Newsletter - Napa Valley Lutheran Church

THE SEASON OF CREATION

Starting September 6^th, we will once again observe The Season of Creation in worship. This was a new tradition to me when I joined you. I was not familiar with the Season but have discovered in this past year there is more than simply a biblical imperative to steward God’s Creation. This is a renewal of God’s commission to each of us and the whole Church that has been undertaken by the World Council of Churches.

I encourage you to read further for background taken from the movement’s own website (www.seasonofcreation.org).

This year, the theme offered is Living Water: Immersion in Living Water. There is no substitute for water in the myriad needs it meets for sustaining life. Water plays a role in every part of daily life and the creation around us. Not to be limited to oceans and waterways themselves, our air, soil, vegetation, animals, and food sources don’t only rely on water but also contain water. Water is so essential as a building block of life, it is referenced time and again in scripture as foundational also to our faith through imagery of bathing, cleansing, drinking, flooding, aiding in growth, renewal of life, and hospitality.

So join us and invite others to join us this September as we immerse ourselves in this Living Water and discuss ways we can immerse ourselves even more deeply in its benefits as well as the challenges we face to protect it.

Blessings,
Pastor Stephanie

BACKGROUND FOR THE SEASON OF CREATION

Join Pastor Stephanie in discussing Richard Rohr’s book The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage

The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.

Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed September 1^st as a day of prayer for creation for the Orthodox in 1989. In fact, the Orthodox church year starts on that day with a commemoration of how God created the world.

The World Council of Churches was instrumental in making the special time a season, extending the celebration from September 1^st until October 4^th.

Following the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I and the WCC, Christians worldwide have embraced the season as part of their annual calendar. Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in the Roman Catholic Church in 2015, and in 2019 started celebrating the Season of Creation as well. Pastors David Hamilton and Julie Webb began observing the Season of Creation with Napa Valley Lutheran Church as early as 2010.

In recent years, statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration.

The season starts September 1^st, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4^th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.

Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home.

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

CHRIST IN OUR HOME: The July, August and September 2026 booklets are available now as well as the October, November and December 2026. 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.

SECOND MILE GIVING FOR SEPTEMBER –
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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 Social Services of Northern California. LSS does a variety of great work in the Bay Area

“to promote stability and honor the dignity of those we serve by providing supportive housing services that lead to self-sufficiency” (words from their mission statement).

Last year, LSS walked along 5,006 people across 10 counties in Northern California.

Supportive services, including case management, means that these people have their rent paid, their bills handled, and their lives are quieter because someone they trust is helping them carry the weight. More young people are finding stability. More families are staying housed. More seniors are aging with dignity.

If you would like to contribute, you can 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 September.

A NOTE FROM A MEMBER…

Karen and I decided to donate to Lutheran Social Services through my paycheck when I worked at Clover Stornetta Dairy around 1995. United Way gave us the option to donate to other charities through them. I looked at the list and saw Lutheran Social Services, so I started donating to them. When I retired in 2013, we switched the donation through our church.

Chris and Karen Kvidahl

PROPS TO PROPERTY!

Have you noticed things getting done around our property?
You may or may not have noticed, as many property needs are minor adjustments that make a major difference and we have so much property you may not even see all of it in your time at church. A special “thank you” goes out to Bill Parks and his team of property helpers (Bob Shepersky, Tom Schmiegel, and Jeff Mays) for help installing new Ring video cameras, getting overgrowth around Luther Hut and in the BBQ area cleared, work on toilets and lights in bathrooms, replacing our faded and frayed Pride flag, adding new mulch along the property line with 352 Jefferson and general maintenance and upkeep. Thanks for keeping things running and looking good!

GREETING CARD MINISTRY

Have you noticed things getting done around our property?
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.

SAVE THE DATE

Our church BBQ has a new date on the calendar!
Join us after church on Sunday, October 18^th for a special lunch.
Tom Schmiegel will be out at the BBQ preparing our main dish but listen for opportunities to help provide other parts of the meal.

BOOK DISCUSSION

Join Pastor Stephanie in discussing Richard Rohr’s book The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage Wednesdays from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Luther Hall. We began the discussion on August 26, so it’s not too late to join in.

Pastor Stephanie would also like to gather those desiring to read and discuss this book who cannot meet during a weekday at a local café/coffee spot during an evening or Saturday morning time. If you wish to participate in this “off-site” group, please let Pastor Stephanie know so she can organize a time and place to announce in worship.

Books can be ordered through Napa Bookmine, Barnes and Noble, Amazon or your favorite e-reader store. Large print and audiobook editions are also available.

BLESSING THE ANIMALS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3^RD

We’re letting you know a little early to make plans for you and your pets to join us Saturday, October 3^rd for a special blessing at 10:00am.
Please bring your furry, hairy, or scaley friends on a leash or in a carrier. Please remember that other animals will be present. If your pet is anxious around other animals it may be kindest to leave them home and ask for a special prayer of blessing to be said for them in absentia.
This is a visitor and neighborhood friendly event! Please invite the animal owners and lovers in your life and your neighborhood to join us.

ATTENTION: THRIVENT MEMBERS

As you probably know, a benefit of your membership is the chance to plan and carry out a “Thrivent Action Team”. Several of our members have taken advantage of this opportunity to gather a volunteer team of friends, family or neighbors to put on a fundraiser, educational event or service activity, such as organizing a drive to collect school supplies, winter gloves and socks, and canned food for the food bank. Thrivent provides the resources you need to get started, including up to $250 in seed money. Clients with benefit membership are eligible to lead up to two Thrivent Action Teams per calendar year. Think about what you want to do, and when you might schedule it. You might want to coordinate with second mile giving months, and avoid the Christmas season, so that conflicts are avoided and our generous members are able to participate.

COUNCIL UPDATE

The church council met on August 13th. Discussion included updates on the solar installation and Treasurer Ellen Wulf informed us that we are seeing the benefits of the solar system with decreased electric bills. Plans for the Church BBQ are moving forward with a tentative date set for Sunday, October 18. Pastor Stephanie reported on the sound equipment that helps to improve the sound quality in the sanctuary. The minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the narthex for more details.

NAPA FOOD BANK

Carol Shirmang delivered 43 pounds of non-perishable food to the food bank in August. Many families in our community depend on the food bank to provide nourishing food for their families, and your support is appreciated!

ITEMS OF NOTE

THE WOMEN OF NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH are invited to meet together each month in Luther Hall. Our next meeting is Wednesday September 16

from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. If you are interested, please notify Pastor Stephanie so she can make sure you are mailed your own copy of Gather, the quarterly magazine published by WELCA. During our meetings we discuss the themes presented in the magazine along with projects we may be interested in supporting or undertaking ourselves. Gather with us for community, prayer, and partnership in the Gospel. Please also let Pastor Stephanie know if you wish to be included but are unable to attend our monthly meetings.

LUNCH BUNCH will be on Thursday September 24 at Pasta Prego, 1520 Main St. Call Carol Holmes for reservations.

DIRECTORY UPDATES:

Connie Barri
1716 Creekside Dr. Unit 310
Folsom, CA 95630
(707) 812-4937

Doris Ellsworth
450 John Muir Parkway
Brentwood Grove MC, Rm. 110B
Brentwood, CA 94513

If you have an update, please contact the church office so we have your current contact information. The best way is by email at secretary@napavalleylutheran.org or by phone at 707-226-8166.

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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