February 15, 2024 E-Vine

The February 2024 monthly Vine is available on our website.

To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .

“Giving Up to Receive”

February 18, 2024

Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.   

  As We Gather Are you giving up something for Lent?  In our text today, Abraham was called to give up his son in obedience to God’s call.  Why did God call Abraham to make such a supreme sacrifice?  And why did He stop him from carrying it out?  What is God calling me to give up in my life today, not just to observe Lent, but to follow Him more faithfully?

Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.  

There are two opportunities for growth on Sunday mornings.  Pastor Mike is leading “Foundations” in Room 10 (see below).  Joel Wahlers is leading a study on the Gospel of Mark in Room 8 (see below).

The Gospel of Mark 

The Gospel of Mark chronicles Jesus’s journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. Along the way, the Messiah gathers a ragged band of disciples. As crowds grow and dwindle on the road to Jerusalem, only a few stick by the Suffering Savior on the road of discipleship.  

In this 11 part class, Joel Wahlers will be making use of a Right Now Video course led by author and speaker Francis Chan.  Tracing the steps of Jesus and the Twelve through Israel, Francis explores the major themes of the Gospel of Mark, and asks: Are we willing to take this journey to embrace discipleship? 

Foundations: An Overview of the Christian Faith 

What are the essential teachings of the Christian faith?  What do they mean in our lives and in our world today?   

Pastor Mike will be leading a nine-session overview of the basic teachings of the Christian Faith.  This study in basic Christianity will cover all the essential teachings, how they fit together into one compelling story, and what they mean for our lives today.  

This class is required for those who are interested in membership at St. John’s.  But it is also helpful for those who seek to better understand the Christian story in order to grow in their faith and be better equipped to share it with others.  Throughout the class we will be considering the major challenges to faith, and how the Christianity provides a better story for our world today. 

“Lord Teach Us To Pray”

Our Lent midweek worship series this year focuses on the meaning and use of The Lord’s Prayer.  Our theme for Wednesday, February 21 is “Thy Kingdom Come, They Will Be Done.”

The service is at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary and will be preceded by a Soup Supper in the parish hall at 6:00 PM.

I have created a sign up sheet for the upcoming dates.  Pleases indicate if you would like to host the evening or just help by supporting a host.  Please feel free to sign up to host or help on any Wednesdays you are able.  As we get additional volunteers, they will be added.   CLICK HERE for the sign-up link.  Thank you!     Joshua Wright    

Memorial Service for Curtis Schoenfeld

Service will be on Sunday, March 10th at 1:30 PM.  

Fellowship at St. John’s Survey

We are planning to offer a variety of fellowship opportunities this coming year.  If you didn’t fill out the blue paper survey in church, please click the link below to fill out this form and indicate which events are of interest to you, as well as which ones you would like to help make happen. Thanks for taking the time to help us plan fellowship events! CLICK HERE for the link.  

Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf

Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ is Essential

By Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman

Do we need the church?  Are congregations essential?  Can’t I just be a Christian on my own, just me and Jesus?  In a culture which is arguably more individualistic than any in history, valuing personal autonomy over relationships, these are questions that people ask about Christianity.  The fact that COVID forced us into individualized screen-based worship didn’t help much either.

In this book, Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman cover ground that would have been taken for granted a couple of generations ago, but must be articulated today.  We need the church.  We need each other.  The foundational reason is because this the will and design of God.  Jesus created the church, called it into being through the sending of the Holy Spirit.  The congregation is the context where people are baptized, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, hear the word preached, and worship God is ways that an individual cannot.

The authors take it further than these theological truths and point also to the practical blessings and benefits to active participation in a church community.  Coming from a reformed Baptist background, some of their explanations leave out things that as Lutherans we would emphasize, especially the communal aspect of the celebration of The Lord’s Supper.  That being said, there is much of value in this book and I recommend it for anyone who wants to focus on the important of church and congregation in God’s design for His people, for our growth and for His mission.

There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.  Previous recommendations can be found here: https://stjohnslutheran.net/pastor-mikes-bookshelf/

For previous recommendations CLICK HERE 

Worship Tech Overhaul

“Faith Comes From Hearing”

We’ve heard your feedback and understand that one of the biggest challenges you and our visitors face when attending worship in person or watching the livestream is participating in the service because it’s difficult to see or hear God’s Word, the lessons, and the beautiful music that’s raised up to God in praise. With these concerns in mind, we’re doing a complete and total overhaul of the audio and visual technology in the St. John’s sanctuary and Faith Chapel. We’re working to create an experience that is free of distractions, allowing our members, visitors, students, and families to focus on the most import element of any gathering held at St. John’s: God’s Word. If you would like to help support this mission, we ask that you do so through your offerings. There are three ways you can give:

1. In person using your offering envelope
2. By clicking: Donate to St. John’s Lutheran (https://bit.ly/DonatetoStJohnsLutheran)
3. By using the Vanco Mobile app

We ask that you notate your donation with “Faith Comes From Hearing” or “Worship Tech Overhaul” to ensure it is applied to this project.    

