Beyond Sunday Smiles at St. John's Presbyterian

What Real Christian Community

Looks Like: Beyond Sunday Smiles

at St. John's Presbyterian


You know what I hear all the time? "Pastor Jon, I've been to six churches in Houston, and everyone's so nice. But I don't really know anyone."


That sentence tells you everything about the state of Christian community today. We've gotten really good at being friendly. We shake hands. We smile in the lobby. We say "see you next week" even though we both know we won't remember each other's names by Tuesday.

But friendly isn't the same as community. And nice isn't the same as known.


I've spent twenty years in ministry, and I've watched churches mistake social pleasantness for authentic fellowship. I've seen people attend the same congregation for years without anyone noticing when they stop showing up. I've sat with folks who can tell me all about their church's coffee bar but can't name a single person they'd call if their marriage fell apart.


That's not community. That's just religious consumers sharing the same building once a week.


So let me tell you what real Christian community actually looks like. Because you deserve better than a church that treats you like a customer. And because Houston has enough churches where you can stay anonymous forever if you want to.



When Church Feels Like a Performance

You're Watching


Here's the problem with most churches in Houston. They've turned Sunday morning into a show. There's nothing wrong with excellence or good music or thoughtful preaching. But somewhere along the way, we started thinking church was something you attend rather than something you belong to.


I wrote about this in Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing when I talked about how we've confused consumption with participation. We sit in rows like we're at a theater. We watch people on stage perform for us. We evaluate the experience like we're judging a restaurant.


Then we go home.


And we call that church.


Real community doesn't happen in rows. It happens in circles. It happens when people can see each other's faces, learn each other's stories, and carry each other's burdens. It happens when you're not watching someone else live out their faith but actually living out yours alongside other people doing the same.


At St. John's Presbyterian, we're small enough that there's no hiding in the back row. You can try, but someone will find you. Someone will learn your name. Someone will ask how you're really doing, not the "fine thanks" version but the honest version.


That makes some people uncomfortable. I get it. Anonymity feels safe. You can control what people know about you when you stay on the surface. But safety isn't the same as belonging. And you can't have real community without vulnerability.



The Difference Between Programs and Relationships


Walk into most Houston churches and they'll hand you a glossy brochure listing forty different programs. Small groups for every demographic. Events for every season. Activities for every interest. They've got it all organized and scheduled and facilitated.

And most of it stays shallow.


Because programs don't create community. They create programming. There's a difference.


I'm not against structure. Our weekly Bible studies at St. John's have structure. Our mission work has structure. But structure serves relationships. It doesn't replace them.


Here's what I mean. A program says, "We have a young marrieds group that meets the second Thursday of every month to discuss a book we're all reading." That's fine. But community says, "John and Sarah are struggling with infertility, and three couples from church bring them dinner every week and sit with them in their grief even though it's awkward and nobody knows what to say."

See the difference? One is scheduled and clean and manageable. The other is messy and organic and real.


Real Christian community happens when people's actual lives intersect. When you know someone well enough to notice they're struggling before they tell you. When you care enough to show up even when it's inconvenient. When your faith stops being about what happens on Sunday morning and starts being about how you love people Tuesday afternoon.


In When You Choose Silence: A Contemplative Journey into the Voice of God, I talk about how spiritual depth requires slowing down enough to actually see people. To notice. To care. You can't program that. You can't schedule it between the worship service and the coffee bar.

You just have to be present. And being present takes time.



What Happens When People Actually Know Your Name


Last month, Robert missed two Sundays in a row. Robert never misses church. He's been coming to St. John's for eight years.


By Monday of the second week, four people had called him. By Tuesday, someone stopped by his house. Turns out Robert's wife had been in the hospital. He'd been sleeping in a chair next to her bed for ten days.


Nobody had to organize a response team. Nobody checked a database to notice Robert's absence. People just knew. Because they knew Robert. They knew his routine. They knew something was wrong.


That's what happens in real community. People notice when you're not there. They notice when you're struggling even if you're still showing up. They care enough to ask the second question, the one that gets past "fine thanks" to the truth underneath.


