Branches Vineyard Church: Recent Episodes
Branches Vineyard Church
Listen to our sermons and stay connected with Branches Vineyard Church. Find out more here: http://branchesvineyard.org
This week we take a look at our mercy ministries initiative here at Branches Vineyard Church. What is mercy? Why do we participate in showing mercy? What might be some reasons that we might not understand the command to show mercy? Join us and look out for ways to demonstrate God's mercy in the world around you.
As part of our vision initiatives for this season of our church, we celebrate our children and look to encourage them to act as members of the Kingdom of God... NOW! You may have missed the children leading us in worship, but don't miss this message.
Join us again as we consider how we plan to accomplish our goal of building a loving, Spirit-centered community. This week, L.J. challenges us to step into ownership as we join with our invitation to participate in the Kingdom of God.
We are continuing our series on life groups. This week we're working through what it means for our life groups to be a part of the success of our mission as a church. Although we love and value each other, we recognize that God's heart is to see His Kingdom grow, and that means we'll be an active part of that process.
Join us in our new series on Life Groups as we discuss a critical part of what we do when we get together in our community. We care for each other, and one way we do that is by spending time praying and partnering with the Holy Spirit to do powerful things. Won't you join us?
We have a special guest sharing and encouraging us this week. Even more than that, we get a special glimpse into God's plan for His loved creation. Join us as we discover how God plans for restoration are found throughout the pages of the Bible and move us to both move into deeper intimacy AND participate in that work.
Join us for the conclusion of our Art of Neighboring series. There's an important twist to the series, but you'll need to listen to discover what it is. Hint: It's important and it answers the question asked in the title.
Knowing who we are is possible when we understand our Creator. He has created us for a specific reason and knowing what He is up to and what His plans for us are will help us to understand how we are to be in our world.
Now that we've spent time talking about what it means to build a LOVING community, we need to think through how that loving community engages with the Holy Spirit. Join us as we are challenged and grow to become more of what God has desired Branches Vineyard Church to be.
Join us this week in considering how Jesus lived, and how we should live at a response. This is important because this is who we are and where we are heading. Take a listen. It's challenging, but a beautiful invitation.
We continue our series as we learn how Jesus, and we, the church, relate to others by looking at this important story learning how Jesus is working to restore each of us, and is inviting us into that work.
This is a special week. We are a community where we commit to growing together in our relationship with God as we support one another. This includes our commitment to the families within our community. We agree with moms and dads to walk with families as children learn about our God, and trust God will draw them into truth. Join us in this celebration.
There are some important points in this one. Be sure to listen. We'll be building on these ideas for the next few weeks. We are working to build a community that doesn't become divided by differences of opinion, but united in Christ.
This week we ask God to work to renew our minds. It is a change of thinking to see the world God would see it, and respond with God's heart, but it does take some work to free ourselves from influences that keep us from God. Take a listen and ask God to make way for the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
I am not my own. This means that someone cares for me and for my future. This is an important message and calls to understand that we are not meant to protect ourselves, but to trust in the ways that are best for us. This means community.
This one is a fund week you DO NOT want to miss. This is a fantastic week of celebration as the children of Branches lead our service. This week we learn the important truth that Jesus cares about each of us.
For Mother's Day, we learn truths about how God hears, honors, and moves with women. Join us for this special message as we are each called into everything that we are designed to be. Happy Mother's Day.
Today we work to correct some thinking. We are entirely, completely, and wonderfully made. This makes us complete beings — and every bit of us carries the image of God. For us to learn to embody our faith more fully means a complete understanding of who we are.
Join us this Easter Sunday with a very important message about God's plan to bring about healing, restoration, and The Kingdom of God.
In this community, the Kingdom of God, we are family. That is an important statement and worth spending time considering what that means for you and those around you. Listen to this message to discover more.
We are back with Mary and Martha this week as learn an important lesson about suffering. Jesus demonstrated how he is with us through our suffering, but also, we learn here how disciples are with people through their suffering. That is an opportunity for us to participate in the Kingdom of God.
Reconciliation is an important and hopeful word. It is our hope for relationships, divisions, and more importantly, all of God's creation. Listen to hear Jesus' heart for reconciliation and our opportunity to participate.
Jesus' disciples have a job to do, but they aren't alone. God will provide. We know this because God has provided before. Listen to understand how God's miracle to feed the 5,000 better prepares us to be the church.
This week we spend time looking at this well-known story, but maybe we'll find a special new invitation to be who we are as we seek to be committed disciples — loving God with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
This week we get a glimpse at the intentional way Jesus would flip cultural norms to establish the hierarchy of the Kingdom of God. It is a powerful rethinking of who we are, who Jesus is, and what it looks like to participate in the redemption of all of creation.
It's time to put our mission statement to work! "Building a loving, Spirit-Centered Community" is a phrase we want to live by. Join us as we learn about God's heart to pursue those who need pursuing. Listen to find out what this means.
Sometimes it is important to recenter. This is one of those days. Join us as we focus on the steps for the church as we work to accomplish our mission by building a loving, Spirit-centered community. What do you think? Are you on board?
This week we continue in our series on the Lord's Prayer with a dive into what we learn from Jesus about how God walks with us through trials and temptation. This is an important topic that can answer some very confusing and common questions.
This week we conclude our series on the Lord's Prayer with something very special. Dr. Ben Snyder shares a very special communion with us as we conclude and are challenged to actively and spontaneously practice, participate in, and work through our prayer with our Heavenly Father.
Join us this week as we continue in our series on The Lord's Prayer. This week we are learning about forgiveness — both in how we receive forgiveness from God and in how we can share it with others. It's a critical part of what it means to be a member of the Kingdom of God, and it is worth a listen.
We're continuing in our Imago Dei series as we take a look at what we were meant to be, but understand how evil has corrupted that perfect image of our creator. But there is hope! Give this a listen. It's okay to understand where we are, but the good news is wrapped up in where we are going.
The best survival advice ever: trust God! He's the one who has your interest in mind. You can trust and depend on God to provide for your needs. This is not a promise to make life easy, but God is greater and a relationship with Him will review what Kingdom Living looks like.
