The Vine Church TC

As Paul continues his second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit redirects his path. The Spirit continues to guide today. May we learn to listen and discern the voice of the Spirit.

With the goal of revisiting the churches established on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas find themselves in a dispute that results in them separating. Each found new partners and set out on the mission in different directions.

After the success of Paul's first missionary journey amongst the Gentiles, the church experienced some growing pains. Though some believed that Gentiles must adhere to Jewish law to follow Jesus, the Council at Jerusalem decided otherwise.

With the goal of unity and not overburdening new Gentile believers, the council at Jerusalem sent a few people to Antioch with a letter of encouragement and invitation. The concessions that they requested revolved around avoiding pagan worship and enabling table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles.

Holy Week is full of emotion: confusion, sorrow, fear and grief. On Easter, resurrection invites us toward hope and joy.

On Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem hailed as a King. The conversation that follows reveals that his eternal Kingdom will be unique amongst the kingdoms of this world.

https://youtu.be/KDlj14OlqvQ

As we approach Holy Week, we seek to orient ourselves around the life and teachings of Jesus. This week, we identify who, how and what he taught.

On the return from their first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas visit each city in which they had planted churches, encouraging believers and appointing elders. Once home, they reported on the good work God had done.

In Iconium and Lystra, Paul is met with both opportunity and opposition. Though the message of the kingdom of God is good news, Paul is stoned and left for dead because of his efforts.

In Pisidian Antioch, Paul tells the story of salvation - how God has worked throughout history to bring about salvation through Jesus Christ. We are invited into this story which shapes who we are as God's loved children and a kingdom of priests.

King Herod persecutes the church, and God works powerfully to accomplish Peter's miraculous escape from prison. The Kingdom of God operates radically different ways than the Roman Empire.

As Jewish followers of Jesus moved through the world, they shared the good news...even with Greek speaking Gentiles. Saul and Barnabas are sent to Antioch as the gospel begins to spill beyond the borders of Israel.

Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus demonstrates his love for his disciples by washing their feet. This act of humility demonstrates how we might love others.

God brings Peter and Cornelius together to reveal a remarkable invitation for the future. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles reimagines what the community of God will look like.

Cornelius, a Roman soldier, and Peter, an apostle, receive visions that align their paths. God is inviting the church (still a sect of Judaism) to a season of new understanding and engagement in the world.

Saul, now passionate and outspoken about the way of Jesus, begins to boldly teach in Damascus and Jerusalem. In both places Jewish people conspired to have him killed.

Saul, soon to be Paul, is confronted by Jesus regarding his persecution of the Church. Now a believer in Jesus, Saul begins a long journey towards a central role in sharing the good news with the Gentile world.

As we consider goals for the new year, we encourage one of a spiritual nature. Jesus has invited us to follow him; to know his presence and walk in his way.

To conclude the year, we've adapted the Ignatian Examen Prayer. We're led through the process of reflecting on how God was present during 2024 and how God might be leading us in the year to come.

As the beloved children of God we are invited to live lives of Love.

Advent invites us to remember that in the Kingdom of God there is Joy found in the knowledge of God, the presence of the Spirit and in Christ centered community.

Jesus' birth into Israel, under Roman rule, was a demonstration of peace. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to experience his peace and live as people of peace, regardless of the circumstances around us.

The angel appeared to Mary and announced the birth of Jesus. This narrative is full of hope. On this Advent Sunday, we continue to wait expectantly for the continued coming of the hopeful Kingdom of God.

In Jesus' birth, the Kingdom of God was inaugurated into this world. This Kingdom stands in contrast to the kingdoms of this world. We are invited to participate in this Kingdom of peace, justice, love and mercy.

Philip's encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch reveals the radical inclusion that the Spirit was moving the early church towards.

As persecution began to push the church beyond the walls of Jerusalem unlikely people began to believe. The power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated by Phillip results in a magician name Simon coming to faith (and backsliding).

Stephen was filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. His character and faith stands as an example of giving ourselves wholly to God.

Having been charged with blasphemy, Stephen, a first century deacon and evangelist, tells the story of Israel's history. He highlights God's character and Israel's failures and then turns the narrative on them as those who betrayed and killed the Messiah.

The growing church had processes in place to care for the needs of widows, however some were being overlooked. Today we explore the apostle's solution: a distribution of power and leadership that enabled a proper distribution of food.

As the church began to grow and attract the attention of Israel, the Sadducees and religious leaders became defensive and confrontational. Having been arrested, Peter and the apostles continued to joyfully share the good news.

The early church was a community marked by generosity, a people living as the covenant community of God. However, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira the motivations of their heart and lack of reverence for God stood is stark contrast to God's intent for his people.

After a miraculous healing, thousands of people committing to following Jesus, and threats from those in power, the believers pray. We too are invited to pray in the midst of all the good and bad in our world today.

After healing a man, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. They boldly proclaim Jesus as the risen savior who is the power behind this miracle.

The act of healing a man who could not walk served a greater purpose than simply walking. It also represented an invitation to restored community. Today we speak with Tracey about her perspective based upon her lifelong journey with a degenerative disease.

As word of resurrection spread, the Church began. This growing community met regularly, broke bread together, cared for each other needs and celebrated this new hope.

Pausing our series in Acts, we consider the question, “Who is God the Holy Spirit?” The Holy Spirit empowers and equips Jesus-followers. Will we listen and follow the Holy Spirit's leading?

At Pentecost, following the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter and the Apostles stand before a great crowd of people and explain what is taking place. Beginning with the Psalms and Prophets, they preach that Jesus is the risen savior and has sent the Spirit of God.

During a Jewish festival in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. This fulfills Jesus' promise that the Spirit would come in power to enable them to be his witnesses.

Jesus has ascended and the 11 remaining disciples are faced with their first major decision, who with replace Judas. Today we explore their discernment process involving prayer, community and Holy Spirit.

Having risen, Jesus appears to his disciples for a period of 40 days teaching about the Kingdom of God and promising the coming of the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus sends out 72, he invited them to participate in the good news he intends to share in the world around him. Their task is to seek people of peace, heal and share his message, 'the Kingdom of God has come near'.

Today, in narrative form, we consider the Implications of an egalitarian theology and the practical ways it plays out and produces health on our homes, workplaces and church.

Looking at the biblical narrative from creation to Jesus to the early church, we explore the invitation to mutuality and an egalitarian posture.

The Psalms of Ascent, sung on the pilgrimages up to Jerusalem, remind us of God's profound presence in our lives and our communities. Our invitation is to know the Creator and be known.

John tells the story of Jesus engaging with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. What could have been a volatile or contentious meeting opens a doorway to further understanding God's plan and a posture of worship.

In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches about prayer. Today we learn about and experience Jesus' prayer.

God is love. We are invited to receive God's love and reciprocate it in this world. Loving God and loving people are inseparable.

Having concluded our series in the Prophets, we continue to explore how the story played out. Today we explore Jesus' life and teachings as they relate to the continued narrative of God's work in this world.

In response to the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus spending time with sinners, he tells 3 parables. The third describes God's forgiveness and loving embrace of those that have strayed (prodigal son) as well as His invitation to those too caught up in their own righteousness to celebrate with Him.

The Law calls to attention humanities need for a savior. Jesus is our savior, the fulfillment of the Law, who invites us to know the heart behind it all...LOVE.