LCC Hearts of Mercy and Compassion for Family of Chaplain Lee Shaw

What are they? Lutheran Church Charities’ Hearts of Mercy & Compassion® provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. If you knew Chaplain Lee Shaw… Please consider adding a message to the Heart that we have to give to the Shaw Family at  Chaplain Lee’s memorial service on February 24th.  It will be available after service on Sundays as well as in the church office until the 23rd.  

Women’s Bible Study

Happy New Year, St. John’s Women’s Study. We are starting the New Year off continuing with the Book of Ephesians. I’m excited to say that with the New Year comes a new day that we will be meeting. We have decided to move the study to Mondays, at our regular time (10:00).  Looking forward to seeing all of you!   Blessings, Judi Rock  

Men’s Saturday Morning Bible Study

The Men’s Saturday Morning Bible Study is currently studying the Gospel of Luke.  Join us for fellowship at 7:30 AM and Bible Study from 8-9 AM.

2024 Women’s Tea

We are blessed to have so many young kids with us each Sunday, but we are running low on Children’s Church leaders. If you are looking for a place to serve here at St. John’s I ask you to consider working in Children’s Church. It’s an awesome way for the kids to hear the good news of Jesus delivered in a way suitable for them to understand and hold on to. Please get in contact with Kevin Mathison if you have any questions about getting involved. We would love to have you join the team!

New Email Addresses for the Church

Please make a note that we are changing the email addresses for the church.  Please use the following email addresses for correspondence.

• Church Office: churchoffice@stjohnsnapa.org
• Pastor Mike: pastormike@stjohnsnapa.org
• Kevin Mathison: kevin@stjohnsnapa.org
• Tim Kramer: tkramer@stjohnsnapa.org

What is different?  The domain “stjohnsnapa.org” instead of “stjohnslutheran.net.”  We are moving away from the “stjohnslutheran.net” so that all emails, church and school, will be “stjohnsnapa.org.”   The old emails will remain active for a time to make sure we don’t miss anything, but please update your address books accordingly.

Coffee Ministry Needs Help

Do you enjoy the coffee hour after church?    Would you like to be part of this ministry?   We are looking for additional people to join us!   Join a team or get some friends and make a team. Three or four people are ideal.  On the job training will be provided.

Responsibilities are: • arriving prior to service to set up • providing refreshments – may be baked or purchased • making coffee • setting up serving tables and seating • serving the refreshments • clean up

We appreciate the people who help set up and put away tables and chairs and those who contribute refreshments.  This is a welcoming time of fellowship for both members and visitors.  Any questions or willingness to serve – please contact Susan or Bill Clark or the church office.

Biblical Counseling at St John’s? 

The Biblical Counseling Center of Napa Valley

The Biblical Counseling Center of Napa Valley is a ministry to the families of St. John’s Lutheran Church and all Christians in the greater Napa area. Our center began some 25 years ago to offer strength and direction to those Christians suffering through trials and tribulations using the promises and hope the Bible offers to those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.   To learn more, CLICK HERE.  If you, or someone you know, is struggling with life’s stressors, please consider giving us a call at 707-738-5306.   (We are a free ministry to all).  

Right Now Media

Right now media is an online resource providing Christian videos for all ages:  Children’s resource, Bible Studies, lectures and more.  As a congregation, we have subscribed to Right Now Media, so access is free for all in our St. John’s family.   If you haven’t already signed up for Right Now Media, CLICK HERE.

Napa State Hospital Christmas Donation THANK YOU!

CLICK HERE to view list of requested items.

As a Thrivent member, you are eligible for  two Thrivent Action Teams per year.  Thrivent Action Teams are a great way to make a positive impact in your community.   Thrivent offers all the resources you need to get started, including up to $250 in seed money. Your team below provide the passion that brings your project to life.  Here are some ideas on how you can help us here at St. John’s…

• Youth Events, VBS, Mission Farm, Large Print Ministry and LCC K9 Comfort Dog Ministry

Please call the church office if you are inspired to help with projects like these above and much more.  Christy Kramer will be happy to help you apply for your Action Team Card.

CLICK HERE for instructions.      CLICK HERE for more information.

Do you wish to receive the E-Vine by text? 

Signing up is simple.  Just text “sjlctext” to 855-906-0515.  When an e-vine is sent out, you will receive a text with a link which will take you to the current e-vine.  If you currently receive the e-vine by email, you will continue to receive it that way as well, unless you request for it to stop.

Where do I find sermons and services 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

Ongoing News and Information

LCC K9 Comfort Dog Info… Scrip Info: What is Scrip?…  Social Media at St. John’s…  Mission India…