Relationship Advice in Houston TX: Building Stronger Bonds Through Faith

Christian Perspectives on Healthy Relationships in Houston

Relationship Advice in Houston TX:

Building Stronger Bonds Through Faith

You know that moment when you're driving on 610 and someone cuts you off without signaling? In that split second, you become judge, jury, and... well, let's just say your verdict isn't charitable. "What an idiot!" flies out before you can catch it. Maybe you add a few choice observations about their driving skills, their upbringing, or their general contribution to society.

Then, about three exits later, you realize you need to change lanes quickly. You dart over. No signal. Someone honks. And suddenly you remember: you had a good reason. You almost missed your exit. You were distracted thinking about that meeting, that medical test, that conversation with your teenager.

Funny how quickly we go from judge to defendant, isn't it?

Welcome to the human condition. Welcome to what Jesus knew about us all along.

The Plank and the Speck

This morning we're diving into Matthew chapter 7, where Jesus delivers one of His most memorable images. Picture this: you're walking around with a two-by-four sticking out of your eye, and you tap your neighbor on the shoulder. "Hey buddy, hold still. You've got a speck of sawdust in there. Let me get that for you."

Jesus wasn't known for slapstick comedy, but this image? Pure genius. Everyone laughs because everyone recognizes themselves. We're all amateur ophthalmologists when it comes to other people's problems.

"Do not judge," Jesus says, "or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Now hold on. Is Jesus telling us never to evaluate anything? Never to call out genuine wrongdoing? Some people read it that way, but that's not what's happening here. Jesus Himself made plenty of judgments. He called out hypocrisy. He overturned tables in the temple. He didn't mince words with religious leaders who were hurting people.

No, Jesus is talking about something deeper. He's talking about the peculiar blindness we have to our own faults while maintaining 20/20 vision for everyone else's. He's talking about the kind of judgment that writes people off, that assumes we know their whole story, that elevates us while diminishing them.

The Micah Standard

Let's bring in the prophet Micah for a moment. Our liturgist read those powerful words: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Three things. Not three hundred. Not a complex theological treatise. Three things that a child could understand but that take a lifetime to master.

Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.

Notice the progression? Justice without mercy becomes harsh. Mercy without justice becomes enabling. But both without humility? That's where things really go sideways. That's when we become the very Pharisees Jesus was warning about.

Humility is the secret ingredient that makes everything else work. It's what allows us to act justly without becoming self-righteous. It's what allows us to love mercy without becoming doormats. It's what keeps us walking with God instead of strutting ahead like we know the way.

The Relationship Economy

Here's what I've learned after years of ministry, years of marriage, years of just being human: relationships are the real currency of the Kingdom of God. Not money, though we need to steward that. Not talents, though God gives those too. Relationships. The messy, beautiful, complicated connections between human beings who are all walking around with planks in their eyes, all desperate to be seen and known and loved anyway.

Every Sunday, you walk into this sanctuary carrying relationships. The marriage that's harder than you thought it would be. The friendship that went south over politics. The adult child who won't return your calls. The coworker who takes credit for your ideas. The neighbor whose dog won't stop barking at 3 AM.

And here's the thing: God cares about every single one of those relationships. Not just your relationship with Him, though that's primary. He cares about how you treat the barista who messed up your order. He cares about how you respond to that family member who always pushes your buttons at Thanksgiving dinner.

Why? Because we're not just blessed to be blessed. Say it with me: "We are blessed to bless; we receive to give."

The mercy we receive from God isn't meant to pool up in our hearts like standing water. It's meant to flow through us to others. The grace that covers our planks is the same grace we're called to extend to others' specks.

The Houston Test

Living in Houston gives us a unique laboratory for this kind of kingdom stewardship. We're one of the most diverse cities on the planet. You can drive down Hillcroft and hear seventeen languages in ten blocks. Your kids go to school with children from every continent. Your workplace looks like a United Nations meeting.

This diversity is a gift, but let's be honest: it's also a challenge. More differences mean more opportunities for judgment. More chances to assume we know someone's story based on their accent, their clothes, their politics, their denomination.

I met a man at the grocery store last week. Middle Eastern accent, buying ingredients I didn't recognize. Ten years ago, I might have made assumptions. Might have kept my distance. But Kingdom stewardship of relationships means seeing past surface differences to the image of God underneath.

