Yesterday I asked the BVCC Family to take a little time each day this week to pray while meditating on the prayer found in Ephesians 3:16-19. To compliment that experience, I also wanted to share with you the following quote from Henri Nouwen:

To say with all that we have, think, feel, and are, "God exists" is the most world-shattering statement that a human being can make... Because when God exists, all that is flows from God... However, as soon as I say "God exists," my existence no longer can remain in the center, because the essence of the knowledge of God reveals my own existence is deriving its total being from God's. That is the true conversion experience. I no longer let the knowledge of my existence be the center from which I derive, project, deduct, or intuit the existence of God; I suddenly or slowly find my own existence revealed to me in and through the knowledge of God. Then it becomes real for me that I can love myself and my neighbor only because God has loved me first... The life-converting experience is not the discovery that I have choices to make that determine the way I live out my existence but the answer that my existence itself is not in the center. Once I "know" God, that is, once I experience God's love as the love in which all my human experiences are anchored, I can only desire one thing: to be in that love. "Being" anywhere else, then, is shown to be illusory and eventually lethal. (The Only Necessary Thing, p. 69)

Today may you know the love of God that surpasses all knowledge!

Vineyard Happenings

Batesville Vineyard Family,

This week's happenings are late and to the point. That's because we've been working around the clock this week to get the building project completed. We've already had 17 volunteers log a total of more than 400 hours this week. Still more to be done today if you're around and available. Here are your Vineyard Happenings:

1. Reset All-Church Journey continues this Sunday. We are participating with about 50 other Cincinnati area churches for this series leading up to Easter. During this spiritual challenge we will investigate the life and teachings of Jesus. Whether you're just curious about Jesus, beginning to seek out answers, or you've followed him for decades, all you need to do is be open to resetting your assumptions, and discovering (or rediscovering) your own beliefs about the most influential person in history. As part of Reset we want everyone to participate in a Reset group. Consider inviting a friend to join you this Sunday!

2. Don't forget about Change-2-Change. Check it out at http://sites.google.com/site/change2changebvcc/. If you received a cup for this project, don't forget to bring your change to Connections on Sunday. In just two weeks we have collected $159.75!

3. Youth Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, March 21st from 6:30-9:00pm. Meet at BVCC before running around town looking for items. Bring a friend and have a blast! Contact Jeremy for more info (812.363.4650).

4. Newcomers' Orientation Dinner - Sunday, March 29th @ 6:30. If you are new to the Vineyard and would like to learn more, get to know some other new faces, and have a great time, plan to attend this event.

5. Water Baptism - April 12th during the Easter Celebration. If you would like to go public with your faith through Water Baptism, please let me know. ALSO, if you would like to be baptized, but Easter Sunday doesn't work for you, please see me to make other arrangements.

6. Day of Prayer - April 4 from 2:00-8:00pm. All-church day of prayer and worship. For more info contact Chuck or Pat Zuber @ 812.926.4514.

7. April is our month to cover the Batesville Area Food Pantry. We need volunteers to work on Wednesdays in April from 11:45am - 4:00pm. If are interested in serving at the Food Pantry, please stop by Connections on Sunday and sign up. For more info contact Ann Marie @ 932.1318.

8. Relay for Life - We are looking for just a few more people who are willing to walk during this outreach on June 20-21. If you are interested in walking, sponsoring, or donating, please stop by Connections or contact Kindra Schuler (812.614.3456) or Libby Werner (812.212.2115).

Grace and peace to you!

13 Vineyard Happenings for Friday the 13th

Batesville Vineyard Family,

Here are 13 Vineyard Happenings for this Friday the 13th (you're not superstitious are you?):

1. Grub's Up Game Night for Adults - TOMORROW, March 14th @ 7pm. Come hang out, play games, and get to know each other. Bring along an appetizer or dessert to share. Sorry no childcare or youth at this event, but stay tuned for future family friendly events.

2. We plan to upgrade our lighting at BVCC next week. The cost comes to $150 per light. Please consider how you might contribute to the project. You can help by letting us know how many lights you would like to purchase and how you will be paying the pledge (one time or monthly payments, up to 12 months). You can participate by either filling out a pledge card on Sunday or online here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2xaXg_2f8ECO71_2f978TQeXOg_3d_3d .

