St. John's Presbyterian Church in Meyerland News on November 12, 2025

The Epistle for November 12, 2025



The Stewardship of Persistence


Dear friend,


This season's sermon series is about Kingdom Stewardship, and you might wonder: what does persistent prayer have to do with stewardship? Everything.


Prayer is not just something we do; it's something we steward. We've been entrusted with direct access to the throne room of the universe. The Creator of galaxies takes our calls. The Sustainer of atoms hears our whispers. That's a resource more valuable than any stock portfolio.


But like any resource, we can waste it, hoard it, or invest it wisely.


Some of us waste our prayer access by treating God like a cosmic vending machine. Insert prayer, receive blessing. When the machine doesn't deliver, we kick it and walk away.


Others hoard their prayer access, saving it for emergencies only. "I don't want to bother God with my little problems," they say, as if the God who numbers the hairs on your head is too busy to care about your daily struggles.


But Jesus calls us to invest our prayer access wisely, persistently, relationally. To keep asking, seeking, knocking, not because God is hard of hearing, but because the very act of persistent prayer changes us.



The Houston Hurricane Test


When Harvey flooded our sanctuary, we had to strip it down and rebuild. We know what it’s like to knock on doors for insurance, contractors, and help—when all you want to do is quit.


But even then, we gathered for worship. We worshipped in McPhail Hall for months and years. In that moment we learned: when everything else is washed away, God remains. And God is enough.


That's not a bumper sticker theology. That's a woman who kept knocking even when the door seemed rusted shut. And she found it opened to riches she didn't know existed.



The Practice of Persistence


So how do we actually do this? How do we keep asking when we're tired of asking? How do we keep seeking when we've looked everywhere? How do we keep knocking when our knuckles are bloody?


First, remember that persistence doesn't mean repetition. You don't have to pray the same exact prayer every day like you're trying to wear God down. Persistence means staying in the conversation.


Second, vary your approach. Ask in the morning. Seek through Scripture at lunch. Knock through worship in the evening. Let your whole life become a prayer.


Third, pray with others. This is why we gather as a church. When your faith feels weak, borrow mine. When my knocking arm gets tired, you knock for me. We're not meant to persist alone.


Fourth, document the journey. Keep a prayer journal, not just of requests but of revelations. You'll be amazed how God was answering all along in ways you didn't expect.


Finally, trust the timeline. God's clock doesn't match ours. What feels like divine delay might be perfect timing. What seems like rejection might be redirection.



The Door That's Already Opening


Here's what I want you to remember as we prepare for Thanksgiving next week: Every one of us has prayers that seem unanswered. Every one of us has knocked on doors that seem locked. But the very fact that you're still asking, still seeking, still knocking, means you haven't given up on God.


And if you haven't given up on God, I have good news: He definitely hasn't given up on you.


The door you're knocking on? It's already beginning to open. You might not see it yet, but the hinges are moving. The lock is turning. Not because you knocked loud enough or long enough, but because the One behind the door has been waiting for you all along.


Ponder these things as you prayerfully consider your pledge to St. John's for 2026. Your stewardship letter should be at your house. If you haven't received yours by Friday, please call the church office and let us know. Or, look for a stewardship letter on the table in the narthex. Turn yours into the church office by Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 23.


Grace and peace,

Pastor Jon




Holiday Gift Market

Nov 16, 2025 * Noon-2PM * McPhail Hall


*Bring Soup

*Bring a Friend


This Week! The Holiday Market will be held on Sunday, November 16. Come enjoy lunch, bring a friend, and do a little early holiday shopping. Scouts will be selling goodies, including beautiful, fresh Christmas Wreaths.


Please bring one guest who isn’t already part of our congregation.


We’re also looking for volunteers to bring soup, potluck style. You can sign up in the Narthex—thank you for helping make this a warm and welcoming event.


Come, participate, and let’s make this year’s Holiday Gift Market a true witness to God’s abundance.


Feel free to share this poster by email, social media post, or print it and hand a copy to your neighbor. This has already been posted on Nextdoor in Willow Bend, our church Facebook page, and by church members who live in Meyerland. Who will you invite? Share the good news about the Holiday Gift Market this Sunday at noon in McPhail Hall.


Who Sells What at the Holiday Gift Market?


