Epic Vineyard Church

This year for Lent we will be journeying as a community through the Backyard Pilgrim book. This guided lent reading follows 2 paths: one biblical, one local. The BIBLE PATH is already charted 40 verses from Genesis to John’s Gospel following the story of God’s first question to Adam & Eve, Where are you? to Jesus Christ’s answer on our behalf: Here I am for you, in places you’d never expect. The CHURCH PATH is a particular route you choose, and commit to walking 15 m...inutes a day for forty days. If you are a part of our community and would like to join us on this Lenten journey, order your book by this Thursday (Feb 11). Cost is $15 per book. Message [email protected] to reserve your copy. We will try to deliver books to you by Sunday.

Need a good laugh today? Check out our Epic Kids video of Merlin running the good race with perseverance and a cloud of witnesses!

This last Sunday was our annual Plaid Sunday...the Sunday we all wear plaid. This year it was a bit different as we weren't all able to be at the same location but we made the best of things and met online together as a community. We love having fun together!!... #wearplaidtogether #epicvineyard

How do you know the level of your mental health? What do you do each day to be aware of God's presence with you? We take time one Sunday a year to intentionally focus on mental health. Mental health is something that affects us all in different ways.... A couple of resources that we highlighted this last Sunday are The Sanctuary which has ongoing resources (https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/) and The Summit which was a conference this last October that has various videos worth checking out (https://church-mental-health-summit.heysummit.com/)

The essence of who we are has to be tied into Christ, or we won’t have the flavour of Jesus. Stay tied into Him and be about His kingdom. -Joyce Rees Jesus, may your light shine in us and through us this week.

This year as a community our focus is on being salt and light. "Christ Be Our Light" helps set the stage for us as a community this coming year. During the advent season, Dan Jagt shared this song a couple of time with our community. The original lyrics are from a hymn written by Bernadette Farrell. Dan and some of the Epic artists helped put a different melody and adapted some of the lyrics to this traditional hymn.

2020 was a year filled with many challenges. As you reflect on all that God taught you and how he was present with you, may it bring you hope for this new year. #HappyNewYear2021

Merlin and Sigi Bartel are some of the founders of Epic, and have served our community in many ways, including as a part of our team of elders. Whether you have known them for many years, or are new to our community, we would love for you to get to know them a little bit better! Where did you meet? Briercrest Bible College... How long have you been married? 34 years this August. (They are parents to three kids and a daughter-in-law and are about to be first-time grandparents!) What is a favourite book you have read recently? Merlin: Simplicity by Richard Rohr Sigi: On Hitler’s Mountain by Irm Gard A Hunt (A memoir and precautionary account) What is the best way to spend a Saturday? Merlin: Hiking a Mountain with my family or going for a 100km ride on my bike. Sigi: Hiking and being out in nature. Favourite place you have travelled? Merlin: Kathmandu Sigi: All of them What is a verse that has meant a lot to you in your life? Merlin: Ephesians 3:16 Sigi: Romans 15:13