DECEMBER 2022 - News & More!
Dear Church Family,
My prayer for you and me this Christmas is that we will have some moments with the Lord that will fill us with Awe & Wonder. Be sure to spend some moments to simply sit with the Lord this Christmas and to dwell on how Amazing it is that God would leave heaven to live here on earth for the purpose of reconciling you to Himself. Give Him thanks!
We have a number of ways to Celebrate the Birth of Christ this year. On Sunday mornings during December, we will be in an Advent Series called “When Jesus Arrived.” Our Children’s Ministry will help us to focus on the reason for the season with the Lighting of an Advent Wreath each week as we look forward to Christ’s Arrival.
On Sunday, December 11th at 6:00 pm in the Worship Center, the VBC Choir will present “Sounds of the Season” (with a Pie Encore!).
Please let your friends and neighbors know about this Free event. *** Note: The Christmas Season is the best time of year to point people to Christ because they tend to be the most receptive (especially when Pie is involved! :)
On Saturday, December 24th, Village Bible Church will have Three (3) Christmas Eve Services!
11am & 1pm at Mildred B. COOPER CHAPEL.
4pm at VILLAGE BIBLE CHURCH.
There are plenty of opportunities for all of us to Worship & Praise God for the Greatest Gift ever given…Jesus! Let’s be “Good News People” who celebrate Christmas by sharing Christ!
Blessings,
Pastor Al
Testimony of Kara C.
I remember accepting Jesus into my heart at 5 Years old. My Mom led me in the prayer to accept Jesus as my Savior. I was so excited; I ran over to tell my Grandma the happy news. I am blessed to have been raised in a Christian home and grew in my faith as I got older. There was one defining moment on March 22, 2016, that brought me closer to God and revealed His Presence in my life more than ever before. This is what I wrote on March 22 after what transpired that day:
“After the most terrifying day of my life, I am blessed to say that I am safe. I was in the Brussels Airport this morning when the bombs went off. I heard someone yelling in Arabic, followed by the first explosion - it was not far from me. If it had been 15 minutes earlier, I would have been standing in the spot one of the bombs went off. One went off at the American Airlines Desk, which is where Gauthier and I were for about 30 minutes earlier in the morning.
As soon as I heard the explosion, everyone froze and asked, "What was that?" And then we ran... It was the most terrifying feeling that I will never be able to put into words. I grasped to get somewhere safe but had no idea where safe was. I was led to a staircase and went down a couple of flights until I couldn't go down anymore and hid under the stairwell with a Belgian couple and I was terrified. I didn't know if I would make it out alive. I texted my loved ones in case it would be the last time I could and just prayed over and over. After hiding for 30 minutes, we managed to find a way out and pushed through the doors and then through another set of doors which lead outside on the runway side of the airport. The police showed us to where everyone else was waiting to be picked up by a bus to be brought to safety. I immediately called my Mom but couldn't talk through my tears when a woman came over to me and hugged me and talked to my Mom for me. She told my Mom what was going on and that she had me now and she was going to stay with me. She was a Swiss woman working with the UN. She was my angel. She stayed with me and helped me the whole time and helped me to deep breath and get my mind off of the trauma.
We were then bussed to a safe place where they store the planes and the workers were so kind and efficient and quick to give out water and blankets to everyone. A kind man gave me his jacket. A woman nearby shared her chocolate. Everyone was so, so kind. We became a family.
When the explosion went off, I was at border control. So when I ran, I didn't have my passport, my debit card, my license, or my carry-on luggage. All I had was my backpack and phone. After about an hour of waiting at the facility, I went in line to use the bathroom. I was on the phone with Gauthier for a few minutes when the woman in front of me turned around and said, "I'm the police - what do you need?" So I talked with her and then relayed the message to Gauthier that everyone was remaining there and that it was safest. A few minutes later, I mentioned to her just in conversation that I didn't even have my passport and that I was at border control when the explosion happened. She said "Van Housen? I think we have it - and your luggage too!" I couldn't believe it. She told me to come with her so we could get it, and we did. My passport, debit card, license, luggage - it was all there. My second angel.