Here is a partial list of the Vendors:


  • Summer Pavini: Diamond art and trinkets
  • Karen Pepkin, Creations Fine Art and Craft: Baskets, jewelry, purses, art and other crafted gifts
  • Kristi's Kitchen: Kristi Edmondson - Gourmet Jellies and Spreads, Vinegars, Olive Oil, Sauces
  • Rachel Green: Benny Boy Creative, Cute shirts, tumblers, engraved cutting boards, coasters, wood puzzles
  • Kathryn Kraitman: My Little Sunshine Company - Handmade jewelry, candles
  • Barm's Cupcakes: Homemade cupcakes
  • Seaman's Shoe Box: Gifts to seafarers in Port of Houston
  • Hilltop of Hope: Purses, wallets, backpacks (All quilted by rescued sex workers with materials and training provided by the ministry
  • Thanksgiving Coffe: Rwanda Single Origin Coffee
  • PCHAS Single Parent Family Ministry: Buyers may purchase holiday gift cards and make donations
  • Lulwanda Children's Home and Orphanage
  • Children's activity table: Jana Burnham
  • Presbyterian Giving Catalog: Lisa Sparaco
  • BIM Food Pantry: Eloy Montes will host an informational table
  • Daisy Scouts: Jill Shaffer, small gifts
  • St John's Boy Scouts - Christmas Wreaths


Come one and all. The Holiday Gift Market at St. John’s is more than a shopping event. It is a celebration of creativity, compassion, and community. Each table tells a story of local artisans sharing their gifts, ministries changing lives, and neighbors joining together to support good causes both near and far. Whether you pick up a handcrafted treasure, a fresh-baked cupcake, or a mission gift that blesses someone in need, every purchase plants a seed of hope. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your holiday spirit, because when you shop here, you help make the season brighter for others.



St. John’s Friends United (Formerly Keenagers) 

This wonderful group will gather on Thursday, November 13, at 11:00 AM for a time of fellowship, food, and friendship. All are invited to come and enjoy good company as we celebrate the season together.


If you’d like, bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish, a cherished family recipe, or a traditional food from your own culture to share. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect across generations, swap stories, and give thanks for the blessings that bind our St. John’s family together.



Church Photographer: Ken Kruger

Our church website will soon feature new photos from our worship services and fellowship events to better reflect the vibrant life of our congregation. Ken Kruger has kindly agreed to take these photos so we can have high-quality images of real people and moments that show the heart of St. John’s. If you prefer not to have your photo included on the website, please reply to this email and let us know. Thank you for helping us share the warmth and spirit of our church community with others.



Where Everyone belongs


Smaller churches like St. John's Presbyterian punch far above their weight when it comes to kingdom impact.

Because we're small, we can respond quickly to community needs without navigating bureaucracy or waiting for committee approval. When Hurricane Harvey flooded southwest Houston, we didn't need to call a special meeting to decide whether to help our neighbors. We just did it. When a member loses a job, we don't refer them to a benevolence committee. We pass the hat and make sure they can pay rent.


Because we're small, every member's gifts matter significantly. The choir needs your voice. The garden needs your hands. The food pantry needs your time. You're not replaceable or optional. You're essential to the work God is doing through this community.


Because we're small, we can focus on depth rather than breadth. We might not reach thousands of people, but we can disciple dozens well. We can create the kind of transformed lives that Jesus actually called for, rather than the kind of casual association that characterizes much of American Christianity.


The early church grew through small communities that met in homes, shared life together, and loved each other with a kind of radical commitment that amazed their pagan neighbors. They didn't have buildings or programs or staff. They had authentic relationships centered on Jesus Christ. They had people who actually knew each other and cared for each other and held each other accountable to their faith.


That's what we're trying to recover at St. John's Presbyterian. Not as some nostalgic throwback to simpler times, but as a genuine alternative to the consumer Christianity that dominates American church culture.


If you're tired of being anonymous in a crowd, if you want to be known and loved by a Christian community, if you believe faith should result in genuine relationships and meaningful service, then I'd like to invite you to visit St. John's Presbyterian Church.


We're at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue in Houston, 77035. We worship every Sunday at 11:00 AM. You can reach us at 713-723-6262 or find more information on our website.


Come see what happens when church is small enough to be family, when everyone belongs, when your presence actually matters.

We'll be looking for you this Sunday.


Pastor Jon Burnham serves St. John's Presbyterian Church in southwest Houston, where he has learned that the best things in life, including church community, cannot be mass-produced or programmed. He believes that small is not a limitation but a gift, creating space for the kind of authentic relationships that Jesus called his followers to embody.

