Christ the King as Our Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon)

Building on the Rock:

Christ the King as Our Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon)



You know that feeling when you're assembling furniture from one of those big box stores, and you get to step 47 only to realize you've been building the whole thing backward? Last week, my neighbor Tom knocked on my door holding an instruction manual and what looked like half a bookshelf. "Jon," he said, "I've built this thing three times, and it keeps collapsing." 


We went over to his place, and sure enough, there were wood pieces and little metal connectors scattered across his living room floor like a very boring crime scene. The problem wasn't Tom's effort or even his tools. He'd skipped the first page of instructions, the one that shows you how to identify the foundation piece. Everything else was perfectly assembled, but it was all built on the wrong base. When the flood came, none of that mattered if the firm foundation in Christ wasn't right. Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount foundation story about two builders.


I thought about Tom this week as I prepared for today, Christ the King Sunday, the final sermon in our Kingdom Stewardship series. Because Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount with a story about two builders, and the difference between them isn't their effort, their materials, or even their blueprints. The difference is what they choose as their foundation.



The Wise and Foolish Builders: 

A Parable for Our Lives


Listen to how Jesus wraps up the Sermon on the Mount by teaching about building on the rock—His words as the unshakeable base for life.



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27) 


This iconic Matthew 7:24-27 passage isn't just a story—it's a blueprint for wise living. Notice something crucial here. Both builders heard the same words. Both builders constructed houses. Both builders faced the same storm. The only difference? One built on rock, the other on sand.


Both the wise and foolish builders heard the same words... but only one chose rock.


Now, if you've lived in Houston for more than five minutes, you know about storms. You know about foundations shifting. After Hurricane Harvey, I helped gut houses in Meyerland where beautiful homes had become shells because the foundation couldn't handle what hit them. These weren't poorly built houses. They were expensive, well crafted, carefully maintained. But when the flood came, none of that mattered if the foundation wasn't right. We finally got it built right... because we started with building on the rock.



Jesus isn't giving construction advice here. He's talking about your life. He's talking about what you're building your identity on, your security on, your future on. And He's crystal clear: there are only two options. Rock or sand. His words put into practice, or His words merely heard and admired.



The Stone Nobody Wanted


Our reading from Psalm 118 adds another layer to this foundation metaphor. The psalmist writes: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” Jesus quotes this very psalm... knowing He's the Jesus as cornerstone the builders are rejecting.



You want to know something funny about cornerstones? In ancient construction, the cornerstone was often the ugliest stone. It was the one that seemed too irregular, too rough, too ordinary for the pretty parts of the building that everyone would see. But master builders knew something: that ugly, rejected stone was often the strongest. It could bear the weight. It could handle the pressure. It could last when prettier stones would crack.


Jesus quotes this very psalm when the religious leaders question His authority. He knows He's the stone they're rejecting. Too ordinary, this carpenter from Nazareth. Too rough around the edges with His talk of loving enemies and blessing those who persecute you. Too irregular with His habit of eating with tax collectors and calling fishermen to be His inner circle.


But here's what gets me every single time: the stone the builders rejected doesn't just become useful. It becomes the cornerstone. The whole building depends on it. Everything else finds its proper place in relation to it.


On this November 23, 2025, Christ the King Sunday Sermon: Building on the Rock, we’re not just acknowledging Jesus as a king among many kings. We're declaring Him the cornerstone, the foundation, the one on whom everything else depends.



What We Build On Instead


Let me be honest with you for a minute. Most of us, myself included, have spent significant portions of our lives building on sand. We just call it by different names.


We build on success. "If I can just get that promotion, that raise, that recognition, then I'll know I matter." So we work 70 hour weeks, miss our kids' games, and tell ourselves it's all for them. Then the market shifts, the company restructures, and suddenly that corner office feels like quicksand.


We build on relationships. "If I can just find the right person, keep the right person, change the right person, then I'll be complete." So we pour everything into a human being who, wonderful as they may be, was never designed to bear the weight of being our foundation. And when they inevitably disappoint us, or worse, when they leave, we feel like the storm has washed everything away.


We build on our health, our appearance, our ability to control outcomes. We build on our political party winning, our kids succeeding, our retirement account growing. We build on being needed, being right, being in charge.


And here's the thing: none of these are bad things. Success, relationships, health, security, these are all gifts from God. But they make terrible foundations. They're sand. Shifting, unstable, temporary sand. The storms of life faith don't care about your church attendance... The difference is whether your storms of life faith leaves you standing. Building on rock means doing, not just hearing—obeying Jesus teachings like forgiving when it's hard.


I met with a man last month, let's call him Robert. Successful businessman, beautiful family, serves on three nonprofit boards. By every external measure, Robert had built something impressive. But he came to my office with tears in his eyes. "Pastor," he said, "I feel like I'm drowning in my own life. Everything looks perfect from the outside, but I wake up at 3 AM in a panic. I've built this whole life, and I don't even know what it's for anymore."


Robert had built a mansion on sand. And the first strong wind of midlife was threatening to topple it all.



Kingdom Stewardship: 

Building on the Right Foundation


What does it mean to build on Christ the King as our foundation? Because let's be clear: calling Jesus "King" on a Sunday morning in a Presbyterian church in Houston is easy. Living with Him as King when you're stuck in traffic on 610, when your teenager is being impossible, when the diagnosis comes back positive, when your marriage is hanging by a thread, that's different.


But here's what I love about Jesus. He doesn't just demand to be our foundation. He shows us what it looks like. The King of Kings becomes a cornerstone by getting down in the dirt with us.


Think about what we've explored these past seven weeks in the Sermon on the Mount. For seven weeks, we've been talking about kingdom stewardship—how we steward our blessings... on the foundation of Christ the King. The Beatitudes that turn our values upside down, blessing the poor in spirit and the meek. The call to be salt and light, influencing our world not through power but through service. The invitation to store up treasures in heaven rather than chasing what moths and rust destroy. The challenge to seek first the Kingdom, to judge less and mercy more, to ask, seek, and knock with the confidence of children approaching a good Father.


Every one of these teachings is a foundation stone. Not suggestions for a nicer life, but the bedrock reality of how the universe actually works when the King of that universe is in charge. Jesus is uncomfortably clear in Matthew 7:24-27: it's about doing, not just hearing.



What Rock Looks Like on Monday


So what does this look like when you wake up Thursday morning to cook a turkey? What does building on the rock mean when you're sitting in traffic on Monday, or arguing with your spouse on Tuesday, or facing a stack of bills on Wednesday?


First, it means you stop pretending you're the architect. A few years ago, my wife and I decided to renovate our kitchen. I had all these grand ideas. I drew up plans, picked out materials, even started demo one Saturday while she was at her sister's. By the time she got home, I had successfully removed half a wall. The wrong half. The load bearing half. 


We had to call in a actual contractor who looked at my handiwork, shook his head, and said, "Well, the good news is we can fix this. The bad news is we need to start over with someone who knows what they're doing."


Building on Christ as King means admitting we need someone who knows what they're doing. It means coming to His words not as suggestions to consider but as blueprints to follow. Not because He's a cosmic killjoy who wants to limit our creativity, but because He's the master builder who knows how houses stand through storms.


Second, building on rock means doing, not just hearing. Jesus is uncomfortably clear about this. It's not enough to nod along on Sunday, to have the Jesus fish on your car, to know all the right answers in Bible study. The wise builder "hears these words of mine and puts them into practice."


You know what this looks like? It looks like actually forgiving your brother even though he doesn't deserve it. It looks like giving generously even when your own budget is tight. It looks like showing up for someone else's crisis even when you have your own problems. It looks like choosing truth when a lie would be easier, choosing service when power is available, choosing love when hate feels justified.


I think about Martha Henderson, one of our members who died last year. Martha wasn't famous. She never preached a sermon, never led a committee, never had her name on a building. But Martha built on rock. Every Tuesday for fifteen years, she drove to Houston's Fifth Ward to tutor kids in reading. When her husband got Alzheimer's, she kept going, arranging care for him so she wouldn't miss her time with those kids. When I asked her why, she said, "Pastor, Jesus said whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. Those kids aren't the least of anything, but the world treats them like they are. So I show up."


Martha's house stood through every storm because she didn't just hear Jesus' words about loving the least of these. She put them into practice. She built on rock.



The Storm Is Coming


Can we talk honestly about storms for a minute? Jesus doesn't say "if" the storm comes. He says when. "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house."


