The Epistle

St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston

September 23, 2026

Dear friends,

Thank you to the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bell for bringing Letters from Prison to its close on Sunday, and thank you for the welcome you gave her. I spent my continuing education week right here in Houston, writing the new sermon series that begins this Sunday. Nine sermons later, I am glad to be back in the pulpit.

This Saturday at 11:00 we gather in the sanctuary to give thanks for the life of Brad Urquhart. Please keep Fran and her family close in prayer, and come if you can.

On Sunday we begin a new series for the stewardship season, Generous Trouble. The first sermon is "The Jubilee Disruption." In Leviticus 25, God tells Israel to count forty-nine years and then sound the trumpet. Families go home to land they lost. Debts end. Even the soil gets a rest. In Luke 4, Jesus stands up in the synagogue at Nazareth, reads Isaiah's promise of release to the captives, and says the one word nobody expected: Today.

The same trumpet sounds like relief to one household and like an interruption to another. Most of us have stood on both sides of that ledger.

So here is something to try before Sunday. Sit down with one part of your household spending and look at it honestly. Pray over it. Ask God where you have room to help someone else breathe.

Make room.

Peace,

Pastor Jon

Brad Urquhart

Memorial Service

this Saturday at 11 AM

in the St. John's Sanctuary

Bradford Alexander Urquhart (1941-2026)

Brad passed away on August 19, 2026, after a brief illness in Houston surrounded by his wife and best friend, Frances Urquhart, and his three children. He was a beloved family man who led by example. He was a rock, a mentor to many, demonstrating amazing patience, a generous spirit, and ability to put people at ease with a quick smile or conversation.

Brad was born in Seattle, Washington on February 17, 1941, and spent the first part of his childhood in Massachusetts where his parents, Russell and Phyllis, grew up. Brad was the eldest of four siblings, and when he was 10 years old, the family packed up the station wagon and left behind their New England roots to live in Dallas, Texas, where his dad took a job as director of the YMCA. Their intention was to return to the East coast, but the kids quickly became rooted in Texas. The family thrived in Dallas and their new church community where Brad first met his future wife and partner when he was just 12 years old. Brad was president of his high school class and All-State fullback on the Highland Park football team, 1957 state champions his junior year. High school is when he kindled his work ethic, delivering papers before school and teaching swim lessons at the YMCA. He earned a scholarship to study and play football at Princeton University where he graduated in 1963 with a B.S. in Biology. 

Brad returned to Dallas in 1963 to marry his high school sweetheart, Frances Terry. They created a loving family and life together based on love, stewardship, and mutual respect. Brad taught high school for a year before attending Southwestern Medical School while Fran supported the family working at GE in computer science. After medical school, Brad served in the Navy as a medical officer where he spent one year on ship and one year in Long Beach, California. In 1971, the family (with the new additions of 3-year old Alec and 1-year old Julie) moved to Houston where Brad started training in Orthopedic medicine. Becky was born soon after, and the family of five moved to a tight-knit neighborhood near the medical center where Brad joined Orthopedics Associates and started practicing at St. Joseph’s and Hermann hospitals.

  Being a doctor was a fitting profession for Brad because of his deep commitment to service and helping people through his actions. Even as his memory failed him later in life, he never lost his kind and welcoming nature, and his ability to joke around and connect with people. The Houston brand of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses awarded him the “Distinguished Surgeon Award” for his strong leadership and humble manner. A leader in his profession, he served as a board examiner and member of the Board of Councilors for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and president of the Texas Orthopedics Association. Representing his dedication to service and passion for pediatric orthopedics, he volunteered throughout his career with the Shriner’s Hospital, operating on pediatric patients from around the world.

 Family was central to Brad, and he always made time to be involved in family life; whether it was coaching, attending sports events, organizing family trips (always to the mountains- he didn’t like sitting around on a beach) or going on long bike rides along the Houston bayous. He had the patience needed to take his teenage daughter shopping for a prom dress, driving lessons, and weeks-long college tours. He was the “game organizer” at birthday parties, and taught his kids how to swim, bike, ski. His generous spirit extended beyond his biological family to the community. He served on the board of the YMCA for years, and was an original board member for Camp Cullen, a local YMCA camp. He was active in the St. John’s Presbyterian Church, serving as elder for several sessions. His faith and service were core to his being. He volunteered with Faith in Practice for 10 years, traveling to Guatemala to perform orthopedic surgery. During retirement he also was active in creating safe water systems in Cuba, Haiti, and the Yucatan through “Living Waters for the World.” His happy place was biking or skiing in the Colorado mountains where he found joy in nature, the outdoors, and time with family. 

Brad was preceded in death by his brother Mal. He is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Alec (Jean), Julie (Todd), Becky (Dave); grandchildren, Anwyn, Emmie, Sadie, Sam, Story; brother Doug (Polly), sister Susie (Henry); his extended family Bertha and Jaime; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. We love him so much and think of all the times he told us how proud he was of us, and how his life actions taught that there is always room for one more at the table, that life is better as a team, and being with someone is sometimes the best gift you can give. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faithinpractice.org; or the Shriner’s hospital: Shrinerschildrens.org; or a charity of your choice. There will be a service at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Houston at 11 am on September 26, 2026.

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.

World Communion Offering, October 4

All of God's people gather around the Table to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Part of the atonement that happens around this Table is reconciliation, which is the focus of the World Communion Offering. Experience the grace that comes from reconciling all peoples from all nations around the corner and around the globe through the ministry of this offering. Envelopes are on the table at the back of the Sanctuary. Please give generously, as St. John's always does.

Caring and Fellowship Committee Meets September 27

The Caring and Fellowship Committee meets on the third Sunday of each month, but this month's meeting has moved to the fourth Sunday, September 27, after worship, due to Session business on the 20th. All are welcome.

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, September 24.

Fall Quarterly Bible Study, October 17

You're warmly invited to a Bible study on worship on Saturday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Together we'll discover what the Bible teaches about worship, why we worship the way we do, and how worship can flourish in our church, personal, and family lives. Children ages 3 and up, teens, and adults are all welcome.

Please sign up in the Narthex by October 11, or let Mary Gaber know you'll be joining us.

BRAES Gala Tickets on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the BRAES Interfaith Ministries Gala on October 1. Peter Sparaco will be selling tickets in the Narthex after worship over the next four weeks: $50 each, cash or check payable to BRAES Interfaith Ministries.

Oil for Our Lamps: A Tuesday Zoom Group

A small group of women at St. John's has met to study and pray together for fourteen years. The group grew out of our churchwide Unbinding the Gospel study in 2012. It began meeting at the church on Tuesday afternoons, moved to Zoom when COVID struck, and has stayed there since. After a recent sermon, the group took a new name: Oil for Our Lamps.

The group now meets on Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. By November they hope to begin a study of the book of James, using the Life Change Bible Study Series book and study guide. New members are warmly welcome.

To learn more, speak with any member of the group: Libby Adams, Shirley Boyd, Alvina Hamilton, Ann Hardy, Gerry Jump, Pat Ragan, or Fran Urquhart. Or contact Shirley at saboyd2 at att.net to receive the Zoom invitation and order a book.

Healing Hearts

Led by Lisa Sparaco, a licensed clinical social worker and member of our church, Healing Hearts offers a safe, faith-filled place for those walking through grief. The group gathers in the Prayer Room of the Church Office Building to share stories, receive encouragement, and walk together through seasons of loss. As a ministry of St. John’s, its focus is care, prayer, and the comfort of Christian community.

Upcoming Healing Hearts Meetings

• Monday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Prayer List

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

• 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
• 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, 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
• Randy Finfrock, former member and friend of David Rainwater, 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

Dan Herron (Sept 1)

Lea Sanford (Sept 2)

San Juana 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) (Sept 27)

Lindsey Sen-Roy (Sept 28)

Happy Anniversary

Dave and Rose Muanza (Sept 18)

Tom and Kristi Edmonsond (Sept 22)

Thursday, September 24

• 6:30 pm Gift of Empathy Class

Saturday, September 26

• 11:00 am Memorial Service for Brad Urquhart, Sanctuary

Sunday, September 27, 18th 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
• After worship, Caring and Fellowship Committee meets
• 1:30 pm Book Study on Zoom

Coming Events

• Thurs, Sept 24, Gift of Empathy Class
• Sat, Sept 26, Memorial Service for Brad Urquhart
• Sun, Sept 27, Caring and Fellowship Committee meets
• Mon, Sept 28, Healing Hearts, 11 am
• Wed, Sept 30, Men's Group Meeting
• Thursday, Oct 1, BIM Gala
• Sun, Oct 4, World Communion Sunday
• Tues, Oct 6, Oil for Our Lamps on Zoom, 1:30 pm
• Thurs, Oct 8, St. John's Friends United, 11 am
• Sat, Oct 17, Fall Quarterly Bible Study, 8:30 am
• Thursday, Nov 26, Thanksgiving Day
• 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

September 27 - "The Jubilee Disruption"

OT: Leviticus 25:8-17

NT: Luke 4:16-21

October 4 - "Widow's Penny, Billionaire's Billions" (World Communion Sunday)

OT: 1 Kings 17:8-16

NT: Mark 12:41-44

October 11 - "Sell Everything? Seriously?"

OT: Genesis 13:5-18

NT: Mark 10:17-27

October 18 - "Zacchaeus Throws a Party"

OT: Nehemiah 8:9-12

NT: Luke 19:1-10

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

Starting This Sunday: "Generous Trouble"

This Sunday, September 27, we begin a new sermon series for the stewardship season: Generous Trouble: When Kingdom Economics Interrupt Our Plans.

Scripture keeps circling back to money, and it rarely leaves us comfortable. A widow gives her last coin. A rich man walks away sad. A whole community gathers only what it needs and no more. Nine weeks, nine stories, one question underneath all of them: what happens when God's economy interrupts ours?

We'll move from the Jubilee's reset button, through widows and rulers and a tax collector who gives away half of everything he owns, to All Saints' Sunday and the Reign of Christ. Along the way, expect a few sermons that unsettle before they comfort. That's the trouble worth having.

Mark your calendar and come ready to be interrupted.