E-Vine June 16, 2017

  This Week’s Memory Verse

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ~1 Peter 5:6-9

As We Gather

The Mission of God is to bring reconciliation and restoration to all humanity and all creation.  But He made the decision from the beginning that He would only carry out that mission through people.  We are that people.  What does it mean to be the agents of God’s mission?  In other words:  Who are we?  What are we here for?

This new worship series explores the mission of God’s people in its broadest form.  We will follow the story of God’s people from Creation to New Creation, and see how God’s people have been called to the same mission all along the way.  We are part of a people that includes Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul and others.   The mission He has given His people is not merely a duty or task, but a blessed privilege of being His representatives to bring blessing and restoration to all creation.  What a privilege!  What a blessing!

Our goal in this series is that as we come to understand more fully the mission we have been given, we will embrace and live it more enthusiastically and effectively.

• First Reading Isaiah 65:17-25
• Psalm Psalm 96
• Second Reading Colossians 1:15-23
• Holy Gospel Luke 24:36-49

Children’s Church Teachers:  Kristi Carey & Scott Zimmerman

• Congregational Meeting… There will be a meeting after the second service at 11:30 AM on June 18.  The agenda will include the Ministry Plan and Budget for 2017-2018, and the election of the Board of Directors.

• Built on the Rock Update: The “Built on the Rock” appeal officially began Sunday, 19 Jun 16.  Three months later, we moved worship services to the parish hall and Hoag Husted, our general contractor, directed the seismic upgrade to that building.  In less than seven months and on time, his team completed the entire scope of the project—and even more!  And, although we returned to the sanctuary for worship on Palm Sunday weekend, now, after fifty-two weeks, we officially end the appeal raising money for this project.The goal, approved by Voters, was to raise $186,000 in designated offerings.  As of 11 Jun 17, we met that goal!  Praise God for His blessings and for making this generosity possible in the hearts of His people!  “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own.” (1 Chronicles 29:16) (ESV)The seismic upgrade strengthened the sanctuary building to today’s engineering standards, focusing on three main areas:  1)  Properly anchoring stone veneer to the east and west walls; 2)  Enhancing sidewall connections to the lower and main roofs; and 3)  Strengthening front shear walls (front of the nave by the hymnal boards).  The project successfully accomplished these intended purposes.  As the project unfolded, we seized opportunities to accomplish tasks, outside the scope of the original project, which were necessary and advantageous for the fruitful completion of this project and for future benefits to the congregation.  These additional elements included:
  • Moving & Storage
  • Design Consultant
  • Flooring (Abatement, New Product & Installation)
  • Additional Engineering (Saved Storage Room; Made Walls Stronger than Original Design)
  • Prep-Work for Upgraded Sound System (Trenching, Electrical Power Circuits, Floor Covers)
  • Pulpit Removal and Chancel Floor Extension
  • Fresh Paint (Interior Walls, Exterior West Wall & Arch, Exterior Parish Hall Arch)
  • New Counter, Sink & Electrical Outlets in Flower Room
  • Brighter, Energy-Efficient LED Light Fixtures in Aisles and Under Balcony

  Even after achieving these extra benefits, total project cost to the congregation was $428,643.  That was $32,357 under our $461,000 budget, approved last June by the Voters.  That allowed us to cover remaining balances, $1,107 and $6,015, representing the church cost-share of the sanctuary chairs and upgraded sound system, respectively.  These elements were also outside the original project scope.

  All this—even more than we originally dreamed possible—we owe to our Generous Father in heaven.  He made everything possible:  The safe, thorough and successful completion of this project; plus additional “mini-projects and benefits;” plus the generosity of people throughout our St. John’s Lutheran community!  This is something we celebrate!  In the words of King David after completing an appeal for offerings to build the temple:  “Blessed are You, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours.  Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all.  In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.  And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name.”

• MANAGE YOUR GIVING ONLINE:  We are excited to announce that you can now manage your giving to St. John’s Lutheran Church online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet.Simply follow these easy steps:1) Visit the church website at www.stjohnslutheran.net,

  2) Click on the “Give” button at the top of the page,

  3) Click on the Create Profile button, then

  4) Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions.

  You can also donate from your smart phone

  St. John’s Lutheran Church also offers a mobile version of our online giving page to make it easy for you to give anytime from your smart phone. Simply scan the image you see here using your phone’s QR code reader or go to www.stjohnslutheran.net and locate the online giving page.

  

• Director of Youth Ministry Search: We are beginning the process of searching for a new Director of Youth Ministry.  Please keep this in your prayers!  If you have questions about this position or have a name to suggest, please contact Pastor Mike.

• APT has joined with the Napa Valley 1839 FC semi-pro soccer team to have a St. John’s night at their June 24, 2017, game at Memorial Stadium.  Each of our students will be bringing home an envelope with a flyer, a sign-up sheet and 10 tickets. Please note that it is not a requirement that any student sell any tickets, however, since this is an actual fundraiser (St. John’s gets 50% of the $10 ticket price), we would encourage you to consider buying tickets for you and your family and join us for an evening of fun and fellowship at Memorial Stadium.  Mr. Wahlers will be kicking the ceremonial first kick and eight lucky students will be chosen to play bubble soccer at half time. Unsold or unwanted tickets and sales proceeds can be turned in to the school office before June 23^rd, or contact Dean Bledsoe to arrange for ticket and/or sales proceed pickup. If anyone would like additional tickets, please see Mrs. Zeller in the school office.

• Vacation Bible School:  Good News:  Because of the amazing offerings of God’s people this past month we are removing the Vacation Bible School fee of $35.”  Vacation Bible School will be free!  We will be contacting those who have already registered about refunding their registration fee.  Registration forms are available in the church and school offices.

• Amelia Arnold will be participating in the Concordia University “Around-the World” semester this fall where she will be learning through unique, built-in comparative academics, serving others through philanthropic/humanitarian work in every country, and growing in through new encounters with God and His people.  Please see attached info.  If you would like to help sponsor Amelia, please contact the Arnold family.

• Sunday Morning Greeters needed!  If you are interested in helping us greet our worshipers on Sunday mornings, please contact Christy in the church office.  Thank you!

• 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/ks059311afd6a21c57If 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.

• NEW AARON NOTE CARDS:  We have new note cards for sale at the church office.  Thanks for supporting Aaron’s ministry!
• 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. Aaron’s website: NapaValleyComfortdogs.org.

• 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.  Next Friday (June 9^th ) 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. 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 householdbatteries. 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.

• 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.

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