3. Due to next week's renovations, the following groups will be meeting at the Batesville Library instead of BVCC:

Koster Reset Group - Monday, March 16 @ 7pm

Pat's Reset Group - Tuesday, March 17 @ 9am

Prayer Group - Wednesday, March 18 @ 6:30pm

4. Reset All-Church Journey continues this Sunday. We are participating with about 50 other Cincinnati area churches for this series leading up to Easter. During this spiritual challenge we will investigate the life and teachings of Jesus. Whether you're just curious about Jesus, beginning to seek out answers, or you've followed him for decades, all you need to do is be open to resetting your assumptions, and discovering (or rediscovering) your own beliefs about the most influential person in history. As part of Reset we want everyone to participate in a Reset group. Consider inviting a friend to join you this Sunday!

5. Job Search Work Group Workshop - Saturday, March 21st from 9:00am-4:00pm. Contact Christopher Aune (812.933.5902) for details. Check out the website at www.jobsearchworkgroup.org.

6. Don't forget about Change-2-Change. Check it out at http://sites.google.com/site/change2changebvcc/. If you received a cup for this project, don't forget to bring your change to Connections on Sunday.

7. Youth Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, March 21st from 6:30-9:00pm. Meet at BVCC before running around town looking for items. Bring a friend and have a blast! Contact Jeremy for more info (812.363.4650).

8. Newcomers' Orientation Dinner - Sunday, March 29th @ 6:30. If you are new to the Vineyard and would like to learn more, get to know some other new faces, and have a great time, plan to attend this event.

9. Water Baptism - April 12th during the Easter Celebration. If you would like to go public with your faith through Water Baptism, please let me know.

10. Day of Prayer - April 4 from 2:00-8:00pm. All-church day of prayer and worship. For more info contact Chuck or Pat Zuber @ 812.926.4514.

11. April is our month to cover the Batesville Area Food Pantry. We need volunteers to work on Wednesdays in April from 11:45am - 4:00pm. If are interested in serving at the Food Pantry, please stop by Connections on Sunday and sign up. For more info contact Ann Marie @ 932.1318.

12. Relay for Life - We are looking for at least 15 people willing to walk during this outreach on June 20-21. If you are interested in walking, sponsoring, or donating, please stop by Connections or contact Kindra Schuler (812.614.3456) or Libby Werner (812.212.2115).

13. Jeremy and Shannon Smith (our youth and children's pastors) have new phone numbers. You can contact them by phone or text at: Jeremy (812.363.4650) and Shannon (812.363.4649).

Grace and peace to you!

Vineyard Happenings

Hello Vineyard Family!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make our transition to two Sunday Celebrations a success. You guys are great! Here are a few of the things happening at BVCC:

1. We plan to upgrade our lighting at BVCC very soon. The cost comes to $150 per light. Please consider how you might contribute to the project. You can help by letting us know how many lights you would like to purchase and how you will be paying the pledge (one time or monthly payments, up to 12 months). You can participate by either filling out a pledge card on Sunday or online here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2xaXg_2f8ECO71_2f978TQeXOg_3d_3d .

2. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed this Saturday. Nevertheless, if you forget to move your clock forward, we do have two options now for you to worship on Sunday mornings. The Celebrations are at 9am and 10:45am each Sunday. Children's ministry will be available both Celebrations, but Club 45 will only meet during the 9am Celebration.

3. Reset All-Church Journey continues this Sunday. We are participating with about 50 other Cincinnati area churches for this series leading up to Easter. During this spiritual challenge we will investigate the life and teachings of Jesus. Whether you're just curious about Jesus, beginning to seek out answers, or you've followed him for decades, all you need to do is be open to resetting your assumptions, and discovering (or rediscovering) your own beliefs about the most influential person in history. As part of Reset we want everyone to participate in a Reset group. Here are a list of the groups:

Children's - The children up through 5th grade will be participating in the Reset Journey with their own material on Sunday mornings.

Youth - Both Middle School and High School groups will meet every week during this journey. Both groups will meet each Sunday, 6pm at BVCC.

