gifts | Winnipeg Centre Vineyard

The Creative Team would like to invite you to participate in a series of artistic expressions that centre around Advent. The season of Advent provides an opportunity to slow down, to reflect, to consider and to give attention to the story at the centre of our faith. When art is shared communally it can be a powerful gift. We are looking for poets, songwriters, dancers, painters and makers of all kinds.

“When art is shared communally it can be a powerful gift.”

Our advent series will lead us into a time of contemplating the humility of Christ – The Humble King. We will spend time exploring Paul’s text found in Philippians 2:1-11 as we journey through the traditional advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love through this lens.

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Our goal is to nurture and celebrate the diversity of gifts within our community and we hope to highlight and incorporate creative art into our worship time at WCV. There are a variety of ways for this to be done. If you would like to participate in any way, please contact Krista Heide or Jessica Williams.

Over the past few weeks many people have contacted WCV with messages of love, encouragement and assurance of prayer for all of us. Here are just a few we’d like to highlight for you now.

Joyce Rees (National Council Member and Pastor at Epic Vineyard in Kelowna)

The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

“In all circumstances we look to the Lord, and our great comfort is that He is close, especially to those who are “crushed in spirit”. My encouragement is that you would keep turning toward Him. Speak honestly to Him. Many are praying, most hours of every day, that you would experience the Holy Spirit’s presence very near to you. We are sending you our love.”

David and Anita Ruis (Vineyard Canada National Directors)

“You are not alone.”

“Hey WCV family,

We just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know we love you and are walking beside you as you journey through this challenging time.

People coast to coast are holding you in prayer. We are coming alongside your team there with as much resourcing and support as we can muster.

You are not alone. We’re in this together. Be assured of our care and concern for everyone impacted, and our deep awareness of the wide range of emotions, reactions and triggers that such events bring to the surface. We are extremely proud of the way you are handling this.

Huge love and prayers.”

David and Anita, on behalf of your Vineyard Canada family.

And this week Provencher Community Church gifted us this painting that was created for our community during a recent worship service. It was delivered personally, with warmth and love. The back is signed, “Standing together with our Vineyard family.”

There are many more messages like this that will continue to be shared.