We have a special guest sharing with us to introduce our new series on the Lord's Prayer. Join us as we hear from Dylan Stillman from the North Manchester Church of the Brethren as we discover our loving Father and recognize how THIS Father is FAITHFUL and never lets us down.
Continuing in our series on The Lord's Prayer, we spend some important time digging into what Jesus meant when he referenced the Kingdom of God, and even more important, how we orient ourselves to seek first this Kingdom. This is an ongoing and important concept we can grow in our understanding as time goes on.
This is a valuable message as we kick off the new year. Listen for guidance to heal, prepare, and take your next steps forward as a loved child of the King and member of the Kingdom of God.
We are renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit, but it isn't instantaneous. God graciously takes us and shapes us into what He wants us to be. Join us a we kick off this new series as we move forward in our process of becoming more like our Savior.
Interested in deepening your relationship with God? Spiritual formation is all about communing with our creator, and prayer is an important way to make that happen. Join us as we learn and grow in our love for God.
God? Risking? How could that be? Oh, it's true! This is important. It helps us to understand our "God With Us" who knows what it is to suffer and can provide a real invitation to life and redemption. Give this one a listen. This is the one who we follow and call Lord, and He took on great risk for YOU.
We continue our series looking at the challenging risk God presented as He invited Mary and Joseph to participate in the world-changing plan launched as Jesus came to earth. As we build to the arrival of our King, we are learning and excited by what God is doing around us now as we consider the Christmas story.
This is a special service, and it IS special. We'll spend some time learning, then putting what we've learned to practice as we celebrate with thanksgiving everything that God has done. Come join us for this special celebration of the Branches family.
Join us in this new advent series as we seek to understand more deeply God's plan for His creation, and how it involves our "yes" to participate in all God is doing. Listen and plan to come back for these coming important weeks of teaching.
This week we consider our opportunity to mourn with those who mourn as we press on to be participants in the making of the Kingdom of God. This is something that the American church is not particularly good at doing, but is critically important.
How do you spell faith? For us who seek to live by the leading of the Holy Spirit, it may be risky business, but it is well worth the risk. Join us this week as we seek to understand what it means to walk with the Holy Spirit.
This might be a tough one. We don't like to address the pain and disappointment we might have in the world, ourselves or even God. This week we look at our Biblical example, and part of our worship, to express lament. Listen to learn more.
The book of Psalms provides us with a powerful resource and educational tool to understand how to engage with our God. Join us in this new series as we practice and participate in Psalms of praise.
This week we learn God's plan to break into our world with the power of the Kingdom of God — and our invitation to move with that power and authority to function as signposts and conduits for the Kingdom — right now.
What are spiritual gifts? What are we talking about? How do they become part of our formation practice? This is an important message to listen to as you engage and grow in your relationship with God.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is, for some, a misunderstood or unknown phrase. Allow us to introduce you to the power of the presence of God to move to heal and redeem all of creation. This is an important concept that leads us to participate in the Kingdom of God.
This week we receive a powerful invitation to say "yes" to however God has gifted you. We expect God to do amazing things as part of the work to restore creation and every gift God gives is amazing. Listen and join us in responding to how God has gifted you to do God's work.
This week we invite the Holy Spirit to come, and we say "yes" to the work of the Kingdom. We believe that when we sense God's presence, we know that God's power is also with us, and we look to see the powerful work of the Kingdom become the normal work of God in God's world. Join us in this important message.
This week we explore what it is to parent as members of the Kingdom of God. Guess what? There's more involved than caring for your little ones. This is an important message that informs who we are and calls us into beautiful family relationships.
We launch a new series this week as we ask God to show up and provide a powerful experience that is world-changing. The important question as we begin this series is: do you want to experience God? Listen and find out more.
Each of us are complete and valuable just as we are. Often untended unexplicit, although sometimes communicated rather clearly, we need an adjustment to how we view those in our community. This is a beautiful message calling us to invite our single brothers and sisters to everything they are as members of our church.
Soul care is important for a number of reasons, but I'm not going to tell you about it here. You'll need to listen. More importantly, you'll have to put it into practice to experience the full depths of your invitation to a deeper relationship with God.
Why would we get together and hang out in each other's houses? Well, because we need to. Want to know more? Check out what Terry has to say about it, and consider signing up.
This is an important message, and not exclusive to those who are married. There is much we can learn about how we live and work together (in the church) based on what we learn from how Jesus loves. Of course, there are important lessons to learn about how marriage relationships work to point to God's love as well.
If you listened last week, you know and believe we are meant to be together. However, that "together" might and should look different from what you might be thinking. This is an important message about how we can all be together.
We're kicking off a new series about you, me, and our relationship with... well... everything. This week we're looking at our relationship with ourselves. If we don't love ourselves, how can we love our neighbor in the same way?
Tithing has become a four-letter word. Listen and find a new way to understand how we give for a better world — A world God is creating and invites you to join. This is important because it shapes how we engage with everything around us. It also helps us to know what our giving to the church looks like.
This is an important message where we discover who we are meant to be and see how we learn our identity from our creator — not what others decide we ought to be.
Jesus is our hope. Our restoration. Learn what God has in mind as He restores us into the image He fashioned in each of us.
This week we hear from a special friend, guest, and leader: Ashley Siri. Listen and look to hear how God intended relationships between males and females to function properly to support the movement of the Kingdom of God. This is important as it informs how we work together as the team God intended.
This week we remember the life of George Floyd. We mourn the systems and the sin that suffocates another and takes a valuable, loved life. Most importantly, we consider God's heart for every individual and our participation in the work of the Kingdom of God to bring Equality AND equity as we pursue others who are loved by God.
We're kicking off a new series as we head to Easter with an important series looking at exactly who Jesus is. This wee, we kick things off with some foundational information as we recognize that Jesus was not the expected Messiah, but we'll find he is EXACTLY what we need.
This is an important week where we spend time focusing on how we do our work and supporting some of us who are at work to bring about the Kingdom of God. Listen as Eric and Tiffany Richardson share their heart and direction for their upcoming church plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
We're continuing in our important series where we spend time getting to know our identity. This is an important one that informs our strategy of the Kingdom of God. What is Branches about? Give it a listen.
This week, Justin invites us to accept the invitation extended by God to BE the church and everything that entails. It is an world-changing opportunity, and an investment well-worth making.
We are being drawn into a relationship with God, and that relationship extends to ALL God loves. Spend this week pursuing a relationship with God, sharing His heart to grow relationships with others.
This week, Justin helps us to understand what it means to belong to our King. Those who belong to the Kingdom are worships, and we do have a specific idea of the kinds of things worshipers do. Interested? Check it out.
We're beginning an important series as we begin transitioning to our new leadership. This is an important time where we consider how we will agree with what God has in store for Branches Vineyard Church.
For all of us who call Branches Vineyard Church our home, this is an important message about our invitation to participate with ownership in what God has in mind for our work in the Kingdom of God. Listen, pray, and let us move together to see more of God and God's glory revealed.
Big changes are coming, and we need to be ready. In preparation, we're looking through God's heart in some important topics around the future of Branches Vineyard Church. Listen and pray.
We are God's plan #1 to bring the Kingdom of God into the world. We receive the invitation, but we are empowered to take action through the Holy Spirit. Listen to learn how you can take steps to faithful respond to your calling.
"Home" is a meaningful word, and understanding what it means for our God to make His "home" with us is a profound reality to understand. Join us this week as we prepare for Christmas and seek to understand what it means for hope to come this Christmas.
As we enter 2021, join us as we look to our God for guidance and direction. This is a valuable invitation to discover what the Holy Spirit has for us in the coming year. Pray and look for how God wants to reveal His plan by sharing your one word with you.
This week, LJ helps us to see our opportunity to rest in the faithfulness of a God who has never let us down. This is an important message to help us in putting our faith on a solid and trustworthy foundation.
This, our first message from our new Pastor, Amanda Clark, is an important challenge and opportunity for us to step into everything that we have been designed to be. Come on, Branches. Let's be the Bride!
This is our last week with the founding pastor, Tom Diecks. Listen as we are challenged to participate and support well as we transition to our new leadership. This is an important week and we are grateful for Tom and Jo and our opportunity to walk with them. You will be missed.
This week we look at how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, but it might not be the way you've thought about it before. It is important to understand our opportunity to be an unstoppable weed in the garden belonging to evil as we bring about healing and restoration as participants of the Kingdom of God.
This week, Mike Baker helps us to understand the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and enable us to do remarkable things. Not the things you would expect, but things for The Kingdom of God. Want to know how one lives who is a member of the Kingdom of God? This is an important message to listen to.
We're spending some more time on the basics to understand the Kingdom of God. Take a listen to understand what we're talking about when we talk about the "already" and the "not yet." This is an important message.
It's a phrase we say, and it's an important idea to understand. It encompasses how we believe God works in our world. Take a listen and respond with us to a God who is active today, and we can expect big things!
We have a God whom we can trust, and that God has a Kingdom coming which will be our hope and our peace. Join us as we learn to rely on Jesus for our peace.
LJ takes reminds us of where our hope lies. Join us in being challenges to set our gaze on the one who can truly give us a future. This is an important message, and one worth sharing.
This week, L.J. helps us to understand our identity as those who partner with God in the work of reconciliation. Motivated by who God is, and by what God has done, we are active participants in God's work to draw everything back to its created intention. We say "yes" to the Holy Spirit.
We're taking an important look at who we are as individuals — as unique creations who are designed for a purpose. Join us as we hear from Michael Baker and investigate our true identity.
This week we look at the vineyard distinctive, "come as you are, but don't stay as you are." It's an important part of who we are and impacts how we accomplish our mission and choose to live together for the Kingdom. Listen and know you are invited to join us in the journey.
This week we are reminded of the most important things. It's a conversation about what we do and what we focus on. It's not politics. It's not minor concerns of doctrine. It's about Christ and the Gospel. This is an important, foundational piece.
It's time for us to take a deeper look at exactly who we are as we consider our steps in the next season for Branches Vineyard Church. Join us this week to take time to look more broadly at who we are and our relationship with God.
This week, Michael Baker challenges us to show mercy to others, recognizing both our failings and our need for one another. This is an important truth that we need to grasp to live weel as members of the Kingdom of God.
Jo is challenging each of us to pursue the things that are truly important and to let go of what is not. It's an important challenge from a well-known children's story. Join us as we step into our opportunity to participate with the Kingdom of God.
This week we hear from Tom as he shares his story to a greater understanding of the prejudices in his heart. It's challenging to turn the mirror on myself to see where I am in need of the Holy Spirit to continue to do a work in me, but an important process.
This week we ask and seek to answer a very important question, "Whose side are you on?" It's an important question that, although it may not impact every action we do, it dramatically impacts our heart as we go through our lives. Join us for this important message.
This week LJ encourages us as we gain a deeper understanding of how Jesus IS our unity, but that reality demands that we participate in the love our Lord offers to us. We love our neighbors. This means we participate in activities that are good and loving for those in our world. This means participation in social justice as well. Join us and participate in some "Gospel Trouble."
This week we wrap up our panel conversations with some important first steps for each of us as we consider how we love and care for others. Many of us have some great steps to listen, learn, and act. For people of color within Branches and those who aren't, you are a valuable part of who we are, and we stand with you.
This week our panel takes a look at what equality could look like and God's heart for people and His world. This is an important part as the foundation for what is coming — answering the question, "what's next" as we work to engage and participate in the Kingdom of God in our world.
Join us as we begin an important series that considers Branches' role in the work of the Kingdom of God to participate in freedom and equity. This week, our panel helps many of us who just do not know about the experience of racism understand the reality many experience every day.
This week we spend time with Peter Everett hearing what's been happening in their ministry. Branches has partnered with Peter and Barbie Everett since we started, and we'll continue to partner with them for the Kingdom of God even as they step into the next phases of their lives and ministry.
Continuing in our series, Tom challenges us to think about how we treat our relationship with God. Do we love and seek God at all times, or are we only after what we think we want when it hurts. This is challenging, but a good reminder of our need for our God who loves us, and how that love motivates our love and devotion.
This week we have a very special interview with Terry McGrath, a member of Branches Vineyard Church, for a conversation about our response to COVID-19. You won't want to miss this.
This week Mike Baker provides an important challenge: Love as Christ Loves! This becomes what a Christian does as the Holy Spirit works in us. The question is if you will allow the Holy Spirit to transform you to love others well today. Join us and be challenged.
What does a wedding ring have to do with your relationship with God? Join us in this third week in our series, How To Ruin Your Life Without Even Trying, to find out.
We have a special presentation this week for Mother's Day. Jo Diecks is interviewed by Tom about being a mother. You'll find valuable insights about who you are and how God leads your family.
Living in a false reality? Not sure what that means? Join us in our second week of our How To Ruin Your Life Without Even Trying series to understand how living in relationship with God gives us truth we can truly live with.
Join us this special Sunday with an important message about our relevance in the story and the opportunity to change the world as participants in the Kingdom of God as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, and our hope.
It's time to take steps to live out our disciple-making. It's difficult to be creative in times like these, but we can still demonstrate the love of Jesus in clear ways. Join us this week and find a challenge to live out your identity in this last episode of the series.
This week we ask an important question as we consider the entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem. Will you be one who celebrates and participates in the Kingdom of God now come into our world? Is God the God of your Today, Tomorrow, and Forever?
The Kingdom of God does not shrink with fear in the face of the coronavirus. We take careful measures to care for those around us, and as we go, we continue in our mission: to make disciples as we love God and love others. Join us in our special "church from home" message this week.
This week we look at the second "R" of making disciple: God's heart to restore all of creation. That means you and me! Even more than that, God is calling you and me to be participants in THAT Kingdom. Listen and join us.
This week we start a new series working through the four "R"s of making disciples by taking a look at the life of the one whom we are to follow, Jesus. Our Rabbi intentionally reached out to others to invite them into a relationship with their Creator. Join us and keep following for more.
It's our remarkable surprise and joy in God's love that motivates us to love and live out our identity as children of the King. Listen to learn more.
This week we gain a deeper understanding of the specific call we carry as an organization, and how that differs from our individual call. It's an important call to unity and commitment to fighting against the temptation of evil to distract us from what we could do to impact the Kingdom of God.
This week we take a look at core truths about how God thinks and demonstrates His feelings for us. If we can understand and accept the invitation, we can understand God's unmistakable love for us demonstrated through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Join us as we take a look at a King's desperate plea for forgiveness and hope. We learn from this important song what Go has to say to us for the moments when we lose our faith and cannot find our way.
Learn about the greatest invitation we will ever have in life this week as we look at how each of us participates in an easy and natural way in the movement of the Kingdom of God. Terry McGrath presents us with some practical ideas to take our next steps.
As we wrap up our vision series, we spend some time putting our invitation into perspective. The truth is there is no greater invitation than following and being with our God. It's not a standard or a set of rules, but a true joy to be with the one who loves us and gives us hope for everything we are meant for. Listen here.
We can't accomplish our mission alone. It takes each of us pulling together. We serve right where we fit in the body of the church pulling together to see the Kingdom of God come together. Continue in our Vision series as we consider how we will commit to each other as God commits to each of us.
This week we find hope as we look at the life of a Biblical character who... didn't live the perfect life. We learn that God's grace saves us and the characteristics of someone who can be in a relationship with God EVEN THOUGH we make mistakes.
We're kicking off the year with a focus on what is most important — our mission. Additionally, we are thinking through the foundational beliefs that put us in a position to succeed. What is your identity? Where do you get your identity from? Is it from God? Listen to find out why it's important to know the answer to that question.
It's time for you to take your place in the Advent story, and the greater story of the Kingdom of God. Don't let the season pass without stepping into the specific invitation God is making for you to participate in the revelation of the Kingdom and the restoration of all creation.
This week we spend some time learning about Mary and discover she is more than a central figure in the nativity narrative. She is chosen and committed to God's plan for her life, but there is a lot wrapped up in her choice of obedience. Find out what we can learn and apply to our own lives from the mother of Jesus.
Join us for another week of our advent series looking at the individuals who are part of the nativity. This week, we look at one of the most often ignored members of the story, Joseph. Join us as we observe an example of faithfulness. Our apologies for the poor audio quality.
Join us during this advent season as we take a look at individuals from the Christmas story to learn more about how God planned and carried out His plan to reveal the Kingdom to the world He loves. This week — Elizabeth and Zechariah.
Join us for an important refresher on WHY The Church. This is a valuable reminder for how we grow, support, and join with God's work of the Kingdom effectively - Together!
Join us this week as we take a look at stewardship with a focus on our money. We learn some important principles to guide our questions about giving. How much? Why we don't give? There is important information here ending with a challenge.
Join us as we wrap up our "Kingdom Come" series with practical steps to participate in God's work of the Kingdom. Also, hear some exciting stories about how God has been moving through Branches.
This week we take an important look at Holiness. What does God demand from you? What can we learn about who we are? Join us, and remember: Holiness is about your BEING not your DOING!
This is an important message as we return to our "Kingdom Come" series. Listen as we talk though the work of God to empower our work to participate in the demonstration of the Kingdom of God. Interested? Give it a listen.
This is an important week. We'll take a short pause from our "Kingdom Come" series to celebrate and plan for a new development for Branches Vineyard Church. WE'RE GOING TO TWO SERVICES! Listen for the details. Pray for MORE of the Kingdom of God.
Why Jesus? Why love? Why God? Why heaven on earth? Why with us? Jesus lived purposefully and powerfully. Join us as we work through the reality of the Kingdom here and with us and our invitation to join in that same work.
Praying, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done..." is our recognition of God's invitation to rule and reign in our heart as we recognize and respond to the world in a way in keeping with our King's heart. Join us as and discover some steps to take to truly live as a member of the Kingdom of God.
We're kicking off a new series that is a topic that is possibly one of the most important topics we can work through. It's a practical approach to our understanding of the Kingdom of God which changes everything. Starting this off, we challenge with some extremely important questions. Taken a listen.
This week, Terry McGrath challenges us to participate completely in this new season of life groups. This is a great challenge that has the potential to transform our communities to truly, effectively live out our mission.
Life Group season is back. This week we talk about WHY these communities and Branches are so important. Listen and learn how we are designed to be and are much more effective when we go through life together.
