October 16, 2025 – St John's Lutheran Church of Napa CA

Set Free: Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

“Life in the Spirit”
October 19, 2025

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES.

As We Gather

In Christ, we have been set free—free to follow Him and live as the people He has called us to be. Yet the temptation remains to return to slavery: whether to the law or to our own sinful nature. Thankfully, we are not left to face this struggle alone. The Holy Spirit is at work within us—not only giving us faith, but also guiding us to live out that faith as He produces His fruit in our lives. Today, we reflect on the Spirit’s role in shaping us and bearing the fruit of the Spirit within us.

Ongoing News and Information

Our Call Process Continues
Pastor Tanner Wade and Whitney Wade have declined our calls to come to St. John’s to serve as Associate Pastor and Music Teacher. They will be continuing their ministries at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Des Peres, MO. Please keep our congregation in your prayers as we continue our call process.

Pastor Mike’s Bible Class – 1 John: Walking in the Light of God’s Love
Join us on Sundays for a study of 1 John. In this poetic sermon by John, he paints a compelling picture of the Christian life as walking in the light and living in God’s love. John emphasizes authentic discipleship, urging followers to live in the truth, reject false teaching, and demonstrate love not just in word but in action. In so doing, we live in the fellowship God has given us – with Himself and with one another. We will be meeting in Room 8 at 11:00 AM.

October 20-24 – Let There Be Lights: Sanctuary Lighting Installation
The new Sanctuary LED lights will be installed the week of October 20. Because of this, the sanctuary will be closed to all activities from October 20-24. Thank you again to all who have supported “Let There Be Lights!” with your offerings. We are two-thirds of the way to reaching our goal of $50,000.

In order to help facilitate the installation, we will be asking for some help after worship this Sunday (October 19), stacking the sanctuary chairs and moving them along the north and south walls. And we will return the chairs to their proper place as part of the Fall Work Day (see below).

October 25 – Fall Work Day
Come enjoy fellowship, food, and the beautiful autumn air at our Fall Work Day on October 25! We plan to start at 10:00 and wrap-up by 2:00. Projects will include weeding and spreading wood chip mulch in Faith Chapel, so don’t forget to bring your gardening gloves if you have them. We are also looking for wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes, so if you could bring any of that equipment, please let us know when you sign up. Lunch will be provided. Click here to sign up to help. There will also be a sign-up sheet in the sanctuary. Many thanks!

October 26 – Trunk or Treat (Plus Pizza!)

We invite you, your family, and your friends to join us for Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 26 from 4:00-5:30 PM in the St. John’s Lutheran main parking lot. Every year this event turns out to be a blast with some incredible trunks and delicious treats. This event is totally free for all families and friends with no requirement to decorate a trunk, but if you would like to (& we would definitely love you to) join in on the decoration madness please sign up here. We will also be offering a pizza fundraiser hosted by our High School Youth. Since this is a family friendly event we ask that you please avoid any scary decorations and costumes. If you have any questions about that or the event in general please contact kevin@stjohnsnapa.org.

October 28 – Dine and Donate at Chipotle
The St. John’s Lutheran School Theatre Program invites you to Dine and Donate with Chipotle on Tuesday, October 28. Just visit the Chipotle location at 1715 Trancas St any time from 4:00-8:00 PM on October 28 and present a flyer (available in the church narthex) at checkout, or use code PHDGFHQ if ordering online, and Chipotle will donate 25% of all sales to support our theatre program!

After-School Assistant at St. John’s Lutheran School

We are looking for an assistant for PALS, our after-school program for St. John’s Lutheran students. The hours would be 2:30-5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

If you are interested in applying, or would like more information, please contact Ramona Kaufmann at rkaufmann@stjohnsnapa.org.

Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf

Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart
Nicholas Carr

This week’s book, Superbloom, explores the same terrain as last week’s Scrolling Ourselves to Death: the unintended consequences of connection technologies. I strongly recommend both titles to anyone who spends time online. Each offers valuable research, insight, and wisdom about how digital technology shapes us—individually and collectively. Unlike Scrolling Ourselves to Death, Superbloom is not written from a Christian perspective or for explicitly Christian purposes. Nevertheless, the issues Carr raises carry profound spiritual implications, especially for those seeking to live faithfully in a digital age.

I could easily write a lengthy review—this book is deeply thought-provoking. Carr’s observations have stayed with me, prompting ongoing reflection and conversation. I’ve recommended it to nearly everyone I know who enjoys reading. For this review, though, I’ll focus on a few themes that intersect with Christian faith.

