The Epistle
June 3, 2026
There is a woman buried in a cemetery in Smith County who kept a mental list her whole life. Not written down. Just maintained quietly, the way careful people maintain anything important. She tracked who stayed to clean up, who gave generously, who found the ceiling tiles interesting when the offering plate came around. She was faithful. Among the most faithful I have ever known. And something in her, something she never would have said aloud, believed that God kept the same kind of list she did.
This Sunday we open a summer series on the parables of Jesus, and the first one is going to make some of us uncomfortable before it makes us free. Vineyard workers. A landowner who pays five o'clock workers the same wage as the ones who showed up at dawn. Jonah watching Nineveh receive mercy it had absolutely no claim to. We are going to call it what Jesus would probably call it. A scandal. A generous one.
Come find out what happens to the list.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
Celebration Brunch for Teachers last Sunday
The Christian Education Committee hosted a brunch in McPhail Hall after worship last Sunday to celebrate our teachers. A wonderful time was had by all as the congregation gathered to honor and give thanks for the dedicated teachers who serve our church community.
Men of the Church
The next meeting of the Men of the Church will be June 10 at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. The congregation thanks this group for restoring McPhail to working order. The facility is currently available during daylight hours only, as the lights are not yet operational.
Income Tax Quarterly Payments, 1040-ES
This document is for educational purposes only.
I didn’t find out how to calculate the correct amount for my quarterly estimated income and tax for 1040-ES. I got
a tax penalty! Ouch! 1040-ES payments are calculated by estimating your total annual tax liability and dividing it into four quarterly installments, using either prior-year taxes or projected current-year income to figure the
amount due.
Look this up on as “1040 ES Payment” on the internet.
This particularly applies to self-employed individuals,
freelancers, gig workers, and those with significant income
not subject to withholding taxes. Or, a taxpayer who has
paid “short.”
You generally need to make estimated tax payments if you
expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes after
subtracting withholding and refundable credits, or if your
withholding and credits cover less than 90% of your
current year’s tax or 100% of last year’s tax. Whew!
Here’s how: Estimate income for this year. Calculate the
total tax 1040-ES tax liability. Divide by 4 for the quarterly
amount. There are rules for these calculations. One is the
Safe Harbor Method based on last year’s tax amount.
Another is the Current-Year Estimate Method. Consider
the special calculation for high-income taxpayers. Become
familiar with these names.
For help, use the 1040-ES Worksheet or 1040-ES
Calculator found at the IRS.GOV website.
When you know the amount due, make the quarterly
payments timely on April 15, June 15, September 15,
and January 15 of the following year.
A payment, if needed, is due by June 15!
Pay via mailing a check or money order with Form
1040-ES, or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment
System (EFTPS), or Credit Card.
You may need to recalculate each quarter to adjust to the
correct amount.
Do research on the “IRS Safe Harbor Rules” which explain
the methods to calculate and not worry about estimated
tax amounts being underpaid.
Learn the rules from the internet sites. Get the form, 1040
ES, perhaps from a download from the IRS website.
Calculate and pay appropriately to avoid any penalties. Pay
on time. Do not mail this in the outdoor mailbox at the
post office.
Once you start with quarterly payments the IRS will send
you the 1040 ES forms in a packet, early in the next year.
Get help if you need it to avoid a cash penalty like I earned.
Dan Herron
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
- Note: Healing Hearts will
not meet on Memorial Day.
- Wednesday, June 10th, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- 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 Michelle Byron, unexpected death of her brother
- Family of Carolyn McEathron, death of her father in law
- 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. Johns College Students
- Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes
- One Hope Preschool families and staff
Fellowship Groups
7. St John's Friends United (Older Adults Group)
- Time: Monthly luncheons (contact office for schedule)
- Location: Various
- Description: Group for older adults featuring trips and monthly luncheons with programs and meals.
To join any of these groups, contact:
The church is located at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77035
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