January 23, 2025 E-Vine

Epiphany Season
“Pulpit Sign:
Warning, Man of God at Work!”
January 26, 2025

 

Please CLICK HERE to download the service notes.

As We Gather
It happens to every preacher at one time or another . . . a well-planned sermon crashes and burns when delivered. It even happened to Jesus, and at a most embarrassing time . . . at his own home village synagogue. Up to now his ministry had been on quite a roll. After his baptism in the south, he returned full of the Spirit to the region of Galilee in the north. His reputation as a preacher spread far and wide, as well as a “miracle worker.”  He was invited to preach at many of the local synagogues, including Nazareth, the town where he had grown up. The people gathered that morning full of expectation about what “the son of the carpenter” would have to say. He chose his text, delivered his message . . . it wasn’t a very long sermon, but by the time he finished, his audience quickly disinvited him from ever occupying “Moses’ seat” there again. They drove him out of town and almost threw him off a cliff.
 
What went wrong? Was his preaching skill lacking? Did he preach too long? Was it something he said? We’ll explore this episode preserved in the Gospel, answer some of those questions, and then talk about what to look for in a pastor’s sermon, and how to get the most spiritual benefit out of it.

Please CLICK HERE to download the link to the live-stream itself.

 


 

Handel’s Messiah Part 3 (February 2)
Pastor Mike’s Sunday Bible class will not meet this Sunday, but will resume on February 2. We will be concluding our study on the biblical texts of Handel’s “Messiah.” The entire text of the “Messiah” is taken from Scripture, primarily the Old Testament. We will be listening to and
studying the texts that make up Part 1, which focuses on the promise of the Messiah and His birth. We will meet in Room 8 at 11:00
 
Jesus’ Grandmothers (Starting February 9)
Starting February 9, we’ll be looking at the unlikely women who are included in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1. It was very unusual at that time to include women at all in a genealogy. But in this case, the women whom Matthew chose to include – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth,
Bathsheba – are even more unlikely because of their backgrounds, their stories, and their ethnicities. We will be exploring their stories starting on February 9 as we focus on Tamar. We will also be discussing why Matthew included their stories and what the Holy Spirit is saying to us today through these accounts. We will meet in Room 8 at 11:00 on Sunday.


We are now seeking candidates for the following positions:
 
Church Office Manager
The church office manager serves St. John’s by providing administrative and secretarial services to the church staff and church community.  This is a full-time position.  For the position description, please CLICK HERE.   .  St. John’s Church Office Manager.
 
Maintenance Technician (Part-time)
This is a new part-time position.  The maintenance technician is primarily responsible for implementing and carrying out the preventive and routine maintenance tasks to prolong and ensure appropriate operation of equipment and systems.  For the full position description, please CLICK HERE.     St. John’s Maintenance Technician.
 
To inquire about these position, please contact the church office or Pastor Mike Schmid (pastormike@stjohnsnapa.org).


St. John’s Lutheran School Open House
For Preschool through Eighth Grade
 
Thursday, January 30, 2024
5:00-6:00 p.m. Prospective Families Only Please
6:00-7:00 p.m. Current and Prospective Families Welcome
Stop by for as little or as long as you’d like. 
There is no formal presentation. Kids are welcome!
 
Visit the classrooms and teachers and
learn more about the specific grade-level programs at St. John’s.
 
Come see what’s happening at St. John’s Lutheran School
and experience what makes it a special place for learning!
 
Prospective families, please R.S.V.P. to:
Kristin Goller, SJL Admissions: 707-226-7970, Ext. 125; kgoller@stjohnsnapa.org.


 Boy Scout Sunday – February 2nd   Our Scout Troop 83 will serve as greeters prior to the service and provide an update on what the troop has been doing the past year.  The scouts will also be available after the service on the patio to answer any questions you may have. 

 

Best Practices for Ministry Conference

 BPM is back!   BPM 2024 will take place on February 13-15 at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona.    Best Practice for Ministry is a free conference for pastors, church workers, and lay people.  The purpose is to learn and share ideas and practices to help us grow in living God’s Mission.  For more information, please go to: cclphoenix.org/bpm/
 
As we have done in the past, St. John’s will be covering lodging for all participants from St. John’s, but not transportation.  The conference itself is free.  If you are interested, in addition to registering at the link above, please notify the church office.  Also, we only have 2 reserved hotel rooms still available, so call the office ASAP if you are interested in attending.

Save the Date!     Vacation Bible School 

We have officially entered the Vacation Bible School season! This year we will take kids on an adventure of Trusting Jesus in a Wild World at True North VBS! Jesus is the ultimate True North and He is unshakeable at all times. We will be reminding kids that He is our forever friend and Savior all week long. A website for registration will be up at a later date, but in the meantime I ask that you prayerfully consider playing a role in delivering a memorable experience for the kids this summer. The dates are set for Monday-Thursday, June 16-19th, from 9am-Noon. Please contact Kevin Mathison with any questions you may have. 

 


Join us on Sundays after church for a Bible Study, games, and some fellowship time! 

Children’s Church is looking for new volunteers to add to the mix for teaching. If you are interested in teaching or simply want more information please contact Kevin Mathison. 

 


National Youth Gathering 
We are taking 20 people (15 High School Youth) to New Orleans in July 2025. On November 1st, our group was officially registered for the big trip. I want to say thank you to the countless individuals who have contributed in raising funds for the group and I want to also warn you to keep your eyes open for upcoming fundraising.  Please join us in praying for the group as we prepare for the Gathering. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow St. John’s Youth Ministry on Social Media to keep up with all the latest information! 
Facebook: SJL Napa Youth Ministry
Instagram: St. John’s Lutheran Napa Youth 

 

Marriage Renewal Weekend

What: “Spring in Sonoma”
A renewal weekend – to refresh your marriage relationship and enjoy wine country.   (not a traditional Marriage Encounter Weekend)
When: Friday, March 21 (6:00 pm) – Sunday, March 23 (noon)
Where: Oxford Suites, Rohnert Park
More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

 


School APT Fund-Raiser
The Main Event

Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and fundraising at The Main Event on March 22, 2025, benefiting St. John’s Lutheran School! This exciting community-building night will feature a lively auction, great company, and the chance to make a big impact for our school. Don’t miss out—come for the fun, stay for the cause, and help us support our students.
 
Get your tickets now! Purchase individual seats or reserve a table for friends and family. Scan the QR code to secure your spot today!   

 

 

Every week is an opportunity to invite someone to join with us in worship, whether in person or online. The first step, though, is to pray for those whom you may invite.  Who can you pray for?  Who will you invite?  

 

 

 

 

You can CLICK HERE to give your offering online.   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

Ongoing News and Information

 


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