An Invitation to Fast: Church Letter August 6, 2020

August 6, 2020

 
Dear Vineyard Family and Friends,

I write this letter to you as my wife Ali, our kids Jacob and Jada, and I have taken some much-needed time away.  We ended up going on a last-minute trip to Arrowhead Lake.

As I overlook this beautiful lake I think about how this has been one of the best vacations my family has ever taken together, not because it’s the best place we’ve been, but because our souls needed it more than we knew.

I want to invite you to an experience that our soul needs much more than we know. During these almost 5 months we have all experienced the fear of an unknown virus, the anxiety of change and uncertainty, deep isolation that is counter to how we were created for community, frustrations of having to take two steps backwards and shelter in place again, and anger because of how people are responding to our many differences as humans. Let me say this:  things are not going to let up.  We have a presidential election coming up in November.

Our souls cannot take so much of what is going on. We need to disconnect from all the toxicity to connect with the One who satisfies our souls.

We need to humble ourselves and repent.  Truly take a stand against our flesh that has been operating on overtime as we’ve given in to fear, anxiety, and anger.

We need to unite as one body as we are living in a culture full of animosity and divisiveness, which has unfortunately infiltrated the Church.

Joel 2:12-13 says, “Even now,” declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love...

Valley Vineyard, the Lord is inviting us into a season of corporate fasting where we can unite to focus together on humbling ourselves, repenting, praying, and seeking His face. In the midst of all that we are experiencing as a society.  We can return to him, and experience his gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love presence.

We will start our 40-day fast this coming Monday, August 10 through Friday, September 18. This fast will coincide with a sermon series we are starting this Sunday titled, “if then: Seeking God for Revival,” based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.  We will have seven weeks to memorize this key verse and recite it daily.

I encourage you to visit vvinfo.org/seek for ideas on how to fast, get more information on what this season will entail, and to share with us what you are sensing from the Lord.

I pray that this would be one of the most meaningful and signficant times of fasting in our lives because of how much our souls need it more than we know.

May the Holy Spirit lead us beside still waters and restore our souls.  May He deposit all that He has been preparing for us as individuals and as a church family for such a time as this.

Seeking God together,
 
Jimmy Reyes
Lead Pastor

PS: Last Sunday, we had a great time during the Evening Worship Parking Lot Gathering.  Come on by this Sunday at 7 PM.   We will begin our season of fasting taking communion together.  We have individually wrapped communion kits or bring your own.

Remember to bring your own chair and to wear your mask.

For this Sunday night's worship song lyrics, please go to vvinfo.org/eveningworsip