She came with me to make sure I made it back safely to my new Swiss friend and told me how Gauthier could pick me up by car. She even wanted to speak to him on the phone to explain how to get there and gave him her phone number. She then took me outside to the busses where I would be taken to Zaventem Train Station, where he could pick me up. She carried my luggage for me and brought me to the front of the line and told me to call her to tell her I made it safely and blew me a kiss from the bus. I was brought to tears by her kindness.
We were then taken to the train station, where I waited about 10-15 minutes and then saw Gauthier and got in the car with him and his mom and came back to his house, where I am finally safe.
Without a doubt, God is watching over me, is with me, and placed these angels in my path. There's no explanation for it but God. I am so thankful to be here and to tell my story. I am so thankful to be alive. I am so thankful for the kindness strangers who are now friends, no, family showed me. I will never forget them.
Thank you, Gauthier, for being here for me through every second of it. And thank you to everyone who prayed for me and sent out sweet words to see if I was okay. The love and support I have from my friends and family is overwhelming and I appreciate it so much.
Please continue to pray for those who were injured from these terrible attacks and for the families and friends of those who passed away from this horrific day. And also for Belgium, that these attackers would be stopped before they can harm another innocent person.”
After that day, there was a long journey ahead to cope through the trauma I experienced, but The Lord helped me and I believe He let me go through that day to share this story with others, which undoubtedly displays His Protection, Faithfulness, and Mercy - and I am grateful to still be here today.
Did you know 43 People per day (on average) move to Northwest Arkansas? Many will go to Google to find their new church home. 85% of church-seekers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
When you share how God has blessed you via Google review, you help others find VBC.
Here’s How:
- Step 1. Go to Google.com & Search for " Village Bible Church Bella Vista "
- Step 2. Write A Review
- Once you have pulled up Village Bible Church, scroll down past the map.
- You should see five stars with gray outlines - this is the reviews section where you can contribute your own star rating.
- After you give a star rating by clicking the number of stars you want, you will be prompted to write more about your experience and share an image if you want.
- At this point, you will be prompted to sign in - this is where people get (understandably) confused and think they need a Gmail account to leave a review. A Gmail/Google Account Is Not Required. Simply click on “create account,” choose “for myself” or “for my business.”
- On the next page it will give you the option to “use my current email address” instead. No Google account, no problem!
Thank you so much for choosing to bless others by helping to direct them toward the body of Christ at Village Bible Church.
For more info, ask Pastor Joseph joseph@vbcbv.org. Village Bible Church Bella Vista would love your feedback. Post a review to our profile. https://g.page/r/Cd_XHahUM91SEAE/review
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NO POTBLESS and PRAISE & PRAYER SERVICE on Wednesday nights for the rest of December. This allows everyone to spend time with their families getting ready for holidays and spending holidays with them. We will pick back up on January 11, 2023. We will still be sending out “Praise and Petitions,” and “What’s Happening” so please don’t stop sending those prayer requests in.
CHURCHWIDE FELLOWSHIP – SOUP & TABLE GAMES – Friday, Dec. 9th. Bring your favorite soup, sides, and/or dessert to share. We will start eating at 5:30. Also bring your favorite table games that we will play after eating.
COOKIE EXCHANGE – Women’s Ministry will be hosting a cookie exchange on December 10th in the Fellowship Hall from 2 – 4:00 pm. Bring 2 ½ dozen cookies, 2 doz. to exchange in separate container, and ½ doz. to share with Christmas punch. Boxes will be provided for you to take home and bring cookies in. We will be having a speaker Ashelyn Buckley come and present Essential Oils from the Bible, and how they were used. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall for the exchange.
PIE FELLOWSHIP – Sunday, Dec. 11th, Following the choir’s Christmas Program on Sunday evening, Dec. 11th we will have a pie fellowship. There are sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up if you are willing to bring a pie. We would like for you to bring your pie to the kitchen that Sunday morning.
OASIS ADVENT BAGS – This is a reminder it’s that time of year! Oasis VBC Advent Bags are out on various tables with a copy of items stapled to it. December 18th is the Final Day to bring to the Church.
WELCOME TO VBC LIFEGROUPS - If you are new or a regular attender to our Church family and you are seeking fellowship with others, we have LifeGroups meeting at various times and days. We invite you to fill out a Connection Card or contact our Discipleship Chairperson (Tony White @ twhite491@cox.net) and we will help get you involved.
