October 28, 2026

Dear friends,



Thank you for last Sunday and "Treasure Maps." I hope a few of you read your bank statement like a map this week. If yours led mostly to the grocery store and the pharmacy, welcome to the club. Check in the narthex this Sunday or in your home mailbox soon for your Stewardship Letter with the Commitment Card for 2027.

This Sunday is All Saints' Sunday. The sermon is "The Cloud of Witnesses," the sixth in Generous Trouble. In Daniel 7, the prophet sees great beasts rise out of a stormy sea, and his spirit is troubled. Then comes the promise: "the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever." In Ephesians 1, Paul prays that "with the eyes of your heart enlightened," we may know the hope to which God has called us.

We will gather at the Lord's Table, and we will read the names of the saints of St. John's who died this past year, who died this past year: Sue Benn, Connie Brown, Betty Robinson, and Brad Urquhart. Bring the names you carry, too. There is room for every one of them.

Here is something to do this week. Tell someone a story about a person you miss. Say their name out loud. And if someone tells you a story like that, let them finish. There is no need to hurry love.

One practical note: daylight saving time ends Sunday morning. Set your clocks back an hour Saturday night. You can use the extra hour for sleep, or for getting to church early. I won't be taking attendance on that.

Say their name.

Peace,

Pastor Jon

Early Voting Ends Friday

Election season is upon us. Early voting in Harris County ends this Friday, October 30, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can vote at any early voting location in the county, and there are more than 70 of them. Check HarrisVotes.com or the Harris Votes app for locations, hours, and wait times. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some Harris County polling places ran out of ballot paper on Election Day 2022, so if you want to be sure you get to vote, early voting is your best option.

Healing Hearts Meets Wednesday, November 11

The Rev. Linda Herron will lead the Healing Hearts grief support group on Wednesday, November 11, 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 Tonight

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

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 Holiday Gift Market, also known as the Living Gift Market, has been a St. John's tradition for decades.

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.

Moment for Mission: The McPhail Scholarship Fund

The Myrtis McPhail Educational Endowment Fund was established in 1989 in honor of Mrs. McPhail, the wife of the first pastor to serve St. John’s. The fund was established to provide a scholarship grant to undergraduate students of St. John’s who wish to continue their education in college or a trade school. This fund has remained active for 37 years and provided many scholarships to our youth, thanks to the generous donations of our faithful church members.

The seeds planted by our church family go with these students who continue to participate in organizations like Future Christian Athletes, Breakaway at College Station, and various other ministries at their respective schools. They engage in activities that allow them to share their light with others.

Thank you so much for generously supporting the McPhail Fund. The students are always grateful for a little extra financial help. Please continue to support this fund and these students. Your help keeping it going not only for our current students, but also our future students (the ones we joyfully see on the steps on Sunday mornings) is greatly appreciated. We will have a space at the Living Gift Market to accept donations. If you can’t be present, please consider making an end-of-year donation made to St. John’s with “McPhail Scholarship” designated in the memo line of your check or with Zelle. Everyone can help by praying for these young adults for God to keep a guiding hand on them.

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 29.

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.

Avoiding Probate: Friends United, November 12

St. John's Friends United meets Thursday, November 12, at 11 a.m in McPhail Hall. This month's presenter is Jeanne Bunnell Leach, P.C., attorney at law, board certified in residential real estate. Her topic is "Planning Tools to Make Life Easier," covering advance directives and tools to avoid probate. Lunch is potluck this month, so bring a dish to share. All who are 50 and older are welcome, whatever their religious affiliation.

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

Andra Mulder (Nov 1)
Mary Hughes and Fifi (Zafirah) Diabate (Nov 3)
Marie Dzeukou (Nov 9)
Becky Crawford (Nov 10)
Virginia Krueger (Nov 12)
Mary Herlitz (Nov 14)
Libby Adams (Nov 15)
Ann Hardy (Nov 16)
Jackson Burnham and Naomi Hughes (Nov 20)
Mary Plail Risley (Nov 22)
Jim Austin and Scott Moore (Nov 29)

Happy Anniversary

Peter and Grace Sparaco (Nov 28)

Thursday, October 29

• 5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2
• 6:30 pm Gift of Empathy Class

Sunday, November 1, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, All Saints' Sunday

• Daylight saving time ends. Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night.
• 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room
• 11:00 am Worship with the Lord's Supper, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
• 1:30 pm Book Study on Zoom

Coming Events

• Sun, Nov 1, All Saints’ Sunday with the Lord’s Supper, 11 am
• Tues, Nov 3, Election Day, polls open 7 am to 7 pm
• 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
• Wed, Nov 11, Healing Hearts, led by Rev. Linda Herron, 11 am, Prayer Room
• Wed, Nov 11, Men’s Group Meeting, 6:30 pm
• Thurs, Nov 12, St. John’s Friends United, 11 am
• Sun, Nov 15, Dedication Sunday, 11 am
• Tues, Nov 17, Oil for Our Lamps on Zoom, 1:30 pm
• 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

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.