Mon, 16 June 2025
God at Work: When the World Feels Like It’s Falling Apart - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this first message of a new sermon series, Pastor Donnell Wyche invites us to wrestle with one of the most urgent questions of our time: Where is God in a world that feels like it’s falling apart? In light of recent violence and tragedies, Pastor Donnell names what many of us feel—fear, anger, helplessness, and confusion—and draws us into the biblical tradition of asking hard questions. The people of God have long cried out, “How long, O Lord?” and “Where are you?” Pastor Donnell reminds us that these questions aren’t signs of weak faith; rather, they are faithful expressions of grief, longing, and hope. Drawing on scripture—from Genesis to Psalms to the prophets—Pastor Donnell highlights a consistent truth: God hears the cries of the oppressed. God is not distant or indifferent. In fact, the biblical witness reveals a God who is deeply invested in humanity, who suffers alongside us, and who calls us to act with justice, mercy, and humility. While we may not always understand God’s timing or ways, scripture and the lived experience of the faithful tell a story of a God who cares and who invites us to co-labor in the work of healing and justice. As the sermon closes, Pastor Donnell offers four practical invitations: to act courageously in small, just ways; to create contemplative space to be with God; to learn by immersing ourselves in scripture that shapes our moral imagination; and to commit to community, walking with others in faith. When the world is unstable, these practices anchor us in God’s presence and call. Even in the darkness, we are not alone. God is near, and God is at work. |
Mon, 2 June 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Christ in You, the Hope of Glory - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In the final installment of our Colossians series, Pastor Donnell explores Paul’s powerful counter-vision to life under empire. Rather than simply critiquing systems of domination, Paul offers a transformative alternative rooted in the sufficiency of Christ. In empire, worth is earned through control, consumption, and coercion. But in Christ, worth is freely given, and we are invited to live as new people—formed not by fear or hierarchy but by resurrection hope. As Pastor Donnell reminds us, every act of forgiveness, generosity, and love becomes a quiet rebellion against the logic of empire. |
Mon, 26 May 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Persevering In Prayer (Colossians 4:2-6) - Pastor Hannah Witte - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this heartfelt and deeply personal sermon, Pastor Hannah Witte invites the congregation into a counter-cultural life rooted in prayer, gratitude, and spiritual attentiveness. Drawing from Colossians 4:2–6, she reflects on the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to persevere in prayer as a way of resisting the empire—the forces of consumerism, nationalism, fear, and control that seek to dominate our lives. Pastor Hannah begins by sharing her own calling into ministry and the ongoing journey of faith that’s filled with more questions than answers. She reminds us that prayer doesn’t come naturally, but it is the pathway through which God’s dreams are ushered into the world. Pastor Hannah unpacks Paul’s call to “stay awake” in prayer, encouraging us to resist the spiritual sleepiness that keeps us disconnected from God’s presence and purpose. She shares practical ways to cultivate this awareness, including beginning each day with the simple question, “God, what do you want to say to me?” She weaves in personal stories—most poignantly the sudden death of her mother—to show how practicing gratitude in both joy and grief keeps our hearts tender and open to God. Gratitude, she emphasizes, is not a trite response to suffering but a sustaining act of resistance and trust. The sermon closes with a call to embrace God’s expansive dreams for humanity. Pastor Hannah highlights Paul’s own example—even from prison—of praying not for personal comfort but for open doors to proclaim the liberating love of Jesus. She challenges listeners to align their prayers not just with their personal desires but with God’s redemptive hopes for their neighborhoods, relationships, and communities. As we scatter into our lives, we are encouraged to live interruptibly, speak with grace, and embody God’s dreams in everyday encounters—offering a quiet but powerful resistance to the despair of empire. |
Mon, 19 May 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Culture-Making (Colossians 3:18–4:1) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche examines one of the most difficult sections of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, where household codes outline relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and slaves and masters. Far from affirming hierarchical or oppressive structures, Pastor Donnell argues that Paul is subverting the dominant culture of the Greco-Roman world. By addressing the powerless—wives, children, and enslaved persons—directly, Paul grants them dignity and moral agency. Paul’s command that husbands love their wives and that fathers avoid embittering their children is revolutionary in a culture where power was rarely checked by compassion. In Paul’s view, culture-making begins at home, and households become outposts of the Kingdom when marked by mutuality and cruciform love. Pastor Donnell devotes significant attention to Paul’s instruction to enslaved persons, acknowledging that these verses have been weaponized throughout church history to justify horrific systems of oppression. Pastor Donnell makes it unequivocally clear: God has always been anti-slavery. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s vision is one of abundance, liberation, and human flourishing. Slavery always is anti-human (Genesis 1:26–28), anti-God (Isaiah 58), and anti-Gospel (Luke 4). While Paul does not outright condemn the institution of slavery—which scholars note was foundational to the Greco-Roman economy—Paul plants subversive seeds by calling for equality between slaves and masters, as he later does more explicitly in Philemon. Pastor Donnell laments Paul’s limited prophetic imagination but sees Paul’s writings as part of a kingdom trajectory that invites us to go further in working for liberation and justice in our own context. Finally, Pastor Donnell challenges listeners to resist empire not just in theory, but in practice—beginning at home. The family is often where empire’s patterns of control, fear, and domination take root. But in the Kingdom of God, the home is to be a place of tenderness, security, and love. We resist empire by embodying cruciform love in our relationships—with our spouses, our children, our coworkers, and our neighbors. Through daily acts of compassion and humility, we bear witness to a different way of being—one shaped not by power but by the cross, not by empire but by resurrection.
|
Mon, 12 May 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Practices of Resistance (Colossians 3:1–17) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this third installment of the Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire series, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores Paul’s invitation to live a resurrection-shaped life as resistance to the demands and distortions of empire. After deconstructing the false promises of empire—security, glory, and salvation—Paul turns toward reconstruction, calling the Colossians to embody new life by setting their minds on Christ. Resurrection, Pastor Donnell reminds us, is not metaphorical—it is real, and it invites us into ordinary, grounded practices of love, patience, forgiveness, and peace as signs that Christ is alive and empire is not in control. Pastor Donnell contextualizes Paul’s challenge by naming how empire shapes us with fear, scarcity, and performance-based identity. Drawing from his experience on Ann Arbor’s planning commission, he critiques how exclusion and self-protection still shape our civic life—especially around housing—and how Paul calls us to take off the habits of empire and put on the character of Christ. Resistance, in this sense, isn’t reactive—it’s proactive. It’s not about protest alone, but daily formation: shedding old ways of being and clothing ourselves with compassion, humility, and love. This, he asserts, is what empire cannot imitate. The sermon climaxes with Paul’s powerful reframing of Christian identity: “You are chosen, you are holy, and you are deeply, deeply loved.” Pastor Donnell insists that our actions must flow from this identity—not out of fear, guilt, or striving, but as a response to God’s unshakable love. Resistance looks like parenting with patience, giving freely, refusing cynicism, and holding fast to hope. Every act of mercy, love, and peace is an act of protest against empire’s rule. The invitation is clear: live like resurrection is real—because it is—and let your life be a declaration that Jesus is Lord.
|
Mon, 5 May 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Naming the Empire (Colossians 2:6-15) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this powerful and provocative sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche continues the Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire series by exploring Colossians 2:6–15 and what it means to be faithful to Christ in a world shaped by empire. Drawing from Paul’s letter to a fledgling church in Colossae, Donnell frames the passage as a deeply subversive text—one that directly confronts the ideologies, powers, and allegiances of the surrounding Roman empire. For Paul, and for us today, to declare that Christ—not Caesar, not the economy, not nationalism—is Lord, is to resist the false narratives that shape our lives and identities. Pastor Donnell draws sharp connections between Paul’s world and our own, exposing the subtle and not-so-subtle ways empire exerts its influence today—from militarism and economic control to curated media narratives and Christian celebrity culture. He names modern forces—TikTok, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Warner Bros, and even popular pastors—not to shame, but to awaken the church to how deeply these forces shape our desires, fears, and theology. “Don’t be taken captive,” Paul warns, and Pastor Donnell echoes that call with urgency, reminding us that resistance starts by rooting ourselves in Christ, not in power, performance, or fear. The sermon crescendos with a bold declaration: Jesus, crucified by empire, disarmed the powers not with violence, but through the cross. Pastor Donnell invites the weary, the skeptical, and the disillusioned to see Jesus clearly—not as a tool of empire, but as the one who triumphs by love, truth, and resurrection. “Empire doesn’t get the last word,” he proclaims, “Jesus does.” The call to the church is clear: Wake up. Resist. Stay rooted in Christ. And when overwhelmed by the noise of the world, pray the simple prayer of resistance: “Jesus, free me from the voices that hold me captive. Root me in you again.”
|
Mon, 28 April 2025
Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – The Unco-opted Christ (Colossians 1:15-20) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this opening message of our new series on Colossians, Pastor Donnell Wyche invites us into a powerful re-centering of our lives around the crucified Christ. Preaching from Colossians 1:15–20, he reminds us that in the midst of empire, cultural pressures, and leadership failures, Paul does not begin with fear or anxiety but with a bold proclamation: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the one who holds all things together. Pastor Donnell challenges us to see worship not as private devotion but as public resistance — an act of allegiance to a kingdom that values humility, peace, and sacrificial love over the power, dominance, and platform of empire. Drawing on rich historical context and vivid contemporary parallels, Pastor Donnell names how empire continues to shape our world through fear, fragmentation, and injustice. Yet in a world that feels unstable and disillusioned, Christ invites us to a different imagination — one rooted not in scarcity but in abundance, not in domination but in reconciliation. He reminds us that Christ’s death was not a defeat but the planting of a seed that bursts into new creation, calling us to participate in God’s ongoing work of healing, resistance, and restoration. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Donnell gently yet boldly calls us to faithful resistance: to make Christ, not empire, the center of our lives; to embody peace, generosity, and mercy in a world hungry for hope; and to trust that even in the ruins, Christ is making all things new. As we contend with grief, fear, and low trust, we are invited to breathe deeply, to anchor ourselves in Christ’s sustaining love, and to live as witnesses to a kingdom that does not co-opt or conquer, but sets us free. |
Mon, 21 April 2025
All Things New: An Invitation to Hope, Restoration, and Life (John 20) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this Easter Sunday sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche invites the congregation into the heart of the resurrection story—not just as a historical event, but as an unfolding promise. Drawing from John 20, he weaves together the emotional power of personal remembrance, the cosmic implications of Jesus’ resurrection, and the deep yearning we each carry for renewal. The story of Mary at the tomb becomes a powerful symbol of recognition and restoration, where Jesus, mistaken as the gardener, is revealed as the firstborn of a new creation. Pastor Donnell challenges us to see ourselves in this story—to remember who has loved us into being, and to believe that even in our grief, doubt, or despair, God is present and active. Throughout the sermon, he speaks to those who feel abandoned, cynical, or weary—those who have given up on faith, sobriety, relationships, or themselves. Using metaphors like the potter and the clay from Jeremiah 18, Pastor Donnell emphasizes that God does not discard us when we resist or falter. Instead, God reshapes us, breathing new life into what we thought was lost. The resurrection, he reminds us, is not a divine do-over but a bold declaration that nothing is beyond redemption. The promise of Easter is that God is making all things new—not all new things—redeeming rather than replacing. In closing, Pastor Donnell calls each listener to respond: What have you abandoned that God still wants to redeem? Whether your faith feels strong or faint, whether you are hopeful or skeptical, the invitation of Easter is the same—Jesus is alive, and he is still making all things new. That includes you. This sermon is a stirring call to remember, to hope, and to believe that the worst thing is never the last thing when Jesus has the final word. |
Mon, 14 April 2025
Palm Sunday: The Subversive King – (Mark 11; Matthew 16, 26; Zechariah 9:9) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Donnell explores the tension between divine hope and human expectation. He contrasts Jesus’ humble entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey with the imperial procession of Pontius Pilate entering from the other side of the city. Drawing from Zechariah 9:9, Donnell invites us to notice how Jesus subverts conventional power—not through violence or domination but through vulnerability and prophetic obedience. Pastor Donnell reflects on how the people gathered for Passover saw Jesus as the fulfillment of their long-held hopes for liberation. Yet as the story unfolds, the crowd’s enthusiasm turns to disillusionment. Jesus doesn’t lead a rebellion against Rome—he cleanses the temple, is betrayed, abandoned, and eventually executed. In that dissonance, Donnell challenges us to consider what happens when our expectations of God don’t match how God actually moves. Do we give up—or do we surrender our expectations to follow Jesus in his way of costly, transformative love? This sermon ends with a sobering invitation: the way of Christ is not triumphalism but surrender. Palm Sunday forces us to sit with a God who enters the world not to dominate, but to die—and in dying, to usher in a new kind of kingdom. Pastor Donnell calls the church to live awake to this reality, to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus, even when it costs us everything.
