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"Under Construction: More Like Jesus Every Day"
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
DECEMBER 24 AT 6 PM
You are cordially invited to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary.
During this family-friendly service, we will sing Christmas carols, read Scripture, enjoy a children's message, and more. The service will culminate with a candlelight ceremony symbolizing the light of Christ spreading from person to person and illuminating the world. Childcare will be available for children ages three and under.
INVITATION EVITES
As part of our strategy to invite diverse and disconnected people to passionately follow Jesus together, electronic invitation cards are available. Click here for a mobile-friendly version of the invitation that you can share share via email, text, or even Facebook!
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LEADERS GATHERING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 AT 6:30 PM
Please join us in the Student Auditorium on January 6th for our next Leaders Gathering! At these sessions, we share cool stories of how God is working among us, hear from Larry and the staff on how God is speaking to them, solicit feedback on important issues, pray together, and more. At this installment, we'll be digging more deeply into the results of the Listening Sessions and the GROW/WORSHIP survey and talking about some of our next steps. We would love to have you join us! You don't have to be currently holding an official leadership position at VRBC to attend...all are welcome. Registration info will be available soon.
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LISTENING SESSION/SURVEY RECAP
During November, we published an online survey and held five Listening Sessions designed to help us get feedback and ideas in our "Grow" and "Worship" areas. Thanks so much to those of you who participated! The entire process has been extremely helpful and we look forward to implementing many of the good ideas discussed in these forums in 2016. To read a brief recap of the results of the Survey and Listening Sessions, click here. For further detail, mark your calendar for the Leaders Gathering to be held on Wednesday, January 6th at 6:30pm. At that meeting, we'll dig a little deeper into the results and talk about where we're headed. We'd love to have you join us!
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HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
There will be no Bible Fellowship classes (ABF, SBF, or CBF) this Sunday, December 27. Bible Fellowships classes will resume January 3.
VRBC offices will be closed the week of December 28, however the Finance Office will be open from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 31, to accept year-end contributions.
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YEAR-END GIVING
THROUGH DECEMBER 31
We are very thankful for the generous and continuing support of the ministries, programs, and missions of VRBC.
During this Advent season, it is a good time to reflect upon God's gifts to each of us. Please take a moment to examine your financial giving in light of God's blessings received by you this year. For your convenience, the Finance Office will be open on New Year's Eve from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon to accept any year-end contributions. Contributions will be included in your giving records for 2015 if received or postmarked by December 31, 2015.
| "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." ~2 Cor. 9:7 NIV
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If you have any questions or need any assistance with year-end planning, please feel free to contact Buzz Lupton at blupton@vrbc.net.
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CHRISTMAS STORE LOVE OFFERING
During the month of December, please prayerfully consider making a Love Offering donation to help us begin funding the 2016 Christmas Store. While part of the cost of the Christmas Store comes from the VRBC operating budget and the annual Christmas Store Auction, additional designated contributions of approximately $35,000 are needed annually to serve the same number of children.
Please place your donation in the regular offering plate during the worship service in a Love Offering envelope available at the Welcome Center, or you can just write "Christmas Store" on the memo line of your check before dropping it in the plate. Donations can also be made online. Click here for online giving. Thank you!
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NEW SERMON SERIES: "OUTWARD BOUND"
SUNDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 3
As we begin 2016, Pastor Larry will resume our study of the Gospel of Mark. In this portion of our study, covering Chapters 8 through 10, we will embark on a new sermon series entitled "Outward Bound" and examine how the call to follow Jesus isn't always easy or comfortable. In fact, Jesus tells us that to follow Him often involves denying ourselves and carrying a cross. But as we do, we will find that this temporary hardship leads to glory beyond anything we can imagine. Join us in 2016 for "Outward Bound!"
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DEACON & CHURCH COUNCIL DEDICATION SERVICE
JANUARY 3 AT 6:30 PM
Please join us Sunday evening, January 3, at 6:30 pm for a special time of commissioning and prayer as we dedicate the following new Deacons and Church Council members for 2016:
Deacons: Angela Miller, Michelle Anton, Jennifer Pope, Jim Dwight, Kim Bischoff, Chris Cato, Grant Wiede, Dora Pedroza Rocha, John Gosser, Scot Albert, Debra Rountree, Pete Wilhelm, and Dale McCallie.
Church Council: Marv Knox and Jeff Lamb.
This service is always a special and powerful time as we set aside leaders for their crucial service at VRBC. Please come to give your prayers and support to these leaders that God has called into these important roles.
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: A SEASON OF JOY
RESUMES JANUARY 13
Ladies, start your year with joy! Join us for the continuation of our study of Philippians, LAUGH AGAIN: Experience Outrageous Joy, by Dr. Charles Swindoll.
We will begin an in-depth study of Chapters 3 and 4 of Paul's letter of joy, so it's the perfect time for newcomers to join us even if you did not attend in the fall.
Our study begins Wednesday, January 13, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the seminar room and will meet weekly for seven weeks. Come for a time of enriching fellowship in the study of God's Word!
Workbooks are available for this Bible study and can be purchased for $10. To order, please contact Teresa Brundige at tbrundige@vrbc.net or 972-304-8722.
