THE EPISTLE

St. John's Presbyterian Church · Houston, Texas

August 5, 2026

A Word from Pastor Jon

Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who gathered on Sunday for the parable of the ten bridesmaids. It was good to think together about the ordinary faithfulness that keeps a lamp burning.

This Sunday brings us to the last of our summer parables, and it is the hardest one. In Matthew 25, the nations are gathered, and the question turns out to be simpler than anyone expected: when I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, sick, in prison, what did you do? Amos says the same thing with more heat. God tells Israel that the festivals and offerings mean nothing while justice is neglected, and asks instead that justice roll down like waters.

Both readings put the accounting in an unexpected place. Not in what we believed or sang, but in how we treated the person in front of us who had nothing to give back.

We will also bless the backpacks this Sunday as our students and teachers begin a new school year. It is a fitting way to close this series. The kingdom keeps showing up in ordinary things, carried in ordinary hands.

Peace,
Pastor Jon

This Sunday — August 9

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

“The Final Accounting”

Old Testament: Amos 5:21-24

New Testament: Matthew 25:31-46

We will also celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks during worship as our students and teachers begin a new school year.

How to join us:

• 9:30 a.m. — Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, in the Session Room
• 11:00 a.m. — Worship Service, live in the sanctuary and online at stjohnspresby.org/watch
• 1:30 p.m. — Book Study, on Zoom

Watching from home:

You can watch the worship livestream on our church website. Type this address into your web browser: stjohnspresby.org/watch

Phone Number Our church phone line was repaired this week, but it was assigned our old fax machine number by mistake. We are working to get the correct number restored.

Until then, please call the church office at:

(713) 993-6412

Thank you for your patience.

A Family in Our Care

Many of you have welcomed a family in our care since their arrival in the Houston area. Your generosity has helped make their first months here easier.

The family is preparing for an upcoming immigration hearing and has legal representation. Members of the church are organizing a group to attend as quiet observers.

Please hold this family in your prayers this month. That is a real and needed help, and it is something every one of us can offer.

Our Prayer List

With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.

• Brad, health
• Patti, health
• Cathy, Cindy Bergman's sister, health
• The family of Harriet Harper
• Gayle Morales, friend of Alice Rubio, recovering from hip surgery
• Jessica Ivete Robles, friend of Alice Rubio, awaiting a kidney transplant
• The family of Connie Brown
• Phyllis Freeman, receiving hospice care in the Dallas area
• Scenacia Jones and family
• Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery
• Holly Darr, health concerns
• Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns
• Madalyn Rodgers, sister of Kathleen Captain
• Joe Sanford
• Scott Moore
• Alice Rubio
• Patti S., a visitor, health concerns
• St. John's college students
• Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes
• One Hope Preschool families and staff

To add a name to the prayer list, or to keep a name listed, please call the church office. We would be glad to hear from you.

August Birthdays

August 2 — Jonathan Romo

August 5 — Gloria Dzeukou

August 6 — Mark Delafosse

August 8 — Felicity Bisase and Franklin Caspa

August 10 — Olivia Mulder and Betty Robinson

August 11 — Laurie Henderson

August 13 — Marie Kutz

August 16 — David Nelson

August 20 — Carolyn Assaad and Shannon Kwende

August 31 — Toren Hughes, Ann Nelson and Christopher Bbale

August Anniversaries

August 1 — Allen and Kathy Barnhill

August 24 — Ken and Virginia Krueger

A card or a phone call means a great deal. If you would like an address, the church office will gladly provide one.

Coming Soon: Letters from Prison

Beginning August 16, we start a new six-week series on the letters Paul wrote from prison — to the churches at Philippi, Ephesus, and Colossae. He was under guard and awaiting trial, with no assurance he would ever walk free again. What came out of that cell was some of the most joyful writing in the New Testament.

The first Sunday, August 16, is “Chains and Prayers,” from Jeremiah 29 and Philippians 1.

Church Office

The office is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Pastor Jon — Monday and Tuesday mornings

Alvina Hamilton — Wednesdays

Linda Herron — Thursdays

Please call us at (713) 993-6412. We would love to hear from you, and Pastor Jon is always glad to arrange a visit.

St. John's Presbyterian Church

5020 West Bellfort Ave. · Houston, TX 77035

Celebrating 70 Years on West Bellfort