Part of our work as members of the Kingdom of God is to care for, encourage, and strengthen our community to move into our shared opportunity to bring about God's presence in the world. Join us in considering how we reach younger generations for growth and greater expansion of the Kingdom.
Join us for this last message in our Transformed series. This week, we take a look at how we, The Church, put all the pieces together from this service and live our transformed lives together for the Kingdom of God.
This week, Nolan Jones challenges us to respond with obedience, motivated by our love for God, to participate in God's work to resulting in our growing love for our Creator, and a movement of love for our world. At Branches, we are transformed to "Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.
The world says, "Get off my lawn!" But God says, "Whoever will may come." Join us as we look at how a foundation built on our need and surrender for God and our decision to participate in God's work of the Kingdom of God prepares us for battle against the rulers and powers of this dark world.
This week we address a simple but profound reality. Evil does not want us to believe. God calls us to belief. We are called to relationship. We learn how we can grow our belief with some simple steps join us.
This week, LJ shares with us our struggle with pride compared to God's heart. We are encouraged to move into a life of humility as we are transformed into God's likeness. Join us as we address this important area in our lives and move to trust the one who is worthy.
The world teaches us to want more. To seek contentment in many different things that take our attention away from a relationship with God. Today we look at what contentment looks like as we are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.
We are designed to function well. God knew how we would best function. Our identity becomes confused by the world and we begin to pursue the business of life. Join us this week as we move toward health in our transformation to be more like our Savior.
We're kicking off our important, summer series called "Summer Lovin'." Listen this week as Tom explains why it is important to be transformed into God's likeness rather than being conformed to the world's standards (just think about an apple on a stick).
Following Christ is a change of thinking. It's a transformation of who we are and how we understand the world. Join us this week as we consider and invite the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us for the Kingdom of God. You'll find this changes how we view others in our world and enables us to love as God loves.
Happy Father's Day! This week we take a look at what it is to be a man by considering the example of Jesus' father, Joseph. We are challenged to follow the example we have to move into who we are created to be.
We aren't designed to do this alone. We are meant to be together in relationship with our God. Unfortunately, we can be our own barrier to realizing what God has for us. Join us in this episode and be challenged to see your opportunity for more in the context of The Kingdom of God.
This week we take a look at our faith and consider how a struggle to have faith stands between where we are and moving into what God in mind for us. Take a listen. I believe you'll be inspired to take your next step of faith in obedience to how the Holy Spirit guides you.
Understanding why the church exists and why it exists at all is the first great barrier to our success. Join us in this important series calling our attention to our opportunity to participate in the work of the Kingdom of God.
This week we take a deep dive into the use of the word "belief" and are challenged to think differently about what we mean when we say, "I believe in God." Join us and be challenged to deepen your relationship with a God who believes in you.
This message might make you laugh, feel uncomfortable, or both. BUT, what is important is recognizing we were meant for lives of open relationships with our God and our world. Our God of reconciliation is at work to remove our shame.
This Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, but for more reasons than a guarantee for eternal life. God has always had bigger plans than that with us. Listen to find out all you have available to claim in Christ.
This week Nolan Jones lays a foundation for the important Sunday to follow with a focus on how we are created for, and respond in order to glorify God. Listen and prepare to join us next week.
This is a special episode featuring some of our Vineyard friends from Russia to provide an update on our partnership with the Vineyard church there. Also, Natasha challenges us to give from what we have and watch God do the miraculous.
Today we conclude our Spiritual Disciplines series and celebrate what is to come as we continue to grow closer to God. We even spend some time celebrating what God has done through this series.
This week Tom and Terry talk through tips for hearing God's voice to continue in our spiritual disciplines study. This is a great way to keep moving toward deeper intimacy with God.
Gain some tools to help deepen our intimacy with God through Bible Study. Listen as LJ helps us take our first steps to deeper study.
We are continuing our Spiritual Disciples series with the simplest, but potentially most challenging practice. Listen to discover how intentionally recognizing God's presence in each moment moves us into deeper intimacy with God.
Continuing in our Spiritual Discipline series, we tackle a topic which may seem difficult but is more about removing guild and deeper intimacy than punishment and shame. Listen to find out.
Fasting? Do people actually fast? Why, yes. Unfortunately, not often enough. Listen to learn why we should consider making a practice of fasting part of our lives.
Listen as Nolan Jones share guidance on the important topic of Gratitude. We'll be challenged to understand why and how we can develop a practice of thankfulness in our lives.
Today we discuss strategies and tools to take Solitude to the next level with Reflective Prayer. This is a practical message to help us on our way in our Spiritual Formation process.
In this, our first look at spiritual disciplines, we consider our opportunity to grow through the practice of solitude? Not sure why or how you will find to set time aside in the next week? Take a listen for motivation and direction.
We need a solid foundation if we want to be effective in our mission. We are healthy when our roots grow deep and wide. Join us for this series as we talk through tools that will help us take our next steps.
It's time for Branches Vineyard to CCEG. Want to know what that means? You need to listen to this message. Listen and consider your commitments for the new year.
It's time to get real. As yourself this simple question, "Am I committed to having an intimate relationship with God in 2019? Listen to learn more.
It's important to recognize what God has done to give us what is good. We spend this service reflecting on the faithfulness of our God. Why would he not continue to provide and help us through any trouble that comes our way?
Wrapping up the new year, it's time to evaluate and make our resolutions. This week we'll choose to focus on what's really important - our relationship with our Creator. Listen and make a resolution worth keeping.
Christmas is more than a story about a baby. It's about God in the form of a small baby coming to earth in the perfect example of love to give us life and hope. Learn about the life-giving opportunity to imitate God's love in our world.
Join us in our continued study through this advent season as we discover the source of all joy.
Peace that comes with knowing Jesus heals and restores us to what we were designed to be while protecting us from the attacks of the evil one. This is how we can succeed in our part of the Kingdom of God — listen to find out more.
Join us on our first week of advent. We have our hope who arrived on Christmas to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. It is an important time to celebrate the coming of our King.
We are no longer slaves to sin. We are now free to live. There's some confusing language around what it means. We are now slaves to God. Listen to find out how we live as we were meant to live — finding freedom in our life in God.
