December 2009
Oasis Homework Center
The Oasis Homework Center has come a long way from brainstorming at
the internship this past summer to being carried out for an entire semester
already. We’ve seen the Vineyard family respond with a mountain of school
supplies, a dedicated and loving bunch of tutors, snacks every week, and
support. God is truly at work.
I am personally reminded of God being at work through this ministry each
and every day I go to work. I teach at North High School and I’ve been
blessed with an administration that has allowed me to advertise the Oasis
Homework Center at work. One of the students in my advisory class came
the first week of the Homework Center and she’s been back every week
since. On Tuesday or Wednesday I can always count on her asking if I’ll
be going that week and on Thursday I can always count on a report of
what they did at youth group. The Homework Center and youth group have
brought a great deal of joy to her life—and it doesn’t stop there. All of
the tutors have begun to build great relationships with the youth. They
encourage them in their school work, keep them on task, challenge them
and show them that they truly care.
As we look to the future there is much to be excited about as well. My
Dean of Students and another fellow teacher came to visit the Homework
Center a couple of weeks ago and they are really enthusiastic about the
partnership between North and the Homework
Center. We will be announcing our services at a
parent meeting in January and at that point hope to
start picking up kids at North as well as start serving
a meal at the Homework Center. Please join us in
praying that God would continue to open doors and
draw the youth of our church and our city closer to
Him.
Karissa Guillen
How Can You Help?
Donations:
• Graphing and scientific calculators
• Books
• High school level textbooks
• Computers
• Educational games
Volunteer:
• Drive students in the van from North High School to church
(contact Karissa Guillen - karissakaye.anderson@gmail.com)
• Cook a meal for the Homework Center
(contact Joy Barlean - joybarlean@gmail.com)
Putting First Things First
I love opening up a new calandar and looking
at the fresh page, there is something about
the beginning of a new year that brings hope.
We are also excited to start the year by putting
first things first.
We’re making opportunities for us to come
together as a family and pray for our city, the
people we love and care about to say yes to
Jesus love, and for our hearts to be refreshed
and filled with His presence. As it says in
Colossians 4: 1-2 Pray diligently. Stay alert...
Make the most of every opportunity!
John Wimber loved to say ‘When we work, we
work, but when we pray God works’. I don’t
know about you, but I’m ready to see God
work.
Open that new calandar and put one or two of
the times we’ve made available on it and let’s
come together and experience His presence,
wonders, and work. The best is yet to come!
Here’s a few so far, more dates to come:
Friday, Jan. 1 Night of Prayer, 7-9 pm
Sunday, Jan.3 7:15-8:15 am
Prayer ministry appts. 10 am
Tuesday, Jan 5 Lunch hour community
prayer drive, 12 - 1 pm
Wed., Jan.6 Lunch hour community
prayer drive, 12 - 1 pm
Thurs., Jan. 7 Community prayer, 1-2 pm
Encounter Nights, 7 pm
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes
wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray
for us, that God will open doors for telling
the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked
up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my
mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day
to them. Colossians 4:2-4
Sherri Harder
Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly McCulley A Grandma’s Missions Trip
Kelly and her husband Eddie have attended While in Mexico City visiting family and celebrating
a Vineyard church for nearly 15 years, and the birth of her second grandchild, Sherri takes
they have called the Des Moines Vineyard the opportunity to do some outreaches with our
their home since they moved to the area in church plant, Vereda.
2005. “The Des Moines Vineyard was the
first church we tried as soon as we moved
to Des Moines… We got lost with our
Google Maps directions and slid in for the
closing worship song and we were hooked.
It’s home.”
Kelly works half-time at Clive Elementary, teaching English as a second
language to kindergartners and fourth graders, but she says her
“favorite role is being a mom” to Max, almost 9, and Ezra, 7. Eddie is
a math teacher at Hiatt Middle School. Kelly and Eddie will celebrate Family members often sleep outside so they can go
back in and take care of their loved ones during the
their 17th wedding anniversary this Friday, Dec. 18. day. Nursing staff is so short that family members
Spotlight: What do you enjoy the most about being a part of the have to help.
Vineyard?
Kelly: I enjoy the odd combination of “down-to-earthiness” and
spirituality here. We all know that each of us has sinned, but we have We went into the
the hope of asking Jesus to come in and straighten our hearts and hospital to feed people.
lives out. The Vineyard is just a comfortable place, from the casual We gave away 600
dress code to the honesty with which the people live their lives. sandwiches and 200
loaves of bread in two
Spotlight: What do you like to do in your spare time? hours. I was so surprised
that it was patients,
Kelly: Well, I like to bake, of course. I like to bake yummy things and family members AND
have friends and family complain that I’m making them fat. Sometimes hospital employees
I’ll also quilt, and I enjoy reading with my boys every night. waiting for the food.

Spotlight: As Christians, how do you think we can practically bless

others during the Christmas season?
Kelly: I think we can avoid getting stressed out so our minds are clear
in order to see what God is doing and how he might want us to join
in. You know, being the calm one at work and being a listening ear to
those who do find the holidays a stressful time due to family, finances,
or just life. I guess that’s something we can be doing all the time,
though, listening to others.
Spotlight: What do you enjoy the most about Christmas?
Kelly: I enjoy watching Max and Ezra open up their presents and Praying for a sweet woman we gave the blanket
proclaim, “It’s the “BEST Christmas EVER!” I know that’s not spiritual too. The patients have to bring their own soap, etc.
at all, but it’s the part of Christmas that always makes me smile. pillows and blankets. Some patients had no pillows,
no blankets.No one on the whole floor turned down
the opportunity to be prayed for.

Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. - Outreach
5:00 p.m. - Mix-n-Mingle
6:00 p.m. - Service 3615 University Ave., Des Moines, IA
515-279-2558
New Year’s Eve office@yourvineyardchurch.org
7:00 p.m. www.yourvineyardchurch.org