Engstrom Group - 222 Winding Way in Batesville, Sundays @ 6pm

Koster Group - Meeting at BVCC, Mondays @ 7pm

Deak's Group - 230 Winding Way in Batesville, Mondays @ 7pm

Pat's Group - Meeting at BVCC, Tuesdays @ 9am

Rogers' Group - 11 Bridlewood Trace in Batesville, Wednesdays @ 7pm

Life Group @ West Pearl - 611 W. Pearl St. in Batesville, Wednesdays @ 7pm

Rivera's Group - SR 129 in Osgood, Thursdays @ 7pm

Zuber's Group - SR 48 in Manchester, Fridays @ 7pm

Hudnall's Group - Meeting at BVCC, Fridays @ 7pm!

4. Grub's Up Game Night for Adults - Saturday, March 14th @ 7pm. Come hang out, play games, and get to know each other. Bring along an appetizer or dessert to share. Sorry no childcare or youth at this event, but stay tuned for future family friendly events.

5. Job Search Work Group Workshop - Saturday, March 21st from 9:30am-3:30pm. Contact Christopher Aune (812.933.5902) for details.

6. Youth Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, March 21st from 6:30-9:00pm. Meet at BVCC before running around town looking for items. Bring a friend and have a blast! Contact Jeremy for more info (812.363.4650).

7. Batesville Area Lenten Vesper Services will be held the next 4 Sundays, 7pm, at area churches. A schedule is available at Connections. Members of our worship team will be playing this Sunday & I will be speaking at the March 22nd service.

8. Newcomers' Orientation Dinner - Sunday, March 29th @ 6:30. If you are new to the Vineyard and would like to learn more, get to know some other new faces, and have a great time, plan to attend this event.

9. Water Baptism - April 12th during the Easter Celebration. If you would like to go public with your faith through Water Baptism, please let me know.

10. Day of Prayer - April 4 from 2:00-8:00pm. All-church day of prayer and worship. For more info contact Chuck or Pat Zuber @ 812.926.4514.

11. April is our month to cover the Batesville Area Food Pantry. We need volunteers to work on Wednesdays in April from 11:45am - 4:00pm. If are interested in serving at the Food Pantry, please stop by Connections on Sunday and sign up. For more info contact Ann Marie @ 932.1318.

12. Relay for Life - We are looking for at least 15 people willing to walk during this outreach on June 20-21. If you are interested in walking, sponsoring, or donating, please stop by Connections or contact Kindra Schuler (812.614.3456) or Libby Werner (812.212.2115).

13. Jeremy and Shannon Smith (our youth and children's pastors) have new phone numbers. You can contact them by phone or text at: Jeremy (812.363.4650) and Shannon (812.363.4649).

I hope to see you all on Sunday. Consider inviting someone to join you this Sunday for "Reset".

Peace,

Vineyard Happenings

Hello Vineyard Family!

This is it! We've got a BIG weekend planned with the transition to two celebrations and the start of the "Reset" Journey. Here are a few of the things happening at BVCC:

1. We are hoping to upgrade our lighting at BVCC very soon. The cost comes to $150 per light. Please consider how you might contribute to the project. You can help by letting us know how many lights you would like to purchase and how you will be paying the pledge (one time or monthly payments, up to 12 months). You can participate by either filling out a pledge card on Sunday or online here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2xaXg_2f8ECO71_2f978TQeXOg_3d_3d . Thanks to everyone who pledged the last week, we've reached about 45% of the goal in just two weeks!

2. Teacher Appreciation Dinner TONIGHT! @ BVCC, 6pm - If you help with nursery, children's church, Club 45 or youth, please join us for a dinner and special thanks. The contact is Shannon Smith - shannon@batesvillevineyard.com.

3. Two Sunday Celebrations beginning THIS SUNDAY! Don't forget that we will begin having Celebrations at 9am and 10:45am each Sunday. Children's ministry will be available both Celebrations, but Club 45 will only meet during the 9am Celebration. This Sunday, March 1st will be Family Sunday (nursery only).

