July 9, 2026 E-Vine


You Asked For It!
“God and Country”
July 12, 2026

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES

 

As We Gather

Today we explore what it means for Christians to live as citizens of both an earthly nation and the kingdom of God. Scripture calls us to pray for our leaders, seek the good of our communities, and honor those in authority. Yet it also reminds us that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God alone. This morning we reflect on how the Bible—and Luther’s teaching on the Two Realms—helps us navigate this balance with clarity, humility, and hope.

 

 

Ongoing News and Information

  

 

 

 


Link to Last Week’s Sermon
Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to livestream and record last week’s service. However, Pastor Mike has made a special recording of last Sunday’s sermon “For Freedom Set Free,” which you can view at this link.

 

 


Pastor Mike’s Bible Class: Revelation
Pastor Mike is leading a Bible study series on the Book of Revelation. What is the meaning of this book? What does it say to us today? What are we to make of the striking images and symbols? We will be going through the entire book in the months ahead, seeking to understand and apply Jesus’ revelation to John, and through him, to us today. We will be meeting in Room 10 at 11:00 AM on Sundays after worship.

 

 

   

July 9-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 16 game dates available from July 9 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.

 

 


Large Print Ministry Schedule Update
Large Print will not be meeting during the first few weeks of July, but we will resume our usual schedule starting Monday, July 20. For more information, please contact Sherlene Mulsoff or Rebecca Vitkus.

 

 


Weekly Update from the Mission Farm
The Lord is continuing to bless the summer harvest at our Mission Farm with an abundance of fruit and vegetables for our neighbors in need. On Monday of this week we sent in 557 lbs. of produce to the Napa Food Bank, and on Wednesday we sent in 241 lbs. So we are well on the way to our first 1,000 lbs. weekly total! Praise God for giving us both fields that are “white unto harvest” (John 4:35) and workers with willing hearts and hands. As the harvest continues, we  will continue to welcome help on the farm throughout this summer on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. Everyone is invited; bring a friend. Wear garden clothing, hat, gloves, and a smile!

 

 


July 18 – Kitchen & Pantry Work Party
Come join us on Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 AM to clean and organize the kitchen and pantry. Bring a pail and gloves if you’re able. Cleaning supplies and lunch provided by Thrivent. For more info, contact Susan Clark at 707-253-2477, or call the church office.

***If anyone has anything in the refrigerator or freezer, please let us know or remove it as we will be cleaning them out.

 

 

 


Supporting the Meissenhalter Family
Our dear friends Eva, Kenneth, Edel, and CJ Meissenhalter are grieving the loss of their beloved husband and father, Martin. To surround them with love and ease some of their daily burdens (like cooking or errands), we are organizing a gift card train to support them. They would appreciate gift cards to local restaurants and grocery stores. You can contribute to their restaurant, grocery, and meal delivery gift card train on the GiveInKind platform by clicking here. Gift cards can also be dropped off at the church office. Thank you for showing your love and care during this difficult time!

 

 


Chemo Care for the Scully Family
Many thanks to our wonderful congregation for providing such care and support for the Scully family during Rebecca’s recovery from her recent surgery. She is now moving on to the chemotherapy phase of her treatment plan, and to help the Scully family focus on rest and healing, we have put together a “Chemo Care” website with links to items that would be most helpful for them as they navigate this next phase. For more information and to contribute, please click here. Thank you all so much for your generosity, prayers, and support during Rebecca’s recovery! 

 

   

For more than 60 years, our main parking lot has served St. John’s well. But as we all know, it is now in serious need of repair. In addition, several sections of the sidewalks along Linda Vista Avenue and Trojan Road have been lifted and broken by tree roots, creatng uneven and unsafe walking areas.

“Make the Rough Places Plain” (Isaiah 40:4) is our congregation’s project to:

  • Repave the parking lot
  • Improve parking lot lighting
  • Repair the damaged sidewalk sections

Our goal is to complete the work this summer, so that when school begins, the “rough places” will indeed be made plain – a safer, well-lit parking lot and level sidewalks for all who come onto or walk by our campus.

Project Budget: $280,000

  • Parking Lot Repaving – $200,000
  • Improved Parking Lot Lighting – $50,000
  • Sidewalk Repair – $30,000

We have applied for assistance through the City of Napa’s Sidewalk Cost Share Program and are awaiting their response.

How You Can Help
Please prayerfully consider making a special offering to support “Make the Rough Places Plain.”
Gifts may be made by check or online at this link.

As of June 30, 2026, we have received:

  • $116,847 in donations
  • $50,000 pledged by the Association of Parents and Teachers

Praise God for His generosity through His people!

 

 

   

 

 

 

August 9 – Memorial Service for Martin Meissenhalter
Our dear brother, Martin Meissenhalter, went home to be with the Lord last month, and a memorial service for him will be held on Sunday, August 9, at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. All at St. John’s are warmly invited to attend; please RSVP to the church office by August 1.

 

 

 


 In Search of Rental Home (Napa)
A family in our congregation is seeking to rent a house, townhouse or apartment with at least 2 bedrooms within walking distance of St. John’s beginning in August or September. If you have any leads, please reach out to Jeff at 650-804-6218. Many thanks!

 

 

    

 

 

 Confirmation ClassesCongratulations to our 2026 confirmands! Our confirmation classes have wrapped up for this school year, but any current 6th and 7th graders who are interested in participating in confirmation classes in the fall can reach out to Kevin Mathison for more information.

 

 


Tuesday Night High School Hangouts
Tuesday is Youth Night! We’re kicking things off with an apologetics series to better prepare ourselves for sharing our faith. Join us as we dive into the Word and have a little fun while doing so! Invite a friend and come join us! We’ll meet on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:30 PM in Kevin Mathison’s office. For more information, please contact Kevin Mathison.

July 16-17 – High School Rafting Trip
The High School Crew is going rafting! We will be hitting the American River rapids on July 16th, camping out, and hitting them again on the 17th. A two day trip filled with fun, fellowship, and maybe a dip in the river. If you signed up for this trip, please be on the lookout for emails from Kevin with more details.

 

 

 

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 Mathison.

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 who you may invite.  Who can you pray for?  Who will you invite?  

 

 

 

You can CLICK HERE to give your offering online.   

 

 

 

 

What Happens When You Ask for Help from a Stephen Minister?

When you ask for help from a Stephen Minister, a Stephen Leader will contact you to talk more about Stephen Ministry and what it can mean to you. If your needs can be best served by a Stephen Minister, you will be matched with someone who will support you through this tough time. Confidentiality is a top priority for the Stephen Ministry team. You do not need to be concerned that other people will discover that you have requested help. Everything discussed with your Stephen Minister remains confidential. To find out more about Stephen Ministry or to request a Stephen Minister, 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 Monday Morning Bible Study has wrapped up for the summer, but we will resume in the fall with a study of Genesis. In the meantime, if you would like 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 Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. 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 resources, 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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Our mailing address is:
St. John’s Lutheran Church   3521 Linda Vista Ave.  Napa, CA 94558