The Epistle
June 17, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Ave.
Houston, Texas 77035
Dear friend,
Last Sunday we sang a verse of "For All The Saints" for Connie Brown who died last Saturday. Our prayers are with Connie's daughters, Laurie and Holly, and their families. Her Memorial Service will be in the sanctuary with reception in McPhail to follow on Saturday, June 27, at 2:00 PM.
I also announced last Sunday Phyllis Freeman died. That was incorrect. Fortunately, Phyllis is still with us on this side of the veil, although she remains on hospice care. How did this mistake happen? Let's just suggest it is important to carefully check the name and number of your text messages before making an assumption. We will keep Phyllis and her family in prayer.
Jesus tells one of his strangest parables this Sunday. A dishonest manager faces disaster, yet somehow becomes the surprising hero of the story, while our Old Testament reading reminds us that even David, God’s chosen king, sometimes took questionable paths through difficult circumstances. Together these passages invite us to wrestle with a challenging truth: God often finds ways to work through flawed people who are trying to navigate a complicated world.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
Men of the Church
The Men’s Group will meet briefly at 6:30 p.m. tonight to replace the air filters in the sanctuary air handler.
Greeters and Ushers
There will be a short meeting in the Sanctuary following Worship on June 21, 2026 to discuss the responsibilities of this important ministry.
Celebrate with Holly Darr
Holly is celebrating one year of health after a double lung transplant. She is planning a meeting at Fadi's Meyerland Mediterranean Grill in July. More details later.
"Parables" ~ Summer Quarterly Bible Study
Join us for our
Summer Quarterly Bible Study, hosted by the
Christian Education Committee, on
Saturday, July 18, 2026, from
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at
St. John’s Presbyterian Church.
People
ages 3 and up are warmly invited to register and participate in a day of learning, fellowship, creativity, and spiritual growth centered on the inspiring theme:
“Parables.”
Throughout the day, participants will explore the stories Jesus told and discover how these timeless teachings continue to shape our faith, challenge our assumptions, and reveal the surprising nature of God’s kingdom.
Children, youth, and adults will enjoy age-appropriate activities, Bible study, discussion, hands-on learning opportunities, and shared fellowship. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Whether you are a lifelong student of Scripture or simply curious about the teachings of Jesus, this special day offers an opportunity to grow in faith alongside friends old and new.
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Ages: 3 and up
Theme:
Parables
Come spend a summer day exploring the stories that continue to transform lives.
~~~
Registration Now Open
for the Summer Quarterly Bible Study
Registration is now open for our Summer Quarterly Bible Study on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s.
Please register by Sunday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m.
You may sign up in the Narthex or register online at:
https://pp.events/bPn5gYQL
Breakfast snacks and lunch will be provided.
If you have questions, please contact Mary Gaber.
Summer Mustard Seed Project: Helping Children Start the School Year Strong
This summer, our Mustard Seed Project will support eight children living in the PCHAS Single Parent Family Ministry housing on our church campus. Each child needs approximately $100 for back-to-school supplies, giving us a congregation-wide goal of raising $800.
Donations may be placed in the offering plate during worship on June 14, June 21, and June 28. If giving by cash or check, please write on bottom left of check
“School Supplies.” You may also contribute by Zelle to
accounts@stjohnspresby.org and include
“School Supplies” in the memo line.
Kay Swint and Omar Abiyah will use the funds to purchase gift cards that will be distributed to the PCHAS families, allowing parents to purchase the specific school supplies their children need for a successful start to the new school year.
Thank you for helping these children begin the school year with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to learn and thrive.
Prayers for Phyllis Freeman
Recently, we got a note from Laurie Hindman, Phyllis Freeman’s daughter, saying her Mom has been put in hospice. She has Congestive Heart Failure and is not doing too well but is stable. Laurie was asking for prayers. We remember Phyllis for her many musical contributions to our congregation, most notably for creating and leading children’s and youth choirs, especially the New Wind Choir, which helped lead the 9 am Contemporary Worship Service in the 1970's and 1980's.
A Brief Safety Update
For the safety and security of our congregation, the Session has instructed the ushers to lock the exterior doors to both the Education Building and the Sanctuary once worship begins. Late arrivals need not worry. Ushers will remain near the sanctuary entrance in the narthex and will be available to open the doors and welcome those arriving after the start of the service.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who gathers for worship at St. John’s.
St. John’s Friends United
Our Friends United group will be taking a summer break, so no meetings are scheduled for June, July, or August.
We will not meet in June and will resume our gatherings in September. Plans for an exciting fall schedule are already underway, and we look forward to sharing more details with you soon.
Enjoy the summer, stay cool, and stay connected. We look forward to seeing everyone again this fall!
