The Heart of First Fruits
God has called us to love and “be neighbors” to those He has placed around us!
This year we are adding an additional aspect to the First Fruits Project: The Heart of First Fruits. We are asking you, the body of Christ at RBC, to consider the needs of the people around you and how you could tangibly bless them over the weeks of First Fruits and Thanksgiving. Prayerfully consider whom God might put on your heart, and then think of a practical way to encourage them. Some examples you might think about: a single mom, an elderly couple, someone dealing with an illness, someone who lost a job, a young couple with young children, someone with no family near by, or even someone with no perceived need at all.
Your encouragement could be anonymous, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be fresh baked cookies. It could be an invitation to come to dinner at your home. It could be raking the leaves in their yard or fixing a leaking faucet. The options are many. Just ask the Lord how you can bless someone around you — the way you would want to be blessed if you were in their shoes. It is the heart of the Lord to bless us and for us to pass on this blessing to others. Enjoy this opportunity to love others as unto Jesus.
We would ask one additional thing — that you share how God leads you to live out the “Heart of First Fruits” and what happens. We would love for you to share your story using the button below. We will keep your name and those you bless confidential. Our goal is to allow the body of Christ at RBC to hear how God has led us individually to love our neighbors. We will provide a follow-up after the event so we can hear how God’s hands and feet responded! We hope you will choose to join us on this mission – and for it to become a regular part of all our lives.
Share your story Learn more about First FruitsPreparing for Sunday | October 15
This week, we will again sing the hymn “‘Tis So Sweet.” As a reminder, you can visit this page download audio of the RBC worship band’s new arrangement of the song (free at our website for a limited time). We also have a video introduction of the song, and a devotional resource you can use to meditate on the words throughout your week. I can’t wait to sing it together on Sunday!
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Your Great Name | [listen + lyrics]
Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff
Philippians 2:10-11
The Lion and the Lamb | [listen + lyrics]
Leeland Mooring, Benton Brown, Brian Johnson
Deuteronomy 33:26
‘Tis So Sweet | [listen + devotional]
Louisa M. R. Stead, Melody Von Kahle, Brian St. Andre
Psalm 34:8
Heart Abandoned | [listen]
Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran
Psalm 51:10
SERMON TEXT
Proverbs 11:30
Preparing for Sunday | October 8
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Great And Mighty King | [listen]
Chris Brown, Zachary Kale, Brett Younker
Psalm 145:3
Great Are You Lord | [listen]
Leslie Jordan, David Leonard
2 Corinthians 4:6
10,000 Reasons | [listen]
Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman
Psalm 103:1
What A Beautiful Name | [listen]
Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood
Hebrews 1:3
SERMON TEXT
John 4:1-30
Celebrating Generosity: Freedom Sunday
We are thankful for many who seek justice and love mercy. Over the past year, we have been able to contribute to both of these organizations because of your generosity.
To learn more about International Justice Mission, visit ijm.org or to learn more about the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative, visit novahti.com
Texas Crisis Response Trip Planned for November
An opportunity has arisen to show the love of Christ to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas.
Christian Fellowship Church and RBC are teaming up with Samaritan’s Purse to sponsor a trip to the Corpus Christi area (one of the hardest hit) on November 5-11. Samaritan’s Purse is providing meals, lodging and tools — all you need do is get there. We estimate the cost to be $475 per person, which includes airfare and ground transportation while there. We have reserved a block of 15 plane tickets that must be purchased by Wednesday, October 4, on a first-come, first-served basis. The tickets are non-refundable, and background checks are required. If you have other questions about this work trip, please contact Dale Peak at dalepeak@restonbible.org.
Participants must be 18 years of age to register. Participants 17 and under would only be allowed to participate if a parent or guardian was participating in the trip as well. Registrations will be on a first-come, first-served basis and space is very limited. Once registered, a link will be sent to each registrant to fill out the paperwork required by Samaritan’s Purse. You would not be considered officially registered until all paperwork is filled out completely. Please note that this is very appropriate, high-energy / low-skill work during the first phase of disaster response.
