September 11, 2016
"Hitting Bottom"
Dr. Larry Parsley, Senior Pastor

WE GROW BETTER TOGETHER . . . IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN   A GROW GROUP!
GROW GROUPS START THIS SUNDAY!

More than 400 adults and 100 students have signed up to join a Grow Group! Grow Groups begin meeting this Sunday, so there's still time to join a group if you haven't done so already.

I'M IN! HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A GROW GROUP?
There are three easy ways (pick one):
  • CLICK HERE, then scroll down to sign up online.
  • Fill out a Connection Card during the Sunday worship service, indicating which group you'd like to join, and drop it in the offering bucket.
  • Visit the Grow Groups table in the lobby before or after Sunday worship service this Sunday.
I'M STILL NOT SURE . . . WHAT IS A GROW GROUP?
Grow Groups are groups of 10-20 people who meet together each week to grow to be more like Jesus. Groups do that by digging into God's Word, building true friendships, and training for our mission. There are groups that meet at VRBC and groups that meet in homes. Some meet on Sunday mornings, and others meet during the week. Each group will meet 13 times this fall, beginning in mid-September. For lots more information about Grow Groups,  CLICK HERE to check out our Grow Group FAQs.
 
I WANT TO JOIN A GROW GROUP, BUT WHICH GROUP SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR?
The short answer is . . . whichever one works the best for you! CLICK HERE for a catalog that lists all 22 of our Grow Groups, and you can pick the one that best fits your schedule or life situation. One thing to keep in mind: even though the catalog lists descriptions for each group based on age/family situation, you can choose whichever group looks best to you, regardless of whether or not you fit the description.  
INTRODUCING LONESOME PULPIT
THE NEW BLOG OF PASTOR LARRY PARSLEY

VRBC is proud to announce the launch of Lonesome Pulpit, a new endeavor into blogging by Pastor Larry. Larry hopes to use this blog to amuse, enlighten, motivate, and inspire his readers. Here's what he had to say about the new blog: 


     My prayer is that this blog would represent its own kind of Lonesome Pulpit. I pledge to bring to it the product of solitary thinking about matters of personal significance--the truths of Scripture, the life of the Church, the preparation for Sunday's coming sermon and reflections upon Sundays past, and the challenge of living in our changing and often chaotic culture. At other times, I will invite you into the beautiful and, at times, maddening life of a pastor.

    I would be so pleased if my words prompt your own kind of solitary reflection upon matters of deep importance. And I would be even more grateful if these words helped you mount your own "pulpit"--assisting you in sharing God's goodness with all those within earshot.

To check out Pastor Larry's new blog, visit or click lonesomepulpit.com.
GLOBAL MISSION FAIR 2016
#BEHILARIOUSLYGENEROUS | SEPTEMBER 18

VRBC is kicking off four exciting global missions projects in 2017 in Thailand, Kenya, Peru and the Rio Grande Valley. Come see them on full display in the VRBC lobby, and learn about how you can engage with these projects through prayer, social media, and short-term mission trips! 

You will also have an opportunity to learn about VRBC-supported missionaries, and to pray for them and encourage them as they serve God in difficult places around the globe! Our elementary-age children will visit the Global Missions Fair during the 9:00 hour, so be sure to ask your kids all about it! The Global Missions Fair will be open to everyone before 9:00 am Grow Groups and before and after the worship service on Sunday, September 18. Make plans now to come early or stay a little late and make the most of this opportunity!

DAVE RAMSEY'S FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
FIRST CLASS IS FREE | SEPTEMBER 25 AT 5:00 PM

We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University  (FPU) teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions, and interactive small group activities over nine weeks, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

FPU will meet each Sunday evening at the church from 5:00 to 7:00 pm beginning September 25 through November 20. Cost to attend the nine-week FPU seminar is $100 for the first ten registrants (individuals or couples), then $114 thereafter. CLICK HERE to register to attend. 

You are invited to preview the first class on September 25 for free to decide if you could benefit from FPU. To learn more about FPU, visit the kiosk in the lobby before and after the worship service this Sunday.
"DROP YOUR PANTS" CLOTHING DRIVE:
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Join our very own Bob Sturm from The Ticket's BaD Radio and The Hardline in dropping (and donating!) your pants, jeans, shorts, and other items of men's clothing you no longer need to the Cornerstone Clothes Closet which serves over 800 homeless men each month.  

"Drop Your Pants" will take place September 13 in front of the Victory Plaza broadcasting station by American Airlines Center (located near Valor Place and Olive Street in Dallas) from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Just drive up and drop off your donation-donors will receive free tickets to a pre-season Stars game!

VOLUNTEER AT THE EVENT
On the day of the event, volunteers are needed to intake, sort, and box clothing donations at the Victory Plaza broadcasting station from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm as listeners drive up and drop off their clothing items. To sign up to volunteer,  CLICK HERE.

COPPELL DROP-OFF LOCATION
For your convenience, donations may be dropped off at 151 Kingston Circle, Coppell anytime prior to the drive.

SERVE AT OR DONATE TO THE CORNERSTONE CLOTHES CLOSET
To volunteer at an upcoming VRBC "Fourth Saturday" Cornerstone Closet service day to help distribute all the pants collected (next date is September 24), CLICK HERE. If you would like to make a financial donation to the Cornerstone Clothes Closet in lieu of dropping your pants, CLICK HERE.
SERVE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
HOW YOU CAN MAKE REAL KINGDOM IMPACT THIS FALL!
  • Teach or take an ESL (English for Speakers of other Languages) class. Classes begin September 12. CLICK HERE to learn how you can serve.
  • Be a Jobs for Life mentor or student to empower and equip people to provide for themselves and their families by building skills essential for success in any work place. Classes begin September 18.  CLICK HERE to learn more.
  • Mentor a Tom Landry Elementary School student.  Contact Sharon Bartley at bartley5@verizon.net to find out how you can help.