Both houses face the same storm. Following Jesus doesn't give you a weather exemption. In fact, sometimes it feels like the storms get stronger when you start taking Him seriously. 


This past year, I've walked with families through unbearable losses. I've sat with marriages that are breaking. I've prayed with people whose bodies are betraying them, whose minds are clouding, whose children are choosing paths that lead to darkness. Good people. Faithful people. People who show up every Sunday and serve every week.


The storm doesn't care about your church attendance. The rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. The difference isn't the storm. The difference is whether you're still standing when it passes.


Last year, Hurricane season, I got a call from a family in our congregation. Their street was flooding, water creeping toward their door. They were scared, preparing to evacuate. But the wife said something I'll never forget: "Pastor, we're scared about our house, but we're not scared about our home. Our home isn't built on this foundation. It's built on Christ. The house might flood, but we won't be washed away."


That's the difference between building on rock and building on sand. When you build on sand, you are your achievements, you are your relationships, you are your circumstances. When any of those wash away, you wash away with them. But when you build on rock, when Christ the King is your foundation, you can lose everything else and still stand. Because your identity isn't in what you've built. It's in who you're built on. Because Christ the King is our firm foundation in Christ—and what God builds on rock stands forever. The wisdom is in obeying Jesus teachings with it, starting tomorrow.



The King's Authority


Matthew tells us something fascinating about the crowd's reaction to Jesus' teaching. "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."


The religious teachers of Jesus' day were like expert commentators. They could tell you what Rabbi Hillel said, what Rabbi Shammai thought, what the tradition taught. They were walking Wikipedia pages of religious information. But they had no authority of their own.


Jesus didn't quote other rabbis. He said, "You have heard it said... but I tell you." He spoke like someone who didn't just know about the house, but who had designed it. Like someone who didn't just understand the storm but controlled it. Like someone who wasn't just teaching about the kingdom but was the King Himself.


This is why Christ the King Sunday matters. We're not just celebrating a nice teacher who had some good ideas about living. We're acknowledging the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. The one who can actually bear the weight of being our foundation.



Kingdom Stewardship


For seven weeks, we've been talking about Kingdom Stewardship. How we steward our blessings, our influence, our resources, our relationships, our prayers, and our trust. But here's what it all comes down to: the most important thing you steward is what you build your life on.


You can be generous with your money but build your security on your bank account. You can serve every week but build your identity on being needed. You can pray eloquently but build your confidence on your own wisdom. You can attend church religiously but build your righteousness on your own goodness.


Or you can take everything, every blessing, every resource, every relationship, every talent, every breath, and build it consciously, deliberately, daily on the foundation of Christ the King.



What Will You Build?


Three days ago, I stood in the sanctuary after everyone had left from our Thursday night service. The light was coming through the windows in that golden way it does in late November. And I thought about all of you, all of us, preparing for Thanksgiving, preparing for the holidays, preparing for another year to end and a new one to begin.


I thought about the young couples trying to build marriages that will last. The parents trying to build families that will thrive. The singles trying to build lives of purpose. The elderly trying to build legacies that matter. The broken trying to rebuild after storms have already hit.


And I wanted to grab each of you and say what I'm saying now: Build on rock. Build on Christ. Not because it's the religious thing to do, but because it's the only thing that works when the storm comes.


Tom, my neighbor with the backwards bookshelf? We finally got it built right. Took us four hours and a lot of laughing at ourselves, but it stands strong now. You know why? We went back to page one. We identified the foundation piece. We built everything else on that.


That's what Jesus is offering us. Not a add on to make our lives a little better. Not a spiritual decoration for an otherwise secular house. He's offering to be the foundation, the cornerstone, the rock on which everything else can stand secure.


The Thanksgiving Table


In four days, you'll sit around a table. Maybe it'll be crowded with family, maybe it'll be quiet with just a few. Maybe you'll feel grateful for abundance, maybe you'll feel the ache of absence. But at that table, you'll have a choice. What will you give thanks for? And more importantly, what are you building on?


Will you give thanks for blessings while building on them for security? Or will you give thanks for blessings while building on the One who gives them?


Will you look at your family, your health, your home, your job, and say "This is my foundation"? Or will you say "These are gifts from my foundation"?


