August 1, 2025
Hello Grace Vineyard Family and Friends of Grace Vineyard!
Welcome to the first weekend of August. The weather certainly is pleasant this weekend! I’m remembering a very hot and humid August 1st in Florida where I was on this date 33 years ago. It may have been very warm, but it was one of the best of my life. It was the day that a younger version of Kim and me started our life together as husband and wife. Happy Anniversary, Kim! We had NO idea what the future would look like, but we were both confident that the Lord would be with us every day, and for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till parted by death, we would be faithfully committed to each other. The two became one, and it has been a pretty spectacular adventure so far! We’ve endured lots of ups and downs, but I would have to say more ups than downs, marked by incredible abundance from the Lord. And we’re both looking toward the future with a smile and hope for the many more good days yet to come. I guess I should jump into this weeks Weekly Update so Kim and I can enjoy a nice dinner tonight!
Born Again
When I was a kid, there was a children’s song we used to sing that had the lyrics, “Bullfrogs and butterflies, we’ve both been born again.” (If you don’t know it and you’re curious, here’s video: https://youtu.be/FssPS03iOr0?si=JdrGEPWx0hOjno4P). Born Again! What a great and hopeful phrase. And what a great picture is the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. In perhaps the most important chapter of the Bible, John 3, we read where Jesus told a very prominent religious leader that neither he, nor anyone else, could enter or see the Kingdom of God unless they are “born again”. Jesus even said it emphatically – “You must be born again!” I suppose just about every thing we ever teach on Sunday mornings assumes that the teaching only applies to those people who have been born again. But I cannot remember the last time at our church that I taught through this important chapter and message, and when I was reading the words of John 3 recently I had this thought, perhaps a leading of the Holy Spirit, that I should teach it. So that’s what I’m gonna do this Sunday. In preparation, I’d recommend you read the chapter, but starting just before John 3, at John 2:23, in order to get the context (remember, when John wrote this book, he didn’t put in any chapters or verse numbers, so sometimes those chapter breaks get in the way of understanding the context of a portion of scripture). If you’re not able to be with us in person, you can join us online on Zoom with this link: Zoom Meeting ID 153 112 432, Passcode 684814. You can also find our livestream on Facebook Live at facebook.com/gracevcf.
Last Sunday we finished up the 3 part series we called One in Christ – Pursuing Unity for the Glory of God, with a talk on avoiding the subtle trap of judgment. I’ll drop the sermon video, but with this one disclaimer: the video system crashed somewhere in the middle of the message, so there’s a little break and then it picks back up where the video system got restarted.
Mom 2 Mom Goes to the Beach Saturday, August 2nd
The Mom2Mom group will be meeting on August 2 starting at noon in front of the picnic shelter at Oceanside Harbor, we’ll be having hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sausages. Bring sides or snacks to share and your own drinks. Look for the pop up with pink balloons. Call/text Sheri Winter for more information 760-208-8403.
Ladies Carlsbad Beach Walk Saturday, August 9th
Ladies, Join the women of Grace for your Carlsbad Beach Walk on Saturday, August 9. You’ll meet in the grassy area at the corner of Pine and Carlsbad Blvd. at 9 am. It’s a great walk in a beautiful setting! Please call or text Kathy Green if you plan to attend 760.583.1779
Men’s Breakfast on August 9th at Grace Vineyard
Hey men, remember that our monthly men’s breakfast will be meeting at the church on the terrace in the back of the theater at 8am, next Saturday, August 9th. Paul Abbott will be our speaker this month! Ty’s Burgerhouse has closed, and so we are going to be enjoying breakfast right here. And I’m told we’re also going to enjoy Pancakes cooked on a Blackstone grill right here at the church. You know it’s going to be great! If you have any questions, or if you’d like to know how you can help bring this breakfast together, give Steve Rogers a call at 760-500-4324.
Ladies Retreat November 14-16th at Pine Valley
Ladies, you can begin to pay for our fall retreat. Private bath lodges are $270, shared bathroom lodges are $250 and dorm rooms are $215. There are a limited number of Private Bath Lodges available. You can pay online or place money/checks in the offering. Please note that the payment is for the retreat. In order to reserve the appropriate room, please email and let me know what kind of room you are reserving when you make a payment. I will confirm if that type of room is available. $50 deposit will hold the room. You can call Kim Ohst for more information 760-519-4558.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you on Sunday morning!
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.