How do we live righteous lives? One thing is for sure — we can't. That's not all. We experience God's love expressed through GRACE when we fail. Find what it means to live under grace.
The season inspiring a reminder to put to death our old patterns and find our hope and life in our Savior. Jo challenges us to stand for the Kingdom of God — rejecting the persuasive charms of the Kingdom of darkness.
Today we look at our one and only hope to meet our basic needs. Jesus is the one who provides security, family, peace, restoration, redemption, and our intended life. Join us as we discover our way home.
True fulfillment is found in being what God has uniquely created and called you to be. Today we find the freedom to walk in the knowledge of who we are and how God has empowered us to live.
Branches had a unique opportunity to interview one of their own, Terry McGrath this week. We learned about the connection between our body and our spirit. We are one being that functions together. Join us as we talk about how God works to heal us where we need God most.
Scott Lawson shares from his recent experience serving. It's important to hear from one of our own who has heard and responded faithfully to how God has uniquely called them. May we each join in responding to what God has in store for us.
Just like David, It's our turn to grow into what God has for us. Join us as we learn and serve to develop the Kingdom of God.
It's time to get into the game. It doesn't matter what doubts are running through your mind, or what others think about what God wants from you. What matters is whether you will do what God calls you to do.
God's message deserves our full attention. Listen to find out how listening to God protects us and provides us with what we need for a full life.
We have one job: to make disciples. Join us in discovering our opportunity to reach those in our radius with the redemptive work of God to restore Himself to His creation.
This week we focus on one of our core objectives: Make Disciples. But, what does it mean to actually be a disciple? Listen to find out.
Listen as Tom shares about the experience of the recent team trip with our partners in Russia. We'll be challenged by our call to engage and take our place in the Kingdom of God.
This week, Nolan Jones highlights the importance of the strengthening of our relationship with God to participate in the work of the Kingdom of God that would be impossible without Him.
Both reflecting on our "Kingdom Principles" series and evaluating our goal to Love Warsaw in 2018, today we check in to see how we are doing. Join us in evaluating and adjusting so we finish the year well.
This week we discover how the Holy Spirit guides and directs our lives; revealed in the fruit of the Spirit that provides evidence of the Kingdom of God working in and through us.
Our services on Sunday mornings are an important part of answering the question, "What kind of Christ-Follower do I want to be?" Join us in discovering all aspects of Worship.
This week we look at The Church. We discover who we are and how we, by definition, engage with the world as God's chosen method to reveal the Kingdom of God.
We can't complete a series on the principles of the Kingdom of God without discussing giving. Not only is it a principle that has been a part of God's people from the beginning, but it is a reflection of the hope of Christ as He gave to set us free. Listen to our heart in how we participate in the Kingdom of God with our money.
Continuing to ask, "What kind of Christ-Follower do I want to be?" This week we look at the kind of service that reflects the example Jesus gave for us. What does a servant look like? Listen and find out.
What kind of Christ-Follower do you want to be? How about one who has a growing, active relationship with their God? Prayer is one way that happens. Listen to this next piece of our "Kingdom Principles" series.
What kind of Christ-Follower do you want to be? For us, the answer is "one who lives the out Kingdom Principles." We'll start this week with an "attitude of gratitude" that helps us to love like God does, worship our King, live like Jesus, and provides a platform of humility.
This week Nolan Jones shares the two most important words we may encounter in the scriptures — BUT GOD. You may have a difficult past, BUT GOD! You may not believe you are valuable, BUT GOD! You may struggle with doubt, BUT GOD! Listen to find encouragement and hope in how God has decided to engage with the world.
God has chosen us to be His primary method to reveal the present and the active Kingdom of God. This week we look at practical steps for us to participate and engage in His work. It's time to join a pit crew! Listen to find out more.
On this Mother's Day we look at the decision of two women to honor their relationship with God over the opportunities of the world. As a result, our world has been changed. Our opportunity to participate in what God is doing has remarkable, long-term impacts on our world.
This week we wrap up our Bookends series with an important truth that has the potential to sustain us through any adversity. If we focus on Jesus through any adversity, we find the strength, hope, and help we need.
God chooses to use you and me in His work to redeem His creation. Join us as we discover how who we are is active agents of the Kingdom of God at work all around us.
In Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. Join us as we continue our "Bookends" series. This week, all hope is found as our name is restored through Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, we had audio problems this week with our recording but still wanted to post what we did capture. It is an important topic that you shouldn't miss, and our challenge remains. 1) Ask God what lies you have believed about yourself. 2) Renounce Those Lies. 3) Thank God for how He sees you. Be sure to fill in the gaps of missing audio with the sermon slides.
This week we begin our Bookends series with a look at our identity. In creation, God breathed life into man and women — carrying the image of God. As He looks at each of us, that image of God is revealed. That is who we are.
This Easter Sunday we look at our invitation to believe in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Join us as we conclude our Red Letter Easter series with a response to believe and follow Him.
Leading up to Easter we look at how God relates to us and wants the very best for us in every situation. We work to align our desires with those of the Kingdom of God and join in His work to restore the world.
Leading into Easter, we look at the powerful words of Jesus. This week we focus on the true cost but also gift we discover as we follow Jesus. We end with practical steps to determining if you are prepared to take your next steps.
Finishing up this season, we talk through how we recognize when we believe lies about others - fighting against attacks of the evil one to detract from the Kingdom of God. We end with practical tips to overcoming these hurdles.
Derek Coy, Pastor of Celebrations & Student Ministries at Vineyard Community Church of Syracuse Indiana, shares an encouraging message about committing to serve God where we are for this season, trusting in what He will do in the future.
This week we continue our series as we overcome life's hurdles — the lies that keep us from fulfilling our mission to love God, love others, and make disciples. Remember, God can handle your doubt and we are a safe place for you to struggle.
This week we take a step back to pray for our country and consider how we, as members of the Kingdom of God, respond to the tragedies and apparent "victories" of the enemy in our world.
As we work to accomplish our mission, we need to recognize and know how to respond to the hurdles that come our way. Join us in our series as we begin by discussing the lies we believe about ourselves — and more importantly, how we overcome them.
