St. John’s United Church of Christ

1513 West Street, Rosenberg, Texas 77471

Church Office:  281-342-5159                                                             Fax:  832-759-5548
office@stjohnsunitedchurchofchrist.org                      www.stjohnsunitedchurchofchrist.org
Rev. Felix Carrion, Minister                                                                                                
Rev. Donald Kolkmeier, Pastor Emeritus                                                      March 1, 2023

I Give Thanks

As I write my last Pastor’s Article for our newsletter, I am reminded of Psalm 133:1 and affirm its wonderful truth.

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

It has been our blessing to live together in unity as Pastor and Congregation. Our mutual experience has been one of love and support. We have walked side-by-side sharing our hearts with one another. We have learned and laughed. We have grown together. O, how good and pleasant this has been!

In this moment, I am also reminded of Jesus’ words when He said,

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

We can be assured that Jesus was among us as Pastor and Congregation. It was His presence that was felt when we worshiped together, held our meetings, faced our challenges, ministered in different settings, embraced our new vision and goals, and believed in His promises. Jesus remains among you, even now as we embark on new paths.

I give thanks for this calling and the honor to have served you as your Pastor.  I give thanks for each one of you. I give thanks for the leadership of our congregation and its faithfulness. I give thanks for the many gifts of the Holy Spirit present among you. I give thanks for how we shared these precious gifts with one another. I give thanks for our spiritual friendship and the memories we will hold on to. For here among us,

“The Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.” (Psalm 133:3)

Pastor Felix
Looking Ahead
Monday Morning Men at 8:00 a.m.
Holy Communion, 3/5
Celebration of Joy, 3/5
Cambridge Square Communion, 3/8
Set Clocks forward at bedtime, 3/11
Women's Guild, 3/14
Reliable Oaks, 3/14
SPJST, 3/14
Spring Picnic, 3/19
Church Council, 3/23
Family Ministry Meeting, 3/30
Monthly Summary for February 2023
Average Sunday attendance:  37
Income for February towards the Budget: $10,056
Amount needed per month: $10,673
Thought for the Month:
Don't worry. God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers, and never silent o your pain.  He sees, he hears, and he will deliver you.
Preparing for Sunday

March 5, 2023
Holy Communion Observed
Scripture:  John 15:15-17
                 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
 Sermon:  I Give Thanks
March 12, 2023
Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper
March 19, 2023
Rev. Mona Lopez
March 26, 2023
Rev. Ron Krueger
Holy Week:
April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday
Rev. George Kuebler
April 6, 2023 Maundy Thursday
Holy Communion
Rev. George Kuebler
April 7, 2023 Good Friday
Rev. George Kuebler
April 9, 2023 Easter
Holy Communion
Rev. George Kuelber
Monthly Ministries
Lay Readers for March
JoAnn Meyer, Michelle Gutowsky,
Karen Sikes, Janet Enax

Altar Flowers for March
March 5-Enax Family
March 12-Available
March 19-Kerry Gerken
March 26-Available
Those in our prayers
Amanda Ashley by Jimmie Ashley
Trilla Bailey by Sandra Bailey
Gladys Barta by the Office
Melvin Blahuta by the Office
Sandra Croft by the Office
Cynthia Enax by Darwin Enax
James Enax by Darwin Enax
Riley William Halton by Jimmie Ashley
Spec. Dylan Hanson by Karen Sikes
Artis James by Michelle Gutowsky
Sharon Loesch by Patsy Kubes
Danny Marek by Darwin Enax
JoAnn Ray by the Office
JoAnn Rays Mom Dorothy by the Office
Doug Spinks by Darwin Enax
Allan, Brittany & Alec Van Horn by Karen Sikes
Jimmie Zwahr by the Office
Holy Communion followed by a Celebration of Joy
Holy Communion will be observed during the worship service on Sunday, March 5, 2023.  A Celebration of Joy will follow the worship service in the Parish Hall this is a great time for refreshments and fellowship, as well as a time to tell Pastor Felix goodbye.
Daylight Savings Time 
A reminder to set you clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday, March 11 as Daylight Savings Time changes at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Church Offering Collection and Greeters 
Starting on Sunday, March 5 we will return to passing the offering plate during the worship service.  Darwin Enax, Bob Ray, Larry Jezek and Keith Beck have agreed to serve as ushers.  Council members will also serve as greeters on the Sundays that they normally open and close the building.  Thanks to all that have stepped up to help with this piece of our worship service.
Update from Church Council

