ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
TONIGHT AT 7 PM

Please join us this evening as we gather together in the VRBC student auditorium for our Ash Wednesday Service. Ash Wednesday is a day Christians have historically observed to repent of our sin and reflect on our mortality as we begin the Lenten season of reflection and prayer in preparation for Holy Week.
 
One of the key features of many Ash Wednesday services is the use of ashes. In Scripture, ashes are a symbol of mourning and a physical expression of our sorrow over our sin. Ashes also symbolize our mortality and remind us of our physical weakness and impermanence. At our service, you will have the option of receiving ashes on your forehead as part of your worship experience, as well as participating in a host of other creative and interactive experiences.
 
Ash Wednesday observances are somber services, but deeply meaningful, and can be extraordinarily powerful in the life of Christians. If you've never attended before, this year is a great time to start!  We will explain the meaning of each part of the service as we experience it, and it promises to be a significant part of your spiritual year. 
 
Children's Ministry provided for pre-kindergarten and younger.
RESOURCES FOR LENT
 
Since the fourth century, followers of Jesus have spent the season of Lent (the forty days leading up to Easter, not counting Sundays) preparing themselves for the celebration of the Resurrection by praying, reading Scripture, reflecting on Christ and His sacrifice for us, and fasting. 

As Baptists, we aren't required to observe any particular holidays or seasons, but are free to use whatever traditions and resources we find helpful in our journey with Christ. Many Baptists have found that spending additional time during Lent focusing on Jesus and His cross has been spiritually beneficial and has a way of sweetening the celebration of Easter.
 
To help you and your family "passionately follow Jesus together" during this season, we have put together a few resources for you. Visit  www.vrbc.net/lent  for more information.

CHRISTMAS STORE
"COUNTY FAIR AND AUCTION"
SAVE-THE-DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 9

This year's Christmas Store Auction, benefiting the 2016 Christmas Store, will be held Saturday, April 9, from 7:00-9:00 pm. "County Fair and Auction" will feature a live music performance by American Idol's Jason Castro and will be MC'd by our very own John Lookabaugh!

Ticket and registration information, as well as online auction opening date, coming soon. Mark your calendar now so you don't miss this Hilariously Generous event in the life of our church!
MEN'S MINISTRY BREAKFAST
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AT 8:00 AM
 
All VRBC men (middle school-age and older) are invited to join us for the Men's Ministry quarterly breakfast on Saturday morning, February 20. 

Our topic will be "God's Men at Home" with special guest speaker, Paul Cox. Paul has been a missionary for the past fifteen years and has recently joined FamilyLife, a a vibrant ministry organization that is devoted to bringing biblical principles to people in ways that positively change their lives. Paul has a passion for families and marriages and loves the hope that the Gospel brings to men as they minister to their families.
 
Breakfast will begin at 8:00 am, and we will conclude by 9:30 am. Pramode and Steve will be preparing a special breakfast again for us, so please come and enjoy the great food and fellowship. RSVP to Buzz Lupton at [email protected] by February 17 if you can attend.
POVERTY SIMULATION: "PLUNGE2POVERTY"
APRIL 1-3

As we serve the poor and homeless in our community and around the world, we want do it with compassion and respect and in a way that provides dignity and empowers those we serve. In order to better understand those we seek to help, we offer Plunge2Poverty, a weekend poverty simulation for high school students and adults. Although a weekend simulation pales in comparison to the difficulties faced by those who are poor or homeless, it can be an effective tool for us as we grow in serving others.

Plunge2Poverty will take place April 1-3 in South Dallas, primarily at ministry locations of Cornerstone Baptist Church.  Registration cost, which covers food, supplies and t-shirt expenses, is $50.  Deadline to register is March 13.

For more details and to register, visit vrbc.net/poverty-simulation.
PARK FRIDAY
THIS FRIDAY AT 9 AM - NEW TIME THIS WEEK ONLY
 
Parents and their preschool children are invited to join us this Friday, February 12, to play at Paradise Pond located inside First Baptist Church, 301 E. Texas Street, Grapevine.
 
ARRIVE EARLY!  Paradise Pond fills up quickly, and then no more guests will be accepted.  With that in mind, it is best to arrive at 9:00 am (instead of our usual 9:30 meeting time). If you see a sign that says "THE POND IS OVERFLOWING" on the front porch, maximum capacity has already been reached. 
 
SMALL ADMISSION PRICE: Paradise Pond charges $1 per person (including adults), so please come with a little cash. If this poses a problem or if you forget to bring money, call Johanna Hewlett at 214-564-7491. We don't want anyone not to come because of the admission price.

LIABILITY WAIVER: To make your entrance into Paradise Pond faster, you can download their liability waiver ahead of time.  Click here for the waiver. For more general information about Paradise Pond,  click here.

