E-Vine February 23, 2017

This Week’s Memory Verse

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. ~Ephesians 4:15

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   As We Gather

Today we celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus when Peter, James, and John witnessed the glory of His divine nature radiate through His human flesh.  The glory of the transfiguration is a preface to the glory of the cross.  From the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus sees Jerusalem.  He comes down from one mount to make His way to another to bring about our forgiveness and salvation.

• First Reading Exodus 24:8-18
• Psalm Psalm 99
• Second Reading 2 Peter 1:16-21
• Holy Gospel Matthew 17:1-9

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

• Website under construction! Thank you for your patience as the church website is undergoing some much needed maintenance. Please check our Facebook page for updates, and The Vine for scheduling and calendar.

• L.E.S.T. – 74 students participated in the Lutheran Elementary School Tournament at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon this past weekend.  Our students had a great time and did well, bringing home a lot of trophies and ribbons for their efforts.  If you click on the following link, it will take you to the LEST Results page of our LEST Site.   https://sites.google.com/a/stjohnsnapa.org/lest-2013/lest-results

• Divine Call Accepted – Our eighth grade teacher & athletic director, Jonathan Heinemann, has accepted a Call to serve as principal at Bella Vista Christian Academy in Tracy, California.  Mr. Heinemann has been at St. John’s since 2010.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they make this transition in their ministry! Below is a letter from his family thanking the congregation for the opportunity to serve alongside each other for the last seven years.

• 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 here. We thank you for your service.  Your time and your talents are greatly appreciated.

• 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: Scott Zimmerman, 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 19^th, $168,019 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $17,981 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.