Living Out the Gospel in International Connection Childcare
It is always a challenge to bridge the gap in International Connection, the English as a second language program at RBC. There can be language gaps, cultural gaps, faith gaps, or even gaps between kids and their childcare workers. We cannot presume that our folks have 100 percent understanding at any one time. It’s one of the frustrating/challenging/enriching aspects of ministry in the ESL world.
This past year, I had the pleasure of watching the Gospel being lived out between a kind-hearted childcare worker, L., and a 3-year-old Iranian boy, P., and his mother, M. They were new to the country and M. had signed up for English classes at the church last fall. P. did not speak a word of English, but he obediently stayed in the nursery while his mom was in classes Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings. His mom, meanwhile, loved the community she felt in the classroom and sensed that she was gaining strength in her language acquisition.
In Jan., when M. and P. returned for the spring semester of classes, P. suddenly had a change of heart. He began to have panic attacks every time his mom left him in the charge of the childcare workers. These attacks were not just mild, they entailed kicking and screaming! This was a shock to the childcare workers who had seen a quiet and happy child in the fall transition to a very upset little boy in the new year. His mother was equally shocked to see this new behavior! She was unable to leave P. in the nursery without quite a bit of drama. Though it is against program policy to allow a child to stay in the classroom, it was allowed for a short time just to give him a chance to see that she was alive and well, not far away. But this was not a long-term solution. M. stopped coming to classes out of frustration.
One childcare worker, L., decided that she was going to find a way to bridge this new gap in the relationship. She decided to visit the Iranian mother and her son in their home, along with her own little daughter, in order to show them that she was a friend and not someone to be feared. They started to have little coffee times and lunches together to foster friendship and to also get to know one another’s culture. The Iranian mother confessed that she knew she was going to have to put her son into a preschool sooner or later and had no idea how to go about selecting one in the area. She was stymied with many other aspects of living in this country, so L. decided to be as helpful as possible in bridging the many gaps in M.’s understanding. This led to more and more conversations on various topics. Inevitably, M. wanted to know more about this church and about L.’s faith. What an amazing road to deep conversation that started from a seemingly insurmountable problem in the nursery!
L. is praying about how and when to give her whole testimony to M. With the help of some outside resources she trusts that the language and faith barriers will be bridged because now they have a foundation of trust and friendship to build on. Isn’t it amazing that God has used this former difficulty for His good and His purposes?
Sunday Rewind | 6.23.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
God, You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Is That a Fact?
With all of the modern advances in economics, technology, and medicine, life should always be getting better and better. But instead, things seem to be going downhill, almost as if the world is cursed.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was your initial reaction to his message? Do you still feel that way?
- Why do logic, knowledge, and science fail so miserably in fixing the problems of the world?
- What are some examples of economic, technological, or medical advances showing evidence of the curse?
- Read Romans 8:18-25. How does this passage affect your view of life on earth – or your anticipation of the life to come?
- Do you agree that the world has lost its ability to produce genius (the likes of Beethoven, Rembrandt, or Newton)? Why or why not?
- How can you use what you learned in this message to share the Gospel with your friends, family, or neighbors?
Good Samaritan Advocates Legal Clinic Update
This past Saturday, June 15, RBC hosted the kick-off for the Good Samaritan Advocates legal clinic.
Twenty-five RBC’ers attended the orientation and training to volunteer as pro bono attorneys, paralegals, administrative support and in hospitality. The clinic assisted four clients in need of legal counsel. If you would like to learn more about the Good Samaritan Advocates legal clinic or how you can volunteer, go to restonbible.org/legalclinic.
Our next clinic will be on July 20.
Evening of Worship SET LIST
Many of you have requested a list of songs from last Friday’s Evening of Worship… and here it is. Thanks to everyone who came out! We had an incredible time together!
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:1-3
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GOD IS ABLE – Hillsong
GOD, YOU LIFTED ME OUT – Elevation Worship
+ Psalm 113:1-3
ENDLESS LIGHT – Hillsong
HOW GREAT THOU ART – Charlie Hall / Passion
FOREVER REIGN – Hillsong
ALWAYS – Kristian Stanfill / Passion
+ Psalm 16:5-11
COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING – Original Arrangement
OUR KING HAS COME – Elevation Worship
IN YOUR PRESENCE – Elevation Worship
GIVE ME FAITH – Elevation Worship
OPEN UP OUR EYES – Elevation Worship
UNENDING LOVE – Hillsong
+ Philippians 4:4-7 / Proverbs 3:3-6
‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS – Original Arrangement
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING – Original Arrangement
+ Isaiah 53:4-6 / Galatians 6:14
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US – Original Arrangement
IN CHRIST ALONE – Kristian Stanfill / Passion
OUR GOD IS LOVE – Hillsong
Sunday Rewind | 6.16.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 4
The prodigal son’s older sibling seems to carry an attitude of contempt toward his younger brother – and toward his father, from whom he felt entitled to be rewarded for his righteous deeds. The older brother hoped for justice and favor but received a rebuke.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Take a few minutes to reflect on the Rembrandt painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” (See the image here.) Which parts of the painting and its symbolism are especially meaningful to you? Did you observe any additional symbolism in it?
