I thought it might be good to give people the opportunity to help set up and decorate the sanctuary for Sunday since there may several who would enjoy that — we will be setting up the sanctuary on Saturday the 23rd starting at 2pm. I should also mention that those interested in helping Robert cook pancakes for Easter can call him at 513.351.0751

See more info about Easter Sunday.

What is the crosswalk?  It is a vital part of the evening and our discernment process, and will be a time of interactive confession and lament involving a walk around the neighborhood to various sites that signify the memories and hopes (personal and corporate) of the people of Vineyard Central.  The questions of Jesus’ disciples (We had thought?…we had hoped?) we will seek to make ours as a part of our transition into the Easter season.

After the crosswalk, we will assemble in the Upper Room of St. Elizabeth for a time of reflective worship through simple a-capella music and readings from Scripture focused on the Passion of Christ and the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the Cross.  We will be “stripping the cross” of our pieces of cloth during this time and adorning the worship space in black.

Easter Sunday: April 24th

• Worship Gathering @ 10am (in the main Sanctuary of St. Elizabeth)
• Pancake “Brunch” to follow at 12 p.m. (in the Speckled Bird Cafe, bring “fixins” you would like to have with the pancakes to share with others!)

Our hopes are not in vain!  The celebration of God’s redemption and resurrection will involve dedication of children, baptism for those desiring to commit their lives to Jesus, and an opportunity to adorn the same cross we have placed our laments and relinquishments on with beautiful flowers.  We will hear from VCers through poetry and testimony concerning the good God has accomplished in our lives

We apologize for this announcement coming later in the week.  We had said it would come earlier, and we want to be accountable to do what we have said we would do going forward.  Thank you for your patience as we all stumble toward the accountability and grace we need to hold one another as a community!

PLACE ::
The back of St. E’s, where we celebrated Advent

BREAKFAST ::
9-10 a.m. Bagels and coffee provided. You bring the rest: fruits, cheeses, etc.

WORSHIP ::
• singing
• liturgy & response
• teaching (Matt Dawson & Dave Nixon
• communion

Following our time together there won’t be a potluck lunch. (Put that excess cooking energy into breakfast.) Practice hospitality afterward by inviting someone into your home.

Join us for weekly Advent services every Sunday evening during Advent from 7-8pm (Nov 28 and Dec 5, 12 and 19).  We’ll gather in the “upper room” (studio space on the 2nd floor in back of St. E’s) to share in fellowship, reflection and worship as we prepare our hearts to welcome the Savior.  There will be time in each service geared toward our kids (after which we’ll have loving, responsible adults lined up to share the rest of the hour with them just downstairs from our gathering).  We’ll share in Advent readings and hear from some of the writers in the VC body, and we’ll have extended times of worship for leaning into the holy hush of the season. Coffee and tea will be available (BYOMug to help lower supply costs).  Bring a friend.

Come, thou long expected Jesus.

Breakfast (9:00-10:00)
Light breakfast of bagels and coffee, but you supply the fruit, cheese, juice or some other breakfast food.

Worship (10:00-11:15)
We’ll sing “in-the-round,” reflect on scripture, have conversational team teaching led by Joshua Hanauer (+ guest) followed by communion and offering.

Lunch
This, of course, stands or falls on participation. We value living as a community, and to be a part of a community means participation. Let’s lean into it. Bring something for yourself (or family) and a little extra for someone else. If we all offer a sacrifice of love, then there will be a lot of love expressed in what we eat together. (Invite a neighbor!)

Breakfast (9:00-10:00)
Terra Nova will supply the coffee and bagels, but you — that’s you specifically, the flesh-and-blood person reading this right now and not some generic other “you” — supply some fruit, cheese, juice or some other breakfast food.

Worship (10:00-11:30)
We’ll worship “in-the-round,” reflect on scripture, have team teaching led by Nathan Myers and Dave Nixon followed by short conversation, share communion, introduce Terra Nova, and both witness & celebrate a baptism.

Lunch
This stands or falls on participation. It can be as good as we want or the reverse. Bring something for yourself (or family) and a little extra for someone else. If we all offer a sacrifice of love, then there will be a lot of love expressed in what we eat together. (Invite a neighbor!)

For parents who wish to dedicate or baptize their new family member/s:  The VC family is representative of many different faith traditions, and within those traditions there are different rites or ceremonies by which parents express their desire to raise their child in the knowledge of Christ.  Both dedication and baptism are symbolic ways of committing our children to the Lord and of invoking our faith community’s support to that end.

For children and adults with a desire to be baptized, we follow the 1st century church tradition of baptism by submersion and will have our “baptismal pool” available.

If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Angie Ferrell at aaferrell@yahoo.com.  Include who is being dedicated or baptized and which it is.  Also, anyone who would like to be a part of a small team of folks to coordinate this effort, please contact me.  More information will be forthcoming.