Royal Oak Vineyard Church

October-November Sermon Series

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:44:00 +0000

Are you wondering how you can grow in living an authentic life? Wanting to experience the blessing God longs to give you?

Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are often seen as an impossible ideal disconnected from the real world of modern life. However, Jesus intended to give us instruction in doable discipleship. He wants to help us follow him as he follows God in cooperative partnership. Jesus wants to help us learn how to live in God's Kingdom of goodness and grace. Join us as together we learn from Jesus how we can do this in our everyday lives.

This News Just In ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:56:00 +0000

Read All About It ...
ROVC gets a nod on PrideSource.com about giving away hot dogs to walkers.
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=32213
--- lead from Jim Renaud, co-guru of the Royal Oak Vineyard Church's AIDS Walk Detroit participation

Journey Out, Journey In

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Jesus invites us to both journey out with him in service to the world, and journey in with him in devotion to God.

We've had a great time of serving our community this past AIDS Walk Sunday. And now I'm excited for the Cause Conference and the opportunity to draw closer to him. All for the purpose of being sent back out to the world. It isn't too late to register - you can check it out online at The Cause Conference.

See you there!

AIDS Walk Sunday 2008 A Huge Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:52:00 +0000

Well, our AIDS Walk Sunday for 2008 was a huge success! I think it probably blew away the expectations of everyone involved. I know it blew mine away. Hats off to everyone one of you who helped make the event such a huge hit - walkers, servers, food preparers, ushers, cheerers, rallyers, everyone.

Six short stories capture the spirit of this event for me:
1. One of our young boys, Robbie, running back and forth happily handing out free water and loving it!
2. This guy, a random walker, walking along clapping his hands over head and cheering, "I love this church! I love this church!"
3. One of the band members, Allie, singing People Get Ready in the perfect soulful gospel feel, and people everyone are dancing, and taking pictures of the band, and taking their team pictures around the tables we had set up while they're enjoying some good food.
4. A woman who came up to me, who attended another church, and, with tears in her eyes, expressed her deep appreciation for doing what we did. "Thank you," she said, "Thank you for being here! Thank you for doing what the Church is supposed to do!"
5. Harvey, the coordinator from First Baptist Church, doing a jig with our own Lisa Fosnaugh, and then kissing her on the cheek!
6. One of the Steppin' Out AIDS Walk coordinators asking us, "You did all this for us? You did this for our walk?" He was amazed and overwhelmed - his expectations were blown away. He was so appreciative and told me he was holding back a tear.

To me, these stories say it all. Do you have a story? Share it!

Jesus was happy and people sensed his love. Thank you for being you!

If you'd like to see one man's photo perspective, check out Jim "The Secret Experiment" Renaud's flickr collection. [We'll make more photos available as we have them.]

Sunday, September 21st ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:08:00 +0000

is AIDS Walk Sunday at the Royal Oak Vineyard Church! This Sunday morning the AIDS Walk: Detroit will take place in downtown Royal Oak. More than 5000 are expected to walk the streets, right past our church building, during our normal gathering time. So this Sunday we're taking the opportunity to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus in simple acts of service. We'll have a team of walkers raising money to help alleviate the suffering of those who may have felt distanced from God and his people. We'll be cheering on walkers, giving away free hot dogs and bottles of water, and even have a live band. It'll be a great time of letting our hair down and having some fun. And we'll do it all during our normal gathering time - after a few worship songs and a reflection on why we're doing this. So come join us for the fun!

Coming Up This September ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:54:00 +0000

If you've ever been to State or National Park, you're probably familiar with those signs that read, "Take only pictures, leave only footprints." You only have to walk around or watch TV for about 10 minutes to know we're taking from and marking up our world - and one another - worse than that! We want to leave a smaller footprint, and instead imprint the world with the fingerprints of God.

Are you fed up with merely consuming? Tired of living to work instead of working to live? Desiring to make a difference? Longing to live simply and love lavishly?

Join us for our sermon series on simplicity and service, starting this September 7th ...

Ethiopia Update from the June 2008 trip

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:02:00 +0000

Friends, as promised, here's the meat of what I had to say on Sunday in follow-up to my recent trip. Not everyone was able to stay after the gathering to hear this, so I wanted to make the substance of what I had to say available to you all. I did share briefly some stories from my trip, which you can read about in brief on my blog. I shared some additional stories of the ministry we saw among the poor, the handicapped and those far from Jesus. Now for the rest ...

With all that said, the needs we have here and the needs they have there are the same, though theirs sound more exotic. We both need Jesus. We both need the transforming power of his grace and truth. We both need to see the Kingdom of God break into our churches, into our communities, into our lives. We both need the healing and deliverance and hope and change this Kingdom brings.

And we share similar opportunities. Jesus loves us all. He’s made his Spirit available to us all. We have the Bible, and we have one another.

