Sunday, November 30, 2014

"Obedience"

Dr. Larry Parsley, Senior Pastor
FAST. GIVE. PRAY.
FIFTH SUNDAY BENEVOLENCE OFFERING
THIS SUNDAY

  

VRBC has historically helped meet the financial requests of those in need through a designated benevolence fund collected on fifth Sundays throughout the year.

 

We suggest that you FAST from one meal that day and use that time to consider those in need, GIVE at least the cost of the meal to the benevolence fund, and PRAY for those in need and for wisdom for VRBC as we minister to our members and community. 

 

Please drop whatever cash, coins, or check you feel is appropriate in the basket as you exit the sanctuary after the morning service. Baskets will also be available at the Welcome Center for your convenience.

VR KIDS CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP 
DECEMBER 5 AT 6 PM

 

Unconditional gift giving starts by sharing a piece of yourself. Come join the fun as we create six gifts to give to others!  We will start the Christmas season off with lots of great music, snacks, and a Christmas story.

 

Christmas Workshop is open to kids in kindergarten through 5th grade.  We will meet in the church lobby from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  Cost is $20.

 

Spots are limited...don't miss the fun!  And be sure to bring a friend!!

 

Register by clicking here or by visiting the Events page on the church website.

Deadline to register is November 30.

NIGHT OF WORSHIP 
DECEMBER 7 AT 6 PM

 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed in December?  Sometimes the weeks leading up to Christmas can become so busy that we lose the wonder, mystery, and beauty of the season.  

If you'd like to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with Christ, please join us in the sanctuary for a Night of Worship at 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 7.  This will be an informal, relaxed time of worship and prayer for our entire church family. Come worship with us!

WINTER WEEKEND 2015
JANUARY 16 - 18, 2015 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

 

Perhaps the most talked about event of Refuge Student Ministries each year, Winter Weekend is a growth experience with disciple making at its core. Whether you have been a Christian for five months or five years or even just beginning to check out what following Christ is all about, Winter Weekend is guaranteed to be a spiritual pillar that God can use to help you meet Him and be changed.  

 

Sign up today at vrbcrefuge.net/events!

VRBC MARRIAGE RETREAT
JANUARY 9-10, 2015
 

Jump start the New Year by attending a dynamic retreat with your spouse that promises to bless your marriage!  

 

Registration is now open and ends December 19, 2014.  Click here to register.

 

Place:   DFW Airport Marriott

 

Time:    6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday

              8:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday

 

Cost:    Overnight Package - $235/couple
              Meals and Meetings Only - $140/couple

Speakers will be Jim and Robin Johnson.  Jim is co-founder and and senior pastor of Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas. 

If a childcare need would prevent you from attending this event, please contact Karen McCord at [email protected].
re|engage
MONDAYS 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
LAUNCHES JANUARY 19, 2015

re|engage is a marriage enrichment program which examines God's design for marriage and applies principles from the Bible to guide couples towards growth in their relationship with each other. Marriages in any condition can benefit. 

 

Whether you are struggling to get along with your spouse, your marriage is broken, or you simply want to grow closer together as a couple, mark your calendar now to come and re|engage.

 

You can learn more general information about re|engage by visiting or clicking marriagehelp.org or by contacting us directly at [email protected].

CHURCH COUNCIL UPDATE

 

The Church Council is excited to give you an update on two important initiatives that we first introduced to you at the Church Conference back in August. 

 

First, we have engaged a vision consultant in October.  The firm's name is Auxano (website: http://auxano.com).  The members of the team are Pastor Larry Parsley, Buzz Lupton, John Hewlett, Amy Wilkins, Rich Roush, Karen Simmang, Marv Knox, Katie Warren, and Deirdre LaNoue.  We got off to a great start this last week with our first all-day session, and we are excited to see what God will show us through this process!  You will hear more soon.

 

Second, we have a search committee in place for an Executive Pastor, and they are already meeting regularly.  The members are Mark Rountree (Chair), Pastor Larry Parsley, Tony Howard, Jerry Sims, Kevin Ashby, Gloria Williford, and Kathryn Goldsmith. Many thanks to the Personnel Committee for their work in putting this team together.

 

We are grateful to each of these folks for their service.  Please pray for each of these teams, that we will listen well to the Spirit and follow His lead with courageous faithfulness.  I am personally excited about what God has in store!

 

Deirdre LaNoue

Chair, Church Council

PARK FRIDAYS
SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 12

Parents of our preschool children are invited to join us at a local area park on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.  

Where do YOU like to play? Do you know of other great indoor playgrounds that we can all explore together when the temperatures are too low to play outside?  Send your suggestions to Johanna Hewlett at [email protected].

PLEASE NOTE:  There will be no Park Friday on November 28.  Happy Thanksgiving!
VRBC CARE NETWORK

 

Do you have a prayer request or care ministry need (e.g., illness, death in the family, marital struggle, etc.) you'd like the staff to know about?  Email us confidentially at [email protected]. 


2014 CHRISTMAS STORE
DECEMBER 12 & 13
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN--CLICK HERE!

 

There are many opportunities to serve, including several ways to volunteer to prepare in advance for the Christmas Store.  Be sure to sign up early...you don't want to miss serving in this dynamic and much-anticipated ministry in partnership with our sister church, Cornerstone Baptist Church, in South Dallas.     

 

Click here to visit the Christmas Store web page to learn more about the Christmas Store, to give to the Christmas Store Love Offering, and to volunteer to serve.

 

CORNERSTONE SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
We have several opportunities each month to serve alongside Cornerstone Baptist Church, our sister church in South Dallas:

SPOTLIGHT: MIKE AND BROOKE

 

Mike and Brooke work among the most neglected people in Southeast Asia. Living in a country where Christians make up less than 10% of the population and face increasing marginalization, Mike and Brooke serve as ministers to university students and peacemakers.

 

A MESSAGE OF THANKSGIVING FROM MIKE AND BROOKE: 

"Thank you for your support of our ministry in Southeast Asia. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers as we embark on this journey to reach college students and to serve in the midst of Christian Muslim relations.  If we have not, yet, had the opportunity to connect with you, please visit www.mikeandbrooke.info to learn more about our ministry and to sign up for our newsletter." 

You can view a short  "Thank You" video from Mike and Brooke by clicking here.
   

College students and recent graduates are invited to join Mike and Brooke in Southeast Asia for a month, a semester, or even longer to work alongside them in ministry to university students.  If you would like to learn more about these opportunities, please email Mike at [email protected].





UPCOMING MISSION TRIPS



 
Register for children's events at vrbc.net/ministries/vrkids/
Stay up to date on all things "Refuge" at
Men's Thursday Knights - 7:30-9:00 pm,
1st & 3rd Thursday of each month
 

Through November 23, 2014
Worship Service

 Actual
Budget
Difference
$366,695
$442,800
         ($76,105)
 
 658