This Week’s Memory Verse
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. ~Isaiah 53:5
As We Gather
“Behold the man!” was Pontius Pilate’s short, yet most profound, sermon. Our goal this Lent is to do just that, behold Jesus, God in human flesh, Jesus. Each time together, we are meditating on and proclaiming His real, bodily suffering and death as well as His physical resurrection. He knew all that real bodies experience; He suffered, wept, bled, ate, and hoped.
Fig leaves sewn together to make clothes could not cover their sin. So after doling out the consequences of their sins, God proceeded to cover their sin and shame with clothing wrought from the skin of an animal. But animals don’t doff their skins willingly or easily. An animal stripped of its skin, exposed to a nakedness deeper than mere skin, is not long for this world.
In the same way, the Lamb of God, the enfleshed God, was first mockingly clothed at the hands of men intent on abusing and shaming Him. They first pressed a crown of thorns into His head and draped a purple garment around Him, intending to mock His claim to be the King. Then, when they took Him to crucify Him, they stripped Him naked and hung Him shamefully on the cross, exposed and soon to die. But He has no shame because He has no sin. He has no shame because He has no self-care, no thoughts of self-preservation. His nakedness is for mankind who, even while clothed, are covered in shame. He was clothed in our nakedness and shame, our sin and guilt, so that He might clothe us with the robe of His own righteousness.
First Reading Genesis 3:7-21
Epistle Galatians 3:23-29
Gospel John 19:1–5, 23–24
Children’s Church Teachers: Joy Dahl, Lindsey Engelbracht, Kristi Carey, Danielle Irwin
Wednesday Lent Soup Supper at 6:00 pm in the parish hall. All are invited!
PLEASE NOTE: We have volunteers for all the soup suppers except March 27th. Maybe a couple of families can join together and be our hosts. If there is no group willing to cover it, then we will have to skip the supper that evening.
Wednesday Lent Service – “Do Not Worry:” We continue our focus on the Sermon on the Mount. So much of our lives, even in Lent, is spent worrying about what might happen or what has happened. Christ teaches us to stop being anxious, but simply to trust that He knows what is best and will take care of us to the very end.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31ST!!!
ATTENTION ALL CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS!!
The congregation will now accept applications for student grants for the 2019-2020 academic year. All members of St. John’s, who plan to attend any of our ten synodical universities or our two seminaries, are eligible to apply. All you have to do is send a brief note to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, ATTN: Tim Kramer, or an e-mail to
tkramer@stjohnslutheran.net, announcing your intent to enroll in the 2019-2020 academic year. All applications must include the following information:
- Your Name
- School Name
- Student ID or Account # (if returning student)
- Degree you are pursuing
- Year and Level of study (e.g. Junior year, Undergrad; 5th year, teacher certification, or student teaching; Graduate studies)
- Attending Fall Term or Spring Term (or both)
- Briefly explain why you’re attending Concordia and how you plan to use your studies/future vocation to shine the light of Christ and to witness for Jesus as His kingdom representative in the world.
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2019. Actual grant amount to each student is undetermined but will be based, in part, upon the number of students requesting assistance. So, if you are considering attending a synodical university–even if you have not made a final decision–please send a brief note informing us of where you are in your decision process so that we can plan accordingly.
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SJLS Dine and Donate… Mary’s Pizza Shack will be hosting a Dine and Donate this Monday, March 25th. 15% will be donated back to the school’s Choraliers Disneyland Performance. Flyers are available in the church and school offices and on the school website www.stjohnsnapa.org
Easter Flowers… If you wish to donate toward our Easter flowers, please use the envelope provided in the back flap of the sanctuary chairs.
New Church Directory…The 2019 Church Directory is available in the Narthex.
When We Need God’s Love Most…When do we need God’s love most? Of course we need that love every second of our lives. But at times God’s love is especially precious to us, times when: we lose a loved one; life becomes so confusing that we do not know where to turn; we are dealing with a chronic illness; or life just becomes meaningless and depression sets in. At times like these, it is very important to have someone who cares. Our congregation has trained seven lay people, Stephen Ministers who offer a ministry of Christian caring for those in need. To request the ministry of a Stephen Minister, contact Penni Cremen pcremen@msn.com or Pastor Mark pastormark@stjohnslutheran.net
Vacation Bible School… “Escape to Athens” with Paul! Learn the jaw-dropping story of the Apostle Paul, who will inspire kids to share the truth of God’s immeasurable love! June 17-21, 9am-12pm. We need a lot of volunteers to make VBS happen; please contact Janis King if you are interested in helping out.
Youth News
CREW 34 will meet on April 25th from 6-7:30pm at SJL. This is our 3rd and 4th grade youth group. Come learn more about God’s special CREW and have fun with us!
