Good morning Vine,
As I pause to look ahead at the month of April, I cannot help but feel such gratitude for the various ways we will spend time together.
Do you know how much of a gift you are to a hurting world?
Last week, we had about a dozen people at our Membership Gathering. Folks who have come within the last year spoke to the quality of how they initially experienced The Vine: welcoming, warm, hospitable, healing. The church was meant to be this way from the beginning, but it still amazes me when I get to see it happen. The gathered Body of Christ is a powerful reality—especially this gathered group.
So yes! I look forward to simply being with you. Allow me to highlight four invitations to gather as the Body of Christ, with oversimplified words: “In, Out, Up, and Down”
IN: First Sunday Potluck. Sunday, April 6 after our service.
Coming together to extend the Communion table into dinner—a family meal where friends are welcome. (RSVP to bring a dish!)
OUT: Helene Cleanup Day. Saturday, April 12 from 9am – noon
Going into our “local world” to clean up a small corner of Haywood County’s riverside, just down the street from our church.
UP: Holy Week services. Palm Sunday (April 13) through Easter Sunday (April 20)
Worshiping our way through the final days of Jesus’ story together, our stories freshly caught up into His as we rediscover our place “in Christ.”
DOWN: Confirmation & Membership Sunday. April 27 during our 3pm service.
Our Bishop Terrell Glenn will be with us, praying for the Holy Spirit to come down on those being Confirmed (or received) in their faith, as well as our new members.
As we anticipate coming together, don’t underestimate the power of such a community gathering in such ways—invite a friend! Whether you are a Vine regular, or accidentally had this blog attached to a “reply all” situation at work, you are invited to gather “in, out, up, and down” with us this April.
Michael+