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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; November 28, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-28-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-28-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:17:49 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s been a little over a year now that Brit and I have lived in Detroit Lakes. We love the area and the home that God has provided for us, but until about 3 months ago we felt isolated and alone. We know a lot of people in the area because of our life in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s been a little over a year now that Brit and I have lived in Detroit Lakes. We love the area and the home that God has provided for us, but until about 3 months ago we felt isolated and alone. We know a lot of people in the area because of our life in the church, but we didn’t really “know” many people.</p>
<p>We had been a part of a small group in Fargo before moving here and through it experienced community and spiritual growth, but when we got here we let all the transitions we were going through cripple us from taking the step to getting involved with one again. Eventually, we sensed the Lord calling us to start our own…so we did this past August and it’s been incredible.</p>
<p>God has been growing and challenging all 8 of us in our walks with him. We are learning from one another and it’s been so neat to see God bless our relationships. We are all great friends, but even better than that is the fact that we know that we have a place to go and people to share our lives with.</p>
<p>As we’ve been talking about the stages in our faith journey, I am reminded of this reality in my own life because being in a small group has played a pivotal role in my faith journey and fits right into stage 2 “Becoming a Disciple”. When deciding to become disciples, we find meaning from belonging; we learn from others and grow with others and you can find all of this in small groups here at LAVC.</p>
<p>Have you thought about where you are at in your journey of faith? Have you thought about the benefits of joining a small group when it comes to growing spiritually? I want to encourage you to consider these two questions this week as we continue our series on the stages in our journey’s of faith.</p>
<p>With love,</p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Eve Services 3:00 &amp; 4:30pm December 24 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to invite you, your family, and your friends to celebrate Christmas with us on December 24. This will be our last service in 2010. We will not have Sunday morning services on December 26.</p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Giving Tree December 12 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to offer you the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to those in our area that would otherwise go without. On November 28 and December 5 we will have a Christmas tree in our lobby with several different gift tags on it. Please grab a tag, pick up the items listed on it and bring them to church by December 12. We are looking forward to this time where we can impact others in our community.</p>
<h2><strong>Vineyardbasics December 12 @ 12:15pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
<h2><strong>Thanksgiving Food Drive</strong></h2>
<p>Thank you for giving your resources and time for this event. We raised enough food and financial donations to provide meals for 100 families in our area. We are privileged and blessed to have such a loving and caring church family that is willing to give so much.</p>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; November 14, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-14-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-14-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:27:51 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1146</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This month, 9 years ago I began a journey that would forever shape the rest of my life. I was 18 years old and found myself in a season where I was asking a lot of questions about who I was. I explored and experimented looking for answers and didn’t even realize that I was [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This month, 9 years ago I began a journey that would forever shape the rest of my life. I was 18 years old and found myself in a season where I was asking a lot of questions about who I was. I explored and experimented looking for answers and didn’t even realize that I was on the threshold of discovery.</p>
<p>Eventually I found myself curious about things of faith and found myself really enjoying attending a youth group with some friends from school. As time went on and I heard more and more about this guy named Jesus, my heart began resonate with what was said and I just knew that I had found what I had been looking for. I had discovered God…and there began the greatest adventure and journey I’ve ever been on!</p>
<p>Over the last weeks, we’ve been talking about our “Critical Journey’s” or our life stories. We’ve been challenged to write them out and even share them to help shed light on the decisions and experiences that have shaped us into who we are today.</p>
<p>Discovering God is the first stage in our Journey of Faith. Following are the questions Bryan asked us to consider this week:</p>
<p>1.      How and when did you recognize God in your life?</p>
<p>2.      How and when have you recognized Him since that first time?</p>
