September 3, 2025
Finding Hope in Job’s Story
Somebody recently asked why we’re spending so much time with the Book of Job — “because it’s so depressing.” It’s a fair question. Job’s story begins in ashes, with grief stacked upon grief. But here’s the deeper truth: we walk with Job not to stay in despair, but to learn how faith can breathe even in the hardest places. This series is less about Job’s losses and more about what God does in the rubble.
Each Sunday, we watch Job hold fast when his world collapses. He does not sugarcoat his pain, nor does he let go of God. That is why his story still speaks. Job gives us language for our own storms — the moments when prayers feel unanswered, or when the ground under our feet suddenly shifts. And yet, even in those moments, Job points us toward a God who remains present, even when all else falls away.
This week we turn to Philippians 1:6: “being confident of this, that the One who began a good work among you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” That confidence is the answer to Job’s cries. God’s good work in us is not undone by loss, or by struggle. Quite the opposite: our faith is shaped and strengthened through it. Far from being depressing, Job’s journey opens the door to hope — the kind of hope that endures, even in the storm.
How can Job’s story bring hope instead of despair? Join us Sunday as we find out.
In peace and trust,
Pastor Jon Burnham
Curb Replacement Work
Starts September 15
Beginning Monday, September 15, our property team will oversee replacing the curbs along the parking lot entrance to McPhail Hall. This important work will make access to McPhail Hall safer in all weather and more reliable during heavy rains. Weather permitting, the entrance should reopen by Monday, September 22. In the meantime, we ask everyone to please avoid using the first approach off West Bellfort and to refrain from entering McPhail Hall from the parking lot side. We’ve notified our Preschool and other building partners—thank you for helping us spread the word and for your patience as we improve our shared space.
Thanks from Holly Darr
I am deeply grateful for the gift of life through my recent double lung transplant, and for the many prayers that have carried me and my family through this season. As I recover at my parents’ home, I feel surrounded by God’s grace and upheld by your love. The beautiful prayer blanket from St. John’s “Tie One On” group has been a constant reminder that I am never alone, and I thank you all for continuing to hold me in your prayers as I journey toward healing.
—With love and gratitude, Holly Darr
Children’s Time to Begin September 14
Beginning on September 14, children’s time during our worship service will be offered on the second Sunday of each month. Bring your children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren directly to church on the second Sunday of the month where they will experience a time during our worship service that is designed for them. This provides our children with a special opportunity to be part of our congregational life. After Children’s time is completed, their Sunday school teachers will accompany them to class for the remainder of our service.
New Sunday Book Study
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. Beginning on September 7 at 1:30pm on Zoom, 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.
Advent Innovations Workshop
*Saturday, October 4
*McPhail Hall, St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Advent is the season that leads us into Christmas—a time of hope, waiting, and preparation. Join us for a workshop exploring fresh opportunities for spiritual formation this year. Together we’ll share ideas and plans for:
Creative spirituality and prayer centers
Special services of comfort for those who are grieving
Educational events for all ages
And more ways to deepen our walk with God
Come, bring your imagination, and help shape meaningful practices for this holy season.
👉 Register here: https://form.jotform.com/252387241427054
Sanctuary in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, a 102-year-old woman named Gogo MaSibanda fulfilled her lifelong dream of seeing a permanent United Methodist church built in her community.
After more than three decades of persistent advocacy, her vision became reality with the construction of a new sanctuary.
This church has not only provided a spiritual home but also sparked growth in membership and ministries in the region.
The dedication of the sanctuary, celebrated by the community, stands as a testament to her unwavering faith and determination, inspiring hope and unity among worshippers in Zimbabwe.
~Link to Source article in Christianity Today
Friends of Lulwanda Fellowship Dinner
Saturday, October 4, 5-8 PM
Memorial Drive Presbyterian
On Saturday, October 4, come and see how God is working at Lulwanda Children’s Home! Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 5-8 pm. $30 per person. Speak to Libby Adams if you plan to attend as she has reserved a table for us. Or, click here to register.
Faith in the Storm:
Lessons from the Book of Job
Starting this Sunday at St. John’s, we begin a powerful new sermon series on the Book of Job. Together we’ll face the hard questions of suffering, silence, and faith—and discover the God who still speaks in the storm.
⏰ Sundays at 11 AM
📍 St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Series Framework:
Week 2 (Sept 14): The Silence of Heaven (Job 23)
– God’s seeming absence as a deeper call to trust.
Week 3 (Sept 21): When Friends Get It Wrong (Job 16 & 19)
– Human voices can wound, but Christ redeems and bears burdens.
Week 4 (Sept 28): God’s Wisdom Revealed (Job 38)
– God’s mystery exceeds human control, calling for humility.
Week 5 (Oct 5): Restored and Redeemed (Job 42)
– God’s faithfulness brings renewal, healing, and hope.
Come as you are. Bring your questions, your burdens, your hopes. In every storm, God is faithful.
God speaks in the storm; we trust in God’s faithfulness.
Meal Train for Mary Hughes
Cooks Needed! The Caring Committee is asking those who are able to help provide a meal(s) for Mary Hughes who had right shoulder surgery. Being right-handed, meal preparation is challenging! Any meal is appreciated. See the link below to sign up on Sign Up Genius. If you need help with this, please contact Tina L. Jump or Virginia Krueger. On the Sign Up Genius, note the restrictions Mary has on handling food items/utensils.
Click here to sign up:
Meal Train For Mary Hughes
Social Security Action needed NOW for seniors
by Dan Herron
New rules on mailed Social Security checks and banking deposit accounts.
No more telephone calls to make SSA changes! No more mailed monthly SSA checks.
