V I N E   S T R E E T 
 
 
A Village Of Unconditional, All Forgiving,
Never Ending LOVE.
 
 
Feeling unchurched? Over-churched? Anti-churched?
 
So are we.
Check us out!
 
 
 
 
  
H O W   W E   W O R S H I P

Join Us Sunday Mornings

9:00 A.M. Village

Start your Sunday off in a casual, low-key gathering where we share breakfast and chat about Jesus and life. Small groups for all ages – Nursery Available!
 
 
This ain’t your old fashioned
Sunday School!
 
Join us September – May!
 
 
 

10:00 A.M. Worship

“A little something for everyone and a lot of Jesus” is how we worship. Come as you are and experience our energetic, spirit filled service with moving messages and music ranging from contemporary Christian to traditional hymns.
 
 
This service is geared for all
generations!
 
 

Teaching & Preachings

We teach and preach a Jesus that is real and authentic … Taken straight from the gospels with no biased or politics attached. Whether you’re an active participant or a “fly on the wall” listener, we have something for you.
 
 
Check out our calendar and see what
interests you!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B I G  I D E A 
 
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
 
Pastor Bob
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C H U R C H   M E D I A

Recent Devotionals

September 2020

Sam in September; Episodes 22 & 23 — Sept 12th

“Sam in September; Episodes 22 & 23 — Sept 12th”.


Sam in September; Episode 21 — Sept 11th

“Sam in September; Episode 21 — Sept 11th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 19 & 20 — Sept 10th

“Sam in September; Episodes 19 & 20 — Sept 10th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 17 & 18 — Sept 9th

“Sam in September; Episodes 17 & 18 — Sept 9th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 15 &16 — Sept 8th

“Sam in September; Episodes 15 &16 — Sept 8th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 13 & 14 — Sept 7th

“Sam in September; Episodes 13 & 14 — Sept 7th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 11 & 12 — Sept 6th

“Sam in September; Episodes 11 & 12 — Sept 6th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 9 & 10 — Sept 5th

“Sam in September; Episodes 9 & 10 — Sept 5th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 7 & 8 — Sept 4th

“Sam in September; Episodes 7 & 8 — Sept 4th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 5 & 6 — Sept 3rd

“Sam in September; Episodes 5 & 6 — Sept 3rd”.




 
 
 
 
 
F R O M   T H E   B L O G

Recent Posts

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A BLIND BEGGAR IN 7 SHORT VERSES!

Below is the story of Bartimaeus the Blind Beggar from the gospel of Mark. It is only 7 verses long, but each one of them speaks volumes. Take some quiet time alone with God as you read this story.  

  • Before you start, ask the Holy Spirit to accompany you in your reading
  • Open up your heart and mind to God’s power and cleanse your heart and mind of notions of self-will or previous knowledge
  • Come as a blank slate to Jericho with Jesus. Let Him fill you with the story. 
  • See what you notice … what stands out to you … what words stick with you … can you find yourself in this story … as you walk with Jesus, think about what this story is teaching you. 

Mark 10: 46-52
46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.

 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”

 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.”

 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Wasn’t that a wonderful experience? Walking with Jesus into the ancient city of Jericho and being by His side when he encounters, heals, and transforms a blind beggar.

I challenge you to read through the story another time of two … really focusing on each word and every scene. See the story playing out in your mind’s eye. Pick up on the scents and the heat and the crowd noise. Look at the face of Bartimaeus – wrinkled with age but glowing with the spirit.

I’ve made a quick list of things that land on my heart and mind and stick with me as I walk through this story with Jesus and the Holy Spirit — see what you think of these insights and questions:

> What must it have been like traveling (walking!) with Jesus through the deserts from Galilee to Jericho, and then on to Jerusalem. Did they travel at night to stay cool? What did they eat? When did they sleep? How dangerous was it? Would I ever consider joining them?  

 > As you walk with Jesus into the town of Jericho, can you hear Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus? He is calling Jesus by a name you haven’t heard before — “Son of David.” Do you wonder how a blind beggar would know that Jesus is so close? And why would he call Him by this “royal” name? 

> Did you notice what Bartimaeus asked for from Jesus when he called out to him — “Mercy!” He wants mercy from Jesus. Isn’t that a good place to start your conversation with Jesus everyday — “Lord, have mercy on me!” 

 > Do you get the feeling that Bartimaeus might know more about Jesus even though he is blind, than the disciples know about Him even though they have been walking with Him for years? Think about it: the blind shall see! 

 > The crowd reprimands Bartimaeus to be quiet — to stop yelling out His name. Do you know what that is like? Either way: have you been part of the “crowd” that wants to shush public cries for Jesus (it’s so embarrassing!) — or, have you ever been on the receiving end of those shushes? 

 > There is this short and beautiful half-verse that says … “Jesus stood still.” Is it when Jesus is still that God is speaking to Him, moving within Him, sending Him the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s like the psalm says: “Be still and know that I am God.” Before Jesus converted this blind beggar, he was still.

 > Have you ever missed things … or even people … because you were too busy to be still? Sometimes God puts things right in front of us when we least expect them, and if we’re not capable of being still, we just might miss God. How many times a day do you think that happens to you? Think of the things you may have missed. Think of the people that you may have missed. Do you think you’ve ever been too busy to notice Jesus? I bet He’s never been too busy to be still for you! 

 > As soon as Jesus asks for Bartimaeus to come to Him, the crowd quickly changes its tone and excitedly helps Bartimaeus come. How fickle we can be when it comes to our notions of appropriate and inappropriate, right and wrong, good and bad. Sometimes it takes Jesus Himself to teach us of our misguided and fickle ways of thinking. That’s why starting with a blank slate is so important when reading scripture — otherwise we just “use” the words to affirm our own prejudices and biases. That might make us feel better, but it’s not the purpose of scripture! 

> Do you think Bartimaeus is excited when Jesus calls him? The story says he threw off his cloak and sprang to his feet! For a blind beggar, the cloak is the most prized article of possession. It’s a blanket at night. It’s a shield from the rain. It’s even a “basket” to hold the alms that are tossed his way. But when it comes to Jesus — it’s expendable! Jesus is everything! Nothing else matters. And by the way — when is the last time that you think Bartimaeus leaped to his feet like that? That may have been a first… and possibly a last. But can you be surprised? Jesus just called him! What would your response be? What is your response today to the call of Jesus? 

> I am fascinated by the question that Jesus asks Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” Wow — think about it: Bartimaeus is blind … he is poor … he is a beggar … How about starting with all that! But, of course, Jesus already knows that Bartimaeus needs (and wants) something much more than those things fixed. Bartimaeus wants a new life … he wants to be a disciple … he wants to get a restart on a new path. Jesus knows this because deep down inside, it’s what we all want. Oh sure … we may think we’ve got it good … all set … blessed and safe … but Jesus knows us better even if we don’t know ourselves. That question that Jesus asked Bartimaeus is the same question Jesus always asks: “How can I help you today?” And Jesus is always the answer to that question, “What do you want?” Answer: More Jesus! When we start there, we begin a life conversion process that ends up changing everything. Just ask Bartimaeus … or me!

> Bartimaeus responds to Jesus with the only thing he could say: “I want to see again!” Amen … don’t we all? Remember, Bartimaeus was the one who was seeing who Jesus pretty well. He, nobody else, called Him, “Son of David.” He, nobody else, asked Him for the one thing only Jesus could give him — mercy. He, nobody else, threw off his greatest possession and leaped to come to Jesus. Friends — that is what faith looks like in a blind beggar! Bartimaeus doesn’t just want physical sight; he wants to see the world as Jesus sees it — in a whole new way. Like disciples do. 

 > As soon as Bartimaeus asks, Jesus responds. But He doesn’t tell Bartimaeus that he has his sight back — although he does. Jesus tells Bartimaeus something much more important — “Your faith has made you well.” Jesus knows faith when He sees it — when he feels it — when He senses it. Of all the things that Bartimaeus was, or wasn’t, he was the one thing that Jesus could work with — Bartimaeus was a man of faith. Not just a fan. Not just looking for a miracle or a healing. He wanted to be a disciple. Many people “come to Jesus” looking for the wrong things. To be healed of an illness. To get a better job. To win a game. To be in the “right” crowd. I’m sure many of those people in the Jericho crowd on this particular day were there for some of these reasons, and even more. But not Bartimaeus. He was there to be made a disciple. And that’s exactly what happened! 