<p>With love,</p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Eve Services 3:00 &amp; 4:30pm December 24 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to invite you, your family, and your friends to celebrate Christmas with us on December 24. This will be our last service in 2010. We will not have Sunday morning services on December 26.</p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Giving Tree December 12 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to offer you the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to those in our area that would otherwise go without. On November 28 and December 5 we will have a Christmas tree in our lobby with several different gift tags on it. Please grab a tag, pick up the items listed on it and bring them to church by December 12. We are looking forward to this time where we can impact others in our community.</p>
<h2><strong>Vineyardbasics December 12 @ 12:15pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; November 7, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-7-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-november-7-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:59:16 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1141</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For some reason, I always act somewhat surprised when God does something cool, as if He’s not known for doing cool stuff, but I shouldn’t be surprised, I should just expect it…because that’s God! Over the last 4 weeks God’s done something cool in me. I’ve experienced incredible freedom in my life and many of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For some reason, I always act somewhat surprised when God does something cool, as if He’s not known for doing cool stuff, but I shouldn’t be surprised, I should just expect it…because that’s God! Over the last 4 weeks God’s done something cool in me. I’ve experienced incredible freedom in my life and many of my relationships, and it all started when Bryan started talking to us about “A Critical Journey” or our life stories.</p>
<p>For quite some time I haven’t been honest with myself or others for that matter, when it comes to my entire story. I’ve always chosen to share the parts that are easier to hear and more publically accepted, yet when I was challenged to write mine, I was strongly convinced that I needed to write ALL of it.</p>
<p>It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be; however putting it on paper and sharing it with others are two different things. As I wrote I remembered, and as I remembered I was able to process some of the things I’ve turned my back on. It was incredibly freeing&#8230; When it came time to start sharing it with people, I was terrified, but also felt a sense of relief that my closets were open and everything was in the light.</p>
<p>I’ve come to realize something…I am who I am and for some reason I’ve been allowed to experience my life in the ways that I have. Some things are great and some things aren’t, yet I know that God uses all things for good. Looking at my story helps me to see and understand that truth.</p>
<p>How about you? Have you had a chance to write your story yet? If you haven’t, what’s preventing you from writing it? If you have, what have you learned about yourself and your relationship with God?</p>
<p>With love,</p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<h2><strong>Thanksgiving Food Drive November 21</strong></h2>
<p>Join us in providing traditional Thanksgiving Food for families in need throughout our community. Bring full bagged meals or partial meals to the church on Sunday, Nov. 21. We will collect the food during worship both services. These donations will be sorted, packaged, and delivered to families prior to Thanksgiving. If you would like to save a trip to the store you can be a full or part sponsor of a family and we will do the shopping for you. If you would like to help assemble and/or deliver the Thanksgiving bags or if you know someone who could benefit from receiving a food basket, please call Brenda Brooks at 234-1763.</p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Giving Tree December 12 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to offer you the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to those in our area that would otherwise go without. On November 28 and December 5 we will have a Christmas tree in our lobby with several different gift tags on it. Please grab a tag, pick up the items listed on it and bring them to church by December 12. We are looking forward to this time where we can impact others in our community.</p>
<h2><strong>Vineyardbasics December 12 @ 12:15pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
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		<title>Writing Your Story&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/writing-your-story-2/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/writing-your-story-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:34:00 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1135</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the last few weeks, we&#8217;ve been in a series called &#8220;A Critical Journey&#8221; hearing directly from Pastors Bryan &#38; Janice about their personal stories. They&#8217;ve asked us as a church family to write out our stories too. Below you will find directions on how to go about doing this. How Do You Write Your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the last few weeks, we&#8217;ve been in a series called &#8220;A Critical Journey&#8221; hearing directly from Pastors Bryan &amp; Janice about their personal stories. They&#8217;ve asked us as a church family to write out our stories too. Below you will find directions on how to go about doing this.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>How Do You Write Your Story?</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>With…</strong></p>
<p><strong>Goodness</strong>… is revealing your growth in morality and generosity. <strong>Righteousness</strong>… is giving all; including God what they are due. <strong>And truth</strong>… is being genuine and honest as you write your story.</p>
