Do What Jesus Did: Debrief & Stories

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Andy Wood

It was a great weekend. On the whole we were encouraged to pray for others with the authority we have as followers of Jesus – to not be ashamed and “turn up the risk” – to be available and to leave the results up to God. There are stories of people being healed physically and emotionally. We’re only just beginning to see the fruit of this weekend. Robby simply encouraged us to live into what we’re all called to do as Christians. He has his unique mix of gifts, as do each of us. But we are all called to become like Jesus. Part of what that means was demonstrated powerfully this past weekend in prayer for healing and prophetic ministry.

We want to hear from you. Do you have a story to share? Do you have questions about what happened? Have you tried praying for someone and it’s worked, not worked, or something else? what does “worked” mean anyways!? Sometimes weekends like these bring both encouragement and highlight some questions. We welcome both. We want to explore what this means specifically in our context. We want to continue to encourage us to step out and take risks as well as be real, honest and open about our struggles. Let’s talk.

This coming Sunday (Jan 31) in the Upstairs Gathering we are going to have a forum for dialogue and story sharing. You can bring your stories of personal healing, or of prayers prayed for someone else. You can also bring you questions, doubts or concerns. We’re going to talk together and encourage one another and, of course, pray for each other.

If you missed the Saturday sessions, you can listen to the 6pm session here (unfortunately the other sessions weren’t recorded). The audio from from Sunday is available here.

First 2016 Outer Circle Gathering is Today!

Posted on January 16, 2016January 16, 2016 by Andy Wood

The 2016 Outer Circle process kicks off tonight (Saturday, Jan 16) at 5:30pm. We will eat together, be encouraged and celebrate communion. We will also be updating our list of OC participants for 2016 – including Triads. If you haven’t yet signed up with the office, no problem for this time – just come! Also, we will have an Open Table for anyone who has not yet found a Triad, or for those who simply don’t know who to ask to be in a Triad. You are Welcome!

5:30pm – 8pm.

>>More info about the Outer Circle process.

Kids Helping Kids – Nepal

Posted on January 13, 2016January 26, 2016 by Andy Wood

Hey kids and youth (and parents of them too!). Here is a great little initiative that we are spearheading that is going to build a youth centre in the village of Gatlang in Nepal. The whole village was destroyed in the earthquakes last Spring. Many of the people in the Gatlang Vineyard did not own land, so the Earthquake fund has purchased new land for homes to be built on. One of the plots of land has been set aside for a small building to be built in which children can have a safe warm place to play and for the youth to hang out. There are a number of other Vineyard churches in Canada who are also contributing to this project.

Jodi will be letting all the children and youth know that they can contribute to this project during the next two Sundays. Collections will be taken on Sunday, January 31 – so make sure your children and youth remember to bring some donations at that time. Every little bit helps!

“Do What Jesus Did” with Robby Dawkins

Posted on January 8, 2016January 28, 2016 by Andy Wood

Don’t get stuck asking “What would Jesus Do?” Be equipped to do it!

What is the “Do What Jesus Did” event?

John Wimber famously asked the question, “When do we get to do the stuff?” We are not only meant to believe in Jesus and what he did – we are meant to be transformed by his love and do what he did in our everyday lives today. Jesus himself said, we would do greater things than he did (John 14:12). Many of us would be content to see only a little of what he did in our lives. We want to see the things he did expressed in our own lives and in our life together. Jesus has invited us to participate in his mission – to change the world around us – to see God’s Kingdom here on earth!

At this event you will get practical and inspirational teaching, you will get to pray for others and be prayed for, and you will be equipped to go out and do what Jesus did. God may well transform your life and use you to transform someone else’s life too!

Who is Robby Dawkins?

In 1996 Robby and his wife, Angie, planted a church among the urban poor of Aurora, Illinois (Chicago). More than half his congregation were drawn into God’s story through power encounters and miracles. God called Robby for the purpose of building up and equipping the local church with “power tools” to do what Jesus did. These “power tools” are prophetic ministry, healing, ministry of the presence of God, and deliverance from demonic power. Robby tells hundreds of personal stories of God’s Kingdom breaking in anchored in practical biblical insights.

Robby and Angie have 6 sons and pastor Vineyard Aurora. Robby is one of the most sought after Vineyard speakers in our movement. He is known for films he has been featured in like “Father of Lights” and “Furious Love” as well as his books “Do What Jesus Did” and “Identity Thief“.

When is it?

Saturday, January 23, 2015.

Session 1: 10am
Session 2: 2pm
Session 3: 6pm

Also, Robby’s friend, Gordon, will be speaking on Sunday at our Downstairs Gathering at 10am.

Where is it?

782 Main St, Winnipeg, MB.

The Do What Jesus Did event is hosted by Winnipeg Centre Vineyard and jointly endorsed by our friends at:

Brandon Vineyard,
Cornerstone Vineyard (Winkler) and
Prairie Vineyard (Portage la Prairie).

What does it Cost?

There will be love offerings taken at the sessions. Please be prepared to give. If you can’t afford anything please don’t let that keep you from coming!

Join us, and spread the word!

Gearing Up for Outer Circle 2016

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Andy Wood

We are coming up to our first Outer Circle gathering of the 2016 cycle (Jan 16, 5:30 – 8pm). If you were part of the Outer Circle process in 2015, now is the time to decide if you are going to be in for another year or not. If you are in again, please make sure you confirm with your Triad and contact the office to let us know. If you weren’t part of it in 2015, perhaps this is the year for you! Anyone can join, you just have to commit to the process. You can read more about it here, or pick up an Outer Circle booklet at the Info Table.

