Elm City Vineyard Church Talks is a collection of talks from Elm City Vineyard Church, a faith community in New Haven, CT.
…
continue reading
God heals. We see this in scripture. Jesus performs miracles and then his disciples do the same work of healing people from sickness and setting people free from dark forces. We see this in church history. Saints do healing work and communities rejoice. Hundreds of years later, do we see God’s healing in our lives? In our community? This Fall, we’r…
…
continue reading
This week, for the final message of our summer series on the book of Ephesians, we will be looking at what it means to live as children of light. In a world like ours, with forces at play that are neither safe nor kind, it can be easy to keep parts of our lives hidden in the dark. But when we hide from God and from others, shame grows, and we becom…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
God is __!: God is Generous and Gives Gifts and Empowerment to Build the Body
56:21
56:21
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
56:21
In Ephesians 3, Paul writes about his ministry of bringing "the news of the boundless riches of Christ" to non-Jews (Gentiles), "to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God" (3:8) "now revealed...by the Spirit" (3:6).What is this mysterious plan now revealed? Would you believe that it's the church? "Through the churc…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
God is __!: God is Love and Wants Us to Know His Love
34:42
34:42
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
34:42
What does God’s love mean to you? A question like that can elicit some pretty complicated and beautiful responses. Join us this week for another family friendly service filled with testimonies and lessons on what God’s love means to some of our youngest ECVers. - Series Description - How often do we lose sight of God’s character? We rupture a relat…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
God is __!: God is a Unifier Who Makes Us One Providing Reconciliation
30:02
30:02
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
30:02
Church can be one of the easiest places to feel like we don’t belong. In this week’s portion of Ephesians, Paul reminds us that we have been brought in and no walls stand between us and Jesus. Not only so, but Jesus is the cornerstone of the new building being created by God from those who are called by him from the prophets to the apostles and on …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
God is __!: A Living God Makes Us Alive
16:15
16:15
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
16:15
When we look around, things aren't perfect, or even ideal. The Bible uses stronger words- there's a way of death, and we see it daily. From wars between nations, injustice among people groups, or the internal strife we each feel. But there's also a promise that something unexpected can come from what we see, and people can be made ALIVE. Join us as…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
God is __!: God is Powerful; So is Our Inheritance
38:00
38:00
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
38:00
How often do we lose sight of God’s character? We rupture a relationship and feel guilty. We sin and justify ourselves instead of seeking forgiveness. We lose our job and feel devastated. We need to remember who God is. God is powerful. God is alive. God is a unifier who makes us one. God is love. God is generous. God is light. The letter to Ephesu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hope in Heaven: Revolutionary Household Codes
21:33
21:33
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
21:33
When Paul wrote to the church of Colassae, perhaps Paul wondered, “What if tomorrow, different households became faithful witnesses to the person of Jesus in all that they do? What would our world look like with multiple homes on fire with the Holy Spirit?” Paul’s ancient letter to the Colossians encourages the church of Colassae to dwell with Jesu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hope in Heaven: Seek the Kingdom, Live the Kingdom
41:52
41:52
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:52
When we look at the world around us, there is so much death. So many default ways of being and living that bring about harm, emptiness, something other than freedom. We see it in our individual lives, and we see it in the oppressive systems and structures all around us. And yet, Jesus invites us to live with our minds and hearts set on a different …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hope in Heaven: Complete Not Captive
38:56
38:56
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
38:56
Paul’s letter to the Colossians urgently encourages the church in Colossae to remember their connection to Christ, where the fullness of God lives. Christ, the head of the Church. Christ, the one who aids God in reconciling all to Himself. Paul wants the Colossians to know that they are complete in Christ. Yet, many of them are living captive to de…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hope in Heaven: Rootedness in Christ's Supremacy
55:36
55:36
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
55:36
In the first two weeks of our teaching series on the book of Colossians, we've explored the "hope laid up in heaven" (Col 1:5) that the gospel articulates, good news that "bears fruit" in the communities to which it has come all over the world. While Christ's supremacy has been "proclaimed to every creature under heaven," the rule and reign of God …
…
continue reading
