July 17, 2025 E-Vine

Set Free: Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
“No Other Gospel”

July 20, 2025

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES.

As We Gather

This Sunday we begin “Set Free,” a worship series focusing on Paul’s letter to the Galatians.  In this letter, Paul is intent on helping the Galatian Christians to better understand how the Gospel has set them free – from sin, from death, and from the demands of the law. Because of what Christ has done, we now live in the freedom of God’s grace.
                 
Paul begins this letter with a forceful reminder that there is only one true gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  Although Paul was addressing a specific false gospel that had taken hold in Galatia, his warning speaks to us amid all the false gospels in our world today, as well as the ones that well up in our hearts.

 

 

Ongoing News and Information:

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 your patience during this time of transition, and also for your prayers as we seek new staff.

 

Pastor Mike’s Bible Class
The Early Church and the Nicene Creed: We will focus on the content of the creed, and the biblical foundations for the faith confessed by it.  We will be looking at the scriptural references behind each line of the creed.  We meet in Room 8 at 11:00.

This will resume on July 27th and not this Sunday, as previously announced.

 

 

   

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 stream 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.
 

    

National Youth Gathering in New Orleans

 

The National Youth Gathering starts TOMORROW! We have 21

 people attending this year! Please join us in praying for all of our youth and adults who will be attending July 18-23. 

 

 

Class of 2025 Graduates

We would like to p

ublish a list of our Class of 2025 high school and college graduates in an upcoming Vine newsletter.  If you have a graduate in your family, please email the church office at chur

choffice@stjohnsnapa.org with the following information. For high school graduates, please include the student’s full name, high school they graduated from, and name of college where they will be 

attending.  For college graduates, please include the student’s full name, college they graduated from, and what degree and major (minor if applicable) they achieved. 

 

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).

Women’s Bible Study will resume after the Summer.

                                                

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.

More Links to Check Out
Church Calendar


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