You can't get that in a church of three thousand people where you're one face in an ocean of faces. You can't get that in a church where "community" means showing up to the same event at the same time as five hundred other people you don't know.


But you can get it at St. John's. Because we're small enough that your absence is noticed and your presence matters.

That's not a luxury. That's what Christian community is supposed to be.



The Mission Connection Nobody Talks About


Here's something I've learned over twenty years in ministry. Churches that focus only on taking care of their own members stay shallow forever. But churches that look outward, that serve their neighborhoods, that engage in real mission work, those churches develop deeper bonds.


Because when you serve alongside someone, you see who they really are. When you're working in our community garden, sweating in the Houston heat, trying to figure out why the tomatoes aren't growing, you can't maintain the Sunday morning smile. You're just yourself.


When you're packing food boxes for families who can't make rent this month. When you're mentoring a kid who needs someone to show up. When you're visiting someone in the hospital or fixing a widow's leaking roof or teaching English to refugees, you're not performing Christianity. You're living it.


And that's where real community forms.


St. John's isn't focused on building a bigger building or adding more programs. We're focused on serving southwest Houston. Our community garden feeds neighbors who need fresh vegetables. Our tutoring program helps kids who are falling behind in school. Our clothes closet provides professional wear for people trying to get jobs.


And the people doing this work? They're becoming family. Because shared mission creates bonds that shared consumption never will.


As I explore in Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing, faithful living means using what we've been given for kingdom purposes. When a church does that together, community happens naturally. You don't have to manufacture it with programs and ice breakers.



The Vulnerable Truth About Authentic Fellowship


Let me be honest about something. Real community is harder than the alternative.


It's easier to stay surface level. It's easier to show up on Sunday, sing the songs, hear the sermon, shake some hands, and go home. It's easier to keep your struggles private and your faith neat and your life separate from everyone else's.


Real community requires vulnerability. It requires admitting you're struggling with your marriage or your kids are making terrible choices or you're barely hanging on financially or you're wrestling with doubt about everything you thought you believed.


And that's scary.


But here's what I've seen happen at St. John's. When one person gets honest, it gives everyone else permission to drop the mask. When someone admits they're struggling, suddenly three other people say "me too." When we stop pretending we have it all together, we discover we're all just broken people trying to follow Jesus and doing a messy job of it.


And that's where grace enters. That's where real transformation happens. Not in the pretending, but in the honesty.


I write about this in When You Choose Silence when discussing how contemplative practice strips away our false self. Community does the same thing. When people know you long enough and well enough, you can't maintain the performance. They see through it.


The question is whether you're in a church where that's safe. Where people respond to your brokenness with grace instead of judgment. Where failure doesn't disqualify you but deepens everyone's understanding of how much we all need Jesus.


That's the kind of community we're trying to build at St. John's. Imperfectly. Slowly. But authentically.



What About Conflict? Because It's Coming


Nobody talks about this, but real community includes conflict. If you're in a church where everyone always agrees and nobody ever gets upset, you're not in real community. You're in polite acquaintanceship.


When people care about each other and care about their church, they disagree sometimes. They have different visions. They handle situations differently. They step on each other's toes.


The question isn't whether conflict happens. It's how you handle it when it does.


At St. John's, we've had conflicts. We've had people disagree about how to spend money or what mission work to prioritize or how to handle difficult situations. We've had hurt feelings and misunderstandings and moments when staying together seemed harder than splitting apart.

But we've stayed together. Because community means working through the hard stuff instead of walking away when things get uncomfortable. It means having the difficult conversations. It means forgiving each other repeatedly because we're all going to mess up repeatedly.


I've watched churches split over carpet color while claiming they're all about love and unity. I've watched Christians abandon each other over political differences or worship style preferences or theological disagreements about secondary issues.


Real community says we're committed to each other even when we disagree. Even when we irritate each other. Even when someone makes a decision we think is wrong.


That doesn't mean we're pushovers. It means we love each other enough to stay in the room and work it out instead of walking away. And that's rare in American Christianity right now, where we treat churches like we treat streaming services. If we don't like this one anymore, we'll just switch to a different one.



The Intergenerational Gift You're Missing


Most Houston churches segregate by age. Young adults worship in the contemporary service. Seniors worship in the traditional service. Kids are somewhere else entirely. Everyone stays in their demographic bubble.


We're missing something profound when we do that.


At St. John's, you worship next to people who are seventy years older than you and thirty years younger than you. You sit next to the teenager still figuring out what she believes and the widow who's walked with Jesus for six decades. You hear different perspectives. You learn from different generations.


And something beautiful happens.


The young adults learn steadiness from the older saints who've weathered storms they can't imagine yet. The seniors find hope in the young people's fresh faith and energy. The kids see what it looks like to follow Jesus for a lifetime, not just until it gets inconvenient.


You can't manufacture that with programs. You can't get it when everyone's the same age, in the same life stage, dealing with the same issues. You need the whole body of Christ. You need people at different places in the journey.


That's community. Different people at different stages with different gifts, all pointed in the same direction, all committed to loving each other and serving their neighbors.



The Practical Details Nobody Mentions


Okay, let's get practical. What does this actually look like day to day?


Real community means you have people's phone numbers and you actually use them. It means when someone crosses your mind on Thursday afternoon, you text them and ask how they're doing. It means accepting dinner invitations even when you're tired because relationships require showing up.


It means joining the Bible study even though you're nervous about whether you'll fit in. It means volunteering for the community garden even though you've never grown anything in your life. It means saying yes when someone asks for help moving furniture or needs a ride to the airport or wants prayer for their kid who's struggling.


It means showing up Sunday after Sunday even when you don't feel like it. Because community isn't built on feelings. It's built on commitment. It's built on being present consistently enough that people learn to count on you.


At St. John's, this happens around meals more than meetings. It happens in conversations after worship where people linger instead of rushing out. It happens in the work we do together serving our neighborhood. It happens slowly as strangers become acquaintances become friends become family.


You can't force it. You can't schedule it. You just have to create space for it and show up consistently enough for relationships to form.



Why Size Actually Matters


I know some people say size doesn't matter for community. They say you can have authentic fellowship in a megachurch, you just have to join a small group.


I don't buy it.


Here's why. In a church of three thousand, the small group is your community and the church is just the place you attend. You're connected to twelve people and disconnected from everyone else. That's not church community. That's just a really inefficient way to organize a Bible study.


In a church of a hundred and fifty, the whole church can be your community. You know most people's names. You recognize faces. You have some sense of who's struggling and who's celebrating and who needs support.


That doesn't mean small churches are automatically better. I've seen small churches that were toxic and unhealthy and anything but community. Size alone doesn't create health.


But size does create opportunity. It creates the possibility of knowing and being known by more than the ten people in your small group. It creates accountability because your absence is noticed. It creates depth because you can't maintain performance mode with a hundred people watching you week after week.


At St. John's, we're not trying to grow into a megachurch. We're trying to stay small enough that community is possible and healthy enough that people want to belong. We're Presbyterian, which means we value order and thoughtfulness. But we're also trying to value people and relationships and mission over growth for growth's sake.


As I discuss in Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing, faithfulness matters more than size. We'd rather be faithful with a hundred and fifty people than impressive with three thousand.



An Invitation to Something Different


So here's what I'm offering. Not a perfect church. We don't have one of those. Not a church where everyone agrees about everything. Not a church where life is easy and faith is simple and community happens automatically.


I'm offering a church where people know your name. Where your presence matters and your absence is noticed. Where we're trying to love each other and serve our neighbors and follow Jesus together, imperfectly but authentically.


We worship at 11:00 on Sunday mornings at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue in southwest Houston. The building isn't fancy. The music is good but we're not recording albums. The preaching is thoughtful but I'm not TED-talk material.


What we are is real. What we offer is community. What we're building is a family of faith that actually functions like family, messy and committed and in it together for the long haul.


If you've been church shopping in Houston and coming up empty. If you're tired of being a face in the crowd. If you want to belong somewhere instead of just attending somewhere. If you're ready to drop the mask and be known. If you want your faith to connect to real life and real service and real relationships.


