May 9, 2024 E-Vine

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 .

 

 

Restoring the Kingdom

May 12, 2024

 

Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.

As We Gather

Right before His ascension, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  Jesus tells them not to worry about dates and times, but rather to focus on being His witnesses throughout the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is in fact how God is restoring the kingdom, through the witness of His people.  As the people of God today, we are His witnesses, empowered by His Spirit to fulfill the mission of God’s people to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:1-3).  How is the Holy Spirit empowering and leading us to work for the restoration of the Kingdom through our witness today?

We will celebrate Holy Communion at this service.

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:

• Our next Surge is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 from 6-7:30 in Room 10. This is open for our 5th & 6th graders to come hang out, play games, and dive into a devotion. 

Confirmation: 

• Confirmation Sunday was nothing short of amazing!  Thank you for all who took part in supporting, praying, and listening to God’s Story unfold through our Confirmands. 

High School:

• The High School Hang-Out was awesome!  We will not meet again until May 19th so make sure to spend some time with your mom this Sunday!
• 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 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.  I will make the information available after the meeting for anyone who is unable to attend.

 

 

“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?

 

 

Citizens of Heaven Sermon Series

If you missed one or more of the “Citizens of Heaven” sermon series, you can find then on our YouTube channel.  Click here for the playlist including the three sermons.

 

 

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

Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges

By Gregory Koukl

Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 3:15 to be prepared to speak about our hope in Christ:  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”   The purpose of this book is to help us to do that, especially when challenged on key teachings of the Christian faith.

Author Greg Koukl encourages readers to think about witnessing more in terms of “gardening,” rather than merely “harvesting.”  Not every witnessing opportunity leads to a conversion, a harvest.  The bulk of the witnessing opportunities that come our way are more like gardening.  We seek to positively portray our Christian faith, while also hopefully giving others something to think about.  We may not see the harvest yet, but we may be used by God to remove an obstacle or encourage thinking or further explanation.

The technique that Koukl encourages is asking questions.  Rather than merely announcing what we believe or what we think is wrong with what someone just said, we ask questions.  The two main questions are some form of these:

• “What do you mean by that?”
• “How did you come to believe that?” Or “Why do you think that’s true?”

We cannot witness effectively if we do not seek to learn where they are coming from, or what lies behind their belief or assertion.  Sometimes the second question itself leads people to realize that they haven’t really thought through what they claim to believe.

Then comes the more difficult third question:  Using questions to uncover potential difficulties or inconsistencies in their belief or assertions.  For instance, instead of just telling someone who identifies as an atheist that they are wrong because God exists and made all things, you can ask “Then how did the universe begin?  What caused the big bang?”  This is a more fruitful and gentle way to broach the subject that a naturalistic worldview does not have an adequate origin story.

Koukl provides many sample dialogues on a variety of topics that often come up in discussions today.  Not that we expect any of the conversations that we may have to play out identically, but his examples are helpful in pointing to his “questioning” approach.

This is actually the second book Koukl has written about using questions in witnessing.  I also recommend his first volume, “Tactics.”  The former book goes into greater detail on the questioning approach, whereas “Street Smart” provides more examples.  But both books are valuable and each stands on its own.  I highly recommend either or both.

Look for this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library Cart in the Narthex.   For previous recommendations, please CLICK HERE .

 

 

Stephen Ministry

May 2, 2024

Who are Stephen Ministers?    Stephen Ministers are individuals who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide high-quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as divorce, grief, loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness.  Stephen Ministers are each assigned a care receiver and meet with that care receiver for about an hour a week.  This caring relationship will last for as long as the care receiver needs it.  To learn more about Stephen Ministry and what Stephen Ministers do, contact Penni Cremen (707-483-9321) or Pastor Mike at the church office (707-255-0911).

 

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:

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 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…