V I N E   S T R E E T 
 
 
A Village Of Unconditional, All Forgiving,
Never Ending LOVE.
 
 
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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.
 
 
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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

October 2020

Dynamic Duo (Esther); Episode 1 — Oct 8th

“Dynamic Duo (Esther); Episode 1 — Oct 8th”.


Dynamic Duo Daily; Esther – Intro — Oct 7th

“Dynamic Duo Daily; Esther – Intro — Oct 7th”.


September 2020

Sam in September; Episodes 57b & 58 — Sept 30th

“Sam in September; Episodes 57b & 58 — Sept 30th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 56 & 57a — Sept 29th

“Sam in September; Episodes 56 & 57a — Sept 29th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 54 & 55 — Sept 28th

“Sam in September; Episodes 54 & 55 — Sept 28th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 52 & 53 — Sept 27th

“Sam in September; Episodes 52 & 53 — Sept 27th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 50 & 51 — Sept 26th

“Sam in September; Episodes 50 & 51 — Sept 26th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 48 & 49 — Sept 25th

“Sam in September; Episodes 48 & 49 — Sept 25th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 46 & 47 — Sept 24th

“Sam in September; Episodes 46 & 47 — Sept 24th”.


Sam in September; Episodes 44 & 45 — Sept 23rd

“Sam in September; Episodes 44 & 45 — Sept 23rd”.




 
 
 
 
 
F R O M   T H E   B L O G

Recent Posts

A QUICK WALK THROUGH YOUR CHURCH!

Something very important happens to a church and its congregation when the symbols inside of a church start to become signs of a bigger reality. We have symbols all over our lives, but in the church these symbols can take on very sacred meaning when we begin to see the mystical reality of God’s presence that they point to. 

Let me show you what I mean. You probably haven’t been inside your church in a while. So let’s take a quick walk through it and, as we do, I’ll point out some of the symbols that you’re used to seeing in there that have begun to point to a higher truth in our faith lives. 

STOP 1: The Lenten Wreath just inside the main door. Do you remember seeing this? It’s our Lenten symbol that Debbie Howell and I placed at the entrance table. It’s still there!  Can you see how the dried stems have been made into a wreath, signifying the wilderness of Lent that we are entering, but also will be coming through? The little nest is there to remind us of new life that our Lenten journey will lead us to … and the “Amazing Grace” sign tells us that we will make it through not because we deserve it or earned it – but solely because of the “amazing grace” of our God. And, of course, the wooden plaque in front is what our journey is really all about … More Jesus in our life by Easter 2020! 

Stop 2: The Amaryllis plant at the top of the stairs. Do you remember this? It all began with a memorable (infamous?) Children’s Moment during Advent last year. The Village Kids planted this during church and we vowed to wait and watch as it grew, just as we wait and watch for Christmas and the arrival of the Christ child. Well, it finally did bloom, sometime after Christmas – in God’s perfect time! – And now it sits in dormancy as we wait for the next flower to appear. By the way … I put a little water in the pot as I walked up to it yesterday. God is always moving and growing in our lives. I wonder when the next big flower will bloom.

Stop 3: At the entrance to the Sanctuary. What a beautiful site! Do you remember what this looks like? Even in the darkness of midday, with only the chancel lights on, God’s radiance fills or Sanctuary with the wonderful and unique green hue of peace and comfort and joy. Can you find your seat? Let’s all take a moment to find our seats and sit together for a few minutes … as we will do again when the crisis passes. This is the House of the Lord! Amen! 

Stop 4: At the foot of the Lord’s Table. I hope you haven’t forgotten about our display of shoes! These shoes are more than symbols. They point to the spiritual reality of the journey we are all on together. All these different types of footwear representing all the different types of people we are – and yet, each and every one of us walking to commune with Jesus at this Table. That is our life’s work and our daily walk. Together. One flock. One Shepherd. One Journey. Vine Street Christian Church! 

Stop 5: Home Sweet Home. And now we rise from the journey to the destination. From the shoes that represent our daily walk together, to the culmination of our life of faith together – to commune with Christ our Lord. Is Communion only a symbol to you? Or, is it the real thing? The reality of this Table is different from any other table on earth. It is at this Table where our faith comes alive! Where the Bible becomes Living Word! Where Jesus meets us, and loves us unconditionally! And where His sacrifice continues to be made so that we can be free from sin and plan our next life in eternity with His Father. Don’t settle for this Table as only a symbol. There is too much truth here, and too much love.   

