November 22, 2025
Hello Grace Vineyard Family and friends of Grace Vineyard!
Happy rainy late November Saturday, morning! As I start typing this week’s update, today’s date is jumping out at me. The younger folks might not recognize it, but I bet most folks born in the 1950s or earlier still immediately recognize this date almost as much as people in my generation recognize September 11. November 22, 1963 is the day that rocked the world as president John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in the back of an open convertible limousine in Dallas, Texas. My mom was at the end of her pregnancy with me on that day, and would give birth two weeks later. I am often filled with awe and wonder at the immense love and patience demonstrated by the Lord, our Creator, even as He observes such widespread tragedy and activities contrary to the Kingdom of God across the globe. And this is the ongoing way of the Kingdom as we live in between the times, with this present evil age running on a parallel track next to the Kingdom of God that has broken in with the arrival of Jesus. As we enter this Holiday season, so pregnant with hope, love, joy, and peace, we who have been born of the Spirit are carriers and couriers of the Kingdom Presence and Message. I hope we will Love Well this season. Love God, one another, and the world around us, helping to advance the inbreaking of God’s good Kingdom rule and rein into a world that so often is hurting terribly.
Return from Exile Part 3: Where’s Your Egypt, with Snake Ertel
3 weeks ago I began teaching on the theme “Return from Exile”, a Biblical narrative that reoccurs throughout scripture. This week I have invited our own Richard “Snake” Ertel to bring the message, and he has decided to continue with the theme, asking the question, “Where’s Your Egypt?” The story of the Israelite’s Exodus from Egypt plays a crucial role in the arc of redemptive history. The Pharaoh reminds us of all the things that keep us in bondage (addictions, toxic relationships, fear, pride, sin, even Satan himself). “Egypt” reminds us of all the systems of the world that come against our true freedom in Christ (cultural pressures, materialism, the endless pursuit of status and misuse of power to dominate rather than to serve). “Egypt” can be anything we rely on more than God for our security or identity. Join us as Snake asks, “What is your Egypt?”, and shows us God’s salvation that leads us out of bondage into His Promised Land. If you can’t be with us in person for worship tomorrow morning 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.
And if you’d like to hear or watch part 2 of this series, here it is on our GraceTalks.org podcast and our YouTube channel:
Help Serve a Meal In the Park for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday, and we’re going to be joining Convicted For Christ ministries to put on a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixings in Fireside Park on Friday of Thanksgiving week for our unsheltered neighbors. That means we’ll need Turkeys, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, rolls, pies, etc, and especially we’ll need people who can help serve the meal. It will be at 1PM on Friday, November 28th, at Fireside Park in Oceanside. (Please note: you may have seen a previous announcement for 2pm, but the correct time is 1pm) Michael and Brandi will be in the lobby on Sunday to help you get all signed up for what you’ll be bringing.
Help Us Decorate Grace Vineyard for Christmas
We’ll need help (from men and women) decorating the church for Christmas on Saturday, November 29th 10am-1pm and Sunday, November 30th after church. Please let Kim Ohst know if you can help 760.519.4558.
Women’s Christmas Luncheon Saturday, December 13
Saturday, December 13th we’ll have our Women’s Christmas Luncheon at the church from 11am-2pm. We’ll enjoy lunch together, have carols and worship and a message. Shannon Frye will be speaking on “Expect the Unexpected”. Cost is $20. We’ll need help setting up on Friday, December 12th. We’ll also need people to bring soups and desserts and to host tables. We are asking people to donate toiletries like Deodorant, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes, hair ties, lotion, chapstick for the FRC ladies. Please call Kim Ohst for more details or sign up at the table in the lobby beginning November 22nd.
Open Call for Grace Vineyard’s 2025 Christmas Eve Production
Check out this important message from Ammee Huzil for a brand new Christmas Eve Production:
WHAT:
“A New Star” is a traditional telling of the nativity story through the “not-so-traditional” eyes of two stars. It’s a play (interspersed with music) and I am looking for actors and actresses (all ages) and support for set design, stage hands, costume, and sound and light production. If this makes you excited, and you would like to be involved — contact Ammee for all the details (keep reading for her email address).
TIME COMMITMENT:
We’ll have an open reading with those who are interested, and there will be rehearsing once a week up until Christmas Eve, you must be available for at least 60% of readings and rehearsals. I will also need stagehands, creative people, and sound support.
Please EMAIL Amy Huzil, Worship Director at: ammeepearl@gmail.com for information and audition/reading information.
I cannot wait to see how we can make this season special and create something beautiful together!
Vineyard USA Day of Giving, December 2
The Day of Giving is a fundraising event during which Vineyard USA invites supporters to celebrate what God has done through our family of Vineyard Churches and to invest in what God will do through us in the future. This day is dedicated to supporting our community’s efforts that help our churches partner with the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in culturally relevant ways to the world around us. This year, the Day of Giving is Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Proceeds from the Day of Giving will support Vineyard USA’s continued efforts to steward this family of churches for the next generation. This year, the funds will go toward operations with an emphasis on fortifying existing kids/youth programming and establishing new multi-year youth initiatives.
Here’s our national director, Jay Pathak, with a short video about the Day of Giving:
You can donate cash gifts (either online or via physical check), stocks and securities, and non-cash assets. Our partner National Christian Foundation (NCF) handles all cash gifts for Day of Giving. Our partner FreeWill handles gifts of stocks, securities, IRAs, DAFs, or cryptocurrency. Please note that while all proceeds go to Vineyard USA, your tax receipt will come from NCF or FreeWill.
Non-cash assets can be donated by contacting Vineyard USA Chief Development Officer Jason George at jason.george@vineyardusa.org.
Checks should be made payable to “National Christian Foundation” with Memo: Vineyard USA Fund #5051723 and mailed to:
National Christian Foundation Ohio
4182 Worth Ave., Space # L-115
Columbus, OH 43219
And that’s all for this week’s Weekly Update. Have a great rest of your weekend, and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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. 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.