April 4, 2026
He is Risen!
Happy Resurrection Weekend, Grace Vineyard Family and Friends.
We had a wonderful start to our Resurrection Weekend last night with our Good Friday Service. Thank you so much to Ammee and the worship band that walked us through such a meaningful, worshipful, reflective service. The scriptures came alive as we walked through the story of the cross.
Here’s a screen shot from the LiveStream last night. You can still view it at https://fb.watch/GhknN3cg44/ if you like.
Tomorrow we’re going to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with worship and fellowship, and opening up the Bible together. I’m going to continue with the “On the Road to Resurrection” theme we’ve been studying the last 3 times I’ve shared with you. I’m calling this one, “First Fruits – the Road of New Creation”.
You may or may not know that there are 3 Jewish festivals that come together this time of year, and they each are a prophetic image of what Jesus our Messiah did on this weekend – Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Of these three, people are most familiar with Passover – the celebration of the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, especially with the symbol of the blood of the lamb being put on the doorposts of the Israelites homes so that the angel of death would see the blood and Pass Over that house. Jesus is the ultimate Passover lamb, and it is His life blood poured out sacrificially that provides for our passover. Jesus’ crucifixion coincided with the Jewish calendar’s date for Passover. In fact, many believe Jesus was being nailed to the cross at the exact same moment that hundreds of thousands of passover lambs in Jerusalem were being slaughtered for the Passover. The Jewish feast of Unleavened Bread begins the day after passover and includes the removal of leaven or yeast from the home and special observances over the following 7 days. Then on the first day of the week, Sunday, a 3rd feast is observed – The Feast of First Fruits, celebrating the first fruits of the new barley harvest. Jesus’ resurrection coincided with First Fruits, and His resurrection is the first fruits of the New Creation. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
‘”But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
This is packed with meaning for how we live today, and I look forward to exploring it with you tomorrow morning.
If you’re interested, here’s the GraceTalks.org Podcast and Youtube video of last week’s message here you go:
I hope to see you in person on Sunday morning so we can all worship together, but if you can’t make it in person, you can join us online on Zoom with this link Zoom Meeting ID 153 112 432, Passcode 684814 and you can also find our livestream on Facebook Live at facebook.com/gracevcf.
We have a number of great events coming up in the next several weeks that I want to make sure you know about. Lets go…
ALPHA starts Monday Night, April 6th
I am so excited about this! We’ve been talking with you about Alpha for several weeks now, and at the interest meeting last week we decided it would be perfect to launch an Alpha class immediately after Easter Sunday, so we’re doing it. This is a zero-pressure group designed especially for people who are not followers of Jesus but are curious about deeper spiritual issues. Please think of some friends to invite and join us on the terrace at the back of the theater on Monday at 6pm. If you have any questions, please call or text Shannon Frye at 760-419-4242. Shannon will also have a table in the lobby after church this Sunday to tell you more about Alpha and answer all your questions. This is going to be AWESOME!
Face to Face Women’s Group on April 10th
Ladies, join the Women of Grace for a time of worship, teaching and ministry. We’ll gather in the church lobby starting at 6:30 for snacks. The meeting will begin at 7pm. Ammee will be leading worship and Abbey will be sharing on the topic of “Lord, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”. Bring a snack to share if you like. For more information, please text Kim Ohst 760.519.4558.
Men’s Breakfast April 11th
Our next men’s breakfast is Saturday, April 11th, at 8am on the terrace at the back of the theater. Men – if you came to the Men’s Retreat, I really hope you’ll join us for some more great times together. (In fact, I hope all you men will join us whether you went to the retreat or not. I was just thinking the retreat guys would be espeically interested in getting together again!) Matt Evans will be speaking. We’ll have a delicious breakfast, a time of worship, and what’s sure to be an inspirational message from Matt. See you next Saturday.
Alexander Venter and Chris Lizotte on Tuesday, April 14th
A very special event is taking place right here at Grace Vineyard on April 14th. Alexander Venter is a Vineyard Pastor from South Africa who has been hugely influential, especially with his books “Doing Church” and “Doing Healing”. He’s going to be in California in a couple of weeks, and we’ve been asked to host an event with him and one of our favorite worship leaders, Chris Lizotte. There will be plenty of great worship and ministry. It starts at 7:00pm and will certainly be worth your time.
Retirement Celebration for Debby Gidley April 26th
Right after church on April 26th, we’re going to have a Retirement Party for Debby Gidley. Debby has served as our Children’s Ministry director for so many years, and has simultaneously taken care of all the administrative responsibilities for our church. She has been AMAZING! We’ll have a light lunch right after church, and some opportunities for folks to bless Debby with encouraging words for how much her ministry has impacted each of us over the years. Plan on Joining us.
Ladies Tea Saturday, May 2nd 1-4 pm
Ladies, it’s time to dig out your hats and tea cups, ladies. Join us for an afternoon of enjoyment complete with scones, tea sandwiches, desserts and tea. We’ll have worship and a message. Cost is $20. You can sign up at the table in the lobby to host a table, help decorate, and bring food. For more information, please contact Abbey 832-683-8178.
That’s a lot of life to jump into in the next month. I’m looking forward to living it with you! See you in the morning for Resurrection Sunday!
with love and blessings to each of you,
Ron Ohst
Tithes and Offerings Online
THANKS for taking ownership in the life and ministry of Grace Vineyard! And thanks to all of you who are stepping into a lifestyle of generosity with your tithes and offerings. It really does take all of us doing our part with the income God has entrusted to us for His church. If you’d like to give your tithe or offering online, click the donate button below. If you’re giving to a specific fund (like benevolence or missions), just be sure to say that when you are given an option to add a note with your donation.