~~> Read more about St. John's on our church blog ...

Small Church Southwest Houston:
 Where Everyone Belongs. <~~




November 23, Sunday, 11 AM -

Big Day at St. John's Presbyterian Church

in Westbury


Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 23. We will gather after worship for a congregational meeting where we will present the proposed 2026 budget and vote on the pastor’s terms of call.


If the Nominating Committee has their slate ready, we will hear that report as well.


When the meeting ends, we will move straight into our Stewardship Brunch to share a good meal and celebrate the generous heart of our church.




Men's Group Supports Cub Scout Troop

in Seaman's Center Christmas Gifts Project


The St. John’s Men’s Group will be supporting our Cub Scout Troop in assembling gift boxes for the Seamen’s Center. We are soliciting donations from the congregation to support this effort. [Attached?] is a list of the items we are collecting to include in the boxes. You can bring your donations to the worship service and leave them in the designated box. The Scouts are targeting 6 Dec for assembling the gift boxes so all donations need to be in by then. Last year we did a phenomenal 128 boxes. Thank you for your support.


Church Website

Gaining Momentum



St. John's Presbyterian Church Website

Performance review:





Show Your St. John’s Spirit at the Holiday Gift Market!


Have you been waiting for the perfect time to show off your new St. John’s T-shirt? The 
Holiday Gift Market is your chance! This is one of our favorite events of the year, so let’s make it even more festive by wearing our St. John’s shirts—new or old.


If you don’t have one yet, we’ll have extras available that day. The Market will be held on Sunday, November 16, so come enjoy lunch, bring a friend, and do a little early holiday shopping.


And as Leonié reminded us, these shirts are great conversation starters—wear them proudly around town, not just to church!



Church Ice Machine is broken


The church ice machine is currently out of order. The electronic control board has failed completely and must be replaced. Unfortunately, the replacement part must be manufactured and shipped from China, which will take about six months to arrive. The Session is exploring alternative solutions in the meantime to provide ice for church events and activities. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue.



Healing Hearts:

A New Ministry

of Care and Encouragement


Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the Prayer Room.


Healing Hearts, 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.


Healing Hearts is open both to members of St. John’s and to the wider community. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors who may need such support. Meetings will take place in the Prayer Room, on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM and the last Monday of each month from 11:00 AM–12:00 Noon. This schedule provides both an evening option for those who work during the day and a daytime option for those who prefer not to drive at night.


Men of the Church

Due to the holiday schedule of the participants, the next meeting of the Men of the Church will be 3 December at 6:30 PM in the Session Room.



One Hope Preschool - Fall Festival Fun


Last Saturday on our church campus, One Hope had an afternoon full of fun, laughter, and community spirit including:

  •  Bounce House & Petting Zoo
  •  Face Painting & Balloon Animals
  •  Games & Activities
  •  Snow Cones & Snacks

Friends, family, and neighbors enjoyed celebrating the season with One Hope.






Questions People Ask About Presbyterian Beliefs: "What were some religious or social beliefs of Presbyterianism?"


Do Presbyterians believe you can lose your salvation?

No. We hold to the perseverance of the saints, meaning true believers will continue in faith until the end. God doesn't save you just to let you slip away later. Jesus said in John 10:28, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."

This doesn't give you permission to sin carelessly. It gives you confidence that God finishes what He starts. If you're genuinely saved, you'll keep trusting Jesus even through seasons of doubt and struggle.


Are Presbyterians Calvinists?

Yes, though that word carries baggage. John Calvin systematized many Reformed doctrines, so his name got attached to them. But we're really biblical Christians who take seriously what Scripture teaches about God's sovereignty and grace.


Some Calvinists are harsh and judgmental. That's not what Presbyterian theology produces when understood correctly. Grace should make you humble and grateful, not proud and argumentative.


Do Presbyterians speak in tongues?

Generally no, though it's not forbidden. Presbyterian worship tends to be more ordered and less spontaneous than Pentecostal or Charismatic traditions. We believe the Holy Spirit works powerfully, but we don't emphasize the more spectacular gifts as evidence of spiritual maturity.


What about predestination? Does God choose who goes to heaven?

This is the question that trips people up. Here's the simplest explanation I can give: Yes, God chooses who will be saved. But everyone who wants to come to Christ can come. These truths exist in tension, and we don't fully understand how they fit together.


What we do know is this: You're responsible for your response to the gospel. If you reject Christ, that's on you. If you trust Christ, thank God for opening your eyes to see your need and drawing you to Himself.