Come visit St. John's Presbyterian. Come meet people who will learn your name and notice when you're struggling and celebrate when you're thriving. Come join a community that's more concerned with faithfulness than flashiness, more focused on mission than performance, more committed to relationships than programs.


We're not for everyone. Some people prefer the anonymity of larger churches. Some people want more polish and production value. Some people aren't ready for the vulnerability real community requires.


But if you're looking for a church where you can actually belong, where your life can intersect with other lives, where faith is lived out in service and relationships, then we might be exactly what you're looking for.


Our doors are open. Our community has room for you. The invitation stands.


Come and see what real Christian community looks like. It's not perfect. But it's real. And maybe that's exactly what you need.


Interested in learning more about authentic faith and community? Check out these related articles from St. John's Presbyterian:


St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Avenue
Houston, TX 77035
(713) 723-6262
stjohns@stjohnspresby.org


Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM
Everyone welcome. Come as you are.

Pastor Jon Burnham




About the Author

pastor houston, st johns presbyterian, bellaire texas church, serving since 1956, presbyterian pastor, west bellfort church

Pastor Jon has served St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston for over a decade and is the author of 34+ books on Christian spirit available on Amazon. 


He is an innovator in both the community and at the church, bringing in major initiatives like the Single Parent Family Ministry housing with PCHAS, the One Hope Preschool program, and expanding the community garden that brings together church members and neighbors. 


Under his leadership, St. John's has become known for practical service that makes a real difference in the community. 


His approach is simple: "We're real people who worship and serve Jesus Christ with no frills."

Share This article

Worship Bulletin for January 11, 2026

By Jon Burnham • January 10, 2026
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston Worship Bulletin for January 11, 2026

