I arise today

Through God’s strength to pilot me:

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s host to secure me

against snares of devils

against temptations of vices

against inclinations of nature

against everyone who shall wish me ill,

afar and anear,

alone and in a crowd.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

-St. Patrick, from St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Living the Future Now – The Promised Holy Spirit

Last Sunday we continued in our series on the Kingdom of God with some teaching on the Holy Spirit.  When He was “poured out” on the day of Pentecost (read about it in Acts 2), He came as a vital part of the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom.  We could really go for many weeks learning important truth’s about The Holy Spirit, but I believe we are going to limit ourselves to just 2 or 3 this time.  I began last Sunday with a quote from New Testament scholar Gordan Fee, and I’ll share it here so you can hear it again:

“If the church is going to be effective in our postmodern world, we need to stop paying mere lip service to the Spirit and recapture Paul’s perspective: the Spirit as the experienced, empowering return of God’s own personal presence in and among us, who enables us to live as a radically eschatological people in the present world while we await the consummation.”

-Gordon Fee, Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God

This coming Sunday I’ll continue where I left off last Sunday, so in case you missed it, or would like to hear it again, here’s 2 ways to do that.  First, you could listen to it on our podcast (gracetalks.org) right here:

or you could watch a video of the sermon right here:

Opportunity to Help a Ukrainian Refugee Family

Most of you will remember Jane Register from World Relief who spoke at our church last year about the refugee in our back yard.  She texted me last Friday to ask if we have anybody in our church who lives not too far from the Tri-City area, specifically Roselle street.  Jane writes:

We have a Ukrainian mom that got in a bad car accident and her car was nearly totaled. She just needs help getting to the grocery store every once in a while. Like “hey Olga, I am going to the store, wanna jump in the car with me?”  She lives off of Roselle in one of our host homes. Her name is Olga and she has 2 sons. One is going to Palomar Community College and she has a high school freshman at Coastal Academy.  She would greatly appreciate help with rides to school. I think he was trying to walk/bike/bus. Her husband remains in Ukraine fighting unfortunately. She is a dog groomer also and has a mobile dog grooming business but has not been able to work for 2 months because of her car accident.

This is exactly the kind of need we’ve talked about: very easy to meet this need and show the love of Jesus in a practical way.  If you can help with this need, even just a little, could you text me at 760-713-6478, or email me at rohst@gracevcf.org, and I’ll connect you with Jane?  What a blessing it will be for both you and this family!

“Messiah in the Passover” Seder Dinner

We are planning a special Passover Seder dinner on Thursday, March 30th, with Chosen People Ministries’ Michael Cohen. The Messiah in the Passover presentation is a powerful visual message not only of Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt, but of the redemption of individuals from the bondage of sin through the atoning work of Jesus.  The program is designed to give participants a deeper understanding both of Passover and of the Communion table.   We will hold the dinner in the back of the church where we have our potlucks.  You’ll find this to be a uniquely inspirational evening.  There will be a signup table in the lobby after church this Sunday, and since there is limited seating we do need you to sign up so we can prepare appropriately.  The cost is $10.

Night of Art and Worship April 2nd

Save the date for our next worship gathering, April 2nd

Join us for a special, extended time of worship and ministry. We’ll have live music on the terrace as well as art in the lobby — all expressions of praise are welcome as we honor Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a humble King.

ARE YOU CREATIVE?

We are looking for people who want to share a creative expression that night. If you have a song, a work of art, a poem, spoken word or even a culinary treat you’d like to share with our community, please submit your work/expression of interest to Amy Huzil via email : Ammeepearl@gmail.com .

We will also be needing volunteers for food and refreshments ~ contact Amy by email or phone (858-254-8008) to get involved.

Two New Women’s Bible Studies in April

The first is a Monday Night Zoom Study on the Names of God:  Beginning Monday, April 10th 6:30-8:30pm, we’ll do a 10 week study via Zoom using the book He Is…Knowing God by Name by Carrie D. Rogers and the corresponding videos.  Books are $25 and the study will be led by Robin (760.583.3677).  Last day to sign up is April 2nd.

The second is a Monday Night In Person Study on Job:  Monday, April 10th 6:30-8:30pm begins the Lisa Harper study of Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy at Kim Ohst‘s home (4965 Calle Sobrado, Oceanside).  Books are $25 and the last day to sign up is April 2nd. Please text or call Kim for more info 760.519.4558.

Ladies Tea Saturday, April 22nd

Ladies, you are invited to join us for a lovely afternoon.  Our theme for the tea is “Relationships that Refresh the Soul”.  Margy Hill will be our speaker.  Tickets are $10 and you can sign up at the table in the lobby to bring food or host a table.  For more information, please call Kim Ohst 760.519.4558.  

Breath of Heaven Golf Tournament Fundraiser

I also want to make sure you know about our annual Breath of Heaven Golf Tournament on April 24 to raise funds for our orphan care village in Zambia, Africa. To sign up for the golf tournament email Tom LaManna at tomlamanna50@gmail.com or go to the Breath of Heaven website www.bofheaven.com.  Dinner will be served immediately following the tournament.

The vision of Breath of Heaven is to have a children’s village for orphaned children consisting of 14 homes, an elementary school, high school and vocational college, a church and a medical clinic. Thanks to sponsors, donors, and fundraising events such as this year’s golf tournament, we have achieved many of these goals. Here is where we stand and our needs in each of these areas:
• Eight homes currently house 96 orphaned children. Over 30 children still need sponsorship.
• Two “transition homes” are preparing older children for reintegration into the community, career development and/or the pursuit of higher education.
• Hope clinic is open and providing medical attention to those on the Breath of Heaven properties, as well as the local community. We still have need for medical equipment. Our most immediate need is a blood analyzer so that samples do not have to be sent to an outside source for analysis.
• The Breath of Heaven Technical Secondary School opened in January and the Vocational Training College will open in June. Donations are needed to finish furnishing the facilities and to put the landscaping in place.

Breath of Heaven Children’s Ministries is a non-profit corporation that is giving orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia “hope and a future”. Please join us for golf. If not, please consider supporting us in any manner you can. Help us serve the needs of the most vulnerable children in Zambia.

As you can see, we have a calendar full of opportunities for us to be together around the name of Jesus, and there’s more I didn’t mention in this email.  I hope you’ll all step into fellowship with us.  We grow together, and the togetherness is a huge part of enjoying the good life that Jesus has made available for us.

With love and blessings,

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.