Do you have to believe all this to attend St. John's?

Absolutely not. We welcome seekers, skeptics, and people still figuring out what they believe. You don't have to sign a doctrinal statement to visit on Sunday or join a Bible study.


But if you want to become a member, you'll need to affirm the basic Christian faith and agree with Presbyterian government. That's because membership means you have a voice in church decisions. It's not just a social club; it's a covenant commitment.


Click here to read the rest of this article on our Blog.




The Way of Discernment

Sunday afternoon

Zoom Class


Have you ever wondered if you are following God’s will for your life? That you got it right? And just exactly how do you know? In the book The Way of Discernment by Steve Doughty, he draws from classic authors like Augustine and contemporary ones like Dietrich Bonhoeffer to reveal powerful ways in which to understand the practice of discernment. This is a study seeking clarity in discovering God’s guidance for both your personal and congregational life. Come and join in from the comfort of your own home. This intriguing study will definitely deepen your faith and bless your spiritual journey. Books are available at Amazon.com (choose the green cover edition). Contact Lynne Parsons for the Zoom link at lynnep@sbcglobal.net. Everyone is invited.



An Apology for Duplicate Devotionals


I owe you an apology.


If you received the same devotional email more than once recently, please forgive me. In the past twelve months, including this one, I've sent out over 44,000 emails to our church family. Most of them went exactly where they should have gone, exactly when they should have arrived. But a few didn't. And that's on me.


Here's what happened: a few weeks ago, our email system got a major update that nobody asked for. It slowed everything down, moved buttons around, and basically made our normal routine nearly impossible. After spending way too long on the phone with tech support, I switched us back to the old version. Problem solved, right? Well, mostly. I now suspect that whole mess is what caused some of you to get the same devotional two or three times.


We're keeping a close eye on things now and working toward a real fix. But in the meantime, if another duplicate email lands in your inbox, I hope you'll extend us a little grace. We're doing our best to keep our communications clear and timely, even when technology has other plans.


Thank you for your patience with us as we figure this out.


Peace,

Pastor Jon




Privacy in email sites

by Dan Herron


I found a good idea this month, about email mailboxes. I

have always used only one mailbox for all my email. The

article suggested that we need at least two mailboxes. The

first one is for the usual email social conversations, and a

2 nd site is for private information such as financial,

business, family, location, travel, shopping, and other

privacy items. This second site may need special

protection in passwords and other log in techniques. This

idea may keep your private stuff separate from the social

stuff, maybe just because very few people out there will

even know the more private mailbox exists. Consider this

idea for computer and cellphone usage.


Dan Herron



Why I Wrote This Book


I wrote "The Fruits of the Spirit: A Contemplative Journey" for 6 different groups of people. Which group are you in?


1. Long-time Christians who are spiritually hungry. You've been attending church for years, maybe decades. You know the Bible, serve faithfully, and genuinely love God. But something feels missing. You sense there's depth you haven't accessed, a intimacy with God that eludes you. This book invites you into contemplative practices that can break through spiritual plateau.


2. Seekers exploring Christian faith. You're curious about Christianity but turned off by superficial spirituality or rigid fundamentalism. You want something intellectually honest and experientially real. This book presents Christian transformation as it's been practiced by mystics and contemplatives for centuries, offering depth without demanding you check your brain at the door.


3. Christians exhausted by religious performance. You're tired of pretending you have it all together. Tired of trying harder to be a better Christian. Tired of guilt when you fail to live up to impossible standards. This book offers grace instead of guilt, surrender instead of striving, God's work instead of your effort.


4. Those who've tried meditation or mindfulness. You've experimented with secular mindfulness or even Eastern meditation practices. You've discovered the value of silence, stillness, and present-moment awareness. But you're wondering how these practices connect to Christian faith. This book shows how contemplative Christianity offers deep practices rooted in relationship with the living God revealed in Jesus Christ.


5. Presbyterians and Reformed Christians wanting contemplative depth. Sometimes people assume contemplative spirituality is only for Catholics or mystics. This book brings contemplative wisdom into conversation with Reformed theology, showing how Presbyterian Christians can embrace contemplative practices while remaining faithful to our theological tradition.


6. Houston residents dealing with urban stress. Houston's pace, traffic, diversity, and challenges create particular pressures. This book addresses how to grow spiritual fruit in the concrete circumstances of life in a major metropolitan area. The practices are realistic for people with jobs, families, and responsibilities, not just for monks in monasteries.