|
Mon, 7 April 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Learning Who Jesus Is-and Isn't - Dan Lewan - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this powerful and deeply personal sermon, Dan Lewan opens up about a fifteen-year journey exploring the life of Peter, a disciple whose failures, impulsiveness, and transformation make him a compelling leader in the early church. What began as a college observation—that Peter was often wrong—grew into a lifelong fascination with how Jesus patiently shaped Peter through moments of correction and grace. Dan introduces the series by situating Peter’s story in its historical context, tracing Jewish hopes for political liberation through figures like Judas Maccabeus, and showing how those hopes colored Peter’s expectations of Jesus as a Messiah. Dan explores Peter’s journey from a responsible, middle-aged fisherman to a man willing to leave everything to follow Jesus. Through vivid storytelling, he walks us through Peter’s highs—confessing Jesus as the Messiah, witnessing miracles—and his lows—rebuking Jesus, denying him, and facing bitter regret. Dan highlights how Peter struggled to reconcile his own vision of who Jesus should be with who Jesus actually was. Jesus wasn’t a political revolutionary like Judas Maccabeus, but a suffering servant who called Peter not to reign, but to shepherd. The sermon culminates with Peter’s restoration on the beach, where Jesus calls him to love and tend his sheep—not to lead with power, but with humility. Dan draws a clear arc from Peter’s first call to his eventual martyrdom, showing how Jesus patiently dismantled Peter’s false assumptions to prepare him for true Kingdom leadership. Ultimately, Peter’s story is one of surrender—learning who Jesus is not was just as vital as knowing who he is. Dan concludes by reminding us that like Peter, we must lay down our own agendas to embrace the mission of God fully. |
Mon, 31 March 2025
Unfinished: When Faith Gets Interrupted – Acts 10 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week’s message, Pastor Donnell continues the Unfinished series by exploring Acts 10 and the story of Peter and Cornelius. Framing the journey of discipleship as one that continues to unfold, Pastor Donnell reminds us that even Peter, a foundational leader of the church, still had much to learn. The sermon highlights how God disrupted Peter’s expectations through a vision that challenged his deeply held religious assumptions, ultimately preparing him to recognize the work of God in someone he would have considered an outsider. Pastor Donnell draws out four major movements in the Acts 10 narrative: encountering ordinary people with unseen faith, experiencing a discipleship interruption, transforming a shared table into a pulpit, and finally, the unmistakable arrival of the Holy Spirit. The story of Cornelius—a Gentile centurion who was generous, prayerful, and spiritually attuned—underscores a powerful truth: God is already at work in the lives of those we often overlook. Peter’s vision of unclean animals and the Spirit’s directive to “not call unclean what I have made clean” becomes a metaphor for how God redefines belonging and holiness. The sermon culminates in Peter’s surprise as the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household—a moment that forces him to acknowledge that God’s family is far more inclusive than he had imagined. Pastor Donnell invites the congregation to live with prophetic imagination, to be willing participants in God’s unfolding story, and to extend welcome where we least expect it. His practical encouragement: live as if “maybe, just maybe, God is already at work.”
|
Mon, 24 March 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Fear to Faith – Acts 3 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week’s message, Pastor Donnell Wyche continued our Unfinished sermon series by exploring Peter’s journey from fear to faith through the story in Acts 3. Picking up from last week’s reflection on Peter’s restoration by Jesus, Pastor Donnell highlighted how Peter’s transformation continues as he and John move from hiding to boldly participating in the unfolding kingdom of God. As they head to the temple for prayer—an ordinary act on an ordinary day—they encounter a man asking for money. Peter’s response, “Look at us,” begins a sacred interaction, not just of healing, but of seeing and being seen, rooted in the rhythms of daily faithfulness and the unexpected in-breaking of God’s kingdom. Pastor Donnell emphasized that the miracle isn’t the central point of the story—it’s the movement toward faith that matters. Peter doesn’t know for sure what will happen, but he reaches out anyway. This act of trust, however imperfect, invites the kingdom into reality. The healed man walks, leaps, and praises God, astonishing those around him. Peter seizes the moment to preach, anchoring the miracle in the larger redemptive story of Jesus. This is a new Peter—one no longer dominated by fear, but awake to the kingdom’s presence, testifying boldly to the power of Jesus’ name. His journey reminds us that faith often begins with a step, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Closing the sermon, Pastor Donnell invited us to embody the same movement from fear to faith. He asked what it might look like to truly see others through Christ’s eyes—to respond with compassion, mercy, and open-handed generosity. Whether it’s reaching out to someone in need, forgiving someone who’s hurt us, or taking responsibility in difficult conversations, we are invited to be participants in God’s unfolding story. Like Peter, we are unfinished, but we are being transformed. The resurrection of Jesus not only changed history—it changes us, turning shame into freedom and failure into faithfulness. |
Mon, 17 March 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – John 21 - Martha Balmer - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Martha Balmer explores the transformation of the apostle Peter in John 21, highlighting how discipleship is a journey of becoming. After Peter’s painful denial of Jesus, he fades into the background, wrestling with disillusionment and shame. But in the final chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus reappears to him—not to rebuke or dismiss, but to restore. Through the familiar scene of a miraculous catch of fish and a simple meal by the sea, Jesus invites Peter back into discipleship. This passage demonstrates that every experience—our failures, doubts, and missteps—is part of how Jesus forms us into his likeness. Peter’s journey illustrates that discipleship is not about never failing, but about being willing to return to Jesus, again and again. His encounter with Jesus by the fire—mirroring the setting of his denial—becomes a moment of grace. Three times, Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” not to shame Peter, but to reaffirm his calling. In this exchange, Peter is not only forgiven but recommissioned, given the charge to “feed my sheep.” This transformation shows how Jesus meets us in our worst moments, offering not condemnation but a path forward. Martha closes by reminding us that we, too, are unfinished disciples, continually being shaped by Jesus. Like Peter, we may experience disillusionment with ourselves, but these moments are opportunities for deeper dependence on God’s grace. Through scripture, prayer, and community, we are formed into people who reflect Christ—not through perfection, but through persistent faithfulness. As Peter learned, following Jesus is a lifelong journey, one that invites us to let go of false identities and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ.
|
Mon, 10 March 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Matthew 26 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores Peter’s bold declarations of loyalty to Jesus in Matthew 26, contrasted with his eventual denial. Peter, full of confidence, insists that even if everyone else falls away, he never will. Yet, when faced with fear and self-preservation, he denies Jesus three times. This moment reveals not just Peter’s weakness, but the human tendency to overestimate our strength. Jesus, knowing Peter’s failure in advance, had already made provision for his restoration, showing that our discipleship journey is not about never failing but about returning to Jesus, even in our weakest moments. Pastor Donnell emphasizes that Peter’s story is not just about failure but transformation. His denial, followed by bitter weeping, marks the beginning of a deeper honesty with himself and his need for grace. Jesus had already been praying for Peter’s restoration, demonstrating that God’s grace is not contingent on our performance but is freely given, even in our failures. The lesson for us is clear: our overconfidence can blind us to our vulnerability, but Jesus calls us to embrace humility, to acknowledge our dependence on Him rather than our own strength. This sermon invites us to reflect on the gaps between our intentions and our actions, not with self-condemnation but with openness to God’s transforming work. Like Peter, we are all unfinished, yet Jesus meets us in our weakness, offering restoration and purpose. Our failures are not final; they are invitations to deeper discipleship, where we learn to rely on God’s grace rather than our own strength. |
Mon, 3 March 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Discernment and Prayer (Matthew 17) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell Wyche continues the journey through Peter’s discipleship, focusing this week on Matthew 17 and the Transfiguration. He sets the scene by reminding us of last week’s dramatic exchange between Peter and Jesus, where Peter resisted the idea of a suffering Messiah. Now, just six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where they witness something extraordinary—Jesus, radiant in divine glory, standing alongside Moses and Elijah. Overwhelmed, Peter responds the only way he knows how: by offering to build shelters for them. His reaction reveals both his reverence and his impulse to control sacred moments. Before Peter can finish speaking, God’s voice interrupts, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen. The experience is overwhelming, leaving the disciples in fear, but Jesus reassures them: Do not be afraid. Pastor Donnell explores the significance of this moment, not just for Peter but for all of us. The Transfiguration reveals the true nature of Jesus, yet Peter—despite witnessing miracles—still struggles to fully grasp it. He wants a Messiah who acts on his expectations, but Jesus is revealing something greater: God’s unfolding plan. The sermon challenges us to reflect on how we, like Peter, sometimes miss God’s voice because we’re too busy speaking, planning, or clinging to our own expectations. Pastor Donnell humorously acknowledges Peter’s talkative nature and how it mirrors our own tendency to process out loud, often missing the deeper invitation to listen. He reminds us that even though God’s audible voice is rare in Scripture, God is still speaking in our lives—if we are willing to hear. The sermon closes with a practical reflection: How do we learn to recognize God’s voice? Pastor Donnell shares personal struggles with hearing from God and emphasizes that it is not reserved for the spiritually elite. Instead, God speaks through relationships, conversations, and unexpected moments. Just as Peter learned through experience, so do we. The invitation is to cultivate discernment through openness, humility, and trust. Whether through Scripture, prayer, or the wisdom of others, we are called to be attentive. Above all, Pastor Donnell reminds us that God’s voice isn’t about mystical revelations—it’s about relationship. By learning to listen, we open ourselves to the transformative work of Christ in our lives.
