E-Vine November 18, 2016

This Week’s Memory Verse

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,  to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20-21                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

As We Gather

Jesus is Lord of all.  One of the ways in which this is seen in His ministry are the signs He performed, His miracles. He shows that He is Lord over creation, over sickness, over evil, and even over death. But there is much more going on than merely a demonstration of divine power.  We continue our worship series in which we focus on several key miracles of Jesus, seeking to learn to know Him more and follow Him more closely through what these miracles teach us and show us.

Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, in which we celebrate Jesus as the one who is Lord over all.  We look forward to the day of His re-appearance, the day of Resurrection, when His Kingship will be manifest to all creation

But what kind of King is He?  Does His Kingdom advance by force or by compassion and love?  Today we focus on Jesus’ healing of one of the men who came to arrest Him.  What does this reveal about the character of the King, and the Kingdom to which we belong?

• Old Testament Reading Genesis 50:15-21
• Psalm Psalm 72
• New Testament Reading Colossians 1:15-23
• Holy Gospel Luke 22:47-53

• Thanksgiving Worship . . . What are you thankful for this year?  Let’s gather as the people of God to give God our thanks for his gifts to us.  We will have a communion worship service on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 at 9:30 AM.  Please bring non-perishable food items for the Napa Food Bank.

• Thanksgiving Worship Set-Up…We will be setting up for Thanksgiving Worship in the gym on Wednesday, November 23 at 6:00 PM.  Please go to our Sign up Genius Website to sign up to help!

• Advent Midweek Soup Suppers…The first Advent Soup Supper is November 30 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall.  We will be staying in the Parish Hall for the Midweek service at 7:00

• Advent Midweek Service November 30 7:00.  This service will focus on the power of God’s Word to bring healing in the midst of physical ailments, strained relationships, and other difficulties and challenges in life.  An extended period of time for community and personal prayers will be a part of the service, as well as anointing with oil.

• 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 November 13, $98,026 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $87,974 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Looking for a way to directly impact a local youth in need this Christmas?  Aaron Comfort Dog has an idea for you. Team Aaron has the privilege to be a comforting support for the Napa County Court and Community Schools where the students are some of the most vulnerable in our community. Aaron visits them every week providing consistent comfort. Some barely have the day to day necessities so their school has up THE GIVING TREE. Students and their families unable to afford the extras of the holidays are given a paper ornament to list their Christmas wishes. Some of these families are just asking for clothes, food, and blankets (and of course toys). Gifts are due by December 9th so they can be distributed before the school breaks for the holiday. If you are interested in helping a local family in need please email Autumn Zimmerman at avzimmerman@yahoo.com  She can pick up an ornament for you and give you all the details. If you want to know more about the schools check it out at http://www.napacoe.org/programs-students/court-community-schools/  Thanks for “Reaching Out”!

• Napa Valley CanDo  Look for St. John’s Mission Farm featured inside the 2016 Napa Valley Give! Guide (p. 9). The Mission Farm is one of 43 local nonprofits chosen to be included in this year’s edition. The Give! Guide is a project of Napa Valley CanDo, and encourages support for these nonprofits who serve the community. You should have received your copy in the mail, enclosed in the November MarketPlace Magazine. They are also available in a number of places throughout the area, including in the Parish Hall where we are gathering for worship these days.

• The Give! Guide makes supporting the nonprofits easy. Donate $10 or more to one or many in a single, easy transaction. Donations are tax-deductible. Head online to NVGiveGuide.org to donate, or use the form in your copy of the Give! Guide. Didn’t get one in the mail, or find it around town? The website offers all the information you need.  Of course, the Mission Farm volunteers hope that you will support the Farm. You can do that either through the Give!Guide, or by giving a check to St. John’s earmarked Mission Farm. Both ways help, but the total gifts given thru the Give!Guide are revealed in real time. Encourage your friends to give as well.

• NEW 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, use this link:

• 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.

• Children’s Church Teachers: Scott Zimmerman, Jim & Irene McClenahan

• 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.