The DECEMBER 2022 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
“Why He Came: Justice”
December 4, 2022
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather We need justice. Our world is in need of justice. So much corruption, deception, unfairness. Too many taken advantage of and denied what should be theirs. Biblical justice refers not only to fairness in law, but also that people are able to live the lives that God intends them to live. Jesus came to bring justice. Because of His coming, we live with the hope of a new creation in which there will be perfect justice. As citizens now of this new creation, we strive to be agents of biblical justice in our lives. We will be celebrating Holy Communion at this service.
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: CLICK HERE .
Sunday Bible Classes
Christmas: Fact and Fiction
What does the Bible say about the birth of Jesus? Can we distinguish between what is really in Scripture and what is tradition? Click here for a little multiple choice survey regarding the fact and fiction of Christmas. This Sunday in Bible Class, Pastor Mike will will provide the answers to this survey, and teach on the birth narratives of Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1 All are welcome! Join us in Room 10 at 11:00 on Sunday morning.
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays)
The Women’s Bible Study will next meet on December 6th at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary. All are invited! The study is using “Christ Esteem” by Don Matzat.
Upcoming Advent Midweek Services
The services will be on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Each service will have a different focus.
PLEASE NOTE: These services will NOT be streamed live. They may be recorded for later uploading to our YouTube channel
- December 7 – The ABCs of Christmas: A name or title of Jesus from each letter of the alphabet as we focus on the birth of our Savior.
- December 14 – Lessons and Carols: Led by the Sanctuary Choir. A service of Word and Song, tracing the prophecies of the Messiah through the announcement of His birth.
- December 21 – The Hymns of Christmas – We will countdown your favorite Christmas hymns to sing, along with a brief devotion on each one about the hymn’s background and message. Watch for an upcoming survey to indicate your favorites!
Advent Midweek Service December 7
Names and Titles of Jesus from A to Z
Jesus is given many names and titles in Scripture, both in the Old Testament (in prophecy) and in the New Testament. Tonight, we reflect on some of those names and see in them the greatness of the gift of God that we celebrate in the coming of the Savior.
Can you come up with a name or title for each letter of the alphabet? During the service, Pastor Mike will reveal the most commonly chosen names as part of our reflection on the identity of Jesus. Please complete by December 6.
Two ways to submit your names and titles:
- Please CLICK HERE to provide your answers in this online form:
- Or CLICK HERE to download this form and drop it off on Sunday:
The service will also include the Hand Bells and the Choraliers. Please join us for the soup supper at 6:00 for a time of fellowship.
Pastor Mike and Teresa’s Christmas Open House on December 4
Merry Christmas! Join us this Sunday for a time of fellowship and Christmas Cheer. Hors d’oeuvres start at 4:00. At approximately 6:00 pm, we’ll gather around the piano and have a Christmas sing-along. We’ll be taking requests from those gathered, both sacred and secular songs of Christmas. Please join us at our home at 1701 Monarch Drive.
Christmas Worship
We will have three services in celebration of the birth of the Savior
- Christmas Eve, 4:00 PM – Children and Family Service, including a birthday cake for Jesus!
- Christmas Eve, 7:00 PM – In Person in the Sanctuary, Communion and Candlelight. This service will include both the worship band and the organ, along with the Sanctuary Choir. This service will also be streamed
- Christmas Day, 9:30 AM – In Person in the Sanctuary, Communion.
Soup Suppers Return!
We will be having soup suppers before the four Advent midweek services, beginning on November 30. Each soup supper will be at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Would you like provide a soup? Please use this link: SOUP SUPPER SIGNUP Slow Cookers are available for use, if needed. Thank you.
BPM 2023 will take place on February 16-18 at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona. Best Practice for Ministry is a free conference for pastors, church workers and lay people. The purpose is to learn and share ideas and practices to help us grow in living God’s Mission. For more information, please CLICK HERE As we have done in the past, St. John’s will be covering lodging for all participants from St. John’s, but not transportation. The conference itself is free. If you are interested, in addition to registering at the link above, please notify the church office.
St. John’s LCC K9 Comfort Dog Ministry Partners with Camille Creek
As is our custom, Team Aaron partners with Camille Creek Community School each Christmas to spread the love of Jesus to students and their families. Several families are financially hurting and some are even facing eviction because there is “too much month at the end of the money.” We are seeking donations and we will then purchase gift cards to designated stores for food and clothing. Please spread the word and if you feel so moved, donate to this cause. Designate “Camille Creek / Comfort Dog Ministry” on your offering envelopes and we will take it from there. We all have so much to be thankful for and it is always a blessing to share with those in need. Thank you and may you and your families have a blessed Thanksgiving! Tim and Christy Kramer
Surge is back this week! We will be meeting in Room 8 on Tuesday at 6pm for a night of fun, fellowship, and devotion.
Mission Farm News
Please consider a donation to the Mission Farm this December in support of its mission of feeding the hungry people in our community. During December you have two portals through which you can make your donation. You can use the portal that exists on the CanDo GiveGuide website (www.candogiveguide.org). This portal makes it easy to make a donation online, paying for it with a credit card. Or you may elect to send in a check to GiveGuide so that the Farm receives 100% of your donation. If you do it by check, then make the check out to “CanDoGiveGuide”. In the process of making the donation online, you will have indicated that it is for St. John’s Lutheran Mission Farm and will be sending a check.. OR you can simply use the portal of St. John’s Church office, which is always available to you, Use a Designated Gift Offering Envelope, and place a check inside made out to “St. John’s Lutheran Church” and earmark the check for “St. John’s LC Mission Farm”. Place it in the offering plate, or mail it to the Church office.
Christmas Tree Decorating 2022
Christmas tree decorating will take place on Thursday, December 8th (stringing lights on the trees) from 4 – 6 p.m. and Friday, December 9th (hanging ornaments and arranging poinsettias) from 2 -4 p.m. If you would like to assist the Worship Preparation Team on either or both days, please come! Contact Bob or Doris Klein or Betsy Gewirz with any questions.
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
MAGAZINES NEEDED for patients
Please no magazines over two years old, address labels cut off, no magazines about Napa Valley or firearms etc.
Place your donations in the box in the Narthex. Thank you!
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.
Give+ App has changed…
The Give+ Mobile App from VANCO shut down 1 Oct 21 and no longer is available for download as a mobile app. The new app is called VANCO Mobile.
Giving through Vanco Mobile is easy! Just download the new app and create a new user profile in VANCO Mobile.
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.
Drivers Needed
We have members that no longer drive and need a ride to and from church on Sunday mornings. If you can help, please contact the church office.
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… Donate to SJLC through Amazon… Mission India…
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