JOIN US FOR WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY, 10 AM – IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM

Come discover St. John's!

Join us in pursuing — or renewing — meaningful spirituality,
to discover the healing power of forgiveness and grace,
the relevance of faith in today’s world.
Most of all, to experience the presence of a loving God. Together, we’ll seek understanding and wisdom
in our commitment to justice for all people and for our planet. We look forward to meeting you.
For more information, see Activities @ S J and Events, and subscribe to our Sunday Bulletin
50th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR SANCTUARY
Click here for CAMP ELMWOOD 2026

Sunday Service … Nov. 9, 2025 @ 10am

22nd Sunday after Pentecost …  Nov. 9, 2025  at 10am 
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.

R E A D I N G S
🔆 Psalm 98 🔆2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17  🔆 Luke 20:27-3  

S E R M O N
The Nature of Resurrection” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn

M U S I C 
PRELUDE …  Prelude (in form of a Chaconne), C.V. Stanford (1852-1924)
INTROIT … Laudate Dominum (Praise the Lord), Taizé (based on La Folía, with introduction by Gustav Holst)
HYMN … When in Our Music God Is Glorified 
ANTHEM … Laudate Dominum, Giuseppe Ottavio Pitoni (1657-1743)
HYMN …  Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 
OFFERTORY …  Vater unser in Himmelreich 
HYMN … Christ Is Alive!
POSTLUDE …  Postlude on ‘Truro’,  David Lasky (b. 1957)

Join us for Coffee Hour immediately after the service.
To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, click here.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S – – – – – – –
Nov 9   – SJ Volleyball Sunday after Worshipon the lawn
Nov 2   – SJ Children’s Pageant rehearsal (+ Nov. 16, 30 & Dec. 7)
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 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
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 or through email.

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. Should you wish to acquire an item at a later time, Julia can be reached at church or through her email address.

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 the national election in December. We are soliciting the following 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 that 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

St. John’s Thanksgiving Service, November 23
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. 

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s Benefit Concert:  Love Over Fear
The 3rd annual 2025 Love Over Fear Benefit Concert on Thursday, November 13, at the Freight and Salvage (2020 Addison St, Berkeley) is an inspiring evening of music and storytelling. Experience a powerful lineup of incredible musicians on themes of journey, justice, and liberation. Proceeds from the concert will advance IM4HI’s work. Doors open at 6pm and the Concert starts at 6:30pm. Click here to get Tickets. For more on Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, click here.

Activities @ S J

 

S U N D A Y
• SJ Worship 10am, Sanctuary & online
• SJ Communion  1st Sundays during Worship, Sanctuary & online
• SJ Children’s & Youth program
10:20am (they leave with teachers from Worship)
• SJ Fellowship 11:15am, Patio or Campbell Hall
• SJ Fair Trade Coffee 11:15am, Some Sundays, Patio or Narthex
• SJ Sunday Forum
11:30am, Some Sundays, Fireside Room & online

• SJ Bell Choir 11:30am, 1st & 3rd Sundays, Choir Room 212

 

M O N D A Y
• Berkeley Community Chorus  6:30pm, Sanctuary

 

T U E S D A Y
• SJ Prime Timers Ceramics  9:30am, Hunter Hall
• Dutch School 4pm, Sproul & Fireside
• Adult Children of Alcoholics
7pm, Rm 212
• PFLAG 4th Tuesday. 7pm, Campbell

 

W E D N E S D A Y
• Food Not Bombs, 11am, Kitchen
• SJ Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm, Sanctuary

 

T H U R S D A Y
• Food Not Bombs, 11am, Kitchen
SJ Horizons Bible Study, 3rd Thursday, 12pm, Campbell Hall & online

 

F R I D A Y
• SJ Lectionary Bible Study, 10am, online
• SJ Knitting Ministry, 2nd & 4th Friday, 2pm, online
• SJ Flic Flac Movie Group, 3rd Friday, 7:30pm, online

 

S A T U R D A Y
• SJ Men’s Breakfast Group, 1st Sat., 8:30am, online

SCHOOLS @ S J
GROUPS MEETING @ S J
SUBSCRIBE to S J Sunday Bulletin