E-Vine August 25, 2016

This Week’s Memory Verse

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~1 Peter 2:5

As We Gather

What does grace look like?  Does it have a shape?  Can we see it?  Grace is undeserved love and favor.  Grace is gift.  Grace is the unconditional gift of love, impossible and unnecessary to earn, that is displayed in God’s giving of Himself in Jesus Christ on the cross and in the empty tomb.  We are children of God by grace. We are forgiven by grace.  We have been given the kingdom by grace.  We look forward to the resurrection by grace.  Everything by grace.

But what does it look like today?  How do we display grace for the world?  How does the grace poured into our hearts flow through us into our lives in a concrete visible way?    Generosity. Our God is generous.  Our God is gracious.  These are really the same thing.  God gives his undeserved love because he is generous.   God is generous because He gives undeserved love. So when we live generously – freely giving of our time, our talents, and our possessions – we make grace visible.  The grace that has been given to us flows through us and we start acting like Jesus, and even looking like Jesus, giving as we have been given.

• Old TestamentGenesis 1:27-31
• Psalm Psalm 67
• New Testament 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
• Holy Gospel Matthew 6:25-34

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through August 7, $47,183 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $138,817 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Wednesday Morning Bible Class… This class, led by Pastor Mark, will begin again on Wednesday, September 7^th.  This year we will be studying the book of Romans.  This is a detailed study as we work our way through this book verse by verse.  All who are available on Wednesday mornings are welcome to join us.  Class meets most Wednesday mornings in Room 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM.

• Children’s Church Teacher Gathering:  If you are one of our treasured Children’s Church teachers we request the honor of your presence at our gathering on Friday, August 26th from 5:30-7:00pm. Sarah Santora’s address is: 3316 Greystone Court Napa.  We will have some appetizers and wine and non-alcoholic drinks as well. Pastor Mike will be joining us and sharing some information with us regarding our “Statement of Faith”.  Please RSVP to Janis if you haven’t already! Looking forward to seeing all of you! Thank you so much!

• Choir Potluck…There will be a “Welcome Back Brunch” on Sunday, August 28^th following the early service at the Klein’s. Their address is 2516 Grove Avenue, Napa.  Current members, all those interested in joining, and family members are welcome! Hope to see you there!

• Choir Rehearsal…Summer is ending, which means choir rehearsal begins! Our first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, August 31, at 6:30 PM in Room 5.  It will be a clinic with special guests, Paul Weber & Florence Jowers from Lenoir-Rhyne University in NC!  We will be focusing on our music for the year as well as developing our sound as a group.  All rehearsals following will be on Wednesdays at 7PM. We hope you join us!

• New Bible Study…  Ladies, are you interested in an inductive Bible study on the book of Luke?  This method of study begins with observing, then interpreting and applying the discovered truths of Scripture.  The study will begin early to mid-September and will be held on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 – 11 AM or evenings from 7-8:30 PM.  There also is a coed meeting on Sunday evenings from 5:30 – 7 PM.  Call Steve or Pam Backe at 501-8245 for more information or to sign up.

• 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!

• We are looking for Volunteers to help with Children’s Church:   You do not have to have children in the program to volunteer! Do you like to share the word of God with children, but not quite sure how to do it? The lessons are all laid out for you and you would only be teaching once a month. This position would begin in September. We have openings in two different age groups: Preschool-1st Grade and 2nd-4th Grade.  Please consider if God is nudging you to serve in this way and helping to grow our youngest disciples! You may contact Janis King for more information! Thank you and God bless!

• 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.

• Children’s Church Teachers: “David Defeats Goliath” Teachers: Kristi Carey, Jim & Irene McClenahan

• 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.

• 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 devotion in your email.