E-Vine December 22, 2017

  This Week’s Memory Verse

 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice,

and no one will take away your joy. ~John 16:22

As We Gather

Our Advent Worship Series this year focuses on the gifts God gives to hearts that are troubled. Today we consider the gift of presence.  We do not have a God far off.  Instead we have a God who has promised and given us His presence.  In all of our troubles, we are accompanied by the loving presence of our saving God.

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Psalm Psalm 89:1-5

Second Reading Romans 16:25-27

Holy Gospel Luke 1:26-38

Children’s Church Teachers:  No Children’s Church

• Upcoming Memorial Services   

Luana Larson – Wednesday, December 27^th at 11:00 AM

George Kernohan – Saturday, December 30^th at 11:00 AM

Ruth Karsten – pending

• Director of Youth Ministry Call. . .The Board of Directors has elected to call Rebekah Ann Bajwa to serve as our next Director of Youth Ministry.  Please keep Rebekah in your prayers as she considers this call.

• Parish Hall Restrooms Re-open… Parish hall restrooms will reopen just in time for Christmas.  After nearly three months of using portable facilities or restrooms clear across campus, family and guests may return to the more conveniently located facilities.  The project, completed three weeks ahead of schedule, updated style, enhanced utility and created ADA-compliant access to the women’s room.  (You’ll also notice that the hallway is more welcoming, too.). You may access the restrooms through the parish hall or from outside, through the breezeway.  The men’s restroom will also be open for Christmas weekend.  However, we plan to renovate this facility in spring and are accepting gifts designated for this purpose.

• HELP NEEDED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24^th … Help is needed to set up after the 9:30am worship on Christmas Eve.  We need round tables and chairs set up in the Parish Hall/Gym for the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Family Worship Service.  We will also need one long rectangular table set up over by the kitchen for the Birthday Cake for Jesus.  We will need 16 round tables with 6 chairs at each table all facing the screen with room in the front middle for the projector cart.  (The tables should be centered with 4 rows of 4 tables )

• Women’s Bible Study Starts January 18… Please join us for a weekly Bible study on 1 John starting January 18, 1 – 230, in the sanctuary. All women are invited to this new ministry. Invite a friend!  Bring your Bible or use one from the church. Notebooks and paper will be supplied. Refreshments will be served. Childcare is available with advance notice. Please RSVP to Teresa, Judi, or Pam (via text, phone, or email) so that we know how many chairs to set up. We hope to see you there!

Teresa Schmid   707-738-7554   tschmid08@gmail.com

Judi Rock           707-738-6707   Jbaboo1771@gmail.com

Pam Barker       707-225-4707   pam.moe.barker@gmail.com.

• Preschool Building Update:  We are moving along nicely with the progress in the preschool building! Great BIG thanks to Hoag Husted and his team for their diligence in getting our classrooms back into working order!! It really looks amazing!!! We are planning to be back in the classroom when we return from Christmas break on Monday, January 8th!  We have to move all the furniture and boxes back into the preschool. We have the shipping container in the big parking lot that needs to be emptied (pick up trucks would be most helpful!) and the storage shed by the track has many of our boxes as well! Many hands make light work! The teachers will be in the classroom ready to unpack all the stuff and set up the classroom!  We also need to move all the Large Print Ministry stuff back into Room 10. We are so thankful that this group of wonderful volunteers were so willing to help accommodate the Preschool!  Please contact Janis King if you are able to help out on Friday, January 5, 2018. Thank you very much!

• By-Law Review Committee… Please send in any suggested changes to the By-Laws and Constitution by December 31, 2017, so that the By-Law Review Committee can include them in their discussions.  Board of Directors email address:  sjlcasboard@gmail.com.

• SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER LIST…Beginning January 1, 2018 we will be changing our Sunday morning prayer list procedure.  If you have someone you would like prayers for on Sunday morning, please let the church office know either by phone or email.  Their name will be highlighted on the prayer sheet the first week, and in normal print the second week.  They will be removed from the list after the second week unless you contact the church office at that time to request an additional two weeks on the list.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

• Support your Mission Farm…The Mission Farm is participating in the Napa Valley Give! Guide 2017 to raise funds for our ministry and 45 other non-profit ministries in Napa County that serve the community. This past Saturday you should have received by mail the Catalogue of participants and the means to help fund them. It was enclosed in this month’s Marketplace magazine. You will often see them in business places around town. The Church Office will also have some copies. You can support our ministry, as well as other worthy ministries in one of two ways: 1) Google NapaValleyGiveGuide.org and give on line; or 2) look for the Donation Form in the catalogue and mail in a check to Napa Valley CanDo, P.O. Box 855, Napa, CA 94559 (payable to Napa Valley CanDo). While you can also use your Designated Gift envelope and put into the church offerings, marked Mission Farm, gifts in the first two ways encourage people from the community back what appears to be a winner (and we are, aren’t we?)! The Farm volunteers thank you.

• Main Event, Shamrock Shindig:  SJL’s annual school fundraiser, the Main Event, is scheduled for Saturday, March 17^th.  This year’s theme is a St. Patrick’s Day theme.  The event raises funds for SJL’s Association of Parents & Teachers (APT).  APT funds many school programs, as well as supports St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Vacation Bible School, parish hall upgrades and sound system upgrades.  Please show your SJL support by:

Donating an Auction Item – – We are seeking donations that will be auctioned off in our silent and live auction.

Purchasing a Sponsorship – – Whether you are a family or a business, please consider this wonderful way to support SJL.  Prices are $150-$300.  Deadline to purchase is Wed, 12/20.

Purchase Raffle Tickets – – Enter for a chance to win a TRIP FOR 2 TO IRELAND!  $100 per entry.  Winner can choose between a golf or non-golf themed adventure. Airfare not included.  Drawing will be held 3/17/18. Winner need not be present to win.

Make a Gift to SJL’s Fund-a-Need Projects – – Make a contribution before December 31, and your gift is eligible for a 2017 tax deduction.

• Donate an Auction Item, Purchase a Sponsorship, Purchase Raffle Tickets & Make a Fund-a-Need Contribution All Online @ www.sjls-apt.com

 Questions – Contact Main Event Co-chairs:  Diane Barbosa – diane_barbosa@sbcglobal.net, Desiree Kuhn – desireekuhn75@yahoo.com or Dianna Messenger – dbmessenger@yahoo.com

• 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.

• 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.  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.

• 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.