THE EPISTLE
St. John's Presbyterian Church
September 2, 2026
A Word from Pastor Jon
Dear friends,
The future is arriving quickly. New technologies are changing how we work, communicate, learn, travel, and care for one another. Some of what lies ahead will probably astonish us.
I find myself hopeful about it.
Human beings have always been makers and discoverers. There is something wonderful about our desire to understand creation and use what we learn to make life better. Christians can welcome that future with curiosity rather than fear.
Yet there is something no machine can manufacture: the holy presence we encounter in Christ through one another.
I was reminded of that after our Healing Service last Sunday. A visitor and longtime friend of St. John's said to me afterward, "I can see why you are so close as a congregation, because you pray for one another."
I thought that was a beautiful observation.
A hand held in prayer. A familiar voice saying your name. Bread broken at the Lord's Table. Someone noticing when you are hurting and bringing your name before God. These simple acts carry something no technology can reproduce.
Perhaps that is the Holy Ghost behind the ghost in the machine, quietly reminding us that our inventions can serve human life, but they cannot replace the sacred gift of being present to one another.
Whatever the future brings, St. John's can meet it with hope while remaining what Christ calls us to be: people who know one another, pray for one another, serve our neighbors, and walk together in faith.
There is a bright future ahead. Let us walk into it together.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
This Sunday, September 6
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Worship begins at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Sermon: "Mystery Unveiled," the fourth Sunday of our series Letters from Prison: Paul's Radical Freedom Behind Bars.
Old Testament: Isaiah 49:6 - I will give you as a light to the nations.
New Testament: Ephesians 3:1-13 - the mystery hidden for ages, now made known.
Adult Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Session Room, continuing our study of Systematic Theology. The Book Study meets at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Worship With Us From Home
If you cannot be with us in the sanctuary, you can still join the service. Worship is carried live on the internet each Sunday at 11:00 a.m., and it stays available afterward so you may watch at any hour that suits you.
To watch, type this address into your web browser:
www.stjohnspresby.org/watch
Our Prayer List
With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.
- Fran and her children as they mourn Brad's passing
- Lisa, health concerns
- Sandy, health concerns
- Patti, health concerns
- Alice's grandson, Marc, health concerns
- Cathy, Cindy Bergman's sister, health
- Gayle Morales, friend of Alice Rubio, recovering from hip surgery
- Jessica Ivete Robles, friend of Alice Rubio, awaiting a kidney transplant
- Phyllis Freeman, receiving hospice care in the Dallas area
- 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
- Randi Finfrock, former member and friend of David Rainwater, health
To add a name to the prayer list, or to keep a name on it, please call the church office.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday
Dan Herron (September 1)
Lea Sanford (September 2)
San Juan Flores (September 3)
Michael Rodgers, Lynne Parsons Austin's son (September 6)
Yor Ator (September 7)
Arwin Jump (September 11)
Kerry Gaber (September 12)
Allison Hardy (September 17)
Mel Liljedahl (September 20)
Sandy Kattner (September 21)
Somer Assad (September 22)
Bryan Boyd, Laurie Henderson's son (September 27)
Lindsey Sen-Roy (September 28)
Happy Anniversary
Dave and Rose Muanza (September 18)
Tom and Kristi Edmonsond (September 22)
If you would like to send a card and need an address, call the church office and we will gladly give it to you.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, September 13 - "The Household Upended," from Exodus 21:2-11 and Philemon 8-21.
Sunday, September 20 - "Rooted and Built Up," from Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Colossians 2:6-15.
