The January 2024 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
“Ready For God’s Appearing”
January 14, 2024
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
In our first reading this Sunday, the boy Samuel hears a voice calling him and assumes it is the priest Eli. After several more times of hearing a voice calling him, Eli instructs Samuel to respond “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” He wanted Samuel to adopt a posture of readiness for the Lord. What does his example mean for us today as we seek to follow Jesus in our lives?
We are delighted to welcome as our guest preacher today, Rev. Michael Lange, the President of the California-Hawaii-Nevada District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. May God bless his preaching of the Word and our hearing of it and taking it to heart. We will celebrate Holy Communion at this service.
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
Sunday Bible Classes
Sunday Bible Classes will resume on January 28. There will be two opportunities for growth. Pastor Mike will be leading “Foundations” in Room 10 (see below). Joel Wahlers will lead 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.
Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next
By Rachel Gilson
This is a fascinating book by Rachel Gilson about her life – and so much more. She is very up front with the fact that she has always been romantically attracted only to women. She came to faith in Christ while a student at Yale. She chronicles her ups and downs and struggles as she sought to follow Christ faithfully, including what the Bible says about marriage and sexuality, as a same sex attracted person.
But it is more than a biography. As she describes her struggles, she also dives deeply into what the Bible says about sexuality and marriage, and how it is connected to Christ and our life in Him. This was not a mere academic concern for her, but her life and fulfillment and hope. She points to the richness of her life in Christ, and what that means for following faithfully in a fallen world as a fallen person.
I highly recommend this book. If you are someone who is same sex attracted and desiring to follow Christ faithfully, Rachel Gilson’s story and reflections offer hope and encouragement. But even if that is not the case, she provides a helpful window into the unique challenges of those who seek to follow the Bible’s teaching as a same sex attracted person, as well as the call to congregations to be places of welcome, support and encouragement.
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: Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
Pastor Mike on Vacation
Pastor Mike will be away from Sunday evening, January 14 through Monday, January 22. If any needs or questions arise during this time, please contact the church office.
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:
- In person using your offering envelope
- By clicking: Donate to St. John’s Lutheran (https://bit.ly/DonatetoStJohnsLutheran)
- 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.
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). Our first get together will be on January 8th, in the sanctuary. Please be ready with Study 5 completed (Ephesians 3:1-13), “A New Ministry”. 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
School Secretary Position
We are in the process of hiring a school secretary for St. John’s Lutheran School. This position is currently being held by Nicole Paltrineri, who will be moving from Napa, CA in the near future. We are so thankful for Nicole and all that she has done at SJL and she will be staying with us during the transition. This position is to support our School Office Manager, Kristal Broyles. We are so blessed that Cindy Zeller was able to step in for this school year as Mrs. Broyles is undergoing treatment, but she will not be available for next school year. We would like this position to start February 1, 2024 in order to provide a smooth transition as Mrs. Paltrineri leaves and before Mrs. Broyles returns full time. For information on the position CLICK HERE. Please send a resume and/or any questions regarding this position to Christy Wood, Principal, at cwood@stjohnsnapa.org.
34th Annual Hauch Invitational Tournament (H.I.T.)
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 see thank you note from Napa State Hospital.
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…
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