This Sunday: “Christ-Centered Living”
Last week, in our reading from Colossians, the Apostle Paul reminded us to clothe ourselves with the virtues of Christ (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, and peace). In Baptism, Jesus fills us with these virtues and enables us to be a blessing rather than a bane to others. Paul continues that same thought in today’s reading applying to our specific vocations the general principles of Christ-centered living. Rather than seeking personal advantage (the way of our sinful nature), we are to live the life of Christ (our new nature) no matter what our calling in life may be.
Live Stream and in person worship begins at 9:30 AM. Please go to this page (https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/ to download the handout, and to link to the live stream itself. We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: https://www.facebook.com/sjlcnapa
Board of Directors Nominations
We are gathering nominations for the Board of Directors. We will be electing four candidates to serve two-year terms. Those who are interested are to fill out the form at this link, and send it to the church office.
What are the responsibilities of a member of the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors is a governing board. Its main duty is to ensure the fulfillment of St. John’s Mission and Vision. It does this by holding the Lead Pastor accountable for implementing a ministry plan that pursues the mission and vision for our church and school, and supporting him in the fulfillment of that plan. The Board of Directors also prepares and maintains a policy manual that defines the goals of the congregation, the relationship between the Board and the Lead Pastor, the limitations on the Lead Pastor, and the way in which the Board will carry out its duties. The Board members do not represent any particular group or constituency in the church. Rather, the Board acts on behalf of the entire congregation, especially as it confesses its purpose through the Mission and Vision statement.
What are the qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors?
The By-Laws state that Board members must be committed to the mission and vision of the congregation. Therefore the ideal board member is someone who is:
- Faithful in Worship
- Regularly in the Word: Bible Study or Small Group
- Active in service: Serving in a ministry of the congregation
- Supportive of tithing: Either tithing or working toward it.
- Strong support for the Mission and Vision
- Able to see the big picture of the church’s mission
Congregation Survey: Your Input is Invited!
This is an exciting and challenging season in the life of our congregation. As we begin to increase the number of in-person gatherings, we recognize this as an important moment to utilize both physical and digital spaces to support and serve this community.
In order to guide us in this time, we are making use of a congregational survey prepared by the Barna Group. The input we receive will help us in being intentional as we seek God’s leading in this new era of hybrid ministry.
We invite your input and participation so we can listen and learn from you. Please click on the link below to open up the survey. It should take less than ten minutes of your time, but will provide us with valuable insight into our community that will inform future actions.
All the data collected in this survey is anonymous, so feel free to be as honest and candid as you wish. Your responses will not be traced back to you, as we value your open feedback.
Thank you for your partnership and support for this church and community. And please join us in prayer for God’s leading in this challenging and exciting time!
Here is the link to the survey: CLICK HERE
Wednesday Night Worship
Wednesday Night Worship will resume on Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM. We will continue our focus on the Gospel of Matthew and the teachings that speak to our lives today as we seek to follow Christ. Please note that this will be online only.
Family and Children Resources
“Children’s Church Lesson” This is a weekly Sunday School/Children’s Church type lesson for parents to lead with small children. Please use this at home during this time when we are unable to offer our regular Children’s Church. Here are this week’s suggestions:
- CHILDREN’S CHURCH LESSONS: (Elem & PS)
- “Children, Obey Your Parents” Click Here
- “John the Baptist” CLICK HERE
- VIDEO:
- Kids, Obey Your Parents CLICK HERE
- OBJECT LESSON: Why It’s Important to Obey CLICK HERE
Health Update from Pastor Mark
I am now off disability and mostly recovered from the lobectomy surgery. I still have some nerve discomfort which will take a few months to resolve. The good news from this past week is that the pathology from the tumor has been downgraded from an adenocarcinoma to a carcinoid. Over the next two weeks I will be having tests done at St. Helena hospital and UC Davis specifically looking to see if I have carcinoids anywhere else. Hopefully by the middle of May I will know if I need to go through chemotherapy or if future treatment will simply be observation. Anne and I are so thankful for all the prayers that have been raised to the Lord on our behalf. We feel very blessed by the outpouring of your love and support. God’s Peace.
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry is finally back in person! We have done our fair share of Zoom over the past year, but the time has come for our default to be in-person events!
This week we have Surge, High School Youth, & Confirmation Sunday.
Surge: Tuesday 6-7pm
High School: Thursday 7-8pm
Confirmation Sunday: May 2nd at 4pm in the Faith Chapel. This is open to the congregation.
From our Director of Children’s Ministry
We are in need of volunteers for VBS 2021 as well as other Children’s Ministry areas. Please click on these links from Janis King…
Volunteering for VBS CLICK HERE Children’s Ministry Volunteer CLICK HERE
April 2021 monthly Vine now available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE
Social Media Ministry Team
Do you love Jesus? Do you like Social Media? Our Social Media Ministry Team is looking for people to join with us building up and improving our ministry through social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). During COVID, we have seen our ministry reach expand well beyond our property, our city, our state, and our country. If you would like to be part of this ministry, please contact Pastor Mike (pastormike@stjohnslutheran.net, 707-255-0119).
Napa State Hospital Donation UPDATE
Napa State has changed their donation request list. Please note the following…
Needed:
- calendars
- greeting cards-no glitter
- fabric
- construction paper
- crayons
- water color paints
NO LONGER ACCEPTED:
Magazines and yarn
Where do I find sermons and services that I missed?
You can find previous sermons in three places. The full services are available on the YouTube channel.
- YouTube Channel:
- https://www.youtube.com/user/stjohnsnapaca/live
- There are playlists for sermons, Sunday Services, Wednesday Night Worship and teaching on Matthew
- RightNow Media Channel
- https://www.rightnowmedia.org/CustomLibrary/41667
- Scroll down to find recommendations as well as sermon and Gospel of Matthew lessons
- Website
- https://stjohnslutheran.net/sermons-2/
- The sermons are arranged by worship series
Colossians
Matt Chandler
The Colossians series looks at the person of Jesus Christ and who He is. Covering the history of Rome and how it was believed to be the great salvation, this series points to the true source of salvation, Jesus Christ, asking the question, “Where have you put your hope?”
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/1309
If you haven’t already signed up for Right Now Media, CLICK HERE.
Support SJLS through Scrip! Easiest Fundraiser Ever!!
Click here to watch a video on how easy Scrip is using the RaiseRight app. Remember there are always cards you can purchase in the school office especially our local vendors, Foodshed, Hop Creek and Tarla Bar and Grill, but using the RaiseRight app is so convenient for all of your everyday purchases.
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