|
Mon, 24 February 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - Failure Before Restoration (Matthew 16) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week’s sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores the tension between failure and restoration through the lens of Peter’s journey with Jesus. He begins by reflecting on our cultural obsession with success and how failure is often viewed as something to be avoided at all costs. Using a contemporary story of a student fabricating their achievements to appear more impressive, Pastor Donnell highlights how we often prioritize appearance over truth. He then turns to Peter, whose expectations of Jesus as a conquering Messiah clashed with Jesus’ actual mission. Peter, like many of us, struggled to trust God’s plan when it didn’t align with his assumptions, leading him to rebuke Jesus—a moment that resulted in Jesus’ sharp correction, calling him a “stumbling block.” Pastor Donnell unpacks how Jesus radically redefined what it meant to be the Messiah. Unlike Judas Maccabeus, who led a rebellion, Jesus would defeat evil not through force but through selfless love and submission, ultimately going to the cross. This reversal of expectations unsettled Peter, just as it unsettles us when God’s plans challenge our understanding. Pastor Donnell draws parallels between Peter’s resistance and our own struggles to trust God, sharing personal experiences of advocacy and opposition. He emphasizes that when we stand for what is right, we will face resistance, much like Jesus did. The temptation, as seen in Jesus’ wilderness testing, is to take shortcuts—to trust power, control, and our own strength instead of surrendering to God’s way. Bringing the message home, Pastor Donnell reminds us that failure is not the opposite of discipleship but an essential part of it. Peter’s failure in misunderstanding Jesus was not the end of his story; instead, Jesus later restores him, showing that grace is always present. As disciples, we must resist the belief that God is only on the side of success. Instead, we are called to trust God fully, even in failure. The sermon closes with a practical challenge: to reach out to someone we’ve been avoiding, acknowledging that reconciliation and restoration are core to following Jesus. Through Peter’s journey, we are invited to embrace both failure and grace, trusting that God is present in every part of our story. |
Mon, 17 February 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - Lord, Save Me! (Matthew 14:25-30) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: This week, Pastor Donnell continues the Unfinished series, exploring the life of Peter as a model of discipleship in progress. Peter’s journey is one of ups and downs, moments of bold faith followed by fear and doubt. In Matthew 14:25-30, we find Peter stepping out of the boat, walking toward Jesus on the water—only to begin sinking when he notices the storm around him. In this moment of crisis, Peter cries out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus immediately reaches out to catch him. This passage invites us to reflect on how our fears hold us back, how we navigate uncertainty, and whether we trust in God’s faithfulness even when the waves threaten to overwhelm us. Pastor Donnell challenges us to consider where we place our confidence—do we rely on our own ability to stay afloat, or do we trust in God’s presence and provision? Like Peter, we often step out in faith but waver when circumstances feel out of our control. Jesus’ response to Peter reminds us that he does not condemn us for our doubts but meets us with compassion and strength. Even in moments when our faith feels small, God remains faithful. Discipleship, then, is not about achieving perfect faith but learning to trust Jesus more deeply, even in the midst of life’s storms. As the sermon closes, we are invited to examine our own posture—are we living with open hands, ready to receive and give in trust? Or are we clinging to control, fear, and self-reliance? The call to discipleship is an invitation to step beyond the boat’s security, to let go of our false sense of control, and to follow Jesus into the unknown, knowing that he will always reach out and catch us when we call. |
Mon, 10 February 2025
“Two Steps Forward, One Step Back - Jonathan Hurshman - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In a few verses, Simon Peter goes from being praised by Jesus to being sharply rebuked by him. Peter’s encounter shows that Jesus doesn’t ask his apprentices to always be right. Instead, he invites us to trust his way of life and to reject sketchy shortcuts to godly goals. |
Mon, 3 February 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - Self-Esteemies - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell Wyche continued the Unfinished series on Simon Peter, focusing on Luke 5:11. He explored a key shift in the passage—the pronouns moving from “Simon” to “they”—emphasizing that faith is not a solitary journey but a communal experience. Jesus calls us not just to personal transformation but to a collective identity, where we find ourselves through relationships with others. The sermon highlighted that discipleship is not self-actualization but participation in the diverse, multi-generational, and multi-ethnic community that Jesus is forming. Pastor Donnell then examined how our self-image shapes our faith journey. He illustrated this with personal stories, including his own realization of aging and vision changes, drawing a parallel to how we often construct false identities based on external validation. He cautioned against the influence of curated images in social media and advertising, reminding the congregation that our worth is found in God, not in how others perceive us. Using the story of Peter’s encounter with Jesus, he emphasized that true discipleship requires leaving behind not just material possessions but also the false self we construct for security and approval. The sermon concluded with a call to embrace our true identity in Christ. Just as Peter had to surrender his old self to follow Jesus, we, too, must let go of self-centered pursuits and the layers of pretense we build around our identity. Pastor Donnell encouraged the congregation to see themselves as God sees them—beloved and whole. He ended with a practical exercise: taking a selfie, not as a tool of vanity, but as a reflection of God’s love for each of us as we are. |
Mon, 27 January 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - I Am a Sinner - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week’s sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores the transformative encounter between Simon Peter and Jesus in Luke 5:1-11. The message unpacks the profound moment when Simon recognizes his own sinfulness in the presence of the divine, confessing, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Through the lens of proclamation and demonstration, Jesus reveals God’s boundless generosity, freedom, and joy, offering Simon an invitation into a life shaped by trust in God rather than self-reliance. This encounter challenges Simon—and us—to embrace God’s grace in the midst of our imperfections and fears. Pastor Donnell Wyche highlights how Jesus’ actions mirror His words. He proclaims God’s good news to the poor and oppressed and then demonstrates it through the miraculous catch of fish, showing Simon that the kingdom of God is one of abundance and freedom. Simon’s confession of sin arises not just from the miracle but from a deeper realization of God’s intimate care and presence, which disrupts Simon’s worldview and invites him to trust God in the “deep waters” of life—spaces where control falters, and faith is required. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that we are seen and loved by a God who meets us in our brokenness, not to condemn but to redeem. Just as Jesus reassured Simon with the words, “Don’t be afraid,” He extends the same comfort to us, inviting us to lay down our defenses and step into a fuller, freer life. The call is clear: trust in the God who sees you, loves you, and demonstrates His goodness in both ordinary and extraordinary ways.
|
Mon, 20 January 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - Are you Willing? - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: This week, Pastor Donnell Wyche shared the story of Simon Peter’s life-changing encounter with Jesus in Luke 5:1-11. As Jesus teaches from Simon’s boat, He commands Simon to lower his nets into the deep water despite Simon’s skepticism and prior fruitless efforts. The miraculous catch of fish that follows demonstrates both Jesus’ divine authority and His personal care for Simon. Pastor Donnell highlighted how this moment challenges the false separation between the divine and the secular, showing that God’s presence infuses every aspect of our lives, from our work to our relationships. Through the story, Pastor Donnell emphasized that Jesus meets us where we are, entering our world and using what we know to reveal God’s kingdom. For Simon, this meant realizing that his skills as a fisherman had new meaning in the context of God’s purposes. This encounter is not about Simon’s worthiness but his willingness to trust and follow. Despite Simon’s initial sarcasm and doubt, Jesus calls him into a deeper life of dependence on God, transforming his priorities and inviting him to join a mission far greater than himself. The sermon concluded with a reflection on the grace of God, who accepts us as we are but also calls us to live differently. Just as Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid,” He extends the same invitation to us, asking if we are willing to live in the fullness of God’s kingdom. Pastor Donnell urged listeners to read and reflect on Luke 5:1-11, allowing the story to reveal how God’s blessings and invitations meet us in our everyday lives. |
Mon, 13 January 2025
Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - You Aren’t Who You Think You Are (Luke 5:1-3) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In the opening sermon of the Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples series, Pastor Donnell Wyche reflected on Luke 5:1-3, where Jesus begins His relationship with Simon Peter by asking for his help. Pastor Donnell explained how this simple yet profound invitation reveals the heart of God. Jesus communicates to Simon that He trusts him, believes in him, and sees him—not just as a fisherman but as someone with a greater purpose in God’s unfolding story. This moment challenges us to consider our own identity and worth through God’s eyes, reminding us that God meets us where we are, even in our frustration, disappointment, or uncertainty. Pastor Donnell highlighted Simon’s reluctance and irritation at being asked to assist Jesus after a long, unsuccessful night of fishing. Yet, even in his weariness and doubt, Simon agrees to Jesus’ request. This sets the stage for a transformative encounter. Through this act of obedience, Simon begins to see himself in a new light—not defined solely by his profession or failures but as someone invited into partnership with the divine. Pastor Donnell emphasized that Jesus calls us to discover who we truly are, not in isolation but in relationship with God, who knows us better than we know ourselves. The sermon concluded with a practical spiritual exercise, inviting listeners to meditate on Luke 5:1-11. Pastor Donnell encouraged the congregation to reflect on the story by imagining themselves in various roles—Simon, Jesus, or even an observer. This practice allows us to explore how Jesus’ words, “I trust you,” “I believe in you,” and “I see you,” speak to our own lives. Pastor Donnell urged everyone to embrace the ongoing journey of discipleship and discover their identity in the presence of God. |
Mon, 6 January 2025
A New Your for the New Year - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell Wyche welcomed the congregation into the new year with a message of hope and transformation, inviting everyone to embrace the promise of “A New You for the New Year.” Drawing on the spirit of renewal inherent in the season, Pastor Donnell highlighted how the new year offers us the opportunity to leave the past behind and step into a future filled with hope, promise, and potential. He explored how Jesus’ desire for us aligns with our resolutions: to live lives of joy, meaning, and freedom from worry, rooted in trust and dependence on God. Using John 10 as a central text, Pastor Donnell unpacked Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd, who offers us abundant life, care, and protection, inviting us to experience life in its fullness. In a reflective and practical exercise, Pastor Donnell encouraged the congregation to examine the fears and struggles they carried from the past year. He led them to write down what disrupted their peace in 2024 and the missed opportunities to trust Jesus. This act of naming the challenges was a step toward letting go of burdens and stepping into 2025 with renewed trust in God’s provision. Pastor Donnell emphasized that Jesus knows each of us intimately and is present in every moment, ready to transform our fears into opportunities for growth and trust. The sermon concluded with an invitation to discernment. Pastor Donnell encouraged the congregation to listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit, step into the gaps in the world where God’s kingdom has yet to fully break through, and take risks to reflect God’s generosity and love. Through practical acts of faith and obedience, we can cultivate a deeper sensitivity to God’s presence and experience the abundant life Jesus promises. The new year is an opportunity to let go, take risks, and live as joyful, free, and faithful disciples. |
Wed, 25 December 2024
The Good News Worth Sharing - A Christmas Message (Luke 2:1-20) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this Christmas Eve message, Pastor Donnell explores the nature of genuine good news through Luke's nativity narrative, contrasting it with today's overwhelming information landscape. Drawing from Luke 2, he unpacks three essential qualities of authentic good news: its relevance for today, its reliability, and its inherent shareability. Through the lens of the shepherds' experience, he illustrates how God's news breaks into our lives unexpectedly but precisely when needed. The sermon delves into the practical implications of trustworthy news in our "post-truth" era. Using the shepherds' journey to find Jesus as a metaphor, Pastor Donnell emphasizes how specific, verifiable details - like the manger mentioned three times in Luke's account - serve as reliable markers guiding people to truth. He challenges the congregation to consider their role as bearers of reliable truth in a world saturated with misinformation. The message culminates in a powerful Christmas prayer focusing on practical love and empathy. Pastor Donnell weaves together themes of neighborly love, enemy love, and self-awareness, emphasizing that true good news transforms how we treat others and ourselves. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to embrace humility, practice forgiveness, and trust in God's unchanging love, even in moments of failure. |
