February 26, 2026 E-Vine – St John's Lutheran Church of Napa CA

Lent: Behold the Son of God
“From Doubt to Deliverance”
March 1, 2026

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES.

As We Gather

This Sunday we follow Nicodemus—a respected teacher who first came to Jesus under cover of darkness—and watch how the Spirit slowly draws him into courageous, public faith. From whispered questions in the night to standing at the cross, Nicodemus shows us what it looks like when grace outgrows fear. In the same way, Christ is at work in our lives as well, gently drawing us to a deeper, braver discipleship.

Ongoing News and Information

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 join us on Saturday, March 14 from 5:00-7:00 PM for 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.

Please register using this link to let us know if you plan to attend.

A few notes re: registration: When you click the registration link above for “Wine and the Word,” you’ll hop over to a page hosted by Church Center. Church Center is part of Planning Center—the behind‑the‑scenes system we already use to organize worship services, schedule volunteers, and keep our ministries running smoothly. Since it’s all connected, you’ll be asked to create a quick Church Center login or sign in if you already have one. Church Center will also be the home base for our new St. John’s Lutheran App, which is currently in the works. We’ll share more about this exciting rollout soon, including an introduction to the app, the features it will offer, and invitations to join the church’s online directory.

February 28 – Memorial Service for Patricia Gruenhagen
A memorial service will be held for Patricia Gruenhagen on Saturday, February 28 at 12:45 PM in the Sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Patricia was a member of St. John’s for many years. All members of St. John’s are welcome to attend; please RSVP to Kristy in the church office if you plan to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Gruenhagen Family Endowment in memory of Patricia Gruenhagen at Concordia University Irvine; please use this link to donate online.

Meal Train for Patte Quinn
As many of you know, our dear sister Patte is grieving the loss of her beloved husband Michael. During this tender season, we want to surround her with the love of Christ through simple acts of care and kindness. Please consider taking part in this meal train for Patte so we can come alongside her and help carry some of the day-to-day load.

For more information and to sign up to bring a dinner, please CLICK HERE.

February 22 – Planned Giving Seminar
Many thanks to Brian Hyde for his wonderful presentation on planned giving last Sunday! Brian’s presentation slides can be viewed at this link. For more information about giving to our St. John’s Endowment Fund, you can view our informational brochure here or pick up a hard copy in the church narthex.

Congratulations to the St. John’s Lutheran School LEST Team!
Our school sent 55 students to the Lutheran Elementary Schools Tournament in Tacoma, WA on Feb. 12-15. The students did an amazing job sharing their gifts and talents in over 20 different events! Below is a complete list of awards earned by SJL students. Thank you to all of the coaches and directors who worked so hard with the students and teams!

Pastor Mike’s Bible Class – Angels and Demons
This Sunday, we continue looking at what God’s Word says about angels and fallen angels. We’ll move from Genesis into Exodus, looking at the times in which angels and demons show up in the narrative. 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 AM.

March 4-25 – Lenten Soup Suppers Sign-Up
Lent is here, 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. We are still looking for hosts for our March 11 and March 18 dinners!

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. Next Wednesday, March 4, we will look at the letter to the church in Pergamum..

March 4 – Pergamum: “Hold Fast to the Truth”
The church in Pergamum lived in a culture of compromise – and so do we. Jesus calls His people to cling to His Word with courage and grace (Revelation 2:12-17). This week we consider what it means to stand firm in truth without losing love.

March 7 – Ladies’ Tea

March 29-April 5 – Holy Week Worship Services
Holy Week commemorates the culminating week in the life of Jesus, and the events at the heart of the salvation which is ours through Him.

Palm Sunday (March 29). On this day, we commemmorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna” from the crowd waving palm branches. This is a welcome for a King coming in peace, and points ahead to the mission He was bringing to fulfillment that week. We will begin our Palm Sunday service in Faith Chapel (weather permitting) and process into the sanctuary with palm branches, praising Jesus. The service will include the preschoolers singing and the dramatic narrative reading of the account of the Passion.
Maundy Thursday (April 2) is a commemoration of Jesus’ “Last Supper.” At this meal, He transformed the Passover meal into a sharing of Himself in bread and wine as His body and blood. At our Maundy Thursday worship (7:00 PM), we will also be celebrating the First Communion of those who have been preparing to be welcomed to the Lord’s Supper.
Good Friday (April 3) marks the day that Jesus was crucified. Our evening service (7:00 PM) is a Tenebrae Service. This is an ancient and beautiful service of gradually darkening the sanctuary as we read the account of the crucifixion and sing hymns and songs in response, ending with the sanctuary in darkness.
Easter Vigil (April 4, 8:00 PM) is the first celebration of the Resurrection and serves as a counterpart to the Good Friday Tenebrae. We process into a darkened sanctuary with candles, and as we meditate on the history of God’s saving activity, the sanctuary is gradually lightened.
On Easter Sunday (April 5), we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with two opportunities to worship, wtih services at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Our Easter morning also includes an egg hunt and an Easter breakfast in the gym (9:00-10:30).

Grant Applications for Concordia University Students
Attention all Concordia University students! Our congregation will now accept applications for student grants for the 2026-2027 academic year. All members of St. John’s who plan to attend any of our six synodical universities or our two seminaries are eligible to apply. All you have to do is email our Business Administrator Howard Scully at hscully@stjohnsnapa.org announcing your intent to enroll for the 2026-27 academic year.

All applications must include the following information:

Your name
School name
Student ID or account # (if returning student)
Degree you are pursuing
Year and level of study (e.g., junior year, undergrad, 5th year, teacher certification, student teaching, graduate studies)
Whether you are attending fall term or spring term (or both)
A brief explanation of why you’re attending Concordia and how you plan to use your studies and future vocation to shine the light of Christ and to witness for Jesus as His kingdom representative in the world.

Deadline for applications is March 31, 2026. Actual grant amount to each student is undetermined but will be based, in part, upon the number of students requesting assistance. So if you are considering attending a synodical university–even if you have not made a final decision–please send a brief note informing us of where you are in your decision process so that we can plan accordingly.

Board of Directors Nominations
The Board of Directors is receiving Board nominations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. There are nine members of the Board of Directors. Four of these positions are up for election this year. Board members serve for a two-year term and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. If you are interested in nominating someone (or yourself) for the Board of Directors, please click on this link to download information about qualifications and responsibilities. Also included is a nomination form to be completed and returned to the church office, Board Chair Martin Meissenhalter, or Pastor Mike Schmid.

April 14 – Board of Directors Information Forum
There will be a Board Information Forum on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 PM in the Library for those who are interested in being nominated for the board. This forum is also open to anyone who just wants to learn more about the governance polity of St. John’s, and how the Board works.

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
Join us for an adventure to Rainforest Falls this summer! St. John’s Lutheran Church is hosting VBS for preschoolers through rising 4th graders on June 15-19 (Monday-Friday) from 9am-Noon.. Each day our campers will be reminded of God’s immense love for them as they travel through Rooted Bible Adventures, run and play at Wild Rainforest Games, create memorable take homes with Rainforest Crafts, and enjoy some of the tastiest treats the Falls has to offer. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Don’t hesitate to invite a friend! In order to offer this awesome week of fun we rely on numerous volunteers and we would love you to consider joining the team this year. Register here!

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.

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 meetings next month will be on March 4, 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.

What is Stephen Ministry?

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. For 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 to the Ephesians. 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.

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

Lent: Behold the Son of God “From Doubt to Deliverance” March 1, 2026