The March 2023 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
Heart-to-Heart Talks
“The Vision We Really Need?”
March 19, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather A man born blind encounters Jesus and has his sight restored. But that was not the only kind of vision he needed. May Jesus through His Word work in us the vision we truly need. We will be celebrating Holy Communion during this service. Click at the top of this page to join our YouTube live stream. We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: CLICK HERE
Sunday Bible Classes
“Digging Deeper: Who sinned . . . that he was born blind?”
Pastor Mike’s Bible class will dig deeper into the Gospel reading for this Sunday, John 9, the healing of the man born blind. The encounter begins with the disciples asking Jesus where the man’s affliction came from. We will dive deep into that part of the story: Why do bad things happen to us? What does God allow them? How can God be all-powerful and all-loving when there are is so much suffering and evil in the world? Join us for this discussion in Room 10 on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
“Romans: Part 2”
Joel Wahlers is leading a study on Paul’s letter to the Romans after worship in Room 8. He will be making use of Right Now Video teaching by J.D. Greear.
Lent Midweek Service March 22
When It’s Hard to Forgive
Christ clearly calls us to forgive all who wrong us. But how do we do this when the hurt is deep? When we just don’t feel like it? When we can’t work up in ourselves the will? Does it mean that we have to pretend whatever happened never happened? We will take another deep look at the call to forgive, two types of forgiveness, and how to follow our forgiving Lord as broken people in a broken world.
Soup supper is at 6:00 in the Parish Hall. Worship at 7:00 PM, in-person and streaming.
Looking Ahead
Holy Week begins April 2
Holy week commemorates the culminating week in the life of Jesus, and the events at the heart of the salvation which is ours through Jesus.
- Palm Sunday (April 2). On this day, we commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna” from the crowd waving palm branches. This is a welcome for a king coming in peace, and points ahead to the mission He was bringing to fulfilment that week. We will begin our Palm Sunday service in the Faith Chapel (weather permitting) and process into the sanctuary with palm branches, praising Jesus. The service will include the Choraliers singing and the dramatic narrative reading of the passion account.
- Maundy Thursday (April 6) is a commemoration of Jesus’ “Last Supper.” At this meal, He transformed the Passover meal into a sharing of Himself in bread and wine as His body and blood. At our Maundy Thursday worship (7:00 PM), we will also be celebrating the First Communion of those who have been preparing to be welcomed to the Lord’s Supper.
- Good Friday (April 7) marks the day that Jesus was crucified. Our evening service (7:00 PM) is a Tenebrae Service. This is an ancient and beautiful service of gradually darkening the sanctuary as we read of account of the crucifixion and sing hymns and songs in response, ending with the sanctuary in darkness.
- Easter Vigil (April 8, 8:00 PM) is the first celebration of the resurrection and serves as a counterpart to the Good Friday Tenebrae. We process into a darkened sanctuary with candles, and as we meditate on history of God’s saving activity as the sanctuary is gradually lightened.
- On Easter Sunday (April 9) See below.
Looking Ahead to Easter
Easter is April 9th! We will have two services on Easter Sunday, April 9th. Both services will be Communion services. The first service will be at 8:30 AM in the sanctuary. The singing will be led by the organ and will include the Sanctuary Choir. One of their selections will be the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. People who have sung it before are welcome to join the choir on Easter morning to share in the joy of singing this marvelous celebration of Christ’s victory. This service will also be streamed live. The second service will be at 10:30 AM in the Faith Chapel (weather permitting). The singing for this service will be led by the worship band. This service will be recorded for later posting online. Our traditional Easter breakfast will be from 9:00 – 10:30 AM in the Parish Hall.
Easter Flowers
Our Worship Prep Team will provide envelopes for Easter Flower donations. They are in the Narthex on the pedestal.
Recording of School Theme Song
“Hand in Hand” The St. John’s Lutheran School theme song for this year, Hand in Hand, focuses on the comfort of knowing that we are held in Jesus’ hands. We now have a recording of the song, sung by several of our sixth-grade students.
- YouTube Video with Lyrics: CLICK HERE
- Soundcloud Audio: CLICK HERE
- True Vine Music Website: CLICK HERE
(The True Vine Music is Pastor Mike’s website for making available his original songs, as well as the songs of Bob Hauch.)
You are invited to join the Large Print Ministries Group
You are invited to join the Large Print Ministries Group
We’ll be meeting in Room 10 on the following dates:
Monday/Tuesday: March 27/28 (9:00-11:30)
All Fridays: (9:00-12:00)
Ladies’ Tea – CLICK HERE for details
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays)
We are launching a new study on the book of Philippians, which will include some video, and a Bible study guide. We’re getting this via Right Now Media. Please join us on Tuesday, March 21st at 10 AM in the sanctuary.

Youth ministry at St. John’s has been flowing well so far in this new year! March will include much of the same as far as events go with Surge & Confirmation. Surge will be meeting on Tuesday the 7th, 14th, & 28th from 6-7:30pm. Confirmation will look a bit different during Lent due to the midweek services, but we will worship together and gather for small group time each Wednesday as well! Easter Breakfast will be a full go once again this Easter! You are invited to join us for our annual Easter Breakfast! We will post the times and details soon, but in the meantime, if you would like to get involved please contact Kevin Mathison.

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 Donation UPDATE
Napa State Hospital Volunteer Center is getting ready for the holidays and is seeking donations on behalf of their patients. Please CLICK HERE for a list of items needed. Or check the “Wish List” flyer attached to the donation box in the narthex to see what items are being requested.

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…
Martin
I see nothing about Pray and Praise.
Christy
Thanks Martin! It will be Sunday, March 26th at 5:00 PM.