The April 2023 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
Palm Sunday
“Have This Mind Among Yourselves”
April 2, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather This Sunday is Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, two celebrations in one service. We begin with a commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Then we look forward to the events of the coming week, and the Passion of our Lord, culminating with His atoning sacrifice on the cross. In our reading from Philippians, Paul encourages his readers to have the mind of Christ among ourselves. What is this mind of Christ? Paul goes on to describe the complete humility and servanthood of Christ, culminating in the events we celebrate this week. May God work the mind of Christ in us and among us.
The service begins in Faith Chapel.
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
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.
Sunday Bible Classes
“Digging Deeper: The Passion of Christ
Pastor Mike’s Bible class will dig deeper into the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Matthew 26:33-27:66, the passion of Christ. We will walk through the account, from the Garden of Gethsemane to the burial in the tomb, taking a closer look at the historical background, and greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. 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.
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).
Easter Flower donation envelopes are on the pedestal in the Narthex.
St. John’s Security Fence Project
Construction of the rest of the security fencing will begin in the next 4-6 weeks. There will be a security fence and gate between the church office and the school office. Also, the chain link fence around the athletic field will be replaced with the same type of fencing.
Board of Directors Nominations
The Board of Directors is receiving Board nominations for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. There are nine members of the Board of Directors. Four of these positions are up for election this year. Board members serve for a two-year term and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.
There will be a Board Information Forum on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00 PM in the Library for those who are interested in nominating or being nominated for the board. This forum is a required step in the process of being nominated. The forum is also open to anyone who just wants to learn more about the governance polity of St. John’s, and how the Board works.
Please click here for more information about the qualifications for being nominated and the responsibilities of those serving on the Board.
SJLS Dine and Donate Fried Chicken Friday, March 31st from 4-6 PM at Southside – Century CLICK HERE for flyer.
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: April 10, 11, 17, 18 (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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