THE EPISTLE
for September 30, 2026
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
September 30, 2026
A Word from Pastor Jon
Dear friends,
Brad Urquhart’s memorial service last Saturday was a powerful morning. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so — those who set up, sang, served, and quietly carried the day. Our prayers continue with Fran and her family.
We also learned yesterday that Betty Robinson has died. Betty was a founding member of St. John’s and gave this church decades of leadership. Her memorial service will be this Saturday, October 3, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with a reception following in McPhail Hall. Please hold her family in your prayers.
World Communion Sunday is nearly here. This Sunday, October 4, we will break bread and lift the cup alongside Christians on every continent. Our sermon, “Widow’s Penny, Billionaire’s Billions,” asks what kingdom economics looks like when we see it lived out at the offering plate. I hope you will join us.
We rejoice with Dan and Linda Herron, who celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this week. Sixty years of faithfulness, patience, and love — what a beautiful witness. Congratulations to them both!
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
In Christ’s service,
Pastor Jon
This Sunday, October 4
World Communion Sunday
Sermon: “Widow’s Penny, Billionaire’s Billions”
Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:8-16
New Testament: Mark 12:41-44
On this Sunday, Christians all around the world gather at the Lord’s Table on the same day. Wherever you are when you read this, you are part of that table.
Our Church Phone Is Working Again
Our church phone line has been repaired. You can reach the office at:
713-723-6262
The office is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
How to Join Us from Home
If you cannot be with us in the sanctuary, you can still worship with us. Our Sunday service is carried live online. To watch, type this address into your web browser:
www.stjohnspresby.org/watch
Tuesday Bible Study Group — Oil for Our Lamps
Our Tuesday Bible study group, Oil for Our Lamps, meets on Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Zoom lets you see and hear the group on a computer, tablet, or phone, and they would be glad to have you.
If any of this feels unfamiliar, please call the church office at 713-723-6262. Someone will walk you through it, step by step, for as long as it takes. You will not be a bother. We would rather help you than have you miss worship.
Our Prayer List
With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.
- Betty Robinson's family
- 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, 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
To add a name to the prayer list, please call the church office at 713-723-6262.
Looking Ahead: Generous Trouble
Our sermon series this fall is Generous Trouble: When Kingdom Economics Interrupt Our Plans. Scripture keeps circling back to money, and it rarely leaves us comfortable. Here is what is coming:
October 11 — “Sell Everything? Seriously?”
Old Testament: Genesis 13:5-18 New Testament: Mark 10:17-27
October 18 — “Zacchaeus Throws a Party”
Old Testament: Nehemiah 8:9-12 New Testament: Luke 19:1-10
October 25 — “Treasure Maps”
Old Testament: Malachi 3:6-12 New Testament: Matthew 6:19-24
November 1 — “The Cloud of Witnesses” (All Saints’ Sunday)
Old Testament: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 New Testament: Ephesians 1:11-23
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77035
Celebrating 70 Years on West Bellfort
