# St. John's United Church of Christ **Chambersburg, PA** **February 15, 2026** --- ## Liturgical Context ### Christian Liturgical Calendar **Season**: Season after Epiphany (Ordinary Time before Lent) **Week**: Transfiguration Sunday — Last Sunday after Epiphany **Lectionary Year**: A (RCL) / Year 4 – John (Narrative Lectionary) **Liturgical Color**: White #### Christian Observances Today - Transfiguration of Our Lord - Camp Sunday (St. John's local observance — "Sponsor-a-Camper" collection for St. John's Camp) - Final Sunday before Lent begins (Ash Wednesday is February 18) ### Jewish Calendar **Hebrew Date**: 28 Shevat 5786 **Month**: Shevat **Torah Portion**: Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18) #### Jewish Observances - Tu B'Shevat (15 Shevat / February 2) — the New Year of the Trees — was observed earlier this month. Tu B'Shevat celebrates the renewal of nature, the fruit of trees, and humanity's relationship with the created world. - Shevat 28 is historically noted as the day Antiochus V abandoned his siege of Jerusalem (134 BCE), observed as a minor holiday in Hasmonean times. ### Ecumenical & Global Observances No major ecumenical observances this Sunday. ### Lectionary Readings #### Revised Common Lectionary (Year A) **Old Testament**: Exodus 24:12-18 **Psalm**: Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 **Epistle**: 2 Peter 1:16-21 **Gospel**: Matthew 17:1-9 #### Narrative Lectionary (Year 4 – John) **NL429 — The Man Born Blind** **Primary Text**: John 9:1-41 **Psalm**: Psalm 27:1-4 **Liturgical Color**: White #### Readings Used Today (Camp Sunday) **Old Testament**: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Job 12:7-10 **Gospel**: Matthew 6:25-34 ### Connection to Today's Message Today is Transfiguration Sunday — the last Sunday before Lent — a day when the church traditionally contemplates God's glory revealed in creation and through Christ. St. John's observes Camp Sunday, celebrating the gift of creation and the formative experience of church camp for children. The Camp Sunday readings from Jeremiah, Job, and Matthew center on trusting God's provision through the natural world, resonating powerfully with both the Transfiguration themes of divine revelation in nature and the recent Tu B'Shevat celebration of trees and creation in the Jewish calendar. As the congregation prepares for the penitential season of Lent beginning Wednesday, Camp Sunday offers a final, joyful immersion in the goodness of God's created world. --- ## Worship Order ### Camp Sunday _*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 #### Mission Moment Calvin Frantz #### Passing of the Peace _"The peace of Christ be with you"_ — _"And also with you"_ #### Chiming of the Trinity & Prelude #### *Call to Worship _posted on The Minor Keys blog_ As followers of Christ, we are called to bring a hopeful understanding of our world **declaring that God called the created universe "good."** We are called to bring this hope in God with us wherever we go **declaring that God makes all things new again.** Jesus taught that we should love God and love one another. **So let's join together in our love of God to worship and give thanks.** #### *Congregational Song (insert) "Come Join the Circle" — Gordon Webber (Copyright 1988) _See bulletin insert for full lyrics and music_ **Verse 1**: Come join the circle for Jesus is calling, as partners with God in creation... **Verse 2**: Now say "hello" to the person beside you — welcome them... **Verse 3**: Open the circle for others are calling us, calling from all... **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 Confession Trusting in God's goodness and mercy, let us confess our sins. #### Prayer of Confession _written by John Birch_ **Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude, the spiritual blindness that prevents us from appreciating the wonder that is this world, the endless cycle of nature, of life and death and rebirth. Forgive us for taking without giving, reaping without sowing. Open our eyes to see, our lips to praise, and our hands to share. May our feet tread lightly on the path we tread, and our footsteps be worthy of following, for they lead to you. Amen.** #### Assurance of Grace God makes a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland; God makes all things new. God offers us a way home: rejoice in the forgiveness that God gives us and be renewed. --- ## Scripture and Sermon ### Scripture Reading Jeremiah 17:5-8 5 Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. 6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. Job 12:7-10 7“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. 9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. ### Responsive Litany _"Liturgy of Creation," posted on the Third Space blog_ In the beginning, all was silence and God sang the song of creation, **and because God sang, all the stars and spheres vibrated to the music of God.** In the beginning, all was still and God laughed, **and because God laughed, the waters took up the roar and the ripple of it; and ebbed and flowed and seeped and swirled and delighted in the ways of its being.** In the beginning, all was dull and God painted, **and because God painted, the sky became blue, and purple, and pink, and rainbows hung there. The grass became green and flowers and butterflies danced in the drips and settled like jewels on the earth.** In the beginning, all was unconscious and God breathed, **and because God breathed, men and women woke up from their sleeping, and they breathed the very life of God and stood in wonder before the work of God's hands. They beheld the glory of God in all that God had made and they saw that it was very good.** ### Anthem "Softly and Tenderly" ### Children's Message Roxanne Davenport _Children's Corner will be offered following the Children's Message_ ### Scripture Reading Matthew 6:25-34 > 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  > 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  > 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?  > 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,  > 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  > 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  > 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’  > 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  > 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as [[www.examplelink.com]]34“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. ### Sermon **Preacher**: Rev. Caroline E. Saxton **Title**: [I’ll add title here] **Theme**: Camp Sunday — Creation, Nature, and God’s Provision #### Sermon Notes ##### Introduction - Opening prayer: “Spirit of the living God, all fresh, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, O God” - Opens with *The Parent Trap* — saw the 1998 remake (Dennis Quaid, Lindsay Lohan) as a child, later watched the 1961 original (Maureen O’Hare, Hayley Mills) - Twin girls meet at summer camp, fight and fuss before realizing they are sisters separated by their parents’ divorce; they switch places to reunite the family - Transitions from movie camp to real camp — “As far as I know, nothing quite like that happened in Brooklyn, France” — references Camp Montreux (rural Iowa, where she grew up) and St. John’s Camp - Acknowledges anecdotes of “much fun, and sometimes mischief” on Stumpy Lane - Establishes the 75-year anniversary: “For 75 years, we have enjoyed the opportunity to make memories, revel in the great outdoors, and of course, eat our fill” - Gratitude framing: “We give thanks for places like St. John’s Camp, for rest and care for creation” ##### Main Points ###### Point 1: Ground Yourself in God and the Gift of Today — Trust Over Worry - Central refrain repeated four times: **“Ground yourself in God and the gift of today”** - Acknowledges the passage (Matthew 6:25–34) can seem “a little on” for today — came to mind when thinking about what camp offers: “a place to be renewed and restored, to push us and to just be” - Cautions against taking this scripture too literally: “I think taking this scripture too literally does a disservice to Jesus and to us” - Reframes as a matter of **priority**: “What is worthy of our time and attention and focus? Where do we find our center? How does our faith impact our lives?” - Draws on **Martin B. Copenhaver**, *Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered* (read by Monday book study group last year): “Jesus never said we should not think about the future or make provision for the future. After all, even the birds of the air, the very ones Jesus points to as examples of God’s care, build nests and migrate to warmer climates in anticipation of colder weather. What Jesus critiques is not the planning, but the worry.” - Key distinction: **Planning — yes. Worry — no.** - “Worry becomes preoccupation. Worry becomes a distraction.” ###### Point 2: From Consumerism and Self-Centeredness to God-Centeredness - Critique of consumer culture: “Consumerism would tell us that we just need to buy more, to spend more, that if we just acquire this one thing it will fulfill all our wants and desires. Buy now, pay later.” - Names cultural FOMO (fear of missing out) as a driver - Specifically names concern about **gambling** — “particularly sports betting, online casinos — we can bet from our pockets and our homes from the convenience of our phones” - Blunt assessment: “Friends, money cannot buy us love or happiness, not the kind that feeds our spirits and souls. Even the world’s richest men seem distinctly unhappy. They’ve acquired the world, and they’ve lost their souls.” - Pivots to Jesus’ alternative: “Jesus offers us another way, a way of relationship and community” - Clarifies: “This doesn’t mean that we don’t have to work. It means we don’t have to worry, because we are not in this alone.” - **Worship as reorientation**: “Worship is a move from being self-centered to being God-centered. It is why prayer is more than just a wish list for our wants.” ###### Point 3: Creation as Teacher, Community as Provision — We Are the Answer to One Another’s Prayers - “God calls us into mutuality. Into sharing and tending to caring for all of creation.” - Names specific creation care activities: spring and fall cleanup, lesson plans about trees and birds and bugs, environmental impact considerations, holiday or garden options - References the **Church of the Wild** movement — promotes deep connection with nature as spiritual connection; congregation in the Bellingham, WA area gathers every third Saturday for “Wild Church” — going out surrounded by creation to expand their experience of worship - Expresses hope: “I hope we can expand our ways to pray in nature in 2026 at St. John’s Camp and in the wild places and parks that are around” - Nature as disconnection from stress: “We are perhaps better able to disconnect from all the stress and worry when we spend time in nature. When we go to camp and cell phone service is static and spotty, we can be silent and still, waiting and watching for the creatures to come, seeing how we are all part of God.” - Animals as models of preparation without worry: squirrels hiding acorns, bears eating before hibernation — “We can look to their example for what it looks like to prepare, but not worry. They have something to teach us. Jesus points to the lilies and the birds. **Creation is our teacher.**” - Scripture as integral to practice: “This scripture is part of Jesus’ sermon, which is integral to our faith and how we practice. It is a reminder that God is at the center. That Jesus is Lord and anything else, anyone else, is not.” - **Critical connection — Matthew 6 → Matthew 25**: “It’s not a coincidence that the items of longing Jesus points to — food, drink, clothing — are precisely those that will determine our place in the judgment: I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was naked, and you gave me clothing.” - Communal ethic: **“We are the answer to one another’s prayers. We are the community of care.”** - Invitation to shift mindset: “Jesus invites us to shift our mindset from scarcity into abundance, from fear [to trust].” - Historical grounding: “We are not the first to face dangerous and troubling times. Christian history is filled with examples of people who kept faith, who did not allow their hearts to be hardened, their compassion contracted, and their desire for a better and more just and loving world.” - Call to perseverance: “So we keep our hand on the plow, our hearts soft and steady, our eyes on the prize, and we hold on. **Because love always, always, always gets the last word.**” - Closing invitation via [[Matthew 11#28]]: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy laden — to be restored and renewed, to rest and reset” - St. John’s Camp as embodiment: “a place of communion with God, and it is also a place of laughter and joy” - Practical invitations: “Walk the labyrinth, take a hike, sit on the porch, row to the marshal, sit by the fire, breathe and be.” - Closes with refrain: **“Ground yourself in God and the gift of today.”** ##### Illustrations/Stories - ***The Parent Trap*** (1961 original & 1998 remake) — twins meeting at summer camp, discovering who they are to each other; parallels community discovery and belonging at church camp - **Camp Montreux, Iowa** — pastor’s childhood camp experience; “Brooklyn, France” reference (likely a camp location or local place name) - **St. John’s Camp, 75th anniversary** — Stumpy Lane, making memories, storytelling traditions, eating their fill, being in creation - **Martin B. Copenhaver** on birds building nests and migrating — even Jesus’ examples of carefree creatures actually plan; the distinction is between planning and worrying - **Church of the Wild movement** — Bellingham, WA congregation gathering every third Saturday outdoors; Victoria Loorz’s movement promoting nature as spiritual practice - **Squirrels and bears** — squirrels hiding acorns, bears eating before hibernation as models of preparation without anxiety - **“The world’s richest men”** — brief unattributed cultural observation about materialism’s spiritual emptiness - **Camp activities as spiritual practice** — labyrinth walking, hiking, porch sitting, rowing, fire sitting, breathing ##### Scripture Connections - **Matthew 6:25–34** (primary text) — Do not worry about your life; consider the birds and lilies; seek first the kingdom; sufficient unto the day - **Matthew 25:35–36** (referenced) — I was hungry/thirsty/naked — items of worry in ch. 6 = items of judgment in ch. 25; the ethical architecture of the Sermon on the Mount - **Matthew 11:28** (closing reference) — “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” - **Sermon on the Mount** broadly (Matthew 5–7) — described as “integral to our faith and how we practice” - *Not referenced but assigned for today*: - **NL429**: [[John 9#1]]–41 (Man Born Blind — “I am the light of the world”) - **NL Psalm**: [[Psalm 27#1]]–4 (“The LORD is my light and my salvation”) - **RCL**: [[Exodus 24#12]]–18; [[Psalm 2#1]] or [[Psalm 99#1]]; [[2 Peter 1#16]]–21; [[Matthew 17#1]]–9 (Transfiguration) ##### Key Quotes > “Ground yourself in God and the gift of today.” — Rev. Saxton (recurring refrain) > “I think taking this scripture too literally does a disservice to Jesus and to us. I believe it’s a matter of priority — what is worthy of our time and attention and focus.” > “Jesus never said we should not think about the future or make provision for the future. After all, even the birds of the air…build nests and migrate to warmer climates in anticipation of colder weather. What Jesus critiques is not the planning, but the worry.” — paraphrasing Martin B. Copenhaver > “Friends, money cannot buy us love or happiness, not the kind that feeds our spirits and souls.” > “Worship is a move from being self-centered to being God-centered.” > “Creation is our teacher.” > “It’s not a coincidence that the items of longing Jesus points to — food, drink, clothing — are precisely those that will determine our place in the judgment.” > “We are the answer to one another’s prayers. We are the community of care.” > “Jesus invites us to shift our mindset from scarcity into abundance, from fear [to trust].” > “So we keep our hand on the plow, our hearts soft and steady, our eyes on the prize, and we hold on. Because love always, always, always gets the last word.” #### Personal Reflections ##### What spoke to me: ##### Questions raised: - How does the Matthew 6 → Matthew 25 connection reshape my reading of the Sermon on the Mount? If the things we’re told not to worry about are the same things we’re judged on providing — what does that say about the community Jesus envisions? - What would it look like to expand outdoor/nature worship at St. John’s beyond camp? Could Wild Church practices translate to Chambersburg? - The gambling/sports betting concern — is this a growing pastoral issue in our community? What resources exist? - The garbled reference to “Christ theologian Jason” — who is this? Follow up with Rev. Saxton. ##### Challenges/Convictions: - The sermon departed from both the NL and RCL texts entirely. John 9 (Man Born Blind) and the Transfiguration were not engaged. What is lost when the lectionary is set aside for a topical occasion? - “Even the world’s richest men seem distinctly unhappy” — is this a hasty generalization? Does it need evidence, or does it function as prophetic rhetoric? - The consumerism critique stays at the individual level. What about structural/systemic dimensions? ##### Liturgical Context Reflections: How does today’s liturgical season/observance deepen my understanding of the message? *Transfiguration Sunday — the last glimpse of glory before Lent. How does Camp Sunday’s celebration of creation connect to the Transfiguration’s revelation of divine glory? The Transfiguration reveals Christ’s true nature in dazzling light on a mountaintop — an outdoor, creation-immersed theophany. Camp as a place where we see more clearly, where the “veil thins,” connects to the Transfiguration’s invitation to see Jesus as he truly is. Ash Wednesday falls this Wednesday (Feb. 18) — the move from glory to ashes, from mountaintop to wilderness, mirrors the rhythm of camp (mountaintop experience) and return to daily life.* *Note: Tu B’Shevat (15 Shevat / “New Year of the Trees”) actually fell on February 2 this year, not today. Today is 28 Shevat. However, the creation/nature themes of the sermon resonate with Tu B’Shevat’s celebration of trees, ecological stewardship, and the interconnection of human and natural life. The proximity is worth noting even if the dates don’t align exactly.* #### Applications ##### This week I will: - [ ] - [ ] - [ ] ##### People to pray for: - St. John’s Camp community on the 75th anniversary - Those struggling with gambling addiction, particularly sports betting - Victoria Loorz and the Church of the Wild network - Those for whom “don’t worry about food and clothing” feels impossibly far from their reality ##### Follow-up study: - **Martin B. Copenhaver**, *Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered* (Abingdon, 2014) — UCC scholar; former president of Andover Newton Theological School - **Victoria Loorz**, *Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred* (Broadleaf, 2021) — Wild Church Network founder; also *Field Guide to Church of the Wild* (2025, with Valerie Luna Serrels) - **Warren Carter**, *Matthew and the Margins: A Sociopolitical and Religious Reading* — socio-political reading of the Sermon on the Mount in Roman imperial context - **Norman Wirzba**, *Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating* — agrarian theology connecting Jesus’ food teachings to creation care - **Stanley Hauerwas**, *Matthew* (Brazos Theological Commentary) — reads Matt 6 as community formation, not individual advice - Identify “Christ theologian Jason” — ask Rev. Saxton for clarification - [[Psalm 127#1]]–2 — today’s NL companion psalm (“Unless the LORD builds the house…”) connects directly to both the camp theme and the “do not worry” passage; worth studying alongside #### Connections *Links to other sermons, books, or notes* - [[2026-02-01]] — Previous Sunday’s sermon (NL424, Woman at the Well) - [[2026-02-08]] — Previous Sunday’s sermon (NL425, Healing Stories) - Connects to themes in Copenhaver’s *Jesus Is the Question* — if the Monday book study group read this, check for any notes from that study - Church of the Wild — potential connection to eco-theology resources and creation care ministry planning - Matthew 25 “sheep and goats” — revisit in connection with Matthew 6; the ethical architecture across the Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse - Camp Sunday traditions — compare with previous Camp Sunday sermons for thematic development over time - Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday (Feb. 18, NL430 — The Good Shepherd, John 10:1–18) — how does “ground yourself in God” translate into Lenten discipline? ### 📑 Comprehensive Sermon Analysis — February 15, 2026 ### St. John’s United Church of Christ, Chambersburg, PA ----- ### Service Context - **Date:** Sunday, February 15, 2026 - **Liturgical Day (RCL):** Transfiguration Sunday (Year A) - **Liturgical Day (NL):** NL429 — The Man Born Blind / Transfiguration of Our Lord - **Liturgical Color:** White - **Special Emphasis:** Camp Sunday — 75th Anniversary of St. John’s Camp - **Hebrew Date:** 28 Shevat 5786 (Parashat Mishpatim) - **Preaching Text Used:** Matthew 6:25–34 (Sermon on the Mount — Do Not Worry) - **Lectionary Texts Not Used:** - **NL:** John 9:1–41 (Man Born Blind); Psalm 27:1–4 - **RCL:** Exodus 24:12–18; Psalm 2 or 99; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Matthew 17:1–9 **Note on Text Selection:** The preacher departed from both the Narrative Lectionary and Revised Common Lectionary texts in favor of Matthew 6:25–34, selecting a passage thematically suited to the Camp Sunday emphasis on creation care, rest, grounding, and trust in God’s provision. This is a legitimate pastoral decision, though it means the Transfiguration themes and the Johannine “light of the world” motif from NL429 are entirely absent. ----- ## ✅ Comprehensive Sermon Analysis ### 🗒 Sermon Summary - **Central Message:** “Ground yourself in God and the gift of today.” The sermon calls the congregation to shift from anxiety and consumerism to trust in God’s provision, grounded in community, creation, and present-moment faithfulness. The 75th anniversary of St. John’s Camp serves as the primary illustration of a place where this grounding occurs. - **Emphasis:** Both personal transformation (shifting from worry to trust) and communal responsibility (being the answer to one another’s prayers, Matthew 25 connection). The communal dimension is the stronger of the two, particularly in the Matthew 25 linkage and the call to mutual care. - **Liturgical/Thematic Focus:** The sermon connects to Camp Sunday rather than to the assigned lectionary text. Matthew 6:25–34 is thematically appropriate for a creation-centered, camp-themed service. However, the sermon does not engage the Transfiguration, John 9, or Psalm 27 — all of which could have enriched the “light” and “vision” themes in conversation with the camp/nature motif. - **Sermon Title/Refrain:** “Ground Yourself in God and the Gift of Today” — used as a recurring refrain (appears 4 times), functioning as a homiletical anchor. **Score: 3.5/5** — The message is clear and internally coherent, but it is disconnected from the lectionary texts. The camp theme, while pastorally appropriate, limits the theological depth that engagement with John 9 or the Transfiguration could have provided. ----- ### 🎙 Preaching Style Assessment - **Primary Style(s):** - **Topical/Narrative:** The sermon is theme-driven (“Ground yourself in God and the gift of today”) rather than text-driven. Matthew 6:25–34 serves as a launchpad rather than the object of sustained exegesis. - **Conversational/Pastoral:** The tone is warm, accessible, and congregationally aware. The preacher speaks with familiarity about the church community and its shared history. - **Occasional/Celebratory:** The Camp Sunday emphasis gives the sermon a commemorative quality. - **Blend of Styles:** The sermon blends narrative illustration (The Parent Trap, camp memories, Church of the Wild), topical application (worry vs. planning, consumerism critique), and pastoral encouragement. This blend works for the occasion but diffuses the theological focus. - **Appropriateness:** Well-suited for a Camp Sunday celebration in a small-to-mid-size UCC congregation. The style prioritizes accessibility and congregational connection over theological depth. **Score: 3/5** — The style is identifiable and appropriate for the occasion, but the topical approach means the sermon floats between several ideas (camp, worry, consumerism, creation care, mutual aid) without fully developing any of them. ----- ### 🧵 Storytelling and Illustration **Stories/Illustrations Used:** 1. *The Parent Trap* (1998 remake and 1961 original) — Used as an opening hook connecting to summer camp experiences. The connection is loose; the movie is about twins discovering each other, which doesn’t directly illuminate the theological point. The illustration serves as a warm, familiar entry point but doesn’t carry theological freight. 2. **St. John’s Camp — 75 years of memories** — The primary illustration throughout. References to “Stumpy Lane,” making memories, being in nature, and the camp tradition of storytelling. This is the emotional and communal heart of the sermon. 3. **Martin B. Copenhaver, *Jesus Is the Question*** — A scholarly reference used to distinguish between planning (which Jesus affirms, as even birds build nests and migrate) and worrying (which Jesus critiques). This is the sermon’s strongest intellectual move, drawing on a UCC scholar’s work to nuance the passage. 4. **Church of the Wild / Victoria Loorz / Bellingham, WA** — A contemporary ministry illustration connecting nature-based worship to the camp theme. The preacher expresses hope to expand outdoor worship practices at St. John’s in 2026. 5. **“Even the world’s richest men seem distinctly unhappy”** — A brief cultural observation about the spiritual bankruptcy of materialism. Not attributed or developed. 6. **Matthew 25 Connection** — The preacher makes an incisive theological connection: the items of worry in Matthew 6 (food, drink, clothing) are precisely the items of judgment in Matthew 25:35–36. This is the sermon’s most exegetically generative move but is underdeveloped. 7. **“Christ theologian Jason”** — A reference that appears garbled in the transcript. Likely a theologian whose name was partially captured. The associated idea — “We are the answer to one another’s prayers” — is powerful but unattributed clearly. - **Inclusivity:** Stories are primarily drawn from American middle-class experience (summer camp, Hollywood movies). No explicit representation of marginalized voices, global perspectives, or diverse cultural experiences. - **Balance with Scripture:** Stories and illustrations significantly outweigh scriptural engagement. The text is read but not deeply explored. **Score: 3/5** — Illustrations are warm and relationally effective, but they lean heavily on nostalgia and shared congregational memory. The Parent Trap illustration is pleasant but theologically lightweight. The Copenhaver and Matthew 25 connections show real homiletical craft. Greater diversity of voices and deeper integration with scripture would strengthen this dimension. ----- ### 🗣 Intonation and Delivery **Note:** Analysis is based on auto-generated transcript, which limits assessment of vocal dynamics. - The sermon appears to maintain a conversational, pastoral tone throughout. - The recurring refrain (“Ground yourself in God and the gift of today”) provides rhythmic anchoring and invitational pacing. - The transcript suggests moments of warmth and directness (“Friends, money cannot buy us love or happiness”). - The closing appears to trail off or be cut short in the transcript (“Tell me that we always sing best when we…”). **Score: 3/5** — Based on available evidence, delivery appears warm and consistent. The refrain provides good structural rhythm. Unable to fully assess vocal dynamics, pacing variation, or congregational engagement cues from transcript alone. ----- ### 📝 Content Structure - **Introduction:** Scripture reading (Matthew 6:25–34) → Opening prayer → The Parent Trap illustration → Transition to camp theme. - **Body:** - Camp celebration and 75-year history - Jesus’ teaching on worry — what it means and doesn’t mean - Consumerism critique (FOMO, sports betting, materialism) - Copenhaver’s distinction: planning vs. worrying - Worship as movement from self-centered to God-centered - Creation care and Church of the Wild - Nature as teacher (squirrels, bears, lilies, birds) - Matthew 25 connection — mutual care - Sermon on the Mount as framework for faith practice - **Conclusion:** “Keep our hand on the plow” → Matthew 11:28 invitation → Camp as place of communion → Refrain. - **Structural Assessment:** The sermon has a clear opening and closing with the refrain providing cohesion. However, the body moves through too many sub-topics (consumerism, gambling, Church of the Wild, creation care, Matthew 25, Sermon on the Mount’s role) without fully developing any single thread. The transitions between topics feel associative rather than logical, creating a meandering quality. - **Style Alignment:** The topical/occasional style justifies some breadth, but even within that mode, greater focus on 2–3 key moves would strengthen retention. **Score: 3/5** — The refrain provides structural integrity, and the opening/closing are clear. The body, however, attempts too many movements. The sermon would benefit from choosing either the creation/camp thread OR the consumerism/mutual care thread and developing it more fully, rather than touching both lightly. ----- ### 👥 Engagement and Application - **Congregational Engagement:** The sermon addresses the congregation directly (“Friends”), draws on shared camp memories, and invites future participation (outdoor worship in 2026). The Matthew 25 connection frames the congregation as active participants in God’s provision rather than passive recipients. - **Specific Applications Mentioned:** - Expand outdoor/nature worship at St. John’s Camp in 2026 - Disconnect from technology and stress through time in nature - Shift from scarcity/fear mindset to abundance/trust - “Keep our hand on the plow” — persist in faith and justice - Visit/use camp: walk the labyrinth, hike, sit by the fire - **Inclusivity:** Applications are accessible but not explicitly inclusive of differently-abled persons, those without access to nature/camp, or those in economic precarity (for whom “don’t worry about food and clothing” requires careful framing). - **Interactive Elements:** None noted — no reflection prompts, physical participation, or dialogue. **Score: 3/5** — Applications are present and practical, particularly the invitation to expanded outdoor worship. However, they remain relatively general. The “don’t worry” message requires more careful pastoral nuance for those experiencing genuine material scarcity. Interactive elements are absent. ----- ### 📖 Scripture Handling **Scriptures Referenced:** 1. **Matthew 6:25–34** — Primary text, read aloud. Topically engaged but not exegeted. 2. **Matthew 25:35–36** — Referenced thematically (I was hungry/thirsty/naked). Connection to Matthew 6 is the sermon’s strongest exegetical insight. 3. **Matthew 11:28** — Brief closing reference (“Come to me, all who are weary”). 4. **Matthew 6 broadly** — Referenced as part of the Sermon on the Mount. **Depth of Exegesis:** - **Historical/Cultural Context:** Not explored. No discussion of first-century Galilean peasant economics, the agrarian context of Jesus’ audience, the socio-economic realities that make “do not worry” a radical statement rather than a platitude, or the rhetorical function of this passage within the Sermon on the Mount’s larger argument. - **Original Language:** Not engaged. Key terms like μεριμνάω (*merimnaō*, “to be anxious/divided”) and its distinction from legitimate concern or planning could have enriched the Copenhaver point about worry vs. planning. - **Cross-References:** The Matthew 25 connection is genuinely insightful — linking the objects of worry (food, drink, clothing) to the objects of judgment reveals the ethical architecture of the Sermon on the Mount. This deserved more development. No engagement with parallel passages (Luke 12:22–34), Old Testament wisdom traditions (Psalm 127:1–2, which is today’s NL psalm text!), or the Johannine themes available from the assigned lectionary. - **Justice Lens:** The consumerism critique gestures toward systemic analysis but remains at the level of individual moral exhortation (“money cannot buy us love or happiness”). The gambling reference (sports betting, online casinos) touches a genuine social concern. The Matthew 25 connection has justice potential but is not developed structurally. - **Scripture as Foundation vs. Launchpad:** Scripture functions as a launchpad. The passage is read, briefly paraphrased, and then the sermon moves primarily through illustration and topical application. The text is not the sermon’s driving force. **Score: 2.5/5** — The Matthew 25 connection shows genuine homiletical insight, and the Copenhaver reference adds intellectual nuance. However, the absence of historical context, original language engagement, cross-referencing (especially the rich connections available with today’s lectionary texts), and sustained exegetical work limits this dimension significantly. The preacher demonstrates awareness of the text’s meaning but does not model deep engagement with it. ----- ### Logical Reasoning **Strong Reasoning:** - **Copenhaver Distinction (Planning vs. Worry):** This is a well-constructed argument that acknowledges the text’s apparent tension (Jesus seems to say “don’t plan”) and resolves it through careful reading (even the birds plan — they build nests and migrate). This is good inductive reasoning. - **Matthew 6 → Matthew 25 Connection:** The observation that the items of anxiety in Matthew 6 (food, drink, clothing) are the same items of judgment in Matthew 25 is a genuinely strong exegetical and logical insight. It suggests that Jesus’ instruction to “not worry” is not passivity but an invitation to become the provision for one another. This is valid cause-and-effect reasoning. - **Worship as Re-centering:** “Worship is a move from being self-centered to being God-centered” is a concise, well-stated theological claim with sound reasoning. **Potential Fallacies:** 1. **Hasty Generalization / Appeal to Emotion:** - *Quote/Paraphrase:* “Even the world’s richest men seem distinctly unhappy. They’ve acquired the world, and they’ve lost their souls.” - *Identification:* Hasty Generalization with Appeal to Emotion. - *Impact:* While the point about materialism’s spiritual emptiness is valid, the blanket claim about “the world’s richest men” is unsubstantiated and relies on emotional resonance rather than evidence. It also specifically genders the claim (“men”), which may carry implicit cultural commentary but isn’t developed. - *Improvement:* Ground this in a specific example or qualify it: “The pursuit of wealth alone has left many feeling empty” or reference specific research on wealth and well-being. 1. **Mild False Dilemma:** - *Quote/Paraphrase:* “Jesus offers us another way, a way of relationship and community” (implying a binary between consumerism and Jesus’ way). - *Identification:* Mild False Dilemma. - *Impact:* The framing suggests only two options (consumerism or Jesus’ way), when the reality involves a spectrum of engagement with material goods and spiritual practice. This is a common homiletical move and not severely distorting, but it simplifies a complex reality. - *Improvement:* Acknowledge the complexity: “Jesus doesn’t ask us to abandon material needs but to reorder our priorities.” 1. **Appeal to Emotion (Gambling Reference):** - *Quote/Paraphrase:* “I worry about the prevalence of gambling, particularly sports betting, online casinos — we can bet from our pockets and our homes from the convenience of our phones.” - *Identification:* Appeal to Emotion without substantive grounding. - *Impact:* This concern is pastorally valid and socially relevant, but it arrives without connection to the text and functions as an aside rather than a developed argument. It could feel like a personal concern inserted into the sermon. - *Improvement:* Connect more explicitly to the Matthew 6 theme of anxiety and false security, or develop it as a genuine illustration of misplaced trust. 1. **Underdeveloped Analogy:** - *Quote/Paraphrase:* “We can look to their example [squirrels, bears] for what it looks like to prepare, but not worry. They have something to teach us.” - *Identification:* Analogy that works only partially. - *Impact:* Squirrels and bears prepare for winter by instinct, not by choice. The analogy doesn’t fully account for the distinctly human capacity for and temptation toward worry. Jesus’ point about birds is precisely that they *don’t* exhibit human-style anxiety — not that they model planning without worry. - *Improvement:* Lean into the distinction: “The animals don’t worry because they can’t. We don’t have to worry because we trust the One who cares for them and for us.” **Score: 3/5** — The Copenhaver distinction and Matthew 6–25 connection demonstrate solid reasoning. The fallacies present are relatively minor and common in homiletical discourse, but they weaken the sermon’s intellectual rigor. No major logical errors, but several underdeveloped arguments. ----- ### 📚 References **Scholarly/Literary References:** 1. **Martin B. Copenhaver** — *Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered* (Abingdon Press, 2014). UCC scholar and former president of Andover Newton Theological School. Appropriately cited and well-integrated. 2. **Victoria Loorz / Church of the Wild movement** — Referenced as a contemporary ministry model. Loorz is author of *Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred* (Broadleaf Books, 2021). Not cited by name in the transcript but the movement is accurately described. 3. **“Christ theologian Jason”** — Unclear in transcript. Possible reference to a theologian connecting Matthew 6 and Matthew 25. **Assessment:** - The Copenhaver reference is strong — a UCC voice engaging the Gospels with intellectual depth. - No marginalized voices are explicitly cited (no Black, feminist, womanist, LGBTQIA+, disability, or global majority theologians). - No historical or patristic references. - No engagement with liberation theology, eco-theology (beyond the Church of the Wild mention), or contextual theologies that could deepen the creation care and justice themes. **Score: 2/5** — The Copenhaver reference is well-chosen and contextually appropriate. However, the reference base is thin — only one clear scholarly citation for a sermon that touches on consumerism, creation theology, mutual care, and the Sermon on the Mount. These themes have rich scholarly traditions that go untapped. Diverse theological voices are notably absent. ----- ### 🗨 Quotes and Illustrative Stories **Notable Quotes/Lines:** - “Ground yourself in God and the gift of today.” — Effective refrain. - “Worship is a move from being self-centered to being God-centered.” — Concise and theologically sound. - “Jesus never said we should not think about the future or make provision for the future” (attributed to Copenhaver). — Important nuance. - “We are the answer to one another’s prayers.” — Powerful communal ethic. - “Love always, always, always gets the last word.” — Emotionally resonant closing. - “Keep our hand on the plow, our hearts soft and steady, our eyes on the prize, and we hold on.” — Civil rights movement language (deliberate or unconscious echo of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize”). **Assessment:** The sermon’s quotable moments are its strongest asset. The refrain is memorable and actionable. The Copenhaver quote adds intellectual depth. The civil rights echo in the closing is powerful, though it arrives without explicit attribution or development. **Score: 3.5/5** — Several memorable lines that effectively communicate the sermon’s core message. The refrain is well-crafted and repeated effectively. The civil rights language is evocative but could be more intentionally grounded. ----- ### 🔄 Calls to Action **Explicit Calls:** 1. Shift mindset from scarcity to abundance, from fear to trust. 2. Expand outdoor/nature worship at St. John’s Camp and in local parks in 2026. 3. Visit camp: walk the labyrinth, hike, sit by the fire, breathe and be. 4. “Keep our hand on the plow” — persist in faith, justice, and compassion. 5. “Come to me, all who are weary” (Matthew 11:28) — invitation to rest and renewal. **Assessment:** - Calls range from personal (rest, trust) to communal (expanded outdoor worship, mutual care). - No systemic or structural calls to action (e.g., addressing gambling addiction resources, challenging consumerist systems, environmental advocacy). - Calls are presented primarily verbally — no visual, experiential, or multi-modal elements. - The camping/nature calls are concrete and specific; the spiritual calls are more abstract. **Score: 3/5** — Calls to action are present and pastorally appropriate, with the outdoor worship expansion being the most specific and actionable. Would benefit from at least one concrete communal or justice-oriented action step. ----- ### 🧠 Style Effectiveness Analysis **Did the chosen style effectively communicate the text’s intent?** The topical/narrative style effectively communicated the *camp celebration* purpose but underserved the *text’s* intent. Matthew 6:25–34, situated within the Sermon on the Mount, carries significant ethical, economic, and eschatological weight that the sermon touches lightly. The text’s radical economic vision (a community where no one worries because everyone shares) is implied but not developed. **How would the message shift if delivered as:** |Style |Potential Impact | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |**Fully Expository** |Would ground the congregation in the Sermon on the Mount’s literary context (Matt 5–7), explore *merimnaō*, develop the agrarian economic background, and let the text drive the application. Less warm, more intellectually demanding. | |**Prophetic** |Would center the consumerism and gambling critiques, develop the Matthew 25 connection as a justice mandate, challenge the congregation on creation care, economic equity, and mutual provision. More uncomfortable, more transformative.| |**Inductive/Contemplative**|Would begin with the experience of worry (universal human experience), sit in the tension of “how can Jesus say don’t worry?”, and gradually unfold the text’s invitation to trust. More personally engaging, slower build. | |**Narrative First-Person** |Could inhabit the perspective of a Galilean peasant hearing this teaching, or a bird/lily observing human anxiety. Creative, memorable, and potentially deeply moving. | **Learning Styles Served:** - **Auditory:** Well-served through storytelling and repetitive refrain. - **Visual:** Underserved — no visual aids, imagery projected, or visual metaphors beyond verbal description. - **Kinesthetic:** Underserved — no physical participation (a camp-themed service could include nature objects, tactile elements, or movement). - **Interpersonal:** Partially served through communal language (“we,” “together”) but no actual interaction. - **Intrapersonal:** Partially served through the refrain as meditative anchor. **Recommended Style Blend for This Congregation:** A narrative-inductive approach that begins with the camp experience (sensory, embodied, creation-immersed), moves to the tension of worry in daily life, and then unfolds Matthew 6 as Jesus’ invitation to live the way we feel at camp — grounded, present, trusting, and cared for by creation and community. This would honor the occasion while deepening scriptural engagement. **Score: 3/5** — The style serves the occasion adequately but doesn’t fully realize the text’s potential or the congregation’s capacity for deeper engagement. A more intentional integration of the camp experience as a hermeneutical lens for the text would elevate both the celebration and the theology. ----- ## 📊 Side-by-Side Comparison: This Sermon vs. Fully Exegetical Version ### 🎙 Preaching Style |Aspect |This Sermon (Topical/Narrative) |Fully Exegetical Version | |-------------------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |**Primary Style** |Topical/narrative with pastoral warmth |Verse-by-verse exegesis with historical-critical depth | |**Stories** |The Parent Trap, camp memories, Church of the Wild|Minimal outside stories; first-century Galilean context drives illustration | |**Scripture Depth**|Text as thematic launchpad |Explores rhetorical structure of Matt 5–7, *merimnaō* word study, agrarian economics| |**Application** |Personal trust, camp participation, community |Begins with original economic context, moves to communal/systemic application | ### 📖 Scripture Handling |Aspect |This Sermon |Fully Exegetical Version | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |**Historical Context** |Not explored |First-century peasant economics; subsistence farming context; day-laborer reality | |**Word Study** |Not engaged |Greek *merimnaō* (to be divided/anxious) vs. *phrontízō* (legitimate concern/planning) | |**Justice Lens** |Individual morality (consumerism, gambling)|Systemic: Jesus envisions community of mutual provision; Matthew 25 as structural ethic | |**Cross-References** |Matthew 25 (brief), Matthew 11:28 (closing)|Luke 12:22–34 (parallel); Psalm 127:1–2 (NL text); Deuteronomy 8 (manna); Philippians 4:6–7| |**Lectionary Integration**|None (departed from NL and RCL) |Would integrate John 9 “light” theme with Matthew 6 “vision” theme (seek first the kingdom)| ### 🔍 Logical Reasoning |Aspect |This Sermon |Fully Exegetical Version | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |**Strengths** |Copenhaver distinction; Matt 6–25 connection |Sustained deductive reasoning from text; historical grounding eliminates speculation| |**Weaknesses**|Hasty generalization (rich men), underdeveloped analogies|Risk of being overly academic; requires careful pastoral application | |**Balance** |Emotion and illustration carry the argument |Scripture carries the argument; emotion flows from the text itself | ----- ## 📊 Scoring Summary |Category |Score|Max| |-----------------------------|-----|---| |Sermon Summary |3.5 |5 | |Preaching Style |3 |5 | |Storytelling & Illustration |3 |5 | |Intonation & Delivery |3 |5 | |Content Structure |3 |5 | |Engagement & Application |3 |5 | |Scripture Handling |2.5 |5 | |Logical Reasoning |3 |5 | |References |2 |5 | |Quotes & Illustrative Stories|3.5 |5 | |Calls to Action |3 |5 | |Style Effectiveness |3 |5 | **Total: 35.5 / 60 (59.2%)** ----- ## Overall Assessment This is a **warm, pastorally sensitive, occasion-appropriate sermon** that effectively celebrates St. John’s Camp’s 75th anniversary while inviting the congregation toward trust in God and present-moment faithfulness. The refrain (“Ground yourself in God and the gift of today”) is well-crafted and memorable. The Copenhaver reference and the Matthew 6–25 connection demonstrate genuine homiletical insight. **Primary Strengths:** - Memorable, repeatable refrain that functions as both theological claim and practical invitation - The Matthew 6 → Matthew 25 connection (items of worry = items of judgment) is an exegetical gem that deserved more development - Copenhaver’s planning vs. worry distinction adds intellectual nuance - Appropriate pastoral tone for a celebratory occasion - Church of the Wild reference expands the congregation’s imagination for worship practice **Primary Growth Areas:** - **Scripture engagement** is the most significant area for development. The text is read but not exegeted. Historical context, original language, and cross-references would deepen every point the sermon makes. - **Lectionary disconnection** is a notable concern. Departing from both the NL and RCL without engaging either set of texts means missing rich theological connections — particularly John 9’s “light of the world” theme, which pairs naturally with creation care and spiritual vision. - **Diverse theological voices** are absent. A sermon touching consumerism, creation care, mutual aid, and the Sermon on the Mount could draw on womanist theology (Emilie Townes on flourishing), eco-theology (Norman Wirzba on food and farming), liberation theology (Gustavo Gutiérrez on poverty and the kingdom), or disability theology (which would nuance the “vision” metaphors). - **Structural focus** — The sermon attempts too many sub-topics. Choosing 2–3 moves and developing them deeply would increase both retention and theological impact. - **Application specificity** — The calls to action would benefit from at least one concrete, justice-oriented step (e.g., supporting camp scholarships, environmental advocacy, addressing gambling addiction resources in the community). **Homiletical Classification:** Accessible pastoral preaching with narrative warmth and occasional theological insight. Functions at a **congregational/devotional level** — effective for encouragement and celebration, less effective for theological formation or prophetic challenge. **Comparison to Previous Sermons Analyzed:** This sermon scores in the moderate range. The refrain and Matt 6–25 connection show real craft; the scripture handling and reference diversity are areas that consistently benefit from deeper engagement in this preaching context. ----- ## Suggestions for Further Study The following resources could enrich future engagement with Matthew 6:25–34 and the themes raised: - **Norman Wirzba**, *Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating* — Connects Jesus’ food teachings to agrarian theology and creation care - **Emilie M. Townes**, *Womanist Ethics and the Cultural Production of Evil* — Challenges individualized readings of anxiety by examining structural sin - **Gustavo Gutiérrez**, *A Theology of Liberation* — Reads “seek first the kingdom” as a call to structural justice - **Victoria Loorz**, *Church of the Wild* — Deepens the creation-worship connection the sermon gestures toward - **Warren Carter**, *Matthew and the Margins* — Socio-political reading of the Sermon on the Mount in imperial context - **Stanley Hauerwas**, *Matthew* (Brazos Theological Commentary) — Reads Matt 6 as community formation text, not individual advice - **Psalm 127:1–2** (today’s NL companion text) — “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” connects beautifully to both camp and the “do not worry” theme --- ## Response ### *Congregational Song (insert) "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir" — Bill Staines _See bulletin insert for full lyrics and music_ **Chorus**: All God's creatures got a place in the choir, some sing low and some sing higher, some sing out loud on the telephone wire, and some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now. _Verses describe the bass (bullfrog, hippopotamus, old cow), the middle (dogs, cats, honeybee, cricket, donkey, pony, old grey badger), the top (little bird, hoot owl, blackbird), and the living song everywhere (ox, fox, grizzly bear, alligator, hawk, weasel, turtledove)._ ### 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" ### *Prayer of Dedication _written by Joanna Harader_ **God, whose giving knows no ending, we offer up the treasure that you have entrusted to us; we offer up the skills and time that you have graciously given to us; we offer up ourselves in service and praise. Receive these gifts by your grace. Multiply and use them through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish Christ's work of love in the world. Amen.** ### *Congregational Song (insert) "Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness" — NCH #286 — James K. Manley, 1978 _See bulletin insert / NCH #286 for full lyrics and music_ **Refrain**: Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free. Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind on the sea. **Verse 1**: You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep... **Verse 2**: You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand, and you goaded your people with a law and a land... **Verse 3**: You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still... **Verse 4**: You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes, from the bondage of sorrow our women see visions, our people dream dreams... _Tune: SPIRIT Irr. — James K. Manley, 1978 — Arr. The New Century Hymnal, 1993_ ### *Commission & Benediction _posted on Third Space blog (adapted)_ ### Postlude _Join us for a time of fellowship after worship!_ --- ## Leadership ### Birthdays This Week 02/19: Casimir Rzomp, Cynthia St. Clair, and Marvin Zeger ### Worship Participants |Role|Name| |---|---| |Pastor|Rev. Caroline E. Saxton| |Pianist|Barbara Motichka| |Music Director|Gary Crum| |Deacon in Charge|Mike Blumberg| |Lector|Erin Hartman| |Children's Corner|Melinda and Scot Orndorff| |Media Coordinators|Calvin Frantz and Neath Ham| |Bulletin Cover|Edd Scheer| The Flowers at the Foot of the Cross are given to the Glory of God. ### Worship Resources - Call to Worship: "Gathering in Hope" posted on The Minor Keys blog - Prayer of Confession: written by John Birch, posted on his Faith and Worship website - Responsive Litany: "Liturgy of Creation" posted on the Third Space blog - Prayer of Dedication: written by Joanna Harader, posted on the Spacious Faith blog - Commission & Benediction: posted on the Third Space blog (adapted) --- ## 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 --- ## News & Announcements ### This Week at St. John's #### Today — Camp Sunday (February 15) - 11:15 am — Travel Talk with Pastor Caroline on her trip to Europe — Room 116 - Bible Study on the Book of Esther, Chapter 1 — 8 pm, Zoom (link in Friday e-blast) #### Monday, February 16 — Presidents Day **Church Office Closed** - All Day — Pork & Sauerkraut Prep Meal — Kitchen - 10:00 am — Chi Gong/Zazen silent body energy and soulful meditation — Parlor Room 104 - 1:30 pm — Monday Afternoon Book Study — **No book study will resume on 03/02 – Chapter 3** - 6:30 pm — Bible & Beer — Trojan Diner - 7:00 pm — Boy Scouts — Fellowship Hall #### Tuesday, February 17 - 5:30 pm — Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner — Fellowship Hall - 5:30 pm — Yoga — **No yoga will resume on 02/24** - 6:00 pm — Ladies' Bible Study — Zoom #### Wednesday, February 18 - 6:30 pm — Ash Wednesday Worship — Sanctuary #### Thursday, February 19 - 6:00 pm — Bell Choir Practice — Bell Room 117 - 7:15 pm — Choir Rehearsal — Choir Room 103 #### Sunday, February 22 - 8:45 am — Godly Play Class — Room 119 - 8:45 am — SPARK! Elementary Church School Class — Room 115 - 8:45 am — Teen Discussion Class — Room 206 - 8:45 am — Upper Room Church School Class — Conference Room 111 - 8:45 am — Wired Word Church School Class — Room 116 - 10:00 am — Sunday Worship — Sanctuary - No Bible Study with Pastor Caroline — **will resume on 3/1 – Chapter 2** ### Special Announcements #### Ash Wednesday Worship Ash Wednesday Worship will be held Wednesday, February 18, 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. We will share in communion and the imposition of ashes. #### Sponsor-a-Camper A special collection for our "Sponsor-a-Camper" program will be held as part of the Camp Sunday worship service on February 15. These funds help make it possible for all children to experience the joy, wonder, and beauty of St. John's Camp. Check out the Camp page on our website for more information about our treasure in the woods! #### Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner Our annual Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner will be Tuesday, February 17, 5–7 pm, with both dine-in and carry-out options. $15/adults, $5 kids (6 to 12), kids under 6 eat free. If you would like to help, please contact Harold/Susan Collier (youth volunteers should reach out to Roxanne Davenport). Come and get ready for the season of Lent! #### 2025-Year End Giving Statements 2025-year End Giving Statements are now available by request. Please call the church office if you would like to receive yours and indicate if you would prefer this to be mailed or emailed. #### Monday Afternoon Book Study We will read chapter 3 of Norman Wirzba's book "Love's Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis" for our discussion on Monday, March 2nd, 1:30 pm in Conference Room 111. Come and join the conversation! #### Winter Weather Policy If worship is canceled due to winter weather, a special e-blast will be sent out. M–F activities follow the CASD school district. Safety first! #### Bible and a Beer Bible and a Beer is 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 February 16th. #### Little Free Pantry Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the church office or placed in the grocery cart in the back lobby. Thank you for your support of this project! #### January/February Upper Room Devotionals January/February 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. #### Upper Room Church School Class Upper Room Church School Class meets on Sundays at 8:45 am in Conference Room 111. For more information, please contact Harold Collier or Connie Strunk. #### "Sunday Morning Caffeine" An additional church school class will be offered this spring. All three adult classes will meet together on Sunday, March 1, 8:45–9:45 am in Fellowship Hall for a continental breakfast and discussion on "when Jesus erases the lines we draw." Subsequent classes will meet in the Parlor (Room 104) on Sunday mornings at 8:45 am. Questions? Please contact Pastor Caroline, Harold Collier, or Mark Shoap. #### February First Fruits February First Fruits will support organizations designated as part of the Lenten Projects. This year's recipients are African Mission Healthcare, the Peru School Project, and the United Church of Christ Disaster Emergency Fund. Via these offerings, we will support medical care in Africa, education in Peru, and support in situations where individuals have suffered great loss in multiple locations via flooding, fire, earthquake, etc. --- ## Staff & Contact Information - **Pastor**: The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton — [email protected] — (641) 260-1868 (cell) - **Office Administrator**: Tonya Schwartz — [email protected] — (717) 263-8593 (office) - **Music Director**: Gary Crum - **Organist**: Barbara Motichka - **Director of Children & Youth**: Roxanne Davenport - **Pastor Emeritus**: The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman --- ## Nursery & Children 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. ---