In-Person Worship resumes on Sunday, February 28
We are delighted to report that we will resume in person worship in the sanctuary on February 28. The state has revised its restriction in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling. Please note that other restrictions are still in place, including:
- 25% of capacity or a maximum of 100 people
- Masks are required
- Social Distancing of 6 feet
- No singing
This Sunday: “Freedom in Christ”
We value freedom. So it catches our attention to hear about the freedom that we have in Christ because of the gospel. But what is that freedom? What are we free from? What are we free for? Paul calls the Colossians – and us – to live lives grounded in Christ’s work, instead of on rules regarding what we must do. What does that mean in our lives today?
This Sunday is also Transfiguration Sunday, a day when we commemorate our Lord’s transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9). This will be a communion service.
Live Stream worship begins at 9:30 AM. Please go to this page (https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/ to download the handout, and to link to the live stream itself. We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: https://www.facebook.com/sjlcnapa
Family and Children Resources
“Children’s Church Lesson” This is a weekly Sunday School/Children’s church type lesson for parents to lead with small children. Please use this at home during this time when we are unable to offer our regular children’s church. Here are this week’s suggestions:
- CHILDREN’S CHURCH LESSONS (Elem & PS) God Sends Manna and Quail
- FAMILY LOVE JAR Click Here
- VIDEO FOR KIDS VALENTINE MOVIE: LOVE
A Health Update From Pastor Mark
On January 18 I had a heart attack, the result of one artery being 70-80% blocked. The blockage was cleared with a stent. I’m thankful there wasn’t any damage to the heart and that I feel great. With all the diet and exercise changes I have made in the past year there are only a few minor changes I need to make for future good heart health.
While I was at the hospital a chest x-ray revealed a growth in the lower lobe of my right lung. I have not been having any symptoms to indicate the presence of this growth. Because of its size (roughly a silver dollar) it needs to be removed. The PET scan indicated that it is slow growing and there isn’t any activity in the surrounding lymph nodes. The hope is that it is a benign tumor. That will be determined after it is removed.
Surgery is scheduled for March 2 at the Queen. I will be in the hospital 3-5 days and recovery will be 3-4 weeks. I will be off work most, if not all, of March. I hope to be recovered in time to preach on Easter Sunday, April 4. Anne and I are thanking God that this was discovered and for the great medical team working with us. We appreciate your prayers and we will keep you updated on the results.
Second Grade Teacher Call Committee Formed
We have formed a call committee for begin the process of calling a new 2nd Grade Teacher for the 2021-2022 school Year. Jennie Lovie will be leaving St. John’s Lutheran School at the end of this school year. We are thankful for her ministry among us all these years and pray God’s blessings to her and Jon as they prepare to make a new home in Arizona. If you know of a qualified teacher who may be interested in this position, please have them submit an application/resume to Principal Wood.
Ash Wednesday: “A Just God”
Our Lent Midweek series is “God of the Cross.” The cross is the primary Christian symbol. Why is it so important? Only Christianity has a cross. And for Christianity, everything is about the cross. Only our God is God of the Cross.
On Ash Wednesday we see in the cross the reminder that our God is a God who is just. He judges and condemns sin. The cross shows us the penalty for sin that we rightly deserve. But the good news is that in going to the cross, Jesus Christ has taken that judgment on Himself.
The Ash Wednesday Service will live stream at 7:00 PM. This will be a communion service. Please go to this page (https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/ to download the handout, and to link to the live stream itself. We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: https://www.facebook.com/sjlcnapa
No Ashes?
In light of COVID, we will not be using ashes this Ash Wednesday as a sign of repentance pointing us to Christ. Instead, we are making available silicone wrist-bands. These wrist-bands are purple, the liturgical color for Lent, as a reminder of repentance. They contain the word “Forgiven” along with two crosses as a reminder of the cross and the gift of forgiveness that we have in Christ. The wrist-bands come in three sizes: Adult, youth, and toddler. We encourage you to wear your “Forgiven” wrist-band throughout the season of Lent as a reminder of repentance and forgiveness in the cross.