Turns out he was shopping for a church potluck. His congregation was hosting a meal for homeless veterans. The ingredients I didn't recognize? His grandmother's recipe that he was adapting to feed two hundred people.

How many relationships do we miss because we judge too quickly? How many potential brothers and sisters in Christ do we write off because they don't fit our predetermined categories?

The Forgiveness Project

Let me tell you about Tom and Sandra. Real couple, different names. They'd been married twenty-three years when they walked into my office. They weren't speaking to each other, just to me, like I was serving as translator for two people who'd forgotten they spoke the same language.

The presenting issue was money. Tom had made a significant financial decision without consulting Sandra. But as we talked, layers peeled back. Sandra had her own secret credit card debt. Tom felt dismissed and disrespected. Sandra felt invisible and unvalued.

Twenty-three years of accumulated specks and planks. Twenty-three years of keeping score.

"What does God require?" I asked them, pulling out Micah. "Justice, mercy, and humility."

Tom wanted justice. Sandra had wronged him.

Sandra wanted justice. Tom had wronged her.

Both were right. Both had been wronged. But justice alone wouldn't heal their marriage. They needed mercy, that supernatural ability to give what isn't deserved. And they needed humility, the recognition that they were both broken people in need of grace.

It took months. There were setbacks. Old patterns die hard. But slowly, they began to practice kingdom stewardship with their relationship. They started seeing their marriage not as something they owned but as something they stewarded for God's glory.

Last month, they renewed their vows. Twenty-five years. Not perfect, but pursuing. Not arriving, but traveling together.

The Practical Path

So how do we actually do this? How do we steward our relationships with kingdom priorities? Let me give you some practical steps, not a neat list of three, but a handful of practices that can transform how we relate to others.

First, start with the plank. Before you evaluate anyone else today, take five minutes for self-examination. What are you blind to? What criticism do you level at others that might actually apply to you? This isn't about self-flagellation. It's about honest recognition of our shared brokenness.

Second, practice the pause. When someone irritates you, when you feel judgment rising, pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself: What might be happening in their life that I don't know about? That person who was rude at the store might have just received a diagnosis. That aggressive driver might be rushing to the hospital. You don't know. That pause creates space for mercy.

Third, apologize specifically. Not "I'm sorry if I hurt you." That's not an apology. That's a deflection. Try this: "I'm sorry I raised my voice. That was wrong. Will you forgive me?" Specific acknowledgment of specific wrongs. This is what humility looks like in practice.

Fourth, extend grace preemptively. Instead of waiting for people to earn your kindness, give it freely. This is what God did for us, right? "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." We didn't clean up first. Grace came first.

Fifth, invest in restoration. Some relationships are broken. Maybe they've been broken for years. Kingdom stewardship means being willing to take the first step toward healing, even if you weren't the primary one at fault. Especially if you weren't the primary one at fault. That's when mercy shines brightest.

The Church as Relationship Laboratory

Here's what I love about the local church: it forces us into relationships we wouldn't choose. Left to our own devices, we'd surround ourselves with people who think like us, vote like us, look like us. But the church? The church throws together the oil executive and the environmental activist, the teenager and the retiree, the immigrant and the seventh-generation Texan.

And we're supposed to love each other. Not just tolerate. Not just coexist. Love.

This is the genius of God's design. The church becomes a laboratory for kingdom relationships. We practice on each other. We fail with each other. We forgive each other. We try again.

I've watched it happen right here at St. John's. The conservative grandfather and the progressive granddaughter, serving side by side at the food pantry. The divorced woman and the happily married couple, supporting each other through loss. The recovering addict and the teetotaler, sharing communion.

These relationships don't happen automatically. They require intentional stewardship. They require us to act justly when we see wrong, to love mercy when people fail, and to walk humbly knowing we're all in process.

The Thanksgiving Table Test

In two weeks, many of you will sit around Thanksgiving tables with extended family. This is where the rubber meets the road. Can you practice kingdom stewardship of relationships with Uncle Frank who won't stop talking about politics? With your sister who makes passive-aggressive comments about your parenting? With your mother-in-law who still thinks you're not good enough for her baby?

Here's my challenge: pick one relationship at that table to steward differently this year. Just one. Maybe it's the person you usually avoid. Maybe it's the one you typically argue with. What would it look like to approach them with justice, mercy, and humility?