Stop 6: Lord, Hear Our Prayers. As we leave this sacred space together, we stop in the Loft to pause for prayer. As you’re reading this right now, let us all do that. Hit the pause button on your mind, and enter into the quiet beauty of silence and solitude. Wait. Wait. OK … There it is! Now let us join our hearts together as we pray – Lord, thank you for Vine Street Christian Church. Thank you for the variety of people it has brought into my life. Thank you for my church family and the love I experience here. Thank you for turning these various symbols of our faith into signs of the reality and truth that you are with us today. Our church is a living sign of the reality of God in the world … and the Body of Christ among us. Finally, thank you for this prayer … it reminds us of all the goodness and grace that one small group of people can hold together. As it is right now – holding us together, even when we cannot be together. Amen. 

Let Peace Abound & Keep Hope Alive! 

With Love for All … Pastor Bob <>< 

  

  


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LIFE DURING COVID-19 AND GOD’S PLAN FOR VICTORY

The more I have grown in my spiritual life, and the deeper my relationship with God has become – the more I see how God is working all the time, all around and within the things going on in my life, Even in the midst of my greatest hardships, God is already working to bring healing and wholeness . And on a much bigger scale, I know that God is already mitigating and rectifying the damage that has occurred from living in this fallen world. So when it comes to the COVID-19 virus, I know that God is already working to heal us from this dreaded disease, even while it is still going strong and gaining speed. 

In times like these, it’s important to remind ourselves how God works in the world. God did not take this wonderful creation of his and mold it into a world of perfection, so that everything works in perfect harmony with everything else and all God’s creatures – including us – experience an endless life of perfect divine love with all other creatures … and with other humans … and with God. To the extent that world ever existed here (see Genesis 1), it was in the time of creation before the first human beings (see Adam and Eve) exercised the greatest gift, and curse, that God had granted to them  … a free will. 

As soon as free will was first exercised (see Forbidden Fruit), bad stuff happens. Still, the gift of free will is the blessing from God that actually makes us who we are. Essentially, it means that Pastor Bob is not a faultless robotic example of living in perfect harmony with all God’s creation and experiencing endless divine love with all God’s creatures. Sorry about that. But if it was true, then it wouldn’t be “Pastor Bob” writing this article … or doing anything else. The free will that God gave me is the very thing that makes me who I am. And makes you who you are too. From the beginning, God gave each one of us our own freedom … to become ourselves … and to live in this world with everything that comes along with that freedom … including the bad stuff. 

You see, one of things that come along with that freedom is sin. God has given us the freedom to separate ourselves from God. And we have chosen to do that, and continue to do that. Our self-will can choose everyday whether we will go our own way or try God’s way. Our self-will has an inner inclination to go its own way! Have you noticed? And when we go the other way … and separate ourselves from God’s way, then sin occurs. By definition, sin is that which separates us from God. 

As the Apostle Paul so bluntly told us, “The wages of sin is death.” (See Romans 6:23) So, if we cut right through all the research and science to discover where the COVID-19 virus came from … it came from sin. It is a distortion in God’s quest for harmony that works to make people ill and even die. That is not God’s will … that is a separation from God’s will and it was caused by sin — a separation from God somewhere in the divine plan for harmony and perfection.

So, you ask, “Where is God in all this?” I understand that doctors and scientists are working non-stop to learn more about this virus and what we can do to eradicate it. But all of that is part of God’s bigger work every day to bring an end to sin and separation.  Watching this real-life drama unfold in front of us can also remind us how God works in our world. Even as the virus is causing suffering and death, God is already working to bring things back in the direction of perfect harmony and divine love. Even as we stop gathering and cease traveling, God is creating a response to this virus that will get us through it. 

The hard part of this scenario is that we cannot always see God working in the midst of a crisis. It’s hard for us to believe that God is winning the day even as the COVID-19 virus spreads its dastardly consequences to innocent victims. But just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Right now, in this moment, God is working to restore harmony and perfection to his creation. How do I know that? Because that is what God is always doing! We disrupt it by our sin – our separation from God, and God is there to respond with God’s ability to heal and restore. 

We disrupt. God restores. And the consequences of sin continue to show up in all kinds of various phenomena of life … including viruses. We do not know exactly how sin led to this virus, but we rarely know the full implications of our separation from God. We don’t often get to see the direct line between the act of human self-will and the disruptions to God’s will that it causes. But that’s how this fragile beautiful world of ours has kept from completely unraveling. God walking right behind us, picking up and cleaning up the debris left from our sin. 

Regarding COVID-19 — Yes, God will win, but not without a struggle. Think about Jacob wrestling with the angel (See Genesis 32:32-22). God will win, but it will be a struggle. And then we will go on our way, again, but we will not be the same as before the struggle. And because of how God works in the world, even that will be a good thing! God will take this curse of COVID-19 and, in God’s time, according to God’s will, turn it into a blessing for how we continue to live.   