Mon, 23 December 2024
Advent Sermon #4 - The Loving Gospel (John 3:16-17, Luke 1:26-27) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this final Sunday of Advent, Pastor Donnell explores the transformative power of love through the Christmas narrative. He challenges our understanding of love beyond mere feelings, presenting it as an active force that moves toward us, exemplified perfectly in God's decision to enter human history as a child. Through engaging illustrations, including a conversation with a four-year-old about the nature of love, he demonstrates how love transcends emotion to become tangible action. The sermon traces humanity's complex relationship with God, from the Garden of Eden through various covenants, leading to God's ultimate expression of love in sending Jesus. Drawing from John 3:16-17 and Luke 1:26-27, Pastor Donnell illustrates how Christmas represents God's decisive move toward humanity, choosing vulnerability over power to demonstrate perfect love. This divine approach reveals that love isn't passive but actively seeks connection, transforms relationships, and overcomes barriers. The message culminates by exploring how God's love enables our own capacity to love others. Referencing Matthew 22:36-40 and 1 John 4:18-19, Pastor Donnell explains that authentic love flows from experiencing God's love first. He concludes with a practical breathing exercise designed to help listeners internalize God's unconditional love, emphasizing that receiving God's love forms the foundation for loving others effectively. |
Mon, 16 December 2024
Advent Sermon #3 - The Joyful Gospel Revealed (Luke 2:10-11) - Jonathan Hurshman - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this third Sunday of Advent, Jonathan Hurshman challenges the common Christian cliché that "joy is not based on circumstances." Drawing from both scripture and neuroscience research by Dr. Alan Shore, he presents joy as "the experience of being with someone who is glad to be with you." Through the Advent narrative of the shepherds receiving good news of great joy, he demonstrates how this understanding of joy aligns with God's consistent desire to be present with His people. The sermon weaves through biblical examples from Luke 2, Philippians 4, and the story of the Prodigal Son to show how joy is fundamentally relational rather than circumstantial. Hurshman explains that joy can coexist with other emotions, including sorrow, because it's rooted in God's presence rather than the absence of difficulty. Using Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son" and insights from early church teachings about the Trinity, he illustrates how God's joy in being with us enables our joy in being with Him. The message concludes with practical applications for cultivating joy through breath prayers, building genuine community, and developing our imagination of God's gladness to be with us. He emphasizes that while we cannot directly manufacture joy, we can create space for it to grow by staying connected to God and others, understanding that "God is more glad to be with us than we can imagine." |
Mon, 9 December 2024
Advent Sermon #2 - The Peaceful Gospel (Luke 1:7-13) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Donnell revisits Zechariah and Elizabeth's story, exploring how their season of silence and waiting became the fertile ground for God's peace. Through their narrative, he illuminates that peace isn't the absence of trouble but rather the presence of God in our circumstances. The sermon challenges the oversimplified notion that knowing God automatically equals peace, acknowledging the complex journey of developing peace through relationship and dependence on God. Luke's account strategically uses Elizabeth's barrenness to illustrate God's creative power and divine timing. Pastor Donnell explains how, just as Israel yearned for rescue, this story reveals how God births peace from barren places, demonstrating that divine interruptions often occur in life's ordinary moments. Zechariah's encounter with the angel while performing his routine priestly duties exemplifies how God's peace arrives unexpectedly, transforming our perspective even when circumstances remain unchanged. The message concludes by contrasting worldly paths to peace with God's approach of finding peace through divine presence. Pastor Donnell offers practical guidance through an ancient breath prayer exercise, reminding us that peace isn't an achievement but a Presence we receive. Drawing from Philippians 4:4-9, he emphasizes that God's peace transcends understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, even amid life's interruptions and struggles. |
Mon, 2 December 2024
Advent Sermon #1 - The Hopeful Gospel Revealed - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this first Sunday of Advent, Pastor Donnell explores the inherent hope found within the gospel through the lens of Zechariah and Elizabeth's story. Drawing from Luke 1, he examines how this faithful couple's journey from barrenness to blessing mirrors our own experiences of waiting and divine intervention. Through their narrative, we discover that God's silence doesn't equate to God's absence, and that hope often emerges in unexpected places and ordinary moments. Pastor Donnell challenges us to choose between nihilism and hope, sharing personal insights about finding God in life's mundane moments – even while washing dishes. He presents three key ways the gospel brings hope: God enters our story, our current circumstances don't define our future, and God's redemptive work encompasses all of creation. Through engaging storytelling and thoughtful reflection, he illustrates how the gospel guarantees that God's promises find their fulfillment in Christ. The sermon concludes with a practical spiritual exercise called "be in the room," teaching listeners how to rest in God's presence amidst life's distractions. Pastor Donnell shares accessible techniques for managing wandering thoughts during quiet time with God, comparing them to boats passing by while we remain anchored on the shoreline. This timely message reminds us that during Advent's darkening days, hope shines brightest when we learn to trust in God's presence in both light and darkness.
|
Mon, 18 November 2024
Back to Basics: Why Do We Pray? - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell explores the question "Why Do We Pray?" through an engaging and personal approach, beginning with the intriguing observation that Jesus' disciples had to specifically ask him to teach them to pray. With characteristic warmth and humor, he introduces the concept that prayer is "appetite-driven" – not something forced upon us, but rather an invitation that awakens something deep within us as God patiently waits for us to acknowledge our need for connection. Through three main themes drawn from Psalm 139, Pastor Donnell illustrates that we pray because we are fully known, because God is with us, and to be transformed. He emphasizes a particularly powerful point: not only does God love us, but God likes us just as we are. Using personal stories, including one about his grandmother Pearl who wouldn't let go of a hug until she knew her love had been fully received, Pastor Donnell paints a picture of a God who accepts us completely, even in our anxiety, fears, and imperfections. The sermon culminates in exploring how prayer serves as a transformative practice, but not in the way many might expect. Rather than focusing on correct words or postures, Pastor Donnell describes transformation as something that happens when we finally let our guard down in God's presence – similar to the way we relax with someone we've learned to trust. He concludes with a practical evening prayer exercise, while humorously adding that if people don't want God to answer and reveal truths about themselves, they might want to pray instead: "God, keep me ignorant of my ways. Don't reveal any truths to me today. Just let me know you love me instead." |
Mon, 11 November 2024
Back to Basics: Hope Is Our Superpower! - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this inspiring sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the transformative power of hope in the face of adversity. Drawing from Romans 12:9b-14, he emphasizes the call to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer," and examines what this looks like amidst betrayal and suffering. Pastor Donnell delves into the story of Joseph, who, despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers and facing numerous injustices, remained steadfast in his hope and trust in God. Pastor Donnell highlights how Joseph's unwavering hope not only sustained him but also brought blessings to those around him—even in the most challenging circumstances. He notes that Joseph's recognition of God's presence allowed him to thrive and forgive, turning what was meant for harm into good. This powerful example serves as a reminder that fear, anger, and injustice are the enemies of hope, but by keeping hope alive, we can overcome these obstacles. Concluding the sermon, Pastor Donnell offers a practical tip: pause each day, especially when feeling overwhelmed, to remember God's presence, just as Joseph did. He encourages us to notice the small ways God brings life and hope into our lives, reinforcing that the same God who transformed Joseph's story is actively working in ours. By keeping hope alive, we anchor our souls and open ourselves to God's restorative work. |
Mon, 4 November 2024
Back to Basics: An Invitation to New Life - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell begins with the universal struggle of feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from God, especially when life seems to offer only exhaustion and disappointment. He reminds us that in these moments of despair, our natural responses—like fear and control—may feel necessary but ultimately leave us unfulfilled. Instead, the invitation Jesus offers is not to seek more control or avoid hardship but to embrace a new life through surrender and trust in God's Spirit. Using Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, Pastor Donnell illustrates how God brings life to what seems dead. He shares a poignant story of someone finding hope and renewal amid hardship, showing how God's Spirit works through ordinary people and unexpected grace. This new life, he explains, does not erase struggles but offers a way through them, fostering resilience, healing, and hope that even the most barren areas of our lives can be restored. Concluding with practical steps, Pastor Donnell encourages the congregation to begin each day with a prayer of surrender, inviting the Holy Spirit to bring new life into their day-to-day challenges. He emphasizes that this journey is a pilgrimage toward love, trust, and a closer relationship with Jesus—a journey that transforms us and brings life to even the driest parts of our souls. |
Mon, 28 October 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Resisting Hypersexualization – Recovering Sacred Dignity – Ephesians - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell tackles the issue of hypersexualization in modern culture, emphasizing the need for a biblical approach to sexuality that honors human dignity beyond physical desires. He introduces his sermon with a candid discussion on the complexities of sexual ethics, influenced by Christian thinkers like Howard Thurman and James Cone, who view Christianity as a support for the oppressed, including those marginalized by current sexual norms. Highlighting Jesus as a model of complete humanity without sexual activity, Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to see sexuality as a part of our spiritual and emotional makeup, not just physical. He critiques how media and advertising exploit our sexual desires to sell products, using the absurd example of a "sexy cow" to question the moral implications of such tactics. Pastor Donnell delves into Paul’s warnings in Ephesians about the dangers of a hypersexualized society that equates human worth with sexual appeal, urging a return to seeing the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit deserving respect and purity. Concluding, Pastor Donnell advocates for a shift towards a theology that views bodies as sacred, calling for open, honest church discussions on sexuality to cultivate a healthier understanding. He encourages the congregation to reflect on personal views of sexuality and actively challenge societal objectification, promoting a scripturally grounded respect for our own and others' dignity. This reflection aims to inspire personal and communal changes in how sexuality is perceived and taught within the Christian community. |
Mon, 21 October 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Unmasking the Chains – Voices of Liberation and Justice - Mark 5 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this week’s sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the profound themes of oppression and liberation, drawing on the insights of Howard Thurman and James Cone to highlight Christianity's commitment to the oppressed. He challenges the notion that the gospel is solely about spiritual salvation, emphasizing its call for physical, emotional, and systemic liberation. Anchoring his message in 2 Corinthians 3:17, Pastor Donnell reminds us that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty—liberty that must permeate our societal structures and personal interactions. Pastor Donnell discusses contemporary and historical injustices, using the story of the Gerasene demoniac from Mark 5 to illustrate how Jesus' ministry was actively committed to confronting and dismantling the powers of bondage. This passage not only reflects the plight of those oppressed by visible and invisible chains but also calls Christians to actively participate in the struggle against these oppressive forces by naming, opposing, and seeking to overcome them. Concluding his message, Pastor Donnell invites the congregation to reflect on their role in perpetuating or combating oppressive ideologies. He encourages a Christianity that does more than observe; it acts to heal and liberate. By advocating for a practical application of Jesus' teachings, Pastor Donnell urges the community to commit to justice, inclusivity, and the destruction of the walls that divide us. The sermon ends with a practical tip: to dedicate time each week to reflect on how one can actively contribute to creating a more just and equitable society, truly embodying the liberating power of the gospel. |
