In this message from the A Church For Our City series, Pastor Paul Watson explores what it truly means to love our neighbors as Jesus commanded. Drawing from the Great Commandment and the Parable of the Good Samaritan, this sermon challenges us to move beyond surface-level relationships and actively engage with the people God has placed in our lives. With practical steps and real-world examples, we’ll learn how being a good neighbor can transform our communities, strengthen relationships, and reflect Christ’s love in everyday life.

In this powerful installment of the A Church For Our City series, Pastor Paul Watson and a panel of others explore the theme of redemption through the lens of the Prodigal Son. They draw parallels between the story of the prodigal and our cities, highlighting God’s deep love for the lost, broken, and wayward. This message reminds us of the Church’s role in extending grace, embracing reconciliation, and working to restore communities to reflect God’s Kingdom.

In this week’s A Church For Our City series, Pastor Paul Watson will join other pastors in our city to explore the transformative power of unity within the Church and community. Through scripture and real-life examples, this message highlights how unity enables us to overcome division, work toward common goals, and powerfully reflect God’s love. It’s a call to embrace collaboration, celebrate diversity, and build bridges that transform lives and glorify God.

This week in the A Church For Our City series, Pastor Paul Watson sits down with John Marshall to discuss how the Church can shape culture and transform communities. Drawing from scripture and personal experiences, they explore the role of the Church in modeling Christlike love, influencing societal values, and creating a culture of hope and restoration. This thought-provoking conversation challenges us to engage meaningfully with the world around us while remaining deeply rooted in Jesus.

This sermon kicks off the A Church For Our City series by exploring the foundational role of the Church in being a light to the community. Drawing from John 15, Pastor Paul Watson emphasizes that the Church is called to remain in Christ, bear fruit that lasts, and love others as Jesus loves us. The message challenges us to reconnect with our first love, Jesus, and focus on eternal impact through changed lives, radical love, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

This special service marks a significant moment in the history of Downtown Vineyard Church as we hold our first-ever Ordination Service. Drawing from scripture, Pastor Paul Watson explains the meaning of ordination, its biblical foundation, and the high calling of pastoral ministry. Through passages like John 10:11, 1 Timothy 4:14, and Ephesians 4:12, this message emphasizes the role of pastors as shepherds, equippers, and spiritual leaders. Today, we recognize and affirm those called by God for lifelong ministry, setting them apart through prayer and the laying on of hands. It’s a celebration of calling, equipping, and faithful service.

On Christmas Eve, the “Simply Jesus” series concludes with a powerful reminder of God’s love, revealed through four signs in the story of Christ’s birth. This message, centered on Luke 2, highlights how Jesus’ birth unites people, establishes a relationship with God, brings peace amidst chaos, and simplifies salvation. It’s an invitation to reflect on the depths of God’s love and the simplicity of receiving Jesus, even in a world marked by division, brokenness, and difficulty.

In this message, Linnea and Kami explore the gift of praise as the final focus in the “Simply Jesus” series. Rooted in Luke 2, the story of the shepherds’ encounter with the angelic proclamation highlights how praise flows naturally from understanding God’s promises and experiencing His presence. This sermon emphasizes the power of praise to sustain us in joy and grief, cultivating a heart that acknowledges God’s sovereignty in every circumstance. Through practical practices like prayer, worship, and service, we are invited to live out a rhythm of revelation and response, declaring God’s goodness no matter the season.

In this message, Paul Watson and Steph Gunter continue the "Simply Jesus" series by focusing on the peace that Christ offers, transcending the world's troubles and stresses. Drawing from the nativity story in Luke 2, the sermon highlights the contrast between worldly peace and the peace that Jesus brings. While the world is full of conflict and unrest, the birth of Christ presents a peace offering from God that brings reconciliation and hope for today and tomorrow. Through the scriptures of John 14:27, Romans 8, and Philippians 4:6-7, Paul and Steph emphasize that true peace comes from Christ alone, and the secret to experiencing this peace is rooted in thankfulness and trusting God's sovereignty.

The second message in the “Simply Jesus” series, led by Kevin MacPhail and JC Gunter, explores the challenging but essential virtue of patience, drawing from the story of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Through their example of unwavering faith and trust, the message outlines three key actions to help us patiently wait for God’s rescue:

1. Remain faithful – Persist in our walk with God, staying devoted and expectant.

2. Trust in the Holy Spirit – Recognize that waiting isn’t inactivity but a time to follow God’s leading.

3. Let God rescue us in His way and timing – Surrender to God’s plan, even when it differs from our expectations.

Kevin and JC encourage us to embrace God’s perfect timing and His transformative plans during seasons of waiting.