If this will be your first time to come to a Park Friday or if you have any other questions, please email Johanna Hewlett at [email protected]We want to be sure we connect with you on Friday!
PARENT CHILD DEDICATION
SUNDAY, APRIL 24

At VRBC, we believe children are a gift from God, and Parent Child Dedication provides an opportunity to express publicly the desire to lead and spiritually nurture our children, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, so that our children will develop a desire to love God and love others. 
 
Our next Parent Child Dedication will take place during the worship service on Sunday, April 24.  To participate, please click here to register your child. Deadline to register is April 18.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Karen Simmang at [email protected].

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: "CAVE QUEST"
SAVE-THE-DATES: JUNE 13-17
NOW FOR 4- AND 5-YEAR-OLDS TOO!

Come explore Cave Quest--a place where kids will learn how to follow Jesus, the Light of the World, by exploring the rock-solid foundation of His love! Join us June 13-17 from 9:00 am to 12 noon for a dynamic week. VBS is for kids ages 4 (by September 1, 2015) through fifth grade. 
 
Watch eNews for more information. Sign-ups begin soon!

KIDS CAMP 2016: "MESSY"
JULY 11-14 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Hey third through fifth graders--we are going to a NEW camp this summer! In July, we head to Student Life for Kids at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, for a four-day/three-night "Messy" adventure where we will learn that our messy sin separates us from God, but the grace of Jesus washes us clean, giving us saving faith in Jesus Christ.  We will experience engaging worship, hilarious drama, silly games, teamwork, community building, and most importantly, God's Word on center stage!

Parents, this could be a life-changer for your child. Click here for more information about this year's Kids Camp. Cost is $230 (includes bus transportation, t-shirt, and bag).  To register for Kids Camp: GIRLS -  Click here. BOYS -  Click here.

PRESCHOOL DAY CAMP: "FUN IN THE SUN" 
SAVE-THE-DATES: JUNE 27-29
 
Kids ages three to pre-kindergarten are sure to have lots of fun in the sun as they enjoy some great summer activities every morning from 9:00 to 12 noon during Preschool Day Camp.
 
Watch eNews for more information. Sign-ups begin soon!

CORNERSTONE BOOK DRIVE
*CHILDREN'S BOOKS NOW INCLUDED
COLLECTION THROUGH APRIL 30

Cornerstone, our sister church in South Dallas, is in need of both new and gently used adult and children's books to serve their local community. Collection for all books will continue through April 30.

ADULT BOOKS
Books on a variety of topics are needed to lend in the cafeteria serving its homeless ministry: Bibles (English and Spanish), art, photography, biographies, history, computer technology, literature, medicine, sports, and travel books, as well as how-to, inspirational, sudoku, puzzle, and sketch books with pencils.

Adult books may be dropped off on the front porch of the home of Amy and Jeff Suttle, 517 Meadowood Lane, Coppell, in the container provided.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Books for elementary-age children (kindergarten through sixth grade) are needed for after-school programs, literacy training, and reading corners. 

Children's books may be dropped off on the front porch of the home of Jana Bell, 305 Falcon Court, Coppell.

If you have any questions about the book drive, please contact Teresa Brundige at 972-304-8722 or [email protected].



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 [email protected]. 




CORNERSTONE SERVING OPPORTUNITIES

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

MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT: TALSY VEGA

Talsy is the National Director for e3 Panama. She serves in partnership with e3 Partners Dallas to equip pastors with their Timothy Team, mobilize short-term mission teams, pray, evangelize, make disciples, congregate, and develop leaders to plant new churches located within walking distance of every village or city in Panama. 

Talsy serves the Ngobe Bugle, Nasso and the Kuna tribal groups of Panama. Her work includes extreme expeditions to remote villages (among the tribal group), expeditions to the city, Leadership Development Conference (workshop), Thompson Bible workshop, and workshops on orality (story-telling) among the Ngobe Bugle. 

At VRBC, the Talsy is partnered with the Wilcox ABF. To learn more about Talsy and her ministry, click here to watch a short video.
MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES

RIO GRANDE VALLEY:  MARCH 2016
Plans are underway for a mission trip to the Rio Grande Valley in March. To learn more about this trip, contact Amy Wilkins, Minister of Community and Global Missions, at [email protected].

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 [email protected] or 214-440-1140.  Click here for a detailed flyer about the trip. Click here to register.

INDONESIA: OCTOBER 2016
Plans are underway for a mission trip to Indonesia in October 2016. To learn more about this and other trips, visit 
vrbc.net/mission-trips or contact Amy Wilkins at [email protected].

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. 



 
Check out VR Kids events:  vrbc.net/ministries/vrkids/
Stay up-to-date on all things Refuge: 
Find an Adult Bible Fellowship class:  vrbc.net/ministries/abf/

 

Through February 7, 2016
Worship Service