The storm is coming. It always does. Maybe it's already here for you. Maybe you're in the middle of rain and wind and rising water right now. But hear this good news: it's never too late to change your foundation. It's never too late to build on rock.



The Invitation


Jesus ends His sermon with a choice, and so must I. Two builders, two foundations, two outcomes. The wisdom isn't in hearing this message. The wisdom is in doing something with it.


So here's my invitation, my challenge, my plea as your pastor who loves you and wants to see you stand through every storm: Choose the rock. Choose Christ the King. Not just as a Sunday acknowledgment but as a Monday through Saturday foundation.


Start tomorrow. When you wake up, before your feet hit the floor, say "Christ, You are my King. You are my foundation. Today I build on You." When decisions come, ask "What would building on rock look like here?" When storms threaten, remember whose authority you're standing on.


And here's the beautiful promise: the house built on rock doesn't just survive the storm. It stands as a testimony. It becomes a shelter for others who are looking for something solid. It declares to a world built on sand that there is a better way, a stronger foundation, a King worth building on.


We are blessed to bless. We receive to give. And the greatest blessing we've received, the most important thing we can give, is the news that there is a Rock on which to build. His name is Jesus. He is Christ the King. And He is strong enough to hold whatever you need to build.



The Closing


Friends, beloved of God, carriers of the kingdom, as we close this series on Kingdom Stewardship, as we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving and our souls for Advent, as we stand on the threshold of celebrating the King who came as a baby to become our cornerstone, I leave you with this:


You are building something with your life. Every day, every choice, every priority is another brick in the structure. The question isn't whether you're building. The question is what you're building on.


The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The teacher from Nazareth has become the King of Kings. The stone the builders rejected—the Jesus as cornerstone—has become the King of Kings. The one who died on a cross has become the foundation that cannot be shaken.


Build on Him. Build with confidence. Build with joy. Build knowing that the storm may come, but you will stand.


Because Christ the King is our firm foundation. And what God builds on rock stands forever.


Thanks be to God. And all God's people said: Amen.


We are blessed to bless; we receive to give.




A Few Questions

Have you ever wondered how Presbyterians approach Bible study? Weird question, right. But seriously, have you ever wondered? Here's the answer to that question: Bible Study Near Me: What to Expect at St. John's Weekly Groups. And to go even deeper into it there's this:

Bible Study in Houston: Where to Find Scripture Study That Goes Deeper. Or, if you're feeling a little crazy, maybe even check out this radical topic: Best Non-Mega Church Houston: Why St. John's Presbyterian Offers Real Faith Beyond Hype


About the Author

pastor houston, st johns presbyterian, bellaire texas church, serving since 1956, presbyterian pastor, west bellfort church

Pastor Jon has served St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston for over a decade and is the author of 34+ books on Christian spirit available on Amazon. 


He is an innovator in both the community and at the church, bringing in major initiatives like the Single Parent Family Ministry housing with PCHAS, the One Hope Preschool program, and expanding the community garden that brings together church members and neighbors. 


Under his leadership, St. John's has become known for practical service that makes a real difference in the community. 


His approach is simple: "We're real people who worship and serve Jesus Christ with no frills."

