First Fruits Recap
2020 has been a crazy year, but there is still reason to know God is working. One clear example of that is First Fruits 2020.
During First Fruits, lives were impacted in our local community for the glory of God. Check out the numbers below to get a snapshot of God’s goodness, but know it is the individual lives within those numbers that matter most.
We had around 524 volunteers who took care of more than 120 jobs and delivered food to 27 homes.
In total, $39,455 was generously given for the jobs, and another $9,545 was donated online. We are thankful for this outpouring of generosity, and for the Lord’s great work in it!
Below you can watch our recap from right after the event.
QUEST: Preschool Lesson for November 22
This week’s reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible:
The Forgiving Prince, p. 76
This week’s Big Idea:
God is always in control.
This week’s Key Verse:
Genesis 50:20
Preparing for Sunday | November 22
We are excited to be gathering in person this Sunday! You can use the button below to register, or to find out more about the precautions we have put in place. If you are unable to join us in person, we encourage you to worship with us via our live stream.
Register to attend a worship service Watch the Live Stream
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
This week we will sing a new song called “Let There Be Light.” It is our prayer that this song brings us to the altar in an intimate moment of prayer and communion with the one true God who commands all of creation with the sound of His voice. Please use our Doxologies video to learn the song and meditate on its words this week.
Great and Mighty King | [listen]
Chris Brown, Zachary Kale, Brett Younker
Psalm 145:3
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
Let There Be Light [listen]
Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt, Hank Bentley, and Mia Fieldes
Genesis 1:3-4
I Will Look Up | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Matt Redman
Psalm 121:1
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 1
Doxologies: Let There Be Light
This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
What is truth? Where can we find it in a world overrun with media in every form, most of which is available 24/7? How do we quiet the chaos and navigate dark days?
In a world full of darkness and discord, God has provided a “true light” to guide our feet into the way of peace (John 1:9, Luke 1:79). There is such hope and joy to be found in the gift of Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12), the Light that can never be extinguished or overcome by darkness (John 1:5). He is the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16), the life and light for all mankind (John 1:4). In our need for truth in dark days, may we look to Jesus, the true light, full of grace and truth (John 1:9-14).
It is my prayer that this song brings us to the altar in an intimate moment of prayer and communion with the one true God who commands all of creation with the sound of His voice. He is the God of revival who breathes life into dry bones, the Lord of Light in whom there is no darkness, and He is our Savior King whose grace is sufficient for every void within the brokenness of our humanity.
————–
Let There Be Light
When You speak
Darkness has to bow
Confusion has its final hour
When You speak
Mountains rise and fall
It tears down every wall around me
When You speak
You breathe upon the dust
You come alive in us
When You speak
You silence every fear
We feel Your Spirit here around us
Let there be light
Let there be light
Until it fills up every space
Come and have Your way
Let there be light
Let there be light
Just one word and I am changed
Come and have Your way
Now You’re everything we seek
As deep cries out to deep
We will see God
Here Your glory on display
Jesus take Your place
We will see God
Let there be light
Let there be light
Until it fills up every space
Come and have Your way
Let there be light
Let there be light
Just one word and I am changed
Come and have Your way
QUEST: Clubhouse Missions Service for November 15
Family Quest: Missions Sunday
We believe the whole church, including children, should be involved in missions as outlined in the Bible (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Roman 10:13-14, Matthew 24:14).
Quest4Missions is a direct reflection of the commitment of Reston Bible Church to missions and missionaries. It is the goal of Q4M to foster this same passion in the hearts of our children at a very young age. One of the ways we do this is focusing on missions during Missions Sunday in the same way that the main service does.
Here are some ways you can get involved at home on Missions Sunday:
- f you don’t attend in person, watch the video of the QUEST service for Missions Sunday (live on facebook.com/rbcquest or posted later on restonbible.org/blog). RBC-supported missionaries will be speaking to the QUEST kids.
