Our monthly Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook has become popular with the residents and staff as various LVC musicians continue to offer their vocal or instrumental talents. On Saturday afternoon, February 17, we enjoyed an almost full house of residents, with Scott providing a concert of love songs. One of the residents got up and danced to the music, utilizing specific dance moves from her generation. We were delighted to see so much participation by the residents and the LVC team. If you want to participate and offer your musical talent or ministry of presence to visit with the residents, you are welcome to join us. The next one will be on March 16th.
On February 18, Pastor Karen continued our current sermon series on Vineyard Values with “Be A History Maker.” She shared six lives, five of which had something in common with the date of February 18th. “I chose these stories deliberately to highlight that on any given day, God speaks and acts through unlikely and ordinary people, as he has always done. God isn’t looking for the greatest, best, or most in anyone.” “If you or I could have eavesdropped on what went on behind the scenes in each of these future history makers, we couldn’t have imagined what was about to unfold.” Pastor Karen closed the sermon with, “We have much to learn from these six unlikely and ordinary individuals.” May we be history makers who:
- like Elizabeth, speak prophetically and bless loudly, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- like Flavian of Constantinople who stand for what is right and refuse to participate in any kind of corruption. Flavian is celebrated as a saint on February 18th of each year.
- like Francisco Redi (born on February 18th, 1626), who are willing to challenge wrongly held beliefs and to work hard to demonstrate what is true.
- like Alessandro Volta (born on February 18th, 1745), who cultivate a whole heart and a willing mind, as we follow Jesus and demonstrate the harmony of God’s works and words in the universe through our own works and words.
- like Emanuel Granberg (born on February 18th, 1754), who do our creative best with our lives, for the greater glory of God!
- like Lucy Stanton (who passed away on February 18th, 1910), who love all people as friends of humanity and who raise our voices on behalf of those who cannot plead their own cause.
On February 25th, Pastor Nancy preached on “Come as You Are, but Don’t Stay as You Are.” She shared how Zaccheus, the chief tax collector, was so eager to see Jesus that he ran ahead and climbed a tree, two undignified things he risked so that he could see Jesus as Jesus passed by. Zaccheus was transformed by table fellowship with Jesus. The fruit of repentance and change for Zaccheus was economic restitution for the ones who had been defrauded and economic provisions for those who were poor and destitute. There are ethical outcomes from a changed heart and mind.
Come as you are, but don’t stay as you are, which means you can belong here before you believe. As you are loved and belong, you will come to believe, and then you will be conformed to the image of Christ by being transformed in your thoughts and actions. Come as you are. You are welcome. You will be changed as you encounter Jesus, who invites all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to come to Him. If you could change anything in your life, what would you change? What are your deepest desires?
- Make plans to join us on March 24th for our first annual Pet Blessing.
- Be sure to invite your family, friends, and neighbors for a special Easter Sunday service on March 31st.
Join us in the various ways “Everybody Gets to Play” at Liberty Vineyard Church.
Rev. Dr. Nancy Penton
Associate Pastor, Liberty Vineyard Church
404.695.3181
Recent Sunday sermons: