Communion … Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 10am
Come as you are! Everyone welcome … In-person or on Zoom.
R E A D I N G S
Psalm 99, 1 Peter 2, Exodus 34:29-35 , Luke 6:27-38 , 2 Corinthians 3:12, 4:2
S E R M O N
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is Freedom” by The Reverend Dr. Max Lynn
M U S I C
PRELUDE … “Dawn Hymn” Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000)
INTROIT … “The Way of Truth” George W. Kemmer
HYMN … “Fret Not for Those Who Do Wrong Things”
ANTHEM … “He Is King of Kings” traditional American Spiritual, arr. David Julian Michaels (b. 1964)
HYMN … “Spirit of the Living God”
OFFERTORY … “Chorale Prelude on ‘Light Divine’” Healy Willan (1880-1968)
ANTHEM … “Ave Verum” (Jesus, Word of God Incarnate) W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
HYMN … “O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair”
POSTLUDE … “Prelude on ‘Deo Gracias’” Healy Willan
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
Sunday, March 2 … Annual Meeting after worship
Wednesday, March 5 … Ash Wednesday, 6:30pm
Saturday, March 8 … International Women’s Day
Sunday, March 9 … 1st Sunday in Lent
Sunday Forum: “The Eyes of the Heart”
Wednesday, March 12 … 5-week series of Lenten Meditation: March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9
Friday, March 14 … Annual Snow Trip: depart at 12 noon, return on March 16
Sunday, March 16 … Transfiguration of the Lord
Sunday, March 23 … Sunday Forum: “The Eyes of the Heart”
Sunday, April 6 … Sunday Forum: “The Eyes of the Heart”
Sunday, April 13 … Palm/Passion Sunday
Thursday, April 17 … Maundy Thursday, 6:30pm
Friday, April 18 … Good Friday
Sunday, April 20 … Resurrection of the Lord/ Easter Day
Tuesday, April 22 … Earth Day
Sunday, May 18 … 50th Anniv. Celebration of the Sanctuary & north wing
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 2, 2025. The purpose of the meeting is to receive St. John’s Annual Report for 2024 and to vote on the 2025 Terms of Call for Pastor Max Lynn. If you are able to do so, please bring a potluck lunch item. To ensure that we don’t have only desserts, please bring the food requested from your last-name alphabetical group:
A – I: Salads J – P: Side Dishes R – W: Desserts Session: Main Courses
Ash Wednesday: Taizé Chant and Candlelight worship, 6:30PM
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 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.
Before Worship Meditation Walk during Lent
For five weeks, March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6 we will be doing a meditation prayer walk in the front yard. Our theme for Lent this year is Walking the Path with God.
Lenten Reading and Sunday Forums
Pick up a copy of our book for Lenten reading: Eyes of the Heart by Jean Bertrand Aristide. It will be on the table in the Narthex. Aristide is a priest and two-time President of Haiti. He has written a short, easy to read reflection with poignant personal stories of Haitians, reflections on international involvement in Haiti, and reflections on faith.
Take a break after worship for 5-10 minutes, then come back for a conversation:
March 9 … Eyes of the Heart, Chapters 1, 2, 3
March 23 … Eyes of the Heart, Chapters 4, 5, 6
March 30 … East Bay Sanctuary Covenant’s co-director, Lisa Hoffman, will present an overview and update on the evolution and work on behalf of refugees.
April 6 … Eyes of the Heart, chapters 7, 8, 9
Lenten Meditation starts March 12 in the Sanctuary
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. – Psalm 42:1
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. – Joel 2:12-13
Are you worried and anxious about your life, the nation, and the world? Are there acts and thoughts that get in your way between you God? Come to Wednesday night meditation, let it go, make space in your heart and mind, and listen to God. Join us for 5 weeks of Lenten Meditation on March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, from 6 to 6:45pm. You may want to bring a small pillow to help you get straight and comfortable.
Save the Date for the Family Snow Trip 2025
St. John’s annual family snow trip is scheduled! The snow trip party is planning to leave for Lake Tahoe on Friday, March 14, and return is March 16. If you would like to participate, please contact Pastor Max or Manju Noone.
Berkeley started the modern sanctuary movement. It’s still leading the way
By Joanne Furio, Berkeleyside Newspaper
Berkeley first made history as a sanctuary city during the Vietnam War. Later, five Berkeley churches harboring Salvadoran refugees set off a national movement. Today, advocates and organizations are still building on this legacy to lead the way in protecting asylum seekers from around the world. Due to space limitations, this article continues on the Berkeleyside website.