Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Exodus 14:19-31 🔆 Romans 14:1-12
S E R M O N
🔆 “Discerning the Movement of God in Flash Floods, Fire and Food” – The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
INTROIT … God’s Eye Be Within Me, Words by John Bell (b. 1949), Irish traditional
HYMN … O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer
ANTHEM … Lord, Make Me to Know, William Byrd (c. 1540-1623)
HYMN … Live Into Hope
HYMN … I Am Standing on the Shoulders of My Ancestors
Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
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A N N O U N C E M E N T S
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
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.
Congregational Meeting, September 20
Our next Congregational 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.
Fair Trade Coffee, Chocolates, Olive Oil sales, September 27
Since 2011, St. John’s members have purchased tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of organic, fair-trade coffee, tea, chocolate, & olive oil to support small-scale farmers across the world. This is not a fundraiser for the church; SJ offers these products at the lowest prices possible to the church community — the more frequently we choose these products, the greater our participation in a truly just economic system. On Sunday, September 27, during coffee hour on the patio, there will an assortment of products to select from — come take a look! Payments can be paid using cash, checks (made out to St. John’s Presbyterian Church), and now Paypal. – Bill Herwood
SJ Sunday Forum: “What is Homer’s Odyssey,” October 4
Take a break after worship for 10-15 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.
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).
Ushers Needed! An Opportunity to Help Out!
If you’re looking to volunteer at St. John’s worship services, then speak to any of the folks below about being an usher. In general, ushers arrive before the Sunday service to set up for the morning’s activities, and then welcome and support congregants during the service. The usher finishes their “job” by clearing the Sanctuary and putting things away for its next use.
Training is provided, and any of the people listed below can help you learn more about what this role entails. Please let us know if we can answer any questions.
Current ushers are: Elizabeth Patelke; Bob Hemmer; Julie Bennett; Natalie Bennet; Nigel Blampied; Diane Morrison; and Lisa Blampied.
Thank you for considering this way you can help make St. John’s an even-more welcoming place.
District 8 City Council Candidates Night, September 23
Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association, in association with Panoramic Hill Association, Bateman Neighborhood Association and Willard Neighborhood Association, is hosting a District 8 City Council Candidates Forum at St. John’s on Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm. The moderator will work from a prepared set of questions. You will be given the chance to have your questions answered as well by writing them on a card, so bring your pressing issues.
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 Guohua Song