We conclude our post-Easter teaching series, Empty, on the Sunday that concludes Eastertide in the church calendar: the feast of Pentecost. We've explored the idea that empty things-- like the empty tomb of Easter morning-- can be places of blessing. When we empty our schedules, wallets, resumés, beds and more to be present to God we can experience…
…
continue reading
Join us this Sunday as we continue our Empty series. We will focus on the Empty Bed. Is it a site of restless anxiety or a place of reflection and peace? Sometimes, our culture's messaging on sex and our trust in God's goodness in this tender area of our lives determines whether we hide in shame or isolation or whether we open up this part of our l…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Empty: Empty Teacups | The Power of Our Words
39:06
39:06
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:06
The Bible talks a lot about power of the words that come out of our mouths. Proverbs says that death and life are in the power of our tongue. Are our tongues producing words of life or words of death? Join us this Sunday as we discover if our mouths are full of gossip, slander, and lies or truth, encouragement, and edification. - Series Description…
…
continue reading
When we come to Jesus, we are not only joined to him, but to his people—to his household. In the way of Jesus, our identity as members of his household takes precedence over all other memberships and identities, and, humanly speaking, becomes the locus of all our other relationships. To continue the “Empty” series, this week’s sermon will be called…
…
continue reading
It is easy to live our lives thinking that are worth is in our accomplishments. Thankfully, Jesus has a list of accomplishments that are different than our own. They are freeing and completely free. Child. Reliant on God’s power. One who discerns the way of Jesus with him, not alone. This is the way to a life where we don’t withdraw from the world;…
…
continue reading
Empty wallet. Empty bank account. How could those things have anything to do with resurrection? Jesus’ life giving advice on money isn’t go forth and chase “up and to the right” or “more, more, more.” Instead, Jesus’ path towards abundance goes once again through loss. Can we trust Jesus with our finances? Whatever our answer is, come and consider …
…
continue reading
Following our Easter service exploring the power of the empty tomb, we will spend several weeks looking at how resurrection changes emptiness. Because of the resurrection, we know that empty things can be blessed. And some things need to be emptied to be consecrated for blessings that go far beyond what we can see. How do our schedules, wallets, co…
…
continue reading
What’s a time you’ve had something redefined? Was it sudden or over time? Some of us have woken up with an ordinary understanding of some specific part of our life and by the time we went to sleep, everything was different. Others had that change happen over months, years, decades. This Easter, we remember that Jesus’ followers went through a whirl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: Longing for Jubiliee
35:37
35:37
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
35:37
What if tomorrow brought freedom to all people and the land? This was God's vision of Jubilee, a time when the Israelites were invited to take a break from harvesting every 50 years to let the land rest and enjoy the abundance God would provide. They were also called to free all enslaved people. This is the essence of Jubilee. Where are you longing…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: Living Openheartedly
38:37
38:37
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
38:37
Over the past few weeks during this season of Lent, we’ve been spending time considering God’s heart for those who are materially poor. There is Gospel good news for all of us in this call to love the poor. And yet, we can so easily miss the good news altogether because we get entangled and distracted with other things, like wealth, and stability, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: What's Love Got to do With It?
37:58
37:58
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
37:58
Jesus’ famous last words dealt with being known by one’s love. What does love have to do with the poor, service, and justice? A lot, it turns out. Love isn’t just motivation to do work with and among the marginalized. Love is how we will be recognized as disciples, students of Jesus. On Sunday, we have the privilege of hearing someone who has walke…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: God Identifies With the Poor
1:03:23
1:03:23
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
1:03:23
You shall not oppress a stranger; you know the heart of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Exod 23:9). The remarkable text from Matt 25 about the sheep and the goats and the "least of these" has been with us every week so far in our series on "Loving the Poor in Word and Deed" as we've explored how we serve and encounter Jesus…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: Expecting to See Jesus in the Marginalized
40:55
40:55
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
40:55
In the famous parable of the sheep and the goats, both parties are surprised by Jesus’ connection with the poor — even the ones who have seen Jesus through their feeding, clothing, visiting, and compassionate service. Through our hearing of the story, we don’t have to be surprised anymore that we can see Jesus in the face of the poor. Instead, our …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Loving the Poor Through Word and Deed: Who is the Poor?
39:48
39:48
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:48
Who is “the poor”? What does that phrase even mean anyway? Throughout the Bible, that phrase is used to describe people God wants to remember, serve, include, and relieve. Yet, we often forget these people. During this Lenten season, we’re remembering this group and God’s call for us to serve the marginalized amongst us. In Matthew 25, Jesus has su…
…
continue reading
Last week, Josh shared about how Jesus died for our sin not to be a big deal. But once we understand and receive the good news of Jesus’s rescue from sin… what happens next? How are we supposed to relate to our own sinfulness as people who have been set free from sin if we can’t stop sinning? This Sunday, for the second installment of our two-part …
…
continue reading
After exploring four weeks on hospitality, we will dive into one of the most contested topics when it comes to hosting others — SIN. Jesus was constantly accused of spending time with tax collectors and sinners, unsavory types. Religious experts thought Jesus minimized God’s law. Jesus wasn’t just full words and teaching on the matter either; he to…
…
continue reading
Our January teaching series on Hospitality has explored how we need to be hosted by God with the gifts of love, home, and family that God gives us and then give those gifts in turn to others. We conclude our series with the gift that makes all of those (and more) possible-- the gift of himself in the Holy Spirit. When Jesus, who welcomes sinners (L…
…
continue reading
The loneliness epidemic in our country impacts our city and our church. Even with people around us and in our lives, we can ask who is our family? Once we receive family, we have a choice. Do we hoard sacred and beloved relationships? Or do we connect other people to life-giving relationships and see that family grow. When we’re warmed, we provide …
…
continue reading
Last week, we kicked off our series, Warmed, by proclaiming and experiencing God’s love. Even though God’s love is abundant, we can act like it is as scarce as warmth in the winter. How can we show God’s warmth to others when we haven’t received it ourselves lately? We need to be hosted first by God with the gifts God gives us (love, home, family, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Warmed: A Series on God's Hospitality
49:33
49:33
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
49:33
Have you ever been so cold that you don’t share a blanket? When you finally get some warmth in the winter, sharing it is not so easy. Sometimes, we simply need to be warmed in order to share that warmth with others. This is often true for God’s lavish love and hospitality. How can we show God’s warmth to others when we haven’t lately received it ou…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Expecting a Bigger Story: Humility
31:34
31:34
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
31:34
When we think of humility, we often think about lowering ourselves and our self-worth so as to not seem prideful or arrogant. What if being humble is not about taking on a false worth but actually stepping into the fullness of who God created you to be? What does that mean in the scheme of God's bigger story that He is writing? Join us this Sunday …
…
continue reading
All of us, at some point, have wrestled with belief and unbelief. When we doubt, sometimes it causes us to wonder - do our questions and uncertainty cut us off from God? Could any of God's promises still be real and trustworthy in the face of our own unbelief? How can we still cling to the bigger story of our faith when we're not sure? This Sunday,…
…
continue reading
In Advent, we remember the anticipation of many who were looking forward to the birth of Jesus. In Advent, we also expect and look forward to the second coming of Jesus. Both parts of Advent help us expand our own story — it started well before us and it is connected to something beyond us. As we expect a bigger story than just our own, we grow in …
…
continue reading
Last week, we learned that “can I pray for you right now” is a helpful question to encourage real-time compassion, discipleship, and service to others. This week, we’ll engage “come Holy Spirit” as a powerful prayer to call on the Spirit’s power. This is an ancient prayer that has its roots in the disciples waiting on the Spirit at Pentecost before…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Empowered: Can I Pray for You Right Now?