Carr notes that it’s become common to blame algorithms—those used by search engines and social media—for much of the harm caused by digital technology. These AI-driven recommendations often lead us into rabbit holes, intellectual silos, and political echo chambers. Meanwhile, as we spend less time in face-to-face conversation, we lose the ability to engage constructively with those who disagree with us. The online world grows increasingly hostile—and that hostility spills into real life.

Carr agrees with this critique but insists it’s only part of the story. Blaming big tech alone is too simplistic. These companies are, after all, businesses—designed to generate profit. They do this by keeping us online as long as possible, much like physical stores aim to keep us browsing. The longer we scroll, click, and surf, the more likely we are to engage, consume, and spend. And how do algorithms keep us hooked? By giving us exactly what we want. More of what we want. Always more.

This is where Carr’s analysis leads me into spiritual reflection. The problem isn’t just the algorithms. They’re responding to us. The deeper issue is our own desires—our fallen nature. In real life, we’re often protected from the consequences of getting everything we want. Online, those barriers vanish. Whatever I signal I want—gossip, outrage, conspiracy, indecency—I receive in abundance. And that abundance can draw me into places that dishonor Christ and diminish love for neighbor.

The root problem is not just technological. It’s theological. It’s our sinful humanity—our tendency to be “curved in on ourselves.” Literature has long warned of the danger of unchecked desire: from Faust to The Great Gatsby to Willy Wonka. Poets and novelists often grasp the fallenness of the human heart more clearly than tech designers. Their algorithms might work beautifully if people were naturally good. But we are not. We are mixed. We are fallen. Our default is self-service. Lord, have mercy.

That said, I’m not arguing that the online world is wholly bad. It’s a tool—and like any tool, it can be used for good or ill. Carr reminds us that every new connection technology—from the printing press to smartphones—has disrupted society and reshaped how we think and live. Some changes are beneficial. Others are not. The danger today is that digital technology has become dominant so quickly, with so little reflection, that we’ve barely begun to understand how it’s transforming us.

This is just one of the many important themes Carr explores in Superbloom. I could write a series of reflections on other aspects of the book, but for now, I simply want to encourage you to read it. Please do. I listened to the audiobook, but I plan to purchase a physical copy so I can revisit and mark the passages that struck me most.

Previous recommendations can be found here: church.stjohnsnapa.org/resources/pastor-mikes-bookshelf

Sanctuary Lighting Upgrade

Let There Be Lights!

We are now two-thirds of the way to reaching our goal of $50,000. Thanks be to God! You can make an offering to support the lighting upgrade for the sanctuary in different ways. For an offering by check, just indicate “Let there Be Lights” in the memo line. For online giving, please use the “Let there Be Lights” option to make your offering. The light installation will be coming this week!

Confirmation Classes
Confirmation, for 7th and 8th graders desiring to know more about God, will be meeting throughout the school year right here at St. John’s. Our remaining meetings this month are on October 22 & 29 in the Library. Each of those Learning Events runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. If you have any questions or desire to get involved, please contact Kevin Mathison at kevin@stjohnsnapa.org.

High School Hangouts
Calling all High Schoolers! Join us every Sunday after the worship service for High School Hangouts in Kevin Mathison’s office. We’ll enjoy games, snacks, and fellowship as we dive into God’s Word and talk about what it means for our lives today. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin at kevin@stjohnsnapa.org.

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 at kevin@stjohnsnapa.org or the church office at churchoffice@stjohnsnapa.org.

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

St. John’s LCC K9 Comfort Dog Ministry
Our team sent 13 members to the LCC K9 Comfort Dog Conference inn Northbrook, Illinois in July. There were over 500 humans attending as well as over 90 beautiful Golden Retrievers. We thank Thrivent for assisting us with an Action Team card.

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 who 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 Monday Morning Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study meets every Monday in the Sanctuary from 10:00-11:30 AM. This fall, we’ll be studying the Book of Romans. All study materials will be handed out when we meet. For more information, please contact Judi Rock at goalyce2041@gmail.com.

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.

YouTube Channel:
- www.youtube.com/user/stjohnsnapaca/live
- There are playlists for sermons, Sunday Services, Wednesday Night Worship and teaching on Matthew
RightNow Media Channel
- www.rightnowmedia.org/CustomLibrary/41667
- Scroll down to find recommendations as well as sermon and Gospel of Matthew lessons
Website
- church.stjohnsnapa.org/resources/sermons
- The sermons are arranged by worship series