E-Vine December 8, 2017

This Week’s Memory Verse

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1

As We Gather

It’s been a hard year for many.  A hard year here in our valley.  A hard year in our nation and in our world.   And individually, many in our St. John’s community have suffered losses and heartaches this year as well.  In such troubling times, when we might be distracted from the Christmas message by our troubles and griefs, we need this message more than ever.  We need above all the gifts that God Himself in His love gives to us in His Son, Our Savior.

Our Advent Worship Series this year will focus on these gifts.   May God bless our troubled hearts with His compassionate grace as He prepares us to celebrate the gift above all gifts, our Savior, Christ the Lord.

The second Sunday in Advent focuses on the gift of comfort.  Jesus has come to bring comfort to troubled hearts through His mercy and grace.  May God’s comfort fill us as we worship today!

First ReadingIsaiah 40:1-11

PsalmPsalm 85

Second Reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Holy Gospel Mark 1:1-8

Children’s Church Teachers:  Diane Barbosa, Lisa Thornton

• Called to Glory… Two of our sisters in Christ have been called to be with the Lord this week, Ruth Karsten and Beulah Tews.

Upcoming Memorial Services   

Eleanor Sheehe – Saturday, December 9^th at 3:00 PM

Marilyn Mays – Tuesday, December 12^th at 11:00 AM

Beulah Tews – Tuesday, December 19^th at 11:00 AM

Ruth Karsten – service pending

All services will be held in the Sanctuary at St. John’s.  Please lift up their families in prayer for God’s comfort and peace.

• Advent Service on Wednesday.  Our annual Advent Health and Healing service will be next Wednesday at 7:00 PM.  A light soup supper will be served at 6:00 in the Parish Hall.

• Director of Youth Ministry Call Process . . . Two of the candidates that are being considered by the Call Committee will be on our campus in the next week. Please keep this in your prayers!

• Dine and Donate… Our 7th & 8th grade students will be traveling to Washington D.C. this coming May.  As you can imagine, there will be much fundraising done to help offset the cost.  One of their first fundraisers will be hosting a Dine & Donate at Villa Corona Tuesday, December 19th. When you bring in the attached flyer on the 19th to Villa Corona, they will donate 20% of the proceeds to SJLS.  Flyer is valid from 9 am-9pm and you may dine in or take out. Have a great meal and support a good cause all at the same time! Thank you for your support.  Please see attached flyer to bring with you.

• 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.