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 .
Christmas Eve
“What Do We Do With Jesus?”
December 24, 2022 7:00 PM
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather It is a wonder beyond understanding: God becoming human. Imagine the thoughts of Joseph and Mary as they looked at their little child. What a gift! What a responsibility! What will they do with this God-child? The same question comes to each of us. Christ comes to us today – in His word, in Communion, in our worship. What will we do with Him? How will we respond to this greatest of gifts? 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 .
Christmas Day
“There Goes the Neighborhood”
December 25, 2022 9:30 AM
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather The Apostle John sums up the mystery of the incarnation by saying that “the Word became flesh.” The paraphrase translation of the Bible, The Message, puts it this way: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” On Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus moved into humanity’s neighborhood and into the neighborhood of our lives. What does it mean that we have such a God, and how does that shape how we follow Jesus in our neighborhoods?
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 .
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. This service will also be streamed.
Favorite Christmas Hymns
At the Advent service on December 21, we counted down the top six St. John’s favorite Christmas Hymns, as indicated by the recent survey. Here are the top six:
- Silent Night
- Joy to the World
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- O Holy Night
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
There were forty Christmas Hymns nominated. We have put together a playlist on Spotify and Amazon Music consisted of the 40 hymns. Search for “SJL Favorite Christmas Hymns” to find the playlist on either platform, or click on these links
- Amazon Music Playlist: SJL Favorite Christmas Hymns
- Spotify Playlist: SJL Favorite Christmas Hymns
Thank you to all who submitted lists of their favorite Christmas Hymns!
Church Office Hours
The church office is closed on Monday, December 26th and will have limited morning hours for the week of December 27-30.
Offering Envelopes
2023 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. Even if you give your offering online, we ask that you pick up your envelopes for 2023. Please dispose of your 2022 envelopes the end of December.
Poinsettia & Christmas Tree Donations
Would you like to donate to support the purchase of our beautiful Christmas trees and poinsettias that decorate our sanctuary? If so, please use a specially-designated envelope that can be found on the stand in the narthex when you enter the church. Thank you for your support!
Sunday Bible Classes
“Digging Deeper” – Starting January 8 Pastor Mike’s Sunday Bible Class will resume on January 8 under the new title “Digging Deeper.” Each week’s study and discussion will be based on the sermon and reading for worship that day, and any questions for those in attendance. This will provide an opportunity to dig deeper into themes and questions raised in the sermon, as well as a deeper study into the assigned readings for the day, or any question that those in attendance may have.
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays)
The Women’s Bible Study will next meet on January 3rd at 10:00 AM in Room 10. All are invited! The study is using “Christ Esteem” by Don Matzat.
Best Practices for Ministry Conference 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: https://cclphoenix.org/bpm/ 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.
Chili Cookoff – For the whole family!
Get your chili ready for the New Year! We will be hosting an event for the whole family on January 22. You are invited to come out and try some of the best chili in Napa and get down with some games! Please contact Kevin Mathison if you are interested in entering your chili.
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.
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.
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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