Worship Bulletin for December 28, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 27, 2025
Invitation to Worship December 28, 2025 A Message from Pastor Jon Dear St. John’s Family, I hope this finds you well and filled with the enduring joy of the Christmas season. While I am away on vacation this week, I want to personally invite you to join us for worship on this First Sunday of Christmas, December 28th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary and on Facebook. I am so grateful to have the wonderful Rev. Linda Herron leading our worship and bringing the message this Sunday. Please give her your warmest welcome! Rev. Herron will be preaching a sermon titled “Now the Women’s Side of the Story,” drawing from the powerful scriptures of 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28 and Luke 1:46-55 . This is a beautiful service where we continue to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s birth through the Christmas story, song, and prayer. We will be singing beloved hymns like “Angels, from the Realms of Glory,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain.” It's a perfect time to come together as a community and reflect on the deep meaning of God With Us. I look forward to being back with you all soon, and I pray for a blessed and meaningful worship experience for everyone this Sunday. Peace, Pastor Jon St. John's Presbyterian Church 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035 (713) 723-6262 P.S. The service will be live-streamed on our church website and on our St. John's Facebook page . St. John's Presbyterian Bulletin Worship Bulletin December 28, 2024, First Sunday of Christmas Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ *Call To Worship, Rev. Linda Herron Pastor: Angels proclaim Christ’s birth. People: Let us come and worship the newborn king. Pastor: Shepherds heard the angels, and came to worship. People: And they saw the holy baby. Pastor: All creation joins in singing. People: Praise God the Father, Spirit and Son. Amen. Opening Prayer *Hymn 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory 1 Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; you, who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Refrain: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king! 2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain) 3 Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star: (Refrain) 4 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: (Refrain) Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Lynne Parsons Austin O Lord, you know that now our Christmas celebrations are complete, the presents are unwrapped, and we begin to count the financial the cost of our giving. But you also know that we must admit the cost of our failings, and the the failings of our society. We shower our loved ones with excess, but neglect the poor, forgotten, oppressed and lowly. Forgive us, Lord, and bless those who do not forget, and make us among their number, who work to meet the needs of others. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace The Word Prayer for Illumination First Scripture Reading, 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28. There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there. Special Music Sermon Scripture, Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” The Word of the Lord for us today. Thanks be to God. Sermon, “Now the Women’s Side of the Story” Rev. Linda Herron *Hymn 128 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all! 2 Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain, 1 and 3 Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. (Refrain) 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. (Refrain) 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain) *Blessing and Postlude St. John's Presbyterian Bulletin December 28, 2024, First Sunday of Christmas Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ *Call To Worship, Rev. Linda Herron Pastor: Angels proclaim Christ’s birth. People: Let us come and worship the newborn king. Pastor: Shepherds heard the angels, and came to worship. People: And they saw the holy baby. Pastor: All creation joins in singing. People: Praise God the Father, Spirit and Son. Amen. Opening Prayer *Hymn 143 Angels, from the Realms of Glory 1 Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; you, who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Refrain: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king! 2 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain) 3 Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations; you have seen his natal star: (Refrain) 4 All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: (Refrain) Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Lynne Parsons Austin O Lord, you know that now our Christmas celebrations are complete, the presents are unwrapped, and we begin to count the financial the cost of our giving. But you also know that we must admit the cost of our failings, and the the failings of our society. We shower our loved ones with excess, but neglect the poor, forgotten, oppressed and lowly. Forgive us, Lord, and bless those who do not forget, and make us among their number, who work to meet the needs of others. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace The Word Prayer for Illumination First Scripture Reading, 1 Samuel 1:1-3, 9-20, 24-28. There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there. Special Music Sermon Scripture, Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” The Word of the Lord for us today. Thanks be to God. Sermon, “Now the Women’s Side of the Story.” Rev. Linda Herron *Hymn 128 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all! Christ the babe is Lord of all! 2 Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain, 1 and 3 Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. (Refrain) 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. (Refrain) 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain) *Blessing and Postlude Announcements Thanks to our Money Men. Here's to Tad and Barm, our 2025 finance guys at St. John's. Thank you for your incredible work this year. We appreciate you. Congratulations Christine Dobbin. We celebrate a joyful milestone in the Dobbin family and offer our warm congratulations to Linda Dobbin on her granddaughter’s achievement. Christine Dobbin will graduate this December from New Mexico State University, a moment that carries both pride and promise. We give thanks for Christine’s hard work and perseverance, and we pray God’s blessing over her as she steps into whatever comes next, trusting that the gifts God has been shaping in her will continue to grow and bear good fruit. Alice Rubio Update. Alice is doing well as she manages daily dialysis. We are especially thankful for her faithful presence on our church Facebook page; her comments on nearly every post are a source of encouragement, planting gospel seeds each time she interacts. Alice shared, “My church has a right to know about me. Thank you for all your prayers.” Alice, we love and appreciate you deeply, and we continue to lift you and your family up in prayer for God's abundant blessings. The View from the Rafters, by Gloria, our banner hovering Advent Angel. (Here is a typical week for Gloria, our Banner Angel of Advent, in her own imaginary words, as overheard this week by Pastor Jon.) Sunday sighs and slips away, hymns hanging in the rafters like held breath. Monday moves in mild and muted, pews politely empty, aisle asleep. High on the banner, aloft and amused, the angel balances eternity with a stitched grin and invisible feet. No clock can catch her. No calendar can corner her. She watches hope hover and humans hurry. Tuesday tiptoes. Wednesday wears purple with purpose, solemn but secretly smiling. The cross stands steady, silence doing its quiet work. Gloria listens for the promise beneath it all. Thursday hums. Friday flutters with half remembered joy. The sanctuary stills itself, like breath before a blessing. The wreath whispers, Near now. Near now. The angel nods. She already knows. Then it happens. From a purple hymnal, pressed polite between prophecy and patience, a Christmas carol sneaks out. Just the high notes. Silver and daring. They climb the air, tiptoe up the banner, and tickle the angel’s foot. She laughs. Quietly. Holy laughter. The kind that loosens light. Saturday scurries and scrambles, lists lying about necessity. The pews practice patience. The angel hums along, a story stretching its voice, ready to sing. Sunday strides in singing. Doors swing wide and willing. Candles chase shadows into corners. Gloria goes bold and bright. The organ swells. Voices rise, rough and radiant. Below, the faithful gather. Above, the angel beams. Hope arrives again, soft and sure, walking in on ordinary feet. After the service, “Go!” Gloria whispers, not as dismissal but as commissioning. “Walk the shoreline. Let the edge teach you. Remember that love keeps time better than plans ever will.” Christmas Joy Offering. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Envelopes are at the back of the Sanctuary. Healing Hearts Grief Support Group. This group will meet on Monday, December 29, 11 am, Room 202. Men’s Group. The Men’s Group will meet on Wednesday, January 7, at 6:30 pm in the Session Room. Happy Birthday Mary Gaber (Dec 24) Robert Glover (Dec 30) William Ator (Jan 1) Samantha Jump (Jan 2) Megan Edmonsond Trevino (Jan 3) Tom MacAdam (Jan 4) Happy Anniversary David and Christine Nelson (Dec 26) Stewart and Pauline Hall (Dec 28) Glen and Mary Plail Risley (Dec 29) Jon and Jana Burnham (Jan 1) Prayer Concerns Shirley Boyd and her family in the death of her sister Audrey Moore Maley Jennifer and Gareld, Family of Christina Nijel Bennet-LaGrone, health Summer Pavani, Deena Ghattas and Chris Hanneken, Health concerns (friends of Lisa Sparaco) Mike Swint in the death of his sister, Chris Borton All those missing loved ones this Christmas Family and friends of Christine Perci (friend of the Sparacos) Harriet Harper, in hospice care Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery Holly Darr, in her wonderful recovery Karen Alsbrook, health and success in her new career Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns Madalyn Rodgers, Kathleen Captain's sister Joe Sanford Scott Moore 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 Calendar Sunday, December 28, First Sunday of Christmas 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook Monday, December 29 11:00 am Healing Hearts, Room 202 Tuesday, December 30 1:30 pm Spiritual Development Class, Zoom 5:00 pm Exercise Group, Building 2 Thursday, January 1, New Years Day, Church Office Closed Sunday, January 4, Second Sunday of Christmas 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook 1:30 pm Advent Book Study, Zoom 3:30pm Girl Scouts in Session Room and Room 203 Coming Events Mon, Dec 29, 11 am, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Wed, Jan 7, 6:30 pm, Men’s group, Session Room Thurs, Jan 8, St. John’s United Lunch Group, McPhail Sun, Jan 11, 12 pm, Fellowship and Caring Committee Meeting Wed, Jan 14, 7 pm, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Wed, Jan 21, 6:30 pm, Men’s Group, Session Room Mon, Jan 26, 11 am, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Fri, Feb 6, Pinewood Derby Set-Up, McPhail Sat, Feb 7, Pack 8 Pinewood Derby Click To Paste Click To Paste

