# SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER *Please stand in body or in spirit* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPU4pU61rpA --- ### GATHERING SONG *This is the Day* ### UNISON WELCOME “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here” ### ANNOUNCEMENTS # NEWS IN THE PEWS June 1, 2025 The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton, [email protected] (641) 260-1868 (cell) Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator, [email protected] (717) 263-8593 (office) Gary Crum, Music Director | Barbara Motichka, Organist Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus --- ## THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S ### TODAY: Bible Study on the Book of Daniel, 8 pm, Zoom (link in Friday e-blast) ### Monday, June 2 - 10:00 am Meditation Group – Parlor Room 104 - 1:30 pm How We Learn to be Brave Book Study – Conference Room 111 - 7:00 pm Boy Scouts – Fellowship Hall ### Tuesday, June 3 - 10:00 am Summer Singers Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall - 5:30 pm Yoga – Room 202 ### Thursday, June 5 - 7:00 am Men’s Breakfast – Texas Lunch ### Friday, June 6 - 6:30 pm Race Against Poverty – Downtown Chambersburg ### Sunday, June 8 - 8:45 am Wired Word Church School Class – Room 116 - 10:00 am Sunday Service – Sanctuary - **All Church Pentecost Picnic will be held after worship** --- ### St. John’s Summer Camp - Needed: Kitchen helpers! See sign-up sheet in front lobby! **Counselors!** If you can help even for a day please contact: Mary Lee Yaukey ([email protected]) or Renee Byers ([email protected]). ### Bible and a Beer An opportunity to talk about our faith in public. Join us on the 3rd Monday of the month at the Trojan Diner at 6:30 pm. Our next gathering will be June 16. ### Beginners Pickleball! Please contact the church office if you are interested in taking some beginners level pickleball lessons! We have an indoor court set up in Fellowship Hall. ### Race Against Poverty Join your fellow St. John’ers in supporting the Race Against Poverty on June 6. Same day registration begins at 5 pm; the race begins at 6:30 pm. --- ### Joyful Voices in Concert Trinity Christian School Choir in Pittsburgh will be going on tour and giving a concert on Monday, June 9, 7 pm in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary. First UMC will be their first stop on a concert tour from Pittsburgh to Boston. Their choir includes several state-level PMEA medalists. They will be presenting a wide variety of exciting and worshipful music. Come and enjoy! ### June First Fruits Will go to support the Fayetteville Food Pantry. The pantry serves food insecure individuals and families in the Brownsville, Fayetteville, North Mont Alto, and South Mountain communities. The food is available to anyone who has a need; there are no eligibility requirements. Thank you for helping to be the hands and feet of Jesus, who feeds empty bellies and meets both physical and spiritual needs. ### Monday Afternoon Book Study Our current selection is *How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith* by Mariann Edgar Budde. We will be reading chapter three “Deciding to Start” on Monday, **June 2** at 1:30 pm. Pick up a copy and come join the group! ### Sunday Night Bible Study Join Pastor Caroline on Sunday evenings at **8 pm via Zoom** for a Bible study on the book of Daniel. Our session on **June 1** will focus on Daniel Chapter 11. Zoom Meeting ID: 836 0593 5961 and Passcode 277938. A hyperlink for this opportunity is included in the weekly e-blast. Participants are encouraged to read from a variety of translations. ### Pentecost Picnic Will be held after worship on Sunday, June 8. We hope you will join us for a simple picnic lunch and to welcome our new members! ### Join us for Life Talk What’s on your mind? Something that concerns or worries you? Do you need to vent? Just want to talk with other adults for a bit? Don’t want to share in front of the entire congregation? Or you don’t think it really needs to be a prayer request? Grab your snack and coffee, and meet in the parlor after services on Sunday mornings. Everyone is welcome. ### Birthday Balloons All are invited to share in a special coffee hour the last Sunday of the month to honor all who celebrated a birthday that month. June birthdays will be honored on Sunday, **June 29.