EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP LUNCH
THIS SUNDAY | OCTOBER 6 | 12:15 PM

If you're new to VRBC, or if you've been attending for a while but have never taken the step of membership, we'd love to invite you to our next Explore Membership Lunch! This lunch will be THIS Sunday, October 6, at 12:15 pm in the Seminar Room, and it's THE BEST way to find out what membership at VRBC is all about!
 
At the lunch, we will share a delicious meal together, get to know each other a bit better, then listen as church leaders talk about what it means to be a VRBC member. Lunch is FREE, and childcare is available, if reserved in advance. To RSVP or find out more, email John Hewlett at jhewlett@vrbc.net.
DINNER FOR EIGHT
OCTOBER | SIGN UP TODAY!

Life is better with friends and food! This October, join us on various nights throughout the month as we kick off "Dinner for 8."  Dinners will be hosted by VRBC members, in their homes, with the express purpose of enjoying a meal and time together with fellow VRBC members and attendees. If you've been looking for an opportunity to meet some new folks at the church, reconnect with friends from another group or service, or reach out to someone new to the church family, this event is a great way to stay connected. There is no cost to attend, but each dinner night and location are limited to eight people. Click HERE to sign up! For more information, contact Elaine Carlton at elaine.carlton@gmail.com.
FAMILY FALL FEST
SUNDAY | OCTOBER 27 | 5:00 TO 7:00 PM

Everyone is invited to enjoy a time of fall fun and fellowship! Family Fall Fest is  a churchwide event to invite friends and neighbors to come meet us, come meet  our weekday preschool families, and build stronger relationships with one  another.

The festivities begin on October 27 at 5:00 pm on the north lawn of the church. There will be FREE  food and games for everyone, as well as prizes and bounce houses for  the kids. Come ready for fun (but please, for the safety and wellbeing of our  children, no costumes), and remember to invite your neighbors and your friends!  The festival will conclude at 7:00 pm.

VOLUNTEER TO SERVE!
There are plenty of opportunities to serve at Family Fall Fest! Volunteers can sign up HERE.
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
WEDNESDAYS | OCTOBER 9 - NOVEMBER 20 | 6 TO 7 PM

Join with other women this fall to study the New Testament book of James: Living a Life of Genuine Faith. This study by Jen Wilkin will challenge you to move beyond loving God with just your heart to loving Him with your mind.

Children's choir is available for kindergarten through 5th grade. Childcare will be provided for PreK 5 and younger. F or more information, contact Karen Simmang at ksimmang@vrbc.net. Click HERE to sign up.

GROWTH INTENSIVES
OCTOBER 17, 20 | SIGN UP TODAY!

At VRBC, Grow Groups are the heart of our Grow ministry. If you're already in a group, a great way to supplement your experience is by taking part in one of our Growth Intensives. Growth Intensives are an opportunity for short-term, intensive engagement with a topic that will help you grow to become more like Jesus. This  fall we have three unique Growth Intensives for you to pick from:

THURSDAY | OCTOBER 17 | 6:30 TO 8:30 PM
 
Parenting with Love and Logic--presented by VRBC Women'Ministry  
 
"Love and Logic" teaches parents how to hold their kids accountable through empathy, love, and compassion. Brenda Bird, a "Love and Logic" trainer, will be sharing parenting tips and tools during this Growth Intensive session. This is a great opportunity for parents of toddlers to teens! You might even win a door prize! Click HERE to sign up.

Childcare for 5th grade and under is available by reservation. (You can sign up on the registration form.)
 
Life Without Lack: A Meditation on Psalm 23

The psalmist claims to live without any need and without any fear.  How is that possible? Is this just a nice-sounding poem? Or does it describe real life in relationship to God? Join us as we take a look at this well-loved passage from perhaps a new perspective that will challenge us on how to live as if it is actually true.  Click HERE to sign up.

SUNDAY | OCTOBER 20 | 5:00 TO 7:00 pm
 
Bridge Building: Learning to Connect with Your Indian Neighbors
 
Over the last several years, thousands of people (primarily Hindus) have relocated from India to our neighborhood. As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, but the cultural differences can make this a challenge! This informative Growth Intensive will include the basics of Hindu culture/spirituality and obstacles that Hindus often encounter when learning about Jesus. We will also be learning about building relationships, engaging in spiritual conversations, and practical ministry tips for our interaction with our Hindu neighbors.  Click HERE to sign up.

PAST GROWTH INTENSIVES

T o access the recordings and notes for our August 2019 sessions, "Hearing God: Learning to Listen" and "Colossians 3: A Vision for a Transforming Life," please visit vrbc.net/intensives or click the GROW tab on the VRBC App. 

Questions? Contact John Hewlett at jhewlett@vrbc.net .
CHURCH LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS
NOMINATIONS DUE OCTOBER 9

The Ministry Placement Committee is now accepting nominations for the Church Leadership Candidate Group. This group will be the source of candidates for:
  • Church Council
  • Ministry Placement Committee
  • Finance/Human Resource Committee
  • Deacons
Self-nominations are a vital part of creating our Church Leadership Candidate Group. If you are interested in serving in some capacity, please review the  applicable commitment form and qualifications. You may then email Jordan Schumacher at  jordans@vrbc.net   with your self-nomination, along with where you would like to serve (Church Council, Deacon, etc.). Additionally, if you know of someone who would make a good candidate for the Church Leadership Candidate Group, please encourage him or her to complete the self-nomination process. Nominations should be submitted by October 9.
 
The Ministry Placement Team, in conjunction with the current Deacons and Church Council, will use the self-nominations, along with nominations from Church Council, Deacons, Grow Group leaders, and church ministerial staff, to recommend final nominees to Church Council. Church Council will use the list of nominees to develop a final slate for presentation to church members for approval and vote.
 
For a complete description of roles, responsibilities, and qualifications, please refer to the VRBC Bylaws at  vrbc.net/bylaws.
THE VRBC CHRISTMAS STORE IS COMING SOON!   
MARK YOUR CALENDARS

SAVE THE DATE! This year's annual Christmas Store will take place on Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14. This is our church's largest volunteer event, where we provide toys, clothing, and food at no cost to families in need from our community and from Cornerstone Baptist Church, our sister church in South Dallas. Volunteer signups will begin November 3. For more information, click  here .

NEED CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE? If you have been attending VRBC for the past two months or more, and if your family is in need of holiday assistance this year, we would love to serve you. VRBC Registration is Wednesday, October 9, so please contact Amy Wilkins immediately at  awilkins@vrbc.net for information.

VOLUNTEER AT REGISTRATION! Our Christmas Store local registration team has sent more than 1,000 registration letters to families selected from every public school (elementary, middle, and high school) in all of Valley Ranch and Coppell. These families will come to register in person from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 9, or Wednesday, October 16. Can you help us with registration? This is a great opportunity to get to know families in our community, and to invite them to VRBC! Childcare is available for babies and preschoolers, and school-aged children are welcome to serve alongside their parents. Each volunteer should bring their own laptop or tablet (registration is online; training is provided), and volunteers are needed in both English and Spanish. For more information or to volunteer to help with registration, please contact Brenda Lund at  brendalund84@gmail.com

DONATE GIFTS FOR ADULTS: While volunteers purchase all of the toys and gifts in advance for children at the Christmas Store, we depend on the congregation to donate new or nearly new gifts for their parents and guardians. Please consider donating men's or women's items such as jewelry, tools, sporting goods/memorabilia, toiletries, cosmetics, clothes, belts, shoes, etc. We also would love donations of Christmas-themed gift bags and tissue paper. Donations may be dropped off in Coppell at 517 Pedmore Drive or 747 Pelican Lane in the bins provided outside, at the church office during business hours, or on Sundays in the bins provided in the church lobby.

NEW THIS YEAR!  In 2019, as our guests arrive at the Christmas Store, we will invite them to a small group Welcome Session where we will have an opportunity to thank them for coming, let them know what to expect, share the gospel with them, and give them information about the ministries available for their families at VRBC and Cornerstone.  Since every guest will have heard a clear presentation of the gospel at the Welcome Session, we will ask all Christmas Store volunteers (regardless of where they are serving) to focus on building relationships with our guests, and to watch for opportunities where the Holy Spirit might be opening a door for them to share their own faith story. Training will be provided.
"GOD IS . . ."  SERMON SERIES  
CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY

There's no getting around it--life is tough. And much of the time, many of us feel anxious. Or invisible. Hopeless. Lost. But the Bible has good news for those who struggle: God loves us, and he is the one who can meet all of our needs. This Sunday, we'll continue our teaching series called, "God Is . . . ," where we explore Biblical names for God that give us a window into who he really is. Join us this Sunday and bring a friend! Click HERE to send a personal invitation!

To check out the series trailer video, click the logo!
 
Date
When I feel:
God Is:
10/6 Lost My Shepherd
10/13 Anxious My Peace
PROPOSED 2019-2020 ANNUAL BUDGET
OFFICIAL VOTE: OCTOBER 20

Pursuant to our church bylaws, after approval by Church Council and the Finance/ Human Resources Committee, the proposed 2019-2020 Annual Budget is available for online review at  vrbc.net/finance . The official vote on the budget by the congregation will be held on October 20, 2019, during the worship service.

Any questions should be directed to Jordan Schumacher at  jordans@vrbc.net .
MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT:   
THE JESSENS

One of the missionary families that VRBC has the privilege of supporting is KJ and Jenni Jessen. The purpose and passion that drive them is making Jesus known. They do this by fighting human trafficking through prevention, restoration, and disciple-making. They travel internationally, training nationals in disciple-making strategies, human trafficking prevention, and best practices in Christ-based trauma sensitive care.

KJ and Jenni founded Compass 31 in 2011, providing foster care, scholarships, and a holistic restoration program to teenage mothers and babies exiting commercial exploitation. Compass 31 provides opportunities for survivors to fall in love with Jesus, find healing, and lead lives of freedom and impact. Check out their website! 

In partnership with e3 Partners, KJ and Jenni led the strategic development of Priceless Cube, an anti-human trafficking tool designed to prevent trafficking through education. To date, national leaders from more than 40 countries have been empowered to effectively impact trafficking in high-risk areas in their regions and equipped to share the love of Christ in their communities. To learn more, click here.

Click here to hear more of their story!

Explore Membership Lunch October 6 Church Family Gathering/
Annual Meeting
November 3
Women's Bible Study: James
October 9 -
November 20
Wisdom Warriors
Lunch & Hymn Sing
November 7
Dinner for 8 October 12-22
(various dates)
Baptism November 10
Growth Intensives October 17, 20 Explore Membership Lunch December 8
VRBC Budget Vote
Click here for more information.

October 20
Christmas Store
December 13-14
Family Fall Fest
October 27