3rd Sunday after Pentecost … Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
Psalm 23 , 1 John 3:11, 14, 1 John 4:7-8, 18-21
S E R M O N
South African Vignettes For a Sermon, by The Reverend Cornel Barnett
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Prélude, Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)
INTROIT … The 23rd Psalm, Bobby McFerrin (b. 1950)
HYMN … All Creatures of Our God and King, verses 1-3
ANTHEM … The Lord Bless You and Keep You, John Rutter (b. 1945)
HYMN … Though I may Speak
OFFERTORY … Prelude No. 1 Op. 101, Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
HYMN … All Creatures of Our God and King verses 4 to 6
POSTLUDE … Ciacona in d minor, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
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Children’s Art Show
Art from the children, from the Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes’ limited art program with Julia Oversloot, will be on display on July 6 during coffee hour in the Campbell Room. Some of the work was displayed at the Adobe Gallery in Castro Valley from May 10 to May 31. Manju Noone and I took the children to the Reception on May 10 where Ruth Mai was presented a “Youth Award.” The art reflects the work by children ages 4 to 14 years old. – Julia Oversloot
We stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters!
The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness issues a faithful response to the ICE raids in Los Angeles:
The president has issued false statements justifying the actions of his administration by inaccurate charges of invasion and foreign incursion. The use of the military against American citizens to invade cities and suppress dissent has dangerous implications for the nation’s democratic government as well as being a danger to peaceful protesters.
Federal troops have been deployed without the consent of local or state authorities who call upon the president to reverse course. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids across the nation with the current crisis in Los Angeles being the climax. Immigrants are being kidnapped from homes, workplaces, schools, and off the streets. The threat is to invade the sanctity of churches next.
Those who have traveled into this country have risked much, and lost even more, in order to seek a better life. Immigrants to this land desire to enter legally, access status, and seek a path to citizenship. But the questions must be asked, “How can they enter legally into a country that has disavowed its own laws to grant asylum to those facing persecution? How can a person from another nation seek a path to citizenship when no such option exists? How can immigrants follow their legal cases when they are arrested at courthouses, stripped of their rights of due process, and ripped from their families?”
The American story consists of the interactions between the original inhabitants of this land, Indigenous people; enslaved Africans brought here by force; and other immigrants who migrated looking for a better life. The engagements resulted in violent confrontations, with people of color finding themselves subjugated, segregated, and deemed inferior by church and state. We are witnessing and experiencing once again the use of force and violence against those deemed unworthy.
Our history has been marked by violence and volatility, yet it has brought us to our current declaration that we are one nation — not a perfect nation, but one in our determination that democracy must survive. Our history has taught us one important lesson: progress for equality and dignity is achieved through protest. Our nation cannot consist of a limited few having full rights and acceptance; all must find welcome. There will be no nation if there is not room for all. There will be no peace, if all are not granted inclusion and the full dignity of personhood. And to achieve this, there must be resistance to discrimination and oppression.
Fortunately, American citizens have said, “Enough!” and have come out in peaceful protest against the unjust actions of this administration. The American people are taking a courageous stand on the principles of democracy, peaceful protest, and saying “No!” But more importantly, on what is right and just before God.
Presbyterians are called to a response due to our history of speaking against government overreach. We have a long history of calling for resistance to any laws or commands that contradict God’s word. Our policy reflects this belief as for centuries we have maintained the belief in being lawful citizens but have also acknowledged that there comes a time for resistance against tyranny.
This article continues on the Presbyterian Church USA website.