September 10, 2026 E-Vine

The Upside-Down Kingdom
“Forgiven People Forgive”
September 13, 2026

 

CLICK HERE FOR SERVICE NOTES

 

As We Gather

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable that overturns our instinct to measure forgiveness by what feels fair. Peter asks how many times he must forgive, and Jesus responds with a story of a servant forgiven an impossible debt who then refuses to forgive a small one. In the Upside‑Down Kingdom, mercy isn’t rationed — it flows freely from those who have received it. As forgiven people, we are called to live out the same radical mercy that has been poured out on us in Christ.

 

Ongoing News and Information

 



September 12 – Memorial Service for Lois Johnson
We give thanks for the life and faith of our sister Lois Johnson, who passed from this earthly life into the presence of her Savior on Saturday, August 15. A memorial service for her will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 1:00 PM in the Sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. All at St. John’s are warmly invited to attend. Please continue to lift up her husband Ron and the rest of their family in prayer as they grieve her passing.
 

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.

 


Preschool Bible Sponsorships
It’s Bible time! This Sunday we will have the Preschool Beginner Bibles for each of our new preschoolers available for sponsorship. If you would like to sponsor a Bible, we ask that you bring a donation of $10 and write a blessing on the inside cover of the Bible. We will have the Bibles and pens available at the Ministry Fair on Sunday morning after the worship service.


Pastor Mike’s Bible Class: Revelation
Pastor Mike’s Bible class will not be meeting this Sunday. Instead, all are encouraged to go to the Ministry Fair in the Parish Hall.

 

 

September 11-23 – 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 6 game dates available from September 11-23. 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 15 – Dine and Donate at Super Duper Burgers
St. John’s Lutheran School invites you to Dine and Donate with Super Duper Burgers on Tuesday, September 15. Just visit the Super Duper Burgers location at 3900 Bel Aire Plaza D (in the Trader Joe’s Shopping Center) any time from 10:30AM to 9:30 PM on September 15. Present this flyer when you order, and Super Duper Burgers will donate 20% of all sales to support our school!

 

September 16 – Foundations: An Overview of the Christian Faith
What are the essential teachings of the Christian faith? What do they mean in our lives and in our world today? Pastor Mike is leading a nine-session overview of the basic teachings on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 8. This study in basic Christianity will cover all the essential teachings, how they fit together into one compelling story, and what they mean for our lives today. This class is required for those who are interested in membership at St. John’s. But it is also helpful for those who seek to better understand the Christian story in order to grow in their faith and be better equipped to share it with others. If you would like to participate, please reach out to Pastor Mike or Kristy in the church office. The class started on September 9, but even if you missed the first session, you are welcome to join this week!

 


September 20 – Meet and Greet with Pastoral Candidate
We’re pleased to announce that a potential pastoral candidate will be visiting St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. You’re warmly invited to a Meet and Greet with the candidate in the Parish Hall during the Coffee Hour after the worship service that morning.

 


September 21 – Women’s Bible Study Resumes
The Women’s Monday Morning Bible Study will resume on Monday, September 21 in the Sanctuary from 10:00-11:30 AM. This fall, we’ll be studying the Book of Genesis. All study materials will be handed out at the start of the study. For more information, please contact Judi Rock at goalyce2041@gmail.com. All women are welcome to join us!

 

Update from the Mission Farm
August was an incredibly busy month. We harvested 5,296.5 lbs. of produce and sent them on their way to the Napa Food Bank for distribution to families facing hunger. The total poundage to date is 13,0441 lbs. Many thanks to the church-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 83 who expanded our irrigation system on August 22 as part of an Eagle Scout Project under the leadership of Eagle Scout candidate Liam Johnson (see photos above).

 

The volunteers at the Farm will deeply miss Lois Johnson and her cheerful presence, gardening experience, and devotion to the Farm’s mission, as well as the baked goods she brought on Saturdays for the volunteers. But we have it on good authority (God’s Word) that there is a garden at God’s palace where she can nurture God’s plants and flowers to her heart’s content. We are committed to keeping the earthly garden at church as fruitful and lovely as she left it. If you would like to help, come find us on the Farm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon.

 


September 25 – St. John’s Lutheran School Country Fair
St. John’s Lutheran School invites you to join us for our annual County Fair – a fun community event for all ages! There will be bounce houses, giant slides, carnival games, face painting, a rock wall, food and beverage trucks, and of course the ever-popular cakewalk. New this year: the SJL Small Business Showcase! Come shop from our talented SJL vendors, who will be donating a portion of their event proceeds directly to the school. Admission to the fair is free, and tickets for games and activities can be purchased in advance or at the fair. Wristbands can be purchased at a special presale price of $30 until September 18, and include unlimited access to activities and games and one cakewalk ticket. For more information and to buy tickets, click this link.

 

September 26 – Memorial Service for Michele Arnold
Our dear sister Michele Arnold went home to be with the Lord last month, and a memorial service for her will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 AM in the St. John’s Lutheran Sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. All at St. John’s are warmly invited to attend. We would be grateful for assistance with bringing food for the reception and tidyng up afterwards; please visit the sign-up list here to let us know how you can help.

 

He husband Ken has sent us the following request so that he can keep Michele’s memory alive for their young grandchildren: “In memory of Michele, I’m asking people to share any stories, memories, funny moments, or special experiences you have of her. I am collecting them so that her grandchildren will be able to read them someday and learn who Michele was, the people she touched, and the memories she left behind. No story is too small – anything you remember would mean a lot to our family. Please send the stories to marnoldgp@gmail.com. Thank you…Ken Arnold.”

 

September 30 – 7th & 8th Grade Fellowship Night

All 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, September 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM to kick off our monthly fellowshp nights! 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 Mathison.

 


Cancer Care for the Scully Family
Many thanks to our wonderful congregation for providing such care and support for the Scully family over the past few months. Rebecca has successfully completed her four-cycle course of chemo. She’ll be concentrating in September on resting and recovering before undergoing radiation in late September or early October. To help the family continue to focus on rest and healing, we have put together a “Cancer Care” website with links to items that would be most helpful for them as they navigate this phase of treatment. For more information and to contribute, please click here. The Scully family is incredibly grateful for the prayers, gift cards, and generosity of our St. John’s family throughout this journey!

 

   

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 September 6, 2026, we have received:

  • $158,506 in donations
  • $50,000 pledged by the Association of Parents and Teachers

Praise God for His generosity through His people!

 

 


October 4 – Oktoberfest
Our annual Oktoberfest celebration is coming up on Sunday, October 4. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fall festivities. More details will be shared as we get closer, but for now we invite everyone to save the date and start spreading the word.


October 15 – Dine and Donate at Panera
The St. John’s Lutheran School Theatre Program invites you to Dine and Donate with Panera on Thursday, October 15. Just visit the Panera location at 1725 Trancas St any time from 7:00AM to 9:00 PM on October 15 and present this flyer at checkout (or use code FUND4U when ordering online), and Panera will donate 20% of all sales to support our theatre program!

 

 


Save the Dates: Advent Soup Suppers — December 2, 9, 16
Advent is on the horizon, and so are our Wednesday evening soup suppers. This year’s dates are December 2, 9, and 16. We encourage everyone to begin thinking about attending or hosting one of the evenings with your small group, ministry team, or family. Sign ups and full details will be available soon, but now is a great time to start planning.

 

 

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!

 


 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 September. If you have any leads, please reach out to Jeff at 650-804-6218. Many thanks!

 

 

   

Wednesday Night Confirmation Classes

The new year of Confirmation is underway! Confirmation, for 7th and 8th graders desiring to know more about God, will be meeting throughout the school year right here at St. John’s. This month we will meet on September 9,16, & 23 in Room 10. Each of those Learning Events runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. If you have any questions or desire to get involved, please contact Kevin Mathison.

 

September 30 – 7th & 8th Grade Fellowship Night

All 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, September 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM to kick off our monthly fellowshp nights! 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 Mathison.

 


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 will resume on Monday, September 21 in the Sanctuary from 10:00-11:30 AM. This fall, we’ll be studying the Book of Genesis. All study materials will be handed out at the start of the study. For more information, please contact Judi Rock at goalyce2041@gmail.com. All women are welcome to join us!

 

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.

 

 


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?…

 

 

InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteEmailX

 

 

Copyright © 2026 St. John’s Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.

 

Our mailing address is:
St. John’s Lutheran Church   3521 Linda Vista Ave.  Napa, CA 94558