Stay Home Order: What does it mean for St. John’s?
Please click here for an update from Pastor Mike on the Stay Home order and what it means for St. John’s.
Video Christmas Card
We are inviting everyone in our St. John’s family to participate in our video Christmas card. The completed video will become available on Christmas Eve. This is a way for us to see each other and to greet and bless each other. CLICK HERE for a video explaining more.
Here’s how it works:
- Make a brief video of yourself or your family on your phone, offering a “Blessed Christmas” or a “Merry Christmas” or a brief word of greeting.
- If you are unable to do a video, please take a picture of yourself or your family, or if your Christmas Card has a picture of your family, you can scan and send that.
- A Christmas background would be great, but not essential.
- Submit all of the photos and videos to Pastor Mike at pastormike@stjohnslutheran.net or 707-738-4448 or on Facebook.
- Please submit your video or picture by December 20.
- We will assemble them into one video/photo greeting which will be shared on Christmas Eve in worship, on Facebook, on Youtube and on our Website.
Celebrating Advent 2020
Please go to this page on our St. John’s Website for ideas for celebrating Advent and Christmas both in your home and as a St. John’s Community. CLICK HERE
Worship for Sunday, December 20
“Jesus: The Son of Joseph”
Jesus is the son of Joseph by adoption. Jesus, as an adopted child, points to our own relationship with the Father. We are children of God by adoption. What does it mean that we are adopted children of God?
Worship will be live stream 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
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:
- “What Child Is This” VIDEO Link
- Christmas Coloring link
- Pre & Elementary Lesson
Worship for Wednesday, December 23
“The Songs of Christmas”
The songs of Christmas not only give us a chance to praise the Lord whose coming we celebrate; they also teach and remind us of truths at the heart of this celebration. Not only that, but many of the songs also have fascinating stories of their own.
We will consider six familiar Advent/Christmas hymns/carols. We will look at the truths contained in their words, as well as the stories behind them. And of course, we will also sing them! May God bless our worship as we sing His praises!
Christmas Worship
We have three opportunities to worship this Christmas, and each one is different
- Children and Family Service
This service celebrating the birth of the Savior is designed for children and families with young children. This will be pre-recorded and made available on Christmas Eve on Youtube and Facebook. In this way, families can engage in worship using this service at a time that works best for them. Please watch for next Tuesday’s e-vine for more information.
- Christmas Eve Live Stream Communion Service
We will gather virtually for worship at 7:00 pm on Christmas Eve. This will be a celebration of the Savior’s birth with music provided by many of our musicians, as well as the Sanctuary Choir. We will also be celebrating communion. This will be a live service, interactive, with the opportunity to share prayer requests, and to pray for one another.
- Christmas Day Service
This service will be pre-recorded and made available on Christmas Day on Youtube and Facebook so that individuals and families can make use of it at a time that works best for the celebration of Christmas in their homes. This will not be a communion service. Please watch for next Tuesday’s e-vine for more information on accessing this service.
St. John’s Drive-Thru, Saturday, December 19 – 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Come by the church on Saturday afternoon, December 19th for an opportunity to say hello and pick up items we normally would distribute during in-person worship on Sunday mornings.
Pick up any or all of the items below:
- 2021 Church Directory
- 2021 Offering Envelopes
- 2021 First Quarter Portals of Prayer
- Hymnals – so you can have one at home to use during online worship or devotions
- NIV84 Bibles – these are pew Bibles (if you need one or know someone who does)
These items are for you to keep and use at home – no need to return anything!
To pick up, enter the small parking lot in front of the church office. Please stay in your car, wear a mask, and someone will come to you to find out what you want and bring it to you. No parking please; no reservation or appointment needed. We look forward to seeing you.
Wednesday Morning Bible Class Will Study the Book of Jude – Via Zoom
Pastor Mark will begin teaching the book of Jude on January 6. Jude was the half-brother of Jesus and in just 25 verses deeply and clearly expresses the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. The class will be held via Zoom until we are able to meet in person. We meet on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30. Please send an email to pastormark@stjohnslutheran.net to register for the class so he can send you the Zoom link and class handouts.
Christmas Concert at the Napa Drive-in
We are pleased to announce a Drive-in Christmas Concert at the Drive in at the Napa Expo on December 21 at 7:00 PM. Sing along with some of your favorite Christian artists on the big screen from the safety of your own car! Please click on this link for more information:
Dec. 17 – Mission Farm Has Reached a New Goal
This year the Mission Farm has turned in an excess of (drum roll please) 20,000 lbs. of fresh produce to the County Food Bank! To God be the glory. But we could not have done it without many helping hands in the planting, tending and harvesting, as well as the generous support of many who have gifted us. We hope to do as well next year, knowing the need for food support for many families is great. The COVID crisis has placed a strain on many non-profit organizations who serve the Napa community. Over 60 (including the Mission Farm) are featured in this year’s NV Give!Guide campaign. Check them out on NVGG’s website (www.CanDoGiveGuide.org). The website makes it simple to support with a gift this holiday season.
St. John’s Facebook Group
Are you on Facebook? Have you joined the St. John’s Facebook Family Group? Please click here to join and participate in Facebook Live events, discussion and more.
Why join our Facebook Group? We are planning Live devotional events, prayer times, as well as other interactive events. Our group is a great place to encourage one another and walk together as a family of God. In this time when gathering in person is so difficult, this is an option to fellowship together.
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.
Your December 2020 monthly Vine is now on our website. To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, Please click here.
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