I felt a real burden of the Lord for this while I was there. That this is a real thing, a serious thing, a Kingdom thing. The Ethiopian Vineyard leaders, especially, are sacrificing to see God’s Kingdom come. One new Vineyard pastor we met is supporting a network of at least 18 churches out of his own personal resources. Woody, the coordinator of the Vineyard’s efforts there, lost his job over this, and he nearly lost his life. Other pastors and evangelists are risking their lives weekly. We want to honor their sacrifice with our commitment.

We are committed to our friends in Ethiopia. We’re committed to helping them in their needs and we’re committed to helping them build on their opportunities, even as they are committed to us. We’re committed with other churches around the US and in Norway to encouraging, empowering, training and resourcing them to go for it.

And I’m humbly excited to do that with you and these others.

If you’d like to make a special offering to missions, above and beyond your tithe, then know that your gift to our mission partnership will be used to support this work.

And, also, so you know, we’re beginning to lay plans for a 2009 trip and we’ll have more information about this and travel opportunities, coming up.

"Anyone can be great ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:23:00 +0000

because anyone can serve." --- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you'd like to be great in God's Kingdom, we've got plenty of opportunities at the Royal Oak Vineyard Church. From reaching out to our community to assisting in the nursery/preschool. From helping work the sound board to helping stuff bags for the homeless. From keeping our literature table stocked to cleaning up after the Sunday gathering. From driving people to our gathering to leading home groups. If you'd like to take a step towards being great in God's Kingdom, then contact the church office and we'll get you started.

A Joy Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:16:00 +0000

Psalm 90:14 says, "Satisfy us in the morning with your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

This morning we're taking time in our Sunday sermons to learn a little more about joy, through Paul's letter to the Philippians. The psalmist, here in this passage, gives us a little tip for growing in joy.

It is pretty simple really. Take time each morning (or evening, or midday, or whenever you need it or can take it) to be quiet and reflect on the faithful love of God (his lovingkindness). Meditate on it. Turn it over in your head. Chew on it. Let it satisfy you. Like a cup of cold water on a hot summer day, let it wash down into your belly and give you the chills all over. And, the psalmist says, if we make this a regular practice - reconnecting with, each day, God's faithful love, and letting this love bring us satisfaction - then we will be the kind of people who sing for joy and are consistently glad. Our joy will overflow from hearts filled with love.

Try it.

New Sermon Series

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:27:00 +0000

Summertime is full of joy.

Joy, whatever our circumstances.

Paul's short letter to the church at Philippi is full of joy. That, despite being written while he was in prison (possibly the one at left) and facing numerous other challenges. What kind of challenges do you face? Would you like to learn to live with more joy whatever your circumstances? Join us in June for a study of Philippians.

And bring a friend, because joy is contagious, and who doesn't need more joy?

Online Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:16:00 +0000

After much trial and error, we are pleased to announce that our new online calendar of church events is finally available! Check it out by clicking on the calendar icon above (at the top of this post column). Clicking on any particular event allows you to see it in much more detail. Enjoy!

[if you don't have regular internet access but would like a print copy of the calendar, please contact the church office]

Directories!

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:08:00 +0000

The latest church directories are finally completed. Owners and those who signed up for the directory can expect to get their copy by email (which you can print if you'd like - save those trees!). There will be some print copies available for our friends without email access.
If you're a regular at the Vineyard that didn't get a chance to sign up for the directory, but are still interested in signing up for a copy, please contact the church office.

Put your faith in action this Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:14:00 +0000

This Saturday is our monthly Grocery Giveaway, where we head off to meet our friends at Red Run Community and share with them some of the blessings we've received. We share our love and God's love for them, by bringing them a bag of groceries, a smile, and an offer of prayer. Feel free to join us.

We meet up at the church building at 12:30 to pack the bags and pray, and then head over to hand out some love from 1-2PM. We hope to see you there.

If you want to learn more about Ethiopia

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:25:00 +0000

Tuesday, May 13th, at 8PM, PBS will be airing a film called Walk to Beautiful. It tells the story of 5 Ethiopian women suffering from childbirth injuries, and the vision of two Australian doctors to help them - and others like them - overcome this preventable illness. For even more information, check out the Fistula Foundation site.

Our church is involved with others in partnering in Ethiopia, to see the full measure of God's Kingdom come, in ways like this, as well as seeing new faith communities established.

What's on Tap for Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Two activities on tap for this evening:

1. Worship Team Meeting - if you're involved in the worship ministry (including A/V), or interested in being involved, you'll want to come to tonight's meeting. There will be some time for connecting, as well as some training in helping the church community more fully enter into a meaningful worship time. 7PM at the church building in the Heritage Room.

2. Single Mom's Night Out - single moms and their fatherless kids are very important to God's heart. We want to be a people of blessing to them, surrounding them in God's loving embrace. So if you're a single mom or know one that you'd like to invite and come with them, then you're welcome to come. Tonight, at the church building, at 6:30PM. A yummy free dinner and fun activities for the kids will be provided.