From Samaritan’s Purse
Thank you for partnering with Samaritan’s Purse as we minister to families whose homes were damaged during Hurricane Harvey. Far beyond the physical help you will extend to the homeowners, the spiritual and emotional support you offer to them is even more important. We hope your volunteer experience is rewarding and life-changing. Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph. Harvey remained a powerful storm and has brought torrential rain to Texas in the days that followed. Our response to this storm includes debris removal, roof tarping and mudouts.
Preparing for Sunday | October 1
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Holy Spirit | [listen]
Bryan and Katie Torwalt
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Great Are You Lord | [listen]
Leslie Jordan, David Leonard
2 Corinthians 4:6
Jesus Is Better | [listen]
Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
Mark 9:24
The Lion and the Lamb | [listen + lyrics]
Leeland Mooring, Benton Brown, Brian Johnson
Deuteronomy 33:26
SERMON TEXT
Luke 7:36-50
Preparing for Sunday | September 24
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us | [listen]
Stuart Townsend
1 John 3:1
Come Thou Fount | [listen]
Robert Robinson
Psalm 16:11
Great And Mighty King | [listen]
Chris Brown, Zachary Kale, Brett Younker
Psalm 145:3
I Will Look Up | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Matt Redman
Psalm 121:1
This Is Amazing Grace | [listen + lyrics]
Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle
Revelation 5:12
SERMON TEXT
Luke 4:17-20
Preparing for Sunday | September 17
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
This I Believe (The Creed) | [listen | lyrics]
Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker
Romans 1:16
Heart Abandoned | [listen]
Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran
Psalm 51:10
Glorious | [listen]
Paul Baloche, Benton Brown
Exodus 15:11
‘Tis So Sweet | [listen + devotional]
Louisa M. R. Stead, Melody Von Kahle, Brian St. Andre
Psalm 34:8
His Mercy Is More | [listen]
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Romans 5:20
SERMON TEXT
Galatians 5:14
Doxologies: ‘Tis So Sweet
“‘Tis So Sweet” is a hymn inspired by great personal tragedy. Yet each stanza celebrates trust and dependency on the sure and steady rock of Jesus Christ in the face of hardship, trial, and uncertainty.
As a gift to the congregation of Reston Bible Church, the RBC worship team composed a new musical arrangement and wrote additional lyrics to the original version of “‘Tis So Sweet,” which was written by Louisa M. R. Stead in 1882. Even though this is a song born from tragedy, there is an even deeper root of joy we felt would bless our church family as we celebrate the goodness of Jesus over all facets of life.
For a limited time, you can download the live and studio versions of “‘Tis So Sweet” using the buttons below. The song is also available at iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Google Play.
To guide your reflection as you listen to this song, we have created a devotional that includes the lyrics as well as seven days’ worth of Scripture readings and questions. We pray that this will enrich the words to you and deepen your trust in the Lord as you sing.
Introduction to Doxologies
We are excited to introduce “Doxologies” as a host of resources (music, theology, and art) to help you respond to the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
We have been working to provide original music from the band here at RBC to serve and bless you throughout your week as well as when we gather corporately each week. Along with the original music, we will use this space to continue to introduce other new songs, sharing some insights to the stories behind the songs and the Scriptures they are derived from.
One of the new features we hope God will use to bless you is found in the theology and reflection questions we will provide with each of the original songs. You will be able to find background information on the songs along with the Scriptures used to write the songs. The reflection questions are designed to help you press God’s Word deeper into your heart as you sing the truth about God in these songs. There will be seven days’ worth of reflections that will reveal specific information about the song bit by bit. These could be used individually or in your small groups. We will also include the chord charts whenever possible for use within your home or small group.
The first song we’d like to introduce you to is a version of “‘Tis So Sweet,” which includes additional lyrics and an original arrangement by Melody Von Kahle and Brian St. Andre. Check back this weekend to see Doxologies videos and resources about the song. As a gift to the congregation of RBC, we’d like to offer you a download of both the studio track and a live acoustic recording. The song is also available at iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Google Play.
We are hopeful that God will use these resources as a means to fuel your love for Him, His Word, and this world.