It’s July, and the weekend we anticipated

since the start of the year has occurred.

While the Spirit of God has watched over us, preserved and energized us through a century of calamity, social tumult, and technological advance, and while we offer God our love and gratitude, we must see that ample thanks go to all the hardworking St. John’s members and friends who made this particular celebration a perfect expression of our one hundred years of love and action. The following is a recap of our wonderful events.

Friday evening, June 22

7:00pm. In Hunter Hall, after dessert and coffee, we were treated to an evening introduced by an historical pageant presented by our Church School attendees. Young and older, small and taller, they portrayed the pastors and laypeople of our church according to a script by the indefatigable, possibly eternal Fred Harvey. Their story began at the beginning of St. John’s and reported the changing of buildings, staff and times as history with hilarity.

            Special thanks to Ashley, Amanda, and Samantha Marsh; to Shawn Schulz, Nicholas and Kevin Lynn, Anna Saldinger, Gavin Williams. and Kate Perdue; to singers from the Chancel Choir, as well as Sarah Williams, and Charles Lee .

Following the history pageant, we settled into our glowing sanctuary for a special concert prepared for this occasion by singer and composer Sanford Dole, son of Helen and Al Dole. Sanford applied his renowned musicianship to composition expressly for our benefit: the setting of four poems by St. John’s beloved Mary Childs as songs, which Sanford sang to the accompaniment of Charles Lee .

Saturday afternoon, June 23

The musical legacy of St. John’s received a magnificent contribution in a Centennial concert highlighted by the performances of professional musicians among St. John's congregants: Christine Brandes, William Bennett, Leon Chisholm and Charles Lee , under the direction of Karla Lemon, and with the assistance of bell ringers Don and Carolyn Rising and guest musicians. The varied program consisted of Mozart’s Laudate Dominum (from K. 321, Vesperae de Domenica) sung by Christine, a widely acclaimed soprano; Handel’s Concerto for Organ, Op. 4 no. 4 in F major, played by Leon Chisholm, St. John’s organist; and Concerto in C minor by Domenico Cimarosa, played by oboist Bill Bennett.

            The second half of the concert featured Bill’s unique invention, “Five Classic Jazz Performances, transcribed and re-imagined for Oboe and Chamber Ensemble.” In conclusion, we enjoyed an extraordinary premiere performance of “The Mr. Siegel Songbook” composed for the Centennial by Brian Mountford, which presented with various settings and musicians, and Howard Perdue’s narration, six poems once studied by the composer in Mr. Siegel’s 12^th grade classroom! — poems which Brian believes relate to one another and are relevant to our times. They were the works of Joyce Kilmer, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Williams Butler Yeats, and Wallace Stevens.

After the concert, a lovely dinner by International House Catering was served, with yet another event to follow. St. John's was extremely fortunate to have with us as speaker, Dr. George Hunsinger, the distinguished McCord Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, whose topic, the immorality and inefficacy of torture, corresponds to the national discussion underway which bears on our nation's character. The subject also reflects the interest of St. John's in issues of justice to which we can lend a voice.

Sunday morning, June 24

A beautiful service was attended by a number of former and present leaders of our church who participated with scripture readings and reflections: among them, our former pastors and co-pastors Robert McKenzie, Tom McKnight, Marilyn McKenzie, and Sandra Winter. From San Francisco Presbytery, we received congratulations from Craig Palmer, Interim Executive Presbyter. Representing congregations who are housed at St. John's were Rev. James Lee of the Living Water Fellowship and Patrice Mbo Abenoyap, of the Eglise Franco-Americaine de la Nouvelle Alliance . Our guests also included Diego Tom, from Quiche Guatemala, and Luis Perez Alnoca, of Iglesia Presbiteriana Independente , Bolivia . Elder Fred Goff served as translator.

            Once more, beautiful music uplifted our worship, provided by Ching Chang , tenor; Brian Mountford, pianist, Bill Bennett, oboist.

            At the height of the service came a memorable, illuminating sermon, delivered by Pastor Max Lynn, entitled "The Gospel in Our Time."

            The weekend concluded with a lovely brunch, and parting words to guests assembled from all over the country for this amazing celebration of all St. John's has been and will be.

