Several people have asked me about the upcoming class Building 412: Transformed Power.  Let me try to give you a brief overview of what we’ll be learning.

First of all, Building 412 is the name of our discipleship ministry at the Vineyard (you didn’t know it had a name, did you).  Technically, any of the classes we did this summer could have had the Building 412 on the front of them.  The name comes from Ephesians 4:12 where Paul talks about the church being equipped for works of service and ministry.

In Transformed Power we will specifically look at the most mysterious person of the Trinity – God the Holy Spirit.  He is mentioned in the very first chapter of the Bible (Gen 1:2) and in the very last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:17), and He fills most of the chapters in between either directly or indirectly.  His coming was promised in the Old Testament and was fulfilled in the New Testament.  He is prominent throughout Scripture and yet still very misunderstood.

In this class we will discover who He is – an eternally existent person who can be known, who loves, and who can be grieved.  We’ll learn what He does today – that He is still active in His church and that He is primarily involved in making us into the image of Jesus.  And we’ll see how we can be fully empowered to live a transformed life AND advance God’s Kingdom on earth as we yield to Him (being Spirit-filled).

We are going to do it all: learn, discuss, receive, and practice!  Please sign up at the back of the auditorium (so we can be sure to have enough resources).  Bring your Bible, something to takes notes with, and your curiosity.  Come prepared to be touched!

When: Friday, October 23, 6:30 – 8:30 & Saturday, October 24, 9:00 – 12:00
Where: Church auditorium
Cost: Free

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the prayers, cards, and kind words this past week with the loss of my mother. While her death wasn’t totally unexpected, it still came as somewhat of a surprise with how rapidly she went downhill. I’m still a little numb I think.

Anyway, I can’t express how much your love and support has meant to me during this time. You bless my soul!

As most of you know, I’ve been working two jobs for the past year and half.  By God’s grace I was able to go part-time at my Data-Tronics job back in July.  That move was a huge blessing.  Not only did it allow me to have two days in the church office for sermon prep and counseling, but it (mostly) freed up my evenings so I could actually see my family again!

As we rapidly approach the new year I feel like it’s time to take the next step and become full-time at the Vineyard.  Over the last year and half I feel like God has confirmed my calling through Julie, my elders, and through your supportive comments.  My heart is completely at the Vineyard – I feel I need to get the rest of me there!

In order for this to happen there are a few things I am asking you to pray about:

1. Continued confirmation from God that this is the right move at the right time.
2. That the church’s tithes and offerings will continue to increase so that my full-time salary won’t be a financial burden to the church and our internal ministries and external ministry support won’t be impacted.
3. Spiritual protection from depression and frustration.  When things don’t happen as I think they should or as fast as I want I become an easy target to Satanic attack.
4. Wisdom in leading the Vineyard to the next place of kingdom fruitfulness.

I appreciate your prayers, your support, and your wise counsel.  I look forward to serving Jesus with you!