<p>Tell your story with love… and as you listen… listen in love. Show your love by being <strong>confidential, caring, and non-judgmental </strong>and remember to pray for the individual who shared their story.</p>
<p>You have till <strong>Nov 7 </strong>to write your story. Try to keep it around <strong>20 to 30 </strong>minutes in length. Talk about the <strong>significant events </strong>and <strong>clear memories </strong>you have… both the <strong>positive </strong>and the <strong>negative</strong>. And start at the <strong>beginning </strong>of your life with a little <strong>background</strong> information such as the type of family you were born into and the circumstances surrounding your arrival.</p>
<p>For the <strong>older </strong>folks here… piece it out in segments… Like age 0 to 20, 20 to 40 etc. Or by phases in life. Like growing up at home, young adult years, married life, etc. If you’re <strong>younger</strong>… your story is still important even though you may feel that you don’t have a lot to share… but what you do have to share is important. Everyone has a story.</p>
<p><strong>TO WHOM DO YOU TELL YOUR STORY?</strong></p>
<p>Your spouse, your family, a friend, your small group, someone you trust.</p>
<p><strong>WHY TELL YOUR STORY?</strong></p>
<p>It deepens relationships, builds bridges of understanding, creates community, identifies areas of brokenness, releases people from guilt and shame, identifies what gives you life and joy, and it’s the beginning point to your critical journey</p>
<p>With love,</p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<h2><strong>The Inheritance November 8-January 10 </strong></h2>
<p>This is a nine session topical study of Inheritance throughout God’s Word. It does not have homework and will be strength and encouragement throughout the holiday season. The listening guide and sign up sheet are at the Information Center. The listening guide is $6 and child care is $45.</p>
<h2><strong>Thanksgiving Food Drive November 21</strong></h2>
<p>Join us in providing traditional Thanksgiving Food for families in need throughout our community. Bring full bagged meals or partial meals to the church on Sunday, Nov. 21. We will collect the food during worship both services. These donations will be sorted, packaged, and delivered to families prior to Thanksgiving. If you would like to save a trip to the store you can be a full or part sponsor of a family and we will do the shopping for you. If you would like to help assemble and/or deliver the Thanksgiving bags or if you know someone who could benefit from receiving a food basket, please call Brenda Brooks at 234-1763.</p>
<h2><strong>Christmas Giving Tree December 12 </strong></h2>
<p>We would like to offer you the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to those in our area that would otherwise go without. On November 28 and December 5 we will have a Christmas tree in our lobby with several different gift tags on it. Please grab a tag, pick up the items listed on it and bring them to church by December 12. We are looking forward to this time where we can impact others in our community.</p>
<h2><strong>Vineyardbasics December 12 @ 12:15pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
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		<title>Homecoming This Weekend!</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/homecoming-this-weekend/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/homecoming-this-weekend/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:51:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1122</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family, At this point, hopefully you have a pretty good idea of what’s happening and why in regards to our transition back to our main building, but just in case, we wanted to send out one last reminder of some of the important information you’ll want to know. Over the coming [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family,</p>
<p>At this point, hopefully you have a pretty good idea of what’s happening and why in regards to our transition back to our main building, but just in case, we wanted to send out one last reminder of some of the important information you’ll want to know. Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be communicating more about the “Imagine Immeasurably More” capital giving campaign and the plans to build/expand the building on Longview drive, but we’ll leave that out this week to focus on the coming weekend!</p>
<h3><strong>Saturday, October 30 from 4pm to 7:30pm</strong></h3>
<p>This will be a big weekend for us here at the church and we really hope that you will be able to join us. First, we will be celebrating our Homecoming this Saturday, October 30 from 4pm to 7:30pm. We’ll enjoy each other’s company, a big bonfire, a horse drawn hayride, games, a Potluck at 5:30pm and worship at 7pm! If you plan on attending, we ask that you bring a main dish to share please!</p>
<h3><strong>Sunday, October 31 – Sunday Services back at Main Building – 9am &amp; 10:30am</strong></h3>
<p>This Sunday, October 31, we’ll be having our first services back in the building at 9am and 10:30am. We are going to be staying with two services rather than three. Of course there will still be children’s ministry, but you’ll want to give yourself some extra time to check your kids in and reacquaint yourself with the changes to the rooms and their locations.</p>
<p>Over the last 6 months our experience in working with the people over at the Community Center and the Holmes Theatre has been excellent. They’ve helped to make both our transition there and now back to our old building, smooth and efficient. They have an incredible team of people that have been such a blessing to this church family. So as you come into contact with them, please make sure you thank them for everything they’ve done for us. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with them!</p>
