Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Exodus 3:1-15 🔆 Matthew 16:21-28
S E R M O N
🔆 “Moses and Awesome Mystical Experience” – The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Suite No. 3 in G Major, Johann Jakob Froberger (1616-1667)
INTROIT … In Heavenly Love, John Ness Beck (1930-1987)
HYMN … Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
ANTHEM … God Is My Strong Salvation, text by James Montgomery (1771-1854) and music by Austin C. Lovelace (1919-2010)
HYMN … When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land
OFFERTORY … Pièce pour Orgue, César Franck (1822-1890)
HYMN … Guide My Feet
POSTLUDE … Fantasie, Niels Wilhelm Gade (1817-1890)
Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, click here.
To join the Zoom weekly Service, click here.
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
Memorial Service for Julia Oversloot, September 19
A memorial service for Julia Oversloot will be held on Saturday, September 19 at 2pm at St. John’s.
Prospective New Members Forums, August 30
The second forum, held immediately following coffee hour after worship, is open to whoever would like to learn more about the Presbyterian Church and St. John’s, whether you are already a member, want to be a member, or are still thinking about it. On August 23 we reviewed basic Presbyterian theology, beliefs, and practices. On August 30 we will follow up on questions from the week before and will also discuss the following questions: What are the expectations and process of joining and being a member? How is it different from just showing up when we are available? What are the essential things to know about membership? Where is the wiggle room? All are welcome.
New Scout Year Begins!
The new school year is starting up, and that means the new Scout year is also starting! St. John’s charters Troop 777 for middle and high school girls and Troop 6 for boys. Please invite any young person you know to join us this year. More information is available online at Troop777Berkeley.org or Troop6Berkeley.org, or contact August (Troop 777) at august.fern@gmail.com or Chris (Troop 6) at cwkent100@gmail.com for more info. Troop 777 would especially like to invite all interested girls to join us on Wednesday, August 26, at 7:30 in the Fireside Room! – August Fern, Troop 777 Leader
Summer Choir, August 30
Summer is a great time to try out singing in the choir. There are no Wednesday evening rehearsals, just show up at 9am on a Sunday when you would like to join the choir and rehearse a simple anthem. Then, stay for worship and sing! The remaining date for summer choir is August 30. Questions? Ask Todd Jolly (todd@stjohnsberkeley.org) or Evangeline Wolfe (evangeline@stjohnsberkeley.org).
SJ Christian Education Kickoff, September 13
After worship, we will have fun and fellowship – including a bounce house for the kids. Bring your family, invite a friend, and let’s kick off the new season together in joy and community. There will be a scrumptious extended coffee hour – bring something to share if you are able. – Manju Noone
Congressional Meeting, September 20
Our next Congressional Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 20 in the Sanctuary immediately following the worship service for the purpose of nominating and electing an elder and adjusting the Pastor’s terms of call.
SJ Sunday Forum: “What is Homer’s Odyssey,” October 4
Take a break after worship for 5-10 minutes, then come back for a conversation led by Polly Coote. This forum is an introduction or refresher on the composition of the epic from the perspective of oral traditional storytelling.
Polly Coote’s academic training in classics (Greek) and in South Slavic (Yugoslav) language and literature with a focus on Serbo-Croatian heroic song first brought her to a position in the Slavic department at UC Berkeley in the 1970s. Polly taught biblical Greek at the San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) and the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) for over 35 years, along with working as the registrar and associate dean for student life.
Do you want to sing in the choir?
There are two paths to participation in the St. John’s choir. One way is to come to rehearse a simple introit or anthem in the Sanctuary on Sundays at 9am, then stay for the service and sing. The other way is to join us for rehearsal (usually in the Sanctuary) on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm. We will prepare more challenging pieces for worship, as well as larger works such as for the choir’s big Sunday in December or music for Lent and Easter; then return on Sunday morning at 9am to review and learn the simple piece with the full group. Questions? Talk with Todd Jolly, Minister of Music (todd@stjohnsberkeley.org), or Evangeline Wolfe, Organist (evangeline@stjohnsberkeley.org).
Free 42″ Samsung TV
Claudia Cate has a 42” Samsung TV, plus remote and wall mount unit available at no cost for someone who wants it. Please call her at 510-384-5777 if you’re interested.
Save Berkeley Shops Community Gathering, August 30
At this gathering, the agenda will cover an update on the City’s proposed upzoning plans for Upper Solano Avenue, North Shattuck and the Elmwood; ideas for preserving our small businesses while creating affordable housing; and next steps. The gathering will be held at Northbrae Community Church from 3-5pm on Sunday, August 30. Learn more.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant 2026 Annual Dinner, September 26
EBSC is thrilled to invite the St. John’s community to EBSC’s 2026 Annual Dinner. Join on Saturday, September 26 from 3-7pm at St. John’s as we share a delicious meal catered by immigrant chefs from Oakland Bloom, enjoy live music and performances from Duniya Dance & Drum Company, and celebrate our 2026 Sanctuary Champions. Learn more and reserve your tickets.
QR Code for Giving Money to St. John’s
One can now donate via PayPal for weekly giving and special events. Simply scan the PayPal QR Code in our bulletin or church lobby. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your continued support.
Featured image by lens zone