Worship for Sunday, November 22:
Are you ready for Jesus? In Matthew 25, Jesus paints three pictures to illustrate how He calls us to live while we wait and watch for Him. This refers to His return in glory but can also be applied to being called to Jesus in death. We are exploring these three pictures during this brief worship series.
Sunday is the last Sunday of the Church year. The end of the Church year leads us one step further away from Christ’s coming in Bethlehem and one step closer to His return in glory as King and Judge of all. Without giving away either the day or the hour, Jesus gives an urgent call to watch and prepare for His coming again, lest we be caught unaware. These words are not to frighten us but to help us. Expecting His return, God’s people anticipate that return with lives of faithfulness and good works.
Worship Live Stream
Worship will be live stream at 9:30 AM. Please go to this page (https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/) to download the handout, and to link to the live stream itself.
St. John’s and the Purple Tier
Because we are now in the purple tier, we will have no indoor in-person gatherings. All worship, gatherings, and meetings will be online.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Our Thanksgiving service will be on Wednesday evening, November 25, at 7:00 PM. This will be a live stream only service. Please go to https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/ to learn more about the service and to join in. This service will be a Communion service.
Thanksgiving Food Bank Ingathering
The foodbank ingathering which is normally collected during the Thanksgiving service will take place during Thanksgiving week. Please bring your non-perishable food items to the church office on November 23-25 and leave them outside against the wall by the office. Thank you!
Advent Midweek Worship
We will have live stream Advent Midweek services on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM.
- December 2 – The ABCs of Christmas
Our annual trip through the alphabet, thinking of the words and phrases that make up the Christmas Story. People can participate in person or through the chat stream
- December 9 – The O Antiphons of Advent
For centuries the Church has used the Advent responses knows as the Great O Antiphons, so named because each one beings with an “O” addressing Christ by one of His biblical names. The familiar hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel” is based on the O Antiphons. Our midweek service features the O Antiphons and the singing of this hymn.
- December 16 – Lessons and Carols
A service of Scripture readings and Christmas Carols led by our Sanctuary Choir. This traditional service of the season walks through the story of salvation, culminating in the birth of the Savior
- December 23 – Christmas Hymn Stories
We will focus on the stories and scripture behind several familiar Christmas carols and hymns. And we will sing them!
Christmas Worship
We are planning on having three services for Christmas this year. Please note that some of the details are still being worked out, and things may change. Please check the E-vine for the most up-to-date information
- Children’s Christmas Service – An online Christmas service designed for families with small children. Time to be determined.
- Christmas Eve Service – 7:00 PM. We will have a live streamed Christmas Communion service.
- Christmas Day Service: This service will be pre-recorded and made available on Christmas morning on our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
St. John’s Facebook Group
Are you on Facebook? Have you joined the St. John’s Facebook Family Group? Please click here to join and participate in Facebook Live events, discussion and more. https://www.facebook.com/groups/stjohnsfamilynapa
Family and Children Resources
We are pleased to offer several resources for families, parents and children.
“Children’s Church Lesson ”This is a weekly Sunday School/Children’s church type lesson for parents to lead with small children. Please use this at home during this time when we are unable to offer our regular children’s church. Here are this week’s suggestion
God is Good no Matter What
6 Secrets to Raising Fearless Kids in a Fear-Filled World
- Check this out: https://childrensministry.com/raising-up-fearless-kids/.
Christmas: The Real Story Bible Study – Via Zoom
Christmas: The Real Story is a course by Crossways International using colorful visuals to learn and retain the material. It surprises people to discover that many of the images and ideas they have about the birth of Jesus are not found in the Bible, but were added later through years of “tradition.” This course will explore what Scripture actually says – and does not say – about the Nativity story. Pastor Mark will be leading this class via Zoom on Tuesday evenings starting at 7:00 from December 8 to December 22. Please send an email to pastormark@stjohnslutheran.net to receive the Zoom link and class handouts.
RightNow Media Recommendation for the Week
Faithful in a Godless Culture CLICK HERE
As tensions rise and political debates fill newsfeeds and broadcasts, Christians may end up worrying about the future of the church in the United States. However, there is hope to be found in Christ—the Lord of all. In this 3-part course, church leaders D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper help us navigate the trickiest parts about standing for Christ in a culture that drifts further and further from God.
St. John’s Mission Farm needs your financial help!
Our St. John’s Mission Farm has expanded its operation! The Food Bank distribution center in the town of Napa had been serving about 50 families a week. Because of the economic effects on jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now called on to feed more than 300 families a week! To read more, please CLICK HERE.
BREAKING NEWS! CanDo’s Napa Valley Give!Guide 2020 will launch on Giving Tuesday, December 1. St. John’s Mission Farm will be one of 60 non-profit organizations serving the community participating in this fund-raising effort! For more information, please go to The Give!Guide website (www.CanDoGiveGuide.org).
True Vine Music (Pastor Mike’s Music Website)
Pastor Mike mentioned his music website in the sermon last Sunday. On this site, he makes available his worship and school songs, as well as the school songs of Bob Hauch. All are available to listen and download for free. https://truevinemusic.com
Support SJLS through Scrip! Easiest Fundraiser Ever!!
Click here to watch a video on how easy Scrip is using the RaiseRight app. Remember there are always cards you can purchase in the school office especially our local vendors, Foodshed, Hop Creek and Tarla Bar and Grill, but using the RaiseRight app is so convenient for all of your everyday purchases.
Your December 2020 monthly Vine is now on our website. To keep up-to-date with what is happening at St. John’s, Please click here.
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