Healing Hearts during Winter Solstice

By Jon Burnham • December 22, 2025
Ongoing Grief Support Group at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston

Worship Bulletin for December 21, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 20, 2025
Invitation to Worship December 21, 2025 Friends, On Sunday, December 21, we gather for the Fourth Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, a morning shaped by light, hope, and the quiet nearness of Christ. We will light the final Advent candle, sing familiar carols that still know how to carry a soul, and hear again Jesus’ words, “I am the light of the world.” In a season that can feel crowded and noisy, this service makes room to breathe, pray honestly, and remember that love has already come among us. Worship begins at 11:00 AM. Come as you are. Bring your weariness, your joy, your questions, and maybe a friend who could use a little light right now. There will be music, Scripture, shared prayer, and a community ready to welcome you without fuss or pressure. I would be glad to see you there and to worship alongside you as we draw closer to Christmas together. Peace, Pastor Jon St. John's Presbyterian Church 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035 (713) 723-6262 P.S. The service will be live-streamed on our church website and on our St. John's Facebook page . St. John's Presbyterian Worship Bulletin December 21, 2024, Fourth Sunday of Advent Gathering Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ  Lighting the Advent Candle , Shirley Boyd & Jan Herbert *Call To Worship, The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham Leader: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! People: Though darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the peoples, the Lord rises upon us. Leader: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. People: We lift our eyes and look around. We gather in the light of Christ! Let us worship together! Opening Prayer Rev Burnham *Hymn 113 Angels, We Have Heard on High 1 Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! 3 Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Ann Hardy God of light, we confess that we have preferred darkness. We have hidden in shadows rather than stepping into Your revealing brightness. We have closed our eyes when Your light exposed our sin. We have dimmed our witness rather than letting it shine. We have failed to be bearers of light in a darkened world. Forgive us, Lord. Remove the scales from our eyes. Free us from fear of the light. Make us reflectors of Your glory, that others may see Your goodness through us. In the name of Jesus, Light of the World, we pray. Amen. (Silent Confession) Assurance of Pardon *Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Passing the Peace Ann Hardy The Word Prayer for Illumination Ann Hardy First Scripture Reading, Isaiah 60:1-3 Ann Hardy Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Anthem Sermon Scripture, John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Sermon, “The Light of the World Has Come” The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham *Hymn 110 Love Has Come 1 Love has come: a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies. See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Love! Glory to God on high. 2 Love is born! Come, share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying? Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers. Love! Love! Jesus, Emmanuel. 3 Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free. Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking. Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas. Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high! The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Offering *Doxology, Hymn 609 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer after the Offering Sending *Hymn 134 Joy to the World 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. *Blessing Postlude

The Epistle for December 17, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 17, 2025
Latest News from St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston (Westbury, Meyerland, Missouri City)

Worship Bulletin for December 14, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 13, 2025
Your Invitation to Worship and the Worship Bulletin

