The Epistle
for November 5, 2025
The Birds, The Flowers, and The Point We Miss
Dear friends,
"Look at the birds of the air," Jesus says. "They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Now, before you quit your job and empty your 401k, let's understand what Jesus is really saying. He's not promoting irresponsibility. Birds work hard. They build nests, hunt for food, care for their young. But here's what birds don't do: They don't lie awake at night wondering if there will be enough worms next Tuesday. They don't hoard beyond what they need. They live in the present provision of God while doing the work of today.
Then Jesus points to the flowers. "See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
Have you ever really looked at a wildflower? I mean really looked? The intricate patterns, the perfect symmetry, the colors that no human artist can quite capture? These temporary beauties that bloom and fade, God dresses them in glory. His point is stunning: If God puts that much care into something that exists for a few days, how much more does He care about you, His image bearer, His eternal child?
The saints got this. They understood their value to God wasn't based on their productivity, their bank account, or their ability to control circumstances. They knew they were loved simply because they were His.
The Practical Path Forward
So how do we actually do this? How do we seek first the kingdom in Houston traffic, in difficult marriages, in job uncertainty, in health crises?
✅ First, start each day with kingdom priorities.
Before you check your email, before you scan the news, before the worry engine starts running, anchor yourself in God's presence. Even five minutes changes the trajectory of a day. The saints knew this. They had their routines, their prayers, their ways of remembering whose they were before they faced what the day would bring.
✅ Second, practice presence over projection. Worry lives in the future. Faith lives in the now. When you catch yourself spiraling into tomorrow's problems, come back to today. What is God providing right now? What grace is available in this moment? The saints learned to live one day at a time, not because they had no plans, but because they knew Who held their plans.
✅ Third, invest in eternal dividends. Every act of kindness, every moment of genuine service, every prayer offered, every truth spoken in love, these are kingdom investments that never lose their value. The saints we remember today might have left behind no earthly wealth, but their kingdom investments are still paying dividends in lives they touched.
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
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
November 23, Sunday, 11 AM -
Big Day at St. John's
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.
Holiday Gift Market
Nov 16, 2025
Noon-2PM
McPhail Hall
*Soup Needed
*Bring a Friend
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.
Little Kings and Queens of the Heart
Our Sunday school children had a wonderful time learning about how God chooses and calls leaders. After hearing the story of Samuel anointing Saul and then David, they made their own colorful crowns to remind them that God looks not at outward appearance but at the heart. The joy on their faces says it all! We’re so proud of our “little folks” and the thoughtful ways they’re growing in faith.
All Saints Day - Why and How?
We had a powerful All Saints Day Service last Sunday. Thinking back on it, a few things make our approach distinctive:
We actually know the people we're remembering. This isn't a generic memorial service where we acknowledge that death exists. We're a congregation of a few hundred people who knew George, Christopher, Wilbert, Bob, Bob, Laverne, Evie, and Martha personally. We worshipped beside them, served with them, prayed for them, and loved them.
That intimacy matters. In Houston's megachurches, you can attend for years without anyone knowing your name. When you die, you might get mentioned in a bulletin, but the community didn't really know you. At St. John's, we know each other's stories. Your life makes a visible difference here. And when you die, that absence is felt.
We balance grief and hope without shortchanging either one. Some churches rush past sorrow to get to resurrection celebration. Others dwell so much in sadness that hope feels distant. We try to hold both together, which is actually what Scripture does.
The psalms don't say "cheer up, death isn't real." They say "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." They acknowledge the valley while trusting the Shepherd's presence. That's what we aim for on All Saints Sunday.
We connect remembering to mission. The service isn't just about looking backward. We're looking at how the saints lived so we can learn how to live now. Bob Hughes served on our mission committee. Martha Rawlinson volunteered with children. Evie Nielson visited shut-ins faithfully.
Their examples call us to keep serving, keep loving, keep building God's kingdom in Houston. We remember not just to honor the past, but to shape our future faithfully.
We make room for different grief experiences. Some people are crying openly. Others sit quietly, processing privately. A few smile at memories that bring joy mixed with sadness. We don't tell anyone how they should feel or impose a timeline on their grief.
That respect for individual experience while providing communal support is part of what makes St. John's different. We're not a grief counseling program, but we are a community that understands loss and walks with people through it over months and years, not just one Sunday.
Read the entire article about our All Saints Day Service, what it means and why we do it.
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.