*Read more about my book "The Fruits of the Spirit" including how it applies to you and to St. John's Presbyterian Church on our church website blog.



Prayer List


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


  • 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


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

Marie Dzeukou (Leonie’s cousin) (Nov 9)

Becky Crawford (Nov 10)

Virginia Krueger (Nov 12)

Mary Herlitz (Nov 14)

Libby Adams (Nov 15)

Ann Hardy (Nov 16)

Janice, Ike and Udi Johnson (Nov 17)

Jackson Burnham (Nov 20)

Naomi Hughes (Nov 20)

Mary Plail Risley (Nov 22)

Jim Austin (Nov 29)

Scott Moore (Nov 29)


Happy Anniversary

Peter and Grace Sparaco (Nov 28)



Church Calendar

Wednesday, November 12

7:00 pm Healing Hearts, Room 202

Thursday, November 13

11:00 am St. John’s United (formerly Keenagers) Pot Luck lunch, McPhail

5:00 pm Exercise Class, Building

Sunday, November 16, 23 rd Sunday after Pentecost

9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room

11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook

12:00 pm Holiday Gift Market, McPhail

1:30 pm Book Study: The Way of Discernment, Zoom

4:30 pm Pack 8 Meeting, McPhail


Coming Events

Healing Hearts to Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7 pm and Monday, November 24, 11 am.


Sun, Nov 16, Holiday Gift Market, McPhail Hall, Noon-2PM


Sun, Nov 23, Congregational Meeting; Stewardship Brunch


Thur, Nov 27, Thanksgiving Holiday, Church Office Closed


Sat, Nov 29, Advent Decoration Festival, Sanctuary, 10AM-Noon


Sun, Nov 30, First Sunday of Advent, Sanctuary, 11AM Worship


Wed, Dec 3, Men’s Group, 6:30 pm, Session Room


Sat, Dec 13, “What is the Gospel” Class, Session Room, Session Room, 9 AM


Wed, Dec 24, Christmas Eve Service, Sanctuary 7 pm


Church Calendar Online

For other dates, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/




Coming Soon: 🕯️ Advent Sermon Series


"The Word Made Flesh: Advent Reflections from the Gospel of John"


Advent 2025 Sermon Series


Anticipating the celebration of Jesus' birth, we reflect on the abundant grace we receive through Him. John emphasizes that from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. Psalm 98 calls us to sing a new song for the marvelous things God has done. This sermon series encourages us to live in the reality of God's grace, allowing it to transform us and inspire gratitude and praise. As we move into a new year, we are challenged to carry the message of God's grace into the world.


This Advent series is designed to guide the congregation through a thoughtful and meaningful preparation for Christmas. Each week builds upon the previous, drawing us deeper into the mystery of the Word made flesh. By focusing on the themes of light, joy, preparation, and grace, we are encouraged to embrace the true meaning of Advent and Christmas, allowing these truths to impact our lives and relationships.



Church Office Hours and Contact Info


Our church office is open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Pastor Jon is typically available on Monday and Tuesday mornings, Alvina Hamilton serves on Wednesdays, and Linda Herron staffs the office on Thursdays. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please don’t hesitate to call us at 713-723-6262. To submit updates for the Prayer List or contributions to the Wednesday Epistle, kindly email Pastor Jon directly. Put "Epistle" in the subject line to make sure it gets in the Epistle.



Church Website and Calendar Online




St. John's Bible Study

& Faith Formation Groups


1. Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study

  • Time: Sundays at 9:30 AM
  • Location: In-person at church
  • Description: Adult class that studies the sermon passage before worship. Helps participants understand Scripture and shapes how they hear the sermon. Open to visitors without needing to fill out forms or commit immediately.


2. Sunday Afternoon Zoom Study

  • Time: Sundays at 1:30 PM
  • Location: Zoom (virtual)
  • Description: Tackles books and topics requiring sustained attention. Recently studied "The Way of Discernment" by Steve Doughty. Focuses on deep questions about following God's will, spiritual discernment, and making faithful life decisions. Small group format where everyone participates.


3. Tuesday Afternoon Women's Study

  • Time: Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 PM
  • Location: Zoom (virtual)
  • Description: Long-standing women's group studying Christian books, praying together, and supporting each other through life's challenges. Not a stereotypical "ladies' Bible study" but rather women asking tough questions and wanting faith that matters in real life. Mothers, professionals, retirees, and caregivers dealing with aging parents, marriages, careers, and health issues.


