# ✨ JACOB’S DREAM *Please stand in body or in spirit.* ## 🎶 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 — September 21, 2025 📇 Staff & Leaders: Rev. Caroline E. Saxton (Pastor) • Tonya Schwartz (Office Administrator) • 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 (Sun, Sep 21): Special Congregational Meeting to vote on fixing our parking lots (right after worship). 🌼 Today: St. John’s Nursery School mum sale pick-up in the front lobby after church. 🧠 Today: Bible Study on Acts at 8:00 pm on Zoom (link in Friday e-blast). 🟦 Monday, Sep 22: Chi Gong/Zazen at 10:00 am (Parlor Room 104). Monday Afternoon Book Study at 1:30 pm (Conference Room 111). 🟩 Tuesday, Sep 23: Ladies’ Bible at 6:00 pm (Zoom). 🟪 Wednesday, Sep 24: Council Meeting at 6:30 pm (Conference Room 111). 🟥 Thursday, Sep 25: NETwork Ministries Meal Prep at 11:00 am (Kitchen). Dance Class at 6:00 pm (Fellowship Hall). Choir Rehearsal at 7:15 pm (Choir Room 103). 🟨 Sunday, Sep 28: Godly Play at 8:45 am (Room 119). SPARK! Elementary at 8:45 am (Room 115). Teen Discussion at 8:45 am (Room 206). Wired Word at 8:45 am (Room 116). Sunday Worship at 10:00 am (Sanctuary). Family Fun Day 11:30 am–1:30 pm (food, music, games, bounce house, petting zoo; free; rain or shine). ### 🎉 Thanks & Save-the-Dates ☕ Fall Harvest Tea: Gratitude to everyone who advertised, invited, prepped, served, cleaned, and led (special thanks to Pastor Caroline and Tonya). 🫐 Save the Date: St. John’s Blueberry Bliss Tea — April 25, 2026 (Sue, Connie S., Renee). ### 📣 Upcoming Opportunities 🛡️ Personal Safety & Scams with PA State Trooper Angela Laviena — Thu, Oct 2 at 2:30 pm or 6:30 pm (Room 116 or via Zoom). 🌶️ Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser — Sun, Oct 5 after worship; sign-ups at bulletin boards and Welcome Center; proceeds benefit SCCAP. 💉 Immunization Clinic (Flu & COVID) — Sun, Oct 12 after worship; walk-ins for Flu; contact Chambers’ Apothecary for COVID vaccine. 🏳️‍🌈 Franklin County Pride Festival — Sun, Oct 12, 12–5 pm at Wilson College; St. John’s will have a booth/table. 🚶 CROP Hunger Walk — Sun, Oct 19; meet 1:30 pm at First United Methodist (225 S. Second St.), walk at 2:00 pm; checks payable to CWS/CROP; contact Pastor Caroline. 🍺 Bible and a Beer — third Mondays, 6:30 pm at Trojan Diner; next gathering Oct 20. 🎈 Birthday Balloons Coffee Hour — last Sunday monthly; September birthdays honored Sun, Sep 28. 📚 Monday Afternoon Book Study — 1:30 pm (Conference Room); reading Diana Butler Bass, *A People’s History of Christianity*; read Chapter 2 for Sep 22. 💻 Sunday Night Bible Study (Acts) — Sundays 8:00 pm on Zoom; Sep 21 covers Acts 13; Meeting ID 835 0593 5961 • Passcode 277938. 🥫 September First Fruits — supports SCCAP; details in September Spirit or SCCAP website. 📖 September/October *Upper Room* — available at Welcome Center (suggested donation $1 small / $2 large); mail copies via church office. 🗓️ Habitat for Humanity Used Book Sale — Oct 24–26; sorting Mondays 9:00 am at Book Room @ Mobile Works; contact Harold Collier. ## 🕊️ Passing of the Peace “The peace of Christ be with you.” “And also with you.” ## 🔔 Chiming of the Trinity ## 🎼 Prelude ## 🙌 Call to Worship *(from* Life in Liturgy*)* We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God. **Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.** God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere. **That we may share God’s love and life, may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ.** The living Christ is with us. **Praise the Lord!** ## 🎵 Hymn #243 — “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” *Words: George Croly, 1860 (Gal. 5:25) — Tune: MORECAMBE* 1. Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, and make me love Thee as I ought to love. 2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, no sudden rending of the veil of clay, no angel visitant, no opening skies; but take the dimness of my soul away. 3. Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; teach me the struggles of the soul to bear; to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; teach me the patience of unanswered prayer. 4. Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, one holy passion filling all my frame; the kindling of the heaven-descended Dove, my heart an altar, and Thy love the flame. ## 🙏 Prayer of the Day *(written by Kimberly Leetch)* Loving God, like Jacob, who dreamed of your promises, you have filled us with dreams, too. Show us your promises in our dreams, and give us the ability to follow our dreams. Amen. ## 🔆 Prayer for Illumination *(posted on Re:Worship — adapted)* God of our fathers and mothers—of all the generations who have come before us—holy is your name. Thank you for your faithful presence among us, even when we are not fully aware of it. Continue to reveal yourself to us. Open our eyes to see you here among us; open our ears to hear your Word. For surely, you are with us in this place. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. ## 📖 Scripture Reading John 1:43–51 > [!bible]+ [John 1:43-51 - NRSVCE](https://bolls.life/NRSVCE/43/1/) > 43. The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” > 44. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. > 45. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” > 46. Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” > 47. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” > 48. Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” > 49. Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” > 50. Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” > 51. And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” %% #John1 %% ## 📜 Responsive Reading — Psalm 139:1–12, 23–24 *(The Inclusive Bible)* YHWH, you’ve searched me, and you know me. **You know if I am standing or sitting, you read my thoughts from far away.** Whether I walk or lie down, you are watching; you are intimate with all of my ways. **A word is not even on my tongue, YHWH, before you know what it is:** you hem me in, before and behind, shielding me with your hand. **Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, a height my mind cannot reach!** Where could I run from your Spirit? Where could I flee from your presence? **If I go up to the heavens, you’re there; if I make my bed in Death, you’re already there.** I could fly away with wings made of dawn, or make my home on the far side of the sea, **but even there your hand will guide me, your mighty hand holding me fast.** If I say, “The darkness will hide me, and night will be my only light,” **even darkness won’t be dark to you; the night will shine like the day—darkness and light are the same to you.** Examine me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts— see if there is misdeed within me, and guide me in the way that is eternal. ## 🧒 Children’s Message Roxanne Davenport. Children’s Corner will be offered following the Children’s Message. ## 📖 Scripture Reading Genesis 27:1–4, 15–23; 28:10–17 > [!bible]+ [Genesis 27:1-4 - NRSVCE](https://bolls.life/NRSVCE/1/27/) > 1. When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called his elder son Esau and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” > 2. He said, “See, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. > 3. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me. > 4. Then prepare for me savory food, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.” %% #Genesis27 %% > [!bible]+ [Genesis 27:15-23 - NRSVCE](https://bolls.life/NRSVCE/1/27/) > 15. Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; > 16. and she put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. > 17. Then she handed the savory food, and the bread that she had prepared, to her son Jacob. > 18. So he went in to his father, and said, “My father”; and he said, “Here I am; who are you, my son?” > 19. Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me.” > 20. But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the LORD your God granted me success.” > 21. Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” > 22. So Jacob went up to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” > 23. He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. %% #Genesis27 %% > [!bible]+ [Genesis 28:10-17 - NRSVCE](https://bolls.life/NRSVCE/1/28/) > 10. Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. > 11. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. > 12. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. > 13. And the LORD stood beside him and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; > 14. and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. > 15. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” > 16. Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place — and I did not know it!” > 17. And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” %% #Genesis28 %% ## 🗣️ Sermon Rev. Caroline E. Saxton ## 🎶 Hymn #501 *(insert)* — “We Are Dancing Sarah’s Circle” *Carole A. Etzler, 1975 — Tune: JACOB’S LADDER 8.8.8.5., African-American spiritual* 1. We are dancing Sarah’s circle, … sisters, brothers, all. 2. Here we seek and find our story, … sisters, brothers, all. 3. We will all do our own naming, … sisters, brothers, all. 4. Every round a generation, … sisters, brothers, all. 5. On and on the circle’s moving, … sisters, brothers, all. ## 💬 Sharing of Joys and Concerns ## 🙏 Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer *(Debts)* ## 🎁 Invitation to Giving ## 🎹 Offertory ## 🎵 Offertory Response #706 — “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Common Doxology text; tune usually OLD 100TH) ## ✝️ Prayer of Dedication *(from* Feasting on the Word Worship Companion*)* God of mystery and grace, you have met us and blessed us with abundant promise. In gratitude we offer what we carry in our hearts and our pockets. As we bring these worn and freighted offerings, we pray that you would use us, for we come in the name of Jesus and by the movement of your Spirit in this place. Amen. ## 🎵 Hymn #C-43 — “Nearer, My God, to Thee” *Text: Sarah F. Adams (1805–1848) — Music: Lowell Mason (1792–1872)* 1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! ## 🕊️ Commission & Benediction ## 🎼 Postlude *(seated)* **Following worship:** A special congregational meeting will be held to determine our direction in fixing our parking lots. --- ## 🍼 Family & Accessibility Notes 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 Hannah Herbert • Kyra Sollenberger • Matthew Strunk • James Wood (9/22) ## 👥 Worship Participants Pastor: Rev. Caroline E. Saxton Organist: Barbara Motichka Deacon in Charge: N. Erin Hartman Lector: Allen Frantz Children’s Corner: Roxanne Davenport Media Coordinators: Calvin Frantz, Neath Ham, Heidi Ramos Bulletin Cover: “Dream of Jacob” © John August Swanson, *Art in the Christian Tradition*, Vanderbilt Divinity Library ## 🌸 Flowers at the Foot of the Cross Given in honor of Connie and Bob Strunk’s wedding anniversary by Lisa and Ray Fair. --- ## 🌟 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 Call to Worship: *Life in Liturgy* Prayer of the Day: Kimberly Leetch Prayer for Illumination: Re:Worship (adapted) Translation: *The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation* Prayer of Dedication: *Feasting on the Word Worship Companion*