Blessing of the Animals Service: 19th Sunday after Pentecost … Oct. 19, 2025 at 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆 Psalm 148 🔆 St. Francis’ Prayer for Peace 🔆 Genesis 1:17-31
S E R M O N
“The Goodness of Creation” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Le Cygne (The Swan), Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), arr. Lucien Garban (1877-1959)
INTROIT … All Creatures of Our God and King, E. T. Chapman (1902-1981)
HYMN … All Creatures of Our God and King
ANTHEM … Contrapunto bestiale alla mente, Adriano Banchieri (1568-1634)
HYMN … God of the Sparrow
OFFERTORY … How Excellent Is Thy Name, Eugene Butler (1935-2024)
HYMN … I Sing the Mighty Power of God
POSTLUDE … Gato, Julián Aguirre (1868-1924)
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:
October 26
Co-Creating Meaning in Difficult Biblical Texts: Intern Elizabeth Conway will host a round table for people to ask questions about texts that concern them. From her own lives experience having to read and learn from difficult texts, she will facilitate your questions so we can explore together.
November 16
Joseph S. Alemany, Professor of Biblical Studies at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Jesuit School of Theology, and Gina Hens-Piazza 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. One of the most engaging Old Testament teachers at the GTU who has published on this topic, visits us to add to this series.
St John’s Haunted House and Halloween Party
It’s that spooky time of year again! come and enjoy a fun and spooky experience by our community. Bring your friends and family. St. John’s annual Haunted House and Halloween Party is on Saturday, October 25, from 6:30 to 8pm.
Whether you love entertaining and greeting guests, creating creepy scenes or helping behind the scenes, there’s a spot for you. If you would like to volunteer please contact Manju Noone. We’re looking for volunteers to help with: Decorating and set up, 12:30-6pm; Acting and guiding guests, 6:30-8pm; Refreshments/hospitality, 6-8pm; Clean-up, 8-9:30pm. Thank you!
St. John’s now accepts PayPal for Fair Trade Sunday, Offerings, Special Events
We are pleased to inform you that St. John’s is now accepting PayPal (on Fair Trade Sunday, for Offerings, special events) aligning with contemporary giving preferences. This practice is part of a larger shift towards offering convenient electronic giving options to parishioners (cash or checks will still be accepted). St. John’s will list the following QR Code in each bulletin, in the lobby, and on our webpage. Using your phone or tablet, one may scan the code to make a giving transaction. Churches registering with the PayPal Giving Fund offers the advantage of receiving tax-deductible donations. The fund efficiently manages transactions and issues confirmation emails to donors. One may also continue to donate on the St. John’s Berkeley Giving webpage using the secure drop-down menu. For more info, please contact Nelly Coplan.
Ecumenical Peace Institute Annual Fall Gathering: America, We are Not Powerless
The Ecumenical Peace Institute (EPI) Fall Gathering topic is America Wake Up! We Are Not Powerless; The Antidote To Despair is Activism featuring a panel of representatives from • Indivisible • Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4H) • Answer Coalition • Jewish Voice for Peace • Haiti Action Committee • National Lawyers Guild
The Gathering is on Saturday, November 8 from 5 to 7pm (in person and on Zoom), at St. John’s Presbyterian Church. 2727 College, Berkeley. To register for the program, please click here. To join on Zoom, Meeting ID: 879 7477 8056, Passcode: 459699. Please RSVP by Nov. 1 for the dinner; Suggested donation $20-$50; No one turned away for lack of funds. Sponsors include St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, Western Institute for Social Research (WISR)