Weekly Update 09-06-2025

September 6, 2025

Hello Grace Vineyard Family and Friends.

It is Saturday evening, so if I’m going to send you a Weekly Update this week, I better get on it!  I hope you’ve had a good week so far. This week – the days following Labor Day –  always feels like a transitional week for me.  It feels like summer is officially over (even though it really is not officially over until Fall 2025 starts on September 22) and you can especially feel it in downtown Oceanside.  The summer visitors all but disappear, and the beaches are more sand than people, and students are getting into the routine of a new school year. It definitely feels quieter.  It’s a good time to pause and reflect on the goodness of God and the wonders of His Grace, and the blessing of His Presence through every season.  I hope you experiencing and enjoying His nearness.  Here’s the latest news and announcements you’ll want to know about life in the Grace Vineyard family:

Parables of the Kingdom

The last 2 Sundays we were together, our sermon topic was “Guarding the Message of Grace”.  More than once I’ve found myself applying the principles of those 2 messages in conversations with people inside and outside our church family.  It has seemed very apropros.  When I prayed about what we should be learning together next, I heard the phrase “parables of the Kingdom” in my Spirit.  The central message of Jesus was The Kingdom of God (in Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew uses the phrase “The Kingdom of Heaven” to mean the same thing), and one of Jesus’ most common methods for communicating the truths about the Kingdom of God was to tell parables.  Several of these parables are recorded in the 13th chapter of Matthew and the 4th chapter of Mark, if you’d like to take a look.  Tomorrow we’ll dive into some of the Parables of the Kingdom and see what we learn together. We hope to be with you in person on Sunday morning starting at 9:30, but 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.

If you’d like to hear last weeks talk on Guarding the Message of the Gospel, you can watch it here on our Youtube channel:

or you can listen on our Gracetalks.org podcast right here:

Practicing The Way Groups Begin September 8

Beginning Monday, September 8th, there will be a Women’s  group meeting at Jeannie Isbell’s home (3305 Belle Lane, Carlsbad) 6:30-8:30 pm to go through the Practicing the Way study by John Mark Comer.  Workbooks are $20.   Please call/text Kim Ohst 760-519-4558 if you have any questions.
Matt Evans will be leading a Men’s group at the same time at a location to be determined.  Please see Matt (760-802-9121) or Steve Rogers (760-500-4324) for info on the Men’s group. There is still room in the Men’s Group.
This will be an 8 week study with video teaching by the author, John Mark Comer,  group discussion, and spiritual exercises designed to lay a foundation for lifelong apprenticeship to  Jesus.  Here’s a quick video introduction to what the groups are about from John Mark Comer:

After Church Prayer Next Sunday, September 14

We have a short prayer meeting after church on the 2nd Sunday of the month.  Our next after church prayer meeting will be September 14th.  I cannot emphasize enough how important prayer is!  PLEASE – plan on joining us for about 1 hour after church next Sunday.  It’s really true – God Answers Prayer!

San Diego Rescue Mission Dinner Friday, September 12th

We are providing a meal  for the residents of the San Diego Rescue Mission in Oceanside (3131 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside) on Friday, September 12th.  If you’d like to sign up to volunteer to serve dinner or bring food, there will be a table in the lobby after the Sunday morning service.  Food needs to arrive by 4:30pm and volunteers can begin to arrive at 4pm for set up. We will serve the meal at 5 pm.  Please call or text Venita for more information  (760) 573-4429.

Men’s Breakfast Next Saturday, September 13th

Our next Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday, September 13th at 8am.  Remember, we are now meeting at Grace Vineyard on the terrace in the back of the theater.  Join us for a great breakfast, worship, and an inspiring word from Steve Pittman.  This is a great time of fellowship for the Men of Grace, so I hope you’ll be able to join us.

Monthly Women’s Walk is Saturday, September 20th

For our monthly Women’s Walk, the ladies will meet at the Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center (7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad) at 9am Saturday, September 20th.  This is such a pretty walk around the lagoon.  Please let Kathy Green know if you plan to attend 760.583.1779.

Fellowship Potluck After Church September 21

One of the best ways to get to know someone is over a shared meal.  So, in a couple of weeks, after church on September 21st, we’re going to have a potluck.  Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us.  And already be thinking about that favorite dish you love to share!  We’ll probably have some more details next week, but you know the drill – bring a dish to share, and let’s party!

Next Mom 2 Mom Gathering is September 26

Are you a mom in need of support from other moms? Or are you a mom who has been there and wants to lend your support to others?  Then you are welcome to Mom 2 Mom, a peer to peer and mentoring group designed to uplift, enrich, share and connect moms.  We’ll gather Friday September 26th at 6pm at Grace Vineyard on the terrace for a program that will include sharing a meal, connecting, inspiration and resources.  Childcare will be provided- please let Sheri know how many kids/what ages.  Our September speaker is Treina Nash!  To find out more, call Sheri Winter at 760-208-8403.

I also want to mention two upcoming fundraisers for a couple of ministries that are so important to Grace Vineyard – Breath of Heaven Children’s Ministries, and Convicted For Christ (C4C).  Both events are a little bit in the future, but I hope you’ll get them on your calendars and register for the events right away:

Breath of Heaven Banquet September 29

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Breath of Heaven Annual Fundraiser Dinner—a special night dedicated to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children in Lusaka, Zambia:

Date & Time: Monday, September 29, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Venue: Monserate Winery, 2757 Gird Rd, Fallbrook, CA — set against a picturesque vineyard backdrop

🎟️ Tickets:

🙏 Why Attend:
Your presence helps provide nurturing homes, essential care, education, and spiritual support for Zambian children who need it most. Plus, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, community-focused evening at a stunning venue.

Reserve now and be part of something truly meaningful—together, we can give hope a home.

Questions? (951) 640-8032, https://www.bofheaven.org/contact

 

C4C 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Fund Raiser

Join us for C4C’s 3rd Annual fundraiser to change lives after incarceration. Your round funds housing, mentorship, and second chances.

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Dos Osos Golf Club
2492 Old Ranch Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

Go to https://www.convicted4christ.org/ to register and find out all the information.  You can also talk with Michael or Snake on Sunday morning if you have any questions.

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/text Kim Ohst for more information 760-519-4558.

And that’s it for this week’s update.  Enjoy the rest of your evening, and I’ll see you in the morning,

with blessings and love,

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.