August 13, 2026 E-Vine

School Year Theme
“Peace In/Peace Out”
August 16, 2026

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES

 

As We Gather

As we begin a new school year, we gather around Christ’s promise of peace—peace that He speaks into our hearts and peace that He sends us to share. In Colossians 3, Paul reminds us that the peace of Christ is not something we manufacture; it is a gift that rules in us, shaping our words, our choices, and our life together. Today we celebrate the God who brings peace in through His forgiveness, His presence, and His Word, and who sends peace out through acts of kindness, compassion, and love. May Christ’s peace fill us deeply and flow freely into every classroom, home, and relationship this year.
 
Peace In/Peace Out is the 2026-2027 school year theme for St. John’s Lutheran School. We celebrate the start of a new school year today, praying God’s blessings upon our school community and rededicating our staff.
 
We also will be recognizing and blessing those who serve in education in other schools. May God bless all of our schools as we being a new school year!

 

Ongoing News and Information

 

 


Campus-Wide Rekeying
The full campus has now been rekeyed, and we are continuing to issue new keys to all employees and volunteers who need access to the campus. If you need a new key, please come to the church office during business hours to sign one out.

 

 


Parking Lot Update
The main parking lot is finished and open. The new lighting will be installed soon. The sidewalk repair is still to come as well. We encourage your continued support of “Make the Rough Places Plain.” As the project winds down, we will be seeking to pay off the small loan we secured as soon as possible. Your offerings for this project will help us to do that; scroll down for more information on how to give to this project.

 

 


August 14 – Memorial Service for Lenora Balsiger
We give God thanks for the life and faith of our sister in Christ, Lenora Balsiger. There will be a memorial service for her on Friday, August 14, at 1:00 PM in the sanctuary with a light reception to follow.

 

 


August 16 – Blessing of Teachers and Education Staff
During worship this Sunday, August 16, we will be blessing and rededicating our school staff as the new school year begins. We will also be inviting up for a blessing all those who are involved in education in our community – teachers and staff. If you are employed or serve in education, from preschool to college, you are invited to come forward to take part. 

 

 


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. This Sunday we will be continuing our study of Revelation 6 and the opening of the first six seals. We will be meeting in Room 10 at 11:00 AM on Sundays after worship.

 

 


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. So far in 2026 we have harvested 7,751 lbs. of fresh produce for the Napa Food Bank, with 5,674 lbs. harvested in July alone. 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!

 

 

August 24-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 10 game dates available from August 10 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.

 

 

 

 


September 2 – Confirmation Information Night
It’s almost Confirmation season again! 7th and 8th graders are invited to our Confirmation Information Night on September 2 at 7pm in Room 10. This is designed for both student and parent as we discuss what this year in Confirmation will look like. Contact Kevin Mathison if you have any questions beforehand. 
 

 


September 13 – Ministry Fair
St. John’s, get ready… our Ministry Fair is taking over Coffee Hour! On September 13, Coffee Hour becomes a full‑on celebration of the ministries that make our church family thrive. You’ll get to meet ministry leaders, hear their passion for serving, and learn why each ministry is so important to the life of our church. This is your chance to explore, connect, and discover where your gifts might make a difference. Come for the fellowship, stay for the fun, and don’t miss the surprises we have planned. It’s going to be joyful, lively, and full of the kind of community that makes St. John’s feel like home. 

 

 


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 August 9, 2026, we have received:

  • $149,931 in donations
  • $50,000 pledged by the Association of Parents and Teachers

Praise God for His generosity through His people!

 

 

Submit Your Ideas for a New St. John’s Lutheran Logo!
Calling All Artists & Designers! We’re dreaming up a new St. John’s Lutheran Campus logo, and we’d love your creative input. If you have experience in graphic design or clean‑line illustration, we invite you to submit a concept featuring grapes and grapevines (with grapes clearly visible), an eagle either flying above or resting in the vines, and a cross placed in the background. The design should be simple enough to print across many different materials.

Please turn in your concept to the church office or email joshwright@stjohnsnapa.org by November 1, 2026.

Your artistry helps shape the visual identity of our campus!

 

Preschool Openings at St. John’s Lutheran School
St. John’s Lutheran has openings in the 4-year-old/3 day program (Green Group) for the upcoming school year.  Within the program, families may choose to have their child enrolled in 1/2 day (8:30am-12:00pm), 3/4 day (7:30am-3:00pm) or full day (7:30am-5:30pm) options.  To be eligible to enroll in this program, children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026.  The first day of school is Wednesday, August 19.

 

If you know anyone who may be interested, please have them contact SJL’s Admissions Counselor, Kristin Goller, at 707-226-7970, Ext. 125 or kgoller@stjohnsnapa.org.

 


 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!

 

 

    

 

September 2 – Confirmation Information Night

It’s almost Confirmation season again! 7th and 8th graders are invited to our Confirmation Information Night on September 2 at 7pm in Room 10. This is designed for both student and parent as we discuss what this year in Confirmation will look like. Contact Kevin Mathison if you have any questions beforehand. 

 


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 September 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 Colossians. 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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St. John’s Lutheran Church   3521 Linda Vista Ave.  Napa, CA 94558