** We hope you’ll join us! ### Want to Stay in Touch? Contact the Church Office to be added to our email list! You can sign up to receive our regular weekly emails, Diana’s Devotionals, and/or be part of the Prayer Chain. ### Prayer Chain For many people, participating in the prayer chain has become a real source of comfort and a way of knowing they can help others through the power of prayer. For others it is a source of comfort to know that fellow siblings in Christ are praying for them. If you would like to participate in the prayer chain, please contact the church office at (717) 263-8593. ### May/June Upper Room Devotionals are currently available at the Welcome Center. We suggest a donation of $1 for small print/$2 for large print copies. If you would like to have a copy mailed to you, please contact the church office. ### MISSION MOMENT ### PASSING OF THE PEACE *"The peace of Christ be with you"* *"And also with you"* ### CHIMING OF THE TRINITY ### PRELUDE ### *CALL TO WORSHIP* _from Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship_ Praise God, who has raised Jesus Christ to reign in power! **Praise God, who sends the Spirit to empower the church.** Praise God with trumpet sound; praise God with flute and harp. **Praise God with timbrel and dance; praise God with strings and pipes!** **Let everything that breathes praise God!** ### *HYMN #217* *Alleluia! Sing to Jesus* **Alleluia! Sing to Jesus** 1. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, His the sceptre, His the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood, “Jesus, out of every nation, has redeemed us by His blood.” 2. Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! Christ is near us, faith believes, nor questions how; Though the cloud from sight received Him when the forty days were o’er, Shall our hearts forget His promise, “I am with you evermore?” 3. Alleluia! Bread of Heaven, Christ on earth our food and stay; Alleluia! Here the sinful rest in You from day to day; Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth’s Redeemer, plead for me, Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea. **Words:** William C. Dix, 1866, alt. **Music:** Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824; harm. Edward Hodges, 1864 **Tune:** HYMN TO JOY (8.7.8.7 D) ### CALL TO CONFESSION Let us confess our sins before God and one another. ### PRAYER OF CONFESSION **Gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have promised to receive us when we come to you. We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed. We have disobeyed your law. We have not loved you or our neighbors as we should. Forgive us, O God, and grant that we may live and serve you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.** ### KYRIE _Hymnal Companion C-4_ ### ASSURANCE OF PARDON _from the UCC Book of Worship_ God hears the confession of our hearts and lips. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven all our sins, and by the Holy Spirit we are empowered for new life. **We believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.** ### SCRIPTURE READING Acts 16:16-34 (NRSVUE) > One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. > When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. > After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. > About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” > The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God. ### RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 97 (NRSVUE) **1 The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!** 2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. 7 All worshipers of idols are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD. 9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! ### CHILDREN’S MESSAGE _Roxanne Davenport_ *Children’s Corner will be offered following the Children’s Message* ### SCRIPTURE READING John 17:20-26 (NRSVUE) > “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, > that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. > The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, > I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. > Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. > “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. > I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” ### SERMON Rev. Caroline E. Saxton #### 🛣 Sermon Review: “That They May All Be One” ####
- [📜 Sermon Summary](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-sermon-summary) - [🎧 Preaching Style](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-preaching-style) - [🗣 Intonation and Delivery](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-intonation-and-delivery) - [📝 Content Structure](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-content-structure) - [👥 Engagement and Application](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-engagement-and-application) - [📖 Scripture