February 5, 2026 E-Vine

Epiphany Season

“True Fasting”

February 8, 2026

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES.

 

 

 

As We Gather

As Lent approaches and people plan nominal fasts, Isaiah teaches what our Lord is really looking for in fasting. He is not interested in demonstrations of faith and piety when our lives are not marked by compassion and love for those around us. Helping those in need is a true expression of our faith and a demonstration of our Lord’s heart and character.

 

 

Ongoing News and Information

 

 
February 7 – Family Movie Night

We are hosting a big cozy St. John’s family movie night this Saturday! The Parish Hall becomes our shared living room for Moana 2 with room for everyone to relax and hang out. Join us on February 7 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM for an easy night of fun. Bring your comfiest seat and settle in with your people. Parents and guardians, stay and enjoy the movie with the kids, because the night is better when we’re all in it together. Our snack bar fundraiser will be open with pizza, candy, drinks, and popcorn to support future ministries. A warm, simple evening that gives everyone a place to be!

 


February 8 – Meet Kaelin Peralta, LCMS Missionary in Kenya
Kaelin Peralta of Bethany Lutheran Church in Vacaville will be joining us at this Sunday’s service to talk about his work as the regional communication specialist for the LCMS Africa region, based in Kenya. We look forward to hearing how God is at work in Africa and how we can support this ministry!

If you’d like to sign up for Kaelin’s newsletter, please add your name and email address to the online sign-up sheet.
 

 


Pastor Mike’s Bible Class – Angels and Demons
This Sunday we continue looking at what God’s Word says about angels and fallen angels. This Sunday, we resume our walk through the Scriptures, looking at the times in which angels and demons show up in the narrative, or are mentioned in the writings. We will study what God’s Word says, comparing and contrasting with the views of the popular culture, and what it means for us today. We meet in Room 10 each Sunday after worship at 11:00.

 


February 12-14 – Best Practices for Ministry Conference (Phoenix, AZ)
Best Practices for Ministry is a free annual 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. BPM 2026 will take place on February 12-14 at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 attending, please contact Kristy in the Church Office so we can add you to our hotel room block. Please also register for the conference using the link above.

 

 

February 18-March 25 – Lenten Soup Suppers Sign-Up
Lent is just around the corner, and with it comes our Wednesday evening soup suppers before Lenten services. We invite all soup, stew, and chili makers to share their gifts and help nourish the St. John’s family during this season of faith and fellowship.

 

Individuals, families, and groups are welcome to sign up to host by providing several soups, with optional salad and desserts, and helping with set up, serving, and clean up. Please click this link to sign up, or scan the QR code above.

 

Let us continue this meaningful tradition of gathering, sharing, and breaking bread together.

 


Lent Midweek Series: “To the Churches…and to Us”
The season of Lent invites us to listen again for Christ’s voice. In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks to seven churches—calling them to remember, to repent, to endure, and to return. These ancient words still search our hearts and strengthen our faith today. As we walk through Lent, we hear Christ addressing His people with truth and mercy, inviting us to renewed love and deeper trust in the One who walks among His churches still. On Ash Wednesday, February 18, we will begin with the letter to the church in Ephesus.

 

February 18 (Ash Wednesday) – Ephesus: “Return to Your First Love”
Ephesus was a church that kept its works but lost its warmth (Revelation 2:1-7). Lent begins with an invitiation to discover the love that first awakened our faith.

 


February 22 -Planned Giving Seminar
There are many meaningful ways to honor the Lord and support the ministry of St. John’s beyond traditional giving. The St. John’s Endowment Fund Committee invites you to a Planned Giving Seminar on Sunday, February 22 at 11:00 AM in the Parish Hall/Gym.

You’ll learn about Donor-Advised Funds, bequests through a will or trust, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and other opportunities for faithful stewardship. We are pleased to welcome Brian Hyde, Gift Planning Counselor with the LCMS Foundation, who will present on these topics and answer your questions. All are welcome to attend.

 

 

March 7 – Ladies’ Tea

 


March 14 – Wine and the Word
Our valley is known around the world for its vineyards and the remarkable wines they produce. But have you ever noticed how often wine, grapes, and vineyards appear in the Bible? From Noah’s vineyard to the Last Supper, these images play a significant role—both as real, agricultural products and as rich symbols of God’s truth.
 
You and your friends are invited to Wine and the Word, an evening exploring winemaking in biblical times and the many ways Scripture uses the imagery of wine and vineyards. Winemaker Andy Schweiger will share insights into ancient Israelite winemaking, and Pastor Mike will teach on the role of wine throughout the Bible.

And yes—there will be wine and refreshments. This event is open to all, so feel free to invite others.

 

 

 

April 2-September 23 – Support SJLS at a Giants Game
Support St. John’s Lutheran School by joining the Giants at Oracle Park for one of their select fundraising games! There are 32 game dates available from April 2 to September 23. Bleacher and View Reserve tickets are only $15, and $5 of each ticket purchased will be donated back to our school by purchasing through the QR code in the flyer above.

