Summer Series | Winnipeg Centre Vineyard

This summer we’re going to be sharpening our discernment muscles. We’ve felt a specific nudge to lean into discernment and so we’ve developed a fun and exciting plan for our Sunday Gatherings this summer called, “The Investigators: learning to see what the Spirit is doing”. We are going to be bringing kids church downstairs for the summer because this is something that we can all benefit from, no matter our age. Not only will this make our gatherings more family friendly, it will be an opportunity to learn and experience together across all ages.

Rooted in the John 5:19 scripture in which Jesus says he only does what he sees the Father doing, we’re going to be like detectives on a search to see what the Spirit is up to amongst us. On Sundays we’ll be looking at various Jesus stories – you know, the kind of stories in which Jesus did something dramatic, impactful or loving. Each Sunday we’ll be asking:

What did Jesus see his Father doing in this story?
What do we see Jesus doing in this story?
What is the Spirit inviting me to do?

Each week we’re going to make space to hear how we answered the Spirit’s invitation to us over the past week and we’ll hear a short teaching about the story we’re exploring. There will be object lessons, group activities and options to engage in group discussion around tables. It will be a great summer to bring the whole family.

Let’s get good at seeing what the Spirit is up to together!

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The sun, our galaxy’s star attraction, is amazing. Let’s reflect on this celestial ball of fire for a moment.

Without the sun, our galaxy would simply cease to sustain life. Take away the sun and the source of all energy, heat and light is instantly removed. Extinguish the sun and a mass extinction would result leaving our green and blue planetary home a cold and and empty mass of rock hurdling through the universe without anchor or orbit. How’s that for comforting thoughts?!

Clearly the sun is important.

Yet given the sun’s importance to our existence we spend remarkably little time considering our reliance on it. It doesn’t seem to mind, though. It continues to offer light and life to all – daily – without fail – whether or not we pay attention.

Kind of like someone else we know.

There are some remarkable comparisons of the sun to the Son. Perhaps this is why some biblical writers use this play on words so often – John employing it to near excess. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus is the light in which there is no darkness. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Jesus shines brighter (ok – John didn’t say this, but he sure could have!).

This summer, as we enjoy the summer’s rays, let’s also tune our awareness to the Son.

Something as common as feeling the warmth of the sun on our cheek can be a reminder of God’s closeness. The beautiful colours of the setting sun can inspire gratitude to Jesus. The life-giving nature of the sun can be a window into the life-giving nature of the Son.

Summer doesn’t have to be a time of distraction when our attention is far from God. We can be reminded of Jesus – our Light and Life – by the many ways the sun impacts our every day, sun-drenched lives this summer.

Throughout July and August we will be hearing from a variety of our missionaries. They will tell stories of what got them on their path, what has sustained them along the way, and the transformation they’ve witnessed in themselves and others. They will be sharing their stories of Light and Life.

Our hope and prayer is that as we hear these stories of Light and Life we will find courage and be reminded to pause and pay attention to the dramatic effect Jesus has, and desires to have, on all our lives.