1st Day of Advent: H O P E … Nov. 30, 2025 at 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
A D V E N T 2025 is here!
Come join us for the lighting of Advent candles for Hope, Peace, Joy Love, and Light. Advent wreaths traditionally feature four candles, with three typically being purple and one pink. These candles symbolize Jesus’ arrival as a beacon in the darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday, progressively increasing the light until all four are illuminated. This gradual lighting signifies the approaching Christmas, with each additional candle bringing more light into the darkness. A white candle (sometimes referred to as the “Christ candle) is lit on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day, to symbolize Jesus’ presence. Each of the candles lit during the Advent season represents a specific aspect of preparation for Christmas.
November 30 … 1st Sunday of Advent, 10am
H O P E + Decorating Day for Advent, Christmas
December 7 … 2nd Sunday of Advent, 10am
P E A C E + Communion
December 14 … 3rd Sunday of Advent, 10am
J O Y Featuring + The Children’s Christmas Pageant
Yes, the moment is almost here! The St. John’s children have been joyfully rehearsing “Hee-Haw,” a lively retelling of the Nativity—told through the eyes of the donkey who faithfully accompanies Mary and Joseph to the stable. Written by our own elder Gail Peterson, this delightful play, at 10am during Worship is one the children can’t wait to share with you.
Please invite your friends and family. This season is truly special as our young performers lift their voices in the words and songs that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of you may remember your own days in the Christmas program—how exciting it was to look out at a sea of smiling, loving faces. All children—every ability, every age—are warmly invited to take part! Rehearsals are open on Sundays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and on the morning of Dec. 14.
December 21 … 4th Sunday of Advent, 10am
L O V E Featuring + A Musical Celebration of the Season
During the reign of King Louis XIV, while the king’s superintendent of music, Jean-Baptiste Lully, was terrorizing French musicians who wished to perform ballets and operas, Marc-Antoine Charpentier was quietly writing motets, oratorios, sacred cantatas, hymns, anthems, and mass settings for the Church. Charpentier had trained in Rome under the great Giacomo Carissimi. Upon returning to Paris, he became employed by Marie de Lorraine, the rich and pious Duchesse de Guise. During his career he also wrote for the theater of Molière. Near the end of his life the king appointed him to direct music at Sainte-Chapelle, a position second only to the chapel at Versailles.
In the Messe de Minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas), Charpentier used ten well-known French Christmas carols of the time as the melodic material for the mass. The result was a charming piece that remains timeless to this day. Join us for worship at 10am, to hear St. John’s choir and orchestra offer this delightful music as a celebration of the birth of Christ.
December 24 … Christmas Eve Candlelight Service … 5:30pm
Please join us for St. John’s amazing Candlelight service, featuring Carols and Lessons at 5:30pm. This beloved annual event is a cherished tradition, offering a wonderful opportunity to reflect and celebrate the spirit of the season. Through timeless carols and beautiful readings, we come together as a community for an evening of peace and joyous anticipation. We look forward to welcoming you there to this memorable occasion.
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
Nov 30 – 1st Day of Advent: Hope
Nov 30 – SJ Decorating for Advent, Christmas
Nov 30 – SJ Children’s Pageant rehearsal (+Dec. 7, morning of Dec. 14)
Dec 7 – 2nd Day of Advent: Peace
Dec 14 – 3rd Day of Advent: Joy
Dec 14 – SJ Children’s Christmas Pageant
Dec 14 – SJ Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolates sales
Dec 21 – 4th Day of Advent: Love
Dec 21 – SJ Christmas Music Sunday
Dec 24 – SJ Christmas Eve Carols & Candlelight Service, 5:30pm
Dec 28 – SJ 1st Sunday of Christmas with Carols and potluck brunch
Decorate for Advent and Christmas, November 30
Today is the day! All are welcome to make this always-beautiful space even more amazing during Advent and Christmas. Thank you in advance, for your support! – Worship, Music & Arts team
Boy Scouts Troop 6 Selling Wreaths, November 30
Once again, the Boy Scouts of Troop 6 are selling 22″ Noble Fir Wreaths for $30 and Western Cedar Garlands for $35 as part of their Winter Fundraiser. Both the wreaths and garlands will be available to purchase after worship in the Narthex.
Calling all participants for the SJ Christmas Pageant on December 14
It’s the time of the year where we come together and celebrate Christmas! The St. John’s children have been joyfully rehearsing “Hee-Haw,” a lively retelling of the Nativity—told through the eyes of the donkey who faithfully assists Mary and Joseph to the stable. The dates are November 30, December 7, and a rehearsal before worship on December 14. Let’s prepare our hearts (and lines !!) to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. Everyone welcome! For more details, contact Manju Noone at church or email manju@stjohnsberkeley.org.
Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolates sales on December 14
Since 2011, St. John’s members have purchased tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of organic, fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolate, 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, December 14, during coffee hour, there will an assortment of products to select from — come take a look! – Bill Herwood
Now More Than Ever: Support Berkeley Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center
2025. A year like no other … All of us can point to “unprecedented” changes that have happened this year. These changes have negatively impacted the most vulnerable folks in our country—and in our community. Just down the street from St. John’s, staff at the Berkeley Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center are now serving fifteen percent more clients every week, and the need is growing. We’re not powerless in the face of these changes.
Through St. John’s long-standing connection with the Center, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local women and their families who find themselves living on the streets, in their cars, or in temporary shelter. While the need may be greater this year, the Mission and Justice Commission reminds us that we have the power to make a difference in our neighbors’ lives and invites us to help address that need.
December 2025: The power to make a difference…It’s easy to do—collect some of the basic items listed below and bring them to church on December 14, the day of the Christmas Pageant. At that time, we’ll combine all our offerings to the Berkeley Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center. These offerings will then be delivered to the Center soon after the Pageant so that women and children of the Center’s community might have a warmer and happier holiday season.
This is one of St. John’s most meaningful traditions and we hope you’ll join us in participating in the collection again this year. The Mission and Justice Commission appreciates your help. If you have questions or suggestions, let Cynthia Simon or Lisa Blampied know and we’ll make it work for you!
A last word …thank you in advance from the Drop-in Center. They “really, really need” the help this year! You have the power to make a difference now more than ever.
Items that would be especially welcome at the Center include:
• $10-$40 gift cards to Target • $25 -$40 cards to Safeway or Costco
• New, unopened soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotions (travel- or family-size)
• New, unopened toothbrushes and toothpaste (adult and child)
• Deodorant • Toilet paper, tissue • Baby and adult wipes
• Maxi pads, incontinence briefs (sizes M-XXXL) and pads
• New and unused socks and underwear (for women and children)
• Cold weather gear, like-new condition (gloves, hand warmers, hats, warm coats)
• Gently-used plastic grocery bags
QR Code for Giving Money to St. John’s
One can now donate via PayPal for weekly givings and special events. We’ll still gladly accept cash/checks, and the use of our drop-down menu, stjohnsberkeley.org/about/giving/. Simply scan the PayPal QR Code in our bulletin or church lobby. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your continued support.