March 7, 2024 E-Vine

The March 2024 monthly Vine is available on our website.

To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .

“Looking in the Right Place”

March 10, 2024

Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.  

As We Gather

Where am I looking for hope and happiness in life?  Where do I turn for my comfort and security?  If I am looking to the things and experiences I accumulate, I’m ultimately going to find myself complaining like the Israelites.  Instead we are drawn to look to our Savior.   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.  

There are two opportunities for growth on Sunday mornings.  Pastor Mike is leading “Foundations” in Room 10 (see below).  Joel Wahlers is leading a study on the Gospel of Mark in Room 8 (see below).

The Gospel of Mark

This class will not be meeting March 10 or 17.  It will resume on March 24.

Foundations: An Overview of the Christian Faith

Pastor Mike is 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.

Lent Midweek Service

“Lord Teach Us To Pray”

Our Lent midweek worship series this year focuses on the meaning and use of The Lord’s Prayer.  Our theme for Wednesday, March 13th is “Lead Us Not Into Temptation”  The service is at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary and will be preceded by a Soup Supper in the parish hall at 6:00 PM.  

The Sunday Service on March 17 will NOT be streamed.

We have a special guest from Mission India who will be making a presentation during worship.  We will not be streaming this service in order to protect our guest presenter’s ability to travel to and from the India and for the sake of the safety of our partners in India who are facing persecution for their faith

Memorial Service for Curtis Schoenfeld

Service will be on Sunday, March 10th at 1:30 PM.

Memorial Service for Bonnie Wilson

Service will be on Friday, April 5 at 1:00 PM.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL INFORMATION 

CLICK HERE for all the details!       If you have any questions regarding volunteering please get in contact with Kevin Mathison.

High Schoolers! High School Parents!

Board of Directors Nominations

The Board of Directors is receiving Board nominations for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.  There are nine members of the Board of Directors.  Five 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.

If you are interested in nominating someone (or yourself) for the Board of Directors, CLICK HERE to download information about qualifications and responsibilities.  Also included is a nomination form to be completed and returned to the church office, John Van Hofwegen, or Pastor Mike by May 15.

There will be a Board Information Forum on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 in the Library for those who are interested in being nominated for the board.  This forum is a mandatory part of the nomination process.  Those who are interested in being nominated need to attend.  This 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. Nomination forms are available in the E-vine, in the church office, or by coming to the forum.  These forms are to be returned to Board Chair, John Van Hofwegen, or Pastor Mike Schmid by May 15.    

Endowment Fund Disbursement Application Process

The purpose of the St. John’s Endowment Fund is to receive, to manage and to distribute funding to support and implement the mission and vision of St. John’s Lutheran Church.  A the end of December, the value of the fund was approximately $1.33 million.   Please refer to the Endowment Fund By-Laws for a complete description of what the funds may be used for, and how they are managed: Endowment Fund By-Laws

Each year up to 5% of the value of the fund is available for disbursement to support the ministry.  For some of the funds that make up the overall fund, the disbursements have defined purposes (tuition assistance, etc.)  The Endowment Fund Committee is receiving applications for 2024 2025 disbursements from the “SJL Ministries” portion of the endowment fund. This year there is approximately $36,000 available to be disbursed from this fund.  If you have an idea for a ministry disbursement and would like to submit an application, please click on this link to download an application: Endowment Fund Application.  The deadline for applications is April 1, 2024.  Please send or drop off applications to the church office.  The Endowment Fund Committee will then review all applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Please notify Christy Kramer with the  information that would like to see in our 2024 Spring Church Directory for you and your family.

Name      Address     Home Phone    Cell Phone    E-Mail Address

You can E-Mail  churchoffice@stjohnsnapa.org or call the office   707.255.0119.  If we don’t hear from you, by March 8th, we will use the information that  was in the last directory.   It would be most helpful to have this ASAP.    Thank you!  

Fellowship at St. John’s Survey

We are planning to offer a variety of fellowship opportunities this coming year.  If you didn’t fill out the blue paper survey in church, please click the link below to fill out this form and indicate which events are of interest to you, as well as which ones you would like to help make happen. Thanks for taking the time to help us plan fellowship events! CLICK HERE for the link.  

Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf

Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics and Romance Became our New Religion and What to Do About it

By David Zahl

Has our culture become less religious or more religious?  David Zahl would say that collectively we’re just as religious as ever, just that our “religions” are often things like parenting, politics, career, and romance.  The things that we used to look for in conventional religion – meaning, significance, identity and purpose – we now look for in these other pursuits.  Even though our culture has become more secular, we’re just as religious.  For that reason, he made up a new word, “Seculosity,” as the title of both the book and this cultural phenomenon.

Zahl writes that one of the main things we used to find in conventional wisdom is the sense that we are “enough.”  We properly find this in Christianity by having a solid grounding in God’s grace.  Because I am loved by God, chosen by Him, forgiven by Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I know that I am “enough,” just as I am. 

One of the main problems with these alternate secular religions is that they impel us on a relentless, never-ending pursuit of “enoughness.”  Do I find the sense that I am enough through my parenting?  Through my political activism?  Through my romance with my soul-mate? Through the success of my career?  Zahl points out that  people who constantly seek to prove to themselves and to others that they are enough, are people who are prone to anxiety, worry, and depression.

I found this to be an insightful and spot-on analysis of the times we live in.  It was also a fun book to read.  Zahl’s informal, sometimes ironic and tongue-in-cheek style of writing is engaging, and, for me, a bit of a break from the more academic reading I’ve been doing lately.  I recommend this book for anyone who wants to better understand our cultural moment and how easy it is to be swept along in the prevailing currents.

There is a copy of this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. For previous recommendations CLICK HERE   

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:

1. In person using your offering envelope
2. By clicking: Donate to St. John’s Lutheran (https://bit.ly/DonatetoStJohnsLutheran)
3. 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

We are continuing with the Book of Ephesians.  We have decided to move the study to Mondays, at our regular time (10:00).  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.

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 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…