TOMORROW | 7:00 PM |
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
Each year on Maundy Thursday, we spend time together at our Table to the Cross service following Jesus through the last 24 hours before his death. Given the unique season we're in, we're doing it a little differently this time! At 7:00 pm tomorrow night, April 9, we will livestream a service at vrbc.net/live that leads you through the last 24 hours of Jesus' life, with lots of participatory activities you can do from home. The service is intentionally timed near sunset because it symbolizes the growing darkness of the final hours of Jesus' life. So if you have little ones at home, feel free to have them join in their pajamas!
The service will include
several opportunities for participation at home, so you may want to gather some supplies in advance.
- Note cards (index cards or plain paper is fine) and pens/pencils
- Communion supplies: We usually use bread or crackers and grape juice, but if you don't have grape juice available, feel free to use water instead (see John 19:34).
- Six candles (of any shape and size), and matches or a lighter
This reflective service is a meaningful time to focus on the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf and is a wonderful way to prepare your heart for the joy of Easter morning. We hope you will prepare now to worship with us at the Table to the Cross service!
|
EASTER SUNDAY: INVITE A FRIEND!
Make plans now to celebrate the joy of Easter morning online with us THIS Sunday, April 12 at 9:30 or 11:00 am.
For many, Easter provides the first opportunity to hear the gospel, and this year they can join us from the comfort and safety of their own home. This is a great chance to invite friends and family to worship online with you.
In fact, this may be the BEST opportunity we've ever had to invite unchurched friends because they can watch without actually coming to the church!
- The best and most effective invitation is by word of mouth. Call or text your friends and invite them to join you for online Easter worship at vrbc.net/live.
- To invite others using social media, click here for a cool graphic with all the details they'll need.
- To email a personalized Easter invitation to any friends or neighbors you'd like to share this Easter celebration with, click here. Then click on the "SHARE" image, type in the requested information, and send. It's that easy!
- Involve your creativity and/or your kids by using sidewalk chalk and creating a colorful invite on the sidewalk, driveway or parking lot of your home or apartment!
|
COVID-19: HOW WE'RE RESPONDING
Our staff and Church Council continue to closely monitor the Coronavirus pandemic and prayerfully consider the best way for our church to respond. We continue to ask God's guidance on how we can combine faithfulness to God in our ministries while also protecting our people, community, and world. Click the image to the right for a complete status.
WORSHIP SERVICES AND ALL OTHER EVENTS
Our worship services and all other events have been cancelled or been moved online for the foreseeable future.
While we are sad we will not be gathering together in person, we do have lots of great opportunities for you to continue to Worship, Grow, Serve and Invite, and to stay connected to the church family! Stay up to date by clicking the image to the right.
LIVESTREAMING INFORMATION
Even though we can't be together, we will still have the opportunity to worship on Sunday mornings! At 9:30 and 11:00 am every Sunday, we will stream a worship experience that you can share online at home. Click here on Sunday mornings for the livestream.
SERVE: HOW CAN I HELP?
There are lots of ways you can help those around you. We have compiled and are maintaining a list of opportunities where you can serve. Please click here for more details.
|
Come join us at our VRBC Spanish Worship Night! On April 25 at 6:00 pm, we will worship together online with music, a message in Spanish, and fellowship with one another! Invite your friends and join us online at
vrbc.net/live for an amazing experience!
Sponsored by VRBC Español Ministry
NOCHE DE ALABANZA Y ADORACIÓN
Servicio con música, enseñanzas y compañerismo en lÃnea. ¡Invita a tus amigos y únete a nosotros para una experiencia increÃble!
Un evento del Ministério VRBC en Español
|
SUPPORT FOR THOSE WITH
JOB OR INCOME LOSS
TOMORROW | THURSDAY | APRIL 9 | 5:00 TO 6:00 PM
Last week, we offered a Zoom call for those whose jobs or finances had been impacted by the COVID-19 situation. Based on a number of requests, we are offering it again, this time with live Spanish tran
slation as well. We invite you to connect with a team of VRBC experts (a financial coach, a job recruiter, and a job trainer) for a Zoom call TOMORROW, Thursday, April 9, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. On this call, you will be able to connect with other VRBCers in a similar situation, and receive great training and resources, as well as support, encouragement, and prayer.
To join the Zoom meeting, please click
here
a few minutes before the meeting.
Meeting ID: 339 037 379
Password: 090755
Additionally, check out this list of resources and helpful information on our
page.
|
MEET NEEDS WITHIN OUR CHURCH FAMILY
A NEW WAY FOR VRBCers TO HELP ONE ANOTHER
Our church has a growing number of people who have lost jobs or income during the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are looking for ways they can serve others by providing skilled services and earn income for their family. This is a great way for our church family to serve one another!
If you have a service you can provide for hire, please complete
this form.
If you would consider hiring a fellow VRBCer for a service you need, please use this
VRBC Directory of Services. The password is
Hebrews6:10.
|
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE VRBC STAFF
VRBC family:
We want to share with you just how much we miss seeing you every week. We know it's been a tough couple of weeks, but know that we are here for you. Take a moment to watch this encouraging video!
|
COLLEGE KIDS: HOME FOR A WHILE?
GET PLUGGED IN AND STAY CONNECTED!
If you're a college student (or you know of one!), you've likely had your world turned a little upside down recently. Maybe you've had to suddenly move from your dorm to living with your parents again, or maybe you're just having to learn to study completely online. Whatever "social distancing" looks like for you, it's easy to feel unsettled or out of touch.
At VRBC, we're busy putting together creative ways for college students to stay connected.
As an added bonus, Tom Stickney, a long-time VRBC missionary partner and former VRBC Student Ministries Pastor, is leading this process. If you're interested or know someone who might be, fill out this form and we'll get back to you when we have more details.
|
A RECOMMENDATION FROM PASTOR LARRY
DWELL APP | SCRIPTURE READINGS
VRBC friends, I wanted to let you know about an IOS app that has been adding value to my walk with God recently. It's called the Dwell App. It is essentially a variety of Scripture reading plans, where the Bible is read in a few different translations by skilled narrators, all with the backdrop of music. There is also the option to listen to Scripture followed by anywhere from a few seconds to three minutes of prayerful reflection. Recently, the Dwell App decided to give churches free access through the end of May (it is regularly a subscription app). I signed us up as a church for it. By the way, I am not in any way affiliated with the Dwell people; I just really enjoy their product. Here's the link to sign up.
|
Talsy Vega is the National Director for e3 Panama. She serves in partnership with e3 Partners Dallas to equip pastors with their Timothy Team and mobilize short-term mission teams. She also helps develop leaders to plant new churches located within walking distance of every village or city in Panama. Talsy serves the Ngobe Bugle, Nasso, and Kuna tribal groups of Panama. Her work includes extreme expeditions to remote villages among the tribal groups, expeditions to the city, Leadership Development Conference workshops, Thompson Bible workshops, and workshops on orality (story-telling) among the members of the Ngobe Bugle.
Click here to hear a little more about her work.
|
|
|
|
|