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Worship Bulletin for December 28, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 27, 2025
Invitation to Worship December 28, 2025 A Message from Pastor Jon Dear St. John’s Family, I hope this finds you well and filled with the enduring joy of the Christmas season. While I am away on vacation this week, I want to personally invite you to join us for worship on this First Sunday of Christmas, December 28th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary and on Facebook. I am so grateful to have the wonderful Rev. Linda Herron leading our worship and bringing the message this Sunday. Please give her your warmest welcome! Rev. Herron will be preaching a sermon titled “Now the Women’s Side of the Story,” drawing from the powerful scriptures of 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28 and Luke 1:46-55 . This is a beautiful service where we continue to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s birth through the Christmas story, song, and prayer. We will be singing beloved hymns like “Angels, from the Realms of Glory,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain.” It's a perfect time to come together as a community and reflect on the deep meaning of God With Us. I look forward to being back with you all soon, and I pray for a blessed and meaningful worship experience for everyone this Sunday. Peace, Pastor Jon St. John's Presbyterian Church 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035 (713) 723-6262 P.S. The service will be live-streamed on our church website and on our St. John's Facebook page . St. John's Presbyterian Bulletin Worship Bulletin December 28, 2024, First Sunday of Christmas Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ *Call To Worship, Rev. Linda Herron Pastor: Angels proclaim Christ’s birth. People: Let us come and worship the newborn king. Pastor: Shepherds heard the angels, and came to worship. People: And they saw the holy baby. Pastor: All creation joins in singing. People: Praise God the Father, Spirit and Son. Amen. Opening Prayer *Hymn 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory 1 Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; you, who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Refrain: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king! 2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain) 3 Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star: (Refrain) 4 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: (Refrain) Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Lynne Parsons Austin O Lord, you know that now our Christmas celebrations are complete, the presents are unwrapped, and we begin to count the financial the cost of our giving. But you also know that we must admit the cost of our failings, and the the failings of our society. We shower our loved ones with excess, but neglect the poor, forgotten, oppressed and lowly. Forgive us, Lord, and bless those who do not forget, and make us among their number, who work to meet the needs of others. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace The Word Prayer for Illumination First Scripture Reading, 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28. There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there. Special Music Sermon Scripture, Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” The Word of the Lord for us today. Thanks be to God. Sermon, “Now the Women’s Side of the Story” Rev. Linda Herron *Hymn 128 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all! 2 Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain, 1 and 3 Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. (Refrain) 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. (Refrain) 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain) *Blessing and Postlude St. John's Presbyterian Bulletin December 28, 2024, First Sunday of Christmas Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ *Call To Worship, Rev. Linda Herron Pastor: Angels proclaim Christ’s birth. People: Let us come and worship the newborn king. Pastor: Shepherds heard the angels, and came to worship. People: And they saw the holy baby. Pastor: All creation joins in singing. People: Praise God the Father, Spirit and Son. Amen. Opening Prayer *Hymn 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory 1 Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; you, who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Refrain: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king! 2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain) 3 Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star: (Refrain) 4 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: (Refrain) Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Lynne Parsons Austin O Lord, you know that now our Christmas celebrations are complete, the presents are unwrapped, and we begin to count the financial the cost of our giving. But you also know that we must admit the cost of our failings, and the the failings of our society. We shower our loved ones with excess, but neglect the poor, forgotten, oppressed and lowly. Forgive us, Lord, and bless those who do not forget, and make us among their number, who work to meet the needs of others. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace The Word Prayer for Illumination First Scripture Reading, 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28. There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there. Special Music Sermon Scripture, Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” The Word of the Lord for us today. Thanks be to God. Sermon, “Now the Women’s Side of the Story.” Rev. Linda Herron *Hymn 128 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all! 2 Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain, 1 and 3 Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. (Refrain) 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. (Refrain) 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain) *Blessing and Postlude Announcements Thanks to our Money Men. Here's to Tad and Barm, our 2025 finance guys at St. John's. Thank you for your incredible work this year. We appreciate you. Congratulations Christine Dobbin. We celebrate a joyful milestone in the Dobbin family and offer our warm congratulations to Linda Dobbin on her granddaughter’s achievement. Christine Dobbin will graduate this December from New Mexico State University, a moment that carries both pride and promise. We give thanks for Christine’s hard work and perseverance, and we pray God’s blessing over her as she steps into whatever comes next, trusting that the gifts God has been shaping in her will continue to grow and bear good fruit. Alice Rubio Update. Alice is doing well as she manages daily dialysis. We are especially thankful for her faithful presence on our church Facebook page; her comments on nearly every post are a source of encouragement, planting gospel seeds each time she interacts. Alice shared, “My church has a right to know about me. Thank you for all your prayers.” Alice, we love and appreciate you deeply, and we continue to lift you and your family up in prayer for God's abundant blessings. The View from the Rafters, by Gloria, our banner hovering Advent Angel. (Here is a typical week for Gloria, our Banner Angel of Advent, in her own imaginary words, as overheard this week by Pastor Jon.) Sunday sighs and slips away, hymns hanging in the rafters like held breath. Monday moves in mild and muted, pews politely empty, aisle asleep. High on the banner, aloft and amused, the angel balances eternity with a stitched grin and invisible feet. No clock can catch her. No calendar can corner her. She watches hope hover and humans hurry. Tuesday tiptoes. Wednesday wears purple with purpose, solemn but secretly smiling. The cross stands steady, silence doing its quiet work. Gloria listens for the promise beneath it all. Thursday hums. Friday flutters with half remembered joy. The sanctuary stills itself, like breath before a blessing. The wreath whispers, Near now. Near now. The angel nods. She already knows. Then it happens. From a purple hymnal, pressed polite between prophecy and patience, a Christmas carol sneaks out. Just the high notes. Silver and daring. They climb the air, tiptoe up the banner, and tickle the angel’s foot. She laughs. Quietly. Holy laughter. The kind that loosens light. Saturday scurries and scrambles, lists lying about necessity. The pews practice patience. The angel hums along, a story stretching its voice, ready to sing. Sunday strides in singing. Doors swing wide and willing. Candles chase shadows into corners. Gloria goes bold and bright. The organ swells. Voices rise, rough and radiant. Below, the faithful gather. Above, the angel beams. Hope arrives again, soft and sure, walking in on ordinary feet. After the service, “Go!” Gloria whispers, not as dismissal but as commissioning. “Walk the shoreline. Let the edge teach you. Remember that love keeps time better than plans ever will.” Christmas Joy Offering. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Envelopes are at the back of the Sanctuary. Healing Hearts Grief Support Group. This group will meet on Monday, December 29, 11 am, Room 202. Men’s Group. The Men’s Group will meet on Wednesday, January 7, at 6:30 pm in the Session Room. Happy Birthday Mary Gaber (Dec 24) Robert Glover (Dec 30) William Ator (Jan 1) Samantha Jump (Jan 2) Megan Edmonsond Trevino (Jan 3) Tom MacAdam (Jan 4) Happy Anniversary David and Christine Nelson (Dec 26) Stewart and Pauline Hall (Dec 28) Glen and Mary Plail Risley (Dec 29) Jon and Jana Burnham (Jan 1) Prayer Concerns Shirley Boyd and her family in the death of her sister Audrey Moore Maley Jennifer and Gareld, Family of Christina Nijel Bennet-LaGrone, health Summer Pavani, Deena Ghattas and Chris Hanneken, Health concerns (friends of Lisa Sparaco) Mike Swint in the death of his sister, Chris Borton All those missing loved ones this Christmas Family and friends of Christine Perci (friend of the Sparacos) Harriet Harper, in hospice care Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery Holly Darr, in her wonderful recovery Karen Alsbrook, health and success in her new career Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns Madalyn Rodgers, Kathleen Captain's sister Joe Sanford Scott Moore 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 Calendar Sunday, December 28, First Sunday of Christmas 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook Monday, December 29 11:00 am Healing Hearts, Room 202 Tuesday, December 30 1:30 pm Spiritual Development Class, Zoom 5:00 pm Exercise Group, Building 2 Thursday, January 1, New Years Day, Church Office Closed Sunday, January 4, Second Sunday of Christmas 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook 1:30 pm Advent Book Study, Zoom 3:30pm Girl Scouts in Session Room and Room 203 Coming Events Mon, Dec 29, 11 am, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Wed, Jan 7, 6:30 pm, Men’s group, Session Room Thurs, Jan 8, St. John’s United Lunch Group, McPhail Sun, Jan 11, 12 pm, Fellowship and Caring Committee Meeting Wed, Jan 14, 7 pm, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Wed, Jan 21, 6:30 pm, Men’s Group, Session Room Mon, Jan 26, 11 am, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Fri, Feb 6, Pinewood Derby Set-Up, McPhail Sat, Feb 7, Pack 8 Pinewood Derby Click To Paste Click To Paste