VBC NEW YEAR'S EVE GAMES PARTY! New Year's Eve Party will be held at our church in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, December 31st from 6 pm to about 9:30-10 pm. Please bring your favorite snack along with your favorite game(s). The last time we did this was about 4 years ago and it was so much fun. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sandy or Ken Fink sandydandy611@yahoo.com or kenfink611@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there!!!
FIRST AID/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE - The Trustee Committee and VBC Safety Team is asking for your participation and assistance. We need more volunteers to serve on our Safety Team. Also, if you have any past experience in first aid, military, law enforcement, construction industry training, fire/EMT or similar emergency training OR if you are interested in getting trained and maintaining first aid/CPR training/certification provided by the church... please let us know your interest by filling out a Connection Card or email to vbc@vbcbv.org. If you have any questions, you can contact Remington Rogers @ remrogers20@gmail.com.
NEW LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY: Starting January 12, 2023, meeting at 9:30 am in the conference room, The Epistle of Liberty—An Inductive study of Galatians, led by Joanne Morris, mrsjoannemorris50@yahoo.com.
WEEKLY EVENTS
SUNDAY
9:00 am & 10:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE IN WORSHIP CENTER (Communion 1ST Sunday).
9:00 am CHILDREN & YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES “for all Village Kids” Nursery 0-3yrs; PreK–1ST, 2ND–3RD, 4TH–5TH, Oasis 6TH-8TH, & Library 9TH-12TH.
10:30 am CHILDREN’S CHURCH Nursery 0-3yrs, PreK–5TH Oasis, and SUNDAY SCHOOL 6TH-8TH Conference room, 9TH-12TH in the Library.
10:30 am ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL, FELLOWSHIP HALL teaching from the 2022 VBC Bible Reading Plan copies available at all entrances.
TUESDAY
MISSION MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP; contact Marlys Peak bmpeak@cox.net or Paula Osterberger @ paula03@cox.net
11:00 am – 1:00 pm *White Cross Mission Ministry helps Tandala Hospital in Congo, Africa
11:00 am – 1:00 pm *KniTTogether Ministry: Knit or crochet hats that benefit the community
6:00-7:30 pm MEN’S DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY! Each Tues. evening. The Discipleship Committee invites & encourages ALL MEN to participate; there are various bible study leaders/facilitators, & subject matter planned through DEC. 6TH.
6:00-7:30 pm MEN’S BIBLE STUDY “Through the Bible” led by Joe Avila located in the Conf. Rm
WEDNESDAY
10:00 am-12:00 pm OASIS FOOD PANTRY serves +/- 240 families each month: clients from NWA and Missouri. We will be closed on December 28, 2022.
7:30 pm VBC CHOIR REHEARSAL! Contact Sarah O’Malley rsomalley@cox.net
THURSDAY
2:00-3:30 pm WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY, Book of Genesis, led by Kathy Johnson, in Fellowship Hall. The class consists of three 10-wk units, we are through Unit 1, Unit 2 begins Dec. 1st. Please come and join us anytime, during any Unit, and if you would like a book ordered, please contact fkjohns6083@gmail.com.
MONTHLY EVENTS
THU, Dec 8TH 8 am (2ND Thursday) TRUSTEE COMMITTEE MEETING, Fellowship Hall
FRI, Dec 9TH, 9 am–12 pm (2ND Friday) VBC QUILTERS GROUP, Fellowship Hall; contact Helen Davis; @ hvisdavis@gmail.com
FRI, Dec 9TH @ 5:30 pm. CHURCHWIDE FELLOWSHIP – Soup & Table games –Bring your favorite soup, sides, and/or dessert to share. We will start eating at 5:30. Also bring your favorite table games that we will play after eating.
THU, Dec 15TH, 11:30 am (3RD Thursday) WOMEN’S LUNCHEON, Bella Vista Country Club, contact Jackie Keller 479-212-3049
SAT, Dec 17TH, 8:00 am (3RD Saturday) MEN’S FELLOWSHIP & PRAYER BREAKFAST, Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by Deacon Ministry.
MON, Dec 19TH, 9:00 am. Since the 4TH Monday we will be closed (4TH Monday) CHURCH BOARD MEETING, Fellowship Hall.
THU, Dec 22ND, 8:30 am (4TH Thursday) PAPA MIKE’S BREAKFAST FELLOWSHIP @ Papa Mike’s.
