CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICES
DECEMBER 23, 11:00 AM |  DECEMBER 24, 4:00 & 6:00 PM

Join us for Christmas this year at any of our three identical, family-friendly worship services! This family-oriented service is a favorite every year and includes singing Christmas carols, hearing a special message for kids (and one for the grown-ups too!), and a reading of the Christmas story. The tradition of lighting candles and singing  Silent Night   together by candlelight at the end of the service is always one of the highlights of the church year. 

INVITE OPPORTUNITY
The Christmas services are very guest-friendly and are a wonderful time to invite friends and extended family to visit our church. There will be ample seating in the Worship Center for everyone, and childcare will be available for kids pre-K and younger. CLICK HERE to share the invitation with others.

ALL-CHURCH NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION SERVICE | DECEMBER 30, 11:00 AM
As a memorable way to celebrate 2018 and welcome the new year, VRBC will hold a single, all-church service at 11:00 am on Sunday, December 30. Make plans now to join all of VRBC as we celebrate the coming of the new year!
WINTER WEEKEND 2019: JANUARY 18-20
STUDENT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN 

Hey, what exactly is Winter Weekend?
Perhaps the most talked-about event of Refuge Student Ministries each year, Winter Weekend (WW) 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, WW is guaranteed to be a spiritual pillar that God can use to help you meet Him and be changed.
 
What does it cost to attend WW?

12/10 through 12/23 Regular Registration $100
12/24 through 1/6 Late Registration $120

Can I bring a friend to WW?
Yes! WW is always a blast, so invite a friend (or two!) to join you. 

I'm in! So, how do I register for WW?
To register, guys can CLICK HERE and girls can  CLICK HERE . Visit  www.vrbcrefuge.net/winter-weekend/   to find out more about WW 2019.
2019 MISSION TRIPS: IS GOD CALLING YOU?
ALL APPLICATIONS DUE JANUARY 15
 
We have three exciting mission trips planned for 2019, and we'd love for you to come along to help support our missions partners and to spread God's love throughout the world. Where is God calling you to go?
 
FAMILY TRIP TO RIO GRANDE VALLEY | March 9-14, 2019
Families with kids of all ages are welcome! We'll do children's ministry and sports camps, host business development seminars, lead fun outreach activities to support our church plant, minister to immigrants and refugees, and help build a home for a family in McAllen, Texas. Business, construction, and Spanish-speaking skills would be especially helpful, but anyone willing to work and love on children would be a blessing and enjoy this trip.
 
UGANDA | July 20-31, 2019
Come encourage and support refugees who are seeking to provide for their families with dignity! We will visit new Seed Effect savings groups launched through VRBC's EveryONE Special Offering, serve by training staff and group members, and share God's hope with South Sudanese refugees and Ugandan nationals.
 
MOTHER/DAUGHTER RESCUE TRIP  | October 10-19, 2019
VRBC is sending a team to South Asia to plant seeds of hope for women who have been trafficked and enslaved. The team will also minister to women who have been rescued. Men are welcome, too! This team will also enjoy a 3-day debriefing and sightseeing time in London, England, on their way home.
 
APPLICATIONS FOR ALL TRIPS ARE DUE JANUARY 15, 2019
To find the application form and details about costs, travel, and financial assistance availability, click on the trip links above or visit vrbc.net/serve. You can also email Arthur at [email protected].
2018 EVERYONE SPECIAL OFFERING
NOW THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2019
To date, $117,031 of our God-sized goal of $315,000 has been given to the EveryONE Special Offering! As year-end approaches, we want to invite you to help fund  four vital global, regional, and local ministry initiatives:
  • Reaching the Lost: Extending the reach of our missionaries and mission partners globally, planting new churches regionally, and building relational bridges locally
  • Caring for the Poor: Ministering to the pressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of underserved people
  • Investing in the Next GenerationReaching our kids for Christ and reaching out to kids and families in our community
  • Equipping Our PeopleMobilizing all VRBCers to grow as disciples and leaders through catalytic training events and growth opportunities
Will you begin praying now about what God would have you give, over-and-above your regular giving? Allow God to stretch your faith. And know that when  EveryONE gives,  EveryONE   is impacted!  
 
CLICK HERE to read a letter from Pastor Larry and learn more information about the ministry initiatives.
COME CHECK OUT THE HANDBELLS!
SUNDAY | JANUARY 27 | 5:00 to 6:30 PM

You are invited to join the VRBC ringers for an evening of fun! On  Sunday, January 27, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, come join us in the Seminar Room as we teach you how to ring the bells! We'll demonstrate several of the unique techniques used in bell ringing and how easy they are to play. You will also receive all the information you need to become a bell ringer. No experience or commitment is necessary for this fun evening! For more information, please contact Jacqueline Freeman at 214-435-4207 or at [email protected].
BYLAWS REVISIONS
APPROVED | NOVEMBER 2018 

T o best serve the needs of our ever-changing church family and staff, and in an effort to increase the efficiency and continuity of the Church Council, updating the VRBC Bylaws is necessary. After much prayer, study, and discussion, the Church Council recently brought forward proposed revisions for consideration and ratification by the church body. On November 25, the proposed revisions were overwhelmingly ratified by ballot by VRBC members.

To view the 2018 VRBC Bylaws, please CLICK HEREThis information can also be found on the Resource page of the church website at  vrbc.net/bylaws Any questions regarding the Bylaws should be directed to Marv Knox, Church Council Chairman, at  [email protected]  or Jordan Schumacher, Executive Pastor,  at  [email protected].
VRBC HOLIDAY SCHEDULE  

Sunday, December 23       11:00 am Christmas Candlelight Service
Monday, December 24       4:00 pm Christmas Candlelight Service
6:00 pm Christmas Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 25 -
Friday December 28          Church offices closed
 
Sunday, December 30       11:00 am All-Church New Year's Celebration Service
 
Monday, December 31       Finance office open, 9:00 to 11:00 AM
 
Tuesday, January 1           Church offices closed
 
Wednesday, January 2      Church offices open as usual