E-Vine December 9, 2016

This Week’s Memory Verse

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

As We Gather

We continue our celebration of the season of Advent and our preparation for Christmas.  Or have you already been preparing for Christmas?  What does that mean?  How do we prepare?  The truth is that there are two holidays that happen to coincide on December 25.  There is the secular Winter Holiday which happens to be at the same time as the celebration of the birth of the Savior.  Which are we celebrating?  Which are we preparing for?

The holidays are full of happiness, and we treasure those moments.  But all too often they are only that – moments.  Jesus has come to bring us into His eternal joy which cannot be taken away.

• Old Testament Reading Isaiah 35:1-10
• Psalm Psalm 146
• New Testament Reading James 5:7-11
• Holy Gospel Matthew 11:2-15

• Advent Midweek Service December 14 at 7:00 PM.  Lessons and Carols…This service, led by our Sanctuary Choir, consists of alternating Scripture readings, and hymns and anthems, sung by both the choir and the congregation. The readings and carol texts highlight the anticipation and coming of the Messiah.  There will be a soup supper before the service at 6:00 PM.

• Thrivent Builds Mission Trip:  The summer 2017 mission trip will be on the Hawaiian island of Kauai from July 3 to 13.  A team of 12 people will assist in the building of a new home with Habitat for Humanity.  The event is open to current college students and those who are 20 and older.  The estimated cost is $620 for Thrivent members and $920 for non-Thrivent members.  Email Pastor Mark for trip details and application pastormark@stjohnslutheran.net.  The application deadline is January 31, 2017.

• Children’s Church Teachers: Kelsey Uffmann & Sarah Santora

• Built on the Rock Construction in Full Swing.  Setup for Sunday worship in the Parish Hall is on Saturday evenings at 6:00 PM.  We have set up an online tool for signing up to help.  Please contact Kathy Fitzgerald at kathyfitzgerald@sbcglobal.net to add your name to the list.

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through December 4, $113,737 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $72,263 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Napa Valley CanDo  Look for St. John’s Mission Farm featured inside the 2016 Napa Valley Give!Guide (p. 9). The Mission Farm is one of 43 local nonprofits chosen to be included in this year’s edition. The Give!Guide is a project of Napa Valley CanDo, and encourages support for these nonprofits who serve the community. You should have received your copy in the mail, enclosed in the November MarketPlace Magazine. They are also available in a number of places throughout the area, including in the Parish Hall where we are gathering for worship these days.

The Give!Guide makes supporting the nonprofits easy. Donate $10 or more to one or many in a single, easy transaction. Donations are tax-deductible. Head online to NVGiveGuide.org to donate, or use the form in your copy of the Give!Guide. Didn’t get one in the mail, or find it around town? The website offers all the information you need.  Of course, the Mission Farm volunteers hope that you will support the Farm. You can do that either through the Give!Guide, or by giving a check to St. John’s earmarked Mission Farm. Both ways help, but the total gifts given thru the Give!Guide are revealed in real time. Encourage your friends to give as well.

• NEW 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.      

• ASPCA Recognizes Ruthie Comfort Dog:  Remember Ruthie Comfort Dog?  She came to Napa to help after our earthquake and the Valley fires.  She has been given a special award by ASPCA “Dog of the Year”.  To view, click here:

• 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!

• 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 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.

• 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.