COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. RECOUNTS ARE OKAY!

November is a month we focus on the bounty of blessings God bestows upon us. Some years counting those blessings are easier than others. A number of years ago, my sister gave me a sign to hang up in my home that says, “Count your blessings. Recounts are okay!” Depending on the season of my life, sometimes it is a reminder of all that is going well in my life. Other times, it is a reminder that even if I am only giving thanks for the most basic of needs being met, thanking God is as important for my own sake as it is for giving God proper credit.

This November I am giving God thanks for two years of ministry with and among you! I’m giving thanks for two of the silliest years with Simon who has been a lot of work in his puppy years but also brings me and so many others joy. I am blessed with a home that is well tended to and coffee hours where somehow cookies and crackers found in a cupboard is too much food. I’m grateful for the people of Napa Valley Lutheran Church, everyday life in Napa, and the future God has on the horizon for us.

As Paul greeted the Philippians, “I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6). You are one of my greatest blessings and I will recount that each day!

With gratitude,
Pastor Stephanie

Pastoral Emergencies November 1 – 11

Pastor Stephanie will be on vacation and away at Bishop’s Convocation until November 11th. Pastor Rebecca Swee has agreed to provide on-call pastoral care should you require pastoral care during Pastor Stephanie’s absence.
Pastor Rebecca’s phone number is (650) 619-4729.

COUNCIL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Jeff Mays

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest-I consider the Palouse region of SE Washington ‘home.’ I knew about St. Olaf because my best friend in high school (his Dad was the pastor of the church I attended) came from a family with a long St. Olaf lineage. Despite graduating from St. Olaf, I can neither sing nor play a musical instrument. After working a few years, I started a graduate program in Chemistry in Maryland, where I spent about 5 years. Karen and I met (a second time) while both living on the East Coast and eventually returned to the West Coast (we married in 2001 in Oakland.) I started a job in Napa in 2000, and Karen and I moved to Napa in late 2001. After settling in to Napa, Karen and I joined Emmanuel in 2004. I’ve spent the last 20+ years of my career in biotechnology. I’m endlessly fascinated by the natural world, and evolutionary biology is one of my favorite subjects (my formal educational training is chemistry). Due to job changes, I’ve had more time to read in the last two years and I’ve recently taken quite an interest in early Christian Church history.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Our Book Discussion Group completed our discussion of Richard Rohr’s The Tears of Things on October 28th. We decided with Pastor’s travel and the extra activities of the holidays we would wait until January to begin our next book. Keep your eyes peeled to the December newsletter for our next title and how to get a copy. If you were unable to join us but would like to read The Tears of Things, Pastor Stephanie is happy to lend a copy to you.

TREASURER’S NOTE

November marks the start of planning for next year’s budget. The Finance committee asks all ministry teams to submit their budget requests by November 15 so they can be considered during the November planning meetings. Although the budget is based on past experience, your requests help identify additional needs or wants.

Ellen Wulf, Treasurer

SECOND MILE GIVING FOR NOVEMBER

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 is directed to local needs. Here is a message from Dorothy Arata on behalf of the Gifts and Service team:

“Well, it’s time to give our old Giving Tree a rest.

(It’s missing it’s stand so if anyone finds it, please let the office know.) But look toward the fireplace in the Narthex where you’ll see the mantle decorated and socks hung by the fire. This year we’re “Stuffing the Socks” for VOICES, NEWS and Abode. We asked what was most needed through gift cards – answers were Target, Walmart, Grocery Outlet, The Dollar Store and gas cards from local service stations. Also, cards of values from $10.00-$25.00 are preferred. Please purchase a gift card (or several), and return it to NVLC by Sunday, November 29^th.” If you don’t want to purchase gift cards, you can still make a donation (checks payable to NVLC) this month – just mark your gift as “2^nd Mile Giving” and include it with your offering anytime during November.

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

CHRIST IN OUR HOME: The October, November and December 2026 booklets are available now. We have also ordered daily devotions for the Advent and Christmas season (which will be here before you expect it!). If you would like to have one of these delivered to your home, please contact the church office at secretary@napavalleylutheran.org or 707-226-8166 to make arrangements.

