23rd Sunday after Pentecost … Nov. 16, 2025 at 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Isaiah 12 🔆 Isaiah 65:17-25 🔆2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 🔆 Luke 21:5-19
S E R M O N
“God’s Kindom: Where Land & Work are Honored but There’s Still Work To Do ” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Simbi, Frantz Casséus (1915-1993)
HYMN … O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!
ANTHEM … All Things Bright and Beautiful, English melody, 17th century, arr. Todd Jolly (b. 1961)
HYMN … God of Grace and God of Glory
OFFERTORY … Gnossienne No. 5, Erik Satie (1866-1925)
HYMN … Come, Labor On
POSTLUDE … Petro from Haitian Suite, Frantz Casséus
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 – – – – – – –
Nov 16 – SJ Stewardship Sunday
Nov 16 – SJ Sunday Forum: How We Work with Violence in the Old Testament
Nov 16 – SJ Art Fundraiser featuring Julia Oversloot’s watercolor art
Nov 16 – SJ Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolates sales (+ Dec. 7)
Nov 16 – SJ Children’s Pageant rehearsal (+ Nov. 30 & Dec. 7)
Nov 16 – Carolyn Scarr Memorial @2:30pm
Nov 23 – SJ Thanksgiving Service begins at 11am
Nov 30 – 1st Day of Advent: Hope
Nov 30 – SJ Decorating for Advent, Christmas
Dec 7 – 2nd Day of Advent: Peace
Dec 14 – 3rd Day of Advent: Joy
Dec 14 – SJ Children’s Christmas Pageant
Dec 21 – 4th Day of Advent: Love
Dec 21 – SJ Christmas Music Sunday
Dec 24 – SJ Christmas Eve Carols & Candlelight Service, 5:30pm
Dec 28 – SJ 1st Sunday of Christmas with Carols and potluck brunch
Calling all participants for the SJ Christmas Pageant
It’s the time of the year where we come together and celebrate Christmas. and what is more fun than our pageant of the season!!!! The dates are November 9th, 16th, 30th and December 7th. Let’s prepare our hearts (and lines !!) to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. Everyone welcome! For more details, contact Manju Noone at church.
Upcoming Sunday Forums
Take a break after worship for 5-10 minutes, then come back for a conversation:
November 16
Gina Hens-Piazza, (Joseph S. Alemany Professor of Biblical Studies at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Jesuit School of Theology) will speak about: How We Work with Violence in the Old Testament. There are many disturbing images in these texts and we should pay attention to them. Noticing the text around the images can help. Gina is one of the most engaging Old Testament teachers at the GTU, and has published on this topic, and visits us to add to our series.
Watercolor Art Fundraiser + Proposed Watercolor Art Class
Julia Oversloot, a botanical watercolor artist, will be selling her work and greeting cards on November 16, after the church service, with all proceeds dedicated to the church. The collection will feature a variety of framed original paintings and archival prints, available in various sizes and prices. Julia’s pieces make exceptional gifts, and her greeting cards, adorned with her botanical artwork, consistently bring joy to those who receive them.
Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolates sales on November 16
Since 2011, St. John’s members have purchased tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of organic, fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolate, to support small-scale farmers across the world. This is not a fundraiser for the church; SJ offers these products at the lowest prices possible to the church community — the more frequently we choose these products, the greater our participation in a truly just economic system. On Sunday, November 16, during coffee hour on the patio (or in the narthex if it’s raining), there will an assortment of products to select from — come take a look! – Bill Herwood
Support for Honduras December Delegation
Friends, I am preparing for my 17th Honduran trip to continue our Delegation’s work on human rights. In that time, we have witnessed the impact of the repressive and corrupt government, and in the last election we witnessed the population overwhelm the polls as a record number of voters lined up to support the progressive party (from school boards to the presidency). We will be there to witness Honduras’ national election in December. We are soliciting the following items to take with us:
(1) New or gently-used newborn clothing for the Las Vegas, Santa Barbara Honduras maternity hospital (Berkeley’s sister city); And, also girls’ clothing sizes 9-month to 18-month for a family that works at Radio Progreso
(2) Approx. $300-$400 to purchase 10 canes and mobility aids for the blind in Berkeley’s sister-city community; Financial support may be given directly to me, through St John’s Giving webpage / SJ QR code, or the SHARE Foundation. Please write in the notes “Mark’s Honduras Delegation.”
(3) Discarded iPhone and Android phones; The phones are used for accessing the internet using wi-fi.
Clothing and phones may be dropped off at St John’s, or I can pick up from you.
Please submit donations, or make arrangements for pickup, by Monday November 24. I depart for Honduras on Friday, November 28. Thanks for all of your support! – Mark Coplan
11/23 WORSHIP BEGINS AT 11AM … NO WORSHIP AT 10AM
There will be a special African Thanksgiving Worship Service on Sunday, November 23, wherein we will join together with Église Franco Africaine De La Nouvelle Alliance (EFANA), the French African congregation which meets at St. John’s every Sunday afternoon. Since they have come and worshipped with us during our 10am time, on November 23 we will move our time of worship and join with them in the Sanctuary at 11am. The first half of worship will be a lively Thanksgiving celebration and the second half will include an ordination for their Deacons and Elders, followed with a luncheon.
Decorate for Advent and Christmas, November 30
Here is your official invitation to spend a short-while after the November service to decorate for the season! All are welcome to set out the lights, tree, animals, shiny ornaments, and other elements that make this always-beautiful space even more amazing during Advent and Christmas. Whether it’s climbing a ladder, unpacking ornaments, or getting re-acquainted with the participants in the nativity scene, thank you in advance, for your support! – Worship, Music & Arts team
QR Code for Giving Money to St. John’s
One can now donate via PayPal for weekly givings and special events. This new option adds to our ongoing effort to make giving easier and more convenient. We’ll still gladly accept cash and checks, and the use of our webpage’s drop-down menu at stjohnsberkeley.org/about/giving/. Simply scan the PayPal QR Code in our bulletin or church lobby. All donations are tax-deductible, and you’ll receive an email receipt. Thank you for your continued support.