entwine

Hi Everyone,

Ok, I promise that this is the last email for the week from me, but I have had so many thoughts about Tony’s message this past Sunday and actually spoken with a couple of people about it. His message was on overcoming and that we are now all overcomers. I felt that this message is timely and should be remembered. Jeanne actually confirmed that thought in an email she sent this week and then I got to work today and saw this message on Henry Blackaby’s website.

I just want to remind us all a few things:

1 – There are rewards for overcomers. (Rev. 2-3 & 21)

2 – Overcoming has been conferred to us through the cross.

3 – Declaration precedes GOD’s involvement in our overcoming. (Daniel 4)

So, folks, let us declare today that this year will be a year where we OVERCOME, GROW IN DISCIPLINE & MAKE MEMORIES DOING IT!!!!

Blessings!

pd

Read on…

It Is Finished!

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

God always finishes what He begins (Phil. 1:6). God never speaks a word without ensuring that it comes to pass (Isa. 55:11). Christ is both the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8, 17). Christ is as much at the end of His work as He is at its beginning.

Jesus was given an enormous mandate. He was to live a sinless life, remaining absolutely obedient to His Father. Even the manner of His death was to fulfill numerous prophecies that had been foretold in Scripture (Matt. 26:24, 31, 54, 56; 27:9, 35; 46; John 19:28, 36–37). Yet, despite the extremely complex assignment Jesus received from His Father, He could shout triumphantly from the cross, “It is finished!”

Christ now resides within each believer. His assignment today is to complete God’s will in each Christian. He is just as determined to do this in us as He was to complete God’s will for Himself. You will have to resist Christ in order to remain out of the will of God. What is it God wants to do in you? Have you allowed Him to complete what He has begun? He will not force you to receive all that He has for your life. If God’s work has not been brought to fruition in you, it is not that Christ has not been diligently working toward that end. Rather, you may need to release areas of your life to Him and be as determined to see God’s work in you completed as Christ is. Review the things God has said to you over this last year. Are there promises God has made to you that you have refused to allow Him to complete? If so, commit to yield your will to God today.

Dustin Hedrick

Head Pastor

The Tapestry Vineyard Church

PO Box 2394

Kensington, MD 20891

Phone 301-251-4082 x13

Fax     240-206-3244

Email   dustinhedrick@tapestrychurch.com

Web   www.tapestrychurch.com

x10 Children’s Ministry 

x11 Youth Ministry 

x12 Events And Info 

x13 Pastor Dustin 

x14 Prayer Line 

Hey Guys,

What a great couple of weeks we have had!

Last week’s Christmas Party was the largest attended party we have ever had! And the week of events from the Cookie Swap to the Christmas Eve Open House, Christmas Day Coat Giveaway and Christmas Day food and Games was just amazing! I have to say thank you to everyone that made this year’s festivities so much fun. You guys are true partiers! HAHAHA!

If you want to see video, pictures and such from the events, you can click here to go to PD’s Facebook page and make him a friend, go to the Tapestry Facebook page and see the feeds from YouTube and Flickr and/or go to PD’s personal website and see the Flickr badge in the sidebar which clicks through to his and Lori’s Flickr feed.

I am also including a .pdf version of our bulletin from this past week so you check out all of our upcoming events and announcements.

And lastly, I just want to say, that both worship teams were AMAZING this past week as were they the week before. And let’s not forget Tony’s message last night, what a BLESSING!

You guys all have made life so much BETTER by sharing and being a part!

__________

Now, those of you who were at the morning service know what I spoke on. You know the passage was John 4 and the first point; I spoke about “Jesus being the GOD who takes Detours.” That sermon will later be up on the website for download by podcast, however, this morning; I went to Henry Blackaby’s website to read the daily Experiencing GOD Day by Day devotional as is my habit.

And guess what the passage was? HAHAHA! You guessed right, the same passage; his simple way of looking at things so encourages me. Read on for that full devotional below. However, as you do, let me remind everyone, that we are beginning our series on, “A Fresh Start,” next Sunday. You ARE NOT going to want to miss it! The message this past Sunday was the spring board for it. That Jesus is the GOD of Fresh Starts!

Does anyone else need a FRESH START this year? I do. And how fun would it be to do it together? Let’s start a Journey this next Sunday together as we begin life afresh as a community of faith.

Come on, test the water, you know you want to…

True Worship

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)

We are designed to worship God in spirit and in truth. As Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, He sought to help her do this by imparting to her God’s living water (John 4:13–14).

Jesus sought out this woman personally to give her abundant life. In the same way the Father seeks an encounter with each of us that is real and personal. The Samaritan woman had heard about God; Jesus said true worship must be “face to face” with God. Worship is not religion or ritual; worship is an intimate and vital encounter with a Person. True worship includes the full recognition of who God is: Holy, Sovereign, Almighty, Loving, Merciful. This recognition brings about the realization of our own sinfulness.

True worship is life-changing! It creates within the worshiper’s heart a hatred for sin. True worship results in repentance, obedient submission, and a desire for holiness (Isa. 6:1–8). True worship generates a desire to show mercy and to express forgiveness. It includes a joyful acceptance of all that God has provided by His grace. True worship is not exclusive; Just as the Samaritan woman rushed off to tell others of her encounter with the Lord, so true worship will compel the worshiper to include others. As a result of this woman’s encounter with Jesus, many others from her village came to know Him as well. The one who has truly worshiped will have a sense of peace and a confident expectation of what God is about to do. True worship produces a transformed life, reflecting the One who has been worshiped.

Have a great week!

pd

Dustin Hedrick

Head Pastor

The Tapestry Vineyard Church

PO Box 2394

Kensington, MD 20891

Phone 301-251-4082 x13

Fax     240-206-3244

Email   dustinhedrick@tapestrychurch.com

Web   www.tapestrychurch.com

x10 Children’s Ministry 

x11 Youth Ministry 

x12 Events And Info 

x13 Pastor Dustin 

x14 Prayer Line 

Welcome Message

Hey Everyone,

It’s that time of year again, the time of year when you hear sleigh bells jingling, listen to way too many Christmas Carols on the radio, eat too much food, impatiently wait for snow to fall so that you don’t have to go to work, sneak presents from hiding place to hiding place and hear the pitter patter of little feet around the house… (Your mother-in-law’s)!

And with all of the shopping, the lights, (or “shites” as my 17 month old Anna says it), eating, wrapping, hiding, partying, and Christmas movie watching, let’s not forget what the season is really about. In one short week, we will be celebrating maybe not the actually, but symbolically day Jesus was born. Even though the retail centers want us to focus on Santa, let’s not forget who is truly to be celebrated.

Take a moment this year and tell your kids the Christmas story. Let them hear it from your mouth and heart. Take a few moments and make mental pictures and memories that you will cherish for years to come. Stop for a second and actually enjoy the family that is around you right now. They will not be there forever. And spend extra time letting Jesus know that you are so thankful for HIS coming. Isn’t it amazing? A king… a baby…

He traded a throne for a stable.

He traded angels and cherubim for cows and donkeys.

He traded throngs of worshipers for shepherds.

He traded the wealth of the entire Kingdom for a little gold, frankincense and myrrh.

…His Perfect Father for a Carpenter…

…The sights, sounds and smells of heaven for a stable, (and we know what sights, sounds and SMELLS are there!)

His destiny would be forever altered as he instead of enjoying all that he was due, would bear a cross that was not HIS.

A season of giving.

A Savior with a gift!

Immanuel. A GOD who had come to be with us!

O Come Let Us Adore HIM!

This season at the Tapestry, we have made every opportunity for you to find faith during this season. Don’t rush through and don’t come to all, but see if there might be something that you feel drawn to be a part of this season and come and share faith with us!

Just scroll down to see a list of all our events. ESPECIALLY NOTICE THE Tapestry 4^th Annual Christmas Party right after the evening service this weekend. Please come with a $10 gift that is fun to trade and fight over (hahahahaha) and your favorite food to share. We will be having a Potluck dinner and gift exchange!

Have a great Christmas!

pd

Connect to me

on FB

____________________

Our Coming Events!

Message

The Gala

Our annual Gala to raise funds for missions is January 24. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event.

Prayer Email

Has changed to letuspray(at)tapestrychurch.org

Adoration

Worship Team Dinner

December 20 7:00 pm

Worship Team  Dinner

Will be at Lighthouse Tofu in Rockville, MD.

For more info contact Jason Kim

Jasonkim(at)tapestrychurch.org

Church Services Getting Facelifts

If you haven’t seen it yet, come out during our

AM service and you will see open space for the

prophetic. Our evening service now has lamps,

tables and coffee table. VERY COOL!

“A Fresh Start” - Series 2009

Starting in January on Sunday AM’s, we will have a new

series called, “A Fresh Start.” YOU WILL WANT TO COME OUT

FOR THE SUNDAYS IN JANUARY!!!!!

Don’t you want a fresh start? Come join the Tapestry as we

together this year have one!

New Year’s Day Prayer Event at Pastor Fidelis’

This year, we will be having an prayer event

At Pastor Fidelis’ with about four other churches.

For more information, contact Pastor Fidelis at:

fidelisadinkrah(at)tapestrychurch.org

Production volunteers 

We need an extra hand or two to facilitate the

set up of evening service. If you would like to

help or coordinate, please contact Daeho Kim.

daehokim(at)tapestrychurch.org

Covenant

Christmas Events (DEFINITELY CHECK THESE OUT!)

The Tapestry 4^th Annual Christmas Party

December 21,

White Elephant  Christmas Party 

after Sunday evening service. Bring a wrapped

gift under $10 and potluck dish. (A dish that

you wish to share with the rest of the church…

just think macaroni, green beans, ham or potato

salad…)

For more information contact Patrick Kim.

patrickdkim(at)tapestrychurch.org

Jen’s Cookie Swap

December 20,

Cookie Swap at Kevin and Jen’s.

Bring 1/2 dozen cookies per attendee

and share your favorite Christmas cookies.

For more details contact

jensorrentino(at)tapestrychurch.org

Seiji & Joan’s Christmas Eve Open house

December 24, after noon,

Christmas Eve Open House at Joan and Seiji’s. 

Feel free to bring your favorite Christmas dish. 

For more details contact Joan at  

Joanyamashita(at)tapestrychurch.org

or call 717-309-6479. 

The Tapestry’s 4^th Annual Christmas Day Dinner and a Movie!

December 25,

after all the presents are unwrapped

come hang out for an early  dinner at

Su’s and a movie  at the AMC Tysons Corner.

Contact Su at 703-989-1931

or su(at)tapestrychurch.org  for more details.

Cultural

Small Groups

Will be starting up again the first full week of February.

If you have an idea for a new small group, please

Let us know!!!!

pd(at)tapestrychurch.org

New Member’s Class

We will be having a New Member’s class between services on

January 25,2008. If you are interested, please reserve a space.

We have already had 3 people show interest, so

Just come on!

Email pd(at)tapestrychurch.org for either more information

Or to reserve a spot.

Missional

Scholarships for Two of Our Missionaries

This season, we are giving funds to help some of our

missionaries in closed countries. We have elected

to send funds to have some of the leaders

trained at a school of ministry.

we will be making all details available in

print, however, we will not post these on

the website due to the sensitive nature.

Scholarships for Two of our Interns

We are further supporting Tony Dillon and David

Dirroll as they return to Gateways Beyond

Training School in Cyprus. They have been

interning with us at the Tapestry and our new

internship is giving them $500 scholarships to

continue their Ministry Educations! Keep up the

great work guys, you are making us proud!

Coat Ministry

Need coats (sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, shoes)

for DC homeless ministry. Recycle your gently

used belongings to Joan and Seiji. For more info,

contact  Seiji at: seijiyamashita(at)tapestrychurch.org

Fuel

Seung and Hoang always need new volunteers. This

ministry feeds Day Workers in Langley Park on

Saturdays. It is MY FAVORITE!!!!!

(If you want to see pics, see my Facebook Profile

or Tapestry’s flickr account.)

For more info, email:

seungshin(at)tapestrychurch.org

_________________________

LINKS

PD’s Facebook (Add Him) http://www.facebook.com/people/Dustin_Hedrick/2729071

PD’s Blog http://renaissanceofasoul.com/ 

Tapestry’s Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kensington-MD/Tapestry-Church/11948915977

Tapestry’s Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/tapestrychurch/

Tapestry’s YouTube http://www.youtube.com/tapestrychurch

_________________________

I am ending with this article from the Experiencing God Daily Devotional for today. Read on and enjoy!

