June 12, 2025 E-Vine

 Trinity Sunday
“We Believe”
June 15, 2025

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES.

As We Gather

Does it matter that we confess that Jesus is truly God?  Does it matter that we confess that He is “of one substance” with the Father?  That He is one with the Father and the Spirit and yet distinct? 
 
It most certainly does matter.   Not only because it reflects biblical truth, but also because the certainty of our salvation rests upon this truth.
 
This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, which we use today to confess the Christian faith, especially regarding the Triune nature of God, the divinity of Jesus and what that means for us today and for eternity.  Today we take a closer look at the creed we confess so often and what it means for God’s people today.

 

    

Pastor Mike’s Bible Class 

Pastor Mike’s Bible Class will resume on July 20.

Church Office Hours
During the summer, and especially while we are in the process of seeking to hire a new full-time office manager, the church office will have reduced hours when someone is present in the office. There will be someone in the office on most days until noon. Please feel free to leave a message if there is no one to take your phone call. We ask for our patience during this time of transition, and also for your prayers as we seek new staff.

Congregational Budget and Election Meeting – June 15 

There will be a congregational meeting after worship on Sunday, June 15, in the sanctuary. The purpose of this meeting is to approve a ministry plan and budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. We will also be electing to fill open positions on the Board of Directors. There will also be an update of the Pastoral Call Process.

Copies of the Proposed Ministry Plan and Budget can be downloaded from the Board of Directors page on the website by clicking this link: church.stjohnsnapa.org/wp-content/uploads/Proposed-Ministry-Plan-and-Budget-2025-2026.pdf Copies will also be available in the church entryway and in the church office.

Information on the nominees for the Board of Directors can also be downloaded from the Board of Directors page on the website by clicking this link: church.stjohnsnapa.org/wp-content/uploads/Information-on-Nominees-for-the-Board-of-Directors-2025.pdf. Copies will also be available in the church entryway and in the church office.

Pastor Mike’s Vacation
Pastor Mike will be on vacation from June 20 through July 14. During that time, services will be led by Kevin Mathison and Pastor Ted Zimmerman. On June 29 we will welcome Rev. Aaron Putnam, City Director for Linc Bay Area, who will preach and also provide an update on the work of Linc Bay Area. For pastoral care needs during this time, please contact the church office. Either Kevin or Pastor Ted will be available.


We are again seeking candidates for the these 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.  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 Pastor Mike Schmid (pastormike@stjohnsnapa.org).

  

Sanctuary Lighting Upgrade
Let There Be Lights!

The long overdue project to update and enhance the lighting in the sanctuary is here!   What is included in this upgrade?

  • LED lighting throughout the sanctuary, replacing the incandescent lights and original fixtures.
  • Enhanced lighting of the chancel (front of the sanctuary) for better visibility.
  • Updated controls and integration with the worship tech station
  • Better cameras for recording and streaming that can easily be controlled by worship tech for pan, tilt and zoom.

The Board of Directors has approved funds from the Michael Thomas bequest for a portion of this project.  We are inviting the St. John’s community to support the rest. 

Our goal is $50,000.   Thank you to all who have made an offering!  If you would like to make an offering to “Let There Be Lights,” please indicate on your check or online that it is for the lighting project.

Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf
A New English Translation of the Septuagint
Albert Pietersma and Benjamin G. Wright, Editors

This week’s book is an important and helpful tool for the study of the Bible. The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, dating from approximately the 2nd century before Christ. The name comes from the Latin word for “seventy,” referring to a tradition that there were seventy Jewish scholars that worked on it.

After the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek became the most common language in the Mediterranean world. For this reason, having a Greek translation of the Hebrews bible became important, especially for Jews living outside of the Israel.

The Septuagint is significant for another reason. It was the Bible most commonly used by the early Christians, especially the Gentile Greek-speaking Christians. The New Testament (itself written in Greek) contains many Old Testament quotes that come from the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew text. Even still, most of our English translations today lean more heavily on the Hebrew Masoretic text than the Greek Septuagint.

The two sources are very similar, containing no differences that touch upon key doctrines of the faith. But there are a number of textual differences. For instance, Hebrews 1:6 contains a quote from Deuteronomy 32:43 that is found in the Septuagint, but not the Masoretic text our current versions are based on. There are other differences that have to do with the numbering of the Psalms, the layout of Jeremiah, and some of the genealogies. Many copies of the Septuagint also contained extra books, never accepted by the rabbis as Scripture, that later became known as the Apocrypha.

I recommend borrowing this edition If you are curious regarding the history of the text and want to spend some time in an English translation of the Bible of the early church. I have placed a copy of this book on the church library cart in the church entryway. Previous recommendations can be found here: church.stjohnsnapa.org/resources/pastor-mikes-bookshelf   

 

Vacation Bible School Starts this Monday!

VBS is Monday, June 16th-Thursday, June 19th, 9 am-12 pm. CLICK HERE. to register a student or volunteer. Spaces are still available for kids to join! 

 

High School Youth
There will be no high school hangout this Sunday, June 15th.

We have added a few members to our team and we are always looking for more. It’s a joy to share the gospel with the young kids at their level each week! If you are interested in serving in Children’s Church occasionally please contact Kevin Mathison or the Church Office. 
 

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                                                                                               

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.   

 

Stephen Ministers Grow in the Lord
The more you focus on the Lord and do God’s work, the more satisfaction you will find.  It’s that simple!  Are you looking for more satisfaction in your life?  Consider serving our congregation as a Stephen Minister.  By helping others, you will help God’s kingdom grow – and you will grow too!  To learn more about Stephen Ministry and what Stephen Ministers do, contact Penni Cremen (707-483-9321) or Pastor Mike at the church office (707-255-0119).

                                                             
      

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


Scrip Info: What is Scrip?…
Social Media at St. John’s

Mission India…