E-Vine February 18, 2017

 This Week’s Memory Verse

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.   ^~Colossians 3:17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 As We Gather

Marriage is glorious.  Marriage is hard.  Both statements are true.  Anyone who has been married more than a week knows that it is not a fairy tale come true.  How do we thrive in marriage?  How do we live up to the expectation?  We will look at two basic skill sets with which we can help each other on that journey toward being the persons God designed us to be.

• First Reading Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7
• Psalm Psalm 139:1-12
• Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13
• Holy Gospel John 15:1-8

• Open Forum regarding Sanctuary: February 19, 2017, 11:30, parish hall.  Thank you to all who attended the open forum on January 22 concerning the seating for the sanctuary.  Thank you as well to all who participated in the survey this past week.  The input and feedback is very valuable and much appreciated. There will be another open forum on February 19, 2017 after the 10:15 service (approximately 11:30) to provide an update and to continue the discussion.   We’ll be taking a closer look at the options before us, the finances involved, as well as guidelines for using the sanctuary.  We will also explore what God’s Word says about the place of worship, and what we can learn from church history on this topic.

• Online:  Are you on Facebook?  Twitter?  Follow and Friend St. Johns!  @sjlcnapa

• Church Website Under Construction: The church website will be down for maintenance for a little while, please refer to the monthly Vine newsletter for schedules or Facebook for special updates!

• 2017 Church Directory:  Please contact the church office ASAP with the address, phone number, and email address that you would like published in the 2017 church directory.  If we don’t hear from you, then we will use your info from the 2016 directory.

• As You Are Worship:  Our next AYA event will be Saturday, March 4^th from 5:00-6:00 pm in the gym.  Worship with the youth band will take place from 5:00-5:30 pm while the 2^nd and 4^th grade classes will be sharing their voices with us during fellowship time from 5:30-6:00 pm.

• Communion Learning Event:  Instruction for preparing to receive Holy Communion for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders with their parents will be held on three Monday evenings, March 13, 20, and 27, 2017 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  A letter and registration form was sent out to those in the 6^th – 8^th grades who have not yet participated in this learning event.  If you did not receive this letter, please contact Pastor Mark so that one can be sent to you.  First Communion will be on Maundy Thursday, April 13^th in the 7:00 PM service.

• Ministry Opportunity:  St. John’s participates in The Table ministry (based at First Presbyterian Church) by cooking/serving a meal every month on the 2nd Friday.  Next Friday (3/10/17) is St. John’s service opportunity and we invite you to join us.  If you would like to help, please sign up for a shift (or multiple shifts) by clicking on this link: https://www.volunteersignup.org/PWXBP
  We thank you for your service.  Your time and your talents are greatly appreciated.

• CNH DISTRICT Mission Conference: “Missionary People” is the theme for the 2017 CNH District Missions Conference, held on Saturday, March 4, 2017.  To register, please first contact the church office. For information, go to www.cnh-lcms.org.  All are welcome!  The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Click here to get more information or to register.

• 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.  Now you no longer need to question what to do with these batteries.  Bring them to one of our locations mentioned above, drop them in the container and we will do the rest! Thank you for supporting our efforts in keeping our landfills clean.

• Marriage Workshop:  Drs. Les and Leslie are excited to be bringing their “Fight Night” event to Napa on February 24^th at First Christian Church.  A fun date night for couples of any age or stage.  Filled with humor, fresh insight, and practical, new strategies for turning conflict into a means for deeper intimacy. You and your spouse will laugh while you learn new ways to instantly improve your relationship.  And did we mention you will have a blast while gaining practical tips to strengthen communication.  For tickets: https://tickets.buzztix.com/event/fnnapa

• Children’s Church Teachers: Joy Dahl, Lindsey Engelbracht, Jim & Irene McClenahan

• 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 February 12^th, $166,132 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $19,868 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• 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.