This Sunday at St. John's

Gleaning at the Edges

Friends,

This Sunday I'm preaching on Acts 4:32-37. The sermon is "Gleaning at the Edges." The first church in Jerusalem held everything in common. Luke says there was not a needy person among them. Then he names one man, Joseph from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas. He sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet.

What gets me is how ordinary Luke makes it sound. Nobody calls a press conference. Nobody gets a plaque. Barnabas did get a nickname, which may be better. Long before that, God told Israel not to harvest to the very edge of the field, and not to go back for what fell. Leave it for the widow and the stranger. Boaz went one better. He told his reapers to pull handfuls out of the bundles on purpose and drop them where Ruth would find them.

Most of us harvest close to the edge. We have bills and we have plans, and the corners of the field start to look like wasted space. But the corners were never wasted. They were God's way of building mercy into the margins. Somebody is always walking behind the reapers.

Come worship this Sunday. Lynne Parsons Austin is our liturgist and will read from Leviticus and from the story of Ruth in Boaz's field. It is Stewardship Sunday, so during the offertory we will walk forward and lay our 2027 pledge cards in the baskets while Alina plays. The ushers will have cards for anyone who needs one. We'll sing "Lord of All Good," with its offering of "tokens of love and pledges brought anew." Then stay for a brief Congregational Meeting in the sanctuary, followed by a BBQ lunch.

Peace,

Pastor Jon Burnham

St. John's Presbyterian Church, Houston

5020 West Bellfort Avenue Houston, TX 77035

(713) 723-6262 / stjohnspresby.org

P.S. The service will be live-streamed

on our church website

and on our St. John's Facebook page.

Stewardship Sunday, This Sunday, November 15

Bring your 2027 pledge card to worship. Stay afterward for a brief Congregational Meeting in the sanctuary, then a celebration BBQ lunch.

St. John's Presbyterian Worship Bulletin

November 15, 2026

25th Sunday after Pentecost, Stewardship Sunday

Gathering

Prelude,

Alina Klimaszewska, organ

*Call To Worship,

The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham

Pastor: When you reap your field, the Lord said, do not harvest to the very edge, and do not go back for what you dropped.

People: Thanks be to God, who builds mercy into the margins.

Pastor: A foreign widow bent all day in the hot field behind the reapers, and the owner told his men to pull handfuls out of the bundles on purpose and leave them where she would find them.

People: Thanks be to God, who drops grace where the poor are walking.

Pastor: And the first church held everything in common, and there was not a needy person among them, and nobody thought that was strange.

People: Thanks be to God, who is still gathering us at the edges of the field.

Opening Prayer

*Hymn 37

Let All Things Now Living

1 Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

to God our Creator triumphantly raise;

who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

by guiding us on to the end of our days.

God's banners are o'er us; pure light goes before us,

a pillar of fire shining forth in the night:

till shadows have vanished, all fearfulness banished,

as forward we travel from light into light.

2 By law God enforces, the stars in their courses,

the sun in its orbit obediently shine;

the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,

the depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;

with glad adoration, a song let us raise,

till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:

to God in the highest, hosanna and praise!

Prayer of Confession,

Lynne Parsons Austin

Gracious God, we confess that we have harvested our fields to the very edge and gone back for what we dropped. We have looked at the stranger bent over in the rows and asked to whom she belongs instead of asking her name. We have counted the needy among us as somebody else's concern. Forgive us, and teach us to leave the corners. 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,

Leviticus 19:9-10; Ruth 2:1-16,

Lynne Parsons Austin

Leviticus 19:9-10

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.

Ruth 2:1-16

Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone in whose sight I may find favor." She said to her, "Go, my daughter." So she went. She came and gleaned in the field behind the reapers. As it happened, she came to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Just then Boaz came from Bethlehem. He said to the reapers, "The Lord be with you." They answered, "The Lord bless you." Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, "To whom does this young woman belong?" The servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, "She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, 'Please, let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the reapers.' So she came, and she has been on her feet from early this morning until now, without resting even for a moment."

Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn." Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!" Then she said, "May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants."

At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come here, and eat some of this bread, and dip your morsel in the sour wine." So she sat beside the reapers, and he heaped up for her some parched grain. She ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. When she got up to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, "Let her glean even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her. You must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles, and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her."

Anthem

Sermon Scripture,

Acts 4:32-37

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

The Word of the Lord for us today. Thanks be to God.

Sermon,

“Gleaning at the Edges”

The Rev. Dr. Jon Burnham

*Hymn 711

Lord of All Good

1 Lord of all good, our gifts we bring to you;

use them your holy purpose to fulfill,

tokens of love and pledges brought anew,

that our whole life is offered to your will.

2 We give our minds to understand your ways;

hands, eyes, and voice to serve your great design;

heart with the flame of your own love ablaze,

till for your glory all our powers combine.

3 Father, whose bounty all creation shows;

Christ, by whose willing sacrifice we live;

Spirit, from whom all life in fullness flows:

to you with grateful hearts ourselves we give.

*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 and 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 and Dedication of Pledges

During the offertory, please walk forward and place your 2027 pledge card in the baskets. If you need a pledge card, the ushers will have them.

*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 36

For the Fruit of All Creation

1 For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.

For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.

For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,

future needs in earth's safekeeping, thanks be to God.

2 In the just reward of labor, God's will be done.

In the help we give our neighbor, God's will be done.

In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing, God's will be done.

3 For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.

For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.

For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,

most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.

*Benediction

*Postlude

Announcements

This Sunday Is Stewardship Sunday!

Bring your pledge card and stay for a celebration lunch!

Congregational Meeting after Worship

The congregation will meet immediately after worship in the sanctuary. We will consider the 2027 annual budget, the 2027 Terms of Call for the pastor, the Nominating Committee report, edits to the Manual of Operations, and annual reports from committees.

The Nominating Committee presents this slate for election: Elders, Class of 2029.

• Jessica DeLaflosse, Co-Moderator of Fellowship and Caring
• David Chandler, Moderator of Buildings and Grounds
• Ann Hardy, Moderator of Stewardship and Finance

Thank you, 2027 Nominating Committee: Allen Barnhill, Mary Hughes and Wright Williams.

Sunday Book Study on Zoom

The Sunday Book Study meets on Zoom at 1:30 p.m. If you would like to join, call the office and we will send you the link. If any of this is new to you, call the church office. We will walk you through it, step by step. 713-723-6262

Brahms: Between Passion and Poetry

November 22, 4 pm, in St. John's Sanctuary. Join us for an afternoon of Brahms with cellist Hasmik Vardanyan and our own Alina Klimaszewska at the piano, with guest artists Mark Swindler, tenor, and Omeed Manshouri, viola. The program includes the Cello Sonata in E minor, Two Songs, Op. 91, art songs for tenor and piano, and Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 and 5. Admission is free. Bring a friend.

Holiday Gift Market: Thank You!

The 2026 Holiday Gift Market raised $20,053 for the ministries we support. Thank you to Kay Swint and the committee, our vendors, and everyone who helped.

Oil for Our Lamps Begins James

Oil for Our Lamps meets by Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. The group is beginning a study of the book of James. The first lesson is Tuesday, November 17. There is one extra copy of the study book. If you would like to join, call or text Shirley Boyd: 713-598-0818.

Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen, by O. Henry

This is a delightful story of Thanksgiving by a famous author. You can search this title online and download the article. This should be very enjoyable this season. Dan Herron

Church Phone Service Restored!

Our church phone line is working again. You can reach the office at 713-723-6262.

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.

Christmas Shoeboxes for Seafarers

Each year the Houston International Seafarers Center delivers Christmas shoeboxes to the crews of ships in the Port of Houston. Last year it was 8,901 boxes, for sailors from 68 nations, many of them months away from home at the holidays. Chaplains and ship visitors carry the boxes aboard by hand.

St. John’s is collecting again this year. Peter Sparaco will set a box in the Narthex. Please bring new, unopened, full-size items such as body wash, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, socks, new caps or T-shirts, playing cards, word-search or sudoku books, pocket notebooks, flashlights with batteries, non-perishable snacks, and Texas souvenirs. The cutoff date for donations will be announced in a coming Epistle.

Worship with Us from Home

You can watch Sunday worship live at 11:00 a.m., or later at your convenience. Type this address into your web browser: www.stjohnspresby.org/watch

Looking Ahead in Generous Trouble

Generous Trouble:

When Kingdom Economics Interrupt Our Plans

• November 22: "The Upside-Down Kingdom" (Christ the King), Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Matthew 25:31-46

Happy Birthday

Andra Mulder (Nov 1)

Mary Hughes (Nov 3)

Fifi Diabate (Nov 3)

Marie Dzeukou (Leonie’s cousin) (Nov 9)

Becky Crawford (Nov 10)

Virginia Krueger (Nov 12)

Mary Herlitz (Nov 14)

Libby Adams (Nov 15)

Ann Hardy (Nov 16)

Jackson Burnham (Nov 20)

Naomi Hughes (Nov 20)

Mary Plail Risley (Nov 22)

Jim Austin and Scott Moore (Nov 29)

Happy Anniversary

Peter and Grace Sparaco (Nov 28)

Prayer Concerns

Miri Upton, friend of Lisa Sparaco, health concerns

Kelly McDowell and family, Shirley Boyd’s nephew, health

Kathleen Captain, health

Ken Krueger

Family of Betty Robinson

Linda Dobbin, health

Mary Hughes and family, in the loss of Mary’s brother Fred

Fran, her children and family of Brad Urquhart

Lisa, health

Sandy, health

Patti, health

Randy Finfrock, health

Alice's grandson, Marc, 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

Scott Moore

Alice Rubio

St. John’s college students

Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes

One Hope Preschool families and staff

Calendar

• Sunday, November 15, 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Stewardship Sunday
• 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room
• 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
• After worship, Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary
• 12:00 pm Celebration Lunch for Stewardship Sunday
• 12:00 pm CE Committee and Fellowship and Caring
• 1:30 pm Book Study on Zoom
• 3:30 pm Girl Scouts, Session Room and 203
• 4:30 pm Pack 8 Meeting, McPhail Hall
• Tuesday, November 17
• 1:30 pm Oil for Our Lamps on Zoom, James study begins
• 5:00 pm Exercise Group, Building 2
• Thursday, November 19
• 5:00 pm Exercise Class in Building 2
• 6:30 pm Gift of Empathy Class
• Sunday, November 22, Christ the King Sunday
• 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Systematic Theology, Session Room
• 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook
• 1:30 pm Book Study, Zoom
• 4:00 pm Brahms: Between Passion and Poetry, Sanctuary

Coming Events

• Wednesday, November 25, 6:30 pm, Men’s Group
• Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day
• Saturday, November 28, 10 am, Decorate Sanctuary for Christmas
• Sunday, November 29, First Sunday of Advent
• Monday, November 30, Healing Hearts, 11 am
• Saturday, December 5, Quarterly Bible Study, Advent
• Wednesday, December 9, Healing Hearts, 7 pm, and Men’s Group, 6:30 pm