E-Vine Aug 6

This Week’s Memory Verse

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” ~Luke 24:44

This Sunday:  Last fall we journeyed through the book of Exodus, walking with the people of God as they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.   This summer we will pick up the story of God’s deliverance of His people and continue their trek through the wilderness – both physical and spiritual – as He leads them at last across the Jordan to the Promised Land.

As the people of Israel prepare to cross over in the Promised Land, Moses continues to teach them, retelling the story of their deliverance, and what it means to be the people of God.  Today we look at the heart of that teaching, the heart of all of the Old Testament.  The “Shema” (Hebrew for “Hear”), Deuteronomy 6:4-6, is the “John 3:16” of the Old Testament, which every Israelite knew by heart and looked to as the center of the call to be God’s people.   The Lord is the only Lord and we are called to love Him completely.  Not only that, we are called to share this teaching with others, most especially those of our own family.  Hear, O Israel!

• Deuteronomy 6:1-25
• Mark 12:28-34

• Mission India Mid-Term Report: We have received a mid-term report from our Mission India Literacy trainer.  Our trainer is leading 5 classes with 150 students total.  110 of the students are women.  Here are some of the life changes that the students are reporting as a result of the class so far:
  • Started maintaining hygiene:  40
  • Stopped smoking and Tobacco consumption: 45
  • Stopped borrowing and started saving: 6
  • Eating more nutritious food:  37
  • Improved relationships:  50
  • Stopped abuse of alcohol:  31
  • Stopped believe in superstition:  41
  • Increased awareness of HIV/AIDS: 150
  • Stopped encouraging child marriage: 42
  • Ended reliance on child labor: 28
  • Growing kitchen gardens and medicinal plants: 25
  • Began sending children to school: 35

• Second Sunday Potluck, August 9, 11:30:  Bring your favorite “Summer Harvest” dish to the potluck and enjoy a bountiful lunch with your church family and friends!  We hope to see you there!  Please contact Marie Hoemke, Pam Foottit, Lori Hardin or Pam Barker for more information.

• REFRESH, RE-ENERGIZE & RECONNECT on a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend!  Give your spouse the gift of your time and attention away from your daily routine.  The next Weekend is scheduled October 2 – 4, 2015 at the Holiday Inn in Rancho Cordova, CA.  Married husbands & wives can apply now at www.GodLovesMarriage.org.  Contact Pastor Ted & Marty Hartman at tnmheart@gmail.com or 530-333-4628 for more information.  But hurry!  Weekends fill fast and pre-registration is required by September 4.

• 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.

• Children’s Church:  We have openings for children’s church leaders for both the preschool – 1^st grade children’s church, and the 2^nd – 4^th Grade class.  Are you interested in learning more about serving in this way?  Please contact Pastor Mike.

• School Spanish Teacher opening – Part time (13 hrs/week).  Contact Joel Wahlers in the School office for more information (226-7970).

• Aaron Comfort Dog Visits:  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 page.

• Mission India:  Please keep our Mission India Literacy trainer in your prayers.  As announced in church, we have met the goal for financially supporting our trainer for this year.  But we are still collecting support for Mission India which will go toward supporting other literacy trainers.  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, click here and see the display in the church entryway.

• 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 each morning.