We're getting practical with our vision. We plan to live lives that work to accomplish our vision for the year and moving forward. Join us as we work to live out our calling and see the Kingdom of God come.
This week we wrap up our Vision 2018 series and work toward our commitment to making all that we learn and discover in our growing relationship with God a part of our lives forward. Would you join us for our next steps?
National Director of Vineyard USA, Phil Strout joins us with Vineyard Community Church in Syracuse Indiana and The Vine Church in Goshen Indiana for a special celebration of God's work to redeem and restore His creation through His Kingdom in His time.
This week we are challenged to find individuals to impact as we disciple and are displed - moving into deeper intimacy with our God — motivating us to participate in His Kingdom in the world.
We're starting off the new year with our commitments to love God, love others, and make disciples. This week we are challenged to intentionally serve in our community.
Closing this year, we consider how WE can grow to have a powerful impact on the world for the Kingdom of God in 2018. Would you join us in our commitment to love God, love others, and make disciples in the new year?
Today we investigate how our experience of relationship with God has changed us, in the same way, the arrival of Jesus changed the world for all time. Join us for this last week of Advent. Merry Christmas.
This week of Advent we learn about Peace coming through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to redeem His creation, and restore harmony between the Creator and the created.
True joy arrives in the arrival of the Kingdom of God, regardless of the circumstances. Join us in week two of our advent series where we learn and celebrate the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God.
Moving into this season, we celebrate the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God into our world. This week we spend time talking about our hope found in Christ to sustain us and carries through whatever circumstances.
This week we consider our responsibilities as part of the Kingdom of God. Join us as we consider our heart and the invitation to recognize the high value of God's Kingdom as we forsake all else to follow HIM.
Sitting on the fence is not an option. We are invited to make our choice. We choose to allow God to reign in our hearts, participating in His work to redeem and restore His Cration. We choose the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is the WHY - Discover how we are excited to invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the coming Kingdom of God in our world NOW - Validating the message that the Kingdom of God has arrived with the coming of Jesus into the world.
This week we take a look at what it means to truly LIVE as a follower of Jesus — getting past the need to TELL people who we are but BEING that instead. Once people see who we are, we can tell them about our Savior.
This week we answer three huge questions: What does it mean to trust God? What prevents us from trusting God? What happens when we trust God? Join us for this personal, impactful way to understand important truths.
This week we look at Paul's words in Philippians against religion and all the things we hang on to that we believe are required to have freedom in Christ. Discover how EVERYTHING ELSE other than Christ is, well, something not worth pursuing.
Our hearts united, pursuing God's will in the world ignite a bright light the darkness cannot hide. Join us this week as we understand more of what it means to see His Kingdom come as we live brightly.
This week, as part of our study through Philippians, we look at Jesus' example of how to live as a humble servant. This is how we hope to live at Branches Vineyard Church.
This week we learn important truths about how the Church can embrace and support one another as we continue our look at Philippians and consider the growing popularity of Crossfit.
Week two through Philippians we look at Paul's statement, "To Live is Christ" and we are challenged to live in a way where our thought and our breath are for Him.
Our Savior demonstrated humility by coming to earth as a suffering servant; raising us up into a relationship with our God. Join us as we are challenged to follow Jesus' example in our lives.
Jesus prayed an important prayer about you and me. He prayed that we would be ONE as He and the Father are ONE. This is an important prayer that impacts our success in our mission. Take a listen, and join, in unity, as we announce the arrival of the Kingdom of God to heal and restore His creation.
This week we finish our Nuts & Bolts series with a challenge piece the series together as the means by which we accomplish our mission. We are more than "say the prayer and get to heaven." Otherwise, let's close our doors. We are working for the Kingdom of God.
God restores intimacy and fellowship with His creation. That is GRACE. That is WHAT WE RECEIVE. It's what saves us and sustains us. Let's take a deeper look this week as we continue our Nuts & Bolts series.
Today Tom Diecks and Dave Russell tag teams to help us understand why and how we forgive others as part of our nuts and bolts series. Join us in this very important aspect of our lives that brings hope and life to ourselves and those around us.
Every fifth Sunday we will be joined by the children to celebrate family. Today we looked at our heart at Branches for the children and families we serve while calling parents to be intentional in how they bring up their children.
Continuing to pull our series together, we understand today how God has his creation under control. He's established His way, and He has won.
This week we build on the foundations in the previous messages of this service. We are transformed by the Holy Spirit and become a person executing justice while wielding mercy in the world. Listen to hear more.
This is a very important message teaching us how to engage with our God who is right here with us, and moving in us. With the Holy Spirit, we move into deeper relationship with our Father, and we see His Kingdom come to heal and restore His creation.
This week we take a look at the centerpiece of our faith. The man called "Jesus." Who was He? Was He at all? Was He who said He was, or just a mad man. Listen and discover for yourself.
In this series, we look at foundational ideas of our faith. This week we talk about where happiness and purpose are found. Here's a hint. It's not in money, things, or even in wisdom. Take a listen and find out.
This Father's Day we celebrate the image of God in every man, lived out through Fathers as God's character is revealed. Join us as we learn and are encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to move in us, revealing the heard of God in how we parent our children.
Time to take this series to the streets with practical steps to hear from God and understand how best to take action.
Continuing our study taking a look at Paul's conversion, we look to Ananias and the influence on Paul that this unlikely hero had on the world. We should follow and be willing to move in obedience believing His plan is great impact for the Kingdom of God.
Today we take a look at Paul's conversion. You can't meet Jesus and not be faced with a decision to follow or reject AND choosing Him begins a transformation where we now radically love rather than continue in our ways before meeting Him in the first place.
Message #4 of our "WHY" series addresses our critical commitment to support missions in the world. Get an update on our recent trip to Russia, and join us in our work to see the Kingdom of God come to the world.
Mother's Day is a special day, and we want to honor the image of God present in every woman. Today we look at our identity and our value given by our God who named us after Himself. That's right! Listen to learn more.
Message #3 of our "WHY" series covers why we read the Bible. Today we discover the ways the Bible moves us into a deeper relationship with our creator. This, along with the previous two messages enables success in our mission.
