# 🐾 Blessing of the Animals — August 17, 2025 > _Source: bulletin PDF. Items marked with * indicate standing as able._ ## 🙌 Gathering - 🎵 **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** - 🤝 **Passing of the Peace** - Leader: “The peace of Christ be with you” - People: “And also with you” - 🔔 **Chiming of the Trinity** - 🎶 **Centering Song:** _Come Join the Circle_ # 📰 News in the Pews — August 17, 2025 **St. John’s UCC Leadership** - Rev. Caroline E. Saxton — [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) | (641) 260-1868 (cell) - Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator — [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) | (717) 263-8593 (office) - Gary Crum, Music Director - Barbara Motichka, Organist - Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth - Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus --- ## 📅 This Week at St. John’s **Today** - 8:00 pm — Bible Study on the Book of Acts (Zoom, link in Friday e-blast) **Monday, August 18** - 10:00 am — Meditation Group (Parlor Room 104) - 6:30 pm — Bible and A Beer (Trojan Diner) **Tuesday, August 19** - 5:30 pm — Yoga (Room 202) **Friday, August 22** - 6:00 pm — End of Summer Dance (Fellowship Hall) **Sunday, August 24** - 8:45 am — Pancake Breakfast (Fellowship Hall) - 10:00 am — Gratitude Sunday Worship (Fellowship Hall) --- ## 🙏 Gratitude Sunday - Pancake Breakfast at 8:45 am followed by Worship at 10:00 am (Fellowship Hall). - Colored index cards in the lobby — write what you are thankful for and place in the bin. - Cards will be displayed on the Fellowship Hall bulletin board. Can be anonymous or signed. --- ## 📖 Sunday Night Bible Study - Led by Pastor Caroline on **Sundays at 8 pm via Zoom**. - Focus for **August 17**: Acts Chapter 8. - Meeting ID: **836 0593 5961** | Passcode: **277938** - Hyperlink included in the weekly e-blast. - Encouraged to read from various translations. --- ## 📚 Devotionals - **July/August Upper Room** available at Welcome Center. - Donation: $1 (small print) / $2 (large print). - Contact office if you’d like a copy mailed. --- ## 🎶 Music Ministry - **Summer Special Music** — Volunteers needed for August 31. Contact Gary Crum. --- ## 🌟 Ongoing Announcements **August First Fruits** - Supports NETwork Ministries. - Collecting: bottled water, low-sugar drinks, snacks, granola bars, peanut butter/jelly, fruit snacks, etc. **Monday Afternoon Book Study** - Resumes **September 8 at 1:30 pm**. - Next selection announced in September Spirit newsletter. **Birthday Balloons** - Special coffee hour last Sunday of the month. - August birthdays celebrated on **August 31**. **Fall Harvest Tea Tickets** - Event: **Saturday, September 20 at 1:30 pm**. - Tickets: $35/person, available in church office. **Family Fun Day** - **Sunday, September 28**, after worship (11:30 am–1:30 pm). - Food, music, games. Rain or shine. **Chili Cook Off** - **Sunday, October 5** after worship. - Sign-up sheet at Welcome Center. **Habitat for Humanity Used Book Sale** - Dates: **October 24–26**. - Donations accepted starting **September 2**. - Contact Harold Collier for details. **CROP Walk** — *October 19* - Supports Church World Service. - Registration: 1:30 pm | Walk: 2 pm - Location: First United Methodist Church, 225 S. Second Street. - Goal: Strong St. John’s UCC participation. --- ## 🍻 Bible and a Beer - Monthly gathering to discuss faith. - **3rd Monday at 6:30 pm** (Trojan Diner). - Next: **September 15**. --- ## 🗣️ Join us for Life Talk - Informal space for sharing concerns, questions, or fellowship. - Grab coffee and meet in the parlor after Sunday services. - Open to everyone. ## 🎵 Come Join the Circle *Gordon Webber, ©1988* ### Verse 1 Come join the circle for Jesus is calling, As partners with God in creation. All join your hands now, let all be included, For this is a great celebration. ### Verse 2 Now say “hello” to the person beside you, Welcome them into the circle. Each has a gift or a talent worth sharing, As part of their calling to service. ### Verse 3 Open the circle for others are calling us, Calling from past and from future. Challenging us with their cry for justice, As part of this global community. ### Refrain Look around and see who’s here, Look at all the faces. This is the circle of visions and dreams Of people from all times and places. ## 📣 Call to Worship *(from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services)* - 🐕 Bless your Creator, all animals of the land. **People:** _Praise and exalt our Creator forever._ - 🕊️ Bless your Creator, all birds of the air. **People:** _Praise and exalt our Creator forever._ - 🐟 Bless your Creator, all creatures of the sea. **People:** _Praise and exalt our Creator forever._ - 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bless your creator, all children of God. **All:** _With all of creation, we praise your name._ ## 🎶 This Is My Father’s World ### Verse 1 This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. --- ### Verse 2 This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair; in rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. --- ### Verse 3 This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world This is my Father’s world, why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King! Let heaven ring! God reigns! Let earth be glad! ## 🌍 Litany for All Creation *(adapted from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services)* - 🙏 Gracious God, grant that all your creatures may serve you with thanksgiving; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 🌦️ Grant favorable weather, temperate rain, and fruitful seasons, providing food and drink for all your creatures; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 👀 Open our eyes to the wonder of creation, that we may see you in all your works; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - ❤️ Stir in us the desire to care for your creation; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 🌊 Make us wise and faithful stewards of creation—earth, waters, air, and all that live therein; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 🧽 Forgive us who waste and pollute your creation and strengthen us to restore what we have disregarded; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 🤝 Look with compassion on those abused and mistreated; show us their dignity in your creation; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - 🕯️ Remember creatures that have died yet remain dear to us, that they may rejoice in your new creation; **All:** _Pour out your blessing on earth, O God._ - ✝️ **Collect:** Holy One… “No sparrow falls without your knowing it… Give us courage and resolve to build up the common good… through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. **Amen.**” ## 📖 Scripture > _Full NRSVUE text not reproduced; open with the links in the frontmatter._ - ✨ **Gospel:** **Luke 12:22–32** (NRSVUE) - 🌿 **Responsive Psalm:** **Psalm 104:10–24** (NRSVUE; service used The Inclusive Bible for the reading) - 🐾 **Reading:** **Job 12:7–10** (NRSVUE) ## 👧 Children’s Message - **Leader:** Roxanne Davenport - _Children’s Corner will be offered following the Children’s Message._ ## 🧠 Meditation - **Preacher:** Rev. Caroline E. Saxton ## Blessing of the Animals: Listening to the Earth and Her Creatures _Sermon Recap_ ### Opening Prayer and Introduction - The pastor began with a prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, for you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen.” - Noted the tradition of celebrating the Blessing of the Animals, begun in 2022, which has now been done for four years. Each year is a little different, with a variety of animals present, not just cats and dogs. ### Personal Reflections and Family Stories - Shared a story about the pastor’s father, who grew up with a menagerie, including pigeons and (briefly) white mice, with his mother drawing the line at white mice. His father graduated from Lancaster Seminary and returned to his beloved Nebraska prairie, where he re-established his pigeon tool. - The pastor personally has only ever had cats, noting that cats are unique in having domesticated themselves. - This summer, while taking “Sixly Radical,” the pastor spent time with their cats, Leah and Naomi. During this time, they enjoyed lots of naps and copious cuddles. The cats, Leah and Naomi, were not particularly happy when the pastor returned to work on Monday, with Naomi attempting to persuade them otherwise, highlighting the comfort and companionship pets provide. ### The Role of Animals in Our Lives - The speaker notes that our lives are indeed made brighter by the people and pets who share them. - Animals offer confidentiality and companionship; sometimes it’s easier to confide in them than in people. - They don’t share your secrets and understand the true meaning of confidentiality, though it's suggested to "bribe them with treats, just to be sure." ### Human Shortcomings and Scriptural Wisdom - Humans often get in the way of things, thinking they know best, despite ample evidence to the contrary, as seen in poverty, violence, war, and division. - **Scripture Reference: Job 12:7-10** - Context: Job encourages us to pay attention to the birds, plants, and fish, as they too are our teachers. - Application: They show us the right way to live in trusting relationships with God, and we are called to listen to the earth and her creatures. ### Interconnectedness of Creation - Referenced the Disney movie _Pocahontas_, released in 1995, and its song “Colors of the Wind,” with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz praised for their brilliant work on the soundtrack. The song speaks to the spirit and life in every part of creation. - Lyrics highlight the indigenous perspective: “You think you own whatever land you land on. The earth is just a dead thing you can claim. But I know every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name.” - The song is noted for calling out greed, racism, and imperialism, reflecting a more indigenous understanding of the human relationship with the earth and other creatures. - Connected this message to **Job 12** and **Psalm 104**, emphasizing the interconnectedness of God, nature, and humanity, stating that we are part of it and not separate from the birds, plants, fish, and all the walks. ### Learning from Nature and Its Creatures - Mentioned a wildlife narrator, described as a "global treasure," who helps people appreciate all creatures, big and small. The speaker expresses not looking forward to the day when he is no longer with us, noting his ability to help viewers appreciate a wide range of creatures, including bats, beetles, lions, llamas, sharks, scorpions, and all manner of amphibians, mammals, and birds. - Animals experience God’s blessings daily; God’s fingerprints are in everything and everything is in God. The speaker humorously notes that this also includes mosquitoes, prompting amazement and astonishment. ### Jesus’ Teachings on Simplicity and Trust - **Scripture Reference: Luke’s Gospel** - Context: Jesus reminds us to be more like the ravens and the lilies in God's presence and provision, and less concerned with material possessions and storing up wealth. - Application: Jesus has harsh words for those who practice greed more than generosity. Animals and pets model living in the moment, valuing presence over possessions. ### Lessons from Our Pets - Pets don’t care about superficial things like our weight, clothes, bank accounts, or job titles. - They care that we are present, resting, playing, and prioritizing just being rather than always doing. ### Humanity’s Place in Creation - Suggests that humans may have been created last not because we are perfected, but so that we can look to all the other creatures God made as examples of how to live and how to love. - We are called to listen to the earth and her creatures, learning how to live and love. ### Living Rooted in Love and Care - We are meant to be rooted in love, trusting through presence, compassion, and courage, and to lead with care instead of control. ### Stewardship of Creation - Shared a personal experience visiting Garden of the Gods in Colorado, described as a "national natural landslide" located outside Colorado Springs, while visiting family. The rock formations are millions of years old, dramatic, and awe-inspiring. - Those who maintain the park are mindful of its fragile ecosystem. Numerous signs remind visitors to stay on designated trails and paths, emphasizing our responsibility to tread lightly upon the earth and leave no trace as caretakers. This responsibility includes living in symbiotic relationships with our surroundings, ensuring clean air, clean water, and conservation of soil and natural resources. ### Indigenous Wisdom and Collective Responsibility - Quoted an indigenous proverb: “We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” - Encouraged mindfulness and collective work for the common good, caring for the earth and its resources, as we all benefit from taking care of the earth. ### Key Points 1. **Creation as Teacher:** - The natural world—animals, plants, and landscapes—teach us about God’s presence, trust, and provision. The writer of Job tells us to look to the natural world for our teachers, to the animals, birds, fish, and even plants. 2. **Interconnectedness:** - We are part of creation, not separate from it. God’s fingerprints are everywhere, and everything is in God. 3. **Living in the Moment:** - Animals model living in the present, valuing relationships and simple joys, reminding us to prioritize being over doing. 4. **Stewardship:** - We are called to care for creation, tread lightly, and act as responsible stewards, living in symbiotic relationships with our surroundings. 5. **Rooted in Love:** - Our lives should be rooted in love, compassion, and care for all beings, leading with care instead of control. ### Closing Exhortation - Let us listen to the earth and her creatures, letting them be our teachers, for the animals who share our lives are also our teachers, bearing the imprint of God. - In honoring creation, we honor the works of our Creator God and live as God intends—in loving relationship with all. --- **Scripture References Highlighted:** - **Job 12:7-10** - **Psalm 104** - **Luke’s Gospel (ravens and lilies)** --- **Application for Today:** - In a culture often focused on material success and individualism, this sermon calls us to slow down, observe, and learn from the natural world and our pets. - We are reminded of our identity as beloved children of God, called to live in trust, compassion, and stewardship. - Our faith is expressed not only in words, but in how we care for creation and each other. ## **Sermon** ### **🗒 Sermon Summary** 🧵 **Central message:** _“Listen to the earth and her creatures.”_ Creation teaches trust, presence, and generous living under God’s care. Pets model nonjudgmental love and “being” over constant “doing.” 📅 **Liturgical/thematic tie:** _Blessing of the Animals_ Sunday frames Job 12:7–10, Psalm 104:10–24, and Luke 12:22–32. The day invites gratitude for all creatures and calls us to creation care, anti-greed, and communal flourishing. 