Mon, 14 October 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Living the Theology of Enough – A Rejection of Greed - Ephesians 5:3-7 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this stirring sermon, Pastor Donnell delves into the perilous allure of greed, using the iconic speech from the movie "Wall Street" to frame his discussion. He explores the destructive power of greed, which, while motivating and clarifying, also blinds us to the true nature of abundance in God's creation. Pastor Donnell contrasts the worldview promoted by empire—marked by scarcity and self-preservation—with the biblical call to community and shared humanity. He points out that the empire's narrative compels us to hoard and isolate, whereas God has wired us for love, compassion, and communal support. Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to recognize how societal structures, particularly those driven by consumerism, reinforce a scarcity mindset that breeds greed. This system persuades us that life's value is measured by consumption and material wealth rather than the virtues of peace, joy, and love. He argues that greed is a learned behavior, not an intrinsic human trait, and critiques the way our society equates personal worth with production and consumption. This worldview is not only at odds with Christian teachings but also blinds us to the abundance that God provides. The sermon concludes with a call to adopt a theology of enough, urging us to reject the narrative of scarcity propagated by the empire. Pastor Donnell invites the congregation to live by the principles of generosity and contentment laid out in the scriptures, from the manna in the desert to the teachings of John the Baptist. He encourages everyone to reflect on their relationship with money and possessions, to identify where they sense scarcity, and to consider how embracing a mindset of 'enough' could transform their lives and relationships. This reflection aims to inspire actions that align with the kingdom of God, fostering a community that thrives on mutual support and shared resources. |
Mon, 7 October 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Embracing God's Kingdom Over Nationalism - Luke 22 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In his sermon titled "The Gospel Unbound: Embracing God's Kingdom Over Nationalism," Pastor Donnell delves into the divisive effects of Christian Nationalism, contrasting it with Jesus' message of inclusion and service found in Luke 22. He explains that Christian Nationalism merges Christian identity with national identity, often leading to exclusion and the desire for dominance in public life. This ideology not only rejects the fundamental Christian value of universal brotherhood but also fosters division by emphasizing rigid national and cultural boundaries, which can lead to societal violence and suppression of minority groups. Pastor Donnell further illuminates the tension between the idolatry of nationalism and the principles of Jesus' teachings. He points out that Jesus rejected all forms of earthly power offered to him, emphasizing servant leadership and inclusivity as the core of His mission. The sermon highlights the stark contrasts between the oppressive practices of Christian Nationalism, which seeks control and promotes a narrow cultural identity, and Jesus’ advocacy for a kingdom that includes all people, regardless of their background. This approach challenges the congregation to recognize and reject the idolization of the nation-state over the compassionate and liberating mission of Jesus. The sermon concludes with a practical application, urging the congregation to reflect on their personal and communal lives to identify and overcome any tendencies toward exclusion or superiority. Pastor Donnell encourages a commitment to the politics of Jesus—a politics that transcends borders and embraces every person as a beloved child of God. He provides a practical tip for the week: to spend time in contemplation, examining areas where one might harbor feelings that are contrary to Jesus' example of servant leadership and inclusive love, thus fostering a more compassionate and inclusive community. |
Mon, 30 September 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Jesus' Political Manifesto: Healing and Liberation - Luke 4:18-21 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this fourth message of "The Gospel Unbound" series, Pastor Donnell tackles the often-overlooked political dimensions of Jesus' ministry, beginning with a key passage from Luke 4:18-21. Here, Jesus boldly outlines His mission: to bring good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. Pastor Donnell emphasizes that these actions are not merely spiritual metaphors, but concrete political actions that challenge existing power structures and prioritize the marginalized and suffering in society. The reaction of those in the synagogue to Jesus' declaration is telling—they are furious, driven to violence by His radical inclusion and the threat it poses to the status quo. This narrative sets the stage for understanding the deeply political nature of Jesus' actions throughout His ministry. Pastor Donnell argues that Jesus was not just concerned with spiritual matters but was actively engaged in reordering social relationships and structures. His mission was infused with actions that provided tangible relief and challenged oppressive systems, illustrating a divine favor that was radically inclusive. Concluding, Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to adopt Jesus' political agenda as their own. This entails shifting our approach to societal engagement by starting with the question, "Where does it hurt?" Such a focus demands a politics of compassion and action, rather than one of exclusion and judgment. Pastor Donnell calls for a church that not only discusses Jesus' teachings but actively lives them out, engaging with the world in ways that reflect Jesus' mission to heal, liberate, and proclaim God's favor. This week, the congregation is encouraged to reflect on how they can practically engage with and serve the marginalized communities mentioned in Luke 4, truly embodying the spirit of Jesus' command to bring the kingdom of God to all. |
Mon, 23 September 2024
The Gospel Unbound: Pay to Caesar's What’s Caesar's - Matthew 22:15-22 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this third message of "The Gospel Unbound" series, Pastor Donnell dives into the complexities of balancing our spiritual and civic responsibilities, particularly through the lens of Jesus' teaching on giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. He begins by contextualizing the famous biblical scenario where the Pharisees attempt to entrap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. This scene, often misinterpreted as a call to separate the religious from the political, is instead a profound teaching on the sovereignty of God over all things, including political systems. Pastor Donnell elucidates that Jesus' response to the Pharisees was not about promoting political passivity but was a radical assertion of God’s ultimate authority over all creation. By asking whose image was on the coin used for the tax, Jesus points out that while the currency bears Caesar's image, everything, including the political realm, ultimately belongs to God. This clever retort not only evades the trap set by the Pharisees, but also subtly reminds His listeners that their primary allegiance should lie with God, who reigns over all kings and kingdoms. The sermon closes with a practical application urging the congregation to reflect on where their loyalties lie. Pastor Donnell challenges each person to consider how they might be inadvertently giving to Caesar—be it through excessive adherence to secular norms, materialism, or nationalistic fervor—what rightly belongs to God. He encourages a week of reflection and prayer, aimed at realigning our lives to acknowledge and manifest God's ultimate authority over every aspect of our existence, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect our divine allegiance. |
Mon, 16 September 2024
The Gospel Unbound: No Party Affiliation or Constituents – Just Submission - Luke 4 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this second message of "The Gospel Unbound" series, Pastor Donnell dives into the political and spiritual significance of Jesus' baptism and subsequent temptations in the wilderness in Luke 4. Unlike worldly rulers who build their authority on affiliations, Jesus begins His ministry by submitting to God's will through baptism, despite the objections of John the Baptist. In this act, Jesus models the form of leadership—not one rooted in power or self-interest, but in humility and submission to the divine mission He has been called to fulfill. Pastor Donnell takes us through the wilderness experience where Jesus, filled with the Spirit, faces three core temptations: materialism, power, and self-interest. These temptations, often viewed as personal tests, reveal a deeper political context that speaks to how societies and governments operate. By resisting the lure of economic manipulation, coercive power, and religious spectacle, Jesus affirms a radically different kind of kingdom—one not of domination but of sacrificial love and service. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Donnell emphasizes the relevance of Jesus' example for our own lives. As we navigate personal and societal challenges, we are reminded that true faithfulness lies not in shortcuts or compromises, but in our commitment to live as God's beloved, resisting the temptations that promise quick fixes. The message closes with a practical reflection: How are our own "wilderness moments" shaping us, and how can we remain faithful to God’s call in the face of life's temptations? |
Mon, 9 September 2024
The Gospel Unbound: The Politics of the Incarnation - John 1 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this provocative sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the often avoided intersections of politics, race, and religion within the context of Christian faith. The sermon opens with a critical examination of the societal rule against discussing these themes in polite conversation, questioning its origin and its impact on Christian discourse. Pastor Donnell argues that such avoidance does a disservice to the church's mission to live out God's liberation, as outlined in Dr. Alonzo Johnson's "Good News for the Disinherited." Delving into biblical narratives, Pastor Donnell portrays God as inherently political, challenging the congregation to reconsider their perspectives on divine intervention in human affairs. The sermon highlights key scriptural moments, including Joshua’s encounter with the "Captain of the Lord’s Host" and the political implications of God’s incarnation as described in the Gospel of John. These stories are used to illustrate the dangerous, yet necessary, call to live as kingdom people under God’s reign in Empire. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Donnell engages with contemporary issues such as gun violence, racial injustice, economic disparity, and environmental concerns, demonstrating how these are not just political issues but deeply theological ones that the church must address. The sermon boldly asserts that ignoring these topics allows secular politics to overshadow theological discourse, thereby weakening the church's prophetic voice. Concluding with practical guidance, Pastor Donnell encourages the congregation to engage in a "Venn Diagram" exercise to map out their views on what is political and what is theological. This reflective practice aims to open hearts and minds to Jesus' radical politics, inviting believers to align their lives with His transformative vision for the world. By weaving personal reflections with scriptural exegesis and societal critique, Pastor Donnell invites believers to a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically as followers of Christ in a complex and often divisive world, challenging them to transform their political engagements in light of the gospel. |
Mon, 2 September 2024
Purity of Heart: Seeing God in Our Actions and Intentions - Matthew 5 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this thoughtful exploration of purity in the context of Christian faith, Pastor Donnell challenges the traditional notions tied to external ritual purity, arguing for a deeper, more intrinsic understanding of purity as taught by Jesus. Starting with the historical context where "cleanliness" and "godliness" were associated with ritual and external purity, Pastor Donnell shifts focus to the purity of heart that Jesus emphasizes. This teaching confronts and transforms the Pharisaical obsession with external purity, highlighting a profound gospel truth: what emanates from the heart defines one’s purity. Pastor Donnell delves into the scriptural account where Jesus teaches that true defilement isn’t about what enters one's body, but rather what springs forth from one's heart, including evils like greed, malice, and deceit. He articulates how these internal impurities manifest externally and corrupt human interaction and community. By revisiting Jesus' response to the Pharisees—who focused intensely on the superficial—Pastor Donnell emphasizes that the purity Christ seeks is heart-centric, involving integrity, sincerity, and an alignment of one’s inner and outer lives. Concluding the sermon, Pastor Donnell draws upon personal reflections and biblical narratives to illustrate how living with a pure heart influences our perception of God and our spiritual journey. He introduces a compelling portrayal of how individuals who cultivate purity of heart—those whose actions and motives are consistently aligned with God's will—experience a profound sense of God's presence and guidance in their lives. By encouraging the congregation to embrace this inner purity, Pastor Donnell not only redefines the concept of being 'clean before God' but also invites believers to engage in a transformative process that aligns their deepest intentions with divine purposes, leading to a life rich with spiritual insight and divine encounter. |
Mon, 26 August 2024
An Invitation to Transformation - Catherine Bartholomay - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: When we say yes to following Jesus, opportunities to be transformed and bring transformation are continuously present. Let’s look at the example of Mary, mother of Jesus, for glimpses of how this can happen when we are open to God working in our lives and world.