Dethroning Idols

So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (Acts 19:20)

Paul’s world worshiped idols. No idol was more revered in Ephesus than the goddess Diana. The great statue was housed in a magnificent temple and was recognized as one of the wonders of the world. An idol-making industry, providing a livelihood for many people, developed in Ephesus to support the widespread idolatry of the day.

Paul did not go to Ephesus to condemn those worshiping idols but to unashamedly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. As Paul shared the truths of God, and as people were set free from sin’s , idol worship began to decline. The contrast between stone carvings and God’s power to change lives became obvious. The righteous lives of the Christians stood in stark contrast to the hedonistic practices of the idol worshipers. The victorious Christian witness was so compelling that the economy of the entire city was thrown into upheaval as idolatry diminished in favor of Christianity.

An idol is anything that diverts our devotion from God. Our society is as idolatrous as Paul’s was. Rather than worshiping statues, we choose possessions, pleasures, or careers as our gods and pour our time, finances, and energy into these things.

Each of us is called, as Paul was, to live a victorious, joyful, and purposeful Christian life in the midst of an idolatrous society. We do not have to seek out and condemn today’s idols. Rather, as we live out our Christianity, enjoying the abundant life God gives, our lives will discredit the idols around us. We may face opposition and hostility from those who are angered at the contrast between our God and theirs. People do not like to have their idols dethroned! Yet as we uphold Christ, others will see a difference and be drawn to Him and the life that He offers.

 - Henry Blackaby

Blessings!

pd

Dustin Hedrick

Head Pastor

The Tapestry Vineyard Church

PO Box 2394

Kensington, MD 20891

Phone 301-251-4082 x13

Fax     240-206-3244

Email   pd@tapestrychurch.com

Web   www.tapestrychurch.com

x10 Children’s Ministry 

x11 Youth Ministry 

x12 Events And Info 

x13 Pastor Dustin 

x14 Prayer Line 

Lori sent me this email about the Christmas Carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” so I researched it and this is POSSIBLY the truth…

The best link you can find about the song is here: http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html

I like the way the author recognizes that this could have been used as a means to spread tradition and teaching, but possibly was not.

I tend to think it was used for passing information and historically, we DO see where if that was the case, the following lyrics have the meanings below.

So, with that said, I hope this will inspire you to enjoy this very cryptic song!

Read on and enjoy…

pd

______________________

Here’s the email:

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Dustin Hedrick

Head Pastor

The Tapestry Vineyard Church

PO Box 2394

Kensington, MD 20891

Phone 301-251-4082 x13

Fax     240-206-3244

Email   pd@tapestrychurch.com

Web   www.tapestrychurch.com

x10 Children’s Ministry 

x11 Youth Ministry 

x12 Events And Info 

x13 Pastor Dustin 

x14 Prayer Line 

I thought this was a great article and wanted to forward it to you guys. What a nice thought as we head into this holiday season. We are imparting gifts at all times! VERY COOL!

Be a Blessing!

pd

Imparting Gifts

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established. (Romans 1:11)

Your life affects those you have contact with, whether you intend it or not. It may be a positive experience for them or a negative one, but your life will affect others. Paul wanted to leave a spiritual blessing with other believers. He had heard of the Christians in Rome, and he longed to go to them to build them up in their faith. Paul always mentioned the Roman believers in his prayers, even though he had never met them (Rom. 1:10). While he waited for an opportunity to visit Rome, Paul wrote a letter to the church. His letter to the Romans is one of the most cherished and challenging books in the New Testament.

We should share Paul’s goal of leaving a spiritual blessing with everyone around us. We have opportunities to strengthen our parents, our children, our friends, our coworkers, and our fellow Christians. Spiritual blessings are not given haphazardly, but by choice. Our self-centeredness may cause us only to seek blessings from others rather than to impart them. Only when we are determined to focus on giving a blessing rather than receiving a blessing will we have the quality of ministry to others that God gave to Paul.

You may not realize it, but your life has the potential to bless everyone you encounter. Are others strengthened and encouraged in their faith because of their relationship with you? Do you usually look at others in terms of what they can do for you or in terms of how you can encourage them? As you go about your day, strive to be a positive influence on everyone you encounter!

