Volume 42, Issue 4/5 April/May 2017

2 From the pastor

3 Annie: her name lives on 4

Student dinner theater

5680 Stetson Hills Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80917

www.vgbc.org

He himself

bore our sins

in his body on the tree,

that we might

die to sin and live

to righteousness.

By his wounds

you have been healed.

1 Peter 2:24, ESV

April 9 Lord’s Supper served during morning services

April 14, 7:00 p.m.

April 15, 3:00 p.m. Details on page 3.

April 16 Regular morning services: 9:00 & 10:45

On March 16, sixty-four college bas-ketball teams began a competition that will end in Phoenix, Arizona on April 3. One team will cut down the nets and

celebrate “one shining moment” while the rest of the teams begin thinking about their hopes for next year. I enjoy the basketball tourna-ment, but I usually watch a full game only if my team is in the tournament. With 25 wins this season, the Arkansas Razorbacks were an eighth seeded team, but they had to play the top seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round. Now we begin to think about football season! As I consider my interest in this March Madness event, it raises a couple of thoughts.

First, do I have this same kind of passion for other areas in life? If I can’t watch the game, I will record the game and do everything I can to avoid hearing the results so I can enjoy watching. I will carve out time and make sure to watch without interruptions. As I reflect on this, I wonder if I have this same kind of com-mitment and passion for other (more im-portant) aspects of my life? I think it is good and healthy for us to look at the areas of our lives where we are most passionate. What in life excites you the most? What upsets you the most? Your answers to these questions reveal where your heart is. Are we investing our time and energy into areas where there

will be a lasting, significant impact? Are we giving ourselves to things that matter, or are we wasting our lives?

Second, I have probably watched the Razor-backs play three games this season. As I was watching them in the post-season SEC tourna-ment, I realized I was only familiar with one or two of the players. Yet, I think of myself as a fan and I like to think I really care if these kids wearing red jerseys score more points than the kids wearing blue jerseys. How often do I think of myself as a person who is a pas-sionate follower of Christ, yet my actions are not consistent with my perception? We should examine ourselves and make sure we are not “fair weather fans” when it comes to our faith (Matt 7:21-23).

The one shining moment will come and go. Next year we will look back and wonder who even won March Madness. I hope it is clear to everyone around me what is most important by what I am most passionate about, and I hope I am faithful and consistent with what really matters. How about you? Are you re-deeming the time (Eph 5:16)?

The Bible instructs us to “discipline yourself for the

purpose of godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). How do we do this? Donald Whitney’s practical

book is helpful for reminding us of the disciplines, or hab-its, that Christians should be

practicing in order to grow in godliness.

This book explains how and why we should be pursuing

these ten disciplines (such as Bible reading, praying, worship, and evangelism). If

you are new to the Christian faith or you have not been

growing in Christ, I strongly recommend this book.

- Pastor Chris

2

LITERARY

Feature

Spiritual Disciplines for

the Christian Life

by Donald Whitney

Hop on over to the

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 15 10:00 a.m. — 12 noon

Bring your own basket! For ages 3 years old—5th grade.

“We have not the reason to despair,

quite simply because Christ has risen.” -Richard John Neuhaus

Saturday, April 29 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Theme: “Masquerade” 2 Corinthians 3:18 If you’d like, bring a decorative mask to wear.

Tickets are $5 each and will be available beginning April 9 at the info booth.

3

The

Handcrafters

Monday, April 3, 10, & 17,

12:00 - 2:00 pm, Room 204

For guys & gals: come join our

fellowship! Any craft and all

skill levels are welcome.

Please note the change to our

schedule as we no longer meet

every Monday. During the

summer months we are off;

meetings will resume Septem-

ber 11. Questions? Contact

Linda Schneider at 439-2688

or myjesusbike@yahoo.com or

Sandra Holmes at 460-5413 or

sholmes77@hotmail.com.

Passover Seder

Dinner Saturday, April 15, 3:00 pm,

Youth Wing

Come experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Jesus’ Last Supper. You will never view the Lord’s Supper the same way again. The reservation deadline is April 9. Adults are $13 each and children ages 8-12 are $9 each. Please make checks payable to VGBC. Childcare is available by ad-vance reservation only. Visit the info booth Sunday or call the church office.

Her Name Lives On —Her Legacy Stands Millions Strong Every year, we honor the life and missions impact of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO) for North American mis-sions. As a tireless serv-ant of God and a conta-gious advocate of mis-sions efforts throughout the world, Annie Arm-strong united women in missions endeavors, ulti-mately leading to the formation of Woman’s Miss ion ary Un ion (WMU). She served as WMU’s first corre-sponding secretary.

Annie believed and fol-lowed Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed her belief in tangible ways. A prolific writer, she spent many hours using her hands to type and handwrite letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy, and all were motivated by her desire for others to, as she put it, “grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ.” Annie also used her hands to reach out to others in need, whether by hugging a child or distributing food, clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands cra-dled her Bible as she studied how best to share God’s love with others. Most importantly, as a woman of prayer, Annie regularly folded her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionar-ies and those with whom they shared Christ.

Annie once wrote, “If I get hold of an idea which seems to me to be a good one, I somehow do not feel comfortable until I see it carried out.” As a result of her persistence, Annie ral-lied churches to give more, pray more and do more to reach people for Christ. As modern-day missions advo-cates unite to continue that work today, we can be en-couraged and empowered by following her legacy.

Please pray about how God will lead you and your fami-ly’s involvement in VGBC’s AAEO emphasis this year. Whether is it giving above and beyond your normal tithes and offerings to the AAEO (our church goal is

$35,001) or becoming involved in a local or North American missions effort, know that you will be blessed!

Annie Armstrong

Easter Offering —

VGBC’s Goal: $35,001

MEN’S MINISTRY BREAKFAST

Saturday, April 8 & May 13 7:00 am, Fellowship Hall

Coffee & fellowship begin at 7 am and breakfast at 7:30 am.

Campaign to Date:

$2,369,297

Balance Owed (through February 2017):

$1,724,320

Other Event Highlights ❖ Sunday Evening

Hymn Sing,

April 23, 6:00 pm

❖ National Day of Prayer,

May 4, 4 - 8 pm

Come join us and spend

some time in prayer.

❖ Church Work Day,

Saturday, May 6,

8 am - noon

❖ Children’s Choir &

Forgiven Concert,

Sunday, May 7, 6:00 pm

❖ Art of Marriage,

May 19, 6 - 9 pm, & May 20,

8 am - 4:30 pm

Welcome New Members ❖ Dustin & Megan Aufrichtig

❖ Jeremy Catron, Sr.,

Jeremy, Jr.

❖ Michael & Patricia Childress

❖ Lydia de Blaeij

❖ Don & Mary Alice Dolifka

❖ William Kernc

❖ Vanessa Llano

❖ Sharina Mills

❖ Annabelle Moore

❖ William Moore

❖ A.C. & Ashley Newberry

❖ Delbert & Angela Ruede

❖ Nick & Sara Sulham

❖ Larry & Gwenda Valentine

❖ Josh Willis

Restoring the Balance In Springs in the Valley (Zondervan), pioneer missionary Lettie Cowman tells of a traveler making a trek through an African jungle. Na-tive tribesmen who helped carry loads walked rapidly on day one, covering a great distance. Yet the next morning they refused to move. When the frustrated traveler asked the tribes-men why they were just sitting, they said they’d gone too fast on the first day and “were now waiting for their souls to catch up to their bodies.”

Cowman writes, “This whirling rushing life which so many of us live does for us what that march did for those tribesmen. The difference: They knew they needed to restore life’s bal-ance; too often we do not.”

God promises rest for our soul and body, so don’t overlook the importance of physical res-toration. Only by taking time to recharge can you be an effective laborer in God’s kingdom.

Presented by FORGIVEN // TEN31

Tickets by donation at the Youth Booth.

VGBC.ORG // TEN31.ORG

This annual fundraiser

will help students cover the cost of mission trips and camp.

A Silent Dessert Auction will be held during intermission. Childcare is provided

for those under age 5. Reservations are required.

let

them eat

casserole

Sunday, April 9 | 6:00 pm