We’ve collected some stories of the significance of the Outer Circle in a few people’s lives this past year. You can watch them here… they’re inspiring!

To be part of the Outer Circle Process for 2016 you need to:

Go though the 3-P steps.
Attempt to find a Triad.
Sign up with the office.

You can find out more about each of these steps here.

Changes for 2016:

As we’ve evaluated and received feedback, we’ve made a few changes to the process for 2016. In short, they are:

Joining: You can join any time throughout the year (if this is your case, you still need to do the process and you still need to sign up through the office).
Open Table: At the first gathering of the year, we’ll have an open table at which anyone who does not yet have a Triad can meet together. You can still share the results of your “3-P steps”, but perhaps you’ll meet someone there who you can form a Triad with. We will keep the Open Table available for as many OC Gatherings as necessary.
WCV Membership: Our formal membership at WCV is “everyone who is part of the Outer Circle or an equivalent”. This list is updated annually. This is not new, but we’ve more clearly defined what “an equivalent” of the Outer Circle process is. You can read more about this here.

Stick to it: The more intentional you are about going through the process, and the more you get together with your Triad, the more you will get out of the year.

Blessings as you grow to become more like Jesus, are filled with the Spirit and rest in the Father’s love for you.

More Info & Stories here.

A Good Word for a New Year

Posted on December 26, 2015December 26, 2015 by Andy Wood

Dear WCV,

We wish you all God’s best this holiday season. May you be filled with peace and joy as we enter 2016 and may you be rooted in his nourishing love in every circumstance. We are so privileged to serve this amazing community. God has done so much in and through WCV over the years and we are honoured and humbled for what has gone before us and excited for what’s in store!

Here’s a blessing we pray for us all now – you can pray it too!:

“May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, but by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; not by making your path easy, but by making you sturdy to travel any path; not by taking hardships from you, but by taking fear from your heart; not by granting you unbroken sunshine, but by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; not by making your life always pleasant, but by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.”

With love and gratitude – the Pastoral Elders.

John, Violet, Nathan, Jodi & Andy (and Chewy – the hairy one)

Christmas Eve Service

Posted on December 17, 2015December 26, 2015 by WCV Administrator

Every Christmas Eve, as other families across the world gather around a Christmas tree, we, as a church body, gather together to celebrate Christ’s birth. We remember and celebrate The One who Came by singing Christmas carols and lighting the last advent candle. This service is a candle lit service, where every family is welcome, and everyone will get their own individual candle.

We encourage you to come and celebrate with us as one body. But if you can’t make it, take a step back from the busyness of Christmas and remember the One, Jesus Christ, who came down as an infant child to dwell with us.

The service will be on Thursday, December 24th, 2015, 6:00 – 7 p.m.

Vineyard Prayer & Worship Summit 2016

Posted on December 16, 2015December 17, 2015 by WCV Administrator

The Prayer & Worship Summit is a four-day event IN EDMONTON, that provides an opportunity for you to experience the presence of God in a way that will change your life! It’s a time of abandonment, devotion and consecration as we come together in His presence.

This event is open to everyone, including families with children of all ages. The Edmonton Vineyard churches are also welcoming the country-wide church body, as they see the church as an inter-denominational creative expression of God’s love.

It is on Feb 26th – 27th.

Pre-summit symposiums are February 24th – 25th.

There are three options for symposiums:

Prophetic Symposium ~ Gary Best, former National Director of Vineyard Canada, will share his insight and wisdom for practical training for every believer to operate in the prophetic.
Confluence of the Arts Symposium ~ Dr. Rik Berry, professional artist and lead pastor of Valley Gate Vineyard, will share his excitement and creativity in a worship experience of Confluence of the Arts.
Worship Symposium ~ Vineyard Worship Canada (VWC) and Marc Pusch, managing director for VWC seek to encourage, envision, and equip the worship communities.

For more details and updates, visit the Vineyard Summit website. Registration details can also be found with the link provided.

Location: Harvest Vineyard, Lawton Junior High School, 11602-40 Street, Edmonton AB.

The Outer Circle – an invitation

Posted on December 10, 2015December 26, 2015 by Andy Wood

Our world is pretty messed up. There’s a lot to like about our world, but there’s also much that’s just plain wrong – sickness, death, terror, fear, destruction. A quick scan of the headlines confirms that evil is present – it hasn’t always been so, and won’t always be the case.

Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, God had a plan of for redemption and restoration of what was lost through sin (you can read Gen 3:15 for the first glimpse of a plan). He wouldn’t allow sin to have the final say in his creation. Jesus, is God’s response to sin. Our journey as followers and imitators of Jesus, is towards Christ-likeness. It’s really a journey back to the beginning. We were created in God’s very image, sin distorted that image, and Christ came to make a way for us to live into that again. To walk and talk once again with God our loving creator.

In a big sense, this is what the Outer Circle is all about. It is about th
e gift of salvation and how we participate in “working it out”. It’s our attempt to create just enough structure to help us on our journey towards being like Jesus. It’s the work of discipleship. It’s the joy and the task of submitting our wills, habits, desires, our very lives to God, who takes them and forms us into the likeness of his son.

If you are interested in joining the Outer Circle process, you are welcome to! Now is the time. The only requirement is that you have to commit to the process. Read more about it here or pick up a copy of the Outer Circle manual at the info table.

If you are currently in a Triad, now is the time to make your plan for the coming year.

The first Outer Circle gathering of the new year is Saturday, January 16 at 5:30pm.

If you need help finding a Triad, we can help. Please submit your name to the office. Also, at the first Outer Circle Gathering this year, we will have a table for newcomers who do not yet have a Triad. Our hope is that we can share together and perhaps some Triads will form naturally there.