One Hope Preschool - Halloween Celebration
For more information about One Hope Preschool on the campus of St. John's Presbyterian Church, visit their website.
Halloween Fun
at One Hope Preschool!
At One Hope Preschool, learning and laughter go hand in hand — and our Halloween celebration was the perfect example! Our students went trick-or-treating through the school, showed off their creative costumes, and even joined Mr. Billy for a spooky science experiment!
Every activity was filled with curiosity, imagination, and smiles — the kind of joyful learning moments that make One Hope such a special place to grow.
Because here, play is purposeful, and every day is a new adventure in discovery.
Enrolling now for ages 6 Weeks–Pre-K — come see why families love learning with us!
onehopepreschool.org
Men of the Church schedule update
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 Invitation
We’re excited to announce our One Hope Schools Fall Harvest Festival 2025! Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 8th from 3:00–5:00 PM at: One Hope Preschool (5020 West Bellfort Ave, Bldg 2, Houston, TX 77035).
Get ready for an afternoon full of fun, laughter, and community spirit!
- Bounce House & Petting Zoo
- Face Painting & Balloon Animals
- Games & Activities
- Snow Cones & Snacks
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the season with us.
St. John's Presbyterian Church Columbarium
St. John's Presbyterian Church is pleased to offer our columbarium as a final resting place for members of our church family. The columbarium provides a peaceful, sacred space where the cremated remains of loved ones can be interred right here on our church grounds, allowing families to maintain a close connection to their faith community even after death.
Church members, their immediate family (including parents, spouses, children, and siblings), and those recommended by the columbarium committee and approved by the Session are eligible to purchase interment rights. When you purchase rights to a columbarium niche, you're securing a place of rest within our church family. The church will work with your designated representative to coordinate interment services, which must be approved by the pastor. We handle these arrangements with care and reverence, understanding the sacred nature of this final act of love.
In addition to the columbarium itself, we also offer memorial bricks as a beautiful way to honor and remember those we've lost. These bricks can be placed in our memorial garden and customized with names, dates, or brief messages of remembrance. A 4x8 brick accommodates up to three lines of text for $200, while an 8x8 brick allows up to five lines for $400.
For more information about our columbarium policies, memorial brick program, or to begin the process of securing interment rights, please contact the church office at 713-723-6262 or email stjohns@stjohnspresby.org. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and walk with you through this important decision with compassion and care.
Faith in Action Committee
Meets this Sun, after worship
There will be a brief meeting of the Faith in Action Committee on Sunday 11/9 after the service to finalize preparations for the Holiday Gift Market.
Healing Service,
November 9, 11 AM,
Sanctuary
Join us for a Healing Service on Sunday, November 9, 2015, as we gather in prayer, music, and quiet reflection. This special time of worship offers space to bring our burdens, griefs, and hopes before God—trusting in the Spirit’s power to renew body, mind, and soul. Whether you seek comfort, strength, or simply a moment of peace, you are welcome. Come, rest in God’s healing presence.
Why I Wrote This Book:
"The Fruits of the Spirit"
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 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
Thursday, November 6
5:00 pm Exercise Class, Building
Friday, November 7,
2:00 pm Funeral Service for Evie Nielson, Forest Park East
Saturday, November 8,
10:00 am Brownie Meeting, McPhail
3:00 pm, One Hope Schools Fall Festival, Courtyard
Sunday, November 9, 22 nd Sunday after Pentecost,
Stewardship Season Continues
9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room
11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
12:00 pm Fellowship and Caring Meeting, Room 203; CE Committee
Meeting, Session Room
1:30 pm Book Study: The Way of Discernment, Zoom
3:30 pm Girl Scouts, Session Room and 203
Church Calendar
Fri, Nov 7, 2 PM, Funeral Service for Evie Nielson,
Forest Park East, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598
Sun, Nov 9, Healing Service, 11 AM, Sanctuary
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, Stewardship Brunch
Thur, Nov 27, Thanksgiving Holiday, Church Office Closed
Sat, Nov 29, Advent Decoration Festival, Sanctuary, 10AM-Noo
Sun, Nov 30, First Sunday of Advent, Sanctuary, 11AM Worship
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/
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.
Contact Information
Connect More
Perhaps this sermon will speak to you: "When God Feels Silent: Ask, Seek, Knock."
Or, what makes our worship unique?
Here's another sermon that may speak to you, "The Silence of Heaven: Seeking God When God Feels Distant."
