DECEMBER 2013 VOL. 1# ISSUE 7

THE VINE CONNECTIONNEWSLETTER

“The Vine Connection is all about reaching out to each other and our community”

.Page 1

The Vine Church 1 S. Main Street

A YEAR IN REVIEW 2013

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

This past year, the women’s ministry focusedon developing Godly relationships whileparticipating in God-honoring activities. Wepraise God for His provisions in helpingsupport the Benevolence Fund and theSmithsburg Community.

MEN’S MINISTRY 2013

The Men have been active in caring for our community in a variety ofways. We have painted the exterior of a home, completed apartmentrepairs, and also completed a yard beautification project. We have alsobeen regularly meeting as a Men’s life group, studying such subjects astaking responsibility for your life and spiritual warfare.

YEAR IN REVIEW

PastorMark

Page 2

The Vine Church Vision Statement is to connect people to JesusChrist, who is The Vine, so that they may connect to each other andthe community around them in order to have a growing relationship

with The Vine.

These pages are a combined photo collectionof MINISTRY IN ACTION

2013The Pastor’s

PondermentsChristmas time! What a wonderful time of the year. A time toprepare to celebrate our Lord and Savior! A time to think aboutothers, and a time to rejoice in the blessing we have received. It isalso a time to ponder what has been happening over the past year,since 2014 is fast approaching. Lori and I are grateful for being ableto serve The Vine and the community!

If a friend asked you what has been going on at The Vine this pastyear, what would you say?

We are so much more than simply Sunday church! It is amazing tothink about how we are seeing God move in ministry. It is ablessing to witness people becoming a compelling missionalcommunity. We have provided for sound discipleship through ourSunday services, and our Life groups! The men, women, couplesand students have been meeting and growing in relationship witheach other and with Jesus.

We have connected with our community and participated inSmithsburg Pride Days, the Steam and Craft Show, and othercommunity based activities. Some events we did just for fun, likesnow tubing, Green Dragon shopping and bowling. However, manyother gatherings have been to intentionally serve others. It hasbeen a blessing to see people involved with serving at the NewHope Shelter and Tabitha’s Table.

Doing life together has taken on an entirely new meaning over thepast year. This concept has been embraced as people have comealong side of each other to provide support, encouragement, andestablishing boundaries and help at their moment of need.Regardless of the situation or circumstances, I have seen love andcompassion extended in meaningful ways. Lives are changing,people are being baptized, and the old ways are beginning totransform into a new way of life. Jesus is on the move! The HolySpirit is working in our lives and in the lives of those we touch!

What will happen next year? As we step outside of ourselves andembrace Jesus and His Word in a deeper manner , lives willcontinue to transform! Hearts will reach out to Jesus! Victory willbe seen! Addictions will be overcome and chains will be broken dueto the saving power of Jesus lived out in our lives!

Pastor Mark

COUPLE’S MINISTRY 2013This year the Couples Life Group started meeting in May. Thegroup consists of the majority of couples in the church. Ourgroup is doing life together and studying God’s word, focusingon what a marriage is intended to be. It is a safe environmentfor candid conversations and holding each other accountable.We are working through life’s obstacles together.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 2013

The children have been learning valuable life lessons as the Biblecomes to life with the ‘Through the Bible in Felt’ teaching series.We were blessed to provide special gifts on Mother’s and Father’sDay. In October, we took our annual trip to Reynolds Farm,enjoying a beautiful day and fun for all who joined us. We arelooking forward to performing our annual Christmas Program andhaving our Children’s Christmas Party in December.

CHOSEN YOUTH MINISTRY 2013

This past year has been great for CHOSEN. We have had bonfires,camping, rallies, and an overnighter. The group has madeconnections with two other youth groups. Two outreachopportunities that CHOSEN had been involved in were See You atthe Pole and spreading God’s word through handing out LifeBooks.

Page 3

Family & Outreach

The Family & Outreach Ministry has been focusing onthe communities around us by planning events toinvolve the church family in serving others. The churchfamily is learning to be the hands and feet of Jesus inour community, which also helps to nurture the churchfamily.

DID YOU KNOW?

WORD OF THE MONTHAdvent: "advent" comes from the Latin word that means"coming."

Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping.Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending onChristmas Eve, Advent helps us to prepare for the coming, or"advent" of the Christ child at Christmas.  For hundreds ofyears Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire theirhopes for the coming of Christ.  By lighting candles and readingBible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ'sbirth and become more excited about His coming in the past,in the future, and in our own lives.

Advent candles: The purple candles remind us of how seriousand solemn God's people have been in waiting for theMessiah.  The pink signifies the joy of our waiting.  The whiteis triumphant and celebrative because Christ is born.

Women’s Life Group -BIBLE STUDY - meets first Monday of the month atchurch from 6:30 - 8:00 / contact Karen Shade facilitator (717)762-9363 or Lori Sewell (717)580-4529 for more information.

Men’s Life Group - meets every other Wednesday at the church from 7:00- 8:30 / contact Pastor Mark (717)357-0389 for more information.

Prayer HOUR OF POWER - meets the other Wednesday at church from7:00 - 8:30 / contact Morris Fraley (301)-991-3506 for moreinformation.

Student Life Group CHOSEN - meets at the church every Thursday nightfrom 6:30 - 8:00 / contact Esther Fairall (443)-889-6624 or DebbieKelly (717)352-7822 for more information.

Couple’s Life Group - meets every first Tuesday of the month at theleaders home from 6:30 - 8:00 / contact Morris & Sheri Fraley(301)991-3506 for more information.

How many days after the birth of Christ did ittake Joseph and Mary to give him the name ofJesus?

Last months answer:

Gold is a symbol of kingship on earth, symbolizing virtue

Myrrh (an embalming oil) was used as an annointing oil and asa symbol of suffering

Frankincense was used as a perfume, symbolizing prayer andthe priesthood

AROUND THE BICNews and events happening with our

larger Brethren In Christ Family!

Over 1,300 BIC families have been affected by Cyclone Phailin,which hit India in mid-October, causing damage to 653 housesand 68 BIC churches. The massive storm, which reached theequivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, launched India into oneof its largest evacuation responses, moving nearly 500,000people into shelters. The BIC World Hunger Fund disbursed$15,000 to aid BIC recovery efforts in Odisha. Brethren inChrist in the U.S. are invited to respond by contributing to theBIC World Hunger Fund.

MORE PLACES TO US CHECK OUT

FOLLOW US:

Check out the Website: www.thevinebic.com

1 South Main St. Smithsburg, MD 21783 (301) 824-7770

Join us on Sundays at 10:00am

Page 4

Comments - Suggestions - Feedback

Email: thevineconnection_newsletter@yahoo.com

BIBLE WORD SCRAMBLE

1. GEANLS

2. TMCSSHRIA

3. DTNAVE

4. LMAUIMEI

5. MBEETLHLE

Last months answers:

1. Elijah 2. Stephen 3. Paul 4. Abraham 5. Silas

Page 5 C

December 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1PRAYER 9:00 AM

WORSHIP10:00 AM

2 3COUPLE LIFEGROUP 6l:30 PM

4MEN’S LIFEGROUP 7:00 PM

5CHOSEN

6 7SmithsburgHometownOPEN HOUSEThe Vine10:00 - 2:00

8PRAYER 9:00 AM

WORSHIP10:00 AM

9Aria Roell BD

10 11HOUR OFPOWER7:00 PM

12CHOSEN

13 14

15PRAYER 9:00 AM

WORSHIP10:00 AM

CHURCHCHRISTMASPARTY

16 17 18MEN’S LIFEGROUP 7:00 PM

19CHOSENChristmas Party

20 21

22PRAYER 9:00 AM

WORSHIP10:00 AM

Esther Fairall BD

23 24 25Christmas Day

26 27Harold Leer BDAngel DeVore BD

28

29PRAYER 9:00 AM

WORSHIP10:00 AM

30Tyler McKinneyBD

31New Years Eve

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be onhis shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, EverlastingFather, Prince of Peace”. NIV