Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Jonah 3:10-4:11 🔆 Matthew 20:1-16
S E R M O N
🔆 “The frustration of not being in charge of who gets mercy” – The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Aus meines Herzens Grunde, Max Reger (1873-1916)
INTROIT … Come, Bless Ye the Lord, Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) arranged by William Ehret (1918-2009)
HYMN … O Lord, You Are My God and King
ANTHEM … Lord God of Sabaoth, Katherine K. Davis (1892-1980)
HYMN … Just as I Am, Without One Plea
OFFERTORY … Intermezzo from Suite for Organ, Paul de Maleingreau (1887-1956)
HYMN … Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
POSTLUDE … Fugue in G Minor, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784)
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
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.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant 2026 Annual Dinner, September 26
Tickets to the dinner are sold out, but the St. John’s community is invited to attend the program, beginning around 4pm. Learn more.
World Community Sunday, October 4
Come join the celebration of God’s work across borders and cultures during the regular Sunday worship service at 10am at St. John’s.
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.
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.
Pet Blessing, October 11
Bring your pets (leashed or in a carrier) or pictures of your pets to our regular Sunday worship service, along with a hat and layered clothing.
St. John’s Haunted House and Halloween Party, October 24
It’s that spooky time of year again! Come and enjoy a fun and spooky experience by our community. Bring your friends and family to St. John’s annual Haunted House and Halloween Party on Saturday, October 24, 6:30-8pm. Volunteers needed! Whether you love entertaining and greeting guests, creating creepy scenes or helping behind the scenes, there’s a spot for you. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Manju Noone. We’re looking for volunteers to help with: decorating and set up, 1-5pm; acting and guiding guests, refreshments/hospitality, and clean-up, 5-9pm. Thank you!
Do you want to sing in the choir?
There are two paths to participation in the St. John’s choir: come to rehearse a simple introit or anthem in the Sanctuary on Sundays at 9am, then stay for the service and sing, or 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 consider being an usher! If you’re interested, please speak to any of the current ushers: Elizabeth Patelke, Bob Hemmer, Julie Bennett, Natalie Bennett, Nigel Blampied, Diane Morrison, and Lisa Blampied. Thank you for considering!
Update from Friends of the Tent of Nations (FOTONNA)
St. John’s visited the Nassar farm in Palestine and witnessed their incredible faith and commitment to equal rights and Christian non-violence. This is the latest news from Daoud Nassar, Director of Tent of Nations.
“Dear Friends of Tent of Nations, I want to thank you all for standing with us during these challenging times and for keeping us in your prayers. Your solidarity, friendship, and support remind us that we are not alone on this difficult and long journey for justice. Your encouragement gives us strength and courage to continue.
The situation in the West Bank continues to escalate, with increasing settler attacks on Palestinian villagers and farmers. Many families are losing access to their land and facing growing pressure to leave the places they have called home for generations. What is perhaps most frustrating is the lack of meaningful action from the international community to stop these injustices. Too often, the suffering of people is acknowledged, but not enough is done to protect them or to hold those responsible accountable.” Read the full update from Dauod. Subscribe to FOTONNA’s newsletter for more updates.
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 katja