The Vine Austin

Mark continues in our Thresholds series with a significant moment in 1 Kings 19. In this powerful threshold moment, Elijah meets with God in an unexpected presence - a gentle whisper. www.thevineaustin.org 1 Kings 19:9-13

The Vine continues in our summer series, Thresholds. This week, community member, Chris Morton, shares from three snapshots in the life of Peter. In each of these threshold moments, we find Jesus' unexpected grace at work. www.thevineaustin.org Matthew 16:13-19

Pastor Mark continues in this series, THRESHOLDS, by exploring an important passage in Exodus 3. Here we discover an unexpected threshold in Moses' life. It is marked by a burning bush, God's sacred name and a promise to return to the mountain. Exodus 3:1-12 www.thevineaustin.org

Ben continues our series Thresholds - The Courageous Act of Becoming. Our scripture is in 1 Peter 1:3-9

Fabs kicks off a new series called "Thresholds- The Courageous Act of Becoming." In this series - and in this season of change for our church - we will explore stories of thresholds throughout Scripture to discover how we can walk through transitions with courage, faith, and expectancy, so that we do not miss what God wants to do in the transition moments of our lives. Fabs explores Hebrews 2:11-1...

We conclude the series STORIES FROM THE MARGIN by considering God's passion, care and provision for the refugee. We also hear from Alliance about his own journey - personally and for the organization More Than Welcome. www.thevineaustin.org Zechariah 7:8-14

The Vine continues in our series STORIES FROM THE MARGIN with a beautiful passage in Acts 8. In this story, we discover how the Spirit of God moves to the margin so that an Ethiopian Eunuch can experience God's sacred nearness in spite of prescribed religious exclusion. Acts 8:26-39 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing, or challenging? 2. Read the story (Acts 8...

Happy 10 year birthday!!! On this special day, Mark reflections on the creation of The Vine, how God chose to create, and perhaps what God might say over The Vine today. www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. What is the thing you love most about The Vine? 2. Share a memory that you have of this church that encapsulates what is unique about our community. 3. What is a hope you have about T...

Mark continues with Stories from the Margin by talking about God's heart for the widow. As we explore the story of Ruth, we see God's provision, care, and future for the widow - and a love that clings to us. www.thevineaustin.org Ruth 1:8-18 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing, or challenging? 2. Why do you think widows have such a valued place in God’s heart?...

This week, Fabs shares from an unfamiliar story from scripture found in Numbers 27. Listen to the story of the daughters of Zelophehad and how God wants to reconstruct structures that support the often forgotten and overlooked. www.thevineaustin.org Numbers 27:1-8 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What about the sermon was encouraging, confusing, or challenging? 2. The sermon talked about how systems can m...

Our sermon series, STORIES FROM THE MARGIN, continues with a message about Hagar, Genesis 16, and the God Who Sees. Genesis 16:1-13 www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Read the passage above. There are many complicated, uncomfortable elements to this story- as with most stories from the margin. What elements do you notice that give you pause, discomfort or questions? 2. Consider where e...

Mark continues our series STORIES FROM THE MARGIN with a special message about God's heart for the orphan. Among many passages, we consider James 1:22-27. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Much of the sermon was an incomplete survey of God’s commandments and provisions for the orphan. Why do you think God cares so deeply for the orphan? 2. Read the passage above. Consider the imagery o...

Mark kicks off our new series, "Stories from the Margin." In this sermon, we hear a story from Luke 17:11-19 and a story from the margins of Austin at Community First. Luke 17:11-19 Reflection Questions: 1. When you hear the word marginalization, what comes to mind? 2. Read the passage above. Envision the life of these ten lepers. What might their life have been like? 3. Why would the response Jes...

Happy Easter! Mark shares a special Easter message from John 20. Upon the cross, we see the compassion of God, but on Easter, we see the power of God's love. John 20:1-2, 11-18 www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What was Easter like for you growing up? 2. Interact with that opening line from Julian Barnes’ novel. “I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.” Do you think that is how people...

Mark shares a message from the Palm Sunday story. Jesus' power was matched by a surprising characteristic. Luke 19:28-42 Reflection Questions: 1. Read the scripture passage above. What stands out to you today? 2. Why do you think the Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke his disciples? 3. Reread verses 41-42. What do you think was behind Jesus’ tears? 4. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either...

The Vine concludes our PRODIGAL STORY series with Pastor Ben sharing a message from the perspective of the community. Luke 15:21-27 www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. What has stayed with you or stuck out in the message? 2. Where have you seen “social kickback” happen in real life—either toward yourself or someone else? What did it look like, and what impact did it have on the person o...

Enjoy the third sermon in this series called PRODIGAL STORY. This week, Mark shares from the perspective of the father. LUKE 15:17-24 www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Reflection Questions: 1. What do you most commonly lose or misplace? 2. Read the scripture passage (verses 17-24). Mark shared that verse 20 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. What is conveyed in that simple...

We continue our series on the Prodigal Story by reliving this story through the perspective of the elder brother. www.thevineaustin.org Luke 15:25-32 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. How do you think your birth order affected your personality? 2. John Ortberg once said, “One of the hardest things to do is to stop being the prodigal son without turning into the elder brother.” Do you agree? Why or why not?...

Fabs kicks off our Prodigal Story series by diving into the younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Reflection Questions: When you hear this parable, what comes up for you? What part of the younger son’s story felt most familiar to you: leaving, longing, planning your return, or experiencing belonging? What’s the difference between fitting in and belonging in your experience? The son had a...

Mark closes out Paul's letter to the Colossians with a reflection on chapter 4. We unpack the subtle stories of the names toward the end, consider Paul's final charge, and remember his chains. www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. At the end of Colossians, Paul instructs the church to share the letter with other church communities (4:16). How might that instruction shape the view the earl...

Fabs continues with the third chapter of Colossians. www.thevineaustin.org Reflection Questions: 1. When have you had an experience that changed how you saw your life, even though nothing “externally” changed? 2. What are some earthly things your family of origin culture used to measure worth? What are some things you judge your own worth on today? 3. What stayed with you from the sermon- either a...

The cold can't hold us back! Mark shares a message from Colossians 2:1-10 as we continue in this series. This passage explores the hiddenness of Jesus, the mystery of God and the two-word phrase that is central to the spiritual life. www.thevineaustin.org REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Read Colossians 2:1-10. What do you see Paul doing in these verses? 2. How do you experience the hiddenness of God? How...

Mark begins our series on the Letter to the Colossians with an overview of Chapter 1. www.thevineaustin.org Colossians 1:15-23 Reflection Questions: 1. What is the smallest town you've lived in? 2. Consider Paul's experience writing letters to churches and how they became Scripture. Does that inspire hope, questions, wonder, or something else? 3. Paul is writing not only to give encouragement to t...

Welcome to Vision Sunday 2026. In this message, Mark reflects upon 2025 and where God has brought us. Then, Mark shares about the upcoming year and some important plans. www.thevineaustin.org. Matthew 11:16-20

The Vine kicked off the year with a meditative and interactive service. Here are the two meditations that were included. www.thevineaustin.org