Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Revelation 13:1-8, 16-18 🔆 Revelation 7: 9-17
S E R M O N
🔆 “The Book of Revelation: Cosmic Battle” – The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Prelude in C major BWV 846a, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
INTROIT … Grieve Not the Holy Spirit of God, T. Tertius Noble (1867-1953)
HYMN … You Are Before Me, Lord
ANTHEM … O Salutaris (O Saving Victim, opening wide the gate of heaven), Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
HYMN … I Danced in the Morning
OFFERTORY … Prelude in e-flat minor, BWV 853a, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
HYMN … All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
POSTLUDE … Fugue in D major, BWV 850b, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
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
Please share your St. John’s photos!
If you’ve attended any events at St. John’s in 2026 and have photos, please share them with our administrative staff (this helps us get organized for our annual report and have more complete records of St. John’s activities). Please email photos to katie@stjohnsberkeley.org.
Summer Choir, July 26, August 16, and August 30
Summer is a great time to try out singing in the choir. There are no Wednesday evening rehearsals, just show up at 9:00 am on a Sunday when you would like to join the choir and rehearse a simple anthem. Then, stay for worship and sing! The remaining dates for summer choir are July 26, August 16, and August 30. Questions? Ask Todd Jolly (todd@stjohnsberkeley.org) or Evangeline Wolfe (evangeline@stjohnsberkeley.org).
Free Lunch for Berkeley Kids through July 31
Children who are 18 years old or younger are invited to eat free in Berkeley. The City of Berkeley, in collaboration with the State of California Department of Education, will offer free summer lunches and snacks to all Berkeley children at locations across the city. Find locations and more information at berkeleyca.gov.
US Presbyterian Church votes to recognize Gaza genocide
On June 30, the United States’ largest Presbyterian denomination has voted to recognize the genocide in Gaza and impose an arms embargo and divest from Israel, adding to another major divestment vote that was conducted on June 28.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), also known as the PCUSA, voted to officially adopt a resolution that will have the institution identify Israel’s war on Gaza as a genocide, lobby US Congress for an arms embargo against Israel, and encourage its members to boycott Israeli products that contribute to its war.
The vote was 454-15.
“The overwhelming votes our church made this week…signal a major shift in public opinion on Palestine,” Bob Ross, Steering Committee member of the Palestine Justice Network (PJN) of the Presbyterian Church, told The New Arab.
Ross notes that Presbyterians come from across the political divide and are located in every corner of the US, making it a politically and geographically diverse denomination.
“The General Assembly, which reflects this diversity, spoke in a unified voice against genocide and for measures that will hopefully contribute to the liberation of Palestine,” Ross adds. Read the full announcement.
PC(USA) labels White Christian nationalism “Theological Error”
Commissioners to the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted overwhelmingly to declare White Christian nationalism and similar ideologies “a theological error” incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ, advancing a proposed constitutional amendment that would add that language to the denomination’s Book of Order.
The assembly also approved a denomination-wide policy statement condemning White Christian nationalism, directed church leaders to expand public opposition to the movement through ecumenical partnerships and public witness, and declined to commemorate Presbyterians’ role in the American Revolution, citing concerns that such a celebration could elevate nationalism over the church’s gospel witness.
By a vote of 458-18, commissioners approved RUS-01, which asks the denomination’s 164 presbyteries to ratify new Book of Order language affirming the church’s commitment to justice, peace, mercy and human dignity while rejecting “any ideology that seeks to establish Christianity as a privileged or dominant force through the power of the state, or that conflates religious identity with national, racial, or ethnic supremacy.” Read the full announcement.
Volunteer at monthly Berkeley waterfront cleanups
Individuals, families, or groups can volunteer to be part of monthly cleanups at Berkeley’s waterfront and Aquatic Park.
Come out on the third Saturday of each month throughout 2026. Volunteers start with a brief presentation about the effects of plastics in the ocean and guidance on how to remove trash safely. We’ll provide all the supplies you’ll need.
Participation is flexible, and people are welcome to stay for as long or short as your time allows. We recommend that everyone – especially large groups – register in advance so City staff can plan accordingly. Individuals or small groups can also register in person upon arrival.
Come out to Berkeley’s shoreline and join others as we beautify the Bay. Learn more and sign up at berkeleyca.gov.
Lift the Bar – Support Basic Needs Programs for Immigrant Families
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant announced that Representatives Jayapal and Menendez introduced an updated version of the LIFT the BAR Act (HR 9432) last week. The bill reverses HR1’s eligibility restrictions targeting lawfully present immigrants, as well as the longstanding “five year bar” and other barriers to basic needs programs for immigrant families. To learn more about challenges that our community members face in accessing health care, please see this excellent summary by El Timpano featuring EBSC staff member Isabel Leon.
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.