Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆Psalm 95 🔆Romans 5:1-11 🔆John 4:5-30, 39-42
S E R M O N
🔆“Jesus Acts, Paul Explains: The Woman at the Well and Justification for All” – The Rev. Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Prélude, Joséphine Boulay (1869-1925)
INTROIT … God to Enfold You, John Bell (b. 1949)
HYMN … Come, Sing with Joy to God
ANTHEM … Let Nothing Disturb Thee, Jean Berger (1909-2002)
HYMN … Psalm 71:1-7, Todd Jolly (b. 1961)
OFFERTORY … Andante, Joséphine Boulay
HYMN … My Song Is Love Unknown
POSTLUDE … Fugue, Joséphine Boulay
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 – – – – – – –
Lenten Meditation
Join us on the Sunday, March 22 at 11:30am in the Fireside Room for a time of Lenten Meditation. We will follow the themes in the book, Wondrous Encounters by Richard Rohr, but reading the book is not necessary. We will combine a brief reading and reflection on the scripture passages from the week with a suggested meditation, and a time of silent meditation. We have a few books available for purchase for $8.99. You may also take a book for free or order it from other channels. If you have any questions, please contact intern Elizabeth Conway.
Per Capita Tax
Per Capita Tax connects Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and mid councils with the work of the wider church. Per capita is how Presbyterians mutually and equitably share the costs of moving the church forward. The work of the PC(USA), and the work of the General Assembly, is only possible because church members have said they are “all in” and committed to connection through per capita support.
It is about joining together as a community and being one body, the body that is Christ’s church in the world. In support of the operations and administration of the Presbyterian Church (USA), please send in a check for $45 for each SJ member in your household. Write “per capita tax” in the check memo line and place in the offering plate, or mail to Cathy Lyon, our bookkeeper. Click on link for detailed information on Per Capita Tax found on the PCUSA website. Thank you for your consideration. – Lynne Royer
St. John’s Annual Meeting on March 8
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
Seeking a. new Camp Elwood director
Camp Elmwood is in search of a new Camp Director for the summer of 2026 (and possibly for subsequent summers!) In partnership with Manju Noone, this leader helps deliver a great camper experience and supervises volunteers and staff. The role is time-limited (not year-round). The two Camp weeks are very busy, full-time weeks, and the Director participates in about 35 hours of prep/cleanup. This is perfect summer work for a young adult or a newly graduated college student, or an aspiring leader in education, recreation, or youth development. The Director must be 21 years old or older (per state law), and most work is on-site in Berkeley, California. Ideal candidates are passionate about and experienced with camp or youth programming. Do you know someone? Can you help spread the word? Reach out to Manju@stjohnsberkeley.org for more details and the full job description, or send candidates directly to her.
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.
A prayer for the Third Sunday in Lent
God of spirit and truth, you alone satisfy our dry and weary souls. Let us drink from the spring of your mercy so that we may never be thirsty for the gift of your saving love; through Jesus Christ, the water of life.. John 4:5-42 To read all the prayers for Lent, please go to the Presbyterian USA website here.
Office of Public Witness urges Presbyterians to contact their elected officials over ending the violence in Gaza and the West Bank …. From the Presbyterian New Service
The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank continues at an unconscionable scale. As tensions rise across the wider region and the United States increases its military posture toward Iran, the risk of further escalation threatens to bring even greater devastation to human lives. At such a time, our nation must act not to deepen violence, but to help end it. Despite the October 2025 ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza continue to be killed, displaced, and denied the basic necessities of life. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire, adding to the more than 71,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023. Families struggle without reliable access to food, clean water, medical care, or shelter. Journalists have also paid a devastating price. More journalists have been killed in Gaza during this period than in any other recent conflict, while Israel continues to deny international media access. The absence of independent reporting further obscures the human reality and undermines accountability.
Children suffering from cancer and other life-threatening conditions are still being denied permission to travel for urgently needed treatment, including at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, a ministry of the Lutheran Church that has long served the Palestinian people. Church leaders in Jerusalem have called for these children to be allowed access to life-saving care.
In the West Bank, Palestinian communities face ongoing displacement, expanding settlement activity, and persistent settler violence. Bedouin and other families are being forced from lands they have inhabited for generations. These actions undermine the possibility of peace and threaten the future of entire communities. They also contradict the fundamental truth affirmed by our faith: that every person is created in the image of God and deserving of dignity, safety, and freedom. Go here to urge Congress to help end violence in Gaza and the West Bank and protect lives.
The United States provides Israel with substantial military assistance, including the recent approval of $6.67 billion in new weapons sales. With that support comes moral responsibility. Our nation must not enable policies and actions that contribute to further suffering. Instead, the United States should use its influence to uphold human rights, ensure accountability, and help create the conditions for a just and lasting peace.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long stood in partnership with churches and communities in the Holy Land. Through General Assembly actions and decades of shared ministry, we have affirmed our commitment to a just peace grounded in international law, human rights and the equal dignity of Palestinians and Israelis alike. Our partners are calling on us to speak with urgency and moral clarity. We must not remain silent in the face of ongoing suffering. The Office of Public Witness urges Presbyterians to contact their senators and representatives today. Click here to continue reading this article on the Presbyterian Church USA webpage.
“Almost, Maine” – a dramatic performance by Maybeck High School students
On Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, please join the Maybeck community for a play comprised of nine interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called “Almost, Maine.” To reserve your free tickets, please click here.