And now, on to our next 100 years!                                                                     

In Gratitude: the whole weekend was accomplished under the guidance and amazing grace of Karma Dewitt, with the superb skills and talents of Ching Chang , and a devoted Centennial committee consisting of Arline Erb, Helen Dole, Fred Harvey, Sarah Johnson , Lois Andiloro, Margaret Rooker, and Gail Peterson. And, as always, the congregation appreciates the inestimable support of Nelly and Mark Coplan , Jeanne Silver, and Max Lynn. Apologies and blessings to anyone overlooked in our abundance of thanks (probably Martha Perdue, Gloria Worrell, Carl Williams and Don Rising , but surely many others!)

Special message from Pastor Max

What an awesome weekend! Friday was a kick. The concert was fabulous and fun, the dinner great, and Sunday worship one of the most powerful I have ever experienced. It all made me proud to be together with you at St. John's . It is wonderful when hard work pays off so well. Thank you, all, for everything.

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Women’s Bible Study

Perspectives on Providence : Joseph.

Genesis 37: 39-45; 50. From a spoiled favorite son who interprets dreams, to a powerful deputy to the Egyptian pharaoh, the intrigue and drama with Jacob’s other sons comes alive. Thursday, July 12, noon to 2:00pm. Bring your Bible and your lunch. Marietta Harvey , 510-843-8469.

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Flick-Flak

Movies Next Up

Rush right out and see either/both "Sicko" and/or "Ratatouille" for discussion after potluck on Friday, July 27, 6:30pm in the Campbell Reception Room.

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Don't miss July 29’s

Blessing of the Animals

St. Francis of Assisi loved and respected all living creatures. Bring your beloved animals to the 7/29 outdoor service to be blessed. Let us worship and honor all God's creatures and honor as well as the relationship between humans and animals. However  . . dogs must be on leashes! Cats, birds and reptiles must be in cages, but hopefully not together. Don't forget your pooper scoopers! Children may bring their favorite stuffed animals. And don't forget a hat and sunscreen!

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Coming up, our ongoing

English literature seminar. . .

Virginia Anderson has just completed the schedule and reading list for the year and would like to give a copy to all members and prospective members. If you are interested, please call her at (510) 845-4875. The theme for the fall semester will be "Court and Countryside in English Literature." The first meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on September 6 in the Ark Annex. In preparation for the meeting, please read "Hamlet," Acts I and II, plus Act III, scene 1. Virginia is recommending the Pelican paperback edition of the play, so we're all "on the same page."

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Mission and Justice Commission status report on

The Quiche Clinic Project

• The Tums (the Guatemalan family responsible for all this) were very pleased with the $6000 donated by St. John's through the M&J budget. 
• Construction (on the land of a Catholic church) has begun.
• Pictures of the construction can be seen in the Campbell Reception Room. The Tums brought them when they came to celebrate our Anniversary with us. They are very proud of the progress and are very optimistic that all will proceed according to plan.
• The Tums are still actively raising money. (Fred saw them on College Ave. on Sunday, July 1.
• Many in our congregation have given generously for this project. M&J is holding this until we (or they) come up with specific needs.
• We need to think creatively on how to engage meaningfully with this project. What will they need? How will they find people to staff the clinic? Should we support a nurse? Could we help them write grants? Could we help them set up an office? How will they get medical supplies on an ongoing basis? etc.,
• Mission and Justice needs the whole congregation to think with us!
• Max's father would like to organize his congregation to help with medical supplies.

·       Max would like to visit the project at the end of August. Is there anyone who would like to go with him?

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Notes from Center Commission

Summer is a little quiet in the Center. The East Bay Girl’s School has said Goodbye and we wish everyone involved with that endeavor well. Beginning in August we will have a new group of people to meet and greet. I hope you will all take time to go upstairs and welcome the East Bay German School . This is their second campus. The first one is in Silicon Valley and they have many plans for the East Bay .

         We are happy to announce that we are sponsoring a full weekend of workshops, lectures and meetings of the SABEEL group. Sabeel is an ecumenical Christian organization that seeks a just peace in Palestine/Israel. This is the first Sabeel event in the Bay Area. The dates are Aug 24-25. Please Contact Fred Goff for further details. We are also sponsoring an Israeli forum to present opposing ideas after worship on July 22.

         The Wright Institute, who has been a longtime supporter and user of our facility, has bought us three folding tables in appreciation of our facility and our hospitality. Yea, Wright Institute!!!!!

         We are currently right on budget for our 2007 year!