As We Gather
The season of Advent is about waiting in hope for the coming of the Savior. We commemorate our Savior’s birth over 2000 years ago. We celebrate His coming and dwelling among us today. We anticipate with hope His appearance in glory in the resurrection.
Our worship series for Advent and Christmas will explore the answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” by focusing on the genealogy of Mary’s son as it is given to us in the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew 1:1-17. Each week points us to a different aspect of His identity and the blessings that identity brings as we follow Him. Today we look at Jesus as the Son of Abraham. What does this mean for us today?
Old Testament Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm Psalm 66:1-12
New Testament Romans 8:31-34
Gospel Matthew 20:20-28
Children’s Church Teachers: Janet Gates, Ramona Kaufmann, Jenny Gass
Advent Midweek Services… There will be two more Wednesday night worship opportunities this Advent. The 7:00 PM services will be preceded by a light soup supper at 6:00 PM. The service this Wednesday will be a “Service of Health and Healing.” We gather to call upon the Lord for the gift of healing. The service will include extended time for prayer and anointing with oil.
Villa Corona will be hosting a Dine and Donate this Tuesday, December 11th from 9 am-9 pm. Proceeds will go towards the 4th grade Coloma Trip. Remember you must bring the Dine and Donate fly (digital copies are okay)for SJL to receive the 20% donation from your purchase. Flyers are available here in the school office as well as on our website,www.stjohnsnapa.org, next to the Friday note and Suppertime orders.
6th Grade Teacher Search – Debbie Stanhope has announced that she will retire from the teaching ministry at the end of this school year after 43 years – all of it at St. John’s. While we are thankful to God for Debbie’s service and ministry, we are also excited about following God’s direction in selecting a new 6th grade teacher. If you would like more information or have any names you would like to submit as potential candidates, please contact Joel Wahlers in the school office – jwahlers@stjohnsnapa.org.
Christmas Tree Decorating… The Worship Preparation Team will be putting up Christmas trees and decorating the church on Saturday, December 15 beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you would care to lend a hand and be a part of this joyful activity, please join us! Let us know if you are planning to come by contacting Betsy Gewirz at bgewirz@stjohnsnapa.org or Doris Klein at dorisklein@comcast.net .
Please consider a gift to help defray the cost for the beautiful trees, flowers, and decorations for the church during the Advent and Christmas season by using the envelopes provided in the chair pockets. Thank you!
Fire Relief. . . We encourage your prayers for those who are affected by the fires, as well as those who are bravely fighting them. If you would like to make a donation for fire relief, we encourage you to consider these two options.
- California Nevada Hawaii District (LCMS): 100% of funds donated go to relief in our district. Click here for an update and to donate
- Thrivent Financial. Thrivent is matching up to $250,000 dollar for dollar. To give through Thrivent, Go to this link to donate.
Best Practices for Ministry 2019. Registration is open for this free conference on mission and ministry at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, AZ, February 21-23, 2019. The conference is for lay people and church workers. It is a gathering of people to encourage one another for mission and ministry, and to share ideas and resources to help us grow as the people of God. Bible-based. Gospel-Centered. Mission Drive. Future-oriented. To register, go to www.cclphoenix.org and click on “BPM.” If you are interested in attending, please let the church office know so that we can coordinate transportation and lodging. We have funds from our endowment fund for hotel lodging for the conference.
Stephen Ministry Commissioning… Stephen Ministry Commissioning will take place during the worship services on Sunday, December 9th. Continue to keep them in your prayers. For more information about Stephen Ministry contact Pam Barker, Penni Cremen, or Pastor Mark.
Youth Update:
- Merry Christmas from St. John’s Youth Ministry! We have a few more events taking place before the break to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
- CREW 34: Christmas Party on December 13th from 6-7:30pm in the gym.
- CLUB 56 & ABLAZE: Christmas party on December 11th from 6-7:30pm in Room 10.
- ABIDE: Christmas party on December 16th from 7-9pm at SJL.
Contact Kevin Mathison if you’d like any more info on any of these events.
Use of Bathrooms: When adults are on the church and school grounds during the school day (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), please only use the adult bathrooms located in the school library or church offices. Thank you!
Scrip: Everyone is invited and encouraged to use SCRIP!! What is Scrip? Scrip are gift cards that the school purchases at discounts and sales to you at face value. The profit goes to APT to help our students. Scrip may be purchased in the school office during normal school hours.
Attention Costco/Trader Joes Shoppers? We carry Visa cards in $50’s and $100’s. Costco only takes Visa cards, cash or checks. Stop by the school office before you head off to Costco or Trader Joes and purchase your Visa cards. While you are here check out everything that is available to you
- Returning Vendor~ Chevron
- Remember Scrip for your Thanksgiving Shopping
- Grocery Stores: Whole Foods, Safeway, Lucky, Target, Wal-Mart
- Best Percentage: Tarla Bar & Grill 20%, Hop Creek 20%, Filippi’s 15%, Food Shed 10%, Land’s End 16%, Chipotle 10%, Bath & Body Works 13%,
- Scrip gift cards are perfect for following a household budget
- You can pay your Kohl’s bill with Kohl’s Scrip 4%
- Families can shop both in-store or online with participating retailers
- Scrip gift cards are just like using a credit/debit card, but without the fraud risk
- Scrip gift cards are perfect for holiday gift giving and shopping
Love and Logic… Beginning January 9th, we will be offering a parenting class called “Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun: Creating Happy Families and Responsible Kids” This is a video/discussion type class for parents of young children. “When parents start Love & Logic in their children’s early lives, they dramatically up the odds that the teenage years will be fun instead of frantic. Parents will learn a practical set of tools to help raise super kids!” Pre-Registration is necessary because we have to order a workbook for each parent/couple participating. The cost is $15 payable to St. John’s Lutheran School. We would like to limit the class to 12 people so space is available to the first 12 to pre-register with Janis King. You can call, email or do this in person.
WATCH FOR NAPA VALLEY GIVE!GUIDE 2018
What is the Napa Valley Gift!Guide?
The NVG!G is a November-December campaign to raise awareness and funds for nonprofits serving Napa County. One of its unique aspects is that it offers a kind of a one-stop shopping opportunity to give to multiple organizations (as many as you choose) with either a single click or a check. Another is that donations start at $10, so it’s an opportunity for ANYONE to be a philanthropist. In its first five years the G!G has raised over $1.4 million dollars for nonprofits and every tax-deductible penny stays right here in Napa County. St. John’s Lutheran Mission Farm is one of the 43 nonprofits participating this year, our third year in a row! NVG!G catalogs were delivered as a pullout in the Marketplace Magazine in November. Copies are also available in the Church Office. You can also go on the G!G website (NVGiveGuide.org). Check out our spot in the Guide, and support the Mission Farm, as well as any other worthy non-profits serving our community. Using the catalog can help you do your research, as well as contribute by mail. Using the website makes it easy to give on line with your credit card.
Attention all AMAZON Users! Please consider using “Amazon Smile” when you place your orders, designating St. John’s Lutheran Church fund. (There is no additional cost to you!) Just click on the link below and place your order. It is that simple! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-6001864
St. John’s Facilities Online Calendar: Looking for a room for a meeting or event? You can 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’s Blog: “Aaron returns to Las Vegas” Please click on this link http://napavalleycomfortdogs.org/2018/10/02/las-vegas-recovery/ to read about Team Aaron’s return to Las Vegas for the 1 year anniversary of the mass shooting.
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 on the link 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.
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