New Visions

August 15, 2013                        John Knox Presbyterian Church                                                  Vol. 8, No. 8 

As we near the end of the summer (is that even possible? It seems like it just started!), and we get ready to dive back in to early mornings, long school days, and the over-achiever’s triumph of a full calendar, let’s just stop for a minute. Look around. Take a breath. Savor. Jesus tells us in scripture to cast all our cares on him. He is our rock, our cornerstone, as we will teach in Summer Mission Camp next week, and he can hold up anything we give him—our worries, our fears, our regrets, our shame.

So before we get too caught up in the hectic days of back-to-school time, which will flow into bazaar, which will flow into the holiday season, let’s remember that God loves us not because of how much we do, but simply because of who we are. Thanks be to God!

Becky Downs

Arts & Crafts Bazaar for Charity 5th Anniversary

Saturday September 21, 2013 10:00 AM to 4:00PM

Under the Big Oak Trees John Knox Presbyterian Church 2525 N. Gessner Houston, 77080 Every penny of profit will help

Westside Homeless Partnership, MAM (Memorial Assistance Ministries) REACH Unlimited, Heifer International

MAYOR  ANNISE PARKER 

SHARRON MELTON ABC 13 NEWS 

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Session Notes

 • John  Knox  Session  did  not meet  in  July.  The  next 

stated meeting will on August 22 at 7:00 p.m.  in  the Fellowship Hall. 

 The  summer  is  winding  down  and  we  are  beginning  a  very  busy     season for John Knox. • VBS Mission Camp will held  the week of August 4  through 9. At 

this point we estimate we will have close to 30 children participate.  • On August  11, we will  install  Rev. Downs  as  pastor  during  the 

10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Mike Cole will preach the sermon and various  pastors  and  lay  persons  will  be  involved.  A  reception   honoring Rev. Downs will follow the worship service. 

 • The last week in August will be a busy time for all of us: 

August 25:  ~~ Rally Day at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall ~~ Blessing of the Back Packs at the 10:30 worship service ~~ Hot dogs and fixins’ luncheon after worship.  August 28: ~~ Brigade Street Café opens its doors! 

 Also, the Nominating Committee will be meeting to begin their search for  3  people  to  serve  as  ruling  elders  for  the  Class  of  2016.  Please prayerfully consider saying, “yes,” if asked.  

Our Staff     Rev. Becky Downs Pastor  Ann Sullivan Director of  Music/Organist  Debbi Englade Office Manager   Maria Estrada Yeseñia Gomez Child Care Provider  Jonna Whatley  Newsletter Editor  

 Sunday Schedule   

 Sunday School  9:15 a..m.  Worship 10:30 a.m.  Fellowship 11:45 a.m.  

Childcare Provided 

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Memorials (year-to-date) $ 100.00 Gathering Place Memorials (y-t-d-) $ 1,025,00 Free the Captives (year-to-date) $ 220.00 MAM $ 70.00

JULY CONTRIBUTIONS

$ 16,417.00 MONHTHLY NEED

$ 17,500.00

YEAR-TO-DATE CONTRIBUTIONS

$122,500.00 ANNUAL NEED

$210,000.00

Please consider your contribution to MAM Back-to-School. They are accepting donations for school uniforms, clothing and supplies.

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Golden Acorn Award

I was overwhelmed to receive the Golden Acorn Award this month, many, many thanks for nominating me, sweet ladies Jonna and Blythe. I am very proud of

our John Knox Presbyterian Church Arts & Craft Bazaar. It came about at a time when we needed something to relight the flame and passion of this wonderful church family. The Bazaar fulfilled a need for our tiny church to be recognized in the Spring Branch community and even better, to work to change the lives of others! It is my honor to nominate a person, who came back to JKPC after a break, like a house on fire. That is my dear friend Sue Garwood. Sue has taken the Outreach Committee to an all new level, and it is a pleasure to be Co-Chair for two years with her, and Bazaar Co-Chair with her still. We used to joke it was like having a full time job! In every aspect of John Knox, Sue is a part of and beyond She serves as Ruling Elder, sings in the choir, plays hand bells, teaches Sunday School, works with the Plant & Pray Garden Club, is assistant moderator of the Presbyterian Women Day Circle, is a cook for Brigade Street Café, and helps with the Gathering Place once a month.. Sue also is Co-Table Captain for the Reach Unlimited Luncheon and supervises and plays Bingo at Reach each month. In her “spare” time, Sue bowls and still has time to sing with The Celebration Singers. Sue has a wonderful family: Jeff and soon-to-be daughter-in-law Lisa, her daughter Jody, and son-in-law Mark and her Grandson Addison, who live in Reno. Of course I must mention Chuck Garwood, her late husband. What a terrific man he was! He loved his family, the Dallas Cowboys, and bowling. It was my honor to have known him. When Sue is not doing church work or singing, she also is an avid bowler. She also enjoys flying to Reno or wherever her family happens to go. Sue also, loves her kitties and all things in nature, She also ushers at the Alley Theater. It is my honor to recognize you, my dear friend, you have been a blessing to John Knox and to me. Sue, you truly deserve this Award!

Nancy McElhinney

Hello From The Choir Loft

It was quiet in the Choir Loft. One month out of the year, choir members take a break from Wednesday night’s poised pencils to mark the music where we breathe; gargling apple cider vinegar with honey so the notes sweetly float, and anxious sucking on throat lozenges. Coughing at the “Amen” is not pretty. So July was the yearly break, but Director Ann Sullivan knows how important music is to worship. She thumbed through her file of singers and pulled out her favorite quartet. That would be Dave Jantzen, Jim Lester, Spike Jensen, and Jim McGough. Now, you might point out that they are her only quartet, but that would not be very nice. Currently, it is her only quartet, but she’s working on it. Dave Jantzen, 1st Tenor, serves on the JKPC Property Committee, and he is head track and cross country coach at Houston Christian High School. Jim Lester, baritone, a retired VP of Finance for a manufacturing company, has been a member of John Knox 6 ½ months. He serves on the Bazaar Committee. Spike Jensen, also retired, is 2nd Tenor, and a JKPC member for a combined total of 20 years. He has served on the Property Committee both as a member and as chairman. Jim McGough, bass, has been a member for 32 years and is on the Finance Committee. The soloist Sunday, July 7, was Cheri Jantzen. Cheri and Dave often sing duets at JKPC and for Celebration Singers, a choir whose members sing for assisted living home residents. She works part-time at Skyhawk Chemicals. The trio singing Sunday, July 14 was Clara Jensen, Sue Garwood, and Nancy Hekimian. Clara Jensen is on the Personnel Committee, CCE, Property, and Worship Committees. Sue Garwood serves as Outreach Co-chairman, Annual Bazaar Committee, Gathering Place, and PW Circle.. Nancy Hekimian serves on the Fellowship Committee and is Leadership Chair of the Presbyterian Women.   We will introduce other members in the choir next month. In the meantime, see you in church.

Alice Lester

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN 

Tuesday, August 13. 7:00 p.m. Coordinating Team Parlor Thursday, August 15. 10:00 a.m. Make Chrismon ornaments Fellowship Hall Thursday, September 12. 9:30 a.m. Day Circle Parlor Tuesday, September 17. 7:00 p.m. Night Circle Parlor Saturday, December 7. 6:30 p.m. Annual PW Dinner Parlor and Fellowship Hall

Calling all crafters, sewers, woodworkers and others:

On August 15 we will meet in the Fellowship Hall to make Chrismon ornaments from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00.

We will provide patterns and some supplies. You may get the patterns off the internet and work at home if you can’t make these dates. Please remember that the ornaments should only be gold and white. The children’s Sunday school class has already started this project. Please contact Shirley Williamson (713-460-0316) if you have questions. Naturally, we will go out to lunch afterwards.

Ministry to the Port of Houston

For many years John Knox has been a contributing

partner for the project to provide a Christmas gift for each and every seafarer arriving at the Port of Houston during the holiday season. We are again collecting special items each month. You can put these items in the box in the Fellowship Hall.

Items for the Seafarers’ Boxes

AUGUST Playing cards

Puzzles Games

Texas souvenirs Gum

Hard candy Disposable cameras

Thanks so much for your past support and we look forward to another good year.

This year the Presbyterian Women will be studying other religions. The studies will include Judaism, Scientology, Islam and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

We hope that you will make a special effort to join the Day Circle on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. or the Night Circle on the following Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor for these studies as well as fellowship and prayer. Please join us as we study together.

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The Gathering Place News A Senior Citizen Outreach Program

Wild flowers were spotted in JKPC’s Fellowship Hall on July 25, but not on the tables.

The brightly printed shirts/blouses were worn by Gathering Place members, in keeping with our tropical Hawaiian theme. Seashells, leis and flowers adorned the tables, and our lunch followed along with this theme. After lunch, we enjoyed watermelon from East Texas, thanks to the Krasins. That may not be a Hawaiian delicacy, but it sure was tasty. The Men of Leisure received a warm welcome from the Gathering Place. Eight very dapper gentlemen entertained us with barbershop type music. They have been singing together for over twenty-three years. We were promised “next year they’ll get it right”. While we were enjoying the music of the Men of Leisure, we also enjoyed watching children at play on our beautiful grounds. The children were attending a camp, sponsored by Westside Homeless Partnership, and it was wonderful to hear the laughter and watch the fun an-tics of the boys and girls. Thanks to WHP for giving the Gathering Place a little extra

entertainment this month. We send a big “thank you” shout-out to Louise Campbell for joining our telephone committee. We have several faithful members who call with monthly reminders, and Louise has joined the team.

Our next meeting will be on the fourth Thursday, August 22. Watch your calendars closely since August has five Thursdays. Our theme will be “back to school”. Even though it has been a year or two (or more) since we attended school, we

can expect a fun “class” in the Fellowship Hall next month. Pam and Harry Shepherd are returning to thrill us with their talent. With Harry on the vibraphone and Pam with her clarinet, it is a musical treat for all of us. Invite your friends for a morning of good food and fellowship. No reservations are ever necessary.

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY

Julia Bendy Elizabeth Deterling

Gwen Flamm Allene Jones Sandy Kincaid

Jean Merembeck Marie Reinhardt

Jimmie Sims Nancy Smith

Loving someone is about giving not

receiving

We encourage everyone to find a class and

come study God’s word together. You and your children will be greatly

blessed!

Children and Youth . The K-5th grade class in studying the Bible, following the Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Year C). Our class loves arts and crafts and drama too.

Come join us in Room 6 at 9:15 a.m.

Disciples Adult Class

On June 2, The Disciples Class began a new study entitled “God’s People Worship.:

The first 4 weeks of this study is entitled “The Prophet and Praise,” based on scriptures from Isaiah. These lessons will be followed by 5 lessons about “Worshiping in Jerusalem (Again).” The study scriptures will be from Ezra. The next 4 weeks continues the story of “Worshiping in Jerusalem (Again).”

Come join us in the Parlor at 9:15 for coffee and fellowship and Bible study at 9:25.

Seeker’s Adult Class The Seeker’s Class has moved from the New Testament to the Old Testament. We often hear the names of Abraham, David, Moses and Ruth in sermons and Bible studies. But just what was the importance of these figures whose lives span various books of our Old Testament? In our study we will discover their importance in the unfolding revelatory plan of God. Just like all human beings, none of them were perfect, but each of their lives provided lessons that have been learned by successive generations of faithful people intent on listening to God’s call and action in their own lives. Please join us as we study together.

We meet in the Library at 9:15 a.m.

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PLANT & PRAY GARDEN CLUB

The Plant & Pray Garden Club will meet on August 17 to make preparations for the Plant Sale at the Arts & Crafts Bazaar on

September 21. Please drop by and visit with us. Our members are busy planning, propagating and planting. We will have a wide variety of plants to offer, some of which are probably not available in the local nurseries.

HINT FOR THE MONTH ~~ Water azaleas regularly and well. They are setting buds.

Happy gardening—Fall will come!!!!

Saturday Night Out has made plans for the rest of 2013. Mark y o u r c a l e n d a r s accordingly. In August our gracious

hosts have planned a get-together at Chavez Mexican Café on Gessner. Please call the church office and let us know if you would prefer dinner on Saturday night, August 17 or lunch on Sunday, August 18 after church. The schedule for the remainder of the year is

September 21: Juarez Mexican Café Brigade Street October 26: Pampas November 23: Hollister Grill December 7: PW Christmas Dinner

If you need more information, please contact Ken and Leslie Racine or Shirley Williamson. Also, if you would like to sponsor a SNO in 2014, please contact Shirley Williamson.

On August 28 you can say good-bye to Brigade Street Café is back in business! Pat Graber will be the cook.

If the voice you hear when you call the church seems vaguely familiar, it really is “déjà vu all over again.” Debbi Englade who was Office Manager at John Knox about 10 years ago has returned. Our regret in losing Colette Edwards after 10

years of loyal service, is tempered by the fact that Debbi was willing to come back to work for us after years of traveling the country with husband Mark and his job. Yes. She still lives at the same place. The differences are that all of her girls are now grown, married and have children. So, she is a grandmother many times over! Fortunately Linda and Barbara live in Katy and Cypress. Jamie just left for Germany where her husband is in the service and Jennifer is still in Louisiana. Please make plans to come by to renew old acquaintance with Debbi, or for that matter meet her for the first time. You are in for a treat. We are very happy that Debbi wanted to come back and work for us. Welcome back, Debbi!

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You are cordially invited to the installation of

Rev. Becky Ardell DownsRev. Becky Ardell DownsRev. Becky Ardell Downs as Pastor

John Knox Presbyterian Church

2525 N. Gessner Sunday, August 11, 2013

10:30 a.m.

Reception in the Fellowship Hall to follow

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Shirley Howell Poor health Alice Reitz Poor health Bill Altop and wife, Sandra Brother-in-law and Sister of Janet Nemitz Parkinson’s disease Hank Williams Cancer Dorothy Krause Poor health Lee Sommars Poor health Marilyn Lovell Sister of Nancy McElhinney Cancer First Korean Christian Church Meeting at JKPC Love Community Vietnamese NCD Meeting at JKPC

Please keep the following loved ones in your prayers as they serve in our military in far away places of danger. Pray that God will protect them and bring them home safely.

2LT Kyle Stammer Duty in Afghanistan

Grandson of Wendell & Jo Ann Zumwalt Cesar Serventes,

Duty in South Korea Jorge Chapa

Stevie Rodriguez Diana Cano

August 1 Venetta Godwin August 5 Clara Jensen August 6 Billy McGough August 9 Vicki James August 10 Jimmie Sims August 13 Jacob Macias

August 15 Fern Erskine August 19 Susan Smith August 24 Johnny Macias August 30 Emma Erskine August 31 Jim McGough

A favorite A favorite A favorite core value:core value:core value:

You do the right You do the right You do the right thing simply thing simply thing simply

because it’s the because it’s the because it’s the right thing to doright thing to doright thing to do.

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Serving God As We Serve John Knox

Elder of the Day August 11 Pat Graber August 18 Bill Gilcoat August 25 Pete Colvin September 1 Sue Garwood September 8 Walter Rhodes September 15 Cheri Jantzen September 22 Lynn Wolff September 29 Ken Racine Officer of the Day August 11 Sue Garwood August 18 Ken Racine August 25 Jo Ann Zumwalt September 1 Venetta Godwin September 8 Cheri Jantzen September 15 Lynn Wolff September 22 Walter Rhodes September 29 Pete Colvin Liturgist August 11 Rev, Downs August 18 Pat Graber August 25 Sharlene Pruett September 1 Corinna Smith September 8 Jonna Whatley September 15 Lizzie Downs September 22 Dave Jantzen September 29 Mary Lou Crestani Coffee Servers August 11 Cindy Saldaña Lisa Peña August 18 Maru Stogner Sue Garwood August 25 Wendell & Jo Ann Zumwalt September 1 Terry & Shirley Williamson September 8 Jan Thomas Blythe Long September 15 Ken & Leslie Racine September 22 Cindy Saldaña Lisa Peña September 29 Maru Stogner Sue Garwood

Ushers August 11 Lynn Wolff Charles Stogner Pat Graber August 18 Connie Powell Venetta Godwin John & Jeannette Eaton August 25 Ken & Leslie Racine Nancy Holcomb Nancy McElhinney September 1 Pete Colvin Sharlene Pruett Wendell & Jo Ann Zumwalt September 8 Jim Babb Bill Gilcoat Jim Wager September 15 Dick Whatley Mary Lou Crestani Walter & Peggy Rhodes September 22 Terry & Shirley Williamson Scott Key September 29 Lynn Wolff Charles Stogner Pat Graber Money Counters August 11 Connie Powell Jim & Alice Lester August 18 Dick Whatley Jim McGough August 25 Wendell & Jo Ann Zumwalt September 1 Connie Powell Madge Jephson September 8 Walter Rhodes Blythe Long September 15 Terry & Shirley Williamson September 22 Dick Whatley Jim McGough September 29 Wendell & Jo Ann Zumwalt Communion September 1 Fern Erskine Charles Stogner Nancy McElhinney Jim Babb Jonna Whatley choir

Sound Technician August 11 Shirley Williamson August 18 Scott Key August 25 Susan Smith September 1 Jim Wager September 8 Lynn Wolff September 15 Wendell Zumwalt September 22 Shirley Williamson September 29 Scott Key

Dear Pastor Becky and members of John Knox Church, Thank you so very much for the many kindnesses you have all shown Roger Turner throughout these many years. Roger has truly met wonderful people who demonstrate the Christian ideal of loving one’s neighbor. He will definitely miss you all, but will keep in touch to let you know how things are going in Washington State. God’s Blessings Always David and Julie Turner

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1

7:00 pm Women for Sobriety

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4 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship 12:00 PM Outreach Mtg. 12:15 PM 1st Korean Church 3:00 PM Vietnamese NCD

5 It’s VBS Time! 9:00 AM Mission Camp VBS

6 9:00 AM Mission Camp VBS 6:00 PM Cub Scouts #656

7 9:00 AM Mission Camp VBS 6:30 PM Handbells 7:30 PM 1st Korean Church 7:30 PM Adult Choir

8 9:00 AM Mission Camp VBS 7:00 PM Mac Gregor West 7:00 PM Women for Sobriety

9 9:00 AM Mission Camp VBS

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11 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship—Installation for Rev. Downs 12:00 PM Reception honoring Rev. Downs 12:15 PM 1st Korean Church 3:00 PM Vietnamese NCD

12 7:00 PM Celebra-tion Singers

13 6:00 PM Cub Scouts #656 7:00 PM PW Coordi-nating Team Mtg.

14 6:30 PM Handbells 7:30 PM 1st Korean Church 7:30 PM Adult Choir

15 7:00 PM Women for Sobriety

16 17 10:00 AM Plant & Pray Garden Club

18 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship 12:00 PM Finance Mtg 12:00 PM Property Mtg 12:15 PM 1st Korean Church 3:00 PM Vietnamese NCD

19 20 6:00 PM Cub Scouts #656

21 6:30 PM Handbells 7:30 PM 1st Korean Church 7:30 PM Adult Choir

22 10:00 AM Gathering Place 7:00 PM Women for Sobriety

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25 RALLY DAY Blessing of the

Backpacks 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship 12:00 PM Hot Dogs with all the Fixins’ 12:00 PM Worship Mtg 12:15 PM 1st Korean Church 3:00 PM Vietnamese NCD

26 9:00 AM ESL Regis-tration 7:00 PM Celebra-tion Singers

27 6:00 PM Cub Scouts #656

28 5:45 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Handbells 7:00 PM Session Mtg. 7:30 PM 1st Korean Church 7:30 PM Adult Choir

29 7:00 PM Women for Sobriety

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AUGUST 2013

Newsletter Articles are due August 29 for the September newsletter.

John Knox Presbyterian Church 2525 N. Gessner Drive Houston, TX 77080 713-462-5448 Jkpc@sbcglobal.net~www.jkpc-houston.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

August 25 9:15 a.m.

Sunday, August 25Sunday, August 25Sunday, August 25 10:30 a.m. worship10:30 a.m. worship10:30 a.m. worship Bring your backpack. Bring your backpack. Bring your backpack.

Hot Dogs and Fixins’ Fellowship Hall after worship

Bring your contributions for MAM Back-to-School