CLUB 56 & ABLAZE SPRING KICK-OFF! April 9th from 6-7:30pm we will have an event full of fun! Come on out and hang out with all of us! This is an event you don’t want to miss out on!
CLUB 56 will meet on April 16th from 6-7:30pm at SJL. Come see what the CLUB is all about!
ABLAZE will meet on April 23rd from 6-7:30pm at SJL. Come out and hang with us as we learn more about our Savior!
ABIDE meets every Thursday night from 7-9pm at the Hoff’s house! We will not meet over Spring break (April 18th). We have great food and fellowship as we grow deeper with Christ. Come join us!
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS! We are heading on a rafting trip July 9-13th! Contact Kevin Mathison if you are interested in going.
Use of Bathrooms: When adults are on the church and school grounds during the school day (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), please only use the adult bathrooms located in the school library or church offices. Thank you!
Scrip: Everyone is invited and encouraged to use SCRIP!! What is Scrip? Scrip are gift cards that the school purchases at discounts and sales to you at face value. The profit goes to APT to help our students. Scrip may be purchased in the school office during normal school hours.
Attention Costco/Trader Joes Shoppers? We carry Visa cards in $50’s and $100’s. Costco only takes Visa cards, cash or checks. Stop by the school office before you head off to Costco or Trader Joes and purchase your Visa cards. While you are here check out everything that is available to you
- Returning Vendor~ Chevron
- Remember Scrip for your Thanksgiving Shopping
- Grocery Stores: Whole Foods, Safeway, Lucky, Target, Wal-Mart
- Best Percentage: Tarla Bar & Grill 20%, Hop Creek 20%, Filippi’s 15%, Food Shed 10%, Land’s End 16%, Chipotle 10%, Bath & Body Works 13%,
- Scrip gift cards are perfect for following a household budget
- You can pay your Kohl’s bill with Kohl’s Scrip 4%
- Families can shop both in-store or online with participating retailers
- Scrip gift cards are just like using a credit/debit card, but without the fraud risk
- Scrip gift cards are perfect for holiday gift giving and shopping
Attention all AMAZON Users! Please consider using “Amazon Smile” when you place your orders, designating St. John’s Lutheran Church fund. (There is no additional cost to you!) Just click on the link below and place your order. It is that simple! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-6001864
St. John’s Facilities Online Calendar: Looking for a room for a meeting or event? You can view this calendar online. Go to https://teamup.com/ks059311afd6a21c57 If you would like to book a room/location on campus for an event/meeting, please contact Christy Kramer at the church office to be added to the calendar. Please note: You may only use the facility if you have pre-reserved your requested room/location with Christy Kramer
Mission India: Please keep this year’s Mission India Literacy trainers in your prayers. To support this ministry financially, please make out your check to St. John’s. You can use the designated offering envelopes or write on your check that it is for Mission India. For more information about our partnership with Mission India and the opportunity to change lives and draw them to Christ, see www.missionindia.org.
Aaron’s Blog: “Aaron returns to Las Vegas” Please click on this link http://napavalleycomfortdogs.org/2018/10/02/las-vegas-recovery/ to read about Team Aaron’s return to Las Vegas for the 1 year anniversary of the mass shooting.
Aaron Comfort Dog… New team members are always welcome! Come join us and observe how this amazing ministry works. Please contact Tim or Christy Kramer if you would like to “shadow” during one of our events!
Aaron Comfort Dog Contact Info: If you would like to request a visit from Aaron, please contact Tim or Christy Kramer @ 255-0119. For an update on his activities, please check out his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages at AaronComfortDog.
Ministry Opportunity: St. John’s participates in The Table ministry (based at First Presbyterian Church, 1333 Third St. in Napa) by cooking/serving a meal every month on the 2nd Friday. If you would like to help, please sign up for a shift (or multiple shifts) by clicking on the link here. We thank you for your service. Your time and your talents are greatly appreciated. Blessings, The Table Team
Recycle your Household Batteries at SJL: St. John’s Lutheran is working with Napa Recycling on collecting and disposing of any household batteries you may have; AAA, AA, C, D & 9 volt batteries. We will not accept automotive or drill batteries, only standard household batteries. Containers are available in the school office, church office, and Room 10.
Campus Security: Please remember to check that doors are properly closed and locked as you leave the room you are using. Thanks for helping us take care of our campus.
Abide Daily Devotion… How do I let Scripture guide my prayer life? How can I let Jesus direct what I pray for each day? The Abide Devotion, written by Pastor Mike, is a daily devotion designed to address these concerns. You can click here for more information and to subscribe to receive the devotions in your email each morning.
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