4. Reset All-Church Journey - THIS SUNDAY we will begin this 6-week All-Church Journey. We are participating with about 50 other Cincinnati area churches for this series leading up to Easter. During this spiritual challenge we will investigate the life and teachings of Jesus. Whether you're just curious about Jesus, beginning to seek out answers, or you've followed him for decades, all you need to do is be open to resetting your assumptions, and discovering (or rediscovering) your own beliefs about the most influential person in history. As part of Reset we want everyone to participate in a Reset group. Here are a list of the groups:

Children's - The children up through 5th grade will be participating in the Reset Journey with their own material on Sunday mornings.

Youth - Both Middle School and High School groups will meet every week during this journey. Both groups will meet each Sunday, 6pm at BVCC.

Engstrom Group - 222 Winding Way in Batesville, Sundays @ 6pm

Koster Group - Meeting at BVCC, Mondays @ 7pm

Deak Group - 230 Winding Way in Batesville, Mondays @ 7pm

Pat's Group - Meeting at BVCC, Tuesdays @ 9am

Rogers Group - 11 Bridlewood Trace in Batesville, Wednesdays @ 7pm

Life Group @ West Pearl - 611 W. Pearl St. in Batesville, Wednesdays @ 7pm

Rivera's Group - SR 129 in Osgood, Thursdays @ 7pm

Zuber's Group - SR 48 in Manchester, Fridays @ 7pm

Hudnall's Group - Meeting at BVCC, Fridays @ 7pm

Notice that there is something for all ages, almost any day of the week, and even one group during the weekday. All groups are open to men and women.

5. Leadership Community Meeting - March 1st @ 4pm. Everyone is invited!

6. Grub's Up Game Night for Adults - Saturday, March 14th @ 7pm.

7. Job Search Work Group Workshop - Saturday, March 21st from 9:30am-3:30pm. Contact Christopher Aune (812.933.5902) for details.

8. Youth Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, March 21st from 6:30-9:00pm.

9. Batesville Area Lenten Vesper Services will be held the next 5 Sundays, 7pm, at area churches. A schedule is available at Connections. Our very own Dan Steffen will be speaking this Sunday. Members of our worship team will be playing on March 8th & I will be speaking at the March 22nd service.

10. PRAYER NEEDS:

* Holly Hooten will have surgery on Monday, March 2nd to remove her gallbladder.

* Continue to pray for Tom Waechter's heel injury and the recent skin graph to repair it.

* Dan Steffen will be on a mission trip to Bolivia beginning March 20th to teach local pastors how to study and teach the New Testament.

* Dan & Jane Steffen recently accepted a position of Senior Pastor at a church in Tucson, AZ. Pray for this transition and the speedy sale of their house in Sunman.

* Pray for people to encounter Jesus in new and powerful ways during the Reset Journey.

IF YOU HAVE PRAYER REQUESTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE IN NEXT WEEK'S VINEYARD HAPPENINGS, PLEASE EMAIL ME.

I hope to see you all on Sunday. Consider inviting someone to join you this Sunday for "Reset".

Peace.

I Didn't Bite the Nurse

I just had my blood drawn at a free health screening. When I was finished, I had to call my mom and let her know I didn't bite the nurse. Unfortunately, that was not the case when I was six-years-old and about to have my tonsils out.

My blood pressure was a little high and I suspect my cholesterol is as well. Of course they handed me a paper that tells me how to help correct this. Standard stuff... lose weight, eat heart-healthy foods, and be active. Why is it that I'm more likely to continue on my present course until there is a crisis?

This is how many of us are spiritually as well. We may know the course of action needed to be healthy spiritually, but who's got the time? So, we continue with our lack of spiritual discipline until a crisis hits. Well, here's to preventative physical and spiritual health. Draw close to God today and He'll draw close to you. Resist the devil and he will flee... and put down that cheese danish.

Living Acts 4 Without Drinking the Koolaid

Last night at my Life Group, we discussed this passage from Acts 4...

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

In light of the current economic crisis and the 30 year anniversary of Jonestown, is this passage a model or a principle? I'm wondering if we could proclaim as a community of faith that there will be no needy persons among us.

So, what do you think? Is Acts 4 a model or a principle? What would it take for church communities to say, "There will be no needy people among us!"?... Of course by that I mean not that we won't allow people who are in need, but that we will share in such a way that no one goes without.