October 6, 2009
[Rom. 8: 18] I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
[19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God;
[20] for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope;
[21] because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.
[22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;
[23] and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
[24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
[25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
[26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
[27] And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
[28] We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
There are as many different circumstances for prayer as there are people, or even seconds in life. Indeed, the call to Christians is to live life as a prayer, every step, every word, every space, every blessing and every challenge. I don't know what happens or why exactly; I suppose it is laziness or fear, or the sense that God couldn't possibly want or use us, but we can get off track, go off line. And able to cruise on our own, we get used to it and slowly think less and less about getting back in the groove and flow of the Spirit, and God fades from our faith. We carry our life along. Maybe it is a series of events that begin to add up, and then something truly heavy happens, and our own efforts, the efforts of a little god partitioned off in the corners of our lives seem woefully inadequate for the task. And we return. In the moment when we might most be tempted to shrink into a little ball, God opens us wide, and we feel an overwhelming sense of shame and weakness, but so touched and lifted up by the amazing grace of God. And at the very moment when prayer seems most useless, it becomes unbelievably powerful. We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. We see beauty, we feel love, and we are so grateful. Thank you, Lord Jesus.Update on Karla Lemon
As many of you know, Karla has had complications during her open heart surgery. She has not regained consciousness. Chris has been very gracious (not to mention the hospital staff) in allowing those who love Karla to come and visit. The outpouring of love and prayer has been tremendous. We have now arrived at a place where the family would like a bit more space for personal moments, so I ask our congregation to now withhold from visiting the hospital.
Thank you, Chris. Thank you, all. Love,
Pastor Max
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The next Flick Flak will meet Friday, Oct. 23, 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. The films to see are "Paris" at the Albany and/or "Bright Star" at the Elmwood or the Piedmont. Bring food to share and opinions, a good lively time for all.
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Invite friends and neighbors to St. John's Haunted House
and family pre-Halloween Party!St. John's best attended community event of the Fall season is usually our Haunted House and Family Pre-Halloween Party. Plan to attend and invite friends and neighbors of all ages (0-100+). The event is fun for everyone. Saturday, October 24, 6:30 to 8:15pm. Youth grades five and up, come any time after 3:00pm to help build and staff the Haunted House in the lower depths of the church.
Haunted House needs adult staff
A few mature but young-at-heart adults who don't mind a few scares are needed to help our youth to staff St. John's Haunted House Saturday October 24. The Haunted House will be open to the community from 6:30 to 8:15pm. Adult helpers will be needed from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Sign up with David Pingatore or Fred Harvey,
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Women at the Well meets Saturday morning, 8:30am, Oct. 31. Come see what makes this a warm wonderful fellowship!————————————————————————
Continuing from the last issue's celebration of St. John's volunteersDavid McPhail – David is one of our in-front-of-the-scenes people but like many others, he also does a bunch behind the scenes. Elder, Chair of Christian Education Commission, Mission and Justice Commission member, Grip Shelter dinner coordinator, undaunted and unrelenting advocate for an endless number of justice and peace issues, choir member.Kimi Narita – Has given the pastor a hug, a plate of food and a cup of coffee every Sunday for the six years.Ellen Noller – Helps prepare sanctuary for Sunday worship, and works as a secret agent Deacon, keeping track and touching base with numerous people, and then helpfully calling the pastor to ask how they are. Helen also provides pastor’s family with vegetables from her garden. Yum.Glenda Pawsey – Has served as Deacon, now Elder, Co-Chair of Mission and Justice Commission, St. John’s representative for BOCA (Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action), lends her profound grace and balance to decision making, soup maker for Mission and Justice meetings, friend of everyone and another one of our members whose life is dedicated to social justice and peace, leading St. John’s on what Jesus call the WAY.Stewart Pawsey – Stewart frequently pops up to help in a variety of ways, quietly being helpful behind the scenes as we do our Church thing. He went on our mission trip to the health clinic in Guatemala. Most recently he lent St. John’s his engineering expertise when the main truss in the sanctuary cracked. Friend of the pastor and an atheist, Stewart reminds me of the guy in Jesus’s parable of the sheep and the goats in Mt. 25: Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, etc…And the man says, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'Howard Perdue – Commission on Personnel member, Stewardship and Growth Commission member, primary leader of greeting and welcoming visitors and hosting New Members Inquiry gatherings. An unofficial in-front-of-the-scenes guy who deserves a great deal of gratitude from the pastor and church. If you have come into the church in the last ten years, he was probably one of the first three people you met.Martha Perdue – was one of the other two. Together, this couple leads our hospitality ministry and are evangelical cheerleaders for the Gospel and St. John’s. We might say Howard also deserves some credit for allowing his wife to do as much as she does for the church. An Elder for the last six years, Co-Chair of Worship Music and Arts Commission, Chair of Nominating Committee, organizer of virtually all volunteers who help with worship, has chaired Grounds and Facilities, Centennial celebration leader, Camp Elmwood volunteer, office volunteer, volunteer cook for Senior Center and leader of after school program, St. John’s representative at presbytery, etc, etc… (to be continued next issue!)————————————————————————
Glenda and Stuart Pawsey invite you to celebrate with them . . .
their 40th anniversary, 70 years on this earth, and the birth of their first grand-child. Barbecue & Picnic, Oct. 17,1-5pm, at the Willows on South Park Rd., Tilden Park. Please bring salad or dessert. No presents! RSVP Glenda Pawsey————————————————————————
Upcoming Sunday ForumsOct. 11 — View the recently released documentary film “FLOW.” This is important for understanding what is at stake in implementing our belief that water is a gift of God and therefore a human right.Oct. 18 — After church we will have a WATER FAIR on our patio – with 13 tables/displays devoted to practical ways we can conserve and reuse water in our HOME & GARDEN as well as ways we can exercise PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and take POLITICAL ACTION to make changes in our lives and our world. Understanding the INTERNATIONAL and CALIFORNIA implications of the water crisis is also a goal of the fair. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! Hamburgers (including veggie burgers) and hot dogs will be served – we will need sign ups for potluck salads and desserts. Ice-cold EBMUD water will be served!Oct. 25 – University students today from the perspective of the Rev. Carole Miles, Westminster house.Nov. 1 – Health Care: the Great Debate important to all, led by Marietta Harvey.————————————————————————
GRIP Hunger Walk (StJ is a COSPONSOR) is October 10
Each year the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) raises a significant portion of its funding in the GRIP Hunger Walk. GRIP has provided a free lunch for over 20 years — now over 200 folks line up 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This forty year old organization grew out of the response of 40 plus religious communities to the 1968 race riots in Richmond. Its family shelter and counseling center provide housing and three meals a day to 60 plus children and adults. A portion of the funds also goes to support the Richmond Food Pantry started by GRIP. This year's "Walker" from St. John's in the GRIP—Harmony Walk—will be Pastor Max Lynn. David McPhail is collecting pledges through next Sunday, but he hopes everyone redeems their pledge with check or cash no later than Oct. 4. The walk is on Oct. 10.
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Concert by former Choir Member Anne Shapiro, October 24
Saturday, October 24, 7:30pm, mezzo-soprano Anne Shapiro and Friends — pianist Rebecca Trujillo, cellist Gael Alcock, and guitarist Javier Trujillo — will perform a program called Songs of Love and Light to benefit the Ridhwan Building Fund, at the Ridhwan Center, 2075 Eunice Street, Berkeley. This will be a concert of beautiful, various, mostly classical music by Latin American and European composers. $20 suggested donation. Limited parking. Walking, biking or carpooling advised.
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We are $8,400 behind budget on pledge income. We have budgeted $163,000 for the full year. We are also behind on rental income for the Center by approx. $32,000. It is likely we will have a budget shortfall for the full year 2009. Hopefully we can close the gap between now and the end of the year. Now is the time to think about what financial commitment you can make for 2010 to St. John’s. A stewardship letter will go out in a few weeks and we will dedicate our pledges in November.
St. John's Presbyterian Church
2727 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
Do you drink water?
St. John's is planning
a "Water Fair!"
October 18
Get on board!
Call David McPhail!