 > From that day on, the life of Bartimaeus was never the same. He was now on “the way.” Everything changed. I wonder if anybody noticed. Scripture doesn’t tell us that. Maybe he kept begging. Maybe he sat in the same spot he had sat in everyday as a blind man. Maybe he still only owned one cloak. Maybe, on the outside, Bartimaeus was still the same, except not physically blind. But on the inside. Bartimaeus was re-born. He was changed from within — transformed from above — a full-fledged disciple. It’s a reminder to be careful when we try to judge people based on what we see with our physical eyesight. Those eyes aren’t capable of seeing a disciple. In fact, those eyes aren’t capable of seeing Jesus either. Just ask the former blind beggar known as Bartimaeus, who knew Jesus when he saw Him, even though he had no physical sight.

I don’t know much … But this is what I can tell you … I was blind, but now I see …

Pastor Bob


Read more

A NOTE TO OUR READERS: A LETTER, APPARENTLY WRITTEN IN — OR NOT — AROUND THE 1ST CENTURY, WAS RECENTLY DISCOVERED IN-BETWEEN THE COUCH CUSHIONS IN A PARSONAGE ON WALNUT STREET IN ARTHUR, ILLINOIS. IT IS BELIEVED — OR NOT — TO BE A LETTER FROM A “PASTOR BOB” TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF VINE STREET CHRITIAN CHURCH OF ARTHUR, ILLINOIS IN THE YEAR OF THEIR EPIPHANY. BELOW IS THAT LETTER.

Family & Friends of Vine Street Christian Church:

In the name of the One Almighty and All Loving God, and in the spirit of God’s One True Son, the Anointed One, the Messiah, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I wish you the mercy and peace of their infinite longing for your life; May you be blessed beyond imagination by their Word and their Truth – 

For you, my dearest sisters and brothers in Christ, I offer this letter of heartfelt notations which might land on your own hearts in the Spirit that is intended, to strengthen and expand your knowledge of God’s presence in your life and of the power of the Holy Spirit that comes to us through Jesus Christ himself, the Son of the Living God: 

1 ARTHURIANS 1: 1-7

  • This life God has gifted you with is even “more” and “better” than you realize today; 
  • The “Abundant Life” that Jesus has prepared for us consists of 2 equal parts: the life of the flesh & the life of the Spirit; by integrating these 2 parts of life in your own heart, you can seek and find a peaceful balance within yourselves and a divine harmony with others and all of creation;
  • It has been 2000 years since Jesus came and walked with us on this earth; Why isn’t life on earth better?
  • How long have you known Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? Why isn’t your life better than it is? 
  • We tend to live a mostly (or purely) physical life (life of the flesh) that confines us to a linear view of our life in time and a materialistic view of personal success and happiness. 
  • As Jesus taught Nicodemus, a spiritual rebirth opens us up to ALL that God has to offer us and gives us the ability to broaden our life so that we can see and receive the “eternal & universal” gifts of God.
  • Finally, sisters & brothers, much of what I talk about centers on “Christianity,” denominations, and the institutional church. Probably too much! Because … what is really the most important thing isn’t any of those things, but is instead about YOU, as an individual woman or man of God, and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

May blessings abound as you continue to abide by your faith in God and seek more Jesus in your heart, 

Pastor Bob


Read more

DEAR FAMILY & FRIENDS OF VSCC: I OFFER SOME THOUGHTS ON WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE’RE GOING – By Pastor Bob

Part I: Make It All about God

Last Sunday, I believe, could be a “turning point” day for Vine Street Christian Church, if we let it. We must nurture the spirit and cultivate the soil that is being tilled in our church, and in our own hearts.  With all the “digging” going on right now, I think the most important thing for us to do is keep everyone safe and secure within the “boat” – the Jesus boat. If we do that, everything else will take care of itself. The potential for what is beginning to happen in our midst is life- and church- changing. But it must be all about God — God’s plans, God’s timing, and God’s Spirit. Therefore, the most critical decision we have to make as a congregation right now is to let God have this … to relinquish our need for some control and comfort in this … to support each other in a firm and embracing Christ-like manner … and to surrender the need for change on our terms and in our time, and instead let God rule and allow Jesus to be our Lord. 