<p>As always, please know that if you have any comments, questions or concerns, that you can give us a call. Continue to pray for this church family, continue to press into Jesus, and let’s continue to Gather, Grow and Go together! Have a great week!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<address>LAVC Pastoral Team &amp; Staff</address>
<address><strong>Lakes Area Vineyard Church</strong></address>
<address><strong>950 Longview Drive</strong></address>
<address><strong>Detroit Lakes, MN 56501</strong></address>
<address>Office: 218.846.1199</address>
<address><a href="http://www.lakesareavineyard.com/">www.lakesareavineyard.com</a></address>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; October 17, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-october-17-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-october-17-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:17:47 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family, We have just a couple weeks left until our return to our building on Longview drive and we want to do our best to communicate important information to you regarding the transition. We overviewed some of the following details in last week’s update and email, but we want to make [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family,</p>
<p>We have just a couple weeks left until our return to our building on Longview drive and we want to do our best to communicate important information to you regarding the transition. We overviewed some of the following details in last week’s update and email, but we want to make sure to give you more detail and answer questions you may have at this time.</p>
<h3><strong>When is our first Sunday back?</strong></h3>
<p>Our first Sunday back in our building is October 31.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>What will the service times be?</strong></h3>
<p>Our services times will stay at 9am and 10:30am and all the serving teams and schedules will stay the same.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>What is the Vineyard Homecoming Party?</strong></h3>
<p>We are so excited about our transition back and all that God has done over the last 6 months that we want to celebrate! So we’ve planned a Homecoming Party on Saturday, October 30 from 4pm to 7:30pm for the whole family. There’ll be horse drawn hay rides, a big bonfire, games, worship and food! We’ll be eating potluck style at 5:30pm, so please bring a main dish to share. Salads and dessert have been covered. We hope that you’ll join us for an evening of celebration and fun!</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>How will this affect children’s ministry?</strong></h3>
<p>You will notice though that our children’s ministry areas will be different. To accommodate for all the children, we’ve made some changes to the classrooms and their locations, so make sure to pick up a map at the children’s check in by this coming Sunday, October 24.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>Why are we moving back?</strong></h3>
<p>There are multiple reasons for prompting our move back to our building; however there are three major ones:  attendance, finances, and functionality.</p>
<h3><strong>What about the capital giving campaign and building a new building?</strong></h3>
<p>With all this transition, no doubt you’ve been thinking about the “Imagine Immeasurably More” Capital Giving Campaign and the future of LAVC. As a church family we’re committed to the mission that God has called us to: to Gather searching hearts into the saving embrace of God’s love, to Grow as people in the truth and transforming power of the Gospel, and to Go, giving ourselves with genuineness and passion to our God.</p>
<p>With that said we’re excited to share with you that recent developments have now opened the door to us being able to expand on our land and our current facility. This is exciting news given the fact that up until now, this has never been an option. The ball has started to roll with this and our hope is to have detailed plans sometime after the first of the year.</p>
<p>Please pray! These are exciting times, but we want to remain dependent on Jesus through it all. Pray for the Pastors, staff, advisory teams, leaders and everyone that calls this their church home. May we continue to journey hand in hand with our Savior. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with us!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>LAVC Pastoral Team &amp; Staff</p>
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		<title>Letter to the Congregation &#8211; October 12, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/letter-to-the-congregation-october-12-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/letter-to-the-congregation-october-12-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:11:30 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=1106</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family, Most likely, you have already heard that we will be moving our Sunday services back to the main church building on Longview Drive beginning October 31. Bryan mentioned a bit about this on Sunday, but we’re aware that you may be curious about details in regards to this decision and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lakes Area Vineyard Church Family,</p>
<p>Most likely, you have already heard that we will be moving our Sunday services back to the main church building on Longview Drive beginning October 31. Bryan mentioned a bit about this on Sunday, but we’re aware that you may be curious about details in regards to this decision and all the implications it will have on our church family.  We will do our best to give you an overview with the intention of going into greater detail in the following weeks.</p>