The February Council meeting was held on Thursday the 16th.  All minutes and reports were approved.
  • Pastor Felix’s last work day is Sunday, March 5.
  • Upcoming events discussed: March 19 is the Guild’s Spring Fling, Holy Week from April 2 (Palm Sunday) through April 9 (Easter) with Pastor Kuebler officiating. April 22 - Houston Association Spring Meeting to be held at our church.
  • The March Council will meet on Thursday the 23rd at 1 p.m. due to Spring Break being the week before.
Updates on Our Vision, Our Goals:
  1. The Community Garden team – the grant was approved Feb. 1 with $10K received initially and $5K to be received in June after a progress report is submitted.Ivan Richter is continually disking the garden area when it is dry enough.
  2. The Marketing & Media team – working on the church’s website; putting articles in local newspaper.
  3. The Worship & Events team met and started their discussions on music, etc.
Council voted to raise the price of cemetery spaces.  The prices for members remain the same at $400 per space and $500 for lawn care.  The prices for non-members will increase to $3000 per space and $1000 for lawn care.  Prices at cemeteries in the area are at least 2 to 4 times higher.  Our cemetery is less than half full with over 200 spaces remaining in the mapped section.

John Eixmann
Look at Us

At a recent Marketing & Media Team 2 meeting, the following challenge was made: LOOK at US…as if you were a first-time visitor!

When a first-time visitor to St. John’s walks in the front door, what do they see?  Do they see smiling faces or people engrossed in conversation that they don’t even know someone new is present?

Do they hear a personal greeting or conversations among those already present?

Do they have a clear path into the sanctuary or are there any obstacles?
Is the order of worship easy to understand and follow or does there need to be any clarifications?

If we continue to have the offering plate in the Narthex prior to the service and brought forward rather than passing the plates (like we did prior to Covid), do they know that’s where they may share their offering?

Take the challenge…LOOK at US!
 
Celebrate Spring!
at the Church Picnic
following service on
March 19th
 
The Women’s Guild will be hosting a Spring Fling Picnic on Sunday, March 19, after the worship service.  The Women’s Guild will be furnishing fried chicken and tea.  Everyone is asked to bring a side dish/dessert to share.  We will not have a live auction but a silent auction.  If you would like to provide a gift basket, homemade baked goods, jams/jellies, vegetables, salsa, or craft items, please do so.  The Guild appreciates and thanks you for your support!  Come join us for fabulous food, fellowship, and fun!
                                 Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday, April 2
Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
Rev. George Kuebler

Maundy Thursday, April 6
Worship Service at 6:00 p.m.
Holy Communion Observed
In the Parish Hall
Rev. George Kuebler

Good Friday, April 7
Light Lunch at 11:15 a.m. in Parish Hall
Worship Service at Noon in the Sanctuary
Rev. George Kuebler

Easter, April 9
Continental Breakfast in Parish Hall
Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Holy Communion Observed
Rev. George Kuebler
Cambridge Square Visitation and Communion
Our Family Ministry team will be visiting and sharing Holy Communion to residents at Cambridge Square on Wednesday,  March 8 at 9:30 a.m. and will visit with residents at Reliable Oaks and SPJST on Tuesday, March 14.
Helping Hands February Food Drive Success
A big thank you for your donation of 156 pounds of food to our local Helping Hands.  Also thanks to Calvin Lamensky for delivering these items to Helping Hands on Monday.
Church Council Meeting
Please mark your calendar's for the Church Council to meet this month on Thursday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Family Ministry Team Meeting
Please mark your calendar's for Thursday, March 30 when the Family Ministry team will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Disciples Classroom for the quarterly meeting.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Reminder that if you shop at Kroger's you can tie your Kroger's Courtesy Card to St. John's UCC and a percentage of each purchase is given back to the church.  The church account number is 84302.
Monthly Meetings
Women's Guild-Tuesday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m.
The Church Council-Thursday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Copyright © 2020
St. John's UCC, All rights reserved.



"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

Our mailing address is:
St. John's United Church of Christ
1513 West Street
Rosenberg, TX 77471

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
St. John's United Church of Christ · 1513 West St · Rosenberg, TX 77471 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp