If you are someone who appreciates the clean slate of a new year or the fresh start that comes with Fall and the new school year (even 50 years since you followed an academic calendar!), this April is a seasonal switch-up you can get behind. Not only do we have the natural spring vibes brought to us by warmer weather and blooming trees, we have the second act of Lent, complete with the drama of Holy Week, and the plot twist ending (or new beginning!) we celebrate on Easter Sunday!
As I preached, Lent isn’t simply a season of dwelling in shame and feeling badly about ourselves, it is a time for reflection on what has been so that we might embrace what might be. To use an image familiar in the Bible and the ancient agrarian hearer of Jesus’ parables, Lent is the time we are seeds buried deep in the ground for a time of building energy to burst forth into a completely transformed expression of beauty and usefulness. As Jesus says, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). Just as Jesus has his victory from death and the grave in his sights from the Cross of Good Friday, so we have the promise of renewed energy, focus, and purpose awaiting us after a time of self-examination and humility.
Let’s use this time wisely. What are those most basic building blocks that make NVLC the church home that we cherish? What are the intrinsic gifts we possess that haven’t shone through yet but have been waiting for just the right season? How might this grain of wheat be transformed from a small kernel to yield five-, ten-, or a hundred-fold what God placed here at our beginning?
In hope,
Pastor Stephanie
Palm Sunday begins in the parking lot on Sunday, April 13th at 10:00am! Bring your Hosannas! and we’ll provide the palms.
Join us for a meaningful Maundy Thursday service on Thursday, April 17th in the sanctuary at 7:00pm where we remember Jesus’ commandments (maundatum=mandate) to love one another, serve one another, and to “do this in remembrance of me.”
We will gather at the foot of the Cross together Friday, April 18th at noon in the sanctuary.
A prayer vigil will be held for the hours between 3pm Good Friday and 5am Easter Sunday. A clipboard will be available to sign up for an hour of prayer and devotion during that period.
Celebrate the Resurrection Easter Sunday with us at 10:00am April 20th! Don’t forget to invite your family, friends, and neighbors!
EASTER BRUNCH
Molly Calhoun has volunteered to plan our Easter Brunch, which will be served after worship. Please look for clipboards and sign up if you can bring a casserole, hard-boiled eggs or other menu items. Also very important, help with set-up or clean-up.
COUNCIL UPDATES
The council met on Thursday March 20, and these items were on the agenda:
- Update on progress on Parsonage repairs and remaining tasks.
- Update on planned safety and security issues for church and parsonage property.
- Agreed to plan an Easter Brunch – Molly Calhoun will take the lead to plan this year.
- Set date for semi-annual meeting and election of council members for Sunday June 1
A reminder that minutes of our church council minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex so everyone can read them!
MID-WEEK LENTEN LUNCHES
Each Wednesday during Lent, we continue to gather at noon in Luther Hall for a simple soup meal and time of worship. Pastor Stephanie’s meditations will reflect upon the 10 objects discussed in Jill J. Duffield’s book Lent in Plain sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects.
Please join us!
Wednesdays at noon – March 12-April 9
You do not need to buy the book or read anything for the series. Simply come hungry for physical and spiritual nourishment. Members can sign up to provide soup, bread and butter, and help with clean up each week. Bring your own soup bowl to ease the task of the clean-up crew. Clipboards will be available for you to indicate if you wish to contribute in any of these ways.
SECOND MILE GIVING FOR APRIL – LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
Each month we designate a ministry partner for our Second Mile Giving emphasis, inviting members to donate as they feel moved to support the work of various synod, Churchwide, and community organizations. This month our Second Mile Giving recipient is Lutheran World Relief.
Founded in 1945 by Lutherans in the U.S., Lutheran World Relief is an international aid and development organization that partners with communities to help them develop productive and stable economies, improve resilience in the face of a changing climate, and respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. In 2019, Lutheran World Relief joined the Corus International family, an ensemble of global leaders united in a commitment to ending poverty, suffering and injustice once and for all. If you would like to contribute, you can make a donation (checks payable to NVLC) this month – just mark your gift as “2nd Mile Giving” and include it with your offering anytime during April.
DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES
CHRIST IN OUR HOME: The April, May June 2025 booklets are available now. If you would like to have one of these delivered to your home, please contact the church office at nvlc@sbcglobal.net or 707-226-8166 to make arrangements.
YOUR TIME AND TALENTS ARE NEEDED NOW!
I remember going to the post office in the town where I grew up and seeing a poster of a serious-looking Uncle Sam pointing his finger at us with the caption “I WANT YOU”.
It was a recruiting poster for the U.S. Army. If I had the talent, I would create a version of that poster for one of our many bulletin boards, but instead, I am writing this article…
One of my Grandma’s favorite sayings was “Many hands make light work”, and she was a wise woman. We need a few folks to step up and join a team – so that we can continue to enjoy worship, fellowship and sustain our community here at Napa Valley Lutheran Church. In order for things to go smoothly, we need back up to help with tasks including:
- altar care and communion preparation (and clean-up),
- assisting ministers/readers,
- ushering and greeting for worship services,
- offering counters,
- managing coffee hour hospitality (recruiting folks to provide goodies, set up/clean-up), just to name a few. Some of our faithful volunteers need a break, so please contact the church office to let us know where you want to serve.
Thinking ahead, at our congregational meeting on June 1, we will be electing a few members to serve on the church council. Some of our current members and officers are not eligible or able to continue for another term…so give some prayerful consideration to serving in this way, and contact Pastor Stephanie as she will be working with the nominating committee to identify candidates.
Leanne Martinsen
G R A T I T U D E
Dear people of Napa Valley Lutheran Church,
On behalf of LSS of Northern California and the individuals and families that we serve, thank you for your donation of $835.00. We are honored to be your social ministry to our most vulnerable siblings in the community.
The recent data on individuals and families experiencing homelessness is truly alarming. Too many families, seniors, adults with disabilities and low-income individuals in our communities are losing their homes and sometimes their livelihoods in these challenging economic times. As for transition aged youth (18-24) who have experienced neglect, abuse and other kinds of trauma, and are just getting their start in the world, opportunities to become their best selves are limited. Even with some effort, developing the financial capacity for housing, utilities, food, healthcare and transportation can be overwhelming for youth on their own.
In our most recent fiscal year, LSS provided housing, supportive services,, money management assistance, education and employment services to more than 4,500 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness through more than 40 programs and initiatives that address different individuals’ and families’ needs. The people we served become housed and with your support remain housed.
Your donation ensures that LSS can address the need of your vulnerable neighbors throughout Northern California. We greatly appreciate your partnership. Thank you for your dedication to ending homelessness in Northern California. For good.
Warm regards,
Julie Clemens, Development Director
Thank you for your long-time generous support. We need you now more than ever!
*************************************************************************************************
Dear Friends at Napa Valley Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your donation!
Your generosity and commitment ensure Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is able to better serve our students, faculty and community members. We are grateful for your gift, which is transforming lives and helping us fulfil our mission of equipping leaders for the church and world.
With appreciation,
Raymond Pickett
Rector
Hope Circle remains suspended for the time being.
LUNCH BUNCH will meet at the Sunshine Cafe, 1540 Trancas St., on Thursday, April 24 at 12:45 p.m. Call Carol Holmes for reservations
NAPA FOOD BANK THANKS YOU!
Carol Shirmang delivered 79# of donations to Food Bank in March. We all know that groceries are getting more expensive, but if you find a good sale on non-perishable items, and you are able, consider picking up a few extra things and deposit them in the shopping cart in the narthex. There are many in our community who appreciate this generosity!
MORE NOTES FROM THE CHURCH SECRETARY
Have you picked up your copy of the church directory yet? If you would like to update your contact information or if you have corrections, please let me know.
The best way is to email me at secretary@napavalleylutheran.org.
If you want additional copies, they are available in the church office
Thank you to the members of our congregation that have been sending in your contributions to the church office. It is much appreciated. Your financial giving to NVLC is still necessary for us to maintain needs of the congregation. Remember, that although we did not provide boxes of offering envelopes, as in past years, we still have the opportunity to make special offerings for special occasions, any occasion that is special to you!
# # #
Click here to access newsletter archive.
Click here to view the August 2024 Newsletter.
Click here to view the September 2024 Newsletter.
Click here to view the October 2024 Newsletter.
Click here to view the November 2024 Newsletter.
Click here to view the December 2024 Newsletter.
Click here to view the January 2025 Newsletter.
Click here to view the February 2025 Newsletter.
Click here to view the March 2025 Newsletter.