Preparing for Sunday | January 19
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
A Thousand Hallelujahs | [listen + lyrics]
Brooke Ligertwood, Phil Wickham, Scott Ligertwood
Psalm 92:4-5
Shepherd and Shelter | [listen + lyrics]
Jess Russ, Jordan Strickland, Zion McKinney
Psalm 23:1
Holy Forever | [listen + lyrics]
Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham
Psalm 145:21
Echo Holy | [listen + lyrics]
Jake Espy, Kory Miller, Mia Fieldes, and Ran Jackson
Revelation 4:8
Awesome God | [listen]
Rich Mullins
Nehemiah 1:5
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death | [listen + lyrics]
Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Matthew Merker
1 Corinthians 15:19-20
SERMON TEXT
Acts 2
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:4)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Memorial Service for Don Freda
Donald Andrew Freda, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 30, 2024, after a short illness. He was surrounded by his wife and loved ones in Leesburg, VA. Donald—Don to friends—was born December 27, 1970, in Dayton, OH. His family moved to Dearborn, MI when he was 7. Don graduated from Crestwood High School and later moved to Reston, VA in 1998 to pursue a career in IT. He worked for Neustar for 20 years and was mostly recently working for Google.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald A. Freda, Sr., his mother, Helen Huges, his nephew, Christopher Tate, and his father-in-law, Raul Garza. He is survived by his wife Natalie Garza and son Austin Garza, sisters, Cythina (Dale) Tate, Jeanine Freda and brother Geoffrey Freda, as well as extended family and friends who will forever cherish his memory.
Don was like no other! He taught himself how to play guitar by ear, he loved airplanes, history, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and had a vast knowledge of many things. He had a love hate relationship with the Detroit Tigers and Lions, that he got from years of watching games with his dad. His love for those things could never compare to the love he had for Natalie and Austin, 11. A friend said, “his face beamed bright enough to light a thousand cities, perhaps more” when he spoke of them, and many would agree.
Don was humble. He claimed that he never knew what to say, yet he could talk with you for hours about anything and everything. He kept up with long-distance friends through long phone conversations. He was always quick to help those in need and made his way through difficulty with humor. He also loved feeding people and would buy food for twenty when only two friends were coming over. His giant heart, bear hugs and contagious laugh will be greatly missed by all who were blessed enough to have known him.
A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at Reston Bible Church, 10:00am on January 24, 2025. Casual attire (not sad, dressy black) is welcomed. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests plants or donations be made to help with Austin’s future expenses (click here to donate via GoFundMe.)
Preparing for Sunday | January 12
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing | [listen]
Charles Wesley, Jack Parker, David Crowder
Psalm 89:1
Honey in the Rock
Brooke Ligertwood
Psalm 81:16
Shepherd and Shelter | [listen + lyrics]
Jess Russ, Jordan Strickland, Zion McKinney
Psalm 23:1
The Lion and the Lamb | [listen + lyrics]
Leeland Mooring, Benton Brown, Brian Johnson
Deuteronomy 33:26
He Will Hold Me Fast | [listen + lyrics]
Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
John 10:28
Christ Be Magnified | [listen + lyrics]
Cody Carnes, Cory Asbury, Ethan Hulse
Revelation 5:13
SERMON TEXT
Acts 2
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Loudoun County Special Elections
As Pastor Jim discussed during his series on “Christ in Culture,” we wanted to alert our body to an opportunity to be involved in our local elections. There are some critical moral issues to be decided by our local government authorities in a upcoming special elections that we can impact not only for our good, but for society’s well-being in general (Romans 13:1-4, 1 Peter 2:13-17.)
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a special election will be held in Loudoun County for Senate of Virginia, (District 32) and House of Delegates (District 26.) The stakes are exceptionally high, and will determine who holds the state senate majority until 2027 and whether the House of Delegates will require bi-partisan support to pass legislation. To further understand the implications and moral issues of those candidates running for District 32 State Senate—including the important topics of abortion/life, gender & sexuality, preventing boys from playing in girls’ sports and keeping boys out of girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms—Tumay Harding’s website is here and Kannan Srinivasan’s website is here. To understand the implications and moral issues of those candidates running for District 26 House of Delegates, Ram Venkatachalam’s website is here, and J.J. SIngh’s website is here.
Only residents of House District 26 and/or Senate District 32 are eligible to vote. To determine if you are eligible to vote visit the Loudoun Co. Government website. You can vote early through Saturday, January 4 at the Office of Elections in Leesburg or at Claude Moore and Dulles South Recreation Centers. There is no pre-application required. Otherwise, voters must vote at their assigned precinct on election day between 6:00 am – 7:00pm, January 7. The turnout will likely be very low. Your vote will matter.