<p>Recently, the Pastoral team, staff and LAVC leaders gathered to discuss and evaluate how Sunday mornings are working at the Holmes Theatre.  There were several reasons for deciding that coming back to the Longview Drive location was in the best interest of our church family. Here are a few:</p>
<p>1.      <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Attendance</span></strong> &#8211; Attendance is down in the Holmes Theatre by 24 percent compared to 2009.</p>
<p>2.      <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Finances </span></strong>- Tithes and offerings have decreased by 18 percent compared to 2009.</p>
<p>3.      <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Functionality</span></strong> &#8211; The quality of sound, areas for connecting, and complex children’s ministry check-in and check-out systems have been quite challenging.</p>
<p>As we return to the building, we want to highlight three major things. First we have planned a celebration on October 30 from 4pm to 7:30pm for the whole family. This is to celebrate our homecoming as well as all that God has done over the last 6 months, including the fact that our giving campaign has exceeded $300,000.00!  Activities begin at 4pm, a potluck meal at 5:30 and worship at 7pm. Please don’t miss out on this event! Second, we will continue to provide two services rather than three and they will remain at 9am and 10:30am.Third, the children’s ministry space will undergo some transformation to accommodate the increased need for functional space. It will be great to be home!</p>
<p>As a family, we will continue to pursue the mission that God has called us to at LAVC, to Gather, Grow and Go.  We also are committed to practices that will ensure a sustainable future for the ministry that God has entrusted to us. With that said, we’ve recently discovered some new information that opens up the option of expanding on our current piece of property. We feel like this is not only an answer to prayer, but a great next step. We’ve begun to move forward in the planning stage of this option and hope to have detailed plans sometime after the 1<sup>st</sup> of the year. With plans in hand, we anticipate new life and momentum with the “Imagine Immeasurably More” Capital Giving Campaign.</p>
<p>Again, our hope over the next few weeks, is to continue to place in your hands valuable information about this transition including the why’s, what’s and how’s. Even so, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free call us at the office. We would be happy to connect you to the people who can best address your questions and concerns.</p>
<p>Thank you for journeying with us. The adventure has only begun!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>LAVC Pastoral Team &amp; Staff</p>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; May 9, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-may-9-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-may-9-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 17:54:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=953</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Sometimes trusting God is way easier to talk about than to actual practice. As Christians we hear about trusting God on a regular basis because [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6</em></strong></p>
<p>Sometimes trusting God is way easier to talk about than to actual practice. As Christians we hear about trusting God on a regular basis because it’s a foundation in our faith and relationship with Jesus, yet some of us still struggle letting God have complete control.</p>
<p>There have been so many times in my life when people have said “trust God!” and I kind of chuckle to myself thinking, yeah I will trust Him, but who’s going to pay the bills? Who’s going to make sure that there’s food on the table? Who’s going to make sure my family is taken care of? Even though I know I can trust God, more often times than not, I end up trying to do it all, not fully trusting or letting God do what He says he’s going to do.</p>
<p>The truth is, God never has let me down. There have been times that things haven’t gone quite like I had hoped, but God has always provided and has always been there. He has never given me any reason to doubt. In fact, the times when I do truly put my trust in Him are the times when I actually get to witness God doing some incredible things and I wonder when it’s all said and done, why I don’t trust Him more. It’s something I have to decide and work out every day. Much of the time it’s like prying my hands off handle bars, but eventually I let God take over and He makes everything work out the way it’s supposed to.</p>
<p>What does your trust in God look like? Ask God this week to help you walk out Proverbs 3:5-6 and see what happens!</p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h1><strong>News &amp; Events</strong></h1>
<h2><strong>SUPPORT AND RECOVERY CARE </strong></h2>
<p>Monday, April 26-June 21 @ 6:30-8:30.  Join us for an exciting 8 weeks featuring small groups using “Life’s Healing Choices”.  No matter what you’re going through, these weeks are designed to help you heal from harmful relationships, release hurts, build a lasting foundation for change and create goals to foster positive behavior for life.  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night. Life’s Healing Choices Study Guides are $6.00 and the hard cover book is $9.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<p>ALSO on Mondays @ 6:30 we offer Recovery Groups!  If you or a loved one is struggling with addictive behaviors, we want to encourage you to get in a small group and learn how to apply important biblical principles that work alongside the 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery. Begin to find the true freedom you need!  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night.  Celebrate Recovery Study Guides are $6.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<h2>Vineyard<strong>basics – May 16 at 12:30pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
