February 28, 2025
Hello Grace Vineyard Family and Friends,
It’s time for another weekly update. By the time I finish this and you read it, it will almost definitely be March 1st, so welcome to a new month!
I think I’m still basking in the glow of our last Sunday together. If you missed it, we had a very special baptism experience together. We decided to slow our roll and take our time listening to the Holy Spirit for prophetic words of encouragement for the two ladies getting baptized, and wow, did the Lord show up! I was so pleased with how many of you saw a vision, or heard a message from the Holy Spirit to strengthen, encourage, or comfort. Most of you probably recognize that language from the book of 1 Corinthians in the Bible. I’m thinking of this passage:
1 Corinthians 14:3 …everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
In case you would like to experience the moment again, we grabbed those parts of the FB Live stream and saved them on our YouTube channel:
Also, as usual, we have the sermon video available on Youtube
and the audio on our GraceTalks.org podcast here:
One of the aspects I really loved about our time together was that it was as though the Lord gave us a living demonstration of our current sermon series – “God’s Empowering Presence”. Did you know that the Bible instructs us to pursue this gift of prophecy? The impression is that God’s heart is that all of His people would learn to hear His voice in order to be able to receive inspired communication from God to give to others.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
This is actually a very old idea Biblically. Moses expressed his desire that all of God’s people would hear God’s voice and prophecy. The story takes place in Numbers 11, where Moses’ assistant Joshua is very concerned that some “unauthorized” people are prophesying and urges Moses to stop them. “Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:28-29) And Moses’ wish is finally fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. On that day the ancient prophecy of Joel comes to fruition —
Acts 2:16-18
…this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days…
All of that has inspired me to open up the topic of the New Testament spiritual gift of prophecy when we get together on Sunday morning.
In the Vineyard we like to say, “Everybody gets to play”, and I am hoping and praying that more and more of us will take hold of the vision of what’s available to us in God’s Empowering Presence, learning and growing in our experience of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. If you can’t be with us in person, here’s the link for the Zoom channel: Zoom Meeting ID 153 112 432, Passcode 684814, and here’s where you would go for the Facebook Live channel: facebook.com/gracevcf.
Men’s Retreat in 2 Weeks
Men, I want to remind you that we are in the last 2 weeks before we head up to the mountain, so the time to register is NOW! You can get all the info and find a link to pay the registration fee at gracevcf.org/mens-retreat.
3 New Women’s Ministry Groups
Ladies, I want to make sure you know about the 3 new groups that we are launching right now. Two of them start this coming Monday, and the 3rd is at the end of the month.
Breathe Priscilla Shirer Study Begins March 3
Women’s Skills Group Begins March 3
This group takes participants through a transformative, restorative process using the Restoration Therapy model of the Pain and Peace Cycle. The material is based on scripture and helps you understand your new identity in Christ. It looks at negative Family of Origin patterns and provides healing through forgiveness and repair. It will meet Monday nights 6:30-8:30pm at the church. Cost is $50 for the book. Sign up at the table in the lobby after Sunday service or call/text Lisa Rogers for more information 760.696.1994.
The 3rd group is called Mom 2 Mom.
Are you a mom in need of support from other moms? Or are you a mom who has been there and want to lend your support to others? Then you are welcome to attend the kickoff of Mom 2 Mom, a peer to peer and mentoring group designed to uplift, enrich, share and connect moms. We’ll gather for our first meeting March 28th 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. To find out more, call Sheri Winter at 760-208-8403.
And with that I’ll close this edition of the Weekly Update.
Have a wonderful Saturday, and I’ll see you Sunday 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.