October 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed Tamera & Patricia’s Coffee House. Shelly wrote, “Once again- an awesome time was had by all! Thank you Tamera and Patricia for the awesome music set and beautiful music! Our friends truly enjoyed it! Several asked- when are you all going to be back?” As always, those who came enjoyed a delicious treat during “intermission” – chocolate and vanilla cake with fresh raspberries!
October 2024
JR & Dawn delivered another five Welcome Baskets (40 so far!) to the local apartment community we’ve been visiting regularly. Each new resident who receives one of these welcome baskets will find household supplies, baked goods, community information, a QR code for our church’s ENCOURAGING WORSHIP SONGS playlist, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood.
November 2024
We had our annual Operation Christmas Child packing party (beautifully organized by Kelsey!), enjoying wings and salad (thank you, JR!) while assembling 33 boxes lovingly filled with thoughtful gifts and handwritten cards for children in need around the world. This wonderful ministry allows us to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to precious children and their families. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. Thanks to all who contributed in any way, and all who stayed to help – this was a wonderful outreach together! All glory to God!
November 2024
We did our second annual Rivers Alive cleanup in the woods of the Jackson Creek watershed inside of Lucky Shoals Park. In spite of some light drizzle when we started, we tailgated with some tasty food, prayed together, wore our super cool t-shirts, and worked hard for two hours to clean up a LOT of trash (including some tires), while meticulously tallying / describing each and every piece! Tamera did an super job organizing this incredible cleanup, and now our waterways are cleaner and more beautiful! Vinnie said it well, “God placed the earth in our care,” and each one’s presence demonstrated that so well! A huge thanks to all who participated – Allen, Bart, Declan, Don, Faith, Gene, Jeanne, Jim, Karen, Kelsey, Michael, Nancy, Pam, Paul, Tamera, Vinnie. All glory to God, who loves and cares for every part of God’s beautiful creation!
Here is a beautiful reflection from our leader, Tamera, that she sent to Rivers Alive (Georgia’s volunteer waterway cleanup program) – “Our mission at Liberty Vineyard Church is “We do small things with great love, reaching out to neighbors and nations for the greater glory of God.” Our church, though small, has an incredible outreach to those in our surrounding community. We consider the environment as one of our precious neighbors. Though many of us are seniors, our church community loves the Rivers Alive clean-up each year. This was our second year and immediately we began planning Rivers Alive 25! During our clean-up last year, we cleared an abandoned homeless camp. It broke our hearts but such a powerful experience and has given us even more compassion for the homeless in our community. This year, we continued cleaning the watershed area surrounding Jackson Creek. As you can see from the pics, we have a range of abilities yet, they show up! The hearts to care for this stream are incredible.“
November 2024
Just over a month since Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the southeastern United States, we gathered donations to take up to Assistance and Resource Ministries in Elizabethton, TN. This ministry provides much-needed help to some of the worst affected areas in East Tennessee (where Pastor Karen traveled for an intensive residential week for one of her classes). Liberty Vineyard generously donated a LOT of needed items, including zip lock storage bags, thermal mylar blankets, clothes line rope, canned goods, beanies, and much more.
November 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed Karen & the Kool Kat’s Songs of the 60s & 70s (featuring Kattam, Katpam, & Katricia)! Karen had written in the program “Today, we want to invite you into this story because you’re part of it! Please participate with us – sing, play, make a joyful noise together – let’s have some fun!” Residents, workers, and LVC-ers filled the room with grooving, shaking, dancing, singing, and even reciting several Scriptures by heart. Paul did a stellar job, as always, with all the tech. The Kool Kats and Declan had some amazing dance moves. During some technical difficulties, we enjoyed homemade muffins, blueberries, and fig newtons lovingly prepared by JR and Jeanne. JR taught us all how to say “I love you” in sign language so we could fill the room with love. Shelly shared encouragement with everyone, capturing the heart and joy in the room, and praying a blessing over all who were present. As we wrapped things up (pun intended), Faith presented one of the residents with another one of Jeanne’s gorgeous handmade quilts. Tamera noted, “I think the word is out . . . cause they kept coming! As I walked in the lobby, one of the residents said to his friend, ‘There’s music today, let’s go, we can smoke later!'” We all love spending time with our friends at Meadowbrook!
Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
November 2024
JR delivered another five Welcome Baskets to the local apartment community we’ve been visiting regularly. Each new resident who receives one of these welcome baskets will find household supplies, baked goods, community information, a QR code for our church’s ENCOURAGING WORSHIP SONGS playlist, a Christmas Eve worship service invitation, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood.
December 2024
Pastor Karen wrote: My heart is so full after visiting Ms. Vick in her awesome classroom today (followed by Market Day) … what joy! Kelsey is doing such great work in this school community and beyond for the kingdom and glory of God!
December 2024
Recently, the pastors of a large Vineyard church in our region commended our church “for being willing to try anything.” We started a new “thing” this month that God put on the heart of Tamera, Pam, and Shelly. Eight of us gathered together on a very brisk day (high of 43F) and strolled around Lucky Shoals Park, making ourselves present through conversation, music, and bubbles. We sang Christmas carols as we walked, serenading and praying for those who so desired. It was JOYFUL! All glory to God!
December 2024
After enjoying lunch together, seven of us set out to PRAY and WALK at Chandler RUN, as the construction has begun and it won’t be long until people start moving into our neighborhood. We shared the things we had noticed: here is a crafted prayer from our time together. All glory to God!
December 2024
Tamera’s Christmas Songs 2024 – December 21st, 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, Tamera prepared a wonderfully lively set of Christmas songs which she sang along with Patricia, Pam, & Karen). Everyone in the room joyfully joined in, enhanced by jingles and other rhythm instruments. Paul did a great job on the tech, JR faithfully MC-ed and prepared delicious treats, and Shelly surprised everyone with special gifts! A lot of people came to help from Liberty Vineyard, and we all joined together to sing the last two songs. We all love spending time with our friends at Meadowbrook!
December 2024
JR delivered yet another five Welcome Baskets to the local apartment community we’ve been visiting regularly! Each new resident who receives one of these welcome baskets will find household supplies, baked goods, community information, a QR code for our church’s ENCOURAGING WORSHIP SONGS playlist, a Christmas Eve worship service invitation, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood. We are thankful to have delivered 50 welcome baskets this year! All glory to God!
