Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆Psalm 27 🔆1 Corinthians 1:10-18 🔆Matthew 4:12-23
S E R M O N
“The Church and Our Part In It” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Christus, der ist mein leben, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
INTROIT … In Love You Summon, Words & Music by John Bell (b. 1949)
HYMN … God Is My Strong Salvation
ANTHEM … Ye Followers of the Lamb, Shaker Song, arr. Edwin Earle Ferguson (1910-1999)
HYMN … Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!
OFFERTORY … God Has Work for Us to Do, Mark A. Miller (b. 1967)
HYMN … Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore
POSTLUDE … Prelude and Fugue in a minor, Georg Böhm (1661-1733)
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 – – – – – – –
Upcoming Sunday Forums
Take a break after worship for 5-10 minutes, then come back for a conversation:
Jan. 25 – A Conversation About Christianity’s American Fate
There is a paradox of an increasingly secularized society dominated by conservative, white evangelical Christianity. How did we get here? David Hollinger will present a 30,000-foot view of the history he details in his book, Christianity’s American Fate, that traces the roots of the ecumenical church’s challenges in the US today.
David A. Hollinger is the Preston Hotchkis Professor of History, emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He specializes in American intellectual history and American ethno-racial history. He is the author of many published papers and books that carefully chronicle intersecting social, political, cultural, ethnic, and religious movements in American history.
Feb. 8 –A Conversation on Climate Change and How to Address it
Led by Ron Amundson with a little help from Pastor Max. Ron is a member of St. John’s and Professor of Environmental Science at UC Berkeley. We will discuss the article by Bill Gates. Media claimed it was a big change in perspective, even a reversal. But is it? There is a link below to the article so you can read it before the forum:
“A new way to look at the problem: Three tough truths about climate
– What I want everyone at COP30 to know” by Bill Gates published 10/27/25 … Climate change is serious, but we’ve made great progress. We need to keep backing the breakthroughs that will help the world reach zero emissions. But we can’t cut funding for health and development—programs that help people stay resilient in the face of climate change—to do it. It’s time to put human welfare at the center of our climate strategies, which includes reducing the Green Premium to zero and improving agriculture and health in poor countries. https://www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-page-topic/reader/three-tough-truths-about-climate.
Memorial Service scheduled for Barbara Taylor
Barbara Becker Taylor passed away on December 10, 2025, at the age of 95. Barbara joined St. John’s in March 1975. Barbara’s legacy is evident through her work on SJ commissions, as a Deacon, and her years of working in the church office. A Celebration of Life service will be on Saturday, January 31, at 2pm at St. John’s. Please join us in person, or through Zoom, as we gather to celebrate her life.
Eyewitness Gaza: Lt. Col. Anthony Aquilar speaks at St. John’s, February 17
Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor. In 2025, he led security efforts for the American Israeli outfit, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. When he realized the mission of GHF was anything but humanitarian, he resigned and became a whistleblower. Lt. Col. Aguilar will share his firsthand experience and why he chose truth over silence. There will be an introduction by Dr. Ussama Makdisi, Professor of History and Chancellor’s Chair, Palestinian and Arab Studies, UC Berkeley.
Please join us on Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm for this presentation. If you wish to attend, or to join by Zoom, please register here. This event is sponsored by NorCal Sabeel, St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Jewish Voice for Peace, Mt Diablo Peace Center, St. Columba Catholic Church of Oakland, Berkeley Women in Black, Beyt Tikkun, Ecumenical Peace Institute, Oscar Romero and Simon Weil Catholic Workers House, Plymouth United Church of Christ (The Jazz and Justice Church), Christians for a Free Palestine (CFP)
Adult Beginner Watercolor Class at St. John’s, starts February 7
I will be starting another Adult Beginner Watercolor Class on Saturdays from 10am to 11:30 am at St. John’s in the Sproul Conference Room. This is an invitation for returning students and new students to sign up. The dates will be on Saturdays, February 7 thru March 21, with an extra date of March 28 if one of the dates conflicts with a church or my family events.
The goal of the class is to learn how to use water as a paint medium on wet and dry paper, learning and improving drawing skills while having fun exploring your skills. I am keen to get you to SEE the objects you draw in detail and break them down in small steps to be painted successfully.. Perfection not required. I am upgrading the watercolor supplies to 50-paint traveling kit, and sharing the 140lb paper that was donated to be used on some projects. The cost of supplies will be $40 for this session and you are welcome to pay me but it is not required. Please send me an email by Jan 30 if you are interested in joining. – Julia Oversloot
SJ Annual Family Snow Trip, February 27 to March 1
Get ready for an exciting, memorable Church Snow Trip! All families and individuals are welcome to join and participate in snow activities, fellowship, and devotional time together. We will depart from St. John’s around 10am and return in the afternoon of March 1 (weather permitting!). Details on the Snow Trip are forthcoming in next week’s bulletin. – Manju Noone
St. John’s Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, along with a potluck lunch, will be held in Hunter Hall right after worship on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The purpose of the meeting is to receive St. John’s Annual Report for 2025 and to vote on the 2026 Terms of Call for Pastor Max Lynn. – Diane Morrison
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.
Senior Resources Fair on February 7 at St. John’s
The Realtors Resource for Seniors Committee is hosting the third annual Senior Resource Fair on Saturday, February 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. John’s. This community event is free, open to the public. The fair will have speakers and 50+ information tables. The speaker topics include Geriatric Care Management, Elder Financial Issues, Senior Moves Management, and Connective Horse for those with Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers. The tables will have information provided by cities, the county, senior centers, local nonprofits and businesses serving seniors and their families. The fair is sponsored by local realtors and mortgage brokers. For more info, contact Joann Sullivan at srsresfair@gmail.com