Can You Hear Me Now?
Communication is key to any organization, and that includes St. John’s! Has anything changed in your life? Have you moved, gotten rid of your home phone, changed your cell number or gotten a cell phone? Please let Virginia Krueger, Marie Kutz, or the St. John’s office (713 723-6262) know so we can correct your contact information and Directory. For security reasons, no one but St. Johns members are allowed to have an on-line Directory.
Remember, you can put the Church Directory on your cell phone! No more scratching out info on a paper Directory! We try very hard to keep the on-line Directory up-to-date. See Virginia or Marie to put it on your phone. You will love it as it is so convenient!
Healing Hearts: A Ministry of Care and Encouragement
Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the
Prayer Room.
Healing Hearts
is a grief and bereavement support group. Led by
Lisa Sparaco, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of our church, this group will provide a safe and faith-filled space for sharing stories, receiving encouragement, and walking together through seasons of loss. This is not a therapy group, but a ministry of care and prayer for all who grieve.
Next Meeting for Healing Hearts
- Monday, June 29th, 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Prayer List
With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.
- Family of Connie Brown who died last weekend
- Phyllis Freeman, hospice care in Dallas area
- Family of Michelle Byron, unexpected death of her brother
- Family of Carolyn McEathron, death of her father in law
- Randy Finfrock, former member and friend of David Rainwater, health
- Jessica Spain Nash, surgery, and Adriana Rodriguez, death of her father, friends of David Rainwater
- David Wintersgill, hip surgery
- Becky Crawford, hip surgery
- Glen Risley, recovering from surgery
- Scenacia Jones family
- Jessica Ivete Robles, a friend of Alice Rubio, awaits a kidney transplant
- Family of Sue Benn
- Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery
- Holly Darr, health concerns
- Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns
- Madalyn Rodgers, Kathleen Captain's sister
- Joe Sanford, Scott Moore and Alice Rubio
- St. John’s College Students
- Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes
- One Hope Preschool families and staff
Happy Birthday
Gabrielle Williams (June 21)
Kristel Maguy Sio and Pete Sparaco (June 22)
Steve Jump (June 25)
Sarah Dickson (June 27)
Happy Anniversary
Michael and Felicity Bisase (June 2)
Jonathan and Rebecca Amador Hughes (June 3)
Ben and Jennifer Carrettin (June 27)
Church Calendar
Thursday, June 18
- 5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2
Sunday, June 21, 4th Sunday after Pentecost
and Father’s Day
- 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room
- 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
- 1:30 pm Book Study, Zoom
- 3:30 pm Girl Scouts in Session Room and Financial Secretary meeting room
Coming Events
- Sun, June 14, noon, Fellowship and Caring Meeting
- Wed, June 24, 6:30, Men’s Group
- Sat., June 27, 1:00-5:00 p.m., Girl Scout Meeting, Session Room
- Mon, June 29, 11 am, Healing Hearts
- Sat, July 18, Quarterly Bible Study (new format for all ages)
- Thurs, Oct 1, BIM Gala
Church Calendar Online
Parables of the Kingdom:
Stories Jesus Told That We're Still Figuring Out
June 21 – Third Sunday after Pentecost
"The Dishonest Hero"
- OT: 1 Samuel 21:1-9 (David lies to Ahimelech)
- NT: Luke 16:1-13 (The shrewd manager)
June 28 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
"Party Crashers Welcome"
- OT: Isaiah 25:6-9 (Feast for all peoples)
- NT: Luke 14:15-24 (Great banquet, streets swept for guests)
July 5 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
"Lost and Found"
- OT: Ezekiel 34:11-16 (God searches for the lost sheep)
- NT: Luke 15:1-7 (The shepherd leaves 99 for the 1)
July 12 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
"The Interrupted Judge"
- OT: 1 Samuel 1:9-18 (Hannah's persistent prayer)
- NT: Luke 18:1-8 (The widow and the unjust judge)
July 19 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
"Seeds That Fail (And One That Doesn't)"
- OT: Isaiah 55:10-11 (God's word like rain that doesn't return empty)
- NT: Mark 4:1-9 (The sower scatters wildly)
July 26 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
"The Buried Treasure"
- OT: Proverbs 2:1-5 (Search for wisdom like hidden treasure)
- NT: Matthew 13:44 (Man sells everything for field with treasure)
August 2 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
"Ten Girls and One Door"
- OT: Song of Solomon 5:2-6 (Beloved knocks, but the bride delays)
- NT: Matthew 25:1-13 (Wise and foolish bridesmaids)
August 9 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
"The Final Accounting"
- OT: Amos 5:21-24 (Let justice roll down like waters)
- NT: Matthew 25:31-46 (Sheep and goats: when did we see you?)