<h2><strong>12 Hour Prayer &amp; Worship- June 6 12:00pm-12:00am </strong></h2>
<p>Because we want to become a church that’s saturated with prayer and because of what God is doing in our church family and in our lives, we would like to see 50 people praying per hour, making it 600 total hours of prayer! Please join us June 6th as we gather to saturate the Lakes Area Vineyard church family with praise &amp; prayer. Every hour starting at noon at the church, people will gather in small groups to pray&amp; a time of worship will begin at 7pm. If you have never taken the opportunity to be a part of a 12 hour prayer event, this is a perfect one to begin with!</p>
<h2>&#8220;Wising Up&#8221; Beth Moore Bible Study &#8211; June 14</h2>
<p>Join us every other Monday starting June 14 from 9-11:15am as we dive into the  “Wising Up” Beth Moore Bible Study based off the book of Proverbs. No cost for  study. Childcare provided for a fee.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; May 2, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-may-2-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-may-2-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 14:53:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=950</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em> Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-15</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Over the last year, Brit and I have moved to Detroit Lakes, purchased our first home, had our first baby, and have had to deal with changes in income and job opportunities. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster and one when we look back; it shocks us that we made it through it all sane!</p>
<p>Life is really just a series of transitions…Think about your life, even in the last year. What things have happened that have forced you to rethink how you do life? Did you move into a new home, have a baby, get a new job, or say goodbye to a loved one? Whatever the transition, all of us go through them.</p>
<p>You see, through all the transitions of life, it can be easy to lose focus, to get discouraged or become so preoccupied by all the changes that we even forget who we are, but one thing is certain through all transitions and it’s the fact that God is faithful. He loves us and wants what is best for us and if we keep our eyes on Him…if we strain toward what is ahead, we will reap blessing like we’ve never imagined. Yes it will be hard, in fact a lot of the time it seems like running a marathon, yet God will give us the endurance to make it through as long as we look to Him and put our trust in His promises.</p>
<p>As we continue to adjust to our transition as a church to the Holmes Theatre, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus…let’s continue to ask God to have His way, and let’s continue to give Him the glory for it all!</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h1><strong>News &amp; Events</strong></h1>
<h2><strong>SUPPORT AND RECOVERY CARE </strong></h2>
<p>Monday, April 26-June 21 @ 6:30-8:30.  Join us for an exciting 8 weeks featuring small groups using “Life’s Healing Choices”.  No matter what you’re going through, these weeks are designed to help you heal from harmful relationships, release hurts, build a lasting foundation for change and create goals to foster positive behavior for life.  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night. Life’s Healing Choices Study Guides are $6.00 and the hard cover book is $9.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<p>ALSO on Mondays @ 6:30 we offer Recovery Groups!  If you or a loved one is struggling with addictive behaviors, we want to encourage you to get in a small group and learn how to apply important biblical principles that work alongside the 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery. Begin to find the true freedom you need!  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night.  Celebrate Recovery Study Guides are $6.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<h2>Vineyard<strong>basics – May 16 at 12:30pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info  Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
<h2><strong>“Wising Up” Beth Moore Bible Study Starting June 14th </strong></h2>
<p>Join us every other Monday starting June 14<sup>th</sup> from 9-11:15am as we dive into the “Wising Up” Beth Moore Bible Study based off the book of Proverbs. Registration deadline is June 6.  Childcare provided for a fee.</p>
<h2><strong>12 Hour Prayer &amp; Worship- June 6<sup>th</sup> 12:00pm-12:00am </strong></h2>
<p>Because we want to become a church that’s saturated with prayer and because of what God is doing in our church family and in our lives, we would like to see 50 people praying per hour, making it 600 total hours of prayer! Please join us June 6<sup>th</sup> as we gather to saturate the Lakes Area Vineyard church family with praise &amp; prayer. Every hour starting at noon at the church, people will gather in small groups to pray&amp; a time of worship will begin at 7pm. If you have never taken the opportunity to be a part of a 12 hour prayer event, this is a perfect one to begin with!<strong> </strong></p>
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		<title>Weekly Update &#8211; April 25, 2010</title>