|
Mon, 19 August 2024
A Practical Look at the Vision of the Ann Arbor Vineyard - Glenn Hillaker - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: This sermon explores how the vision of the Ann Arbor Vineyard can be lived out in practical ways.
|
Mon, 12 August 2024
In the Name of Jesus (Part 2 of 2) - David Paladino - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In part, two of this two part series, we look at the role of Jesus as our high priest in more detail. For many of us, when we’re truly honest, we’re not sure Jesus is comfortable with the grittiness of our humanity. A deeper look at Hebrews shows us that he truly does understand our humanity and lived a fully human life. He is also uniquely the Son of God and to understand our salvation we need to see that after Jesus was resurrected, he ascended to the right hand of the Father. The good news includes that Jesus, a fully human being, is in heaven making intercession for us. This gives us hope when our faith is difficult or uncertain as an anchor for our soul—he helps us with our faith.
|
Mon, 5 August 2024
In the Name of Jesus (Part 1 of 2) - David Paladino - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: It’s common for us to look backwards to better times when our current situation is difficult. This is true in our faith journey as well. The problem is that this approach puts the burden on us to be able to remember and “re-believe” our conversion moment or the last time we felt close to God. This was a similar problem facing the Christians who received the Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament and who were facing persecution. The answer God gave them through the author of the letter was to see Jesus as their High Priest. The power in this is that we realize God has not just come and rescued us through Jesus as a one-time event, but that he has given us a high priest in Jesus who helps us trust and respond back to God, especially when thing are hard.
|
Mon, 22 July 2024
Mercy, Grace, and Compassion: The Compassionate Father - Luke 15 - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this thought-provoking sermon from the series "Mercy, Grace, Compassion," Pastor Donnell begins by defining these interconnected concepts before delving into the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. He offers a fresh perspective that shifts our focus to the father's extraordinary display of mercy, challenging societal norms of the time. By comparing the father's actions to those typically associated with a mother's love, Pastor Donnell challenges our conventional understanding of God's character and invites us to reconsider our image of divine mercy. Pastor Donnell expertly weaves together the story's narrative, highlighting the father's compassionate response to his wayward son's return and contrasting it with the older brother's struggle to accept such boundless forgiveness. This exploration of the elder brother's perspective mirrors our own potential hesitations when faced with extending mercy to those we deem less deserving. Through this, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own attitudes towards mercy and justice, and to recognize the transformative power of God's kindness in leading us to repentance. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of the importance of our perception of God, emphasizing that a compassionate, merciful, and grace-filled image of the Divine can inspire us to live more courageous and kingdom-oriented lives. Pastor Donnell leaves the audience with a challenge to allow the Holy Spirit to renovate their hearts, enabling them to more fully embrace and embody the merciful nature of God in their own lives and relationships. This message reinforces that mercy is not just a theological concept, but a practical action that can profoundly affect how we interact with others in our community. |
Mon, 15 July 2024
Stone Catching: Mercy, Grace, and Compassion - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this enriching sermon, Pastor Donnell introduces a new series focusing on the profound Christian virtues of mercy, grace, and compassion, drawing on compelling biblical narratives and personal anecdotes to illuminate their meanings and implications. He begins by defining these terms distinctly—mercy as compassion or forgiveness in place of harshness, grace as unmerited favor beyond what is deserved, and compassion as a deep empathy coupled with a desire to alleviate suffering. Through these definitions, Pastor Donnell sets the stage for understanding how these virtues play out in real-world scenarios, such as offering forgiveness where punishment is expected, or intervening benevolently in someone else's difficulty without any obligation. Pastor Donnell then shares a personal story from a visit to Cedar Point, where he acted on compassionate impulse to help a stranger in a small but significant way, exemplifying how these virtues are not just theological concepts but actionable practices that can transform everyday interactions. He connects these acts to the scriptural story of Jesus and the adulterous woman in John 8, where Jesus exemplifies mercy and compassion in a challenging situation. By refusing to condemn the woman and inviting her to change her life, Jesus demonstrates that mercy and compassion can powerfully counteract judgment and exclusion. Finally, Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to apply these virtues in their interactions, particularly emphasizing the radical welcome of Jesus that transcends mere tolerance to include active, transformative love. He calls on everyone to reflect on how they can embody mercy, grace, and compassion in their own lives, encouraging a practical application that moves beyond the pews and into the streets, shaping a more forgiving and empathetic community. This sermon not only lays the groundwork for the upcoming series but also invites listeners to deep personal reflection on how they can make these powerful virtues a daily reality. |
Mon, 8 July 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Have You Received the Holy Spirit? - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell delves into Acts 19 to explore the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in forming the early multiethnic church, highlighting Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. He begins by examining Paul's initial interactions in Ephesus, where Paul confronts a community deeply entrenched in idolatry and spiritual confusion. Pastor Donnell points out that despite the overwhelming presence of idols, Paul identifies the Holy Spirit's preparatory work in people's hearts, readying them for the transformative message of the Gospel. This readiness among the Ephesians showcases the universal applicability and adaptability of the Gospel across different cultures and beliefs. Pastor Donnell further discusses the challenges Paul faces as he introduces the concept of the Holy Spirit to believers who were unfamiliar with it, leading to powerful demonstrations of God's power through speaking in tongues and prophesying. These signs not only affirm the believers’ faith but also attract significant attention, both positive and adverse, from the surrounding community. Pastor Donnell emphasizes the dramatic scene where local exorcists attempt to replicate Paul’s success, only to be overwhelmed by the very spirits they try to command. This incident underscores the necessity of a genuine connection with Christ and the Holy Spirit, beyond mere knowledge of or familiarity with Christian teachings. Concluding the sermon, Pastor Donnell reflects on the societal impact of the Gospel as depicted by Luke in Acts 19. He ties the historical context to today's challenges within the church, particularly regarding embracing a multiethnic and multigenerational congregation. By examining Paul's strategic and sensitive approach to different cultural contexts, Pastor Donnell calls on the congregation to embrace the Holy Spirit’s role in breaking down barriers and fostering a truly inclusive community. This sermon invites believers to not only appreciate the depth of the Gospel’s reach but also to actively participate in creating a church environment where diverse backgrounds are not just present but are integral to the church’s identity and mission. |
Mon, 1 July 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Resisting the Temptation to Give Up - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: Pastor Donnell explores the challenges and dynamics of early Christian evangelism in a multicultural context through the lens of Acts 18, focusing on Paul's ministry in Corinth. After experiencing mixed receptions and violent rejections in his missionary work, Paul arrives in Corinth, a city of diverse backgrounds including exiles and different ethnic groups. In his sermon, Pastor Donnell delves into the complexities of preaching to a mixed audience, where Paul's message of inclusion through Christ meets both acceptance and intense resistance. The reaction in Corinth reflects broader social and spiritual conflicts, as some community members embrace the gospel while others perceive it as a threat to their cultural identity and security. This tension leads to a significant moment where Paul decides to focus his efforts on the Gentiles after facing rejection from his fellow Jews. Pastor Donnell uses this shift to discuss the emotional and spiritual labor involved in forming a church that not only welcomes diversity but actively integrates it into its core identity. Concluding, Pastor Donnell reflects on the vision and resilience required to build a truly multicultural church community. He points out that despite the setbacks Paul faced, including violence and opposition, the apostle's commitment to his mission—fueled by a divine reassurance of safety and impact in Corinth—underscores the enduring call for Christians to engage deeply with and within diverse communities. Through Paul’s example, Pastor Donnell encourages the congregation to embrace the challenges of diversity as opportunities for profound spiritual growth and witness, affirming that true belonging in the church transcends cultural, ethnic, and historical barriers. |
Mon, 24 June 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Centered Set and the Multicultural Church - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell takes us through Paul’s time in Athens as detailed in Acts 17, focusing on how Paul adeptly navigates a culturally rich yet spiritually idolatrous environment. Paul, finding himself in a city teeming with idols, does not dismiss the Athenians' beliefs but instead engages deeply with their culture. He recognizes that God was already at work in Athens, preparing the way for the Gospel. Pastor Donnell emphasizes that Paul’s initial disturbance at the city’s idolatry transforms into a strategic engagement. By reasoning in synagogues and marketplaces, Paul demonstrates a commitment to understanding and dialoguing within the Athenians' cultural framework, showing respect and openness rather than condemnation. Pastor Donnell highlights the crucial moment when Paul stands before the Areopagus, using this opportunity not to chastise the Athenians but to connect with them on their own terms. He points out that Paul’s method of preaching shifts dramatically here; he doesn't start with Jewish history but with the Athenians' own religious artifacts, specifically an altar to an unknown god. This approach underscores a significant missionary strategy: starting where the audience is, not where we might want them to be. Pastor Donnell points out that by quoting their poets and tapping into their existing religious sentiments, Paul builds a bridge for the Gospel, presenting Christianity not as a foreign set of ideas but as the fulfillment of their own spiritual yearnings. The sermon concludes with a reflection on the implications of Paul's methods for contemporary Christian witness. Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to consider how they too can engage with those of different cultural or religious backgrounds without compromising the Gospel’s essence. By finding common ground and speaking into people’s experiences and longings, believers can more effectively share the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Pastor Donnell calls this "meeting people where they are" and using every available cultural resource to point towards God’s love and truth, much like Paul did in Athens. This approach not only respects and values the culture but also paves the way for deeper understanding and acceptance of the Gospel. |
Mon, 17 June 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Navigating Faith in a Multi-Cultural World - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the dynamic and often challenging interplay of faith, culture, and communication as exemplified in Acts 14, focusing on the miraculous healing in Lystra and the subsequent cultural misunderstandings that arise. He begins by emphasizing the ordinary nature of the divine interaction between Paul and a lame man, which leads to an extraordinary miracle. This act of healing, while miraculous, triggers a cascade of events that illustrate the difficulties of preaching the Gospel in a culturally diverse environment. The locals, interpreting the miracle through their own religious lens, mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods, highlighting the ease with which the message of the Gospel can be misconstrued in different cultural contexts. Pastor Donnell delves deeper into the response of Paul and Barnabas to the crowd's actions, which includes their horror and immediate attempt to correct the misunderstanding by tearing their clothes—a traditional sign of distress and sincerity in their culture. Despite their efforts, the crowd struggles to grasp their message, leading to further complications when external agitators turn the crowd against them, culminating in violence against Paul. This part of the sermon illustrates the volatility of cross-cultural evangelism, where language barriers, cultural misconceptions, and entrenched religious beliefs can distort the Gospel's message and lead to persecution. Concluding the sermon, Pastor Donnell reflects on the broader implications for modern believers tasked with navigating faith in a multicultural world. He challenges the congregation to learn from Paul and Barnabas’s example by seeking clarity in communication and understanding in interactions. Emphasizing the need for patience and perseverance, he calls on the community to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with diverse cultural backgrounds to foster a deeper, more effective witness of the Gospel. Pastor Donnell encourages embracing the complexities of global ministry with faith and courage, ensuring that the truth of the Gospel transcends cultural and linguistic barriers to touch the hearts of all people. |