So, my “good word” to you is this: As this nasty virus spreads across the world, God is on it. God’s got this. It will take time. The virus is powerful and very contagious. But, it’s not stronger than God. Yes, many will be made ill. And many will die. Without wishing to sound harsh … such is the way of the world … not just this virus. Why? –Because the wages of sin is death. Separation from God brings about death … in all sorts of ways. That is precisely why the rest of Paul’s statement is so crucial. Paul says that the wages of sin is death, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (See Romans 6:23 again) 

Death has been conquered, so it will never win. And sin is constantly creating separation from God … which causes hardships, and struggles, and pain and suffering, and even earthly death. But God is already working, all the time, and will win every time. I know, because I believe it, and I can see it. When we say, “God is good – All the time,” it’s not just a hope and a prayer … it’s the truth.

Blessings to all – 

Pastor Bob <><


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PUTTING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE INTO WORDS

Our congregational conversation at Vine Street CC has turned toward the mystical – that is, the reality that lies beyond our physical senses and that opens the door to experiencing the absolute divine – God – in the moment.

As we have traversed down this path, it becomes more and more evident that our common everyday words often fall short in our attempts to describe the spiritual reality of the mystical presence of God in our midst. Words are often lacking the depth of meaning which describing spiritual realities requires. But every now and then, when words are chosen carefully and used in a manner that opens our heart to new insights, words can take us to where we otherwise could not have gone. 

That is indeed the case with one of my all-time favorite poems, “The Woodcarver,” by the ancient Taoist philosopher, Chuang Tzu. Upon first encounter, it may seem like a fuzzy attempt to tell a story about a job assignment that a certain woodcarver received from the Prince. But, as the soul enters into the spiritual realm of the story, it becomes clear that Chuang Tzu is opening up a whole new reality that goes beyond our eyes and ears, and takes us to a truth beyond the mere words of the story – and down a path to eternal and universal truths.

What at first seemed a little story about a job assignment turns into a spiritual creed about how one is called to live out this precious little time we have on earth, with all the competing demands for our attention, time, and energy. “The Woodcarver” teaches us that our true calling is always about more than what it seems to the world … and that we all have the power to stay true to ourselves and our God even against the pressures of cultural and social norms and expectations. And, most importantly, this woodcarver who claims to have no secrets, teaches us that when we “do our life” in sync with our spiritual reality, then even the spiritually uninitiated will attribute our work to the gods! 

Take some time to read this grand story in its full glory … slowly and intentionally. Read it though several times. Begin to observe the deeper meaning of each stanza … and every word … for the truth of the story … and then for the truth of your life … your calling … and how you choose “to do life” in the face of the pressures around you. 

The Woodcarver by Chuang Tzu

Khing, the master carver, made a bell stand

Of precious wood. When it was finished,

All who saw it were astounded. The said it must be

The work of spirits.

The Prince of Lu said to the master carver:

“What is your secret?”

Khing replied: “I am only a workman:

I have no secret. There is only this:

When I began to think about the work you commanded

I guarded my spirit, did not expend it

On trifles, that were no to the point.

I fasted in order to set 

My heart at rest.

After three days fasting, I had forgotten gain and success.

After five days

I had forgotten criticism.

After seven days

I had forgotten my body

With all its limbs.

“By this time all thought of your Highness

And of the court had faded away.

All that might distract me from the work

Had vanished.

I was collected in the single thought

Of the bell stand.

“Then I went to the forest

To see the trees in their own natural state.

When the right tree appeared before my eyes,

The bell stand also appeared in it, clearly, beyond doubt.

All I had to do was to put forth my hand

And begin.

“If I had not met this particular tree

There would have been

No bell stand at all.

“What happened?

My own collected thought

Encountered the hidden potential in the wood;

From this live encounter came the work

Which you ascribe to the spirits.

I pray that the words of the story moved in your heart in a way that took you way beyond this woodcarver, this Prince, and this bell stand, way beyond the limitations of mere words and your physical senses, and deep into the soul of your own eternal calling …

Pastor Bob <>< 

   


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Bob Silvanik
 Pastor
 
Beth Jones
Office Manager
 
Karen Good
Music
 
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Bruce Condill, Kevin Huffman ~ Co-Moderators, Ginny Condill ~ Secretary, Shawn Vanausdoll ~ Treasurer, Jared Blaudow ~ Administration
 
 
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Address: 249 S. Vine Street Arthur, IL 61911
Phone:217-543-2292