4. Men's Group (Wednesday Evening)

  • Time: Every other Wednesday at 6:30 PM (one hour or so)
  • Location: In-person at church
  • Description: Men dig into Scripture with focus and energy. They also hold each other accountable and pray for each other's struggles. They work on practical service projects such as upgrading lights are also on the agenda. Designed to respect men's time and intelligence.


5. Children's Bible Study

  • Time: Sundays at 11:00 AM (during worship service)
  • Location: Church office building
  • Description: Age-appropriate Bible study for children that helps them engage with Scripture at their level. Not childcare but actual faith development that takes children seriously while allowing parents to focus on worship.


Exercise & Wellness Groups


6. Stay Young, Stay Strong

  • Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:00 PM
  • Location: Room 209, Building 2
  • Description: Strength training class based on Miriam E. Nelson's book "Strong Women Stay Slim." Weights provided.


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

Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email

St. John's Presbyterian Church | 5020 West Bellfort Ave | Houston, TX 77035 US



Going Deeper: Resources for Your Journey


If something in this reflection on worship stirred your spirit, you may find these articles a helpful next step.


Bible Study in Houston: Where to Find Scripture Study That Goes Deeper” looks at how Scripture comes alive in conversation—how study becomes worship when hearts open and questions are welcome.


Presbyterian Church Houston: What Makes Our Worship Unique” unpacks why we worship the way we do, revealing the theology and rhythm that shape our Sunday gatherings into moments of encounter rather than performance.


Why St. John’s Presbyterian Stands Out” tells the larger story of how our worship spills into action, shaping a community that serves rather than impresses.


Each of these offers a different way to enter the mystery of worship—heart, mind, and hands working together. You may also want to learn more about our beliefs and theology.


Peace,

Pastor Jon Burnham



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 50+ books on Christian living 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."

