Month: April 2018

Outer Circle & Spiritual Formation

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Our next instalment of the upgraded version of the Outer Circle (OC 2.0) is Monday, April 30, 7 – 9pm.

The Outer Circle has become a time to focus on training for spiritual transformation together. This means that after beginning with coffee and dessert there will be a short teaching on the spiritual exercise we’re exploring that evening, then we’ll practice it right there together. The purpose is to give practical tools and experiences that we can use to create space for God to meet us.

The purpose of the Outer Circle is to focus on spiritual transformation so that we can become the kind of people – the kind of community – that God is calling us to become.

Transformation isn’t something that results from our own efforts. Neither does Christlikeness just happen. Rather, if we create spaces in our lives – rhythms and practices – that give room for God, transformation will result. A caterpillar does not become a butterfly on their own effort. Rather they submit to the process of metamorphosis. In other words, they set up the necessary conditions for the mystery of transformation then they simply give themselves over to the process. In us, it is a work of divine love that causes change. The practices we’ll be exploring this year are similar to the necessary ingredients that are needed for a caterpillar to create their cocoon. What you do with these tools is between you and God. History proves that if you take them up and learn to use them, great things will happen in your life and in the lives of those around you.

This Monday, Beckie Wood will share how engaging in a few spiritual practices has impacted her life. Then Suhail Stephen will lead us in a short teaching and experience of a way of reading scripture called Lectio Divina. As will become usual, there will be tools you can take home to add to your toolkit.

The Dates and Topics of the Outer Circles for the year are:

  • March 10: Scripture (Gospel Contemplation)
  • April 30: Scripture (Lectio Divina)
  • May 28: Rest (Sabbath)
  • October 1: Prayer (Silence)
  • November 5: Discernment (Examen)

If you missed the first Outer Circle in March, you can access the resource (Gospel Contemplation) here.

>>Mark your calendars.

>>Everyone’s welcome!

Monday, April 30, 7pm

 

>>What’s Changed in OC 2.0?

  • Less involved gatherings (no more meals with childcare).
  • More focussed gatherings emphasizing transformation & training.
  • No more “Prayer, People, Plan process”.
  • No more annual renewal.
  • Don’t have to commit to an annual process.
  • The purpose of Triads is connection and support – not to keep track of each other’s plans.
  • The time (7pm – 9pm).

>>What stays the same in OC 2.0?:

  • Triads are still an essential and live-giving way to find connection and support in the Vineyard.
  • Triads and House Groups are still primary ways of belonging in the Vineyard (but not the only ways).
  • The basic vision of encouraging growth remains the same.

A Word about Membership at the Vineyard

Membership at the Vineyard is spelled out here. In short it means “Belong, Serve, Give”. Participation in a Triad in the Outer Circle process is one of the markers of belonging (as is being part of a House Group). This isn’t changing.

 

 

New Receptionist & Bookkeeper

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Lillian Poetker

We’re in the midst of a few big shifts in the office.

Lillian Poetker is retiring at the end of May. Lillian has been keeping our books in order since nearly day one. She has contributed welcome, wisdom, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail that has been a true gift to us all. Her week-day presence in the office will be missed. Lillian, congratulations on an exceptionally well done job. You’ve earned this!

Vanessa Lewis, our previous administrator, has been training to take over from Lillian. Vanessa will assume Bookkeeping duties while retaining some of her current administrative tasks. This hand-off will be complete by the end of May.

Lastly, we’d like to welcome Jessica Williams to the office team. Jessica will be working as our new receptionist in the office and will be responsible for managing communication, offering hospitality and welcome to those who contact the office, and assisting the bookkeeper among other duties. She began this past week.  Welcome, Jessica!

 

Coffee House Pictures

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The coffee house Saturday, April 7th, was amazing! Thanks to all who contributed by donating a raffle prize, donating a dessert and by coming. We are so blessed by the support. What a beautiful night of performances by our youth! And thanks to the Janzen boys for contributing to the dance party!

Here are some pictures from Saturday evening:

Thanks to Jodi for working so hard and putting this amazing event together!

Thank you Andrew Reimer for taking all the photos!

We are looking for support for our youth in 2 ways for the trip that is coming up in June:

  • First, we are looking for available vans to use to drive our youth to Duluth June 25 – July 1.  Talk to Jodi or Jason if you have a reliable van that you are wiling to lend for this trip.
  • Second, if you are interested in sponsoring a couple of youth who are not able to afford the cost of Project Timothy, please email Jodi.

The cost per youth is $350 USD.

Rhythms of Rest: Jodi’s Sabbatical

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We all need rest and rest always produces life. It’s a natural law that applies to us humans as much as any other living thing. This is especially obvious during this time of year when we see dormant trees slowly waking up after a long period of “rest”. When we notice the first tulips and prairie crocuses pushing their way through the freshly thawed soil we’re reminded not only of the beauty of new life but also the bulbs and various seeds that were “resting” in the ground before they germinated. We humans are the similar, and we can surmise from the Genesis narrative, so is God (who rested on the 7th day). We’re made to live in rhythms of work and sabbath.