Thank you

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:35:00 +0000

To everyone who participated in the ServeFest gathering this past Sunday, "Thank You!" We had a wonderful time reaching out to bless our neighbors. Several people have shared some great stories with me and it seems that God used serving others as an avenue of blessing the servers.

So thank you to all of the planners and team leaders who helped make this event a big success!
Here are some pictures:

Living It Out

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:51:00 +0000

If you read the accounts of Jesus' life, you can't help noticing that Jesus did the stuff. He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk. Jesus came as a servant. As a church, we want to do the same.

As a church we've been very blessed. I've noticed this especially in the last few months. This last Sunday was particularly rich with tastes of God's goodness, little expressions of His Kingdom coming to us. This blessing isn't for us alone. We're blessed so that we might be a blessing. These gifts from God are meant to be shared.

This Sunday, April 27th, we're going to do just that. We're having our inaugural ServeFest. In the place of our Sunday service, we're going out to serve. We'll be gathering at our regular time, 10:30AM. We'll have one or two songs of worship to connect with God. Then, after a welcome and an explanation of what's going on, we'll break down into our service teams and head out to bless the people of Royal Oak with simple acts of kindness done in Jesus' name. We'll serve people in non-threatening ways; we won't demand anything of them. Jesus' grace is free. Our goal is to stick within the outlines of a regular gathering, so we'll gather back at the building by Noon so that we can ask God to bless what we've joined with Him in doing, hang out and pick up our kids.

Speaking of which, for PARENTS: we will have childcare during the whole event. This childcare will be staffed by workers who regularly work with your children. When you sign your child in, please provide a cell phone number (yours, or someone in your team), so that the workers can contact you, if necessary.

I'm very excited for this opportunity to bless our city. We'll be feeding the homeless and hungry, giving away groceries and planting flowers, cleaning up trash, saying thank you to those who serve us every day, and sharing the free grace of God's love in simple, tangible ways. I hope you can join us!

Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:07:00 +0000

If you're interested in reading some thoughts about the wildly popular book by Eckhart Tolle, called A New Earth, then check out a recent post on my blog. --- jim

Community Lunch Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:37:00 +0000

Thanks to Vic, Kash and the crew who helped out this past Saturday in making our service at the Community Lunch such a great success. I heard a great time was had by all.

Community Lunch is a great way to bless our community and serve the hungry and homeless. We serve a full-spread lunch to our friends several times a year. To help out with the next outing, contact the church office.

Next Step Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:59:00 +0000

I'm pretty geeked about our Next Step Lunch coming up this Sunday after the morning gathering. The Next Step Lunch is a great way for new(er) folks to connect with others, share some stories about the church and our lives, and ask any questions. I always like our time there. So if you're newer to the church, then I'd like to invite you to join us this Sunday around 1PM. --- Jim

wednesday night homegroup

noreply@blogger.com (Zena and Joshua) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:40:00 +0000

hey all!

baby eleanor is born and we want to thank everyone for your support and prayers. our homegroup plan for april is posted here: http://flowerdalegroup.blogspot.com/

check it out and we look forward to all of you meeting nora.

~joshua & zena

Honest To God Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Check out the Honest to God blog for some new posts, exploring these questions:
Why all the different denominations?
Do we really need to be concerned with global warming or is it all a hoax?

Upcoming Sermon Series (April)

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:44:00 +0000

Love and Marriage in the Modern World.
It can be tough. Hard to find, hard to keep.
We'll take three weeks to explore what the Bible has to say about helping make it work.
April 6: Single and Satisfied
April 13: Lessons in Love
April 20: Marriage is Mutual (and a Mystery)

This series is for everyone - single, dating, married, thinking about it, or single again.

April Happenings (so far)

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:33:00 +0000

Here's a list of what we know of so far that's happening in April. May it help you plan:

4th: Racial Reconciliation group is hosting an open invite Dinner & Movie night at the home of Kevin & Lucy Casteel
6th: Next Step Lunch for people newer to the church and who'd like to meet some other folks and learn some more about the church.
12th: Community Lunch for the poor being served by our church in the Cafe
12th: Girls Night Out for friendship and fun at the home of Cindy Kalamajka
19th: New Community Class for those interested in joining in ownership of the church
27th: Sunday ServeFest: Royal Oak - our church will go out and bless our city with Jesus' love through simple acts of kindness

Praise Report

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:05:00 +0000

I thought I'd share a praise report from our prayer ministry team. A few weeks ago during worship the Lord gave me an impression that he wanted to touch with his grace someone experiencing pain in their lower right abdominal region. Someone did end up responding to that call and a couple of our prayer ministry team members prayed with this person. After a brief time of waiting on the Lord and inviting him to work, they prayed a simple prayer for healing, trusting in Jesus' authority, and the individual was released from recurring pain that they had had for 18 years! Praise God! Jesus, may your kingdom come. Amen.