-Henry Blackaby

Dustin Hedrick

Head Pastor

The Tapestry Vineyard Church

PO Box 2394

Kensington, MD 20891

Phone 301-251-4082 x13

Fax     240-206-3244

Email   pd@tapestrychurch.com

Web   www.tapestrychurch.com

x10 Children’s Ministry 

x11 Youth Ministry 

x12 Events And Info 

x13 Pastor Dustin 

x14 Prayer Line 

Dear family and friends,

     Greetings from home in Maryland! I hope this letter finds you well even with all that is happening in the world around us. It has been almost 5 1/2 months since returning home from Gateways Training School in Cyprus and I can’t believe 2009 is right around the corner. I have really enjoyed my time home being able to spend time with friends and family and catching up with wonderful stories. I have been keeping pretty busy with work as I attempt to save up as much money as possible. Throughout the past months I have been able to see much fruit of the labor spent during Gateways Training School (GTS). I can proudly say that the training I received at GTS has helped me a lot with continuing to strengthen my relationship with the Lord while returning to life as usual. Though there have been challenges along the way I know with all my heart that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that no matter where we are, He is there with us. I have been so blessed by what God has done in me through the school and what He continues to do in me today. I can see now how much GTS helped strengthen my foundation in Him that I can remain steadfast among all the world throws at me on a daily basis. It has been truly remarkable to see the difference in my own life now compared to this time last year, and I look forward to the continuing work in this next year.

     As most of you know in January I am returning to Cyprus for the second year program at GTS. I am very excited about this because, as much as I have enjoyed my time home, I have really missed Cyprus and the community that is there. This past year we learned a lot about our identity in Christ Jesus and really strengthened the foundations of our faith. The second year program is most focus on our destiny in Christ and what our calling is. There will be more ministry training as well as ministry opportunity through this program and I look forward to receiving this training and even more impartation from our teachers and leaders. The curriculum for this year is a little different due to new visa restrictions the EU has put in place this year. We are only granted a 90 visa in a 6 month period so therefore our school will be about 4 weeks shorter this year. But this is also giving us a new opportunity which I am very excited. This year our 2 1/2 week trip to Israel will be extended to a full 4 weeks! This means we will have more ministry opportunities as well as more time to spend with people we connected with this past year. And we will again be going on a month long outreach (missions trip) at the end of our school. We do not know which country we are going to yet but the leadership team is already praying about it and we should know by March. I am looking forward to a very exciting year in which I expect the Lord to do a lot in me.

     As I stated earlier, I have been working a lot since being home and I have been saving up my money so I can put it all towards GTS2. I will continue to work until a week before I leave for Cyprus but even with the amount I have worked I will be unable to save up enough money to cover the expense of the school. Below is a list of my expenses for the school and how much money I need to have. The deadline for my tuition is the 15th of December and my outreach money will not be due until later on in the school year.

Expenses For GTS2 2009

Roundtrip plane ticket: $1,540.80 (Already paid for by me)

Tuition: $5850.00 (Fixed exchange rate from 4,500 Euros)

Outreach: $1,952.70 (As of 12/10/08. Actual payment is 1,500 Euros so U.S. Dollar amount is subject to change depending on the exchange rate.)

Total amount for GTS2 2009: $9,343.50

     If you would like to help support me you can send a check to me at:

Tony Dillon

19130 Capehart Drive

Montgomery Village, MD 20886

     You can make your check payable to Phillip Dillon. I know that money is tight for everyone due to the current state of our economy but any little bit you can give would be really appreciated. And even if you are unable to give anything I ask that you pray for me that all the finances that I need for this school would be released. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we have and I would love all the prayer I can get! I leave for Cyprus on the 25th of January and I would love to see you before I go. I will be returning from my trip on the 19th of June unless an opportunity arises for me to go to Germany after school and visit some of the people we met there on our last outreach trip. I’m praying for the Lord to open that door. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter.

"The LORD bless and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace."

- Numbers 6:24-26

Sincerely,

Phillip Anthony Dillon

And Guys,

If you are interested in helping Tony, but feel more comfortable making your checks out to the church, do it and drop it in the bucket with a note in the memo line for “Tony Dillon” and we will make sure he gets it and that you get the right deduction in January!

Blessings! 

pd