The Epistle for December 10, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 10, 2025
The Epistle December 10, 2025 St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Houston Produced by Pastor Jon Burnham Message from Pastor Jon Dear St. John's Family, There is a moment in Advent when the sanctuary feels like it is holding its breath. The candles flicker, small but steady, as if they know more than they are willing to say. The season is full of promise, yet the fulfillment has not arrived. Everything in us leans forward. We want the moment to be here already so we can move on to the next thing on our list. We want the satisfaction without the stillness. We want the baby in the manger without the long night of waiting. That hurry lives deep in us. It shows up in lines at the grocery store, in conversations where our minds race ahead, in our longing for the next milestone so we can feel settled again. Advent is the one season that gently puts its hand on our shoulder and says slow your step. Notice what God is doing before it becomes obvious. Let the light grow at its own pace. Let hope stretch out inside you without demanding a conclusion. The hard truth is that waiting exposes the very places God is trying to heal. The places where our hurry keeps us from paying attention. The places where our need for control pushes past the quiet work of the Spirit. Advent invites us to sit with the uncomfortable space between promise and fulfillment. It asks us to stay awake to the holy patience of God who never rushes us and never rushes redemption. So as the candles grow brighter each week, let that slow light be your teacher. Let it remind you that God does not skip steps. Christ comes in God’s time, not ours. And in that time there is room for peace to rise, one small flame at a time. In Christ, Pastor Jon What is the Gospel? If someone asked you to explain the Gospel, what would you say? As Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 3:15, are you always prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in you? The CE Committee is offering an in-depth study of the Gospel on 13 Dec that will address the following topics: the reality of sin and the certainty of judgment; the incredible gift of forgiveness and mercy found in Christ; how we should respond to the gospel personally; and how we can be equipped to share this good news with others. It is a time to grow in understanding, deepen faith, and be strengthened for evangelism, so that the message of God’s grace may reach hearts in need. The class will start at 8:30 am and end at 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the narthex so we know how much food and study materials to prepare. Hope to see you there! A Morning of Service with St. John’s Men’s Group On December 6th, the St. John’s Men’s Group helped Cub Pack 8 put together 83 gift boxes for the Seamen’s Center. The men arrived early to set up McPhail Hall and then did a good bit of the wrapping. Gift boxes were delivered to the Seamen’s Center later that day. The following men participated: Allen Barnhill, Michael Bisase, Franklin Caspa, Bill Ehrenstrom, Dan Herron, Ken Kreuger, Tad Mulder, Glen Risley and Robert Sanford. Thanks to all who participated. Fun was had by all! Christmas Joy Offering Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and future leaders of the church. God has blessed the church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Envelopes are at the back of the Sanctuary. Honoring Our Elders Completing Their Service Barm Alsbrook has resigned from the Session due to his family's impending move away from Houston. During his two year tenure, Barm taught the Session how to do annual self audits of our church finances and reorganized our annual Stewardship Season and church budget planning by months. He also brought some needed clarity to several areas of our church budget that made it easier for the elders to understand and use. Shirley Boyd , who has served as Co-Moderator of the Christian Education Committee alongside Jan Herbert, has offered outstanding leadership over the past three years. Under her guidance, our education ministry has flourished with programs for all ages, the launch of new quarterly Adult Bible Study events, and many quiet improvements that have strengthened our life together. We are deeply thankful for Shirley’s dedication and faithful service. Virginia Krueger and Léonie Tchoconté have been a remarkable team in leading our Fellowship and Caring Committee. Their energy and compassion helped launch the Men’s Group, host special gatherings such as the Knitting Group, and organize monthly home communion for our shut-in members, along with many other quiet acts of care. We are grateful for their faithful service. Thank you, Virginia and Léonie. Advent Poinsettias Starting this Sunday, you can order poinsettias for $12 each. These plants serve three purposes at once. First, they support Brookwood, a facility in Brookshire that provides education, housing, and jobs for adults with disabilities. We've partnered with them for years, and buying these plants directly helps their mission. Second, they'll decorate our sanctuary through Advent and Christmas, adding color and life to our worship space during the season when we prepare for Christ's coming. Third, after the Christmas Eve service, you take them home. Simple as that. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Write your name, how many plants you want, and whether you're dedicating them in memory or honor of someone. We'll print those dedications in the Christmas Eve bulletin. The poinsettias will arrive in time to decorate the sanctuary for the first Sunday of Advent. You can pick them up after the Christmas Eve service ends, or we'll save them for you to collect later if you need to leave early. Twelve dollars. Good cause. Beautiful sanctuary. Flowers for your home. That's the deal. Prayer List With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God. Nijel Bennet-LaGrone, health Summer Pavani, Deena Ghattas and Chris Hanneken, Health concerns (friends of Lisa Sparaco) Mike Swint in the loss of his sister, Chris Borton Family and friends of Christine Perci (friend of Pete and Grace Sparaco) Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery Holly Darr, health concerns Karen Alsbrook, health Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns 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 Want to Go Deeper? If you're drawn to exploring Presbyterian faith more deeply, I've written several books that might help: The Open Church: Faith that Welcomes Questions from my Thoughtful Faith series addresses how Presbyterian churches can be communities where honest questions strengthen rather than threaten faith. Rooted in Christ: A Journey Through Colossians from my Bible Studies series explores how mature Presbyterian faith stays grounded in Christ's sufficiency rather than chasing spiritual trends. Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing from my Christian Spirituality series unpacks what it means to live as faithful stewards of God's gifts, a core Presbyterian conviction. These books aren't substitutes for church community. They're companions for the journey, meant to deepen the faith you're living out with actual people in actual congregations. Because Presbyterian faith isn't just about believing the right things. It's about becoming certain kinds of people together, shaped by worship that honors God, teaching that challenges us, relationships that sustain us, and mission that transforms our city. That's what Presbyterian really means. Not a political affiliation or demographic category, but a lived faith that makes real difference in Houston and beyond. Peace, Pastor Jon Burnham 713-632-6262 St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston 5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035
Sanctuary side entrance of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston

Church Architecture Houston

By Jon Burnham • December 8, 2025
St. John's Presbyterian Church architecture in Houston creates sacred space for authentic worship through thoughtful mid-century design and honest materials.

Who Was Melchizedek?

By Jon Burnham • December 6, 2025
A Houston Pastor Explores the Biblical Mystery

The Epistle for December 3, 2025

By Jon Burnham • December 3, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.