Mon, 10 June 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: The Power of Peace in a Violent World - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the themes of violence and ethnic tension as presented in Acts 16, where Paul and Silas encounter injustice in Philippi. He begins by detailing the story of a demon-possessed slave girl used by her owners for profit, and how Paul's act of freeing her from possession leads to severe repercussions for him and Silas. The focus then shifts to the reaction of the local populace and authorities, highlighting the underlying ethnic prejudices that exacerbate the violence against them. Pastor Donnell uses this narrative to discuss the broader societal issues of racial and ethnic tensions, pointing out how quickly these can lead to violence and injustice, much like in today's world. Pastor Donnell delves deeper into the systemic nature of these prejudices, examining how they manifest in the charges against Paul and Silas, who are accused not of a specific crime, but of being culturally and ethnically out of place. This leads to a broader discussion on how societies often harbor latent biases that can erupt under certain conditions, underscoring the need for vigilance and awareness in our interactions and judgments. Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to reflect on how these dynamics play out in their own communities and to consider the Christian response to such injustices. Concluding the sermon, Pastor Donnell draws parallels between the experiences of Paul and Silas and the suffering of Jesus, emphasizing that God is intimately present in situations of injustice and violence. He reassures the congregation that God's response to violence is not retribution but presence and peace. Through the example of Paul and Silas, who sang hymns and prayed even while imprisoned, Pastor Donnell advocates for a radical, peace-driven response to violence—a commitment to non-violence, understanding, and the building of relationships that transcend ethnic and cultural barriers. He calls on the church to embody this peaceful stance, using their influence to foster reconciliation and healing in a divided world. |
Mon, 3 June 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: A Gospel Beyond Nationalism - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: This sermon delves into the transformative power of the early church as described in Acts 13, highlighting Paul's mission in the diverse, multi-ethnic community of Syrian Antioch. Pastor Donnell outlines how this early Christian community, led by a cross-cultural team including figures like Barnabas and Simeon the African, exemplified the Gospel's call to transcend ethnic, social, and economic divisions. This setting becomes the launching pad for Paul's missionary journeys, which were deeply influenced by his vision of the church as a community that transcends traditional societal boundaries, aiming to serve rather than convert, to understand rather than to enlist. The sermon challenges contemporary notions of nationalism and self-determination through the lens of the New Testament, where the early church navigated their identity within and against the Empire. The apostles grappled with whether to adhere to Jesus' lordship or conform to secular rulers like Caesar, questioning the inclusive nature of the Gospel amid rigid societal structures. This discussion leads into a critique of nationalism, which often promises security and independence but at the cost of genuine communal relationships and global unity. Drawing from Paul's teachings, Pastor Donnell argues for a radical envisioning of society modeled after Jesus' resurrection, which heralds a new world order of reconciliation and collective belonging, rejecting the divisive and competitive nature of nationalism. By embracing this model, believers are called to witness a kingdom that acknowledges no earthly borders, where every individual is seen and valued as part of a global family under Christ's sovereign rule. This vision compels the church to live out a faith that actively dismantles barriers and builds bridges, fostering a truly inclusive community that reflects the fullness of God's kingdom on earth. |
Mon, 27 May 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Power to Become Witnesses - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this transformative sermon, Pastor Donnell explores the radical shift from worldly power to spiritual empowerment as demonstrated by the early disciples following Jesus’ ascension. Initially seeking power to overcome and dominate, the disciples are instead endowed with the Holy Spirit, transforming them into witnesses of the resurrection. This empowerment signifies a move away from the desire for control and dominion towards a mission of witness and proclamation across diverse communities—from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth as noted in Acts 1:7-8. The sermon delves into the profound implications of the resurrection, challenging the prevailing norms of empire, which were characterized by exploitation, materialism, and a survival of the fittest mentality. Contrasting this, Pastor Donnell highlights how the early Christian community, as described in Acts 2:42-47, embodied a radical communal life. They shared possessions, provided for the needy, and lived out a powerful testament to the transformative impact of living under God’s rule—characterized by generosity, unity, and mutual support, fundamentally opposing the individualistic and materialistic values of the surrounding culture. The message concludes by encouraging modern believers to embrace this ancient yet ever-relevant mode of living. The speaker calls for a surrender of personal agendas and an embrace of communal living as a response to Jesus' teachings. Highlighting the skills of generosity, empathy, and resilience against cultural norms, the sermon invites listeners to consider how they too can live out the resurrection in their own contexts. This community-oriented approach not only challenges societal norms but also aligns with the divine economy where there is always enough, echoing the profound truth that in God's kingdom, no one is left in need. |
Mon, 20 May 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Pentecost - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this insightful sermon, the Pastor Donnell dives deep into the scriptural accounts of Jesus discussing the Holy Spirit with His disciples in John chapters 14 through 16, highlighting the necessity and significance of the Advocate's presence in the believers' lives. Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure by promising the gift of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that His physical absence will be compensated by the Spirit's perpetual presence. This transition, Jesus explains, is beneficial as it empowers the disciples to live out their calling with divine assistance, offering comfort, authority, and the power needed to witness effectively in the world. The sermon then connects the promise of the Holy Spirit to the dramatic events of Pentecost described in Acts 2, where the disciples experience the tangible arrival of the Holy Spirit as a mighty wind and tongues of fire. This moment signifies not only the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise but also serves as a pivotal point in the church's history, demonstrating the Spirit's role in empowering believers to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers, thereby fostering a truly inclusive and diverse community. This account is juxtaposed with the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, where human attempts at unity without divine blessing led to confusion and division, illustrating that true unity and diversity are achieved through the Spirit's intervention. Concluding the sermon, the Pastor Donnell elaborates on the concept of "Relational Reliance," where just as Jesus lived in continuous reliance on God, believers are called to live in a relationship dependent on the Holy Spirit. This reliance transforms their understanding of community and mission, enabling them to embrace and celebrate diversity as God’s design. The sermon invites the congregation to experience the Holy Spirit's power personally, offering prayer for those who seek the spiritual gifts, including tongues, to enrich their prayer life and deepen their connection with God. This message challenges the congregation to rethink the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming differences and uniting believers across varied backgrounds. |
Mon, 13 May 2024
Loving Across Our Differences: Embracing Unity in Diversity - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In the new sermon series "Loving Across Our Differences," Pastor Donnell embarks on a scriptural exploration of how the early church thrived as a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community characterized by love and unity. Drawing from the conflicts and resolutions found in Acts 6, the series begins by addressing the often overlooked grievances of the Hellenistic Jews, whose widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. This narrative sets the stage for discussing broader themes of discrimination and exclusion within communities of faith, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where every group feels seen and valued. As the sermon progresses, Pastor Donnell delves into the practical skills and spiritual insights employed by the early church leaders to foster inclusivity and resolve tensions. He highlights the apostles' approach of listening, validating, and actively addressing the concerns of the marginalized Hellenistic Jews by appointing seven members known for their wisdom and spiritual depth to oversee fair distribution. This act of empathy and decisive leadership serves as a model for today's church in handling internal conflicts that threaten its unity and mission. In his concluding remarks, Pastor Donnell connects these historical events to present-day challenges within the church, advocating for a proactive stance on racial reconciliation as a Gospel issue. He encourages the congregation to engage deeply with one another's pain and differences, inspired by the biblical example of Job's friends who shared in his suffering. Through this series, Pastor Donnell calls on the church to not only celebrate diversity but to actively pursue reconciliation and unity, reflecting the inclusive heart of the Gospel. |
Mon, 6 May 2024
John 20: Creating Breathing Room - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In his sermon, Pastor Donnell delves into the significance of creating "breathing room" for spiritual growth and witness, inspired by John 20:19-22, where the disciples are depicted in fear and seclusion post-crucifixion. He emphasizes that each disciple was chosen to bear witness to Jesus' work—welcoming, restoring, healing, and transforming lives. Pastor Donnell challenges the congregation to consider the personal and communal costs of bearing such witness in a world that may not always be receptive. Expanding on the concept of "breathing room," Pastor Donnell defines it as the space needed to foster an intimate connection with God, filled with hope, peace, joy, and love, and cleared of sin and negativity. This room is not just a personal retreat but a communal offering, creating opportunities for others to connect, heal, and transform through God's presence. This process involves active listening, hospitality, and a willingness to be interrupted by the needs of others, thereby living out the call to be open-handed and creative in practicing grace and mercy. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of the disciples' transformation when Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, echoing God’s initial act of breathing life into man. Pastor Donnell connects this to the continuous invitation for the community to join Jesus in his mission of grace and inclusion, urging everyone to actively participate in creating breathing room for themselves and others. This act not only reaffirms their belonging to God but also empowers them to extend that sense of belonging to the disfavored and discounted, truly embodying the spirit of witnessing and service. |
Mon, 22 April 2024
Encountering the Resurrected Jesus: Simon Peter, Do you love me? - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Summary: In this sermon, Rev. Donnell Wyche focuses on the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection in John 21. The sermon starts by pondering Peter's state of mind as he decides to go fishing after all that has happened with Jesus. In the next section, the speaker reflects on the exchange between Jesus and Peter where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and instructs him to take care of his sheep. Then Pastor Wyche delves into the humanity of Jesus and how his own hurt and betrayal by his friends is reflected in this conversation. He also explores the cultural and personal factors that may have influenced Peter's actions and mindset in relation to Jesus' death. However, through this interaction, the speaker sees a message of hope and restoration as Jesus offers Peter and all who feel they have failed a chance to make things right and start anew with a dangerous gift of hope in the power of God. In the second part of the sermon, the speaker moves on to discuss the importance of meeting Jesus in our current state, regardless of where we are in life. Just like how Jesus appeared to his disciples in their ordinary activities, he continues to meet us where we are, regardless of our circumstances. The speaker reminds the congregation that there is no place or aspect of their lives that is off-limits to Jesus' love and presence. He encourages them to walk faithfully in the ways of Jesus and to live as a reflection of his love and hope in the resurrection. In closing, Rev. Wyche leads the congregation in a prayer to invite the resurrected life into their hearts and to trust in the transformative power of God. He reminds them to live each moment as a testament to God's everlasting love and to embrace the abundance and hope that comes with it.
|
Mon, 15 April 2024
The Resurrected Jesus - Why are you troubled? - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard In this sermon, we explore a deeply transformative moment from John 20, focusing on the disciples' experience after the resurrection of Jesus. On the evening of the first day of the week, the disciples, locked away and fearful of persecution, are visited by Jesus, who greets them with a message of peace. This encounter highlights the overwhelming fear the disciples felt—even in the face of good news—similar to our contemporary anxieties, such as those related to financial debts. Despite the resurrection, Thomas remains skeptical, needing personal proof of Jesus' wounds to believe, underscoring a profound theme of the sermon: even the most tangible signs of hope cannot erase deep-seated fears.
