E-Vine April 21, 2017

This Week’s Memory Verse

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             As We Gather

There is an old Chinese curse:  “May you live in interesting times.”  That certainly is appropriate for the present day, especially when we consider our calling as Christians.  While we live in times with unprecedented mission opportunity, we often find ourselves feeling like strangers and aliens in our own culture.  There seems to be a growing gulf between the values and practices of our American society, and those of the followers of Christ.  How often do we succumb to the temptation to quiet down our faith, lest we appear extremist or out of touch?  How are we to live as grace-oriented followers of Jesus in such interesting times?

The apostle Peter wrote a letter to Christians who lived in such times.  They felt that by becoming followers of Jesus, they had become aliens and exiles living in their own hometowns.   Peter sought to encourage and strengthen them in their walk with Jesus, even in the face of not just hostility from the culture, but outright persecution.

Today we begin an eight-week worship series on 1 Peter.  Our focus today is the foundation of our Christian walk, that our ultimate value does not come from this life, but rather the living hope that we have in Jesus and His resurrection.

• First Reading Acts 5:29-42
• Psalm 148
• Second Reading 1 Peter 1:1-12
• Holy Gospel Matthew 6:19-34

• Children’s Church Teachers:  Kelsey Uffmann & Irene & Jim McClenahan

• Sam Troemel:  Sam has accepted the call to serve as Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church in Indianapolis.  We are thankful for Sam’s ministry among us and pray for God’s blessings on his ministry at Calvary.  Sam will continue at St. John’s until June.

• Molly Troemel:  Molly has declined the call from St. John’s to serve as our 4^th Grade Teacher.  We are thankful for her prayerful consideration of this call and pray God’s blessings as He leads her.

• Resurrection and the New Creation:  A four-week Bible study beginning on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM beginning May 10^th in Room 10.  Please click here for more information.  Contact the church office to sign up.

• Praying With Luther:  A prayer workshop focusing on learning from Luther’s approach to daily prayer and practicing it.  Saturday, May 13^th 9:00 – 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary.  Please click here for more information. Contact the church office to sign up.

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through April 16^th, $176,432 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $9,568 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Sunday Morning Greeters needed!  If you are interested in helping us greet our worshipers on Sunday mornings, please contact Christy in the church office.  Thank you!

• AYA Worship… Thank you to those that attended the April AYA worship event.  We had over 100 people in attendance and donated $130 to Healthy Moms and Babies of Napa Valley.  Our next AYA worship event will take place on Saturday, May 13^th from 5:00-6:00 pm in the gym.

• The Lion King Jr.: Performances are at 7 PM, May  3, 4, 5, 6 and a preview performance at 1 PM on May 3. Tickets are $10.  Limited seating each show so don’t wait to by your tickets at the school office. We also welcome people who want to help build and create props next weekend  (4/29 & 4/30).

• Green Thumb?  Do you like flowers and plants? Do you want to help spruce up the first impression visitors have of our campus? The garden area between the Sanctuary and the parking lot used to be cared for by Bob Mueller.  Now that Bob and Marie have moved away, this area is growing weeds.  If you are interested in adopting and enhancing this area, please contact the church office.

• Mark your Calendars!  VBS 2017   June 19-23.  VBS Volunteers Needed!

• St. John’s Facilities Online Calendar:  Looking for a room for a meeting or event?  You can now view this calendar online.  Go to https://teamup.com/ks059311afd6a21c57   If you would like to book a room/location on campus for an event/meeting, please contact Christy Kramer at the church office to be added to the calendar.  Please note:  You may only use the facility if you have pre-reserved your requested room/location with Christy Kramer.     

• Mission India:  Please keep this year’s Mission India Literacy trainers in your prayers.  To support this ministry financially, please make out your check to St. John’s.  You can use the designated offering envelopes or write on your check that it is for Mission India.  For more information about our partnership with Mission India and the opportunity to change lives and draw them to Christ, see www.missionindia.org.

• NEW AARON NOTE CARDS:  We have new note cards for sale at the church office.  Thanks for supporting Aaron’s ministry!

• Aaron Comfort Dog… New team members are always welcome!  Come join us and observe how this amazing ministry works.  Please contact Tim or Christy Kramer if you would like to “shadow” during one of our events!

• Aaron Comfort Dog Contact Info:  If you would like to request a visit from Aaron, please contact Tim or Christy Kramer @ 255-0119.  For an update on his activities, please check out his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages at AaronComfortDog.

• Ministry Opportunity:   St. John’s participates in The Table ministry (based at First Presbyterian Church, 1333 Third St in Napa) by cooking/serving a meal every month on the 2nd Friday.  Next Friday (May 12^th ) is St. John’s service opportunity and we invite you to join us. If you would like to help, please sign up for a shift (or multiple shifts) by clicking here.  We thank you for your service.  Your time and your talents are greatly appreciated. Blessings, The Table Team

• Recycle your Household Batteries at SJL: St. John’s Lutheran is working with Napa Recycling on collecting and disposing of any household batteries you may have; AAA, AA, C, D & 9 volt batteries. We will not accept automotive or drill batteries, only standard household batteries. Containers are available in the school office, church office and room 10.  Now you no longer need to question what to do with these batteries.  Bring them to one of our locations mentioned above, drop them in the container, and we will do the rest! Thank you for supporting our efforts in keeping our landfills clean.

• Campus Security:  Please remember to check that doors are properly closed and locked as you leave the room you are using.  Thanks for helping us take care of our campus.

• Abide Daily Devotion… How do I let Scripture guide my prayer life?  How can I let Jesus direct what I pray for each day?  The Abide Devotion, written by Pastor Mike, is a daily devotion designed to address these concerns.  You can click here for more information and to subscribe to receive the devotions in your email each morning.

• Online:  Are you on Facebook?  Twitter?  Follow and Friend St. Johns!  @sjlcnapa