🌱 **Practical thrust:** Walk lightly on the land, resist consumerist anxiety, and practice daily stewardship—at home, with pets, and in public life. --- ### **🎙 Preaching Style** 🧭 **Style:** Primarily **topical-narrative** with **expository touchpoints** weaving Scripture through lived stories and cultural references. 🌍 **Inclusive examples:** 🐈 Personal anecdotes about Leah and Naomi (cats) humanize the theme. 🎬 “Colors of the Wind” broadens perspective via Indigenous-informed ethics. 🌄 Garden of the Gods illustrates awe and ecological responsibility. 🧠 **Learning needs addressed:** 👂 Auditory—vivid storytelling and the refrain “listen to the earth…” 👀 Visual—concrete images: ravens, lilies, rock formations, park signage. ✋ Kinesthetic—actionable practices: stay on paths, “leave no trace,” daily pet care. --- ### **🗣 Intonation and Delivery** 🔊 **Vocal impact:** Warm, pastoral cadence with gentle humor (“bribe with treats,” “mosquitoes… why?”) lowers defenses. 🤗 **Tone:** Welcoming, non-shaming, invitational; critiques greed without attacking people. ⏱ **Pacing/variety:** Alternates story, Scripture, application—keeps attention for auditory learners. 👐 **Gestures/visuals (implied):** Nature imagery and place-names serve as mental visuals. --- ### **📝 Content Structure** 🧩 **Organization:** Tradition → personal story → Scripture → cultural lens → creation-care ethics → concrete practices → benedictive close. 🔁 **Transitions:** The refrain (“listen to the earth and her creatures”) anchors movement between sections. 🧱 **Supports:** Repetition for memory, layered examples for transfer, succinct summaries (“lead with care instead of control”). --- ### **👥 Engagement and Application** 🫶 **Community reach:** Pets and place-based examples include families, single adults, elders, and children. 🧩 **Equity & inclusion applications:** ♿ Create low-sensory blessing spaces and post visual cues. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Invite testimonies from congregants whose cultures emphasize land kinship. 🧰 Offer “creation-care kits” with reusable tools and local stewardship guides. 🧪 **Interactive enhancements:** 📝 One-minute reflection: “What creature taught you trust this week?” 📷 Photo wall of congregants and companion animals with prayer captions. 🚶 Post-service micro-action: 15-minute neighborhood litter walk. --- ### **📖 Scripture Breakdown** 📜 **Texts referenced:** 📖 Job **12:7–10** — creation as teacher; God’s life-giving breath to all. (NRSVUE: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+12%3A7-10&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+12%3A7-10&version=NRSVUE)) 🌀 Psalm **104:10–24** — God’s provident ecology. (NRSVUE: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+104%3A10-24&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+104%3A10-24&version=NRSVUE)) ✝️ Luke **12:22–32** — do not worry; learn from ravens and lilies; pursue God’s reign, not hoarding. (NRSVUE: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A22-32&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A22-32&version=NRSVUE)) ⚖️ **Equity/justice emphasis:** 🌿 Job/Psalm decentralize human supremacy—creatures hold knowledge and dignity. 🕊 Luke resists anxiety economics; generosity over accumulation benefits the vulnerable. 🔗 **Theological connection:** Creation as sacrament; God’s “fingerprints” make the world a classroom for trust, care, and interdependence. --- ### **🧠 Logical Reasoning** ✅ **Strong inductive reasoning** 📍 _Where:_ Pets’ presence → trust-in-the-moment, reduced anxiety. 💪 _Why it strengthens:_ Common experience supports the claim without overreach. 🔧 _Enhance:_ Add one study on animal companionship and stress reduction. ✅ **Consistent analogy** 📍 _Where:_ “Ravens and lilies” → “pets and gardens.” 💪 _Why it strengthens:_ Extends Jesus’ teaching into present contexts while keeping principle intact. 🔧 _Enhance:_ Acknowledge limits—animals don’t manage budgets; humans apply the principle wisely. ✅ **Ethical reasoning** 📍 _Where:_ “Leave no trace,” anti-greed stewardship, communal good. 💪 _Why it strengthens:_ Aligns duty (care for creation) with outcomes (shared flourishing). 🔧 _Enhance:_ Tie to measurable parish policies—energy audits, waste-reduction goals. ✅ **Logical flow** 📍 _Where:_ Tradition → story → Scripture → culture → action. 💪 _Why it strengthens:_ Builds context, authority, and application in sequence. 🔧 _Enhance:_ Open with a one-sentence roadmap for listeners. ⚠️ **Hasty generalization (light)** 📍 _Where:_ “Cats are the only animals to domesticate itself.” ❌ _Why it weakens:_ Overstates scientific consensus; self-domestication is debated. 🔧 _Improve:_ “Cats are often described as semi–self-domesticated; scholars debate the degree.” ⚠️ **Appeal to emotion (noted, moderate)** 📍 _Where:_ Pet affection → moral imperative. ❌ _Why it weakens:_ Emotion-alone persuasion can fade without principle. 🔧 _Improve:_ Anchor with explicit scriptural ethic (Genesis 2 stewardship; Luke 12 trust). ⚠️ **Uncertain attribution (proverb)** 📍 _Where:_ “We do not inherit the land… we borrow it from our children.” ❌ _Why it weakens:_ Varying attributions can undercut credibility. 🔧 _Improve:_ “A widely quoted environmental saying, often attributed to Indigenous sources…” --- ### **📚 References** 📖 Scripture: Job 12:7–10; Psalm 104:10–24; Luke 12:22–32 (NRSVUE). 🎶 Cultural reference: “Colors of the Wind” (Menken/Schwartz), overview: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_the_Wind](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_the_Wind) 🎥 Nature narrator: Sir David Attenborough, overview: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough) 🏞 Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs), park info: [https://gardenofgods.com/](https://gardenofgods.com/) 🗣 Attribution note: “We borrow it from our children” — cite provenance carefully before printing. --- ### **🗨 Quotes and Illustrative Stories** 🐾 “Our lives are indeed made brighter by the people and pets who share our lives.” 🐦 “Be more like the ravens and the lilies… less concerned with storing up wealth.” 🌍 “We are to tread lightly upon the earth… leave no trace.” 🎶 “Every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name.” 🧗 Awe at Garden of the Gods invites humility; signs instruct communal care. --- ### **🔄 Calls to Action** 🧭 **Personal practices** 🕯 Schedule a weekly digital Sabbath walk; observe one creature and what it “teaches.” 🧹 Make your home a “creation-care lab”: reduce single-use plastics, compost, conserve water. 🛠 **Congregational steps** 🌿 Launch a Green Team with measurable goals (energy audit, waste mapping, native planting). 🐕 Pair the Blessing of the Animals with a pet-supply drive for local shelters. 📚 Host a creation-theology reading group that centers marginalized scholars. ♿ **Accessibility-aware delivery** 🖼 Post visual checklists in the narthex. ✍️ Provide large-print and plain-language handouts. 🧩 Offer a quiet corner with fidgets during the liturgy. --- ### **🧾 Tone & Writing Analysis** 🎯 **Voice:** Pastoral, invitational, hope-forward; light humor sustains rapport. 🧵 **Rhetoric:** Refrain-based cohesion, parallel images, place-names for mental pictures. 🧪 **Biases/assumptions to watch:** 🐈 Overstating zoological claims about domestication. 🪶 Using popular quotes with uncertain provenance. 🔧 **Next-sermon upgrades:** 📊 Add one data point on ecological impact of small congregational habits. 👩🏽‍🏫 Name a marginalized theologian explicitly to deepen inclusive grounding. 🗺 Open with a one-sentence map of the sermon. --- 🔗 **Quick Links (prep or bulletin footnotes)** 📖 Job 12:7–10 (NRSVUE): [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+12%3A7-10&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+12%3A7-10&version=NRSVUE) 📖 Psalm 104:10–24 (NRSVUE): [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+104%3A10-24&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+104%3A10-24&version=NRSVUE) 📖 Luke 12:22–32 (NRSVUE): [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A22-32&version=NRSVUE](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A22-32&version=NRSVUE) ℹ️ “Colors of the Wind” background: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_the_Wind](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_the_Wind) ℹ️ Garden of the Gods park info: [https://gardenofgods.com/](https://gardenofgods.com/) _Want this as a printable bulletin insert with the reflection prompts and action checklist? I can format it next._ ## 🐶 Blessing of the Animals - _(Bring pets or photos/remembrances for blessing.)_ ## 💬 Sharing of Joys and Concerns ## 🙏 Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer (Debts) ## 🎁 Invitation to Giving - 🎵 **Offering Song** ## 🎶 Offertory Response #706 - **“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”** ## 🕊️ Prayer of Dedication *(from _Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship_)* > Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world. **Amen.** ## 🎵 For the Fruit of All Creation ### Verse 1 For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For His gifts to every nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God. --- ### Verse 2 In the just reward of labor, God’s will is done. In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will is done. In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done. --- ### Verse 3 For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God. ## ✨ Commission and Benediction ## 🎹 Sending Music --- ## 🎉 Birthdays This Week - 8/18 **Erin Wadel** - 8/19 **Jerry Thomason** - 8/21 **Susan McNew**, **Ann Osterman**, **Dwight Sollenberger** - 8/23 **Cooper Miller**, **Dolores St. Clair**, **Sarah Young** ## 👥 Worship Participants - **Pastor:** Rev. Caroline E. Saxton - **Pianist:** Barbara Motichka - **Deacon in Charge:** Diana Kongkeattikul - **Lector:** Henry Hopper - **Children’s Corner:** Chani Wolfe - **Bulletin cover:** “St. Francis with birds,” Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (via _Art in the Christian Tradition_, Vanderbilt Divinity Library) --- ## 🧭 Vision & Mission - **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.