Healing Hearts during Winter Solstice

By Jon Burnham • December 22, 2025
Ongoing Grief Support Group at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston

Worship Bulletin for December 21, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 20, 2025
Invitation to Worship December 21, 2025 Friends, On Sunday, December 21, we gather for the Fourth Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, a morning shaped by light, hope, and the quiet nearness of Christ. We will light the final Advent candle, sing familiar carols that still know how to carry a soul, and hear again Jesus’ words, “I am the light of the world.” In a season that can feel crowded and noisy, this service makes room to breathe, pray honestly, and remember that love has already come among us. Worship begins at 11:00 AM. Come as you are. Bring your weariness, your joy, your questions, and maybe a friend who could use a little light right now. There will be music, Scripture, shared prayer, and a community ready to welcome you without fuss or pressure. I would be glad to see you there and to worship alongside you as we draw closer to Christmas together. Peace, Pastor Jon St. John's Presbyterian Church 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035 (713) 723-6262 P.S. The service will be live-streamed on our church website and on our St. John's Facebook page . St. John's Presbyterian Worship Bulletin December 21, 2024, Fourth Sunday of Advent Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ  Lighting the Advent Candle , Shirley Boyd & Jan Herbert *Call To Worship, The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham Leader: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! People: Though darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the peoples, the Lord rises upon us. Leader: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. People: We lift our eyes and look around. We gather in the light of Christ! Let us worship together! Opening Prayer Rev Burnham *Hymn 113 Angels, We Have Heard on High 1 Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 3 Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Ann Hardy God of light, we confess that we have preferred darkness. We have hidden in shadows rather than stepping into Your revealing brightness. We have closed our eyes when Your light exposed our sin. We have dimmed our witness rather than letting it shine. We have failed to be bearers of light in a darkened world. Forgive us, Lord. Remove the scales from our eyes. Free us from fear of the light. Make us reflectors of Your glory, that others may see Your goodness through us. In the name of Jesus, Light of the World, we pray. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace Ann Hardy The Word Prayer for Illumination Ann Hardy First Scripture Reading, Isaiah 60:1-3 Ann Hardy Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Anthem Sermon Scripture, John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Sermon, “The Light of the World Has Come” The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham *Hymn 110 Love Has Come 1 Love has come: a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies. See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high. 2 Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying? Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers. Love! Love! Jesus, Emmanuel. 3 Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free. Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking. Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas. Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 134 Joy to the World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. *Blessing Postlude

The Epistle for December 17, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 17, 2025
Latest News from St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston (Westbury, Meyerland, Missouri City)

Worship Bulletin for December 14, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 13, 2025
Your Invitation to Worship and the Worship Bulletin