This is week 2 of our "why" series where we talk about why our worship services look the way they do. Let's take a lesson from King David demonstration what it looks like to authentically engage in worship. If you're on board with what God is doing through Branches, you'll do the same.
Join us in this three-week series covering three important parts of our Sunday services. This week we discuss ministry time: What is is? Why do we do it? How do we do ministry Time? Who gets to participate?
Join us for a very special Easter Sunday where we consider six statements about Jesus: He is God. He is fully human. He is man. He is fully human AND fully man. He chose to die for us. He wants relationship with us. Find out why these statements are important.
Leading up to Easter Sunday, we take a week considering how important the arrival of the Messiah would have been to the Jews of Jesus' time. Let's consider how we should meet His arrival with the same excitement as He comes declaring victory over all of our bondage.
In this, the last of our "All In" series, based on Acts 2, we look at our witness in the world. Join us as we are challenged to bring the Kingdom of God to the world, TOGETHER.
Here at Branches, we believe the Kingdom of God is revealed through the actions of His people. We demonstrate service and invite others into relationship with God. Join us in our continued study called "All In" to understand how to practically live our our faith.
If you are "All In" as a follower of Jesus Christ, you aren't in this alone, in fact, you cannot be. Being "all in" requires a commitment to one another. Join us as we continue our series in Acts 2 and discuss our commitment to one another.
This week we are challenged by how we give. We commit to be something more than one who tithes, or "gifts," instead we give from worshipful hearts for our sake as we give all to follow Him with no strings attached.
Looking at the characteristics of the early church, we discover the main activity exhibited by Jesus' followers was authentic worship. Join us as we learn and make commitments to worship Him with everything.
This week we take a look in the mirror to discover how we can be so caught up doing the "Christian stuff" that we miss out on what it really means to have a heart so amazed by God's glory that we truly worship — freeing the enslaved, caring for the orphan and widow, and caring for the stranger in our lands. Join us in our work to reveal the Kingdom of God in our world.
This week we finish our series on The Lord's Prayer. Join us as we look at a picture of a God who wants us to pursue and ask Him, even more, He wants us to know how well He cares for us.
This week we consider the last two phrases of the Lord's Prayer and find an invitation to participate in a trust fall — committing everything to Him and trusting He will safely deliver us home.
This week we consider how God forgives us, and in the same way, we forgive others in our lives with no expectations and no prerequisites. We love like He does. Join us in our next steps to practically apply the Lord's Prayer to our lives.
When Jesus taught us to pray, He helped us understand it is God who provides all we need. Listen as we take our next steps in practically living out the vision of Branches Vineyard Church.
Stepping through the practical application of the idea of spending time with God, we consider Jesus' words as He taught us to pray, "May Your Kingdom Come." Today we are challenged to allow Him to be Lord of every part of our lives and seek His will to be done on earth.
It's the start of an exciting new year where we are in our "Becoming Like Jesus from the Inside Out" series where we take practical steps to live out our mission. This week we look at the first phrase of the Lord's prayer, Our Father in Heaven. Join us in our commitment to live out our faith in 2017.
It is in the context of a relationship with Jesus that we are healed, restored, and transformed. Join us as we look at John 15 to learn how spending time with Jesus is the answer.
This, the last Sunday of Advent we talk about the result of a connection with our King and Messiah, Jesus. He introduces love to us, and through us, His receptive work explodes in the world.
We're getting close to Christmas! What a joyful time of year. Join us for this third week of Advent where we discuss what JOY is, and it's true source.
Jesus changed the world through His radical love that broke down barriers, setting us free. Join us in this second week of Advent as we see how a relationship with Jesus is the source for peace as He works to break down our barriers.
Join us for our first week of advent where we consider the hope that comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. This is an important message for all time, but particularly poignant this time of year.
We do apologize for the audio quality of this episode. We will continue to do our very best to bring listenable episodes.
We can know truth through the Holy Spirit living in and speaking to us. We'll be taking a break from 1 John as we enter into the Christmas season, but in this important message, we learn how the Holy Spirit teaches us and moves us to remain in the truth.
This week we hear an important challenge. Are we truly loving God, or are we enticed by the patterns of this world? If we love Him, we embrace His will for us completely.
This was a special Sunday where we spent some time talking about God's control over this world. We have no need to fear, but we pray, trust, and follow the leaders He establishes. Join us in praying as we approach the election.
Jesus brought clarity and fulfillment to the Old Testament as He demonstrated His love for us through His death. As He taught, He encouraged us to long in the same way -- demonstrating the character of our Creator to all we meet.
Loving God and Loving Others. This is at the heart of what it is to be a Christian, and how we know Jesus. That's what we were made to do, and where we find true life. Take a listen to find out more.
This week we spend time talking about how we desire a relationship with God, but from John 1, we learn that isn't possible when we choose to live in darkness. Take a listen to find out more.
Join us in the first episode of our 1John series. In this message we learn how Jesus bring true life, fellowship, and joy all found in the truth of who He said He was as eyewitnesses experienced Him.
Today, one of our own brings a message of encouragement to press in to how we pray, believing in the desire God has for us. He longs to draw closer and respond when we pray. Check it out!
Join us for our final message as part of our “Vineyard Distinctives” series with “Experience and Worship God.” This week we pull all of the other distinctives together into a lifestyle of worship and response to a growing, intimate relationship with our God. For more information about Vineyard, you can read about these distinctive here: https://vineyardusa.org/library/what-is-the-vineyard/
Let's focus this week on our purposeful obedience to a principle of community. We call this "doing life together" in our life groups. As we're kicking off our fall groups, please consider where you fit within the body of Christ at Branches Vineyard Church.
Join us in the fifth message of our “Vineyard Distinctives” series with “Reconcile people with God and all creation.” This week we Spend some time looking at God’s excitement and love for His creation – seeking to fix all that sin broke.
Join us in the fourth message of our "Vineyard Distinctives" series with "Pursue Culturally Relevant Missions In The World." This week we hold fast to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but take it to the world in a way that embraces where they are and allows the Holy Spirit to lead them to a relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Join us in the third message of our “Vineyard Distinctives” series with “Engage in Compassionate Ministry.” This week we learn how Jesus demonstrated a heart that moves us to have a practical, loving, and restorative impact on the world.