The JULY 2022 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
Hebrews: Jesus is Better
“Not Ashamed to Call Us His Brothers”
July 10, 2022
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
This Sunday, we continue our study of Hebrews. This letter is a written sermon to believers who were struggling with their faith. They were being tempted to go back to a life without Jesus, a life rooted in the unfulfilled promises and pictures of the Old Testament. The writer of this letter seeks to show them in many ways that Jesus is better, not only better than what they had before, but better than everything.
In Hebrews 2:11, the author of the letter reminds the letter’s recipients that Jesus was not ashamed to call them (and us) His brothers. This is not just a “simile”, but is in fact literally true. Though Jesus as the Son of God was (and is and ever shall be) fully divine, yet at a point in human history He became our brother, taking upon Himself our human form, flesh and blood, and our human nature, and lived among us as one of us for thirty-plus years as our “brother”. Now, many of us have siblings, and even some extended family we may think of as brothers and sisters. But what are the implications that we have a Big Brother, a Better Brother, in Jesus Christ?
Pastor Ted Zimmerman will be preaching the sermon this Sunday.
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: CLICK HERE .
One Blended Sunday Service to Continue
Sunday morning worship will continue to be one blended service at 9:30 AM for the foreseeable future. The recent worship survey showed very strong support for staying with one service. The main reason is that people really like being all together. Some also pointed out that worship attendance isn’t at a point to require two services, and we would need to bring on board many more volunteers to be able to offer two services. Overall, the leadership team, which reviewed all the surveys and comments, felt that it was pretty clear that most are satisfied with the current approach.
Thanks to all who participated in this survey. While we sought the input and preferences of our St. John’s family, it’s important to keep in mind that decisions about worship are not only about our preferences or what we are used to. Most important is that our worship services honor God and edify the worshipers, while at the same time welcome those who are new to us and may be unfamiliar with our worship traditions. This fall, when we once again welcome school choirs and bells into worship, we will also be seeking input from their families regarding their experience in worship.
May God bless our St. John’s community as we seek to honor Him and pursue His mission!
Pastor Mike on Vacation
Pastor Mike will be on vacation through July 28. During this time, if you have questions or need for pastoral care, please contact the church office. 707-255-0119
Sunday Bible Class
The Sunday Bible Class will not be meeting for the next several weeks. The class will resume in August.
Welcoming our Guests
We are seeking to restart a modified greeter/welcoming ministry for Sunday morning. The goal is to have a welcome/information table so that we can share information and items with those who are new to worship at St. John’s. Our goal is to begin this in August in time for the beginning of the new school year.
If you are interested in being part of this team and helping us welcome people to St. John’s, please email Connections Ministry Leader Josh Wright at sjlcsocialmedia@gmail.com.
Church BBQ
“Hello St. John’s. We would like to invite you to join us for a summer time BBQ on July 17th at 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm. There will be food, games, and music to enjoy. We will have a sign up sheet at the back of the church on the white board so you can let us know if you will be attending and if you’d be willing to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share.
In order to make this possible we will need the support of the congregation and asking if someone would be willing to bring their grill to the church for us to use. If you’d like to help with this, please email Josh W. at SJLCSocialmedia@gmail.com. Please also indicate if you’d prefer to cook or if you’re open to letting someone else do the cooking. Thank you.”
New Church Directory 
Have you moved?
Did you eliminate your land line?
We will be producing a new church directory soon, so please email the church office with any updates to your contact info. churchoffice@stjohnslutheran.net
Thank you!
Vacation Bible School Thank You!
VBS was a success! So much fun every single day learning about just how AWESOME our GOD is and how much He loves us. The volunteer crew was absolutely amazing in making the week great. A huge thank you to them!
Abortion: What does the Bible Say?
On May 29, Pastor Mike led a presentation and discussion in his Sunday Bible Class on what the Bible says about abortion, the sanctity of life, and our bodies. The class was recorded and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/dbBBjlhqKGw
Please click on the link for the handout for this class: https://stjohnslutheran.net/wp-conten…
Joining Jesus Navigation Zoom with Rev. Greg Finke on July 14
The second “Navigation Zoom” with Pastor Greg Finke is on Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 PM. See below for the information for joining the Zoom session.
As Pastor Finke mentioned at the workshop and on Sunday, May 15, the follow up Navigation Zooms are designed to help us receive the encouragement, coaching, and accountability we need to help us “navigate” the process of joining Jesus throughout the next six months. The Zoom session will last between 40-45 minutes.
At our first Navigation Zoom, in addition to being encouraged by Rev. Finke in our joining Jesus on mission, several people shared stories about how they are “seeking the kingdom” and seeing where Jesus is already at work. The zoom session was recorded and is available to watch. CLICK HERE.
Here is the zoom info to join in on July 14:
Topic: Greg Finke Zoom Follow Up
Time: Jul 14, 2022 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8187614269
News from the Mission Farm
Please CLICK HERE for an update from Farmer Ted.
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…
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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.
Give+ App is Changing… 
The Give+ Mobile App from VANCO shut down 1 Oct 21 and no longer is available for download as a mobile app. The new app is called VANCO Mobile.
Giving through Vanco Mobile is easy! Just download the new app and create a new user profile in VANCO Mobile.
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.
Drivers Needed
We have members that no longer drive and need a ride to and from church on Sunday mornings. If you can help, please contact the church office.
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
If you haven’t already signed up for Right Now Media, CLICK HERE.
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