Breakdown](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-scripture-breakdown) - [🧠 Logical Reasoning](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-logical-reasoning) - [✅ Sound Reasoning](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#sound-reasoning) - [⚠ Logical Fallacies](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#logical-fallacies) - [📚 References](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-references) - [🛍 Quotes and Illustrative Stories](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-quotes-and-illustrative-stories) - [🔄 Calls to Action](https://chatgpt.com/c/683c6a06-6c88-8008-b8ce-c5a63f4e6a83#-calls-to-action) --- #### 📜 Sermon Summary - **Central Message:** The preacher unpacks John 17:20–26, focusing on Jesus' prayer for unity as a divine, mystical, and ethical call to love. Unity is not uniformity, but a relational embodiment of divine oneness. - **Liturgical Context:** Timed with UCC's anniversary (June 25), connecting theology to denominational history and purpose. The sermon frames Christ's intercessory prayer as a model for community and institutional mission. - **Broader Themes:** - Unity amid difference - Church as the living embodiment of Christ's prayer - Theology as embodied love and action - Prayer as transformation, not manipulation --- #### 🎧 Preaching Style - **Style:** Expository with strong mystical and contemplative tone. - **Examples:** UCC formation history, mention of disciples' humanity, generational faith transmission. - **Learning Modalities:** - **Auditory:** Repetition and cadence support auditory learners. - **Visual:** Minimal; no indication of imagery or symbols used. - **Kinesthetic:** No physical engagement described, though reflective calls to embodiment exist. - **Inclusive Techniques:** Affirms collectivity (“we humans”), avoids dogmatic exclusions, and builds through accessible, warm storytelling. --- #### 🗣 Intonation and Delivery - **Tone:** Warm, pastoral, meditative. Pauses and repetitions emphasized love and unity. - **Pacing:** Likely slow and deliberate. Repetition (“we are one,” “we are loved”) suggests effective oral delivery. - **Accessibility:** Tone is inclusive, but multi-modal engagement is limited. Visual or physical aids not indicated. --- #### 📝 Content Structure - **Flow:** 1. Scripture Reading (John 17) 2. Denominational Context (UCC) 3. Theological Reflection 4. Ethical Exhortation - **Transitions:** Smooth but informal. No verbal signposting for neurodiverse listeners. - **Clarity:** Structured implicitly around the logic of Scripture-to-action. Could benefit from clearer summarization. --- #### 👥 Engagement and Application - **Marginalized Inclusion:** Direct mentions of standing with the vulnerable; indirect affirmations of diverse embodiment. - **Call to Action:** Live out unity through justice, hospitality, and community. Ethical embodiment emphasized over checklist activism. - **Missed Opportunities:** - Explicit justice issues (e.g., racial injustice, LGBTQIA+ welcome) could enhance practical relevance. - Suggested actions not grounded in community events, materials, or small group practices. --- #### 📖 Scripture Breakdown - **John 17:20–26:** Central focus. Jesus’ prayer reveals a mystical theology of unity. - **1 Corinthians 13:** Invoked to reinforce that love must undergird Christian living. - **Use of Scripture:** Not proof-texted; explored theologically and relationally. - **Themes:** - Prayer as intercession for future believers - Unity as divine witness - Love as the essence of God’s mission --- #### 🧠 Logical Reasoning #### ✅ Sound Reasoning 1. **Deductive:** - Premises: God loves Christ. Christ loves us. - Conclusion: Therefore, God loves us. - ✔ Logical, scriptural, and pastoral. 2. **Causal:** - Jesus prays for unity ➔ Unity is part of Christian witness. - Used to frame action from theology. 3. **Analogy:** - Jesus’ prayer for unity ≈ UCC’s founding values. - Valid link to institutional purpose. 4. **Ethical Reasoning:** - “Standing with the vulnerable” as direct consequence of divine love. #### ⚠ Logical Fallacies 1. **Mild Appeal to Emotion:** - “We are loved” used frequently without direct application. - Risk: Emotional resonance without practical direction. - Suggestion: Pair love with justice acts (e.g., advocacy). 