July 16, 2026 E-Vine

 
You Asked For It!
“Maker of Heaven and Earth”
July 19, 2026

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES

 

As We Gather

In today’s service, we reflect on what it means to confess God as the Maker of heaven and earth. Scripture invites us to see creation not as a random accident, but as the purposeful work of the Creator who forms and sustains all things. As we consider the implications of a world without God—where truth, beauty, and goodness have no firm foundation—we rejoice in the blessing of knowing that we are intentionally made in His image. Gathered in worship, we listen for His voice, receive His grace, and are renewed in our calling as His beloved creatures.

 

 

Ongoing News and Information

  

 


July 18 – Kitchen & Pantry Work Party
Come join us this 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.


July 19 & July 26 – Furniture Moving Help Needed on Campus
Our annual summertime stripping and waxing of the floors on campus is taking place right now. There are two rooms coming up for which we can use some help moving furniture in preparation: The Preschool and the Sanctuary.
 
This coming Sunday, July 19, we can use some assistance after worship preparing the Preschool for floor cleaning. If you can help, please let the church office know.
 
On Sunday July 26, we can use assistance after worship preparing the sanctuary for floor cleaning. The sanctuary is done in two parts, so on the 26th, we will move all the chairs to the east end of the sanctuary. Again, if you can assist, let us know.

 

 


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


Weekly Update from the Mission Farm
The Lord is blessing the summer harvest at our Mission Farm with an abundance of fruit and vegetables for our neighbors in need. We are delighted to report that from July 1-15, we donated 2,640 lbs. of fresh produce to the Napa Food Bank. We will continue to welcome help on the farm throughout this summer, so come on by anytime 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 27 – Parking Lot Work Begins
The main Parking Lot will be closed beginning July 27 and continuing most likely for the next two weeks. The north (small) parking lot will remain open. For Sunday, August 2, we ask that the small parking lot be used by those for whom mobility is in issue. Otherwise, since the main parking lot will be closed, plan to carpool, park on the street, or meet and carpool at the carpark by the highway.

 

 


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! 

 

 

July 27-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 15 game dates available from July 27 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.

 

   

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 July 12, 2026, we have received:

  • $141,196 in donations
  • $50,000 pledged by the Association of Parents and Teachers

Praise God for His generosity through His people!

 

 

   

 


August 2 – Worship in the Faith Chapel
On Sunday August 2, we will be worshiping in the Faith Chapel while the Sanctuary floor is receiving its annual stripping and waxing. We are also looking for several people to arrive at 9:00 AM to assist in the setting up of the chairs. If you are able to help, please let the church office know.

 

 

 

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 Classes

Congratulations 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.

 

 

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