Sunday Worship Bulletin for October 12, 2025
Join Us This Sunday:
Worship at St. John's
Presbyterian Church Houston
Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
If you're looking for a Christian church in Houston that offers meaningful worship without all the fanfare, we'd love to welcome you this Sunday at St. John's Presbyterian Church.
What to Expect at Our Sunday Worship Service
This Sunday's Presbyterian worship service centers on one of Jesus' most beloved teachings: the Beatitudes. Pastor Jon Burnham will preach on "Blessed to Be a Blessing" from Matthew 5:1-12, exploring what it means to receive God's blessing not for ourselves alone, but to share with others.
If you've been searching for church services in Houston that combine beautiful traditional worship with practical teaching, you'll find both here. Our chancel choir, accompanied by Alina Klimaszewska on organ, leads us in hymns like "The Mighty God with Power Speaks" and "Blest Are They." The music at our Houston Presbyterian church is something people often mention when they visit.
A Worship Service That Welcomes Questions
At St. John's, we believe worship should engage both heart and mind. Our Sunday worship includes Scripture readings from Psalm 24 and Matthew 5, prayer time where you can share concerns, and preaching that connects biblical truth to everyday life.
Located at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue in southwest Houston, St. John's has been serving Houston since 1956. We're a smaller congregation, which means you won't get lost in the crowd. People know each other here. We have coffee after the service, and newcomers often find themselves in genuine conversations rather than awkward small talk.
Who Should Come?
You don't need to be Presbyterian to worship with us. You don't need to dress up. You don't need to know the hymns. Just come as you are.
This Sunday's message might especially speak to you if you're tired of shallow Christianity that's all about what you can get from God. The Beatitudes turn that thinking upside down. Jesus teaches that true blessing comes through mercy, peacemaking, and hungering for righteousness. It's an upside-down kingdom, and it changes everything.
Service Details
When: Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Where: St. John's Presbyterian Church, 5020 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77035
What to Bring: Just yourself
Dress Code: Come comfortable
Contact: 713-723-6262 or office.sjpc@gmail.com
Whether you're searching for a Presbyterian church in Houston or simply exploring Christian churches near me, we invite you to experience worship that matters. No pressure, no hype, just authentic community gathered around Jesus.
We hope to see you Sunday morning.
Pastor Jon Burnham
St. John's Presbyterian Church
P.S. Can't make it this Sunday? We livestream our worship services. Visit our website for the link, or better yet, plan to visit in person soon. There's something about worshiping together in the same room that you just can't replicate online.
The service will be live-streamed on our church website at
https://www.stjohnspresby.org/watch
And on our St. John's Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnshouston
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St. John's Presbyterian Church
Worship Bulletin
October 12, 2025,
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Gathering
Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ
*Call To Worship, The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham
Pastor: The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it!
People: The world and all who live here belong to God.
Pastor: Come, you who are poor in spirit, who hunger for righteousness.
People: We come seeking the kingdom of heaven.
Pastor: God blesses the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers.
People: We are blessed to bless; we receive to give.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 13 The Mighty God with Power Speaks
1 The Mighty God with power speaks,
and all the world obeys;
from dawn until the setting sun,
God’s wonder earth displays.
The perfect beauty all around
from Zion's height shines forth;
and stars across the firmament
so brightly beam their worth.
2 God comes not with a silent form,
but riding on the winds;
before God’s face, the raging storm
its blast of thunder sends.
All hail the Judge, in bold array,
whose promise is to bless;
who sees our sins, yet also feels
our thirst for righteousness.
3 The heavens declare your justice, Lord,
as endless as the sky;
against the taunts of disbelief,
our God will testify.
Receive my heartfelt gift of thanks,
as honor to your might;
refresh my faith with each new day;
protect me through the night.
Prayer of Confession, Liturgist Mary Gaber
Merciful God, we confess we have clutched Your gifts with closed fists. We have sought blessing for ourselves alone. We have forgotten that all we have is Yours. Forgive our poverty of spirit that refuses to share, our lack of mercy toward others, our reluctance to make peace. Teach us to live as those who know true blessing comes in giving. Amen. (Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon
*Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581
*Passing the Peace
The Word
Prayer for Illumination
First Scripture Reading, Psalm 24:1-6
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
Anthem
Sermon Scripture, Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The Word of the Lord for us today.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon,
Blessed to Be a Blessing
The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham
*Hymn 172 Blest Are They
(verses 1, 2, and 3)
1 Blest are they, the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow;
they shall be consoled.
Refrain: Rejoice and be glad!
Blessed are you; holy are you!
Rejoice and be glad!
Yours is the kingdom of God!
2 Blest are they, the lowly ones;
they shall inherit the earth.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst;
they shall have their fill. (Refrain)
3 Blest are they who show mercy;
mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are they, the pure of heart;
they shall see God. (Refrain)
The Apostles Creed
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
Offering
*Doxology, Hymn 609
*Prayer after the Offering
Sending
*Hymn 81 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
1 Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
God, whose word cannot be broken,
formed thee for a blest abode.
On the rock of ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
2 Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord in near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which God gives them when they pray.
3 See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
ever flows, their thirst to assuage?
Grace, so like the Lord the giver,
never fails from age to age.
*Blessing and Postlude
...
Exploring Faith and Community in Houston
If you're new to St. John's or considering visiting for the first time, you might have questions about what makes a Presbyterian church different, what to expect from Bible study in Houston, or how to find a church community where you can genuinely belong. We've written extensively about these topics on our church blog.
Whether you're searching for guidance on choosing a Christian church, curious about Presbyterian worship and beliefs, or looking for a faith community in Houston that prioritizes authentic relationships over programs, our blog offers practical insights from pastoral experience. You'll find articles about what makes smaller churches create stronger community, how to evaluate a church beyond Sunday morning, and what mission-focused ministry actually looks like in southwest Houston.
We invite you to explore our blog posts and discover why adults seeking deeper faith experience often find what they're looking for at St. John's. Real stories, honest reflections, and practical wisdom about Christian community, Bible study groups, and living out faith in Houston's diverse neighborhoods.
[Explore Our Blog →]
Have questions we haven't addressed? Call us at 713-723-6262 or email office.sjpc@gmail.com. Pastor Jon is always happy to talk with people exploring faith or looking for a church home.
