just inspiration that makes you feel good for a few hours on Sunday. That's why many former mega church attenders tell me they wished they'd made the switch sooner. They love having a pastor who knows their story and can provide personal guidance. They appreciate worship that engages them rather than entertaining them. They value friendships built around shared mission rather than surface pleasantries. Most importantly, they discover what they tell me they were missing in mega churches - a faith that actually transforms daily life rather than just providing weekly inspiration. An Invitation to Close Christian Community If you're tired of spiritual entertainment and ready for a closer community of real people doing real work to live with Jesus' teachings... St. John's Presbyterian offers a peaceful alternative to Houston's bold mega church scene. We exist to glorify God by making disciples and meeting human needs. That means we're serious about both spiritual growth and practical service. We won't promise you health, wealth, and happiness, but we will walk with you toward spiritual maturity and meaningful service. Our community includes people at different stages of faith development, from those exploring Christianity to lifelong believers. What unites us is commitment to following Jesus together through authentic relationships and shared mission. We worship Sundays at 11:00 AM at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue in Houston's Westbury neighborhood. Come experience classical worship that focuses on God rather than entertainment. Stay for coffee and conversation afterward to meet people who might become genuine friends. Beyond Sunday, we offer Bible studies, service opportunities, and fellowship activities that support spiritual growth throughout the week. We're not trying to consume all your time, but we want to equip you for faithful living wherever you are. Choosing a church affects your spiritual development and your family's faith formation. We encourage you to visit several times, participate in different activities, and talk honestly with members about their experience. If you're ready to move beyond religious entertainment to authentic discipleship, we'd be honored to walk with you in following Jesus. Just remember: we're real people who worship and serve Jesus Christ with no frills. The mega churches will still be there if you decide you prefer the show. But once you experience genuine Christian community, you may find that this way of living the scripture brings all new kind of peace and joy.