Part II: No Turning Back

This week’s “good News” for me is that I have begun to sense that WE CAN DO THIS! Because GOD IS DOING IT! The call to ministry that I have is to be here, in a small but mighty congregation that is hungry for more Jesus and at least open-minded enough to listen to things that are foolish in the eyes of the world. After more than 2 years, I can tell you that this call is being affirmed by God. And now, today, we are in a tenuous position as a small-town, mainstream, denominational church. You see, normally churches don’t do what we’re doing! Most churches prefer, indeed they even excel in, NOT rocking the boat. The best change is no change. They like to come together once a week in a joyous spirit to receive the good news about themselves and their church, which affirms that they are right where they are supposed to be in God’s eyes.  And, as we all know, that is a warm and comforting feeling! And so even now, in our own hearts, we are wondering, why. “Why, for God’s sake, would we do something different?” And the answer to that is in the question: FOR GOD’S SAKE! 

Part III: Let’s Think About This …

I know that it’s hard for many of you to see that our church, along with most other American Christian churches, have strayed from the “way of Jesus” over the last century, and way before that. And unless we become willing to put our lives and our church in front of a “Gospel-reflecting mirror,” then we would probably never “see” the gap between where we are today and where Jesus is today. 

But the “churches” that are willing to do something like that – to reflect in a serious way about the way of Jesus, and then apply it to their own church – they will become the 21st century Jesus communities. And those “communities” will be the “churches” that redefine the Christian landscape in our land, and join the Jesus movement that is emerging all across the globe in so many shapes and forms. In the glory of their vast diversity, those church communities will all have one thing in common … Jesus Christ and His Gospels in the center of everything. They will come to believe and know that their future is already in the hands of God, and to join God in that kingdom-building mission means to put Jesus above all, Lord of all, in front of everything in their lives … including, significantly, even this wondrous creation we are all part of called “our church.” 

Yes, of course, without a doubt, we have a great church today, and our future looks brighter than many others. But though being a “great church” is a wonderful thing, being a “Jesus community” is beyond comparison.  I believe God is moving here at Vine Street because we are a great church, poised to take that fateful leap into the unknown to realize all that God has to offer us.     

Part IV: It’s Worth It 

People of God — Keep the Faith! 

What is going on here is too rare and precious to miss, to not be a part of. The 1st century Jesus movement never relied on “bigger is better” theories. Everything Jesus did was “small” and “intimate,” like us. His ministry was mostly one-on-one, and his gatherings were often small groups of neighbors and friends, like us. His whole strategy to change the world started in the hearts of ordinary pilgrims, like us, and in the hearts of whoever else was willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and commit their remaining time on earth to follow His ways.

When that actually happens in a group of people, large numbers are not necessary; just a small group of dedicated selfless servants banding together to be led by the Holy Spirit. There is no more “abundant life” than that! And life is never the same. 

Part V: It’s a Generational Thing

So, you’re thinking: What can we be? Well, here’s where I think we are today: one small but powerful local church that is facing a “turning point” in its life together, and is seeking with God a new way of being church that we can “pay forward” to the young people and children among us, who will then take it to the next level with Jesus. And if you haven’t noticed, our young people and children are already doing that, in their innocence — and it seems completely natural to them! Go ahead – this Sunday ask one of them about the love of Jesus. 

As adults, we must learn from them … we must pray to become more like them (as Jesus said) … and then, soon, we will start to look more and more like Jesus in the world today. Just like they do.

Pastor Bob


Read more

 
 
L E A D E R S H I P

Meet Some Of Our Team

 
Bob Silvanik
 Pastor
 
Beth Jones
Office Manager
 
Karen Good
Music
 
Our Trustees
Bruce Condill, Kevin Huffman ~ Co-Moderators, Ginny Condill ~ Secretary, Shawn Vanausdoll ~ Treasurer, Jared Blaudow ~ Administration
 
 
Church Volunteers
Cleaning Crew
 
 
 
Sign Up For Weekly Newsletter!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C O N T A C T   F O R M

Send us a Message

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
L O C A T I O N

Contact Info

Address: 249 S. Vine Street Arthur, IL 61911
Phone:217-543-2292