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
“If You Had Been Here . . . ”
March 26, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
Where is Jesus when we are suffering? Where is God when it hurts? Or in all the suffering around us? When Jesus showed up at the home of His friends Martha and Mary four days after their brother Lazarus had died, both sisters confronted Jesus with the words “If you had been here my brother would not have died.” Implied in that statement is a question: “Where were you?” This Sunday we look at what God’s Word says about suffering and finding answers in Him.
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: Pastor Mike’s Bible class will dig deeper into the Gospel reading for this Sunday, John 11, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The encounter begins with Jesus intentionally delaying going to Lazarus until after he was four days dead. This raises questions about how God answers our prayers and requests today. We’ll be digging deeper into this important incident that not only gives a preview of resurrection but served as a catalyst for movement to kill Jesus. Join us for this discussion in Room 10 on Sunday at 11:00.
“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.
Prayer and Praise
Join us for Prayer and Praise this Sunday, March 26 at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary. The Prayer and Praise Band will lead the singing. There will be a devotion by Kevin and a time of prayer, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall. So come out for praise, prayer and fellowship.
Lent Midweek Service March 29
“Forgiveness and Reconciliation”
Forgiving someone in our hearts also involves a willingness to be reconciled that the relationship may be healed. But how do we go about that? This week we will look at some insights from Scripture on bringing reconciliation to relationships hurt by sin, and how the power of Christ might be at work in us through as we extend and receive forgiveness from one another.
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 celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with two opportunities to worship. The 8:30 service in the sanctuary is led with traditional hymns and the choir. The 10:30 service in the Faith Chapel (weather permitting) is led by the worship band. Our Easter morning also includes an egg hunt and an Easter Breakfast in the gym (9:00 – 10:30).
Hallelujah Chorus Rehearsal
The Sanctuary Choir will be singing “The Hallelujah Chorus” by G.F. Handel at the 8:30 Easter Service. If you have sung this before and would like to join the choir for this amazing anthem of praise, there will be a special choir rehearsal after the service on April 2, Palm Sunday.
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, April 4th at 10 AM in the sanctuary.
Easter is just around the corner! Can’t wait to celebrate here at St. John’s! We will of course be hosting our annual Easter Breakfast, but that’s not all. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos between services! We are asking for candy donations to make this possible. If you would like to help please bring some individually wrapped candies that will fit in Easter Eggs. The candy will be collected on Sunday & can also be dropped off to the church or school office anytime before 4/3.
VBS isn’t quite right around the corner, but it is approaching quickly. Registration for both participants and volunteers is now live! You can register here! Contact Kevin Mathison with any questions you may have.
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…
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