August 27, 2017
" God Matures Hospitable People"

BRIDGE BUILDER BREAKFAST 
THIS SUNDAY AT 9:00 AM  |  BREAKFAST INCLUDED!
 
God has given VRBC the exciting mission of inviting diverse and disconnected people to passionately follow Jesus together. If we are to accomplish this mission, we can't wait for diverse and disconnected people in our community to come to us; we must invite them into our lives and our church. To do this, we need to become "Bridge Builders." We need to build bridges that cross the divides of disconnectedness that separate us.
 
This process of building bridges begins with prayer, as we seek God together and ask Him to lead us to the people He's calling us to reach. With this in mind, we'd like to invite you to a breakfast this Sunday, August 27, at 9:00 am in the Worship Center. We'll share a meal, talk about building bridges to people in our community, and pray together for ourselves and those people God is calling us to reach. Childcare is provided, and breakfast is free. Please join us!

For a brief overview of what bridge building and our new sermon series are about, take a look at this video:
NEWCOMERS RECEPTION
THIS SUNDAY | 12:00 NOON TO 12:30 PM

If you are new to VRBC, you are invited to a Newcomers Reception in your honor! At this informal 30-minute gathering after the worship service on Sunday, August 27, you'll have the opportunity to get to know some of our church staff, as well as to meet others who are new to the church. We promise you will receive great hospitality and food, PLUS a chance to win some cool prizes. No RSVP is required to attend--just come!  
 
The reception will be held in the Seminar Room (located at the east end of the church lobby). If you need help finding it, just ask one of our friendly Welcome Team members in a red shirt for assistance.  Children of all ages are welcome to attend, so please pick up your children after the worship service and bring them with you to the reception. 

If you have any questions about the Newcomers Reception, please contact Amy Wilkins, Minister of Community & Global Missions, at [email protected] .
FALL GROW GROUP REGISTRATION 
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL NOW!
 
Beginning Sunday, September 10, Grow Groups will start meeting at various times and locations throughout the week.  There are several brand new groups this fall, so you're sure to find one that interests you!   Click here and scroll down to check out the Grow Group class offerings, or look for the Grow Group catalog in your worship folder this Sunday.
   
THREE EASY WAYS TO REGISTER--PICK ONE!
  • Register for a Grow Group at vrbc.net/grow.
  • Visit the Grow Group booth in the church lobby this Sunday morning before or after the worship service.
  • Mark the Connection Card found in your Sunday worship folder.
I'M NEW . . . WHAT IS A GROW GROUP?
A Grow Group is a group of 10 to 20 people who meet together each week to grow to be more like Jesus, and it's definitely THE BEST way to get connected at VRBC.

REMINDER : Even if you are planning on staying in the same Grow Group, you must register for the fall session.
PROPOSED BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETING
THIS SUNDAY  |  IMMEDIATELY AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE
 
The 2017-2018 Proposed Budget is currently available for review. Visit   vrbc.net/finance  to review the proposed budget information.
 
There will be a Town Hall Meeting for presentation and review of the proposed budget immediately after the worship service this Sunday, August 27, in Room 241. This meeting will be in advance of the official vote on the budget by the congregation on September 24, 2017 during the worship service.
 
If you have questions before the meeting or cannot attend the meeting, please send your inquiries to Donna Blankenship, Business Administrator, at  [email protected]
SECOND WORSHIP SERVICE: ARE YOU A PLUS1?
LAUNCHES SEPTEMBER 10

To best  position VRBC for continued growth in the coming year and to allow us to reach many more people in our community for Christ, we will be offering two identical worship services and Grow Group meeting times on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 am beginning September 10. 

PLUS1 INVITE OPPORTUNITY!
Studies have shown that one of the best times to invite guests to worship, and for them to accept your invitation, is when adding a second worship service. This is because the second service offers your guests more convenience and flexibility to attend. We're adding a service. Have you invited a friend?
2017-2018 BUDGET VOTE
SEPTEMBER 24 DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE
 
Pursuant to our church bylaws, after approval by Church Council and the Finance/Human Resources Committee, the proposed 2017-2018 Annual Budget must be presented to the members of VRBC for approval. 
 
During both worship services on Sunday, September 24, a ballot to vote to approve or not approve the proposed budget will be included in your worship folder. After completing your ballot, please place the ballot in the offering bucket during the offering time.
 
If you have not yet reviewed the proposed budget, please click here to do so . If you have any questions, contact Donna Blankenship, Business Administrator, at [email protected].

"DROP YOUR PANTS" MEN'S CLOTHING DRIVE
BEGINS THIS SUNDAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10

Join our very own Bob Sturm from The Ticket's BaD Radio 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 Tuesday, September 12, 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.

In advance of the "Big Day" at Victory Plaza, we will be hosting a clothing collection drive right here at VRBC!  For your convenience, clothing donations may be dropped off at collection bins in the church lobby anytime from August 27 through September 10.

SERVE OPPORTUNITIES!
AT THE EVENT: Volunteers are needed to intake, sort, and box clothing donations at the Victory Plaza broadcasting station from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm as listeners drive up and drop off clothing items. To volunteer,  click here.

AT CORNERSTONE CLOTHES CLOSET: To volunteer at the Clothes Closet (next VRBC serve dates are August 26 and September 23),  click here. 

IN YOUR POCKET: To make a financial donation to the Clothes Closet in lieu of dropping your pants, just  click here.
JOIN THE WELCOME TEAM
IF YOU CAN SMILE :), YOU CAN SERVE

Come be a part of the VRBC Welcome Team! This team helps us create a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone who attends VRBC. Volunteers serve once a month to ensure every person who comes to VRBC on Sunday morning has a great experience, beginning the moment they drive onto our campus. 
 
This fall's Welcome Team has many new opportunities for people to serve at both worship services. You can serve in the parking lot, at a church entrance, in the lobby, at the Welcome Center, at the Children's Ministry check-in area, in our Hospitality (breakfast) Ministry, or in the Worship Center. 
 
If you enjoy smiling, meeting people, and sharing the love of Christ through a warm welcome, whether you've been worshiping at VRBC for twenty years or one week, we'd love to have you on the Welcome Team! For more information, email Arthur Mendes at  [email protected] .