The Epistle
May 27, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church
in Houston
Summer's coming.
Everybody who grew up in a Baptist church thinks they know the parables. You've heard them since you were small enough to sit in a Sunday school chair with your feet not touching the floor. The lost sheep. The prodigal son. The good Samaritan.
I thought I knew them too. That's the problem.
Familiarity is a kind of distance. We think we know a story and stop listening to it. Jesus never told these parables so people could check them off a list. He told them the way an old hymn works on you, the tune familiar enough that you quit paying attention to the words, right up until one line lands somewhere you weren't guarding.
I have stood outside grace that was meant for me, too proud or too careful to walk through the door, listening to the music and finding good reasons to stay put.
Most of us have. We just don't say it out loud on Sunday morning.
Starting June 7th and running through August 9th, we're going to sit with these stories and actually try to hear them. The shepherd who leaves ninety-nine for one fool who wandered off. The father who runs down the red clay road because his dead boy is walking home. The wrong man who stops. The right ones who don't.
My grandmother used to say the Lord has a way of getting in the house even when you've locked the door.
She meant it as comfort.
It is also a warning.
Come ready to listen.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
Men of the Church
The next meeting of the Men of the Church will be May 27 at 6:30 PM in the Session Room.
Church Work Day on May 30
The Men's Group has scheduled two work days this month.
- The Men's Group has scheduled a work day for May 30 to complete a number of projects around the church.
- These projects include the inspection and changing of air handler filters, replacement of the thermostat in Building 1, replacement of the A/C outlet in the choir room in the sanctuary, and continued conversion of fluorescent to LED lights in Building 1.
- To prioritize these tasks, the Men's Group will hold a meeting on May 27 at 6:30 PM in the Session Room.
Picnic Brunch, This Sunday,
May 31, After Worship
The Christian Education Committee will host a picnic brunch after worship on Sunday, May 31. Come celebrate our teachers.
Faith in Action Committee
- Faith In Action Committee will meet on Sunday, May 31, after Service.
- Previously reported date of BRAES gala is incorrect. BRAES gala will be held on Thursday, October 1st at Corpus Christi church. Tickets will be $50. We will advise when they go on sale.
Healing Hearts:
A Ministry of Care and Encouragement
Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the
Prayer Room of the church office building.
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
Preserving WOOD,
such as fence boards or planting boxes
by Dan Herron
I am replacing some older fence boards which got a bit of some rot and discoloration. I wanted to preserve the new boards so I wouldn’t have replace them again in a few years. Researched it.
I found a product named Sodium Silicate aka Water Glass. This is a clear liquid, water soluble, that you spray or brush onto the wood surface. The result is protection from water damage, rot. Shop for pricing on this product.
I priced this out and ended up with the whole gallon size for waterproofing 13 fence boards. It arrived in a plastic gallon jug. Likely too much for my small project!
I tried to apply this product onto my new boards with a pump up yard sprayer. This did not work…came out in a stream, not a spray. So, I grabbed a paintbrush and set up to apply the Water Glass liquid. Brushing it on worked fairly well…a bit sticky when wet, and I got the surfaces painted. Ends, edges, faces. The internet says 2 coats would be the best protection, so I continue to apply the product to the ends, edges, and larger surfaces, both sides.
I also painted the wood posts of the small fence to prevent future water damage.
As you are painting two clear coats, be sure to mark the completed surface with a pencil with a I for first coat, and mark the 2nd coat with II. When it is dry and marked with II that board is ready to use. It takes several hours for the coat to “dry.”
This stuff is water soluble, so cleanup is easy. My brush, washed out with water and wrapped in a plastic bag did NOT harden overnight. Later I experienced my wet brush just sitting out in the air…of course it was a bit stiff. I reused the brush for a completing coat on the boards. You can check the internet for solvents of Water Glass.
Curiously, water is one of the solvents that is easy to come by, and it is wet enough. After cleanup and drying the boards overnight, I will screw the boards to the fence railings and posts. My refuse cans will enjoy their new protected shelter look when the nosies pass by.
It looks and feels like a protective coat, usual wood look under a shiny coat. I sure hope this works. It is not a new idea as it has been used for centuries. Perhaps it could be painted. I would think so.
Good luck with your protection on wood outdoor items.
Dan H.
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
Caring for One Another in Prayer
Our prayer list is a vital way we support one another, lifting up joys and concerns before God. From time to time, we update the list to ensure it reflects current needs. If a name has been removed and you would like it added back, please reply to this email and let us know who they are and why you would like them included. Your input helps us pray more intentionally and stay connected to those in need of ongoing support. Thank you for being part of this ministry of care and intercession.
Prayer List Update –
How Can We Pray for You?
As part of our commitment to intentional and meaningful prayer, we periodically refresh our prayer list to ensure we are staying connected with those who need support. If you or someone you previously requested would like to remain on the prayer list, or if you have a new name to add, please reply to this email and let us know.
We are grateful for the opportunity to pray with and for you.
Happy Birthday
Mindi Stanley (May 19)
Ryan Abyiah (May 19)
Pauline Hall (May 23)
Sally Shaw (May 23)
Steffan Kwende (May 25)
Claire MacAdam (May 25)
Ender Jump (May 29)
Kay Swint (May 31)
Happy Anniversary
Bill and Mindi Stanley (May 14)
Church Calendar
Wednesday, May 27
6:30 pm Men’s Group, Session Room
Thursday, May 28
5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2
Saturday, May 30
9:00 am Men’s Group Workday at church
Sunday, May 31, Trinity Sunday
9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room
11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
12:00 pm Picnic Brunch, Teacher appreciation
1:30 pm Book Study, Zoom
3:00 pm Girl Scout Meeting, Room 203 and Session Room
3:30 pm Pack 8 Blue and Gold Banquet
Coming Events
- Wed, May 27, 6:30 pm Men’s Group
- Sat, May 30, Work Day at Church
- Wed, June 10, 7 pm, Healing Hearts
- Monday, June 29, 11 am, Healing Hearts
- Sat, July 18, Quarterly Bible Study (new format for all ages)
Church Calendar Online
