E-Vine April 28, 2017

This Week’s Memory Verse

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. ~1Peter 1:3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            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 “interesting” 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.

We continue our 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 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm Psalm 15
• Second Reading 1 Peter 1:13-25
• Holy Gospel Matthew 5:14-20

• Children’s Church Teachers:  Janet Gates & Irene & Jim McClenahan

• Confirmation Verse Projects…  The Confirmands will be presenting the verses and their projects based on these verses on Monday, May 1^st in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM.  All are invited.

• What is our Hope? Resurrection and the New Creation:  What happens when we die?  What is our Christian hope?  Is it simply “going to heaven?” Or is it something even bigger?  In this four week study, we will focus on Christian Hope.  We will explore the reality of the resurrection of Jesus, its meaning and how it shapes not only our hope of eternity, but our lives today.  A four-week Bible study beginning on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM beginning May 10^th in Room 10.  Contact the church office to sign up. Click here for more info.

• How Do I Pray?  A Prayer Workshop – Christ calls on us to pray, and instructs us to spend time in prayer every day.  But how are we to do this?  When Jesus’ disciples asked him how to pray, he gave them the Lord’s Prayer.  But he gave them much more than a prayer to recite.  What was he teaching them?  How does he want me to pray? How can I pray the Scriptures? The Commandments?  This workshop is the first in a series of workshops aimed at helping us grow in our practice of prayer.  We will not only explore different approaches and methods of prayer; we will practice them.  Saturday, May 13^th 9:00 – 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary. Click here for more info. Contact the church office to sign up.

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through April 16^th, $176,779 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $9,221 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!

• Mark your Calendars!  VBS 2017   June 19-23. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!  Click here for more info.

• 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.

• 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