 

April 25 – Boots, Bubbles, & BBQ Fundraiser in Support of St. John’s Lutheran School
Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and fundraising at Boots, Bubbles, & BBQ on Saturday, April 25 at 5:00 PM, benefiting St. John’s Lutheran School! This exciting community-building night, held right here at St. John’s, 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. For more information, and to buy tickets, please click on this link.

 

 


June 15-19 – Vacation Bible School
Summer will be here before you know it, so save the date for an amazing week of VBS fun and adventure! This year, we invite kids to step through the mist into Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees, and colorful creatures. Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids will plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. They’ll explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.

 

A website for registration will be up at a later date, but in the meantime please prayerfully consider playing a role in delivering a memorable experience for the kids this summer. The dates are set for Monday-Friday, June 15-19, from 9am-Noon. Please contact Kevin Mathison with any questions you may have. 

 

 


In Search of Sunday Transportation
A young adult with special needs, who lives in Suisun City, is looking for transportation to and from SJLC on Sunday mornings. He is ambulatory and needs no special accommodations, just a ride. He is friendly and talkative! If you are able to help him out, please leave your name and contact information (phone and/or e-mail) with the Church Office Manager, Kristy Watkins (churchoffice@stjohnsnapa.org).

 

Music Teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School

The Music Teacher position at St. John’s Lutheran School includes classroom instruction for Preschool – Grade 5 and Choir direction for Grades 6-8.  This is a part-time position, scheduled for classroom instruction Tuesday and Thursday, and accompaniment/ directing of students during our weekly Chapel first thing Wednesday morning.  In addition, accompaniment/directing takes place approximately twice a month during our Sunday Worship. For more information, please contact Principal Christy Wood at cwood@stjohnsnapa.org.

 

Paul: A Biography
N.T. Wright

N. T. Wright’s Paul: A Biography provides a comprehensive portrait of the apostle who wrote half the books of the New Testament. It is a very approachable picture of Paul in that it reads less like a theological treatise and more like a compelling narrative of this complex, driven, and deeply human man. Wright presents very helpful background on the political, cultural, and religious world of the first century, which helps in understanding what shaped Paul as well as the world in which he served, providing a very helpful picture of the pressures he faced and the challenges that confronted him in his work.

Wright is not only one of the most prominent New Testament scholars today, he has also been a pastor and a bishop in the Anglican church. This blending of the pastoral and scholarly comes through in his writing. As a result, the Paul he presents comes off not just as a distant doctrinal architect but as a man shaped by wounds, revelations, friendships, and conflicts. Throughout the book, Wright traces Paul’s spiritual and emotional journey, showing how his theology grows organically out of his encounter with the risen Christ, his conflict with opponents, and his ongoing struggle to form communities of shaped by the Gospel.

In all, Paul: A Biography is a deeply engaging, historically informed, and pastorally rich exploration of one of Christianity’s most influential figures. I recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow in better understanding the world of the New Testament, and the background of many of the books in contains. I have placed a copy of this book on the bookshelf in the church narthex.Previous recommendations can be found here: church.stjohnsnapa.org/resources/pastor-mikes-bookshelf

 

                               

   

Confirmation Classes
Confirmation, for 7th and 8th graders desiring to know more about God, will be meeting on Wednesday nights throughout the school year right here at St. John’s. Our remaining meetings thist month will be on February 11, 18, and 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Library. 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.

 

 

Join Us For Children’s Church!

All children ages preschool through 5th grade are invited to join us for Children’s Church, an age-specific time of teaching and fellowship during the main worship service every Sunday morning. The children will spend the first part of the service in the sanctuary, then join their teachers for Children’s Church in one of the classrooms. The children then rejoin their families for the last part of the worship service. We are also looking for more adults and teens to help lead these classes, so if you are interested, please reach out to Kevin at kevin@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
Blessings to all for a happy and healthy 2026! 

Each month that passes, brings us closer to the arrival of our next LCC K9 Comfort Dog. Our team continues to prepare by gathering for Bible study and teambuilding events. We also will be attending the Spiritual First Aid course offered by Lutheran Church Charities.  Our Top Dogs plan to attend  a Top Dog Gathering for fellowship, brainstorming of ideas, encouragement, and goal setting at LCC headquarters in March. This will be a time to learn, grow and celebrate in the name of Jesus.

There is always room for anyone interested in serving our community in this ministry. Contact Tim or Christy Kramer at (707)681-1917.
         

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

Stephen Ministry is a system through which individuals are trained and organized to help provide one-on-one Christian caregiving to adults. This multiplies the amount of caring ministry St. John’s can provide by giving us a whole team of skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ’s healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life. More information about this ministry contact Penni Cremen (707-483-9321) or Pastor Mike at the church office (707-255-0119).

 


Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study
All women are welcome to join us every Monday morning from 10:00-11:30 AM in the Sanctuary, We are currently studying the Book of Romans, and 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 Epistle (letter) to the Galatians. All men are welcome to join us every Saturday morning in Room 10. Breakfast will be at 7:30 AM, and the Bible study will be from 8:00 AM to 9:00 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?…

 

 

 

 

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