E-Vine June 24, 2016

  This Week’s Memory Verse

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~1 Peter 2:5

As We Gather

The Psalms are the most enduring expressions of the prayers, petitions and praise of the people of God, some having been in use for over 3000 years.  But the Psalms are not just a testimony of the faith of the saints of the past; they are given to us to shape and give voice to our faith today.

The Lord is our Rock and our Redeemer.  Those are the words with which Psalm 19 closes.  He is the one who is praised by all creation.  He is the one who speaks to us in His word.  He is the one on whom we build our lives.  This Psalm is a celebration of the revelation of the Lord upon whom we are to build our lives.

On Sunday, we also celebrate the beginning of “Built on the Rock,” the work of making earthquake repairs and seismic upgrades to our sanctuary.  We put before us the image of a building, solidly constructed, firm in its foundation, able to withstand whatever may come its way.  We pray that through this project, this may be true for our sanctuary.  But more importantly we pray that it may be true for us as the people of St. John’s, working together and growing together as living stones in the building of God.

• Psalm Psalm 32
• First Reading Genesis 15:1-6
• Second Reading Romans 4:1-8
• Holy Gospel Mark 2:1-12

Congregational Meeting Results … The congregation took the following three actions at the congregational meeting on June 12:

• Ministry Plan and Narrative Budget Adopted… The congregation adopted the proposed ministry plan and budget for 2016-201.  Copies are available on the website under the resources tab.

• Board of Directors Members Elected . . . The congregation elected Michele Arnold, Bill Clark, Dean Ehlen, Bob Klein, and Anne Goodrich to the Board of Directors. Their terms begin on July 1.  They will join returning Board members Elaine Adams, Pam Barker, Steve Dierker, and Gail Vandeburgt.

• Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade Funding Authorized…  The congregation authorized the recommended funding of $461,000 for the earthquake repair and seismic upgrade.  The congregation designated $102,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund and $173,000 from the Esther Strohl bequest.  The remaining $186,000 will be come from offerings and donations.

Built on the Rock Update . . . Since June 12, $6,216 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $179,784  to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Call Accepted… Mr. Matthew Uffmann has accepted the call to serve as our 7th grade teacher.  Matt is originally from Kailua, Hawaii where he attended Lutheran schools through high school. He graduated from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon in 2011 and is currently teaching at St. Peter Lutheran School in North Judson, Indiana.  Matt is married to Kelsey and they have two daughters (Kimberly – 5 and Jaxsen – 2).  Please keep Mr. Uffmann and his family in your prayers as they prepare to come to Napa!

• Housing needed… The Uffmann family is in need of a 2 or 3 bedroom home to rent.  They will arrive by Aug. 12.   They have 2 children and a dog.  Please contact Lisa De Young with Hammond Realty at 707-815-7188.

• We are looking for Volunteers to help with Children’s Church:   You do not have to have children in the program to volunteer! Do you like to share the word of God with children, but not quite sure how to do it? The lessons are all laid out for you and you would only be teaching once a month. This position would begin in September. We have openings in two different age groups: Preschool-1st Grade and 2nd-4th Grade.  Please consider if God is nudging you to serve in this way and helping to grow our youngest disciples! You may contact Janis King for more information! Thank you and God bless!

• Mission India:  We have received the name of our second Mission India Literacy Trainer, which will be announced this Sunday.  Please keep our new 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.

• Children’s Church Teachers:  Erika Boudreaux, Teresa Schmid, Jim & Irene McClenahan

• Aaron Comfort Dog Visits:  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 page 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.