Weekly Update 07-04-2026

July 4, 2026

Hello Grace Vinyeard Family and Friends,

Happy 250th 4th of July!  Two hundred and fifty years ago our forefathers took a HUGE risk on forging a new nation built on the idea of God-given rights and self-government with the words, “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”  When they signed that declaration, they did indeed pledge their fortunes and lives. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.  That’s just a small sample. (see https://www.sarconnecticut.org/the-price-they-paid/ for more details) I am so thankful to be enjoying the freedoms today that they made possible with their very lives, especially the freedom to worship God freely without fear.  On this special holiday we pray that God would continue to be gracious to us as a nation.  We would do well to pray that prayer that our 1st president George Washington distributed to all the states:  “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would…most graciously be pleas’d to dispose us all to do Justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves, with that Charity, humility & pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion & without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.”  (https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.20803000)   May God bless America.

The God Who Dwells, Week 2

Last Sunday I brought the 1st part of a 3 week series I’m calling “The God Who Dwells”.  We took a quick look at the arc of the Biblical narrative that reveals a God who loves to dwell in intimate relationship with His people, from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the new heavens and new earth at the end in the Revelation, where heaven and earth come together as one and we hear these words, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”  We looked at how God guided people to build a tabernacle (tent of worship) and later a Temple where God’s Presence would dwell and people could meet with Him.  Then we saw how since the time of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that God is building a Living Temple made not out of stones but out of His people. “And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”   You can listen and watch that message right here on our Gracetalks.org podcast and our Youtube channel:

This week I’m planning on continuing where I left off last week with a message called “Our Experience and Our Calling”.  We’ll explore how we are invited to experience The God Who Dwells, and how we have been called to partner with God  in the building of this living temple that is filling their earth. I hope you can join us tomorrow in person at 9:30 am, but if you can’t be there, here’s the info you need to join us online: 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.

Join Us for Sanctuary – Sunday night at 6PM

We start at 6p.m. Sunday night. Hope to see you

Next Saturday – Women’s Walk and Men’s Breakfast

Women of Grace, it’s our monthly walk is next Saturday, July 11th.  We’ll meet at the pier sign across from the Pacific 333 restaurant for a walk along the pier and Oceanside beach.  Please let Kathy know if you plan to attend 760.583.1779.

Men of Grace, it’s time for our monthly Men’s breakfast next Saturday, July 11th,  at 8am.  This month, Kent Franke will be bringing the message.  We start with a great breakfast, followed by worship, and then the message.  For more info, please text/call Steve Rogers at 760-500-4324.

Mission to Zambia starts July 19

On Sunday, July 19, I am flying to Zambia where I’ll be bouncing all over the place until August 17th.  This is quite an involved missions trip, and I would love you to know all the details so you can be praying for our teams.  When you have a few extra minutes, check out the details at gracevcf.org/zambia2026.  Let me emphasize the prayer part again! During the first phase of the trip, 3 of us will be going into rural areas of the country, ministering in Vineyard churches.  It’s hard for Westerners to understand sometimes, but in these areas away from the more modern cities, there is a lot of dark spiritual activity, a lot of anscestor worship, witch doctors, etc.  We really need your prayer covering.  I think of the Apostle Paul’s words to the believers in Rome: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. “ (Romans 1:11-12)  Please be praying that the Lord will use us to bring great encouragement and equipping for ministry to these sisters and brothers in Africa.  And please be praying that God will move on some more people’s hearts to donate to help with  the cost of the trip (gracevcf.org/donate-zambia in case somebody is looking for the donate link).  Thank you!

Women’s Face to Face, July 24

Ladies, it’s time for another Face to Face, our women’s small group meeting.  We’ll meet at Michelle Ertel’s home (1480 Pioneer Circle, Oceanside Gate Code #1904) pm Friday, July 24th, at 6:30pm for snacks and hang out.  Worship with Amy will begin at 7pm.  Kim will be sharing on the topic of Growing in our Friendships/Relationships.  You are invited to bring a snack to share.  Please carpool as parking is limited.  For more information, please text Kim Ohst 760-519-4558.

Better Together Conference July 21-23 in New Jersey

Ladies One Day Conference Saturday, September 26th 9am-5pm

For the Ladies: You’re invited to join us at the Vineyard Yorba Linda’s Standing Firm one day conference.  Anita Ruis, David Ruis’s wife, will be the speaker.  We’ll meet at the church to carpool at 7:30am and leave at 7:45.  Cost is $40 and includes breakfast and lunch.  Here’s the link to register:https://vineyardyorbalinda.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3598139  Kim told me she’s going, so you know it’s going to be good!   I’ve heard nothing but great things about Anita Ruis. She and her husband David are the national directors of the Vineyard Canada, and they have a very rich history in the body of Christ.  I hope you all will take advantage of this great opportunity.

And that’s it for this week’s update.  Enjoy the fireworks tonight, pray a thanks-filled blessing on our nation, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

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.