E-Vine March 31, 2018

This Week’s Memory Verse

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. ~Philippians 1:9-11

 As We Gather

“And they all lived happily ever after.”  We want the happy ending.  We are drawn to stories that end well.  Something in us longs for the triumph of good over evil, for justice being done, for the downtrodden lifted, for relationships that never end.  But what if it is not just a story or a fantasy?  What if this is the true story that we are living? Sunday, we celebrate the real event that happened in real history that changes everything: The Resurrection of Jesus.

First Reading         Isaiah25:6-9

Second Reading         1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Holy Gospel Mark 16:1-8

Children’s Church Teachers:  No Children’s Church this Sunday.

• Holy Week Worship Schedule…

Maundy Thursday – 1 & 7 PM

Good Friday – 1 & 7 PM

Easter Vigil – 8 PM

Easter Sunday – 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM

• DCE Intern Kevin Mathison. . .  Our new intern for this next year will be coming to us from Concordia University Texas in Austin.  Kevin will be arriving in late May and will begin his internship on June 1.  Please keep Kevin in your prayers as he concludes his studies and prepares for his ministry here.

• SCREENAGERS – THE MOVIE:  Screenagers is about the impact of the digital age on children and how to help families minimize harmful effects and find balance.  We will be showing this movie for parents on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary.  This is a great opportunity to view this movie and discuss how we as parents can guide our children in the use of technology.  The movie is about 1 hour with a discussion afterward.

• ATTENTION ALL CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS!!

The congregation will now accept applications for student grants for the 2018-2019 academic year.  All members of St. John’s, who plan to attend any of our ten synodical universities or our two seminaries, are eligible to apply.  All you have to do is send a brief note to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, ATTN: Tim Kramer, or an e-mail to tkramer@stjohnslutheran.net, announcing your intent to enroll in the 2018-2019 academic year.  All applications must include the following information:

1. Your Name
2. School Name
3. Student ID or Account #  (if returning student)
4. Degree you are pursuing
5. Year and Level of study (e.g. Junior year, Undergrad; 5^th year, teacher certification, or student teaching; Graduate studies)
6. Attending Fall Term or Spring Term (or both)
7. Briefly explain why you’re attending Concordia and how you plan to use your studies/future vocation to shine the light of Christ and to witness for Jesus as His kingdom representative in the world.

Deadline for applications is March 31, 2018.  Actual grant amount to each student is undetermined but will be based, in part, upon the number of students requesting assistance.  So, if you are considering attending a synodical university–even if you have not made a final decision–please send a brief note informing us of where you are in your decision process so that we can plan accordingly.

• Worship Preparation Team Members Needed… Please consider joining our team!  This important ministry needs some additional helpers – individuals, couples, families, friends!  Many volunteers mean that you only have to serve one or two months each year, so grab a friend and contact Doris Klein and Betsy Gewirz or call the church office if you are able to serve our Lord in this way.

• Women’s Bible Study   Please join us for a weekly Bible study on 1 John on Thursdays from 1 – 2:30 PM, in the sanctuary. All women are invited to this new ministry. Invite a friend!  Bring your Bible or use one from the church. Notebooks and paper will be supplied. Refreshments will be served. Childcare is available with advance notice. Please RSVP to Teresa, Judi, or Pam (via text, phone, or email) so that we know how many chairs to set up. We hope to see you there!

Teresa Schmid   707-738-7554   tschmid08@gmail.com

Judi Rock           707-738-6707   Jbaboo1771@gmail.com

Pam Barker       707-225-4707   pam.moe.barker@gmail.com.

• St. John’s Facilities Online Calendar:  Looking for a room for a meeting or event?  You can 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

• 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… 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.  

• 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.  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 household batteries. Containers are available in the school office, church office, and Room 10.

• 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.