E-Vine May 26, 2016

This Week’s Memory Verse

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ~Deuteronomy 6:4

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.

Our new worship series focuses on selected Psalms which will represent a variety of the styles and themes of the Psalms.  We will explore what these hymns and poems say to us today about the call to live our faith in an authentic way.   Today we begin our series by considering Psalm 1, which sets the stage for all that follows with its call to walk in the way of righteousness.

• Psalm Psalm 1
• Old Testament Reading Exodus 19:1-8
• New Testament Reading 2 Timothy 3:10-17
• Holy Gospel John 6:60-69

• Congregational Meeting June 12 . . .  There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday June 12 at 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary.   There are three items on the agenda:
  • Adoption of the Ministry Plan and Narrative Budget for 2016-2017
  • Election of five candidates for the Board of Directors
  • Authorization of funding for Sanctuary earthquake repair and seismic upgrades

Copies of the Proposed Ministry Plan and Narrative Budget are available in the church entryway, as well as information about the Board of Directors Nominees. These are also available on the church website (https://stjohnslutheran.net/ministry-documents-2)  Please watch for information on upcoming open forums on the sanctuary earthquake repair and seismic upgrades.

• 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.

• Update on Offerings:  Our financial offerings this fiscal year are now about $44,000 below what we have budgeted to fund this year’s Ministry Plan.  Please pray for God’s provision of the resources for the ministry to which He calls us.  Pray for wisdom of our church leaders and Board of Directors as they make decisions for this year and next year.  And pray for God’s leadership in each of our lives, that we hear His voice, as He calls us to partner with Him through our offerings.

• Aaron Stuffed Beanies for Children of Fallen Firefighters:  Lutheran Church Charities has invited Team Aaron to Boise, Idaho later in May, to attend an event sponsored by the National Forest Service Honor Guard and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation to honor fallen firefighters.  We would like to bring several Aaron stuffed beanie dogs for the children of the fallen firefighters.  Please consider helping us by participating in our “Buy One, Give One” program.  For $20 you can bring one Aaron beanie home and we can then take one to Idaho.  Contact Christy or Cindy in the church and school offices.

• 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!

• VBS  June 20-24, 2016:  Each year we have over 125 children attend VBS!  We need more than 60 volunteers to make VBS work at St. John’s .  There are a variety of jobs that need to be filled.  Everyone has a different gift that they can offer to this program.  All of us can serve our Lord in some small way connected to this ministry for children. So I encourage you to check it out, sign up for a task or two! Make a difference!   Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. (Janis King: phone 226-7970 ext. 107 or email: jking@stjohnsnapa.org)  VBS VOLUNTEER MEETING – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016  at 6:30-7:30 pm in the preschool.

You have been invited by Janis King to sign up for “Vacation Bible School 2016.” by April 15^th there will be a link available online that allows you or your children to sign up for volunteer positions.  You can look at our volunteer sign up on line 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040d4faaaa2bab9-gotta/

Registration forms for the children will be available soon in the church, school, & preschool offices, in the narthex of the church, and on the church and school websites! Thank you!

• 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 http://www.missionindia.org.

• Children’s Church Teachers:  Scott & Anastasia Zimmerman, Sarah Santora

• 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 each morning.