E-Vine June 19, 2015

This Week’s Memory Verse

“And the LORD said, ‘I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence.  I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’” ~Exodus 33:19

This Sunday:  Last fall we journeyed through the book of Exodus, walking with the people of God as they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.   This summer we will pick up the story of God’s deliverance of His people and continue their trek through the wilderness – both physical and spiritual – as He leads them at last across the Jordan to the promised land.

Today we focus on the atonement that we have in Jesus Christ through the cross.  This atonement is pictured and prefigured in the tabernacle and the sacrifices that made up the worship life of the Israelites.  Christ has made atonement for us, ending our estrangement.  He invites us into the Holy of Holies that we might be in His presence forever.

• Leviticus 16:1-34
• Matthew 26:26-30

• Children’s Church:  We have openings for children’s church leaders for both the preschool – 1^st grade children’s church, and the 2^nd through 4^th Grade class.  Are you interested in learning more about serving in this way.  Please contact Pastor Mike.
• 2015 Church Directories are available for pick-up in the Narthex and the Church Office.
• Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity – Costa Rica Mission Trip – June 13 – 21, 2015

Participants:  Bill and Susan Clark, Haley Cremen, Sam Hoff, Megan Perna, Sal Pagano, Melissa Newton, Pastor Mark.

Habitat Costa Rica:  Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica is changing lives and communities throughout the country.  There are currently over 200,000 families in Costa Rica who live in substandard housing: in shacks with dirt or decrepit floors, with inadequate or unsafe weather protection, and with poor sanitation facilities.  Today, over 1500 Costa Rican families have been helped through Habitat of Humanity Costa Rica’s new home projects as well as the home repair and improvement program in the last 17 years.

Trip Cost:  Each participant has covered their in-country cost for the trip.  We hope to cover the cost for airfare ($6,765) through support donations and available Mission Trip funds.  Please prayerfully consider financially supporting this trip.  Donations should be made out to St. John’s Lutheran Church – designated: “Costa Rica Mission Trip”.

• Aaron Comfort Dog Visits:  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 page at AaronComfortDog 

• Mission India:  Please keep our Mission India Literacy trainer in your prayers.  As announced in church, 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.

• St. John’s is on Twitter  Follow  @sjlcnapa on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sjlcnapa
• Are you on Facebook?  So are we!  https://www.facebook.com/sjlcnapa

• 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.