E-Vine January 22, 2015

This Week’s Memory Verse

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

This Sunday:   Today we continue our worship series “Pursuing the Good Life.”  We will look at the words and ways of Jesus about what we value and how we spend it.  We will look at our lives in terms of how we are investing and how we are spending the “capital” or “resources” that we have.   What resources are we talking about?  We’ll look at our spiritual, relational, physical, intellectual and financial resources.  Are we keeping these in the proper priority?  Are we spending these resources, this capital, in a way that leads to the “good life”?

As a companion to this series, we encourage you to read the book “Oikonomics” by Mike Breen and Ben Sternkee.  Copies are available in the church entryway for $10.  It can also be purchased here as an e-book (Kindle) for $5.99. 

• Deuteronomy 8:1-20
• 1 Peter 4:8-11
• Matthew 25:14-31                       

Mission India:  Please keep our Mission India Literacy trainer in your prayers.  As announced in church last Sunday, we have met the goal for financially supporting our trainer for this year.  But we are still collecting support for Mission India which will go toward supporting other literacy trainers.  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 the display in the church entryway. 

Communion Learning Event:  Instruction for preparing to receive Holy Communion for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders with their parents will be held on three Monday evenings, March 2, 9, and 16, 2015 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  A letter and registration form was sent out to those in the 6^th – 8^th grades who have not yet participated in this learning event.  If you did not receive this letter, please contact Pastor Mark so that one can be sent to you.  First Communion will be on Maundy Thursday, April 2^nd in the 7:00 PM service.

Financial Peace University:  We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!  Each of the 9 weekly classes is about one hour and forty-five minutes long.  The next session will be held at St. John’s on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM from March 5 to May 7 (no class on April 2).  Materials are $93 (plus $9.30 shipping) per household.  Register and order materials for the class online at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classfinder

St. John’s is on Twitter  Follow St. John’s on Twitter:  @sjlcnapa. https://twitter.com/sjlcnapa

Are you on Facebook?  So are we!  https://www.facebook.com/sjlcnapa

Ladies’ Tea:  Please join us for our 6^th annual tea on March 7^th at 11:00 AM in the Parish Hall.  Our guest speaker will be Tom Pickford.  His topic will be the “ABC’s and XYZ’s of Orchids.”  Bring a friend and a plate of finger food for the lunch buffet table.  For more info, contact Lois Johnson and Larraine Ewing.  Please see attached poster.

New Narthex Display:   Are you tuned in to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod? Check the display for current publications available from our Synod, some historic books on our history, and a few current books that are a “must read”.

United: A Family and Community Based Ministry:  Bring your families and join us at United: A Family and Community Based Ministry, on the first and second Saturdays of each month, at 5:07 PM (sharp!) in the gym.  Come early for free prizes!  Basketball, relay games, food, fellowship and much more!  Contact Mel and Jon Heinemann with any questions at heinemannmj@gmail.com.  Hope to see you there!!!!

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 each morning.