E-Vine April 8, 2017

 This Week’s Memory Verse

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ~1 Peter 2:9

As We Gather

Sunday will be Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, two celebrations in one service.  We begin with a commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Then we look forward to the events of the coming week, and the Passion of our Lord, culminating with His atoning sacrifice on the cross. 

We also celebrate our return to the sanctuary and its rededication.  But our theme today, “The Return of the Exile,” is not primarily about us.  We celebrate Jesus.

• First Reading Malachi 3:1-6
• Second Reading Philippians 2:5-11
• Holy Gospel Matthew 27:11-66

• Palm Sunday, April 9 — Celebration for moving back into the Sanctuary!  We’re so thankful to be back in the sanctuary.  Let’s celebrate with special food and fellowship after each service!  To sign up to bring a dish to share, or help in the kitchen, please see Pam Barker, Teresa Schmid, or Janet Peterson after services on Wednesday or Sunday.  Or sign up by going to this website: https://www.volunteersignup.org/P7HYA

(Please note that the next Second Sunday Potluck will be on June 11.)

• Children’s Church Teachers:  Scott Zimmerman & Sarah Santora

Maundy Thursday Worship, April 13^th

• 1:00 PM – Traditional Communion service
• 7:00 PM – Traditional Communion service with the Communion Preparation class receiving First Communion

Good Friday Worship, April 14^th

• 1:00 PM – Traditional service
• 7:00 PM – Tenebrae service with gradual darkening of the church

Easter Vigil Worship, April 15^th 

• 8:00 PM – Service of Light

Easter Sunday Worship, April 16^th

• 8:30 AM – Traditional Communion service
• 10:15 AM – Blended Communion service

• Easter Flower Gifts & Memorials… Please use the special envelopes at the usher station for your gift towards the purchase of Easter flowers in our newly remodeled sanctuary.   If your gift is in memory of someone, please put their name on the envelope so it can be listed in the bulletin.  Thank you!

• Easter Breakfast at the Resurrection Café will be back on Sunday, April 16^th from 9:00-10:30 pm!  The breakfast will look a bit different this year.  Pastries, fruit, coffee, and Juice will be available in the Faith Chapel where picnic table seating will be provided.  We hope you will join us for Easter Breakfast at the Resurrection Café where Good News meets good food!

• Flower Cross: What a beautiful way to add to the decorations in the sanctuary!!  Please bring cut flowers with you on Easter morning to add to the cross. The cross will be out in front of the Parish Hall on Easter morning for you to place the flowers on it. We would like to have this activity completed before we start the Egg Hunt at 9:45am.  Please contact Penni Cremen if you would like to help or with questions.  pcremen@msn.com  This is a fun activity for children AND adults!

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through April 2^nd, $174,246 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $11, 754 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• 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.

• Molly Troemel called as 4^th Grade Teacher . . . The Board of Directors has extended a call to Molly Troemel to serve as our 4^th grade teacher.  Please keep Sam and Molly in your prayers as they seek the Lord’s will.

• From Sam Troemel Regarding His Call to Calvary Indianapolis… In addition to my current Call here at St. John’s, I have also been extended a Call to serve as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Your prayers and support is greatly appreciated during this time as Molly and I consider where God is calling us to serve Him and His people.  In Christ, Sam Troemel, Youth Ministry Director

• 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.

• From Janis King regarding upcoming surgery:  Two years ago I had eye surgery for a “hole in the macula”.(some of you may remember that!)  Well, 2% of the time it doesn’t last; wouldn’t you know, I am part of that elite group!  So, I am having surgery on April 11^th to repair the hole. My recovery involves lying face down for a minimum of two weeks and then several more weeks of waiting “patiently” for my vision to return. I am not sure at this point if I will be returning before the school year ends at SJL. At the very least, I am hopeful that I will be able to attend my daughter’s wedding on Memorial Day Weekend with Greg chauffeuring me around!  I am asking for and appreciate your prayers. I am also asking for some help in picking up the pieces in a couple of areas that I am responsible for:

1. The Easter Egg Hunt for the kids on Easter morning. 

2. Vacation Bible School: week of June 19th-23rd, 2017

Please let me know before April 7th  if you are able and willing to help out with either or both of these events. After April 7th, please contact Pastor Mike.  Your prayers and support will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for all of your support to Children’s Ministry.   Happy Spring!  Blessings, Janis

• Mark your Calendars!  VBS 2017   June 19-23.    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 (3/10/17) 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 devotion in your email.

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