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: “Who Do You Say I Am?”
We continue with our 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.
Our “Road Hazard” this Sunday is having a false notion of the identity of Christ. At the time of Jesus, some thought He was Elijah, John the Baptist or some other prophet. There are many competing ideas today regarding who Jesus really is. In fact, there is always a temptation to construct our own Jesus, rather than hold to the Jesus that is revealed in Scripture. Only that Jesus is Savior. Jesus asked His disciples that most important question of all time: Who do you say that I am? Through His Word, He asks the same question of us today.
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
- LENT WEEK 2 ACTIVITIES Click Here
- LAST SUPPER COLORING PAGE Click Here
Lent Midweek Service March 3: “A Loving God”
Our Lent Midweek series is “God of the Cross.” The cross is the primary Christian symbol. Why is it so important? What does the cross reveal about our God?
The cross shows us that our God is a loving God. The cross settles for all time the question of whether God loves us. The cross itself is a picture of the essence of God’s love.
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.
Message from the Mission Farm
Many Hands Make the Work Light! Saturday, March 6, will be a special Work Day at the St. John’s Lutheran Mission Farm, organized by Ron and Lois Johnson, and supported financially by Thrivent Financial. A large turnout of volunteers is desired, whether old regulars at the Farm, or first time volunteers . . . congregation members, school families, or friends of the same . . . or anyone from the general public who likes to engage in projects that improve the quality of life for people in the community. There’s a lot to be done: weeding, planting, perhaps some gleaning, raking chips, fence line construction, and general clean up in preparation for the warm weather crop season. All will contribute to the mission of the Farm, which is to raise fresh produce for distribution by the CANV Food Bank to families in need. Tools will be provided. Treats too! Do bring work gloves, a wide brimmed hat, some water, face covering, and a sense of humor. Begins at 9 a.m. at the Mission Farm, 3521 Linda Vista, Napa.
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
DISARMING THE DARKNESS PETE BRISCOE
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” C. S. Lewis
You’re under attack, even if you don’t realize it. It sometimes comes in a whisper that says, “You’ll never be good enough,” or “God won’t forgive THAT,” or “No one is looking. Go ahead.”
Other times the attack comes with great force and knocks you down – an unfaithful spouse or a medical crisis. Behind these attacks is a vicious enemy who hates you simply because you are precious to God.
The Bible says this enemy, Satan, roams back and forth in the earth looking for whom he can devour. Those are scary words, but if you are a believer, you don’t have to fear them! Satan is no match for Jesus – or for us when we have Christ living in us!
Pete teaches on the serious subject of spiritual warfare in this 7-message series on the armor of God from Ephesians, and how these spiritual weapons can protect us from Satan’s schemes and lies as we wait for Jesus to return. For now, we live in a spiritual battleground, but we can rejoice because Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory!
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.
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