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 .
Thanksgiving Eve
“Thankful Praying
November 22, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
Paul is encouraging the Philippians to turn to prayer in times of anxiety. But in his comments on prayer, he calls for praying with thanksgiving. In other words, praying with thanksgiving before the prayer is answered. Why can we pray in this way? What can all of our prayers be marked by thanksgiving as we pray them?
Live-stream and in-person worship begin at 9:30 AM. Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.
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.
Christ the King Sunday
“Seeing the King”
November 26, 2023
Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.
As We Gather
We confess that Jesus is King. We celebrate that today, Christ the King Sunday. We celebrate not just that He will reign in eternity as King over the New Creation, but that He is in fact ruling and reigning as King right now, with all power and authority given to Him.
Does it seem like it? Do you have trouble seeing the King and the effects of His reign? What does it mean that He rules and reigns in a world such as ours and in lives such as ours? How do we see the King?
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
Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ
By Timothy Keller
Since Advent is right around the corner, it seems appropriate to highlight a book for the season. This week’s book is a little gem by Tim Keller about the meaning of Christmas.
What does it mean that the Lord of the Universe became a helpless baby in a manger? Was He just revealing things about Himself, or was this a rescue mission for a humanity in desperate and hopeless need? The Christmas story is so familiar that we can easily lose sight of deep meaning of the action of our God. Beyond the lights and songs, the traditions and the gatherings, is God’s grand mission of rescue that gives us hope.
Tim Keller has been and still is my favorite author, and I recommend anything that he has written. But as we head into Advent and Christmas, I recommend especially this little book. Its message provides a helpful orientation and grounding for all the activity of the coming month.
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.
Advent Midweek Service Information
Advent Midweek December 6 – Gifts of Jesus to Us From A to Z
Christmas begins not with our gift-giving, but with our gift-receiving. Because of the gift of the baby in the manger, we have been given priceless gifts by our Lord. What are those gifts? Let’s count them down from A to Z! At the Advent Midweek service on December 6, Pastor Mike will count down the most common answers.
CLICK HERE for the online form. Answer as many as you like. You do not have to have an answer for each letter to complete the form. There will also be hard copy forms in the church entryway.
Advent Midweek December 13 – Favorite Christmas Hymns and Carols (Season 2)
What are your favorite Christmas Hymns and Carols? Please share up to six of your favorites with this form. At the Advent Midweek service on Wednesday, December 13, Pastor Mike will countdown the top six. Each hymn or carol will be preceded by a few devotional thoughts based on the origin or meaning of the hymn. Please provide your answers by Monday, December 11.
CLICK HERE for the online form. There will also be hard copy forms in the church entryway.
Note 1: Please only vote for hymns or carols that are appropriate for worship.
Note 2: We will NOT be doing the same carols as last year so please do not vote for “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “O Holy Night”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “Joy to the World”, or “Silent Night.”
Advent Midweek December 20 – Lessons and Carols
This is a service of Word and Song, tracing the prophecies of the Messiah through the announcement of His birth. The service will be led by our Sanctuary Choir
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. You can make this offering by check or online, just make sure that it is marked “Worship Tech Upgrade.”
For an overview of the project, please CLICK HERE:
The presentation on November 12 was recorded and can be viewed and listened to. CLICK HERE:
Sunday Bible Class
“Israel, the Church, and Wars and Rumors of Wars”
We will be continuing our discussion on this topic. What is the relationship of the nation of
Israel to the church, to prophecy, and the end times? It is not difficult to find online those who
view the war as a sign that the end is coming. But what does the Bible say about the people of
Israel? What does it say about the church? What does it say about the end times? This Sunday
in Bible class, we will look at the Bible says, and what it means for us and our world.
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…
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