January 2024
We did Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook – this time, Scott, Tamera, & Patricia performed an amazing set of Bluegrass Songs! Those who came from Liberty Vineyard had a wonderful time with the beautiful residents as we spent time together and enjoyed some warm banana bread!
February 2024
We did Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook – this time, Scott sang Love Songs (appropriately, a few days after Valentine’s Day). Residents, staff, and visitors (like those who joined from Liberty Vineyard) had the sweetest time together, basking in the love and presence of God while enjoying chocolates, fruit, one another, and, of course, Scott’s love songs (and dancing!)
March 2024
We did our 39th quarterly adopt-a-road cleanup, cleaning up our stretch of road along Jimmy Carter Blvd between Hwy 29 and Britt Rd. Just two of us were there at the start, so we prayed and set out. We hadn’t walked but a few steps when someone jumped out of their car and asked if they could join us. No sooner had that person donned their safety vest when another person walked up and asked if they could join us, too. The Kingdom of God is contagious! The six of us who helped out had a great time together as we walked alongside and shared life together while sprucing up the sides of this busy stretch of road (which is extra busy on Friday afternoons!) Our tailgating was even more special as new friendships were forged 🙂 Come join us any time for this simple and satisfying way to care for our community!
March 2024
For this month’s Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, Robby sang some Soft Rock songs, much to the delight of the bumper crowd (14 from Liberty Vineyard and about 20 residents and staff), many of whom sang along … everyone who came felt so loved and welcomed!
March 2024
We had our first ever Pet Blessing today on the grass outside of our church building … it was such a joyful celebration, a beautiful time of expressing gratitude for and blessing towards one another, both people and pets, with Songs, Prayers, Scriptures, Blessings, a P.E.T. Talk, Treat Bags for dogs & cats & bunnies, and Cookie Decorating for pet parents & friends. God blessed us with a gorgeous and sunny spring afternoon (following several days of rain and more in the forecast). It was an absolute blast and exceeded all of our expectations with about fifty people and many beloved pets in attendance! Joy and gratitude abounded as we shared this special time together.
So many hands and hearts prepared and prayed, imagined and invited, in order to make this idea a reality … it is truly a joy to be a part of an “everybody gets to play” kind of church.
March 2024
JR and Pam delivered Liberty Vineyard’s first five Welcome Baskets to a local apartment community where we’ve been building relationships, connecting with Anastasia in the office. Each welcome “basket” (fabric cube) contained some basics for kitchen and laundry, along with fresh baked goodies, community information, a QR code for our church’s ENCOURAGING WORSHIP SONGS playlist, and a personal welcome note. We hope and pray that each recipient will feel welcomed and loved as they settle into their new home.
April 2024
This month at Meadowbrook (Tamera’s & Patricia’s Sing-along), Tamera & Patricia (and some special helpers) did an awesome job welcoming everyone to sing along with them, touching our hearts by expressing joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of life, even including songs that reminded them of their own Mama’s and other loved ones. They made everyone feel seen and loved, including 23 residents and staff (thank you, Fatiha & team!) of this aged care / rehab facility and a super support team from Liberty Vineyard!
April 2024
Nine of us donned our safety vests and headed out after our monthly Potluck Lunch on a beautiful spring afternoon to clean up Pounds Rd. We had a great time beautifying our neighborhood together! The nearby development is progressing nicely – it won’t be long until we can start meeting some new neighbors within walking distance!
April 2024
JR and Dawn delivered five more Welcome Baskets to the local apartment community we’ve been visiting regularly, connecting with Anton in the office. This time we put together handled baskets with some household supplies, cookies, 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.
May 2024
For one of our weekly Pray the News segments, we focused our prayers on Coweta County, location of the largest single layoff in Georgia so far this year – all 727 workers in a large distribution center that is closing in July. For a couple of weeks, Liberty Vineyard people brought in generous donations of food, clothing, and household goods, which Paul & Karen delivered to One Roof, a wonderful cooperative, an ecumenical alliance outreach that has been operating for 17 years in Newnan. Luke and a couple of other workers kindly assisted us in unloading all the donations. In this ministry, people come together from many churches to serve the Lord, working with families in crisis in Coweta County. May each one who receives care through this thriving ministry know and experience the abundant love of God in their time of need!
May 2024
JR delivered another five Welcome Baskets to the local apartment community we’ve been visiting regularly, connecting with Lilliana at the office. 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.
June 2024
What a lovely surprise for our church to receive these plaques from Michael Doyne, Community Partner Coordinator at Lilburn Middle School, along with this note, “Thank you to Pastor Karen and Liberty Vineyard Church for all their support over the years!”
June 2024
We did our 40th quarterly adopt-a-road cleanup, cleaning up our stretch of road along Jimmy Carter Blvd between Hwy 29 and Britt Rd! Five of us got a lot done and had a blast doing it on a hot late spring afternoon. Little did we know that our usual tailgating with donuts & coffee would fall on National Donut Day, so it was an extra special blessing to receive free donuts 🙂 Tamera had recently befriended a worker at a new chicken wings restaurant that opened up in walking distance from our parking location, so some of us shared a meal together after cleaning up trash along this super busy road together. Come join us any time for this simple and satisfying way to care for our community!
June 2024
For this month’s Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed Karis & Robby’s Summer Songfest, with a wonderfully supportive audience (residents, staff, and LVC-ers), in spite of early tech issues. It was a joyful and moving time together … music seems to soften our hearts to better be able to receive God’s love.
June 2024
We did another Goodies for Gardeners outreach in which we purchased and packed pantry & household supplies, prayed blessings, and penned encouragements for 22 H2B temporary migrant workers who are working at Bart’s company for the next several months. Doing this seemingly small thing with great love brought much joy to us all, and we pray that it will bless and encourage each recipient (and their families overseas)!
June 2024
JR delivered another five Welcome Baskets to the local apartment community just around the corner that we’ve been visiting regularly. Each new resident who receives one of these welcome baskets will find household supplies, snacks foods, staples, 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.
July 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed some folk song favorites brought to us by “Flower Power” (Beth, Bart, Patricia, and Nancy)! Those who came from Liberty Vineyard had a wonderful time with the beautiful residents as we spent time together and shared some donuts on a sizzling summer afternoon.
July 2024
After our church worship service and potluck lunch, we packed supplies, prayed blessings, and penned encouragements for 50 students and leaders from our host church who are flying out to a Church Camp (Camporee) in Wyoming (with 75,000 other campers)! These care packages are a small way to offer our thanks, support, and love to our wonderful hosts!
July 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, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood.
August 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed some Musical Memories with Karen & Michael (who had a great time doing this together)! Thank you, JR, for making it all happen this time (gathering people, before / in -between / after talks & prayers, preparing refreshments). And thank you to each one who came and enjoyed the music and one another (including residents and staff of this aged care / rehab facility and our Liberty Vineyard church family).
August 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, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood.
September 2024
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we enjoyed Bart’s Autumn Album, songs of origins, originals (by Bart Parker!), and Americana. Those who came from Liberty Vineyard had a wonderful time with the beautiful residents as we spent time together and shared some blueberries and cake on the last day of summer. Jeanne stitched a beautiful quilt that we presented to one precious resident!
September 2024
We arrived early on Sunday morning to prepare for our church worship service and were delighted to discover this wonderful surprise prepared by our wonderful SDA host church in gratitude for the Care Packages for Camporee we had prepared for their youth and leaders back in July. Festive balloons, delicious treats, and heartfelt expressions of thanks on a gorgeous card brought so much joy to each of us! “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) Yes, it is!
September 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, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood.
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 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!
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.
