Grapevines, Trellises, and Water into Wine

 January 29, 2025

 

Hello church family and friends!

It is so good to be getting back into the swing of things. I am so grateful to have had the time in January to rest and catch up on some home projects, and play with sweet grandbaby Winnie. Part of my time was spent at a conference with our new Bishop and several hundred of my colleagues and friends, which was wonderful. And part of it was spent loving and caring for and praying with the families of Claudia Pace and MaryEllyn Jacobsen as we grieved the passing of these amazing women and celebrated their lives together. I feel rested and inspired and creative and very, very grateful.

There have been quite a few moments of inspiration this past month where I’ve thought, oh my gosh, I have to write that down so that I can use it for a sermon or a newsletter! But the one that sticks with me most was a sermon I heard when I visited a new church in Fernley. It’s a new church plant, attached to Summit Church in Sparks, and I was very interested in how such an enormous church might feel in a small rural community. Fernley is a bit like Fallon, but different…it doesn’t have the long-term history and fully developed personality that Fallon does, but it’s nothing like Reno either. Anyway, though I know I have deep theological differences with Summit in general, I also know that the Holy Spirit shows up EVERYWHERE. So I was excited to go. Dennis often comes with me, but he stayed home this time.

The people were wonderful, kind and hospitable and very warm and welcoming. The music seemed to have been written by the band and was fine…not my cup of tea really, but done with a lot of love. There were a few announcements, and an encouragement to join a small group system called “Rooted” which I found very intriguing. And then the sermon began, live streamed from the church in Sparks. Friends, it was one of the best sermons I have heard in years. 

The part I want to share with you is just this: Jesus uses imagery about grapevines and branches a lot to talk about the kingdom of God and our relationship with him. The pastor reminded us that, just as in Jesus’ time, grapevines are grown best when lifted off the ground onto trellises, to give them the best access to air and sunlight, to keep them free of disease, and to allow the farmer to see which branches need pruning so that fruit can grow freely. And so the lesson is, how are you building your trellis, so that your life isn’t sprawled out like chaos all over the ground, and instead is gathering all the air and sunlight and good spiritual care that Jesus the master gardener can give you?

I have been thinking about it ever since. 

We know what the things are, in general, that help us in our relationship with God. Prayer, regular worship, Bible study, service, generous giving, avoiding things that do harm to ourselves or others. But each of us is unique. So we need to do all of those things in the specific ways that fit our own lives and callings. When and where and how do we pray, or study? How do we participate in worship, bring our best and truest selves there, and be fully present to God and each other? How and why and to what do we give ourselves and our resources in generous service? What healthy and Godly and joyful practices keep us away from the destructive sinful ones?

So this is my prayer for us this week, that whatever else we’re doing, we are building a good sturdy trellis to grow on, to let the breath of God and the Light of the world in.

See you in church!

     Pastor Dawn

Worship This Week 

Six Stone Jars: Abundant Life in Jesus

This week we begin a new worship series inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Six Stone Jars.” Marcia is a worship design expert who has led workshops in Tahoe for many years, teaching folks how to craft worship and design sermon series’ well. She travels all over the world in her work, and “Six Stone Jars” is her newest published series. It is rooted in Jesus’ first miracle, at the wedding in Cana where he turned six jars of water into wine; over the next few weeks, we will talk together in worship about the ways Jesus turns our fears of scarcity into an abundance of hope, purpose, healing, and grace.

 

Worship begins at 9:00am every Sunday, in person. If you can’t be there, remember to find us on YouTube so that you can watch live from wherever you are, or join us on KVLV radio on AM980 every Sunday beginning at 9:30am. If you have ideas or questions, or if we can be in prayer for you in any way, please call the church at 775-423-4714. We’d love to hear from you.

 

Wednesday Evening Prayer with Lectio Divina

Wednesday Evening Prayer is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm on YouTube Live. Lectio Divina is an ancient, special way of reading and praying with Scripture. Most people who try it find it deeply meaningful. We’ll meet next on February 5. Hope you’ll join us.

News and Fun Stuff

Messy Church! Sunday February 23

Music, games, art, science, and all kinds of ways to worship and learn together. It’s great for all ages, and definitely does not make a mess of any kind. It’s not that kind of “messy.” Just unique, and fun! We’ll start our lesson around 10:45 in the Fireside Room, and finish up around 11:30am. Bring a friend, everyone welcome.

 

FREE CONCERT with Bobby Jo Valentine Sunday February 23 

7pm in the Fireside Room

Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked and Godspell, calls Bobby’s music “catchy” with “thoughtful, intelligent lyrics in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens.” From his bio: “Along with theatres, house concerts, and many other kinds of stages, Bobby is often invited to offer his stories and songs at faith communities around the nation. Among others, he has been invited to perform for The Wild Goose Festival, the international Emerge Conference, and the 2017 General Synod of the United Church of Christ. His music has won Song of the Year twice at West Coast Songwriter’s Association, and his work has appeared on radio, TV, and feature films. He has performed artist residencies, hosted songwriting workshops, and been involved in helping communities of all types use their spaces and voice in more creative and powerful ways.” You can hear music, watch performances, and get information on catching a show at www.bobbyjovalentine.com

 

Lent and Continuing Bible Studies

Lent begins in just a few weeks! Some of our classes will begin to study “The Message of Jesus” by Adam Hamilton the week of March 9. Books will be available in a week or two, or you can buy your own at Amazon or Cokesbury. Pastor Dawn will teach a class by Zoom on Tuesdays at 6pm beginning March 11. Meanwhile, our current Bible studies are listed below. To suggest new Bible studies or to find out more, please call Kelly Frost via the church office at 775-423-4714. Join any class, any time!

·      “Invitation to the New Testament” a Disciple Bible Study by David da Silva and Emerson B Powery, Mondays at 10:30am in the Good News Room

·      “The Parables of Jesus” Sundays after worship in the Good News Room

·      The Book of Ephesians, Sundays after worship in the Wolf Center, led by the author Jeanette Strong.