The MAY 2024 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
Confirmation Sunday
Confessing Jesus
May 5, 2024
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather Jesus said, “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God (Luke 12:8).” Every day, each of us is called upon to confess Jesus by what we say and what we do. Today we rejoice as six young people publicly acknowledge Jesus, and are confirmed and blessed in their faith. May God bless our confirmands in their confession and bless each of us in the confession of our lives.
Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
We will be streaming on our Facebook Page as well: CLICK HERE
Children’s Ministry:
- It’s time to SCUBA! The VBS date is set, June 17-20. We are really in need of adult volunteers. Please check out the website to see if there is a role for you.
Surge:
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Our next Surge is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14th from 6-7:30 PM in Room 10. This is open for our 5th & 6th graders to come hang out, play games, and dive into a devotion.
Confirmation:
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Confirmation Sunday is here! Please join us on Sunday at 9:30 to help celebrate and support our Confirmands as they share their Faith Statements with us!
High School:
- High School Hang out! May 5th following the service. Join us for some delicious Ice Cream Tacos!! We will meet outside of Room 7.
- The 2025 National Youth Gathering may seem a bit far out, but we are beginning to lay the groundwork right now. Please join us for our first NYG meeting on May 15 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary.
- “Citizens of Heaven” Pastor Mike is leading a study and discussion that follows up from the worship series “Citizens of Heaven.” We seek to be led by Jesus in a contentious election season by looking to His Word regarding some of the big items at issue in our country. This week we will talk about caring for the poor. What does God’s Word say about our responsibilities regarding the poor? And what does this mean for the government and its role in providing for the poor?
- “The Gospel of Mark” (Joel Wahlers in Room 8) This class on the Gospel of Mark makes use of resources from Right Now Media, along with class discussion.
Important Announcement and Forum May 19 after Worship
Please mark your calendar for an important forum on May 19 after worship in the Sanctuary. Pastor Mike will be speaking about his future, the future of St. John’s and what that means for our life together.
Congregational Budget and Election Meeting
The congregational meeting will be on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, we will be electing five people to serve on the Board of Directors. We will also be voting on the 2024-2025 Ministry Plan and Budget.
Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
We the Fallen People: The Founders and the Future of American Democracy
By Robert Tracy McKenzie
This week’s recommendation continues what we’ve been focusing on in worship this past month. We just completed last Sunday our “Citizens of Heaven Living on Earth” sermon series, in which we looked at what it means to follow Jesus in a contentious election season. We are continuing to discuss faith and politics in my Sunday Bible Class.
In this book, historian Robert Tracy McKenzie takes a look at the faith of the founders and the way it affected the shaping of democracy in our country. The title of the book reflects one of his main insights, the role of belief in original sin. Even though the vast majority of the founders were not orthodox Christians, they still held on to a rather pessimistic view of human nature. This is one of the reasons for rejecting any kind of monarchy that invests too much power in one fallen sinful person. But democracy does not eliminate the problem either, as it renders the country subject to the (fallen) whims of the mob. The founders wanted nothing to do with a straight direct democracy for that reason, and some in fact were more frightened of the mob than a monarch.
So they cleverly crafted a form of government never seen before which was filled with checks and balances, finite terms, and distributed powers among distinct branches. The purpose of these systems of accountability was to prevent the abuse of power. The key point is that they were so pessimistic about human nature, so convinced of the reality of the effects of the fall, that they were convinced wherever there is unchecked power, there will be abuse.
McKenzie then traces how this thinking has changed over the years, especially during the populist presidency of Andrew Jackson. The original skepticism regarding human nature has gradually been replaced by a confidence that people are naturally good, and that the collective will of the people cannot be wrong. This is a profound theological shift that has had profound political ramifications up to the present age. What does it mean that we have a form of government built with an assumption of original sin, but the views of the majority of people of the country no longer believe in it, but rather that they and others are basically good? McKenzie traces this tension through our history up to the present day and the current tension regarding democracy.
I found this a fascinating study. Not only as a history book, but one that brings together history, theology and political thought in thinking through challenges that our country faces today. Look for 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, please CLICK HERE .
Stephen Ministry
May 2, 2024
Stephen Ministry is a system through which individuals are trained and organized to help provide one-on-one Christian caregiving to adults. This caring ministry at St. John’s is provided by skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ’s healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life. To learn more about Stephen Ministry and what Stephen Ministers do, contact Penni Cremen (707-483-9321) or Pastor Mike at the church office (707-255-0119).
Dine and Donate
JOIN THE HABIT BURGER GRILL on Trancas St. IN SUPPORT OF St. John’s Lutheran School on May 7, 2024. The Habit Burger Grill will DONATE 2O % OF SALES from this event to benefit our school. Simply present printed flyer or show offer on your smart phone to cashier upon ordering. CLICK HERE.
Mission India Partnership
We are thankful to the Lord for the privilege that we have to partner with Mission India for the spread of the kingdom and the changing of lives in India. We will soon be making our decision regarding our partnership with Mission India for the coming year. Namely, how many Literacy projects, Children’s Bible Club projects and Church planters we will sponsor in the coming year. We will make that choice based on the balance in the “Mission India Fund” on May 6. If you would like to support out partnership financially, please mark your offering for Mission India. You can do this with a physical check or online.
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.
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:
- In person using your offering envelope
- By clicking: Donate to St. John’s Lutheran (https://bit.ly/DonatetoStJohnsLutheran)
- 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 studying the book of 1 Peter. Elaine Zimmerman will facilitate some of the teaching moments! Please consider joining us each Monday, at 10:00 AM, in our sanctuary! Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…” Judi Rock (707)738-6707
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.
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.
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…
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