December 5, 2025
Hello Grace Vineyard Family and Friends,
Welcome to December! Thanksgiving is already a fading memory and Advent is in full swing. We have a Christmas tree in the living room, and garland, lights, toy soliders, and Christmas stockings on the mantle. I really enjoy this season – the lights, the music about Jesus’ birth, the decorations everywhere…there’s just something in the air that’s special. I hope you’re enjoying this season too!
Cultivating the Blessings of Advent
Last Sunday I began a 4 week sermon series for Advent called “Cultivating the Blessings of Advent for Living a Life of Abundance”. It’s an admittedly long title for a sermon series, but it hopefully communicates the overarching message I have in mind. The 4 themes, or blessings, of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Those are the very blessings that make up abundant living. Last week I introduced the series and spoke on Cultivating Hope. Here’s the sermon on our Youtube channel and our Gracetalks.org podcast:
Week 2 – Cultivating Peace
This Sunday we’ll dive into Week2 – Cultivating Peace. And to make it really special, I’ve invited our own Chaplain Jason DiPinto to bring the message! I hope to see you Sunday morning, but 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.
We’ve got a lot of Christmas themed events to share together in the coming weeks. First is our annual Women’s Christmas Luncehon:
Women’s Christmas Luncheon – “Expect the Unexpected” – 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.
Coat, Sweater and Shoe Collection for Mom 2 Mom kids and moms
Christmas Party Potluck on December 21st
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 21, at 5pm. Our church seems to LOVE potlucks, and we do them really well. We are planning on having a Christmas Party Potluck at 5pm on Sunday, December 21. We’ll have sign-ups soon, but for now, just plan on being here, and start thinking about what deliciouis dish you’ll be bringing. Some Christmas baking would be nice in addition to the main and side dishes!
Mom 2 Mom Goes to Jingle Terrace Friday, December 19th
We’ll meet Friday, December 19th at 6pm at Grace Vineyard to carpool to Jingle Terrace for a picnic dinner and all the festivities. You can also meet us there! Here’s a link to see what to expect: Jingle Terrace Nights | Moonlight Stage Productions This is an event for moms to enjoy with their kids. To find out more, call Sheri Winter at 760-208-8403.
Christmas Eve – The New Star
Join us on Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 5pm for “The New Star – The story of the first Christmas”, a traditional telling of the nativity story through the “not-so-traditional” eyes of two stars. We’ll end the program singing “Silent Night” by candle light, and then we’ll share some delicious hot apple cidar and home baked Christmas cookies.
We have one more event to talk about, and this one is not Christmas themed! It begins in January…
Starting in January, Sign up Now – Financial Study
Starting in January, Chaplain Jason DiPinto is going to lead a financial study called “Navigating Your Finances God’s Way” from Compass Finances (A Financial Discipleship Ministry). Jason will be in the lobby on Sunday to answer your questions and take signups. It’s a six chapter, video-driven study and we’ll be meeting on Sundays at 11:30 after church. The start date is still to be determined. Space is limited – there is a 15 person maximum, so the first 15 people to sign up we’ll get to come to this one.
And that’s it for this week’s Update. See you Sunday morning!
with blessing and love 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.