The April 2023 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
Maundy Thursday
“The Feast of Love”
April 6, 2023 7:00 PM
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
“This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Today we celebrate and commemorate the covenant meal which Jesus has given to us, His Church: “Do this in memory of Me.” This meal celebrates, illustrates, and incarnates our covenant oneness with Christ. It confirms us in our identity and empowers us for the kingdom work to which Christ sends us. May the reality that we celebrate tonight shape our lives each day!
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
April 7, 2023 7:00 PM
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
We celebrate victory in defeat, life in death, innocence in condemnation. We celebrate the great exchange, that He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, the condemnation of One becomes acquittal for all, apparent defeat for One became victory for all, and the brutal death of One became the entrance to eternal life for all who trust in Him. This is the good tragedy we celebrate today.
The service includes the reading of the Passion as part of the Tenebrae, the Service of Shadows. The sanctuary will gradually grow darker as candles are extinguished and lights are dimmed. This is to represent the extinguishing of the life of the Son of God, our Savior. May God bless our meditation this evening as He draws us to the cross.
Easter Vigil
April 8, 2022 8:00 PM
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
The Vigil of Easter is a special service designed to remember our Lord’s resurrection. Moving from darkness to light, we remember that Jesus is our Light, we recall the mighty acts of God, and we pause to remember our Baptism. We do all this in the context of the greatest event in history: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 7:00 PM. (8:00 PM on Saturday, April 8th for Easter Vigil)
Click at the top of this page to join our YouTube live stream.
We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: CLICK HERE
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of our Lord
“What Difference Does Easter Make”
April 9, 2022 8:30 AM
Please CLICK HERE to download the 8:30 AM service notes.
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of our Lord
“What Difference Does Easter Make”
April 9, 2022 10:30 AM
Please CLICK HERE to download the 10:30 AM service notes.
As We Gather
Does Easter matter? Paul thought so. He wrote that if Christ has not been raised then our faith is useless. Why did he write that? Why is Easter that important? Today we look at the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus and why it matters so much!
Please note: Both Easter Services will be in the Sanctuary
Hallelujah Chorus Rehearsal
The Sanctuary Choir will be singing “The Hallelujah Chorus” by G.F. Handel at the 8:30 Easter Service. If you have sung this before and would like to join the choir for this amazing anthem of praise, there will be a special choir rehearsal at 8:10 AM on Easter morning.
Sunday Bible Classes
There will be no Bible Classes this Sunday. The Romans Class will resume on April 16 and Digging Deeper will resume on April 30.
Looking Ahead
Holy Week
Holy week commemorates the culminating week in the life of Jesus, and the events at the heart of the salvation which is ours through Jesus.
- Maundy Thursday (April 6) is a commemoration of Jesus’ “Last Supper.” At this meal, He transformed the Passover meal into a sharing of Himself in bread and wine as His body and blood. At our Maundy Thursday worship (7:00 PM), we will also be celebrating the First Communion of those who have been preparing to be welcomed to the Lord’s Supper.
- Good Friday (April 7) marks the day that Jesus was crucified. Our evening service (7:00 PM) is a Tenebrae Service. This is an ancient and beautiful service of gradually darkening the sanctuary as we read of account of the crucifixion and sing hymns and songs in response, ending with the sanctuary in darkness.
- Easter Vigil (April 8, 8:00 PM) is the first celebration of the resurrection and serves as a counterpart to the Good Friday Tenebrae. We process into a darkened sanctuary with candles, and as we meditate on history of God’s saving activity as the sanctuary is gradually lightened.
- On Easter Sunday (April 9) See below.
Looking Ahead to Easter
Easter is April 9th! We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with two opportunities to worship. The 8:30 service in the sanctuary is led with traditional hymns and the choir. The 10:30 service will also be in the sanctuary and is led by the worship band. Our
Easter morning also includes an egg hunt and an Easter Breakfast in the gym (9:00 – 10:30). 
Easter Flower donation envelopes are on the pedestal in the Narthex.
Open Forum on Church Finances
There will be an Open Forum in the Sanctuary after worship on April 23. The purpose of this forum is to provide an update on St. John’s financial situation as we are preparing the proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and to seek input. Please plan to attend this important presentation and discussion.
St. John’s Security Fence Project
Construction of the rest of the security fencing will begin in the next 4-6 weeks. There will be a security fence and gate between the church office and the school office. Also, the chain link fence around the athletic field will be replaced with the same type of fencing.
Board of Directors Nominations
The Board of Directors is receiving Board nominations for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. There are nine members of the Board of Directors. Four of these positions are up for election this year. Board members serve for a two-year term and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. There will be a Board Information Forum on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00 PM in the Library for those who are interested in nominating or being nominated for the board. This forum is a required step in the process of being nominated. The forum is also open to anyone who just wants to learn more about the governance polity of St. John’s, and how the Board works. Please click here for more information about the qualifications for being nominated and the responsibilities of those serving on the Board.
Special Needs Bible Study
You are invited to join the Large Print Ministries Group
You are invited to join the Large Print Ministries Group
We’ll be meeting in Room 10 on the following dates:
Monday/Tuesday: April 10, 11, 17, 18 (9:00-11:30)
All Fridays: (9:00-12:00)
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays)
We are launching a new study on the book of Philippians, which will include some video, and a Bible study guide. We’re getting this via Right Now Media. Please join us on Tuesday, April 18th at 10 AM in the sanctuary.
Easter is just around the corner! Can’t wait to celebrate here at St. John’s! We will of course be hosting our annual Easter Breakfast, but that’s not all. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos between services! VBS isn’t quite right around the corner, but it is approaching quickly. Registration for both participants and volunteers is now live! You can register here! Contact Kevin Mathison with any questions you may have.
Right Now Media
Right now media is an online resource providing Christian videos for all ages: Children’s resource, Bible Studies, lectures and more. As a congregation, we have subscribed to Right Now Media, so access is free for all in our St. John’s family. If you haven’t already signed up for Right Now Media, CLICK HERE.
Napa State Hospital Donation UPDATE
Napa State Hospital Volunteer Center is getting ready for the holidays and is seeking donations on behalf of their patients. Please CLICK HERE for a list of items needed. Or check the “Wish List” flyer attached to the donation box in the narthex to see what items are being requested.
As a Thrivent member, you are eligible for two Thrivent Action Teams per year. Thrivent Action Teams are a great way to make a positive impact in your community. Thrivent offers all the resources you need to get started, including up to $250 in seed money. Your team below provide the passion that brings your project to life. Here are some ideas on how you can help us here at St. John’s…
- Youth Events, VBS, Mission Farm, Large Print Ministry and LCC K9 Comfort Dog Ministry
Please call the church office if you are inspired to help with projects like these above and much more. Christy Kramer will be happy to help you apply for your Action Team Card.
CLICK HERE for instructions. CLICK HERE for more information.
Do you wish to receive the E-Vine by text?
Signing up is simple. Just text “sjlctext” to 855-906-0515. When an e-vine is sent out, you will receive a text with a link which will take you to the current e-vine. If you currently receive the e-vine by email, you will continue to receive it that way as well, unless you request for it to stop.
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
Ongoing News and Information
LCC K9 Comfort Dog Info… 
Scrip Info: What is Scrip?… 
Social Media at St. John’s… 
Mission India…
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