E-Vine May 11, 2018

This Week’s Memory Verse

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” ~Matthew 4:19

 As We Gather

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Forty days after His resurrection from the dead the disciples watched Him visibly ascend into heaven.  Does that mean we won’t experience His presence until He returns on the day of resurrection?  No.  He promised in Matthew 28:20 “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  He continues to be present with us in Word and Sacrament.  We may not be able to visibly see Him, but “He’s Still with Us.”

Old Testament Acts 1:1-11  

Psalm: Psalm 47  

Epistle Ephesians 1:15-23  

Gospel Luke 24:44-53  

Children’s Church Teachers:  Janet Gates, Kristi Carey, Danielle Irwin 

• Why Stephen Ministry?…We have many needs for care in our congregation, school, and community: people experiencing divorce, grief, a terminal illness, loss of a job, relocation, an empty nest, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses or challenges.  Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care they really need.  With only 2 pastors for a congregation of 680 members, plus 205 school families, you can quickly see why it would be impossible for our pastors to meet every single need of every single person.  Stephen Ministry expands the care St. John’s can offer by equipping and organizing individuals to provide Christian care.  This gives us a larger pool of people with the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ’s love and care to those who most need it.  More information about this new ministry will be available on Stephen Ministry Sunday, May 20^th.

• Congregational Meeting…  We will be having a congregational meeting on June 3 after the 10:15 AM service (approximately 11:30 AM).  The agenda will include the election of board members, adoption of the Ministry Plan and Budget for 2018-2019, as well as revisions to the By-Laws.  Click here to download the agenda for the June 3 Congregational Meeting.

• Proposed Ministry Plan and Budget 2018-2019:  A proposed 2018-2019 Ministry Plan and Budget was passed by the Board of Directors on May 10, 2018 and is now placed before the congregation for consideration and a vote.  Click here to download the proposed Ministry Plan and Budget.  Hard copies will be available in the church entryway.  The Voters Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 11:30 in the Sanctuary.

• Proposed Revisions to the By-Laws:  The Board of Directors approved several revisions to the By-Laws on May 10, 2018 and now places them before the congregation in preparation for the  Voters Meeting on June 3.   Click here to download the proposed revised By-Laws.

• Open Forum Regarding the Proposed Ministry Plan and Budget, and By Law Changes:  There will be an open forum on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary to discuss the Proposed Ministry Plan and Budget, and the proposed revisions to the By-Laws.  Please come to this form to learn more about these documents and to ask questions.

  PEOPLE ALL WRAPPED UP

IN THEMSELVES MAKE A

PRETTY SMALL PACKAGE.

Jesus replied, “. . . and love your neighbor as yourself” ~Matthew19:19

• Police Week – May 13^th-19^th…  Please help Team Aaron acknowledge our dedicated law enforcement heroes by providing food treats for our Napa PD, Sheriffs, CHP, and 911 Dispatchers.  Suggestions:  fruit, cookies, Cliff Bars, snacks to take on patrol.  Please drop off items to the church office on Monday morning, May 14^th and Team Aaron will deliver them during the week.  Thank you for helping us show our appreciation for keeping us safe!

• Will You Leave A Legacy As A Disciple Of Christ?… Your help is needed in Children’s Ministry at St John’s Lutheran Church.  We are currently looking for some additional Children’s Church Leaders.  What’s required for the job? A love for Jesus and a love for children!  We provide the resources for what you teach(the curriculum).  Your commitment is usually for one Sunday a month during the 10:15 am worship service. Please contact Janis King immediately! Thank you for prayerfully considering this special opportunity as a disciple of Christ!

• DCE Intern Kevin Mathison. . .  Our new intern for this next year will be coming to us from Concordia University Texas in Austin.  Kevin will be arriving in late May and will begin his internship on June 1.  Please keep Kevin in your prayers as he concludes his studies and prepares for his ministry here.

• VBS is coming up in just a few weeks!  This year we are going to be SHIPWRECKED

the week of June 25-29th with a very special concert on Friday morning! YANCY will be here to share the love of Jesus with the kids and us!!  We are hoping that you are able to help out with VBS in some way! It takes so many volunteers to make this happen at SJL!  Will you be able to volunteer? There are many different jobs! Like crafts, snacks, games, leading the kids from room to room, etc. There’s something for everyone!   Here’s a link to the volunteer sign up website.We truly appreciate you and hope we can count on you to be there!  If you have any questions please call Janis King @ 707.226.7970 ext. 107 or email Janis  jking@stjohnsnapa.org   Please don’t delay! Plans are already being made and we need to know if our volunteer positions will be filled! Thank you!  Here’s the link to sign your kids up!

• Youth Events

Club 56 (5^th and 6^th Grade) will meet on Tuesday, May 22^nd from 6:00-7:30 PM in Room 10.  

Ablaze (7^th & 8^th Grade) will meet on Thursday, May 10^th and 24^th, from 6:00-7:30 PM in Room 10. 

Abide (High School ) will meet on May 15, and 22 at 7:00 PM for Bible Study, Games & Snacks.  We are studying the Gospel of Mark.  Join us at the Hoff’s, 10 Glen Court, Napa, CA.  For questions, contact Elaine Hoff at 707-227-2588.

• Worship Preparation Team Members Needed… Please consider joining our team!  This important ministry needs some additional helpers – individuals, couples, families, friends!  Many volunteers mean that you only have to serve one or two months each year, so grab a friend and contact Doris Klein and Betsy Gewirz or call the church office if you are able to serve our Lord in this way.

• Women’s Bible Study   Please join us for a weekly Bible study on 1 John on Thursdays from 1 – 2:30 PM, in the sanctuary. All women are invited to this new ministry. Invite a friend!  Bring your Bible or use one from the church. Notebooks and paper will be supplied. Refreshments will be served. Childcare is available with advance notice. Please RSVP to Teresa, Judi, or Pam (via text, phone, or email) so that we know how many chairs to set up. We hope to see you there!

Teresa Schmid   707-738-7554   tschmid08@gmail.com

Judi Rock           707-738-6707   Jbaboo1771@gmail.com

Pam Barker       707-225-4707   pam.moe.barker@gmail.com.

• 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 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 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.