St. John's Presbyterian Church

The Epistle

October 21, 2026

Dear friends,

Thank you for welcoming the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bell to our pulpit last Sunday, and thank you to the Rev. Linda Herron for leading worship. I hear Zacchaeus threw quite a party. I'm back this Sunday, rested and only slightly over-educated.

This Sunday we continue Generous Trouble with "Treasure Maps." In Malachi 3:6-12, God dares the people to test him: bring the full tithe and see if the windows of heaven don't open. In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus says that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Our money draws a map. Follow it long enough and it leads to the heart.

Here's something to try this week. Read last month's bank statement like a map. Where does the trail lead? Is that where you meant to go? No guilt. Just honest looking.

We're also starting to look toward Advent, which begins November 29. You'll find details below on decorating the sanctuary, poinsettias, and Advent readers.

Keep looking.

Peace,

Pastor Jon

Fall Quarterly Bible Study: Thank You

Thank you to everyone who came out Saturday morning for our Fall Quarterly Bible Study on worship. Our three adult teachers (Bill, Valerie, and Lynne) led us through the biblical foundations of worship, the meaning behind what we do together on Sunday mornings, and ways to keep worship going at home and with family.

The children explored worship in their own way, with activities, play, and plenty of creativity. Over breakfast and lunch there was good food, good conversation, and good singing. It was a full morning in the best sense.

Thanks to Mary Gaber and the Christian Education Committee for leading this. Their planning and care made the whole day work.

Healing Hearts Meets Monday, October 26

Linda Herron will lead the Healing Hearts grief support group on Monday, October 26, at 11:00 a.m. in the Prayer Room. If you are carrying a loss, you are welcome. Come as you are.

Men’s Group Meets October 28

The Men’s Group meets Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Session Room. All men of the church are welcome.

Advent Is Coming

Advent begins Sunday, November 29. The day before, Saturday, November 28, we'll gather at 10 a.m. to decorate the sanctuary, and everyone is invited. Come help us bring festive color to our worship space. This year the sanctuary will also have a new six-foot Christmas tree.

Poinsettias: We've ordered 40 poinsettias, which arrive December 11 and will fill the sanctuary through Christmas Eve. They're available for $12 each, the same price as last year. Watch the Epistle for how to reserve yours.

Advent readers: Each Sunday of Advent, a family or individual leads the Advent reading in worship. Lynne Parsons Austin is reaching out to readers now. If you'd like to take a Sunday, let Lynne know. This year the reading moves to just after the Opening Prayer, with refreshed liturgy for each week.

Greeters and Ushers Needed

Calling all smiling faces to serve the Lord as greeters and ushers! The Worship Committee is looking for volunteers to enter the ministry of greeting and ushering during our Sunday morning Worship services. It is a great way to meet folks in the church and to practice your gifts of hospitality and friendship. Participation is on a rotating basis and the schedule will accommodate those times that you will not be able to serve due to a conflict. Contact Lynne Parsons Austin for more information. Your energy and smiling face is needed.

One Hope Spirit Day, Thursday, October 22

Join One Hope Schools for a community dinner this Thursday at 6 p.m. at Tapster's Grill, 4520 Beechnut. There will be a kids' table with coloring and activities, and 20% of proceeds go to One Hope Schools. Supper you don't have to cook, for a good cause.

Christmas Shoeboxes for Seafarers

Each year the Houston International Seafarers Center delivers Christmas shoeboxes to the crews of ships in the Port of Houston. Last year it was 8,901 boxes, for sailors from 68 nations, many of them months away from home at the holidays. Chaplains and ship visitors carry the boxes aboard by hand.

St. John’s is collecting again this year. Peter Sparaco will set a box in the Narthex. Please bring new, unopened, full-size items such as body wash, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, socks, new caps or T-shirts, playing cards, word-search or sudoku books, pocket notebooks, flashlights with batteries, non-perishable snacks, and Texas souvenirs.

The cutoff date for donations will be announced in a coming Epistle.

Gift of Empathy Class

The Gift of Empathy Class began on Thursday, September 17, and meets weekly on Thursday evenings at 6:30. The next class is Thursday, October 22.

One Hope Harvest Festival, November 7

One Hope Schools invites the whole community to its free Harvest Festival on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to noon on the One Hope Preschool campus, 5020 West Bellfort Ave. There will be a bounce house, games, a petting zoo, and food, with fun for all ages. Bring the grandkids and the neighbors. Individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring the festival may call One Hope Preschool at 713-485-4491; a letter can be provided for tax purposes.