Here's the problem with finding good church people: The ones actually doing God's work usually aren't making a lot of noise about it. They're not posting on social media about their latest mission trip. They're not wearing their volunteer work like a badge of honor. They're not competing to see who can pray the most eloquently or quote the most Bible verses. They're just quietly helping people. Week after week. Year after year. Without fanfare. And that makes them hard to find. I'm Pastor Jon at St. John's Presbyterian, and I want to talk about the difference between churches full of people trying to look holy and churches full of people actually walking in Jesus’ footsteps. The Ones Making Noise vs. The Ones Making a Difference Walk into most churches and you'll meet people eager to tell you about their spiritual accomplishments. How long they've been Christians. Which Bible study they're leading. What mission trip they took last summer. How much they give to the church. Nothing wrong with any of those things. But sometimes the people making the most noise about their faith are doing the least actual work. Most of the people really making a difference? They're harder to spot. → They're the woman who shows up every Tuesday to sort donations at the food pantry without telling anyone about it. → The man who quietly pays utility bills for families about to have their power shut off. → The couple who've been fostering kids for fifteen years and never mention it unless you ask directly. → The grandmother who teaches English to refugees every Saturday morning and considers it the highlight of her week. These folks aren't trying to impress anyone with their godliness. They just see needs and meet them. They don't need recognition or applause. They certainly don't need to win spiritual competitions with other church members. They're too busy actually helping people. The Pageantry Problem Too many churches have turned faith into performance art. Who can dress the nicest for Sunday service. Who can volunteer for the most visible committees. Who can pray the longest during prayer time. Who can act the most spiritual during worship. Who can make their family look the most perfect. It's exhausting. And it's exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. The people caught up in church pageantry spend more energy managing their image than serving others. They're more concerned with how their faith looks than what their faith does. Meanwhile, the real servants slip in and out of church quietly. They don't need the spotlight because they're not performing. They're just living out their faith in practical ways. You might sit next to them for months without knowing they run a ministry that feeds dozens of families every week. They don't bring it up because they're not trying to impress you. They're just doing what needs to be done. Why the Quiet Ones Are Hard to Find The people actually doing God's work don't advertise it because that would defeat the purpose. Jesus was pretty clear about this. When you help people, don't make a big show of it. Don't blow trumpets. Don't make sure everyone sees how generous you are. Just help quietly and let God worry about the recognition. The problem is that quiet service doesn't attract attention. So churches fill up with people who like attention more than they like service. The woman who organizes meal trains for every family facing surgery doesn't get elected to committees because she's not campaigning for positions. She's too busy cooking. The man who drives elderly members to doctor appointments doesn't get asked to speak about his ministry because he doesn't think of it as ministry. He just thinks of it as helping neighbors. The family that always opens their home for holiday dinners to anyone with nowhere else to go doesn't get featured in church newsletters because they don't think what they're doing is special enough to mention. These are the people you want in your church family. But you have to look for them because they're not promoting themselves. What St. John's Attracts St. John's Presbyterian has somehow collected a bunch of these quiet servants. People who care more about results than recognition. Not because we planned it that way. Not because we have better people than other churches. But because we've created an environment where service matters more than status. We don't make a big deal about volunteer recognition. We appreciate what people do, but we don't need awards ceremonies or volunteer appreciation banquets. People serve because they want to help, not because they want applause. We focus on actual impact, not impressive programs. Our community garden feeds real families. Our single parent housing helps real people get back on their feet. Our support for the orphanage in Uganda helps real kids get educated. The work speaks for itself. We don't compete over who's most spiritual. People here have different political views, different backgrounds, different levels of biblical knowledge. What unites us is commitment to helping others, not performing our faith for each other. We make space for people to serve according to their gifts. Some folks are great with kids. Others prefer working with their hands. Some are good with money management. Others excel at hospitality. We need all types of help. We don't require people to justify their service with spiritual language. If someone wants to help in the community garden because they like plants, that's fine. If someone supports our refugee assistance because they remember their grandparents being immigrants, that works too. Good motives don't all have to sound religious. Real Mission Work Looks Different People expect mission work to look dramatic. Short-term trips to foreign countries. Big fundraising campaigns. Elaborate service projects that get covered in the local news. Those are all worthy of high praise. But a lot of God's work actually happens in smaller, steadier ways. The woman who brings homemade soup to every new parent in the church. She's been doing it for twenty years. Hundreds of families have been fed and felt cared for. She doesn't keep count. The man who fixes things around the church building without being asked. Leaky faucets, squeaky doors, burned-out light bulbs. He sees problems and solves them. The building runs better because he pays attention. The couple who've been visiting homebound members for fifteen years. They don't just drop by once. They build relationships. They remember birthdays. They become family to people who might otherwise be forgotten. The teenager who helps elderly members with their smartphones and computers. She spends her Sunday afternoons teaching people how to video call their grandchildren. It's not glamorous, but it connects families. The group that quietly pays utility bills for families facing disconnection. They don't ask for testimonials or thank-you letters. They just keep people's lights on during tough times. This is what mission work looks like when you strip away the publicity and focus on actual help. The Committee Meeting Reality Look, we have committee meetings at St. John's. Churches need coordination. People need to communicate about shared projects. But our meetings focus on getting things done, not on who gets credit or control. When the Caring Committee meets, we talk about which members need meals, rides to appointments, or hospital visits. We figure out who can help and when. Then we go help. When Faith in Action meets, we discuss which community needs we can address and how to do it effectively. We plan practical responses to real problems. When the Property Committee meets, we prioritize repairs and improvements that help the church serve better. We're not trying to impress anyone with fancy renovations. The difference isn't that we avoid organization. The difference is that our organization serves the mission instead of serving egos. Finding Your People If you're tired of churches where people compete over who can appear most spiritual, St. John's might be where you find your people. People who care more about helping than being seen helping. They show up consistently, work hard, and don't need their names on plaques. People who understand that faith shows up in practical ways. Visiting sick people. Feeding hungry families. Teaching kids to read. Listening to lonely neighbors. People who don't need to perform their Christianity for others. They're comfortable with their faith and don't need to prove anything to anyone. People who find joy in service itself, not in recognition for service. The work is its own reward because the work makes a difference. People who believe faith communities should make the world better, not just make themselves feel better. The point isn't personal spiritual feelings. The point is loving neighbors in tangible ways. These people exist in Houston. They're just harder to find because they're busy doing the work instead of talking about the work. The Challenge of Quiet Faith Living out faith quietly requires more maturity than performing faith loudly. When you help people without getting credit, you have to be motivated by something deeper than applause. When you serve consistently without recognition, you need internal conviction rather than external validation. When you practice faith without making a show of it, you discover what you really believe versus what you think you should believe. The people attracted to St. John's have generally moved beyond needing their faith to impress others. They've discovered that following Jesus means focusing on others, not on themselves. This doesn't mean they're perfect. It means they're honest about their imperfections and more interested in growing than in pretending they've already arrived. An Invitation to Real Service St. John's Presbyterian brings together people who want their faith to matter in practical ways. We don't spend much energy on spiritual competitions or religious performances. We spend our energy helping people. If that sounds like what you're looking for, come see what we're about. We worship Sundays at 11:00 AM at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue in Houston's Westbury neighborhood. But don't stop with Sunday morning. Come during the week when our single parent families are learning life skills. Visit our community garden when members and neighbors are working together. Ask about our Anchor House ministry or our support for international programs. Better yet, come ready to join the quiet work. We need people who care more about results than recognition. People who find satisfaction in service itself by doing God's work in the real world. The world has enough people trying to look holy. It needs more people actually being helpful. If you're one of those people - if you're tired of spiritual show and ready for practical service - you'll fit right in at St. John's. We're real people doing God's work quietly. The way it's supposed to be done.

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Living Gift Market - November 16, 2025

Healing Hearts A New Ministry of Care and Encouragement Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the Prayer Room on Wednesday, October 8th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM and on Monday, October 27th from 11:00AM to 12:00 Noon. Healing Hearts, a grief and bereavement support group. Led by Lisa Sparaco, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of our church, this group will provide a safe and faith-filled space for sharing stories, receiving encouragement, and walking together through seasons of loss. This is not a therapy group, but a ministry of care and prayer for all who grieve. Healing Hearts is open both to members of St. John’s and to the wider community. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors who may need such support. Meetings will take place in the Prayer Room, beginning in October 2025, on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM and the last Monday of each month from 11:00 AM–12:00 Noon. This schedule provides both an evening option for those who work during the day and a daytime option for those who prefer not to drive at night.