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: “Temptation”
We start a new series this Sunday: “Road Hazards.” Lent is a journey. The Christian life is a journey. Along our journey through the wilderness of life in a fallen world on the way to the promised land, there are dangers. Road Hazards that can derail us and send us spiraling into a ditch. The Good News is that Jesus is with us and calls us to let Him drive.
The first “Road Hazard” that we encounter is temptation. This is a serious enough hazard that Jesus included it in The Lord’s Prayer. Not taking it seriously leaves us vulnerable to serious trouble on the road. But the good news is that Jesus has defeated Satan. What does that victory mean on our journey today?
Sunday, we are also celebrating Boy Scouts at St. John’s. We thank God for our Cub Scout Pack and our Boy Scout Troop. The lay readers for this service are scouts, and we will also have an update on scouting at St. John’s from scoutmaster David Grazia.
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) Click Here
- 16 SIMPLE LENTEN ACTIVITIES FOR ALL CHRISTIAN KIDS Click Here
- ASH WEDNESDAY EXPLAINED Click Here
- WHAT KIDS SAY ABOUT LENT & EASTER Click Here
Lent Midweek Service February 24: “A Redeeming 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.
In our service next Wednesday, we see in the cross that our God is a redeeming God. Jesus went to the cross to bear the guilt, judgment and punishment for all of our sins. And now we have peace with God because God’s judgment on our sin has been poured out on Jesus. The great exchange has taken place: He takes our sins and gives us His righteousness.
Our Lent Midweek Services will live stream at 7:00 PM on Wednesdays. 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
Lent Wrist Bands
We are making available silicone wrist-bands for the Lenten season. 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.
They can be picked up in the Church Office.
Observing Lent
How are you observing Lent? We have collected a number of ideas and suggestions on our website. Click here to go to the “Observing Lent” page.
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.
March 2021 monthly Vine now available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE
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.
Children’s Ministry Easter Egg Hunt Click here for details
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.
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).
Napa State Hospital Donation UPDATE
Napa State has changed their donation request list. Please note the following…
Needed:
- calendars
- greeting cards-no glitter
- fabric
- construction paper
- crayons
- water color paints
NO LONGER ACCEPTED:
Magazines and yarn
Youth Notes
This week we have Surge, Confirmation, & High School Events planned. If you need more information please contact Kevin Mathison.
Tuesday: Surge from 6-7pm on Zoom.
Wednesday: Confirmation Small Groups following the midweek service on Zoom.
Thursday: High School group from 7-8pm on Zoom.
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
Right Now Media Recommendation
” Freedom with a Catch”
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/421273
Followers of Christ live in grace, not law. But what happens when we focus on our “rights” and ignore other believers? In this session, pastor William Subash from The Crossroads Church in Bangalore, India exhorts Christians to build our faith families with love.
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.
Sue Salb
Praying for comfort and peace for Pastor Mark and Anne.