Weekly Update 05-31-2025

May 31, 2025

Hello Grace Vineyard Family and Friends.

We’re on the eve of June!  Do we ever get over the feeling that time is going too fast?! I think I always feel that way, but then I tell myself, “no, actually time is going at just the right speed.  God knows what He’s doing, and any slower would be too slow and any faster would be too fast.”  My mind believes it, but my heart is still catching up.  🙂 Whether it feels too fast, or too slow, or just right for you, I do hope you are enjoying everything this season has to offer.  This would be a good time to schedule a beach BBQ, don’t you think?

Here’s a hopefully quick Weekly Update for you.

Last Sunday we completed our study of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, with a look at the gifts of speaking in unknown tongues and the interpretation of tongues.  I’ve heard from some of you how helpful it was to hear a teaching that demystified these last 2 gifts, so I’m glad we took the time to study together.  One of the interesting conclusions Paul came to regarding this unusual gift from the Holy Spirit that enables us to speak in a language we didn’t learn and that we don’t understand (but one which edifies us in our spirits even when our mind is unfruitful) was his encouragement to pray and to sing in tongues as well as with a a language our minds comprehend.  “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.“ (1 Corinthians 14:14-16)  I’ve been trying to follow Paul’s advice this week, and I think my cats were a little confused at the sounds coming out of my mouth! 🙂

The topic of Praying and Singing in the Spirit got me thinking about a related biblical principle that we would do well to remind ourselves of – the power of both praise and prayer in fighting and winning our spiritual battles.  We all face spiritual battles.  The Bible is pretty clear that there is a war going on in the heavenly realms that is invisible to our natural eyes but very real nonetheless. And whenever we are joining Jesus in His mission in our world, we are actively encountering spiritual battles.  Prayer is a fairly obvious weapon in our spiritual arsenal.  It might be a less obvious that Praise is also a powerful spiritual weapon.  I’m going to explore this topic in the Bible with you tomorrow.

People often look to my weekly updates to find the link for the zoom and Facebook Live streams when they can’t be with us in person, so if that’s you, here’s your info:  Join us online at

• Zoom Meeting ID  153 112 432, Passcode 684814.
• OR  Facebook Live at facebook.com/gracevcf.

And here’s last week’s sermon video for your convenience:

Serving at SD Rescue Mission June 13

We are providing a meal of sloppy joes, with sides such as baked beans, potato salad, fruit salad and green salad for the residents of the San Diego Rescue Mission in Oceanside (3131 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside). We’ll be a part of their Start of the Summer Party with a snow cone machine, outdoor games like cornhole, Connect 4, and giant Jenga, and even the Brick Bus—a mobile LEGO play space and possibly a craft for the guests.  If you’d like to sign up to volunteer to serve dinner,  bring food or help with the activities, 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.

Fruit of the Spirit Study WEEK 2 This Thursday

Last Thursday, Matt Evans launched a 10-week study on the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5.  The group meets in the church lobby on Thursday Nights at 7pm.  I’m getting reports that the 1st week was awesome, and since we are called GRACE Vineyard, I bet you could still join on week 2! If you have any questions, you can find Matt on Sunday morning and get all the info you need.

Ladies Retreat November 14-16th at Pine Valley