2. **Hasty Generalization:** - “We humans are one” oversimplifies systemic inequity. - Fix: Acknowledge present divisions caused by injustice. --- #### 📚 References - **Biblical:** John 17:20–26, 1 Corinthians 13 - **Denominational:** UCC motto, founded June 25, 1957 (note: corrected from 1921 error) - **Diana Butler Bass:** Quoted as saying humans are called to love, heal, and do the impossible - This likely references Diana Butler Bass, a theologian and church historian known for her work on spiritual renewal and progressive Christianity. Her books such as _Christianity After Religion_ and _Freeing Jesus_ align with the themes of love, healing, and community action mentioned in the sermon. - **Suggested Supplementary Texts:** - _The Body of God_ by Sallie McFague - _We Have Been Believers_ by James Evans - _Living into Community_ by Christine Pohl - _The Church Cracked Open_ by Stephanie Spellers - _Christianity After Religion_ by Diana Butler Bass - _Freeing Jesus_ by Diana Butler Bass --- #### 🛍 Quotes and Illustrative Stories - “Jesus doesn’t give a sermon or a speech. He prays.” - “We are loved. That was the foundation of all thought.” - “Generation after generation, we have been doing the work.” - “Going together is the only way forward.” --- #### 🔄 Calls to Action - **Spoken:** Embody unity. Love actively. Stand with the vulnerable. - **Unspoken:** No concrete next steps or community actions mentioned. - **Suggestions for Multimodal Inclusion:** - Visual: Slide or bulletin insert with action points - Kinesthetic: Ritual of lighting a candle for unity - Auditory: Responsive prayer - Social: Community board with justice volunteer opportunities --- ### HYMN #267 *Blest Be the Tie* 1. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. 2. Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. 3. We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. 4. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again. **Words:** John Fawcett, 1782 **Music:** Johann G. Nägeli, 1828; arr. Lowell Mason, 1845 **Tune:** DENNIS (SM) ### SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS ### PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (DEBTS) ### INVITATION TO GIVING ### OFFERTORY ### *OFFERTORY RESPONSE #706* *Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow* Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. **Words:** Thomas Ken, 1674 **Music:** Genevan Psalter, 1551 **Tune:** OLD 100TH (LM) ### *PRAYER OF DEDICATION* _adapted from Gathered by Love_ With joy and gladness, we dedicate our gifts to the service of Jesus Christ. May the abused find solace and courage; abusers be led to new awareness, sensitivity, and change; prisoners know release from bondage; and all humankind be led in love. We offer ourselves and these gifts, that we may be ambassadors of grace. Amen. ### *HYMN #427* *We’ve a Story to Tell* 1. We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, A story of truth and mercy, and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, The kingdom of love and light. 2. We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, A song that shall conquer evil, and shatter the spear and sword. 3. We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above Has sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love. 4. We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow has trod, That all of the world’s great peoples may come to the truth of God. **Words & Music:** H. Ernest Nichol, 1896 **Tune:** MESSAGE (10.8.8.7.7 with refrain) ### *COMMISSION & BENEDICTION* ### POSTLUDE (seated) --- ### Join us a time of coffee & refreshments after worship! The “Nursery Nook in the Narthex” quiet area and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available for children and families to use during worship. Age-appropriate activity bags are also available. --- ### Birthdays this week: 6/3 Heidi Ramos, Mark Reichelderfer and Cheryl Sollenberger; 6/4 Adelaide Dietrich and Owen Reichelderfer; 6/5 Connie Strunk --- | Worship Participants: | | |-----------------------------|---------------------------| | **Pastor** | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton | | **Organist** | Barbara Motichka | | **Deacon in Charge** | Chris Willman-Bunge | | **Lector** | Lloyd Beers | | **Children’s Corner** | Chani Wolfe | | **Media Coordinators** | Calvin Frantz | | **Bulletin cover** | Edd Scheer | --- **The Flowers at the Foot of the Cross** are given in honor of our granddaughter Mary Kate Norcross's 24th birthday and in loving memory of her mother Ame by Jim and Mary Moyer --- ### St. John’s Vision We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ as a congregation that welcomes everyone, and seeks service that will advance God’s realm on earth. ### St. John’s Mission To grow in love of God and neighbor --- ### Worship Resources: _Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi_ _UCC Book of Worship_ _The Inclusive Bible_ _Gathered by Love: Worship Resources for Year C by Lavon Bayler_