GROW GROUP FALL SESSION 
REGISTRATION BEGINS THIS SUNDAY!

Would you like to grow in your faith, build new friendships, and strengthen old ones? How about taking the Sunday sermons further, discovering the mission God has for you, and being a part of the great things God is doing at VRBC? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you need to join a Grow Group!  
 
WHAT'S 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. We're offering tons of great groups at different times throughout the week, so there's sure to be a group that fits your schedule. You can find out more about Grow Groups online at  vrbc.net/grow or on the VRBC app.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Beginning this Sunday, you can register for a Grow Group anytime at  vrbc.net/grow, or even easier, on the VRBC app! You can also mark the Connection Card found in your Sunday worship folder to sign up. It's that easy!  You can find a complete listing of Grow Group offerings in your worship folder this Sunday.  Sign up this weekend!

REMINDER: Each Grow Group member needs to register for each session, even if you are planning on staying in the same group. This helps us ensure that our records are up to date. Thanks for your help!
VALLEY RANCH BACKPACK DRIVE
DROP OFF YOUR BACKPACKS ANYTIME THIS WEEK

Thank you for providing much-needed school supplies for our neighborhood children! Please return all filled backpacks by THIS Sunday, August 11, for delivery next week. Backpacks can be dropped off in the lobby on Sunday morning or anytime this week during normal business hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm). 

Thank you for blessing our neighborhood school children!  For more  information, contact Amy Wilkins at awilkins@vrbc.net.
GROWTH INTENSIVES
SUNDAY | AUGUST 18 | 11:00 AM

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. They are focused on a wide variety of engaging subjects and are designed for people at all stages of their spiritual journey. Some intensives meet on Sunday mornings between Grow Group semesters, while others may meet on a weeknight or weekend during a Grow Group semester. Most intensives are one-time events, although some may include opportunities for follow-up conversations. Many involve a bit of advance reading to help the participants be as prepared as possible for the conversation.

Our initial Growth Intensives will kick off on August 18, at 11:00 am, with three unique opportunities for you:
  • Hearing God: Learning to Listen, led by Dr. Deirdre LaNoue 
  • Colossians 3:1-17: A Vision for a Transforming Life, led by Don Harton 
  • Passing on the Faith: Investing in Your Kids' Spiritual Development, led by a panel of VRBC parents and Student Pastor Corey Gummelt
To check out the upcoming Growth Intensives and to register, visit us online at  vrbc.net/intensives , or better yet, visit the VRBC App and click the green "Grow" button. We hope to see you at a Growth Intensive soon!
VOLUNTEER TO HELP "SACK SUMMER HUNGER"
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SERVE THIS SATURDAY?

There is only one week left of Sack Summer Hunger! Volunteers are needed THIS Saturday to help  assemble and deliver nutritious food sacks, as well as backpacks filled with school supplies.  Over the summer, this program has blessed 25 children and we have prayed and developed relationships with 61 families. 

SERVE OPPORTUNITY:  This is a great serve opportunity for everyone, including Grow Groups, families with young children, and students. It is also a wonderful opportunity to invite your non-Christian friends to serve alongside you, so they can see God's love in action.

CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can volunteer and to sign up!
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF IMPACT:
HONORING PASTOR LARRY & JALETTA PARSLEY
   
SUNDAY | AUGUST 25 | 11:00 AM |  COMBINED SERVICE 

Join us for a special Sunday worship service on Sunday, August 25, to celebrate and honor Pastor Larry and Jaletta Parsley and their 20 years of service and ministry at VRBC. A combined service will begin at 11:00 am and will  feature  special stories, great worship, and an inspiring message by guest speaker Andy  McQuitty, Pastor Emeritus at Irving Bible Church. Children's Ministry will be offered for ages birth to 5 years. All other ages will join us in the worship service.

Following the service, e veryone is invited to gather in the lobby for a celebratory lunch and reception Don't forget to mark your calendar for this special celebration of 20 years of impact!

So many have been impacted by the ministry of Larry and Jaletta Parsley. Click here to watch a special video from David Slover!
NEWCOMERS RECEPTION
AUGUST 18 | 12:15 TO 12:45 PM

I f you are new to VRBC, you are invited to a Newcomers Reception in your honor on Sunday, August 18! At this informal, 30-minute gathering after the worship service, you'll have the opportunity to get to know some of our church staff, as well as meet others who are new to the church. You'll receive great hospitality and food, PLUS you'll have a chance to win some cool prizes.
 
No RSVP is required to attend--just come! Children of all ages are also welcome, so please pick up your children after the worship service and bring them with you to the reception, held on the east side of the church lobby.
 
If you have any questions about the Newcomers Reception, please contact Amy Wilkins, Pastor of Serve & Invite, at  awilkins@vrbc.net.
SERVE ON THE WELCOME TEAM!
TRAINING | AUGUST 18 | 9:30 AM

Would you consider serving one week per month on the VRBC Welcome Team? This team of volunteers ensures that every person who comes to VRBC on a Sunday morning has a great experience, beginning with the moment they drive into the parking lot. The first word of our mission statement is inviting, and this team helps us create a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone who attends VRBC. 

We have many opportunities for volunteers, including in the parking lot, at both church entrances, in the lobby, at the Welcome Center, at the kids' check-in area, and in the sanctuary. If you enjoy smiling, meeting people, and sharing the love of Christ through a warm welcome, whether you've been worshipping at VRBC for twenty years or one week, we'd love to have you on the team!

TRAINING
We will have Welcome Team training on Sunday, August 18, during the 9:30 service. To attend, or to learn more about serving on the Welcome Team, please email Arthur Mendes at  

HOSPITALITY TEAM
You could also serve on the Welcome Team as a member of our hospitality team. This great team helps prepare, set up, and serve breakfast on Sunday mornings for our worship services. If you are interested in learning more about serving in this way, please contact Dana Deloach at  danawdeloach@gmail.com.
MEN'S CLOTHING DRIVE: SEPTEMBER 1-15
BENEFITTING CORNERSTONE CLOTHES CLOSET

Join our very own Bob Sturm from The Ticket's BaD Radio in dropping (and  donating!) your pants, jeans, shorts, khakis, t-shirts, collared polo-style knit shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts, coats, belts, and new underwear and socks  to the Cornerstone Clothes Closet, which serves over 800 homeless  men each month. (We do NOT need men's suits, dress shirts, ties, shoes, swimsuits, athletic pants, etc.) 

"Drop Your Pants" will take place Tuesday, September 17, 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 5:00 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 September 1 through September 15.

Wisdom Warriors
August 8
"Celebrating 20 Years of Impact" 
honoring Pastor Larry and Jaletta Parsley

August 25
VRBC Backpack Drive Final Drop-Off

August 11
"Drop Your Pants" men's clothing drive 
September 1 through 15
Fall Grow Group registration begins

August 11
ESL registration begins
September 4/5
Growth Intensives
August 18 Fall Grow Groups begin September 8
Newcomers Reception August 18 Baptism September 15