St. John's Holiday Gift Market, November 8

Come browse the offerings of at least 15 vendors and share a light lunch on Sunday, November 8, from noon to 2 p.m. The Gift Market has been a St. John's tradition for decades.

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

• Kathleen Captain, health concerns
• Ken Krueger, health concerns
• Linda Dobbin, health concerns
• Fran and her children as they mourn Brad's passing
• Mary Hughes and her family, in the death of her brother
• Betty Robinson’s family, in her death
• Lisa, health concerns
• Sandy, health concerns
• Patti, health concerns
• Alice's grandson, Marc, health concerns
• Katherine Kyle James, friend of Mark Swindler, health
• Gayle Morales, friend of Alice Rubio, health concerns
• Jessica Ivete Robles, friend of Alice Rubio, health concerns
• Phyllis Freeman, health concerns
• Tom Edmondson and Kristi, his caregiver
• Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns
• Scott Moore
• Alice Rubio
• St. John’s college students
• Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes
• One Hope Preschool families and staff
• Randy Finfrock, former member and friend of David Rainwater, health
• Miri Upton, friend of Lisa Sparaco, health concerns
• Kelly McDowell and family, Shirley Boyd’s nephew, health

How Can We Pray for You?

If you would like to add a name to the prayer list or keep a current name listed, please reply to this email and let us know. Thank you for helping us care for one another through prayer.

Happy Birthday

Dave Muanza (Oct 1)
Virgil Fisher (Oct 2)
Christine Nelson and Amy Caraballo (Oct 7)
Barm Alsbrook (Oct 9)
Alice Rubio and Jeffery Herbert (Oct 10)
Stewart Hall (Oct 14)
Brendan Mulder (Oct 15)
Elizabeth Ragan (Oct 16)
Atillio Ator (Oct 19)
Fran Urquhart and Jonathan Hughes (Oct 24)
James Adams (Oct 25)
Joene Moore and Nathan Herbert (Oct 28)

Happy Anniversary

Dan and Linda Herron (Oct 11, 60th)
Barm and Karen Alsbrook (Oct 15)

Thursday, October 22

• 5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2
• 6:00 pm One Hope Academy Spirit Day, Tapster's Grill
• 6:30 pm Gift of Empathy Class

Sunday, October 25, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

• 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 on Zoom

Coming Events

• Mon, Oct 26, Healing Hearts, led by Rev. Linda Herron, 11 am, Prayer Room
• Wed, Oct 28, Men’s Group Meeting, 6:30 pm
• Sun, Nov 1, All Saints’ Sunday, 11 am
• Tues, Nov 3, Oil for Our Lamps on Zoom, 1:30 pm
• Sat, Nov 7, One Hope Harvest Festival, 10 am
• Sun, Nov 8, Holiday Gift Market, noon to 2 pm
• Thurs, Nov 12, St. John’s Friends United, 11 am
• Thurs, Nov 26, Thanksgiving Day
• Sat, Nov 28, Sanctuary Decorating, 10 am
• Sun, Nov 29, First Sunday of Advent
• Thurs, Dec 24, Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm

Church Calendar Online

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

Generous Trouble:

When Kingdom Economics

Interrupt Our Plans

October 25 - "Treasure Maps"

OT: Malachi 3:6-12

NT: Matthew 6:19-24

November 1 - "The Cloud of Witnesses" (All Saints' Sunday)

OT: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

NT: Ephesians 1:11-23

November 8 - "The Economics of Manna"

OT: Exodus 16:16-20

NT: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

November 15 - "Gleaning at the Edges" (Dedication Sunday)

OT: Leviticus 19:9-10; Ruth 2:1-16

NT: Acts 4:32-37

November 22 - "The Upside-Down Kingdom" (Christ the King Sunday)

OT: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

NT: Matthew 25:31-46

Church Office Hours & Contact Information

The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Pastor Jon is typically available Monday and Tuesday mornings, Alvina Hamilton serves on Wednesdays, and Linda Herron staffs the office on Thursdays.

For assistance, call 713-723-6262.

To submit prayer requests or articles for the Wednesday Epistle, email Pastor Jon and include “Epistle” in the subject line.

Church Website & Calendar

Visit our website for worship information, ministries, and church news:

www.stjohnspresby.org

For upcoming events and schedules, see the church calendar:

www.stjohnspresby.org/events

• To add an event to the calendar or submit an article for The Epistle, email Pastor Jon.