Preparing for Sunday | January 5
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
This Is Our God | [listen + lyrics]
Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett, Phil Wickham, Steven Furtick
Galatians 6:14
Battle Belongs | [listen + lyrics]
Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
Romans 8:31-32
Awaken Revival | [listen + lyrics]
Christian A. Nuckels, Lauren Fucarino
Psalm 85:6-7
Goodness of God | [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
What A Beautiful Name | [listen + lyrics]
Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood
Hebrews 1:3
SERMON TEXT
Acts 1
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preparing for Sunday | December 29
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Only King Forever
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
1 Timothy 1:17
Let the People Sing | [listen + lyrics]
Aaron Robertson, Chris McClarney, Mitch Wong
Psalm 47:1
Praise the Lord (Gateway) | [listen + lyrics]
Levi Smith, Matthew Harris, Micah Kuiper, and Nick Bays
Luke 2:14
Living Hope | [listen + lyrics]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
Death Was Arrested | [listen + lyrics]
Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, Heath Balltzglier, Paul Taylor Smith
Hebrews 2:9
Be Thou My Vision | [listen + lyrics]
Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
SERMON TEXT
Psalm 121
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)
Preparing for Sunday | December 22
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
This Is Amazing Grace
Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle
Revelation 5:12
Go Tell It on the Mountain | [listen]
John W. York
Luke 2:15
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing | [listen + lyrics]
Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Sterling, Charles Wesley
Luke 2:14
Holy, Holy, Holy | [listen + lyrics]
Reginald Heber, John B. Dykes
Isaiah 6:3
Manger Throne | [listen + lyrics]
Tony Wood, Jonathan Smith, Phil Wickham
Philippians 2:6-7
Crown Him (Christmas) | [listen + lyrics]
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Matt Redman, DK Kim, Colby Taylor
Hebrews 2:9
SERMON TEXT
Psalm 98
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (Psalm 98:4)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Memorial Service for June Meyers
June Elaine (Kunes) Meyers grew up just north of Pittsburgh PA, in New Kensington. She loved her hometown and spoke of it often, living with both sets of grandparents and most of her extended family within walking distance.
After high school she began working for Westinghouse Electric Company as an executive secretary. Her grandkids loved seeing her top secret government clearance pass, as she worked in the department that developed the US Navy’s first nuclear submarine.
June got married in 1963 and spent part of her honeymoon on the New Jersey shore, where her husband got a teaching job.
June lived in Point Pleasant, NJ for 30 years, devoted to her family which grew to include three children. She was very involved in her church, including the establishment of a thrift shop to serve the community. In 1995 she relocated to northern Virginia, where she soon became surrounded by all her children and their growing families.
June loved the Lord and her family most of all. She loved having the eleven grandchildren over for many sleepovers, filled with good food, dressing up from her costume box, reading stories and much laughter.
The Lord created June with a merry heart and gifts of service and giving which she blessed many people with generously. She served in her senior Sunday school class and in a discipleship ministry at McLean Bible church where she attended for many years before coming to Reston Bible Church, where two of her children served on staff, in the last decade.
June went on ministry trips to Brazil, Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and Israel. Her adventurous spirit and uncomplaining work ethic blessed everyone around her.
Even after her health challenges slowed her down, June kept up an active ministry of encouragement via social media and private messages to the countless missionaries and friends she loved so dearly.
She thanked the Lord every day for His good gifts, and especially that she could spend her last years living with her younger daughter’s family, surrounded by love and care.
Reston Bible Church will host a memorial service at 11:00am on Monday, December 15. Those not able to attend in person may view the livestream at live.restonbible.org, facebook.com/restonbible, or youtube.com/@restonbible
In lieu of flowers, you can sponsor a child for camp through Open Arms Worldwide (www.openarmsworldwide.org) or by strengthening the church in the Middle East through The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.com).
Preparing for Sunday | December 15
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
All Creation Sing (Joy To The World) | [listen + lyrics]
Isaac Watts, Steve Fee
Luke 2:10
His Mercy Is More | [listen + lyrics]
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Romans 5:20
Angels (Glory To God) | [listen + lyrics]
James Chadwick, Phil Wickham
Luke 2:9
Noel | [listen + lyrics]
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Matt Redman
John 1:4-5
Lord I Need You | [listen + lyrics]
Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson
Hebrews 4:16
SERMON TEXT
Psalm 51
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51:1-2)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preparing for Sunday | December 8
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Born Is the King
Scott Ligertwood and Matt Crocker
Matthew 2:1-2
Away in a Manger | [listen]
James Ramsey Murray, John Thomas McFarland
Luke 2:11-12
Agnus Dei | [listen + lyrics]
Michael W. Smith
Revelation 5:12
Praise His Name (Psalm 148) | [listen + lyrics]
Marc Willerton, Nathan Stiff
Psalm 148:1
Promises | [listen]
Aaron Moses, Carrington Gaines, Dante Bowe, Keila Alvarado, Lemuel Marin
Psalm 113:2-3
SERMON TEXT
Psalm 13
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:5-6)