With these rhythms in mind we want to let you know we’re sending Jodi on a sabbatical.  It’s not that she’s burned out. Rather we want to give her time and space for extended rest, refreshment and rejuvenation.  The intertwining of pastoral and personal life is a delicate mix and sabbaticals are a normal part of staying fresh in pastoral life.  Her sabbatical will be May – July. Because of the interweaving of family life, Mike will also be stepping away from volunteer responsibilities during this time.

Here are the relevant hand off details in case you need to know who’s covering for what responsibilities:

Sunday am:

  • Caterpillars (Nursery):  Christy Chan
  • Butterflies (2,3 &4 year olds):  Tania Martens
  • Dragonflies (Pre K & K):  Merv Scott
  • Elementary (Grade 1-4):  Gloria Fligg & Andy Arthur
  • Kid Check:  Janet Blatz & Andrew Chan
  • Youth (Grade 5-7):  Doug & Rachelle Houlbrook & Kristin Kennedy
  • Youth (Grade 8-12):  Jason Eheler

Sat evening:  

  • Club 56:  Jeff Leighton & Kristin Kennedy
  • Sat Junior High:  Brent & Steph Woelke & Ian & Jess Williams
  • Senior & Junior Events:  Jason Eheler

Thursday:

  • Senior High:  Jason Eheler & James Ryan
  • Project Timothy:  Jason Eheler

Summer video series:  Tania Martens

Imaginative Prayer in Kids Church – Spring Update

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We are having fun continuing our journey into Imaginative Prayer with the Grade 1-7 gang!

Last Sunday, Grade 1-4: We explored chapter 16, “Forgiveness means we can forgive the sins of others.” What a valuable Jesus-focused message! As Jared Boyd states, “We’re trying to paint a broad picture of ways we can experience forgiveness: between us and God, between God and those who are lost, and between God and the people we interact with.” (136)

Pray that as we explore forgiveness that this generation would grasp how wide and deep and high the love of God is.

I wanna give a big shout out to our Sunday morning leaders, who are helping our kids know that they belong and are loved. Last week Marlese Hazeu, Josiah Koppanyi and Cliff Heide led small groups, while Gloria Fligg led the kids in a large group game called “bigger and better.” These kids not only had a lot of fun stealing gifts, but they were able to experience the path to forgiveness firsthand.

Last Sunday, Grade 5-7: Mike Labun led the Grades 5-7 on the same topic using an escape room/scavenger hunt he created. Kids hunted for clues and solved puzzles so they could break into a vault to retrieve an audio message on a USB stick. All of this led to a discussion on forgiveness.

Pray and Follow Along: We love our kids and youth at WCV. Pray that as we explore forgiveness that this generation would grasp how wide and deep and high the love of God is. As parents, keep on using this great resource by following along and trying the ideas in Imaginative Prayer. Here is the schedule:

  • April 22 – Week 18
  • April 29 – Week 19
  • May 6 – Week 20
  • May 13 – Week 21
  • May 27 – Week 22
  • June 3 – Week 23
  • June 10 – Week 24
  • June 17 – Week 25

 

The Lord Is Coming – A poem by Brent Woelke

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Where is the Lord?

And where can He be found?

The children and wise seek Him together.

Let them search the secret places

And hear in wonder the ancient texts.

 

They do not know that the Lord is coming,

And has already come.

 

If God is in heaven,

How shall we reach Him?

If God is on earth,

Let Him display His works,

So that we may discern if He is good and worthy of praise.

Let Him stand before us,

So that we may measure Him with our eyes.

 

Have they not heard that the Lord is coming,

And has already come.

 

See how the children gather to Him,

The poor and broken gather at His feet.

For His kingdom is made of such as these,

 

His glorious kingdom that is coming,

His kingdom come and without out end.

 

Is there hope among the ashes?

How long must we suffer?

Where is God in the darkness?

And how will the blind see their king?

 

For the coming light is warm on their faces.

 

The wicked flee in terror before it,

For it has exposed their sins.

 

The light is coming,

and the proud are humbled

The light has come,

and the humble acknowledge their sin.

 

Let the children dance in the light,

 

He has come.

 

by Brent Woelke

 

 

Easter Snapshots

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What an amazing weekend. From the darkness and suffering of Good Friday, to the loneliness and nothingness of Saturday, to the jubilant celebration of light and resurrection on Easter Sunday. God’s good – for real!

Here are some pics:

The Holy Spirit and the Road to Pentecost (Spring Series)

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Jesus’ resurrection was and is just the beginning. After Easter comes Pentecost, but those forty days is a journey. For Jesus’ disciples the time between the upper rooms was confusing, exhilarating, surprising and empowering. You remember both upper rooms, right? In one they gathered to hear Jesus talk about his betrayal and death. In the other they experienced something so mind boggling that Luke, who records the whole incident, can only say the “blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house” and something that “seemed like tongues of fire came and rested on each of them” (Acts 2)! Whoah…

This Spring, we’re going to explore the person and work of the Holy Spirit on the road to this remarkable day called Pentecost. Far from leaving our Hot Buttons behind, we’re going to explore what gifts God has for us, how we may be empowered and encouraged to live our lives between the upper rooms, so to speak.

Each Sunday there will be supplemental material to the sermon which you can take home for personal use or group study. Make sure you collect them all – One per household.