Share This article

By Jon Burnham May 14, 2026
Join us for worship this Sunday at 11AM  at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas
By Jon Burnham May 13, 2026
The Official Newsletter of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas
By Jon Burnham May 9, 2026
Worship Service, 11 AM this Sunday, you are invited!
By Jon Burnham May 6, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas
By Jon Burnham May 2, 2026
Worship Invitation, Bulletin, and Announcements for St. John's near Bellaire, TX
By Jon Burnham April 29, 2026
The church newsletter of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Westbury, Meyerland
By Jon Burnham April 25, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston welcomes you to worship!
By Jon Burnham April 22, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston
By Jon Burnham April 18, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston ~ Worship Bulletin and Annoucements
By Jon Burnham April 15, 2026
The Epistle St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston Seventy Years on West Bellfort Dear friends, Seventy years is a long time. Longer than most of us have been alive. Long enough to watch Houston transform from a mid-sized Texas city into one of the largest and most diverse cities in the country. Long enough to see whole neighborhoods rise, change, and find new life. St. John's Presbyterian Church has been here through all of it. Since 1956, this congregation has worshiped at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue. Think about that for a moment. The Astrodome had not even been built yet when the first members of St. John's gathered to sing hymns and hear Scripture. Houston was a different world, and a small group of Presbyterians planted a church in southwest Houston because they believed this neighborhood needed a community of faith that would stay. They were right. And they stayed. I did not arrive until 2007, so I cannot claim credit for those first decades. When I came, the congregation handed me something they had been building for fifty-one years. That is a humbling thing to receive. You walk into a story that was already going long before you showed up. What struck me most in those early years was not the building or the programs. It was the people who had been here for decades and still showed up every Sunday like it was the first time they had discovered something worth getting out of bed for. That kind of faithfulness is rare. You do not manufacture it. It grows slowly, year after year, in the soil of shared prayer and shared loss and shared meals and shared mission. Seventy years of names and faces. People who showed up with mops and buckets after Harvey flooded this building, who worked until the Education Building was clean and dry and whole again, and who then turned around and opened those same doors to One Hope Preschool. Families who buried loved ones from this sanctuary and then came back the following Sunday because they needed to be with their people. Young parents who brought infants for baptism and then watched those same children come back as adults, sometimes with infants of their own. Choir members who sang the same hymns for forty years and somehow found new meaning in them every time. The community garden did not exist in 1956. The columbarium was not there. The partnership with Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda would have seemed impossible. The PCHAS Single Parent Family Ministry on our campus was not yet a dream anyone had dreamed. But the spirit behind all of those things was already present. The belief that the church exists to serve people, and that serving people in the name of Christ changes both the server and the served. That belief has carried this congregation through good years and hard ones. I want to be honest about something. Celebrating seventy years could easily become a kind of self-congratulation. We did it! Look at us! And I understand the temptation. Reaching this milestone as a small congregation in a city full of large and well-funded churches is genuinely something to be grateful for. But I think the truer celebration is this: God was faithful. Generation after generation of people at St. John's said yes when they could have said no. They gave money when money was tight. They showed up to committees and Session meetings and fellowship dinners when they were tired. They welcomed strangers. They prayed for each other by name. God worked through all of that ordinary faithfulness to keep this church alive and keep it useful. That is what is worth celebrating. What do the next ten years look like? Or the next seventy? I do not know, and I suspect that is fine. The people who started this congregation in 1956 probably could not have imagined the church we are today. They just tried to be faithful with what they had in front of them. So that is still the job. Worship well on Sunday mornings. Study Scripture together. Tend the garden. Bring food to Braes Interfaith Ministries. Sit with people who are grieving. Welcome whoever walks through the door. If we do those things, we will probably still be here in 2056. And some pastor who is not yet born will walk into this congregation and receive what you have been building, and they will feel the same weight of gratitude I felt in 2007. God willing, they will also feel the same joy. Seventy years is a long time. And we are just getting started. Peace, Pastor Jon Burnham Welcome New Members: New Faces, Familiar Grace Last night, our Session had the joy of receiving new members into the life of St. John's. We welcomed the Layman family: Zach, Jessica, and their two little ones, Mark and Eric. They did not stumble upon us by accident. They came looking specifically for a congregation that takes the gospel seriously enough to live it out even when it costs something. Some of you will remember the opposition that arose when PCHAS brought its Single Parent Family Ministry to our campus. The Laymans heard about that, and it told them something about who we are. They will be scheduling baptisms for their boys here soon, and we look forward to that celebration. We also received the Rev. Valerie Bell into our fellowship. Valerie is an honorably retired PC(USA) pastor who now makes her home in Meyerland. She has served congregations in Florida and Arkansas, and she brings with her real gifts for teaching and pastoral care among others. As a minister, Valerie will be joining our presbytery rather than our membership roll, but in every way that matters she is one of us, sharing her time and her talents alongside the rest of the congregation. We are glad she is here. Receiving new members during the month of our 70th anniversary year feels like exactly the right kind of gift. God is not finished with St. John's yet. Welcome home, Laymans. Welcome home, Valerie. We will share their photos in the Epistle as soon as they become available. A Word of Celebration We received a wonderful note this week from Loic, grandson of our own Leonie. He wanted the St. John's family to know that he is graduating this May 15th with a 4.0 GPA and an Associate's Degree of Science in Chemistry. After that, he plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in Energy and Environmental Engineering at a four-year school in Canada. He wrote to say thank you, and his words were simple and sincere: "Y'all really made it easier for me." Pastor Jon replied: "A 4.0 in Chemistry does not just happen. That takes discipline, long nights, and a steady kind of determination. And now you are stepping into Energy and Environmental Engineering, which tells me you are not only thinking about your future, but about the future of the world God has given us to care for. We are proud of you, Loic. Truly." Please keep Loic in your prayers as he heads into this exciting next chapter. He carries St. John's love with him all the way to Canada. Tomorrow: PCHAS Luncheon at Lakeside Country Club The annual PCHAS luncheon is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16th, at noon. It will be held at Lakeside Country Club, 100 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, 77042. The theme this year is "Hope Outlives Hardship." The one-hour program will share updates on the many services PCHAS provides across Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri, with real stories of lives changed. It is a heartwarming event and always worth the time. We are glad to say that 20 people from St. John's are registered and ready to go. St. John's has had deep ties to PCHAS for many years, and especially since partnering with their Single Parent Program right here on our campus beginning in 2012. There will be an opportunity to give toward this ministry if you feel led to do so, but it is not required. If you are registered and have questions about tomorrow, please call or text Shirley at 713-598-0818; or Ann at 713-240-2690. Men of the Church The next meeting of the Men of the Church will be 15 April at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. Come for a time of study and service projects that benefit the church. Fellowship and Caring Committee Meeting this Sunday after worship Our Caring Committee will be gathering near the Session Room for a meeting on Sunday, April 19 , immediately following our worship service. We invite all members to join us as we reflect on our recent outreach efforts and discuss new ways to support and uplift our church family in the coming months. Your heart for service and your thoughtful ideas are what make this ministry so vital. We look forward to seeing you there! Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Attention all high school seniors, undergraduate college, and/or technical/trade school students! St. John’s is once again ready to accept applications to the Myrtis McPhail Scholarship Fund . These funds are available to any church member or relative of a church member who will be enrolled full time in undergraduate college or a technical/trade school in the Fall of 2026. You must reapply for the scholarship each year, and you may apply for a maximum of 5 years. Applications are available by email request to Kathy Barnhill ( jabarnhill@comcast.net ) or Mindi Stanley ( mstanley@bcm.edu ) or click on this link: Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2026 and we hope to distribute funds to recipients in June. The Scholarship Fund also is open for donations! If anyone would like to donate, please indicate the McPhail Scholarship Fund on a check or via Zelle. McPhail Hall Temporarily Closed This past Sunday, we discovered that several ceiling tiles had fallen in McPhail Hall. Unfortunately, additional tiles fell later in the week. While we have cleaned the area and secured the immediate surroundings, our top priority is the safety of our congregation and guests. Therefore, all events scheduled in McPhail Hall are canceled until further notice while we investigate the cause and ensure the space is fully safe for use. We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide updates as soon as we know more. 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 Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Prayer Room Monday, April 27, 11:00 AM to Noon Prayer List 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. Happy Birthday Jo Ann Golden (April 8) Winnie Georgiev (April 9) Samuel Okwudiri (April 9) Emmanuel Okwudiri (April 9) Pat Ragan (April 12) Tom Edmonsond (April 13) Allen Barnhill (April 14) Austin Gorby (April 14) Jenny Pennycuff (April 17) Kennedy Muanza (April 24) Jon Burnham (April 26) Wednesday, April 15 6:30 pm Men’s Group, Session Room Thursday, April 16 12:00 pm PCHAS Luncheon. Church Office Closed 5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday service, Sanctuary Sunday, April 19, Third Sunday of Easter 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook, Rev. Herron preaching 12:00 pm Brunch, hosted by the Worship Committee 1:30 pm Book Study, Zoom 3:30 pm Girl Scouts in Session Room and Room 203. Wed, April 15, Men’s Group Thurs, April 16, 12 pm, PCHAS Luncheon; Church Office Closed Sun, April 19, Fellowship and Caring Committee meeting after worship Mon, April 27, Healing Hearts, 11 am Thurs, April 30, BIM Gala (tentative date) Church Calendar Online For other dates, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/ 2026 Session Members and Roles Elders on the Session: Class of 2026 Ann Hardy: Finance and Stewardship Michael Bisase: Buildings and Grounds Jan Herbert: Christian Education Elders on the Session: Class of 2027 Lynne Parsons Austin: Worship Omar Ayah: Faith in Action Marie Kutz: Personnel and Administration Elders on the Session: Class of 2028 Mary Gaber: Christian Education Peter Sparaco: Faith and Action Tina Liljedahl Jump: Fellowship and Caring Other Session Leaders and Support Staff Jon Burnham: Moderator of Session Lynne Parsons Austin: Clerk to Session Tad Mulder: Church Treasurer Tap Here to leave a Google Review for St. John's Presbyterian Church 👉 Tap here to leave a review: [ Direct Google Review Link ] (Currently 4.9 stars from 37 reviews – thank you!) Sermon Series Resurrection Disruptions Most Easter sermons make a promise that is hard to keep on Monday morning. Death is defeated. Christ has risen. And then the diagnosis is still real. The grief hasn't lifted. The loss is still just there. This Easter season we are going to be honest about that tension. The series is called "Resurrection Disruptions: When Death Gets Interrupted," and it runs from Easter Sunday through the Day of Pentecost. Eight weeks, eight stories of God showing up for people who weren't ready, weren't expecting it, and probably weren't facing the right direction when it happened. Ezekiel in a valley of dry bones. Thomas with his hand near a wound. Disciples huddled behind a locked door. Each week is a disruption story. Each week the resurrection interrupts something that looked finished. The arc moves from the disorientation of early Easter morning all the way to Pentecost, from silence to fire, from a sealed tomb to a wide open street. If you have ever wondered whether faith has anything real to say to people who are actually suffering, these eight weeks are for you. Bring someone who is carrying something heavy this spring. We'll start at an empty tomb and see where the risen Christ takes us from there.