The Vista

Elijah the Focus of Our Holy Character Worship on Sunday

Sunday, March 26 | Elijah

As we focus on what it means to have Holy Character, we look at the story of Elijah. Elijah and Elisha stick out in the book of Kings as prophets who call the people to wake up and repent. They listen for the still small voice of God which should be a metaphor against the loud murderous reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. How can we quiet the noise in our own lives to hear the truth from God?

Worship Opportunities | 8:30 and 11 a.m. | Sanctuary

Livestream | 11 a.m. | Church Website or Facebook

Holy Communion | Communion will be served at the altar following the 8:30 a.m. worship service. All are invited to the table.

Prayer Requests/Let’s Connect | Please complete this form to request prayer and to let us know you joined us for online worship and be sure to say hi in the livestream chat.

The Bible Year Facebook Group | Join our Facebook group for The Bible Year to share your thoughts on the scripture readings.

April Reading Calendar | Use this calendar to guide you through The Bible Year scripture readings during the month of April.

Vacation Bible School Set for June 5-8

Plans are in the works for this summer’s Vacation Bible School—The Maker’s Space—to be held weekday mornings June 5-8. Children ages 3 through 5th grade will become creators and innovators as they learn about being God’s masterpiece. There will be space for 50 participants, with Vista Ridge children being able to register in early April through the newsletter or beginning Easter morning.

ColorPalooza Event | Saturday, April 22
The church will participate in the City of Lewisville’s ColorPalooza event in Old Town on Saturday, April 22, to invite the community to our Vacation Bible School. Two people are needed for each shift to greet attendees, hand out flyers and a children’s craft, and assist with VBS registration. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sign up and join in the fun!

Supply Needs

Egg cartons, clean and empty (need 10-20)
Tissue boxes, clean and empty (need 10-20)
Pool noodles, clean and in good condition (need 10)
Buckets and brooms, clean and in good condition (need 2-3 of each)
Scrap pieces of fabric, solid colors preferred, in small or large pieces
Paper plates, basic solid colors, any quantity (a few leftover unused plates are fine too)

Please leave donations in the marked bin in the Welcome Center.

Children’s Activities on Sunday

Family Bible Breakfast | 10 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

Join our Family Ministries Bible Breakfast gathering at 10 a.m. Sunday for breakfast and a short devotion based on The Bible Year.

Children’s Church | During 11 a.m. Worship

Join Mr. Colin for Children’s Church on Sunday after Children’s Chat. Pick up your children in Room 104 after worship.

Topic | Jesus Can Change Anything

Over the past few weeks, we have talked a lot about change. We have talked about how we can change when we know who God is; how there is nothing we can do to make God love us any less; and, how Jesus can change us! This week, we are going to talk about Jesus and take a look at how Jesus can change anything! We hope that you will join us this Sunday.

Youth Activities on Sunday

Family Bible Breakfast | 10 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

Join us for our Family Ministries Bible Breakfast at 10 a.m. Sunday for breakfast and a short devotion based on The Bible Year.

Sunday, March 26 | Youth Connect Outing | WhirlyBall

Join Youth Connect on Sunday after 11 a.m. worship for lunch at CiCi’s and a game of WhirlyBall. The church will pay for the WhirlyBall. Please bring money for lunch.

WhirlyBall Mid-Cities, 147 E. Harwood Road, Hurst
CiCi’s, 2101 Harwood Road, Suite 115, Bedford

Sunday, April 2 | Youth Connect | 1:30-3 p.m.

During our time together, we’ll look at surprising stories from Jesus’ death, resurrection, and last days on earth. These stories will show us that, when life takes unexpected turns, God gives us help. And even when we’ve messed up or are ready to give up, Jesus never turns away from us but gives us life, gives us hope, is with us, and gives us another chance.

April 2-23 | Youth Envelope Fundraiser | Supporting Mission Trip and Summer Camp

Our Envelope Fundraiser, which was a huge success last year, is set for April 2-23 and we need your participation to help make it possible. Please sign up to work a shift or two on a Sunday morning to help with the envelope display and accept donations. The fundraiser will support this summer's at-home mission trip and summer camp.

Thursday, April 6 | A Service of Remembrance | 7 p.m.

Please plan to attend this special Holy Week service, as the youth will be participating by stripping the altar at the end of the service.

Sunday, April 9 | Easter Sunday | Assist with Egg Hunt

All of the youth attending Easter Sunday are asked to help with preparing for the egg hunt at 10 a.m. It will be a fun morning that also includes breakfast burritos and donuts! There will be no Youth Connect this Sunday.

Sunday, April 16 | Youth Connect Outing | One Event Conference

This conference-wide youth event starts at 1:30 p.m. at Plymouth Park UMC, 1615 W. Airport Freeway in Irving, and ends at 5 p.m. Join in worship, games with friends from other churches, and a message from Bishop Saenz. Complete the Doodle poll to RSVP. Submit a completed waiver in order to play the games at the event.

Wednesday, April 19 | Youth Connect Midweek | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 23 | Youth Connect Outing

Join in lunch after 11 a.m. worship, followed by outdoor games at a nearby park.

Sunday, April 30 | Community Giveaway | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

This fifth Sunday is our churchwide worship service at 10 a.m., followed by a Community Giveaway event. Mark your calendar to help with this special event. More details will be forthcoming.

Holy Week | Stations of the Cross | At Home Journey

Journey through Holy Week with the Stations of the Cross, an at-home guide that represents the passion from Jesus’ condemnation to death through his placement in the tomb.

At each of the 11 stations, reflect on what all of these events mean for us today. This is a time for us to journey alongside Christ on his journey to the cross. It is a rather solemn experience but it serves as a powerful tool of preparation for our celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

The packet is available electronically and printed copies will be handed out at the church on Palm Sunday. Each station has scripture from the Bible and an activity to complete. The stations can be done all at once or a couple at a time until they are completed. It can be completed personally or adapted for the family. The beautiful thing about the Stations of the Cross as a spiritual practice is it can serve you however you might choose to participate.

Thursday, April 6 | A Service of Remembrance | 7 p.m.

This Holy Thursday, we invite you to join us for a Service of Remembrance at 7 p.m. as we remember the Last Supper that Christ shared with his disciples as well as the stripping of the altar and the telling of the story of Christ’s crucifixion. This is ultimately the story of how much God loves us and how God is saving us through the love of Jesus Christ.

Sunday, April 9 | Easter Sunday

8:30 a.m. | Traditional Worship | Sanctuary

11 a.m. | Contemporary Worship | Sanctuary and Livestream

10 a.m. | Egg Hunt, Breakfast, Photos with the Easter Bunny

Hop outside and join us for our children’s egg hunt and breakfast. Enjoy donuts, breakfast burritos, juice, and coffee. Take a photo with the Easter bunny. Invite a friend and join us for this special day! Be sure to tag the church @vrumc on Facebook with your Easter photos.