This Sunday, February 28, 2021 we will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our Family Ministry team. Almost 8100 acts of service, caring and compassion have been logged by this fantastic team of church members over the past 10 years. Please join us in saying Thank You.
February is Helping Hands Food Drive Month
It’s not too late to donate non-perishable food items to the February Food Drive which benefits our local Helping Hands.
Ash Wednesday Service Cancelled
We have made the decision to cancel our Ash Wednesday service due to the continued icy conditions and power outages. Please stay safe, dry and warm.
Worship for Sunday, February 14 by Zoom
Due to current weather conditions already on the North side of Houston and occurring throughout the day today, we have just cancelled in-person worship for today and will offer worship via Zoom only. Please stay home, stay dry, warm and safe.
The Passing of Kirke Cowdery
It is with sadness to report the death of Kirke Cowdery on Saturday, January 16, 2021. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Felix Carrion officiating. Masks and social distancing is required. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
A Pastoral Message and A Call to Prayer
Dear Church Family,
On Wednesday of this week we witnessed in horror the assault on our Capitol, “The People’s House” and our “Temple of Democracy”, while the Congress gathered to fulfill its Constitutional Duty, the counting of the Electoral Votes. I believe and know that all of us remain profoundly shaken, as we ponder the peril of that moment and of our future . A sense of dread dawned upon many of us, who up to Wednesday felt we can and will pull ourselves back from the brink. After Wednesday the question has become “how do we now move forward to face the truth and heal our nation?”
We have to remember that the power of prayer never wanes and never fails. Prayer is a cry from within the soul lifted up to God for whom nothing is impossible. “But Jesus looked at them and said, For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26) Prayer is not an abdication of our responsibility to do all that we can to work day and night for the healing and unity of our nation. It is instead our first responsibility and duty. We start with prayer. We start with our belief that “for God all things are possible.”
Today we pray for the five families who lost loved ones as a result of what happened on Wednesday. We hold them in our hearts. We pray for all our leaders. May they turn to God to understand how love and justice works when it takes root in the hearts of men and women. And we pray for all the people of our country, without exception. We pray that no one will lose faith and the determination to do what is right and courageous. Violence and vandalism are never the right and courageous thing to do.
Tomorrow I will speak to what we collectively witnessed and now face, as I offer the continuation of my sermon on the Epiphany story found in Matthew 2:1-12. Let us remain faithful in this dark hour, for the Light of God overcomes the darkness.
Love and Peace,
Pastor Felix Carrion
The Blessing for December 2020
The Blessing, church newsletter for December 2020 is now available for your viewing.
We are currently offering in-person worship on Sunday mornings (masks are required and social distancing guidelines of the CDC are being followed), as well as, via Zoom. You are invited to share the Advent Season with St. John’s UCC.
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a reminder that we are all in this difficult time together and Christ will see us through.
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. You are invited to join us for the start of Advent on Sunday, November 29th at 10:00 a.m. for in-person or Zoom worship. CDC guidelines on social distancing and the wearing of a mask are followed.
Decorating for Advent
As is our custom at St. John’s UCC, we will stay after worship on Sunday, November 22 (this Sunday) to prepare and decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas/Advent season. Your help is needed and appreciated.
Those staying are asked to wear a mask. To help with social distancing, plans have been made to limit some of the decorations and to have all boxes and decorations out and ready to go. It is hoped that we can safely work together to create a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
November 29th is the first Sunday of Advent.
If you are planning to stay or to come up and help please RSVP to the church office this week to help us plan better, but this is not required. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Fort Bend Family Promise
At this time, the Fort Bend Family Promise team, has decided that St. John’s UCC will not be a host church for FBFP.
Recognizing that homelessness for children in our community is still a critical issue, we want to encourage members of our congregation to consider various ways to support the mission of FBFP.
Monetary donations can be mailed to:
Fort Bend Family Promise
c/o Vera Johnson
1002 Wilson Drive
Rosenberg, TX 77471
Gift cards to Kroger’s HEB, Wal-Mart for groceries for families in the program would be appreciated and you may mail or deliver to the above address.
Donations of laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, toiletries and dental hygiene items are also needed.
At this time, it is necessary to call 832-847-4734 to set up a time to drop off any donations at the facility. If it works better for you, you may drop donations off during the mornings to the church (please clearly mark that these items for intended for FBFP or you may contact a committee member to make arrangements for delivery.
As always your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.