Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆Psalm 112 🔆Isaiah 58:1-12 🔆Matthew 5:13-20
S E R M O N
🔆 “The Fast that God Chooses” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Lobe den Herren, den Mächtigen König der Ehren (Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty), Max Reger (1873-1916)
INTROIT … Rejoice and Sing, Jeff Jolly (b. 1953)
HYMN … Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
ANTHEM … Light of the World fromGodspell, Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
HYMN … Arise Your Light Has Come
OFFERTORY … Steal Away, Trad. Spiritual arr. Marianne Kim (b. 1972)
HYMN … Lord, Make Us More Holy
POSTLUDE … Scherzo, David Hurd (b. 1950)
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:
Feb. 8 – A Conversation on Climate Change and How to Address it
Led by Dr. 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.
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 not 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)
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 in this 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.