How can you pick up your Lenten wrist-band? They will be available at our parking lot drive-by this Saturday, February 13, from 1:00 – 2:30. Since the church office is open, you may also stop by the office to pick up yours as well.
Parking Lot Drive-By This Saturday
We will have another parking lot drive-by pick-up this Saturday, from 1:00-2:30. We will have the Lent “Forgiven” wrist-bands available, as well as a Lent Devotional booklet from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Those who have not yet picked up their 2021 offering envelopes can pick these up as well.
African-American Church Music Composers
During the month of February, reflecting African American History Month, we will be using preludes and postludes by African American Composers. Watch for information about the selections in the downloadable service notes, as well as on the screen. Thanks to Erin Blackwood and Florence Jowers for preparing this.
Wednesday Morning Bible Class Will Study the Book of Jude – Via Zoom
Pastor Mark began teaching the book of Jude on January 6. Jude was the half-brother of Jesus and in just 25 verses deeply and clearly expresses the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. The class will be held via Zoom until we are able to meet in person. We meet on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30. Please send an email to pastormark@stjohnslutheran.net to register for the class so he can send you the Zoom link and class handouts.
Social Media Ministry Team
Do you love Jesus? Do you like Social Media? Our Social Media Ministry Team is looking for people to join with us building up and improving our ministry through social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). During COVID, we have seen our ministry reach expand well beyond our property, our city, our state, and our country. If you would like to be part of this ministry, please contact Pastor Mike (pastormike@stjohnslutheran.net, 707-255-0119).
Homeless Ingathering
Thank you for your generosity in providing supplies for the formerly homeless woman who needed help with basic necessities for her new apartment! We will continue to accept donations through tomorrow, February 12, 2021. Please consider donating the following items:
- Broom, mop, bucket
- Cleaning supplies
- Vacuum, small upright
- Shower curtain
- Small countertop microwave
- Bedding for full size (double) bed
- Comforter
- Cooking utensils, spoons, knives, potato masher, ladle
- Cooking pans, large soup pan and large skillet
- Cast Iron tortilla warmer
- Toaster
- Blender
- Ice trays
If you have questions, please contact Dean or Nancy Ehlen. Items can be dropped off outside the church office. Thank you!
Youth Notes
Surge: This Tuesday we have an event on Tuesday at 6pm on Zoom. Catch us there for a fun time of games and Bible study!
Confirmation: Confirmation is nearing a close and our 2nd year Confirmands are working on their faith statements.
High School: On Thursday we will be meeting on Zoom at 7pm as we continue to dive into the book of James.
If you’d like any more information on any of these events please contact Kevin Mathison.
Where do I find sermons and service that I missed?
You can find previous sermons in three places. The full services are available on the YouTube channel.
- YouTube Channel:
- https://www.youtube.com/user/stjohnsnapaca/live
- There are playlists for sermons, Sunday Services, Wednesday Night Worship and teaching on Matthew
- RightNow Media Channel
- https://www.rightnowmedia.org/CustomLibrary/41667
- Scroll down to find recommendations as well as sermon and Gospel of Matthew lessons
- Website
- https://stjohnslutheran.net/sermons-2/
- The sermons are arranged by worship series
For detailed information, please check out Your February 2021 monthly Vine on our website. To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, click here
RightNow Media Recommendation for the Week
Moralistic & Therapeutic Deism
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Training/Post/View/236369
Dr. Michael Horton, Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, discusses the heresy of self-salvation and the tragedy of a moralistic worldview. In this 45-minute session from the 2010 Ligonier Conference, he warns believers of the American spirituality of Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism, in which people strive for personal, moral transformation apart from Christ.
Support SJLS through Scrip! Easiest Fundraiser Ever!!
Click here to watch a video on how easy Scrip is using the RaiseRight app. Remember there are always cards you can purchase in the school office especially our local vendors, Foodshed, Hop Creek and Tarla Bar and Grill, but using the RaiseRight app is so convenient for all of your everyday purchases.
Ongoing News and Information
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