January 15, 2017
Winter Weekend Guest Speaker
Adam Robinson
Senior Pastor, Double Oak Community Church
WE GROW BETTER TOGETHER . . .
GROW GROUP REGISTRATION CONTINUES THIS WEEK

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. Groups do that by digging into God's Word, building true friendships, and training for our mission. CLICK HERE to check out our Grow Group FAQs.

WHEN AND WHERE DO GROW GROUPS MEET?
The spring Grow Group session will begin January 22 and end May 4. Some groups meet on Sundays, and others meet during the week. Some groups meet at VRBC, and others meet in homes. A complete listing and description of our Grow Groups can be found at vrbc.net/grow.

DO I NEED TO SIGN UP IF I PLAN TO STAY IN THE SAME GROW GROUP?
Yes!  Everyone who wants to participate in a Grow Group this spring must register, even if you want to stay in the same Grow Group.
 
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
There are three easy ways to join a Grow Group (pick one):
  • 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 Group table in the lobby before or after the worship service this Sunday.
  • Sign up online at vrbc.net/grow.
NEWCOMERS RECEPTION
THIS SUNDAY | 12:00 NOON TO 12:30 PM

If you are new to VRBC, we'd like to invite you to a reception after the worship service this Sunday in your honor! At this informal 30-minute gathering, you'll have the opportunity to get to know some of our church staff, as well as others who are new to the church. We promise you will receive great hospitality, food and desserts, PLUS you will have 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 Welcome Team members. They'll be wearing red shirts and would be glad to help you.
 
Children of all ages are welcome to attend, so please pick up your children from the Kids Ministry after the worship service and bring them with you to the reception. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
 
P.S. If you have been at VRBC for a while, we'd love you to partner with us in our mission by extending invitations to this reception to any new people you meet this weekend!
re|engage
MONDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 23
INFORMATIONAL SESSION | JANUARY 16 | 7:00 PM

Join us this spring for a marriage enrichment program which examines God's design for marriage and applies biblical principles to guide couples towards growth in their relationship with each other. 

This new Grow Group will meet Monday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm beginning January 23 and will conclude May 22. Childcare is available each week.  Cost is $50 per couple, but scholarships are available. You can also be a part of a regular Grow Group while participating in re|engage.

Marriages in any condition can benefit from re|engage. So whether you want to grow closer together as a couple, are struggling to get along with your spouse, or your marriage is broken, come with us and re|engage!

INFORMATIONAL SESSION
You are invited to a complimentary informational session on Monday, January 16, at 7:00 pm in the Seminar Room to learn more about relengage prior to signing up.  Childcare is available. You can also visit  marriagehelp.org.

For more information or to reserve childcare, contact us directly at marriage@vrbc.net.
MORE BLESSED SPECIAL OFFERING
JUST 11 DAYS LEFT TO GIVE YOUR BEST GIFT!

Thanks to God's blessing and the abundant generosity of our congregation, we have exceeded our More Blessed goal of $225,000 . . . praise God! Any additional contributions made now through January 22 allow us to further fund these important ministry initiatives, as well as other vision items in our unified budget:
  •   Planting and supporting new churches
  •   Resourcing our missionaries to make the most impact
  •   Serving the poor
  •   Expanding next generation ministries and equipping our leaders
  •   Enhancing our worship environment and our guest worship experience
GIVE HERE  to make an online gift now. 

CLICK HERE  to learn more about More Blessed.   Thank you for your prayers and support! 
CHURCH LEADERSHIP RATIFICATION VOTE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
 
A specially called church meeting will be held during the worship service on January 22 for the purpose of asking church members to ratify the nominations made by Church Council for members of the 2017 Church Council, Deacons, Ministry Placement Committee, and Finance/Human Resource Committee. Nominee names will be available shortly.
 
DEDICATION SERVICE | FEBRUARY 12
A Dedication Service for incoming church leaders will be held Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 pm in the Worship Center. Everyone is invited to attend.

PARENT CHILD DEDICATION
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
REGISTER DEADLINE IS TOMORROW

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, January 22. If you and your child would like to participate, CLICK HERE to register.   Deadline to register for  is January 12. To learn more, please contact Karen Simmang at  ksimmang@vrbc.net.

GO ON MISSION THIS SPRING BREAK!
RIO GRANDE VALLEY MISSION TRIP | MARCH 14-19
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS THIS SUNDAY

Join us this March as we partner with Buckner and University Baptist Church in Houston to host business development seminars and to build a home for a family  in PeƱitas, a colonia west of McAllen, Texas, where there is desperate poverty and great oppression through the cult of Santa Muerte. We will also support our church plant by working with Pastor Refugio to do outreach in the local community. 

Skills sets that would be helpful include creating business plans, working with employees, and leadership development. We also need people with experience in construction, electrical, plumbing, and other homebuilding skills, as well as those who are just willing to work! Spanish speakers are also needed to either translate or train.

CLICK HERE for a detailed information flyer about the trip. Deadline to register for the trip is January 15.