- Read and discuss Luke 15:25-32. In what ways does the older brother go to his own “far country”?
- How do you avoid the self-righteous mentality that says to God, “You owe me”? Can you think of some scriptural truths that counter such a mindset?
- Is it easier to preach the Gospel to people rooted in vile behavior, or to those rooted in self-righteousness? How can we talk about God’s grace to either group (including one we might be in)?
- Where do you fit in this story? Are you the prodigal son? The older brother? Or do you find elements of both in your own heart?
- How has your view of the prodigal son story changed during this series? How has your view of yourself changed?
Countdown to Kids Camp 2013!
With less than two weeks to go, preparations for Kids Camp 2013, The R.O.C.K., are coming along great. We are quickly filling up and we have only a few days left for registration. So, here are my two messages for you and your children and any friends they’d like to invite.
1. Registration for Kids Camp 2013 closes this Monday (June 17) at 9 AM so please if you haven’t registered yet or if your child has friends they’d like to invite, please register ASAP at https://www.restonbible.org/kidscamp (If money is tight, you may apply for scholarship by emailing me.)
2. We need more VOLUNTEERS! We need at least 80 more volunteers in order to handle the 500+ children who will be in attendance at Kids Camp this year. Men, take your mornings off that week to come lead a group of young people. Women, get to know the other moms of the church in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. We need small group leaders, photographers, welcome team, break-down team, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity. Register now at https://www.restonbible.org/kidscamp and click on “Click here to Volunteer”.
The Unity of Worship
“The sound of our House will always reflect the soul of our House.”
-Brian Houston, Senior Pastor // Hillsong Church
I hold firm to a belief that nothing can bond and unify a church community like corporate worship. What an amazing opportunity for us as a body of believers to look around, celebrate, and exalt our Lord and King – TOGETHER! It’s designed to clarify who God is, who we are, what we need, and how that need is fully supplied in the grace of Jesus. God uses it to bring glory to Himself and to lift up our eyes to see the glory of what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in our lives. As a church body, we are more connected in our times together on Sunday morning than any other time. It is our prayer that we will continue to grow to fully embrace worship as a critical component of the Christian life. God is always revealing Himself to us. In return, he desires an outpouring of affection and worth from us – just as calls us to give Him our highest love and greatest service.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
-Matthew 22:37-38
That’s our worship. And it brings us together like nothing else can.
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Join us this Friday night at 7:00pm in the auditorium for an extended time of corporate worship. We will praise God together with one voice—unified for His glory.
Sunday Rewind | 6.9.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Take My Life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 3
The younger son returned in repentance, hoping to be made a hired hand in his father’s home – but the father’s lavish forgiveness gave him far more. The prodigal hoped to be a servant but received a celebration.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is something from this teaching that you found particularly insightful, helpful or difficult to grasp?
- Share a time when you either extended or accepted forgiveness. What makes forgiveness so difficult?
- Read and discuss Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, with an emphasis on verses 17-24. What do you observe about forgiveness from these verses? What offenses is the father forgiving?
- How does the parable address people outside of God’s kingdom? How does it address those already in the kingdom?
- Why does the human heart automatically assume that something must be done before forgiveness can be extended or accepted?
- How does the gospel compel us to both accept and extend forgiveness?
- Is there currently an area of your life where you need to either extend or accept forgiveness? What would it look like to apply the parable of the prodigal to that situation or relationship? Spend some time in prayer about this.
myRBC: Choosing a Profile Picture
As part of a committed effort to enhance churchwide communications, RBC utilizes myRBC (formerly called Church Community Builder, or CCB). MyRBC is an online web-based tool that is modeled after popular social networking sites. This secure, online system allows regular attendees to easily interact with each other and enables more effective communication to and from church staff, volunteers, and leadership. MyRBC gives you access to discussion forums, event calendars, a pictorial directory of RBCers and allows secure online giving.
If you consider RBC your church home, we encourage you to sign up, update your profile, upload a profile picture, and utilize the many benefits of CCB.
If you are not a member of the RBC Online Community, but would like to sign up, please click here to request a login. You will be taken to an online form where you can fill out some basic information about yourself. We will enter your information into our secure database and send your login info to you as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions about giving online or the RBC online community, please contact Dale Peak, RBC Administrator or call our offices at 703-404-5010.
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VIDEO CREDIT: We shamelessly stole this idea from Lakeland Community Church in MO. Thanks, LCC!
youtube.com/watch?v=BrjrQw_WZXI
MUSIC CREDIT: The Cantina Theme composed by John Williams, performed by Charles Laurita.
youtube.com/watch?v=34dzDqC2Mns
Guilford Elementary Summer Volunteers
Guilford Elementary is in need of volunteers during their July summer school lunch program. Duties include, serving lunch, directing children and families to their lunch tables, help dismissing students after lunch and taking students to alternate activities after they have finished eating.
The dates are July 1 through July 26 (19 days total). Hours are from 11:30am-1:30pm. Ages 16 and older can volunteer, and younger children serving with a parent are welcome to help out as well. We are looking for 10-15 volunteers to serve each day, so if you can volunteer for any of the days, your help would be greatly appreciated. For more information, please e-mail Betsy Madden.
You can click here to sign up to volunteer.
Click here to learn more about our partnership with Guilford Elementary School.