45:46
45:46
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
45:46
In the last few weeks, we proclaimed that spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing are from God and are meant to build up the Body. We also demonstrated this through some practical exercises around these gifts that have yielded some good stories. Praise God! Our Empowered series continues looking at how any number of these spiritual gifts operate …
…
continue reading
"...and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal..." (Luke 9:2) The accounts of Jesus's public life and ministry in the gospels of the New Testament can be roughly divided between stories of Jesus's healing ministry, his teaching and dialogue with disciples, crowds, and religious leaders, and the extended narrative of his arrest …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Empowered: The Way of Love, The Way of Prophecy
41:55
41:55
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:55
After one of the most famous passages on love ever written, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians says, “follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” Huh? What do love, spiritual gifts, and prophecy have to do with one another? This Sunday, we will explore how prophecy is relevant today — not as a pl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Empowered: The Holy Spirit is Near
39:07
39:07
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:07
Last week, we looked at how Jesus invites us to Kingdom ministry alongside Him. We took a risk and sent out a few folks to pray for others on the green during service to see what God would do and got to hear testimonies of how God showed up. This week, Andy Saperstein will look at how Jesus and Elijah were able to notice and act upon the shouts and…
…
continue reading
Last week, we talked about Jesus’ declaration that the Kingdom of God is at hand. We even practiced as a church as we did some real time Kingdom ministry during service. This week, we’ll continue that work as we unpack how Jesus invites us to Kingdom ministry alongside him. It is Jesus’ Kingdom, but we are all invited to pray in the power of the Ho…
…
continue reading
What is the Kingdom of God? Is it now or not yet? As we begin our series, Empowered, we will start with an introduction of Jesus’ core message: the Kingdom of God is at hand. This Kingdom story is our story. Come and learn more. - Series Description - Empowered is a practical sermon series on how Jesus’ work to bring the Kingdom empowers us to live…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Power of Our Stories: The Power of Expecting God to Work in and Through Community
39:07
39:07
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:07
As we’ve looked at our stories over the last few weeks, it’d be easy to see our stories as purely individual affairs connected to the person of God. After all, it’s my story! Right? Well, there is a power in stories not being only our own. Our stories are impacted and influenced by others. Our stories flourish in community. Many of our best stories…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Power of Our Stories: The Power of Suffering Righteously in Your Story
45:37
45:37
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
45:37
How do you live out a story of worship even when wronged? This isn’t just the story of Jesus; it’s our story. It might not be a surprise to learn that our way of responding is different than Jesus’ way. Jesus was wronged repeatedly. And yet, he still chooses love. Learning the story of this kind of suffering might not be attractive, especially when…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Power of Our Stories: Moses | The Story of Our Calling
38:34
38:34
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
38:34
What is your calling? This simple question can begin existential crises. Who am I, we ask? What if, however, our calling is less who we are and more what we find we cannot stop doing over the long haul. In good seasons, in bad seasons. Looking at our calling through the lens of our story, we can find patterns, habits, and rhymes that help us unders…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Power of Our Stories: Abraham | The Power of Trusting "Go and I Will Show" Invitations
46:05
46:05
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
46:05
Our Stories series continues with a look at a story that invites us to trust. After hearing about the gift and power of stories, the primacy of love in our stories, and the way stories rhyme with goodness, we’re going to take a deeper dive into the stories of several folks from the Bible. As we consider what it means to trust God even when we don’t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Power of Our Stories: Children & The Kingdom of God
41:03
41:03
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:03
Join us this week as Kyanna shares about the power and importance of stories from our childhood. - Series Description - Revelation 12:11 says that we have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Our stories are powerful tools that reveal how God has been and continues to be at work in our lives and are meant to be weapons a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Be Not Afraid: For I Am With You in Your Speaking
27:35
27:35
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
27:35
Join us for our next sermon in our Be Not Afraid series. This Sunday, Shirley will be sharing about what it means to be not afraid in our speaking. Come and hear more! - Series Description - Scripture records variations of this phrase so many times. Be Not Afraid. Fear not. Do not be afraid for God is with you. God says it. Angels say it. Jesus say…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Be Not Afraid: For I am With You in Your Youth
37:04
37:04
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
37:04
Today, we’ll reflect on our fears of disqualification. What does God have to say to us even when we feel constrained by our fears? Gather with us to receive Jesus’ encouragement from the gospel of Luke. - Series Description - Scripture records variations of this phrase so many times. Be Not Afraid. Fear not. Do not be afraid for God is with you. Go…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Be Not Afraid: For I am With You Providing Safety in Danger
43:29
43:29
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
43:29
This week, Kyanna will be exploring what it looks like to be under the Lord's protection in danger. Come and hear more! - Series Description - Scripture records variations of this phrase so many times. Be Not Afraid. Fear not. Do not be afraid for God is with you. God says it. Angels say it. Jesus says it. People say it. Why is it such a repeated e…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Be Not Afraid: For I am With You in Battle
44:58
44:58
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
44:58
This week, Tina will be taking us deeper into God's invitation to not fear in the face of battle, through the lens of an ancient king who stood firm in battle by embracing his powerlessness and taking up worship as his weapon against the advancing enemy. - Series Description - Scripture records variations of this phrase so many times. Be Not Afraid…
…
continue reading