The November 2023 monthly Vine is available on our website.
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, CLICK HERE .
“Semper Fidelis”
November 19, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather We are poised near the end of the Church Year (and perhaps the end of this present age or life itself). When exactly will the Lord return? Only the Father knows. Yet all the signs of the End Time are present. When it comes, our Lord says it will come suddenly. Hence we need to live lives watchfully, wisely, and faithfully. This Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents”, paints a word picture of what it means to live faithfully! Invest your God-given “talents” for the sake of God’s kingdom. Don’t bury them. We will be celebrating 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.
Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
Every Waking Hour: An Introduction to Word and Vocation for Christians
By Benjamin T. Quinn and Walter R. Strickland II
What does our faith mean on Monday morning? How are Christians to think about and approach their work and vocation? This little book is a brief answer to those questions.
The authors begin their presentation by reflecting on the fact that we follow a working God, who gave Adam work to do in the garden – before the fall. Work is a good thing that is pleasing to God, not a punishment for the fall. In fact, our work is the means by which God distributes His good gifts to all people. It’s common to think that we are only serving God and doing a holy work when we are engaged in spiritual matters. But the authors point out all our work is a holy work because God has given it to us to do and He is at work through it.
This is about vocation, which is actually a broader topic than work. Each of us has several vocations in which we serve God and others: family, worker, neighbor, etc. The point is to see that every waking moment is an opportunity to glorify God as we live out these vocations.
This book is a helpful resource in thinking about the work that we do, whether paid or unpaid, and how it can be done to the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf.
Worship Tech Overhaul
At the open form on November 12, Pastor Mike, Jacob Bartelt and Joshua Wright presented the recommendations of the Worship Tech consultant that we contracted to assess our worship audio, projection and streaming and propose solutions to the many issues plaguing our use of tech in worship. The presentation was recorded and can be viewed and listened to here: https://youtu.be/vEDajtR9xpg
The funding for this important project is not in our budget, so we are inviting and encouraging donations. You can make this offering by check or online, just make sure that it is marked “Worship Tech Upgrade.”
Sunday Bible Class
The class will resume on Sunday, December 2nd.
Hymn Sing November 19, from 11:15 am to Noon
The Reverend Dr. Paul Weber and his wife, Organist Florence Jowers, parents of our own Erin Blackwood, will lead a Hymn Sing here at St. John’s. Dr. Weber will introduce songs from his expansive new hymn collection, So Great a Cloud of Witnesses. This will be a special opportunity, please join us! For details, please CLICK HERE.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Join us for a special service of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00 PM. This will be a Communion service. We also ask that you bring an offering of non-perishable food items for the Napa Food Bank.
Church Office will be closed on Friday, November 24th.
18th Annual School Musical Anastasia –
Tickets On Sale Now!
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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.
Our next Prayer and Praise will be on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
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.
Women’s Bible Study
Join us on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary. We are studying the book of Ephesians. If you have any questions, please contact Judi Rock. 707.738.6707.
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 UPDATE
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…
Leave a Reply