The Epistle for December 10, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 10, 2025
The Epistle December 10, 2025 St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Houston Produced by Pastor Jon Burnham Message from Pastor Jon Dear St. John's Family, There is a moment in Advent when the sanctuary feels like it is holding its breath. The candles flicker, small but steady, as if they know more than they are willing to say. The season is full of promise, yet the fulfillment has not arrived. Everything in us leans forward. We want the moment to be here already so we can move on to the next thing on our list. We want the satisfaction without the stillness. We want the baby in the manger without the long night of waiting. That hurry lives deep in us. It shows up in lines at the grocery store, in conversations where our minds race ahead, in our longing for the next milestone so we can feel settled again. Advent is the one season that gently puts its hand on our shoulder and says slow your step. Notice what God is doing before it becomes obvious. Let the light grow at its own pace. Let hope stretch out inside you without demanding a conclusion. The hard truth is that waiting exposes the very places God is trying to heal. The places where our hurry keeps us from paying attention. The places where our need for control pushes past the quiet work of the Spirit. Advent invites us to sit with the uncomfortable space between promise and fulfillment. It asks us to stay awake to the holy patience of God who never rushes us and never rushes redemption. So as the candles grow brighter each week, let that slow light be your teacher. Let it remind you that God does not skip steps. Christ comes in God’s time, not ours. And in that time there is room for peace to rise, one small flame at a time. In Christ, Pastor Jon What is the Gospel? If someone asked you to explain the Gospel, what would you say? As Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 3:15, are you always prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in you? The CE Committee is offering an in-depth study of the Gospel on 13 Dec that will address the following topics: the reality of sin and the certainty of judgment; the incredible gift of forgiveness and mercy found in Christ; how we should respond to the gospel personally; and how we can be equipped to share this good news with others. It is a time to grow in understanding, deepen faith, and be strengthened for evangelism, so that the message of God’s grace may reach hearts in need. The class will start at 8:30 am and end at 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the narthex so we know how much food and study materials to prepare. Hope to see you there! A Morning of Service with St. John’s Men’s Group On December 6th, the St. John’s Men’s Group helped Cub Pack 8 put together 83 gift boxes for the Seamen’s Center. The men arrived early to set up McPhail Hall and then did a good bit of the wrapping. Gift boxes were delivered to the Seamen’s Center later that day. The following men participated: Allen Barnhill, Michael Bisase, Franklin Caspa, Bill Ehrenstrom, Dan Herron, Ken Kreuger, Tad Mulder, Glen Risley and Robert Sanford. Thanks to all who participated. Fun was had by all! Christmas Joy Offering Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and future leaders of the church. God has blessed the church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Envelopes are at the back of the Sanctuary. Honoring Our Elders Completing Their Service Barm Alsbrook has resigned from the Session due to his family's impending move away from Houston. During his two year tenure, Barm taught the Session how to do annual self audits of our church finances and reorganized our annual Stewardship Season and church budget planning by months. He also brought some needed clarity to several areas of our church budget that made it easier for the elders to understand and use. Shirley Boyd , who has served as Co-Moderator of the Christian Education Committee alongside Jan Herbert, has offered outstanding leadership over the past three years. Under her guidance, our education ministry has flourished with programs for all ages, the launch of new quarterly Adult Bible Study events, and many quiet improvements that have strengthened our life together. We are deeply thankful for Shirley’s dedication and faithful service. Virginia Krueger and Léonie Tchoconté have been a remarkable team in leading our Fellowship and Caring Committee. Their energy and compassion helped launch the Men’s Group, host special gatherings such as the Knitting Group, and organize monthly home communion for our shut-in members, along with many other quiet acts of care. We are grateful for their faithful service. Thank you, Virginia and Léonie. Advent Poinsettias Starting this Sunday, you can order poinsettias for $12 each. These plants serve three purposes at once. First, they support Brookwood, a facility in Brookshire that provides education, housing, and jobs for adults with disabilities. We've partnered with them for years, and buying these plants directly helps their mission. Second, they'll decorate our sanctuary through Advent and Christmas, adding color and life to our worship space during the season when we prepare for Christ's coming. Third, after the Christmas Eve service, you take them home. Simple as that. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Write your name, how many plants you want, and whether you're dedicating them in memory or honor of someone. We'll print those dedications in the Christmas Eve bulletin. The poinsettias will arrive in time to decorate the sanctuary for the first Sunday of Advent. You can pick them up after the Christmas Eve service ends, or we'll save them for you to collect later if you need to leave early. Twelve dollars. Good cause. Beautiful sanctuary. Flowers for your home. That's the deal. Prayer List With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God. Nijel Bennet-LaGrone, health Summer Pavani, Deena Ghattas and Chris Hanneken, Health concerns (friends of Lisa Sparaco) Mike Swint in the loss of his sister, Chris Borton Family and friends of Christine Perci (friend of Pete and Grace Sparaco) Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery Holly Darr, health concerns Karen Alsbrook, health Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns 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 Want to Go Deeper? If you're drawn to exploring Presbyterian faith more deeply, I've written several books that might help: The Open Church: Faith that Welcomes Questions from my Thoughtful Faith series addresses how Presbyterian churches can be communities where honest questions strengthen rather than threaten faith. Rooted in Christ: A Journey Through Colossians from my Bible Studies series explores how mature Presbyterian faith stays grounded in Christ's sufficiency rather than chasing spiritual trends. Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing from my Christian Spirituality series unpacks what it means to live as faithful stewards of God's gifts, a core Presbyterian conviction. These books aren't substitutes for church community. They're companions for the journey, meant to deepen the faith you're living out with actual people in actual congregations. Because Presbyterian faith isn't just about believing the right things. It's about becoming certain kinds of people together, shaped by worship that honors God, teaching that challenges us, relationships that sustain us, and mission that transforms our city. That's what Presbyterian really means. Not a political affiliation or demographic category, but a lived faith that makes real difference in Houston and beyond. Peace, Pastor Jon Burnham 713-632-6262 St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035
Sanctuary side entrance of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston

Church Architecture Houston

By Jon Burnham • December 8, 2025
St. John's Presbyterian Church architecture in Houston creates sacred space for authentic worship through thoughtful mid-century design and honest materials.

Who Was Melchizedek?

By Jon Burnham • December 6, 2025
A Houston Pastor Explores the Biblical Mystery

The Epistle for December 3, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 3, 2025
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Is Presbyterian Conservative or Liberal? Understanding the Spectrum

By Jon Burnham • December 1, 2025
Discover How You Will Fit In at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston