Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Proverbs 12:9-12 🔆 Exodus 23:1-12
S E R M O N
🔆 “Artificial Intelligence, Natural and Organic Wisdom, and Sabbath” – The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” Organ Concerto in F Major HWV 295: Allegro, G.F. Handel (1685-1759), arr. Riccardo Piagentini (b. 1958)
INTROIT … Bless the Lord 1. Badgers and Hedgehogs, Andrew Carter (1939-2026)
HYMN … I Sing the Mighty Power of God
ANTHEM … Bless the Lord 2. Butterflies and Moths, Andrew Carter
HYMN … Great is Thy Faithfulness
OFFERTORY … Romanian Folk Dance No. 1 “Stick Game”, Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
ANTHEM … As a Hart Longs for the Brooklet, Attr. to Louis Bourgeois (1510-1559), arr. by Claude Goudimel (ca. 1520-1572)
HYMN … Animals
POSTLUDE … Bull Dog Rag, Geraldine Dobyns (1882-1956)
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
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: decorating and set up, 1-5pm; acting and guiding guests, refreshments/hospitality, and clean-up, 5-9pm. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Manju Noone. Thank you!
Día de los Muertos, November 1
In the Latin American tradition, we celebrate All Saints and Day of the Dead, in which we commemorate and remember the lives and pray for the resurrection of our loved ones. Bring photos or mementos of those loved ones who have died to our regular worship service on November 1.
Calling all participants for the SJ Christmas Pageant, beginning November 1
It’s the time of the year where we come together and celebrate Christmas, and what is more fun than our pageant of the season! Rehearsals are November 1, 8, 15, and 22, and Dress Rehearsal is on December 6 in the Sanctuary, in which we will prepare our hearts (and lines!) to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. Everyone is welcome! For more details, contact Manju Noone at church or through email.
Upcoming SJ Sunday Forums
Take a break after worship for 10-15 minutes, then come back for learning and conversation, led by the speakers listed below. Fall Forum Schedule available.
“Consciousness, Free Will, and God,” October 18
Led by Changin Sohn (Chan). This forum will cover consciousness and metacognition (how do we know ourselves), free will (are we really free?), and where God is in all of this.
Changin Sohn (Chan) is a doctoral candidate at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and a visiting Ph.D. student at the Tsao lab at the University of California, Berkeley, where his research stands at the intersection of theological anthropology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind.
“Is there a Lawyer in the House? Creating collaborative opportunities to improve health through public policy and the law,” October 25
Led by Madlyn Morreale. For the past 18 years, Madlyn led Legal Aid of North Carolina’s statewide Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) Program, working with health professionals to integrate access to “legal remedies” into team-based efforts to address social drivers of health. Prior, Madlyn co-founded the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law, served on the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, was Professional Staff for the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families in the U.S. House of Representatives, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.
“Paul and the Family-led Cult of Jesus,” November 8
Led led by Robert Coote. This forum (the first of three sessions over three weeks) will explore the early, family-led cult of Jesus and the awkward, at first marginal place of Paul and his thought (his message, his euangelion) in it.
“Making Sense of the Book of Romans,” November 15
Led by Robert Coote. This forum (the second of three sessions over three weeks) will explore The Book of Romans and how Bob makes sense of it.
Robert B. Coote is internationally renowned for his work on the Bible and the ancient Near East and has written several seminal texts of Biblical scholarship. His work expands across disciplines and is particularly known for the ways in which he brings context across texts through the examination of biblical composition, literary structure, and content. Bob is professor emeritus of Old Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
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.