		<link>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-april-25-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lakesareavineyard.com/weekly-update-april-25-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:09:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lakesareavineyard.com/?p=917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man&#8217;s eyes. &#8220;Go,&#8221; he told him, &#8220;wash in the Pool of Siloam&#8221; (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” John 9:6-7 I remember what it was like when I [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>“Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man&#8217;s eyes. &#8220;Go,&#8221; he told him, &#8220;wash in the Pool of Siloam&#8221; (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” John 9:6-7</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>I remember what it was like when I first believed and started to follow Jesus. Something in my heart and my mind changed instantly…my life didn’t change right away, but I noticed that I started to think and act differently. My desires were changing and out of nowhere it seemed that I could see things for what they really were. I craved knowledge about Jesus and I just couldn’t get enough of the truth!</p>
<p>I even remember countless times thinking, “I can’t believe I missed out on all this before…” almost feeling stupid for not getting this whole Jesus thing sooner. I even got a little upset because at that point, I was finding out who all around me had this life, the new life that I was beginning to live and experience, and I couldn’t believe no one told me about it sooner.</p>
<p>For the first time in my whole life I felt free to be who I was and I didn’t feel guilty about my past and it was like I had this new power to live! It was incredible…I was beginning to live the life that God has for me and for each one of us.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there are roadblocks that prevent us from living the life that Jesus has for us: Our pasts, conflict, fear and even blindness being unable to see and recognize Jesus as Lord and as the way to TRUE LIFE…</p>
<p><strong>3 Things we need to recognize for our eyes to be opened…</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Jesus made the first move – When we respond, our eyes begin to open and our lives begin to change – <em>John 9: 1-11</em></li>
<li>It’s not the things we do that give us life…it’s Jesus &#8211; <em>John  9: 8-12, 13-34</em></li>
<li>When we see Jesus for who He really is, our first response is worship &#8211; <em>John 9:24-39</em></li>
</ol>
<p>Have an excellent week everyone! We will see you next week at the Holmes Theatre!</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Troy M. Easton – Pastor, Community and Family Life</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h1><strong>News &amp; Events</strong></h1>
<h2><strong>Saturating Prayer at the Holmes Theater</strong><strong> &#8211; April 29 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm</strong></h2>
<p>As we prepare to enter into a new season at LAVC, it is our desire to cover our transition to the Holmes Theater in prayer. Please join us as we come together to ask God to unleash more of His power and presence in this community. Even if you can only come for a short time, don’t miss out!</p>
<h2><strong>SUPPORT AND RECOVERY CARE </strong></h2>
<p>Monday, April 26-June 21 @ 6:30-8:30.  Join us for an exciting 8 weeks featuring small groups using “Life’s Healing Choices”.  No matter what you’re going through, these weeks are designed to help you heal from harmful relationships, release hurts, build a lasting foundation for change and create goals to foster positive behavior for life.  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night. Life’s Healing Choices Study Guides are $6.00 and the hard cover book is $9.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<p>ALSO on Mondays @ 6:30 we offer Recovery Groups!  If you or a loved one is struggling with addictive behaviors, we want to encourage you to get in a small group and learn how to apply important biblical principles that work alongside the 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery. Begin to find the true freedom you need!  Childcare is provided at a cost of $4.00 per family per Monday night.  Celebrate Recovery Study Guides are $6.00. Pick up a schedule of events and small groups at the Info Center.</p>
<h2><strong>Mother/Daughter Brunch – May 8 at 10am </strong></h2>
<p>For any woman who is a mom, has a mom or appreciates a mom… we invite you to the Mother/Daughter tea May 8<sup>th</sup> at 10:00am.  Please wear your English Tea Best while we have brunch and listen to an encouraging message. Kids will also get the opportunity to make their mom a Mother’s Day gift. Seating is limited. Sign up at the Info Center, cost is $10 adults (high school and older) and $5 for children. Please submit photos of mothers, daughters and those you wish to remember on this day. Photos can be emailed to <a href="mailto:jenb@lakesareavineyard.com">jenb@lakesareavineyard.com</a>.</p>
<h2>Vineyard<strong>basics – May 16 at 12:45pm </strong></h2>
<p>The vineyardbasics class is the next step after attending the Newcomer’s Lunch and covers valuable and necessary information as you begin your involvement here. We expect everyone that calls LAVC their church home to make this class a priority. The vineyardbasics class functions as a prerequisite to becoming an official member as well. Please register with your connection card and return it to the Info  Center. Childcare and Lunch are provided.</p>
<h2><strong>ServeOne </strong></h2>
<p>We are looking for more help with the Welcome, Usher/Security, Café, Connection, Info Center, Production and Children’s ministry Teams as we transition to the Holmes Theater, May 2. Please sign up at the Info center to serve <strong><em>One Service, Once a month</em></strong> on a Sunday morning serving team This is a great opportunity to serve, use your gifts and be a part of what God is doing at Lakes Area Vineyard.</p>
<h2><strong>Sunday Services Begin May 2, 2010 at the Holmes Theater at the DLCCC.</strong></h2>
<p>Service times are 9am and 10:30am</p>
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