|
Mon, 8 April 2024
Encountering the Resurrected Jesus - The Road to Emmaus by Pastor Marissa Ortiz Jadrich - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Mon, 1 April 2024
Easter 2024 - Resurrection is a Promise and it is a Prophecy - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard In this Easter sermon manuscript titled "Resurrection is a Promise and it is a Prophecy," Pastor Donnell Wyche introduces the concept of the Holy Week, focusing on Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem and subsequent crucifixion under Pontius Pilate's orders. This event is portrayed as a clash between Jesus, seen as a usurper by the Roman Empire, and the oppressive forces of the time. The manuscript delves into the notion that Jesus's death, while seemingly a victory for the Empire, actually opens the door to new possibilities and life beyond death, challenging the empire's narrative and offering a new hope through self-sacrifice. The second part, "It’s Not a Zero-Sum Game," draws on the story of Adam and Eve to discuss human nature, rebellion against God, and the resultant separation from divine love and grace. The sermon highlights humanity's tendency towards self-centeredness and the belief in a zero-sum game where one's gain is another's loss. The sermon highlights how these attitudes lead to spiritual death and alienation from God but also introduces the concept of hope — a hope that is not based on human efforts, but on the trust in God's ongoing involvement in the world and God’s promise of restoration and love. Finally, "It’s Not the End, It’s Just the Beginning" centers on the transformative power of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. In this section of the sermon, Pastor Donnell argues that through Jesus's act of ultimate love and self-sacrifice, Jesus defeats the powers of sin, death, and evil, thereby debunking the myth of life as a zero-sum game and opening a way for humanity to re-enter God's presence without fear of death. The sermon concludes on a hopeful note with the resurrection, symbolizing a new creation and a renewed relationship between God and humanity, illustrated through the encounter of Mary Magdalene and the resurrected Jesus in a garden, signifying a full circle back to the intimacy of the original creation story. |
Mon, 25 March 2024
When God Comes Near by David Paladino - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard In his Palm Sunday sermon, Dave reflects on the complexities of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, which is narrated in the Gospel of Luke. He discusses the tension between the celebratory mood of Jesus' followers and the somber reality of Jesus' mission, which culminates in his crucifixion. Dave explores how different groups—the joyful disciples, the threatened religious leaders, and Jesus himself—perceived this event. Jesus' entry provokes various reactions, underscoring the conflict and misunderstanding between him and the religious authorities, who are portrayed as increasingly antagonistic. |
Sun, 24 December 2023
The Promises of God - Our Story in the Light of God's Promises by Pastor Marissa Ortiz Jadrich - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Pastor Marissa encourages us to explore our personal narratives in the context of Jesus' life, as detailed by the different Gospel writers, in her sermon from the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor. Part of the "Promises of God" series and titled "Embracing Our Story in the Light of God's Promises," the sermon delves into how each Gospel author uniquely presents Jesus' story, urging us to reflect on how these perspectives resonate with our own life experiences. Whether it's our family background, achievements, or significant historical events we've witnessed, she emphasizes that our stories are integral to our identity and purpose. She invites the congregation to see themselves as part of a larger narrative, one that is deeply loved and cherished by God. This divine love and acceptance, Pastor Marissa suggests, are the foundations for genuine personal change and growth. Her message interweaves the Biblical account of Jesus with personal introspection, offering insights into our individual lives through the lens of Jesus' story. The sermon concludes with a call to action, encouraging us to live in acknowledgment of God's eternal love and promises, embracing our own stories as part of God's grand narrative. |
Sun, 17 December 2023
The Promises of God - Jonah - Contending with God's Mercy by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard In this sermon, Pastor Donnell encourages us to embrace gratitude and grace as we reflect on our year. He begins by expressing gratitude for those present and emphasizes the importance of focusing on what we should be thankful for, rather than dwelling on our failures and disappointments. Pastor Donnell reminds us that despite the challenges, we have made it through the year, which is a significant accomplishment. He then delves into a sermon series on the promises of God, using the story of Jonah to illustrate his points. Pastor Donnell explores the idea of trust in God, especially in situations where God's plans might seem daunting or disagreeable. He provides a detailed analysis of Jonah's story, including Jonah's reluctance to follow God's command to go to Nineveh and his eventual compliance after trying to flee. Pastor Donnell highlights Jonah's internal struggle and his anger towards God's mercy towards the Ninevites, which Jonah perceives as unjust. This part of the sermon invites listeners to reflect on the nature of justice, mercy, and our own responses to perceived injustices. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Donnell skillfully weaves in contemporary applications, encouraging listeners to consider their own lives in light of Jonah's story. He challenges us to think about how we respond to God's calls, how we handle our own reluctances and disappointments, and how we can learn to trust in God's broader plan, even when it conflicts with our personal desires or sense of justice. In conclusion, Pastor Donnell leaves us with a thought-provoking choice: to live in a world where mercy triumphs over judgment, as exemplified by God's treatment of Nineveh, or to choose a different path. This message, rooted in biblical narrative and rich in personal application, invites reflection and a deeper understanding of our relationship with God and others. |
Sun, 10 December 2023
The Promises of God - Habakkuk - God's Terrible Plan by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Pastor Donnell encourages us to reflect on the nature of God's promises and our responses to them, especially during times of struggle and waiting. In his sermon titled "The Promises of God - Habakkuk - God's Terrible Plan" he delves into biblical narratives, focusing on how characters interact with God's promises through phases of receiving, believing, waiting, seeing, and blessing. He highlights the universal promise God made to humanity after Adam and Eve's disobedience, emphasizing God's continuous effort to fix the rebellion's consequences and asking for humanity's trust. Pastor Donnell explores the prophet Habakkuk's dialogue with God, where Habakkuk questions God's seemingly unfair plans and confronts the injustice and violence he witnesses. This interaction serves as a model for bringing our doubts, questions, and anger to God. Pastor Donnell points out that even in the face of difficult or seemingly terrible divine plans, worship and faith in God's nature as a promise keeper are crucial. He further discusses the impact of injustice and oppression, both on the oppressed and the oppressors, and the role of empire in these dynamics. Drawing parallels with contemporary issues of injustice and the feeling of helplessness they often evoke, he encourages bringing these concerns to God. Concluding, Pastor Donnell relates this to Jesus Christ's own experience with state-sponsored violence and his ultimate resurrection, presenting it as the ultimate example of God's power over empire and violence. He challenges the congregation to examine their own lives for ways they might be perpetuating mini empires and to seek repentance and guidance from the Holy Spirit. |
Sun, 3 December 2023
The Promises of God - Zechariah by Pastor Marissa Ortiz Jadrich - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard In this sermon, Pastor Marissa delves into the theme of the Promises of God. She highlights the importance of promises not as tests of faith, but as foundations for hope. Pastor Marissa encourages us to see hope not as certainty about the future, but as envisioning a future different from the present and moving towards it with God. She discusses how faith and belief play crucial roles in embracing and enjoying God's promises, using the biblical story of Zechariah to illustrate how doubts and faith coexist in our relationship with God. Pastor Marissa explains that promises are not just about big miracles but also about everyday assurances of God's presence and guidance. She shares personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to show how promises manifest in various forms - from an angel's message to Zechariah and Elizabeth about their son John, to Mary's visit to Elizabeth, where shared joy and hope amplify their faith. The sermon emphasizes that personal stories of faith and instances of God's kindness have the power to nourish faith and hope in others. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Marissa invites listeners to reflect on their experiences of God's promises and kindness. She encourages sharing these stories within the community, underscoring their significance in strengthening collective faith and hope. The episode concludes with an invitation to connect with the church for further guidance and community involvement. |
Sun, 26 November 2023
The Promises Of God - Receiving, Believing, Waiting, Seeing, And Blessing by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard Today's sermon by Pastor Donnell encourages us to become more aware of the patterns in our lives and how they intersect with our faith and personal growth. Pastor Donnell begins by highlighting the human brain's natural ability for pattern recognition, using an anecdote about a farmers market to show how this can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. The discussion then deepens, with Pastor Donnell using biblical narratives and personal stories to illustrate that life's journey often involves a process of waiting, recognizing, and responding to the promises of God. Various examples, such as the story of the first humans in the garden, the pattern recognition skills of quarterbacks, and the learning process of reading, are used by Pastor Donnell to demonstrate how understanding and interpreting life's patterns can be transformative. The sermon stresses the importance of breaking away from negative patterns and putting our trust in God's promises for a better and more fulfilling life. Pastor Donnell calls on the congregation to nurture a life of faith, trust, and obedience to God, underlining the need to move away from the cycle of sin and towards the life that God desires for us. In its conclusion, Pastor Donnell invites the congregation to reflect on the past year, acknowledging God's presence in their lives and contemplating what new 'seeds' of faith they might sow for the upcoming year. The overarching message is about placing trust in God's promises, discerning the patterns in our lives, and taking an active role in our spiritual development. |
Fri, 29 September 2023
The Compassionate Employer: Matthew 20:1-16 by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Wed, 24 August 2022
Finding God: Episode 6; by Various - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Wed, 20 July 2022
Finding God: Episode 2; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz, Joan O'Connell, Danyelle Reynolds, and Mary Walker - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 19 July 2022
Finding God: Episode 1; by Sam tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 21 June 2022
Pentecost: Episode 3; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Wed, 15 June 2022
Pentecost: Episode 2; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 7 June 2022
Pentecost: Episode 1; by Dallas Burkholder - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 31 May 2022
Resurrection Life: Episode 5; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 24 May 2022
Resurrection Life: Episode 4; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 17 May 2022
Resurrection Life: Episode 3; by Anna Hillaker - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 10 May 2022
Resurrection Life: Episode 2; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 3 May 2022
Resurrection Life: Episode 1; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 12 April 2022
Lent: Episode 6; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 5 April 2022
Lent: Episode 5; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 29 March 2022
Lent: Episode 4; by Dan Lewan - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 22 March 2022
Lent: Episode 3; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 15 March 2022
Lent: Episode 2; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard
|
Tue, 8 March 2022
Lent: Episode 1; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 1 March 2022
Epiphany: Episode 8; by Dallas Burkholder - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 22 February 2022
Epiphany: Episode 7; by Martha Balmer - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 15 February 2022
Epiphany: Episode 6; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 8 February 2022
Epiphany: Episode 5; by David Paladino - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 1 February 2022
Epiphany: Episode 4; by Andrew Cuthbert - a2vc.org.
Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 25 January 2022
Epiphany: Episode 3; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Wed, 19 January 2022
Epiphany: Episode 2; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Sun, 9 January 2022
Epiphany: Episode 1; by Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 21 December 2021
Advent: Waiting, Episode 4; by Anna Hillaker - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 14 December 2021
Advent: Waiting, Episode 3; by David Paladino - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 7 December 2021
Advent: Waiting, Episode 2; by Marissa Jadrich Ortiz - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 30 November 2021
Advent: Waiting, Episode 1; by LaTricia Mitchell - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 23 November 2021
Pray: The Psalm Before the Storm, Episode 3; by Nigel Berry - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 16 November 2021
Pray: The Psalm Before the Storm, Episode 2; by Barb Hillaker - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 9 November 2021
Pray: The Psalm Before the Storm, Episode 1; by Pastor Sam Tidball - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Tue, 2 November 2021
Come and See, Episode 8; by Pastor Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard |
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor Sermon Podcast (Sermons)
The Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor is a growing multi-ethnic, multi-generational, welcoming church that blends the vibrant faith of the historic Christian creeds with a sympathetic and discerning approach to culture.
Categories
Sermonspodcasts
general
Archives
JuneMay
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
December
November
September
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | |||||
Syndication
