The Epistle for September 17, 2025

September 17, 2025

Dear friends in Christ,

I do not often speak about politics from the pulpit or in letters like this, because we are a congregation with people of many perspectives. Yet there are moments when silence feels like a betrayal of the Gospel. The recent public execution of Charlie Kirk is one of those moments.

Scripture reminds us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Violence, especially political violence, has no place in the life of faith. No matter our opinions about Charlie Kirk’s politics or his positions, the truth is that he was a fellow human being made in the image of God, and his death should never be celebrated. Those who knew him testify that he spoke with respect, debated with conviction, and helped many young people find faith in Christ.

I plead with you, my brothers and sisters, resist the temptation to see opponents as enemies to be destroyed. When anger and ideology lead us to rejoice in another’s death, we have strayed far from the way of Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). That word is for us in this hour.

If you find yourself swept into rhetoric that glorifies violence, I urge you: step back, turn off the voices that inflame, and turn to prayer. Ask Christ to renew in us hearts of peace, humility, and love for neighbor. 

Political violence is not part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Peter drew his sword against the soldier who came to arrest Jesus, our Lord rebuked him, saying, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). In that moment Jesus taught his disciples—and us—that the kingdom of God will never be secured by force or vengeance. Our call is to bear witness to a better way—the way of the cross, the way of peace.

May the Lord grant us the courage to speak truth, the wisdom to listen with compassion, and the grace to live as peacemakers in a fractured world.

In Christ's peace,

Pastor Jon Burnham

Curb Replacement Work

Has Begun

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 One Hope Preschool 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.

Men of the Church Meet Tonight

The Men of the Church will meet tonight, September 17, at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. All men are welcome to attend.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee for this year is composed of Shirley Boyd, Moderator; Michael Bisase, Clerk; and members Jim Austin, Franklin Caspa, and Wright Williams. If you have a suggestion for someone to serve as elder, please speak with one of them so your candidate may be prayerfully considered. We move forward in trust, asking God to open hearts, provide willing servants, and grant us wisdom in our discernment.

Thank You from Mary Hughes

I am very grateful to those who provided meals for me these past weeks. The food was varied and so delicious! 

Also thanks for your prayers and cards. Our church is very caring and nurturing.

I’m glad to be back for the worship service. It is good to see everyone again.

Warmly,

Mary Hughes 

Click here to sign up:

Meal Train For Mary Hughes

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

Peacemaking Offering

On October 5, We will celebrate World Communion Sunday. We will also collect the Peace and Global Witness Offering . It enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. Envelopes are at the back of the sanctuary. 

The Peace and Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world.

25% retained by congregations to support peacemaking efforts in their local communities. 

25% retained by mid councils to support peacemaking efforts at the regional level. 

50% supports peacemaking, reconciliation and global witness. 

Revival in the Streets of America

A few days ago in San Diego, a street revival took place. People gathered outdoors—singing, praying, and lifting their voices together in praise. The sight was striking: prayer rising into the open air, with no walls of a sanctuary around them.

Moments like these bring us to a question: how do we feel when revival appears in unexpected places? Across Africa, revivals have reshaped nations and churches. Could God also be moving here in America—in the streets, on campuses, in places outside our structures?

Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going” (John 3:8). However we respond, the Holy Spirit moves where and how it wishes.

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 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.

We Want to Go Home

Are these your dishes? If so, they are in the McPhail Hall kitchen waiting to be taken home! You can contact Virginia Krueger or Alvina Hamilton to pick them up. Thank you!

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.

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

Wednesday, Sept 17

 6:30 pm Men’s Group, Session Toom

Thursday, September 18

 5:00 pm Exercise Class, Building 

Sunday, September 21, 15th 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

 3:00 pm McPhail Hall -Ice cream social for girls and adults -150 people

 3:30 pm Girl Scouts in Session Room and Room 204

 4:30 pm Pack 8 Meeting, McPhail

Coming Events

The brunches scheduled for the next two weeks (September 21 and 28) are rescheduled for later. 

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 begins

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.

Going Deeper Now

Have you ever wondered how Presbyterians approach Bible study? Weird question, right. But seriously, have you ever wondered? Here's the answer to that question: Bible Study Near Me: What to Expect at St. John's Weekly Groups. And to go even deeper into it there's this:

Bible Study in Houston: Where to Find Scripture Study That Goes Deeper. Or, if you're feeling a little crazy, maybe even check out this radical topic: Best Non-Mega Church Houston: Why St. John's Presbyterian Offers Real Faith Beyond Hype