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IF:COPPELL 2016
FEBRUARY 5 AND 6
What IF we lived like Jesus? What IF you went deeper in your relationship with Him? What IF one weekend of focused time spent with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with other Christian women from around the globe could greatly impact your life and change the world?
Come and find out! The VRBC Women's Ministry invites all women to join us for IF:COPPELL 2016 on Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6. Take some time out of your busy schedule to be with Jesus and with other women in our community to strengthen the most important relationship in your life. See what can happen!
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA:
Looking for a deeply meaningful Christmas gift for a special woman in your life? Surprise her with the gift of attending IF:COPPELL by registering her for this life-changing event. For more information or questions, email Brenda Swinton at BDSwinton@brimldry.com.
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OPEN CARRY LAWS
JANUARY 1
As you may be aware, during the 84th Session of the Texas Legislature, our State Congress enacted House Bill 910 authorizing individuals to obtain a license to openly carry a handgun in the same places that allow the licensed carrying of a concealed handgun with some exceptions. While our church has the right to prohibit the open carry of handguns by posting the proper legal signage we prefer to deal with any issues on an individual basis.
While it may be legal we would respectfully ask our members and attendees not to open carry a handgun on church premises. We feel this would be distracting to most of those in attendance and would not enhance the worship experience but detract from the experience.
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WINTER WEEKEND 2016
JANUARY 15-17
Hey middle and high schoolers, student registration for Winter Weekend 2016 is open!
FAQs Hey, what exactly is WW? Perhaps the most talked about event of Refuge Student Ministries each year, Winter Weekend is a growth experience with disciple-making as our focus. Whether you have been a Christian for two months or twelve years or are perhaps 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. Invite a friend to join you!
What does it cost to attend WW?
$140 for the entire weekend including meals (but feel free to bring some extra snacks if you want!).
So, how do I register for WW?
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GRACE GROUPS
THURSDAYS AT 7 PM
The holidays can be a stressful time for all of us. At VRBC, two Grace Groups meet at VRBC Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:15 pm to provide support for those who are affected directly or indirectly by mental health challenges.
Family Grace Group (FGG) is a support group for the families and friends of those living with a person struggling with a mental health difficulty or disorder. Living Grace Group (LGG) is structured like FGG but is intended for persons living with the mental health difficulty or disorder.
For additional information or questions about attending Grace Group, contact Paula Thompson at paulapthompson@gmail.com (for FGG) or Scott Ward at iccrgb@gmail.com (for LGG).
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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 the pastor on call confidentially at care@vrbc.net.
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CLOTHES CLOSET VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DECEMBER 26
Volunteers are greatly needed to serve at Cornerstone Clothes Closet on December 26. Serving at the Clothes Closet is a great family activity--children as young as seven can serve with an adult.
Volunteers accompany people through the Clothes Closet and help them select clothing while developing friendships. Volunteers also organize the Clothes Closet, wash and fold towels, and clean the shower area. Volunteers meet at VRBC at 9:15 am on Saturday morning to caravan down to Cornerstone, or meet at Cornerstone at 10:00 am, then serve until about 1:00 pm.
Click here to sign up to serve or to learn more about the Clothes Closet.
MEN'S WINTER COATS AND CLOTHING NEEDED
As the weather turns colder, there is a big need for donations of men's winter coats and clothing to stock the Cornerstone Clothes Closet. Clothing donations may be dropped off any time at the Coppell residences of Jana Bell (305 Falcon Court), Cherie Walker (400 Hawk Court), and Landa Parker (151 Kingston Circle). Bagged items may be left on the front porch.
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CORNERSTONE SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
We have several opportunities each month to serve alongside Cornerstone Baptist Church, our sister church in South Dallas:
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 MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT: THE CONDE FAMILY
Lou and Yesi Conde serve at our sister church, El Buen Pastor, and Common Hope in Nuevo Calderon de Chorillos in Lima, Peru. Every December, their church hosts the Peruvian Christmas Store, La Tienda de Navidad. During the Peruvian summer months, Lou also supervises a busy summer program with camps and special interest classes for youth and young adults, and Yesi teaches a class with young mothers and toddlers. During the school year, Lou oversees homework help sessions and visits families in the community.
The Condes request prayers to reach and evangelize to more people, the operation and continued success of their summer workshops, and financial help for both the church and Common Hope.
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2016 MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES
GERMANY: JULY 22-30, 2016
Share God's story and demonstrate God's love to refugees in Germany. They need the hope that only Christ can give. We will equip you to maximize your ministry to these families. Experience God in extraordinary ways through worship, through God's Word, and by demonstrating God's love.
The trip departs July 22 and returns July 30, 2016. Cost will be approximately $3,000 per person. This trip is family-friendly. To inquire about children less than ten years old or for more information, contact Claudia Adame at Claudia.Adame@e3partners.org or 214-440-1140. Click here for a detailed flyer about the trip.
RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND INDONESIA
Plans are underway for a mission trip to the Rio Grande Valley in March of 2016, as well as a trip to Indonesia in October 2016. To learn more about these trips, visit vrbc.net/mission-trips.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Funding assistance is available for international mission trips. Click here, then scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information and the application to request financial assistance. Please note the deadlines to apply.
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Stay up-to-date on all things Refuge:
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Through December 20, 2015
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Worship Service
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| | Actual
Budget
Difference | $650,807
$737,500
($86,693) | |
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