- Read through the RBC Missionary Booklet (you can get one at the Welcome Desk) and pick a missionary to pray for. Send them an email or note letting them know you are thinking of them.
- Use a globe or map to pick out different countries and pray for the work of the Gospel there.
- Research and learn about a missionary from history.
- Read Matthew 28:16-20 and discuss The Great Commission.
- Check out the QUEST library or order your own copies of some of the resources below!
Recommended Resources on Missions/Missionaries
- Window on the World by Molly Wall: This book is a guide for children to learn about different countries and cultures and focus their prayers on specific needs for those areas of the globe.
- Trailblazer Series by Dave and Neta Jackson (missionary stories)
- Heroes of the Faith Series (missionary stories)
Visit restonbible.org/QUEST4Missions to read more or to give to the QUEST mission project online
QUEST: Preschool Lesson for November 15
This week’s reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible:
Chapter 8: The Girl No One Wanted, p. 70
This week’s Big Idea:
God often does amazing things through those who are unloved, unwanted, unattractive, and unpopular.
This week’s Key Verse:
Genesis 50:20
Keep God at the Forefront
Gathering looks different these days, but this is no time to put our sovereign Lord on hold or put him on the backburner. Keep Him at the forefront.
Continue readingPreparing for Missions Sunday | November 15
God is at work among the nations!
His Kingdom continues to expand and RBC continues to participate in making His name known to the ends of the earth! Join us this weekend for Missions Sunday, as we hear an exciting update from the field and a message from Pastor Steve King, Pastor Emeritus of Cherrydale Baptist Church, called “The Adventure of Joining God in His Work.”
We are excited to be gathering in person this Sunday! You can use the button below to register, or to find out more about the precautions we have put in place. If you are unable to join us in person, we encourage you to worship with us via our live stream.
Register to attend a worship service Watch the Live Stream
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Jesus Is Better | [listen | lyrics]
Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
Mark 9:24
God of Revival | [listen]
Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
Psalm 77:13-14
Your Great Name | [listen + lyrics ]
Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff
Philippians 2:10-11
Death Was Arrested | [listen + lyrics]
Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, Heath Balltzglier, Paul Taylor Smith
Hebrews 2:9
SERMON TEXT
Romans 15:14-33
Check-In Survey Results (October 2020)
A couple weeks ago, the leadership of our church sent out an online survey to get feedback from our local body here at RBC. As we move into colder months, the weather impacts our ability to host outdoor ministry activities, so your feedback is very helpful as we consider how best to steward our ministries in this season. Within the next few weeks, you can expect to hear from the elders regarding any adjustments to our COVID requirements for indoor gatherings.
We do want to thank those of you who took time to fill out the survey. We estimate somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of our congregation responded, and we are grateful for your feedback. As communicated when it was released, please note that the questions and responses in the survey are not indicative of any future leadership decisions on these matters. But because the issues at hand are complex and have implications for life and ministry in the body of RBC, it is very helpful to have heard from so many of you. Please continue to pray for our church leadership as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and discernment in faithfully caring for His bride. There are many factors, viewpoints and considerations to navigate, and we take none of it lightly. Yet, we have great hope and freedom, for the Good Shepherd whom we follow patiently reassures us His burden is easy and His yoke is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
For those within our body who are local, consider RBC your church home, and are experiencing significant financial or spiritual hardship in this season, we want to be able to care for you and minister to you. Please reach out to us.
FINANCIAL: If your household is experiencing financial difficulty, please reach out to our Deacon Ministry here. Our deacons are specifically-appointed men and women in our church commissioned to coordinate financial resources and assistance to meet the material needs of our congregation.
SPIRITUAL: If you are experiencing significant spiritual burden or you feel your walk with the Lord is suffering and you would like to speak with someone, please let us know by emailing us or calling the church offices at 703-404-5010. We would love to connect you to a pastor, elder or counselor here at RBC.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11