Justice might mean having an honest conversation about a hurt that needs addressing. But do it with mercy, recognizing their humanity and struggles. And do it with humility, acknowledging your own contribution to the dysfunction.

Or maybe this year, justice means letting something go. Maybe mercy means choosing not to take the bait when they cast the line. Maybe humility means admitting, at least to yourself, that you've been part of the problem.

The Divine Interruption

Here's what strikes me most about Jesus' teaching on judgment: He knows we're going to fail at this. He knows we're going to judge others while blind to our own faults. He knows we're going to choose justice without mercy, or mercy without justice, or neither with humility.

That's why the Gospel is good news. It's not a self-improvement program where we gradually get better at relationships through our own effort. It's a divine interruption where God's grace transforms us from the inside out, making us capable of loving in ways we never could on our own.

When you really grasp the mercy you've received, when you really understand the plank that God removed from your eye, extending grace to others becomes less of a duty and more of an overflow. You're not trying to be merciful. Mercy is flowing through you because you're connected to its source.

This is kingdom stewardship of relationships: recognizing that every human connection is an opportunity to display God's character. Every conflict is a chance to show what reconciliation looks like. Every hurt is an invitation to demonstrate supernatural forgiveness.

The Mission Continues

We don't steward relationships just for our own benefit. This isn't spiritual self-help. We steward relationships because the watching world needs to see what kingdom community looks like.

People in Houston are lonely. They're disconnected. They have five hundred Facebook friends but no one to call at 2 AM when life falls apart. They're surrounded by millions of people but feel invisible.

When we steward our relationships with kingdom values, we become living advertisements for a different way of being human. We show that conflict doesn't have to end in destruction. We demonstrate that differences don't have to divide. We prove that grace is real and transformation is possible.

This is missional living. Not just inviting people to church, though please do that. But showing them what church looks like Monday through Saturday. Showing them what happens when regular people commit to extraordinary love.

The Invitation

So here's my invitation as we close: take inventory of your relationships. Not all of them. That would be overwhelming. Just the top five. The ones that take up the most emotional real estate in your life.

How are you stewarding them? Are you acting justly, addressing wrongs that need addressing? Are you loving mercy, extending grace even when it's not deserved? Are you walking humbly, recognizing your own need for forgiveness?

Where there's brokenness, what would restoration require? Where there's distance, what would drawing closer look like? Where there's judgment, what would mercy feel like?

Remember: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. But also remember: the God who measures is the same God who sent His Son to remove every plank, to forgive every sin, to restore every relationship that sin has broken.

You are blessed to bless. You receive to give. The mercy flowing to you is meant to flow through you. The grace that covers you is meant to spill over onto others.

This is kingdom stewardship of relationships. This is what makes the church different from any other organization on earth. This is what the watching world needs to see.

And this is what we're inviting you into here at St. John's. Not perfect relationships. We don't have those. But purposeful ones. Not relationships without conflict, but relationships where conflict leads to deeper connection. Not relationships without hurt, but relationships where hurt gets healed.

Come as you are, plank and all. But don't plan to stay that way. God's got some surgery to do, some mercy to distribute, some relationships to restore. And He wants to do it through a community of people who are learning to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly together.

That's the invitation. That's the mission. That's the joy of kingdom stewardship.

We are blessed to bless. We receive to give.

Let's Pray

Merciful God, we confess that we have been harsh judges and poor forgivers. We have noticed every speck while ignoring our planks. We have demanded justice for others while pleading mercy for ourselves. Forgive our hypocrisy. Forgive our broken relationships. Forgive our failure to walk humbly with You.

Teach us to steward our relationships with the same grace You show us. Make us agents of restoration in a world of division. Help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly in every relationship You've given us.

And Lord, for those sitting here with relationship wounds that feel too deep to heal, pour out Your supernatural grace. Where we cannot forgive in our own strength, be our strength. Where we cannot love in our own power, be our power.

We are blessed to bless. We receive to give. Make it so in our lives, for Your glory and our good.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Learn more about relationships

Learn more about where we are coming from on this topic of relationships. Explore Best Non-Mega Church Houston: Why St. John's Presbyterian Offers Real Faith Beyond Hype. Dig deeper and find a new perspective on your relationship problems. Take a minute to consider The Power of Words and Silence.

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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