Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
🔆Psalm 139 🔆Galatians 5 🔆I Corinthians 10 🔆Luke 10
S E R M O N
“Same Gender Intimate Relationships” The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … Invocation, George Walker (1922-2018)
INTROIT … Above All Praise and All Majesty, Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
HYMN … You Are Before Me, Lord
ANTHEM … Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Arr. by Henry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949)
HYMN … Beautiful Differences
OFFERTORY … O nata lux (O Light born of Light) Nobuaki Izawa (b. 1972)
HYMN … O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair
POSTLUDE … Joie est clarté des corps glorieux, Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
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 – – – – – – –
Ash Wednesday: Taizé Chant and Candlelight worship, 6:30pm
Ash Wednesday, February 18, is a solemn, contemplative day as we reflect on our human finitude and fallibility, and trust in the power and grace of God to fortify, nourish and sustain us. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent, reflective of Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness. Christians often choose to fast, to give up something, food or some habit, as a form of sacrifice, but also to show that with God’s power and presence, we have the will and freedom to clear unnecessary or detrimental aspects of our lives and stay centered on God. Jean Bertrand Aristide notes the options of resignation and violence and speaks of a third path.
Lenten Meditation
Join us the Sundays of February 22, March 1, and March 22, at 11:30am in the Fireside Room for a time of Lenten Meditation. We will follow the themes in the book, Wondrous Encounters by Richard Rohr, but reading the book is not necessary. We will combine a brief reading and reflection on the scripture passages from the week with a suggested meditation, and a time of silent meditation. We have a few books available for purchase for $8.99. You may also take a book for free or order it from other channels. If you have any questions, please contact intern Elizabeth Conway.
Eyewitness Gaza: Lt. Col. Anthony Aquilar speaks at St. John’s, February 17
Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor. In 2025, he led security efforts for the American Israeli outfit, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. When he realized the mission of GHF was not humanitarian, he resigned and became a whistleblower. Lt. Col. Aguilar will share his firsthand experience and why he chose truth over silence. There will be an introduction by Dr. Ussama Makdisi, Professor of History and Chancellor’s Chair, Palestinian and Arab Studies, UC Berkeley.
Please join us on Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm for this presentation. If you wish to attend, or to join by Zoom, please register here. This event is sponsored by NorCal Sabeel, St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Jewish Voice for Peace, Mt Diablo Peace Center, St. Columba Catholic Church of Oakland, Berkeley Women in Black, Beyt Tikkun, Ecumenical Peace Institute, Oscar Romero and Simon Weil Catholic Workers House, Plymouth United Church of Christ (The Jazz and Justice Church), Christians for a Free Palestine (CFP)
SJ Annual Family Snow Trip, February 27 to March 1
Get ready for an exciting, memorable Church Snow Trip! All families and individuals are welcome to join and participate in snow activities, fellowship, and devotional time together. We will depart from St. John’s around 10am and return in the afternoon of March 1 (weather permitting!). Need more details? There is a leaflet on the Snow Trip in the narthex table, or talk to me. – Manju Noone
Per Capita Tax
Per Capita Tax connects Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and mid councils with the work of the wider church. Per capita is how Presbyterians mutually and equitably share the costs of moving the church forward. The work of the PC(USA), and the work of the General Assembly, is only possible because church members have said they are “all in” and committed to connection through per capita support.
It is about joining together as a community and being one body, the body that is Christ’s church in the world. In support of the operations and administration of the Presbyterian Church (USA), please send in a check for $45 for each SJ member in your household. Write “per capita tax” in the check memo line and place in the offering plate, or mail to Cathy Lyon, our bookkeeper. Click on link for detailed information on Per Capita Tax found on the PCUSA website. Thank you for your consideration. – Lynne Royer
St. John’s Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, along with a potluck lunch, will be held in Hunter Hall right after worship on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The purpose of the meeting is to receive St. John’s Annual Report for 2025 and to vote on the 2026 Terms of Call for Pastor Max Lynn. – Diane Morrison
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.