Right now, before September 30, do these changes.
You need to get a Social Security online account. Do this on a computer at login.gov. Try this out to see what must be entered. Then, enter the required data correctly with your online helper person.
Have a correct place for SSA to make your monthly deposit to replace your mailed check address. Bank Name or Credit Union name and account number, or Direct Express Debit Card is an approved website for a debit card that you can use to receive your monthly deposit. Then, your monthly SSA amount will be deposited to that debit card account! Inquiries are available on this company’s website. You will actually spend with this debit card.
After setup of your deposit account, you will need to tell the SSA office where to deposit your monthly check. Online! Requires the usual… your account number at bank name and address or your new debit card number, and their address.
Action needed: So, if you or loved one is receiving a paper Social Security check, since no more paper checks after September 30, establish a proper online money account in number 2 above. Right now, no kidding, don’t wait.
And, since there will be no more “monthly check” address changes accepted by telephone, you must consider these several things. Any future change should have the new deposit address and ID, and be entered on a computer! Tell SSA, online, with your SSA online account, or get an appointment for a visit at the SSA office. The problem with a visit is timing! These changes go into effect on October 1. It is likely difficult to get a visit appointment at an SSA office that early.
And, for non “bank account” deposits, go online with Direct Express Debit Card and establish your debit card account. You’ll need the usual…Online ID, password, etc. The monthly deposits will appear on your new debit card. Be sure you are on the correct website! October’s deposit will be sent to this Debit Card account.
You may need some help with all this setup. Ask a youngster or a friend to help you get registered properly. Remember that this is secret information!
For future conversations with SSA or your bank or your debit card, write all this information down and store that page in a very safe place. You may need that page in the future during a visit to the SSA office or with SSA online.
On a very private page or 2: Date Who are you DOB SS # Online website with user ID and password, account number and etc. You might keep the ID and password on separate pages. It takes both of these to log in to the website.
You might test your ability to log in online to these several websites. Make notes, then make changes.
Stay happy. But, do this action right now!
Dan Herron
Want a St. John’s T-shirt?
The Caring and Fellowship Committee is taking orders for more St. John’s T-shirts which will be the same stained-glass white shirt design. You can place your order for shirts for you and the entire family on the order forms in the Narthex! Please put your name, phone number, and the number and sizes you need. The order forms are located on the same table as the “These Days” books are on. We will be asking for a “Love Offering” to offset the purchase price of the shirts.
Prayer List
With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.
Harriet Harper, in hospice care
Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery
Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery and flu
Family of Evie Nielson
Holly Darr, health concerns
Family of Gerry Jump
Karen Alsbrook, health
Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns
Glen Risley, health concerns
Family of Barm Alsbrook, death in family in Tennessee
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.
September Birthdays
Dan Herron (Sept 1)
Lea Sanford (Sept 2)
San Juan Flores (Sept 3)
Michael Rodgers (Lynne Parsons Austin’s son) (Sept 6)
Yor Ator (Sept 7)
Arwin Jump (Sept 11)
Kerry Gaber (Sept 12)
Allison Hardy (Sept 17)
Mel Liljedahl (Sept 20)
Sandy Kattner (Sept 21)
Somer Assad (Sept 22)
Bryan Boyd (Laurie Henderson’s son) (Sept27)
Linsey Sen-Roy (Sept 28)
Anniversaries
Dave and Rose Muanza (Sept 18)
Tom and Kristi Edmonsond (Sept 22)
Church Calendar
Thursday, September 11
5:00 pm Exercise Class, Room 209
Saturday, September 13
10:00 am Brownie Meeting, McPhail Hall
Sunday, September 14, 14th Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room
11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
1:30 pm Book Study: The Way of Discernment, Zoom
Coming Events
September 21, 2025 Brunch hosted by the Choir
September 28, 2025 Brunch - Potluck
October 4, 2025 Presbytery Event: Innovation during Advent
October 4, 2025 Friends of Lulwanda Dinner,
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
October 11, 2025 Blessing of the Animals
October 12 Stewardship Season
October 18 Apostle’s Creed class
November 2, 2025 All Saints Service
November 16, 2025 Living Gift Market
November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent
December 13 What is the Gospel class
December 24 Christmas Eve Service
December 25 Christmas Day
Church Calendar Online
For other dates, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/
2025 Session Members and Roles
Elders on the Session: Class of 2025
Shirley Boyd: Christian Education
Virginia Krueger: Caring & Fellowship
Leonie Tchoconte: Caring & Fellowship
Elders on the Session: Class of 2026
Barm Alsbrook: Stewardship and Finance
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
Other Session Leaders and Support Staff
Jon Burnham: Moderator of Session
Lynne Parsons Austin: Clerk to Session
Tad Mulder: Church Treasurer
Amy Caraballo: Financial Secretary
Kingdom Stewardship:
Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount
Coming next month, as we move into Stewardship Season, we will move into a new sermon series.
Throughout "Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount," we explore how Jesus' teachings guide us in stewarding all aspects of our lives—our blessings, influence, resources, relationships, and faith. By aligning ourselves with kingdom principles, we become effective stewards who advance God's purposes on earth. This series challenges us to examine where our treasures lie, to seek God's kingdom above all else, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ the King.
This series thoughtfully incorporates significant dates such as All Saints' Day and Christ the King Sunday, aligning their themes with the overarching focus on stewardship. By pairing teachings from the Sermon on the Mount with complementary Old Testament passages, we gain a deeper understanding of God's call to live as faithful stewards in every area of our lives.
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
Our church website: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/
For dates, times, and events, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/
Email Pastor Jon to request an addition to the church calendar or to add an event or article to The Epistle.