NOTES FROM THE GIFTS & SERVICE TEAM

Every year the team ponders over the list of organizations to designate for NVLC’s “Second Mile Giving” plan. There are many local and international organizations that we would like to support, but only 12 months in a year. Here is the proposed list for 2027:

January Reconciling Works
February         Lutheran Social Services
March             Mentis
April Holden Village
May Mt. Cross Camp
June Napa Food Bank & World Hunger
July Napa Valley Together
August            Lutheran Campus Ministry
September Habitat for Humanity
October Global Refuge
November       Holiday giving to NEWS, VOICES, & ABODE
December       Lutheran World Relief

If you have questions about any of these organizations, or would like to nominate others for consideration, please let us know.

Also, if you are a Thrivent member contemplating leading an Action Project that would also support one of these causes, you might want to coordinate timing to amplify the efforts, and avoid overlapping projects, so that conflicts are avoided and our generous members are able to participate.

Global Refuge is proud to continue our Hope for the Holidays™ program this year—with a few changes. Unfortunately, due to new policies, we are no longer able to send cards to our those in immigration detention.

But we still need your help. This year, we are focusing instead on advocating for our refugee and other immigrant neighbors. Rather than writing holiday cards, we are asking you to send postcards to your local, state, and national lawmakers advocating for just, humane, and dignified refugee and immigration policy. Lynette Felsing will provide more information about this effort.

PIE POTLUCK – It’s a potluck…but with PIES!!

Help us celebrate and give thanks following worship Sunday, November 22nd by bringing a pie to share. This is a perfect occasion to practice your recipes, refresh your skills, or test your oven before serving Thanksgiving! Pies can be of the sweet or savory variety! (Think pumpkin, apple, pecan, quiche, or even a pizza pie!). We know there will be more than enough for everyone, but please sign up in Luther Hall so we have an idea of what to expect.

ATTENTION KNITTERS AND CHROCHETERS

It’s time to gather hats that have been created for the use of our homeless. They will be blessed at the November 22 church service. Please leave your hats at the church office sometime before then so they can be included with our gift to the homeless shelter early in December.
Thank you for your work, Ellen Wulf

V.O.I.C.E.S. THANKSGIVING

On Thursday November 19, the folks at V.O.I.C.E.S. will be celebrating early Thanksgiving with their family and friends in our Luther Hall. They always invite NVLC members to join them for dinner and fun starting at 5:00 PM. They are a friendly bunch, and it is a great way to kick off the Thanksgiving week. They have requested that a member (or a couple of members) from NVLC help them as they set up, serve and clean up for this event. If you are available to assist in the kitchen earlier in the afternoon or during the event, please check with Leanne Martinsen so we can let them know who will be there to help.

ATTENTION USHERS AND ASSISTING MINISTERS

As you check the schedule for December, please note that there are additional opportunities to serve. The Blue Christmas service is at 3:00 PM on Sunday December 13, and we have services on Christmas Eve at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Please let Leanne Martinsen know if you are available on these dates, so that we can fill in the schedule. Please and Thank You in advance!

Please note that Pastor Stephanie has updated the list of responsibilities for ushers. What you do is so important to making folks feel welcome and comfortable during our worship service. Please check out the instructions on the table where the bulletins are placed. Questions and suggestions are welcome.

GREETING CARD MINISTRY

Do you enjoy receiving mail that isn’t an ad or a bill?Are you someone who sends “Get Well Soon” or “Thinking of You” cards? Have you been inspired by the response of our congregation to send cards to Doris Ellsworth or by the faithfulness by which Carolyn Nelson sends us thoughtful birthday cards? Pastor Stephanie would like to begin a greeting card ministry at NVLC, but she needs help.

Please let Pastor Stephanie know if you would be interested in a group of 2 or 3 others to help organize this ministry and get it off the ground.

On Tuesday November 3!

Women’s Bible Study Venue Update

THE WOMEN OF NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH are invited to meet together each month. Our monthly women’s bible study has a new home! We’re meeting at Holiday Redwood located at 2350 Redwood Rd. We hope moving to the activity room on their second floor will encourage participation from our own congregation as well as members of the Redwood community.

We will still meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. We hope you will join us on November 18. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) and the latest copy of Gather from WELCA. If you have questions, would like to start joining us, or wish to receive a copy of Gather, the magazine of the Women of the ELCA mailed to your home, please contact Pastor Stephanie.

FOOD BANK CONTRIBUTIONS

Carol Shirmang delivered 30 pounds of non-perishable food to the Napa Food Bank in September and 33 pounds in October. Remember, hunger and food insecurity are year-round issues. Thanks to all who continue to deposit items in the shopping cart in the Narthex.

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 meet the 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!

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