The January 2024 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
“Now I Have Everything”
December 31, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
Simeon told the Lord that having seen the infant Jesus, he was ready for the Lord to take him. He had everything that he needed. In this season of things and indulgence, we consider Simeon’s words as we seek to find our contentment in Christ.
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
Sunday Bible Class
There will be no Bible Class on December 31.
Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
Why Do We Feel Lonely at Church?
Jeremy Linneman
One of the challenges of our age is the increasing prevalence of loneliness. Social media was supposed to bring us together and better connect us, but it has not always lived up to its promise and the culture’s hopes. The COVID shutdowns drove us away from each other, leading us to view personal proximity as a problem. But this is not just about social media and COVID. The trend in our culture toward individualism has been building for decades. Loneliness and isolation are just some of the fruit of this trend.
This affects the local congregation as well. As a congregation, we are not just a store for spiritual needs, or a place to absorb religious information. We are a community that comes together to worship, to pray, to grow, to serve, to grieve, to rejoice, to eat, to play, and more. Jesus identified the love between Christians as an identifying mark of His church. Christianity is inherently relational, and so when the culture is struggling relationally, it affects the Church.
How should we think about this as Christians and what should we do? In this little booklet, Jeremy Linneman, who serves as a pastor in a congregation, writes about the practice of building community. He encourages authentic fellowship through certain practices: Hospitality, being patient with one another, persisting through conflict and praying together.
This book is a quick read, but has long-lasting suggestions and insights. I highly recommend it for our community as we strive to grow in doing the Christian life together. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf.
Worship Tech Overhaul
“Faith Comes From Hearing”
We’ve heard your feedback and understand that one of the biggest challenges you and our visitors face when attending worship in person or watching the livestream is participating in the service because it’s difficult to see or hear God’s Word, the lessons, and the beautiful music that’s raised up to God in praise. With these concerns in mind, we’re doing a complete and total overhaul of the audio and visual technology in the St. John’s sanctuary and Faith Chapel. We’re working to create an experience that is free of distractions, allowing our members, visitors, students, and families to focus on the most import element of any gathering held at St. John’s: God’s Word. If you would like to help support this mission, we ask that you do so through your offerings. There are three ways you can give:
- In person using your offering envelope
- By clicking: Donate to St. John’s Lutheran (https://bit.ly/DonatetoStJohnsLutheran)
- By using the Vanco Mobile app
We ask that you notate your donation with “Faith Comes From Hearing” or “Worship Tech Overhaul” to ensure it is applied to this project.
Foundations
An Overview of the Christian Faith
What are the essential teachings of the Christian faith? What do they mean in our lives and in our world today?
Pastor Mike will be leading a nine-session overview of the basic teachings of the Christian Faith. This study in basic Christianity will cover all the essential teachings, how they fit together into one compelling story, and what they mean for our lives today.
This class is required for those who are interested in membership at St. John’s. But it is also helpful for those who seek to better understand the Christian story in order to grow in their
faith and be better equipped to share it with others. Throughout the class we will be considering the major challenges to faith, and how the Christianity provides a better story for
our world today.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Pastor Mike. If you would like to attend but child care is an issue, please contact Pastor Mike.
When: Sundays, from January 28 through March 24.
Time: 11:00 AM (after worship)
Place: Room 10
34th Annual Hauch Invitational Tournament (H.I.T.)
We have a Dine and Donate on January 9th from 10 AM-8 PM at Foodshed Take Away. Twenty percent of your order will be donated to the 5th grade trip to Redwood Alliance.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
New Email Addresses for the Church
Please make a note that we are changing the email addresses for the church. Please use the following email addresses for correspondence.
- Church Office: churchoffice@stjohnsnapa.org
- Pastor Mike: pastormike@stjohnsnapa.org
- Kevin Mathison: kevin@stjohnsnapa.org
- Tim Kramer: tkramer@stjohnsnapa.org
What is different? The domain “stjohnsnapa.org” instead of “stjohnslutheran.net.” We are moving away from the “stjohnslutheran.net” so that all emails, church and school, will be “stjohnsnapa.org.” The old emails will remain active for a time to make sure we don’t miss anything, but please update your address books accordingly.
Coffee Ministry Needs Help
Do you enjoy the coffee hour after church? Would you like to be part of this ministry? We are looking for additional people to join us! Join a team or get some friends and make a team. Three or four people are ideal. On the job training will be provided.
Responsibilities are: • arriving prior to service to set up • providing refreshments – may be baked or purchased • making coffee • setting up serving tables and seating • serving the refreshments • clean up
We appreciate the people who help set up and put away tables and chairs and those who contribute refreshments. This is a welcoming time of fellowship for both members and visitors. Any questions or willingness to serve – please contact Susan or Bill Clark or the church office.
Women’s Bible Study
We are on break until January. Stay tuned! We are studying the book of Ephesians. If you have any questions, please contact Judi Rock. 707.738.6707.
Biblical Counseling at St John’s?
The Biblical Counseling Center of Napa Valley
The Biblical Counseling Center of Napa Valley is a ministry to the families of St. John’s Lutheran Church and all Christians in the greater Napa area. Our center began some 25 years ago to offer strength and direction to those Christians suffering through trials and tribulations using the promises and hope the Bible offers to those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. To learn more, CLICK HERE. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with life’s stressors, please consider giving us a call at 707-738-5306. (We are a free ministry to all).
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 Christmas Donation THANK YOU!
CLICK HERE to see thank you note from Napa State Hospital.
CLICK HERE to view list of requested items.
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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