Worship Bulletin
for October 19, 2025
Your Worship Invitation from Pastor Jon
This Sunday at 11 AM, St. John’s Presbyterian Church gathers again in the Spirit of light and truth.
Our theme is “Salt and Light: Stewarding Our Influence.”
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” In a world that too often feels dimmed by fear and cynicism, we’ll explore what it means to live as people whose faith actually brightens the places we stand—at home, at work, and in our city.
Our worship will feature hymns that lift the heart, prayer that steadies the soul, and Scripture that calls us to live boldly for others. Music by our organist Alina Klimaszewska and choir will set a sacred tone for reflection and joy.
If you’ve been longing for a church that feels genuine—rooted in Scripture, open-hearted toward neighbors, and guided by grace—come see what God is doing here.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston
Worship at 11:00 AM
Come as you are. Bring your light. Let it shine.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
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
St. John's
Presbyterian
Worship Bulletin
October 19, 2025,
19th Sunday after Pentecost
Gathering
Prelude, Alina Klimaszewska, organ
*Call To Worship, The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham
Pastor: You are the salt of the earth!
People: But if salt loses its flavor, how can it season?
Pastor: You are the light of the world!
People: A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Pastor: Let your light shine before others—
People: We are blessed to bless; we receive to give.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 744 Arise, Your Light is Come
1 Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit's call obey;
show forth the glory of your God,
which shines on you today.
2 Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captives' liberty,
good tidings to the poor.
3 Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
bind up the brokenhearted ones
and comfort those who mourn.
4 Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing;
God's power will make us strong.
Prayer of Confession, Liturgist, Rev. Linda Herron
God of light and truth, we confess we have hidden under bushels of fear. We have lost our saltiness through compromise. We have dimmed our light to fit in rather than stand out. Forgive us for wasting the influence You have given us. Restore our flavor, rekindle our flame, that we might illuminate Your love in Houston's neighborhoods and beyond. Amen. (Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon
*Glory Be to the Father, Hymn 581
*Passing the Peace
The Word
Prayer for Illumination
First Scripture Reading, Isaiah 58:6-10
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator[a] shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
Special Music
Sermon Scripture, Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
The Word of the Lord for us today.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon,
Salt and Light: Stewarding Our Influence
The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham
*Hymn 767 Together We Serve
1 Together we serve, united by love,
inviting God’s world to the glorious feast.
We work and we pray through sorrow and joy,
extending God’s love to the last and the least.
2 We seek to become a beacon of hope,
a lamp for the heart and a light for the feet.
We learn, year by year, to let love shine through
until we see Christ in each person we meet.
3 We welcome the scarred, the wealthy, the poor,
the busy, the lonely, and all who need care.
We offer a home to those who will come,
our hands quick to help, our hearts ready to dare.
4 Together, by grace, we witness and work,
remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong.
Together we serve in Spirit and truth,
remembering love is the strength of our song.
The Apostles Creed
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
Minute for Stewardship, Pastor Jon
Offering
*Doxology, Hymn 609
*Prayer after the Offering
Sending
*Hymn 297 In Christ Called to Baptize
1 In Christ called to baptize, we witness to grace
and gather a people from each land and race.
In deep, flowing waters, we share in Christ’s death,
then, rising to new life, give thanks with each breath.
2 In Christ called to banquet, one table we share,
a haven of welcome, a circle of care.
Although we are many, we share in one bread.
One cup of thanksgiving proclaims Christ, our head.
3 In Christ called to witness, by grace we will preach
the life-giving gospel; God’s love we will teach.
By grace may our living give proof to our praise
in costly compassion reflecting Christ’s ways.
4 Unite us, anoint us, O Spirit of love,
for you are within us, around us, above.
Equip us for service with gifts you bestow.
In Christ is our calling. In Christ may we grow.
*Blessing and Postlude
P.S. About Worship at St. John's
If you’re curious about what makes worship at St. John’s so meaningful, you can
discover what makes our worship unique—a blend of reverence, warmth, and community that draws us closer to God and to one another. You can also
learn how our core beliefs shape worship at St. John’s and see how faith and practice come together each Sunday in ways that are thoughtful, joyful, and deeply rooted in the Christian tradition.
