The Blessing DMV
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord cause His face to shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His face to you, And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Unity. It seems so out of reach these days. As we the Church continue to navigate these difficult days and push through the process of making challenging decisions in the wake of fear and division running rampant in our society, it’s easy to lose sight of our identity. It’s easy to gloss over the divine blessing that has been bestowed upon us, the Body of Christ, and the charge that we have been given to bless others out of the abundance of favor and good will that has been granted to us as the children of God, even in the hard times.
We must hold fast to the bonds that tie us together as children of the one true God. We must turn our eyes upon Jesus. We must earnestly abide in Christ. We must seek and find our rest in the midst of chaos in the hands of God who holds it all in his perfect will and sovereignty. From there, God will fill us up and send us out to impact the people around us with the love and light of Jesus. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Recently, several members of the RBC worship team had the opportunity to participate in a project called “The Blessing DMV,” a collaboration of many churches throughout the DC area coming together as the Body of Christ to pray for God’s peace, unity, blessing and favor over the Church and upon our city. As we sing The Blessing as a church family this weekend, it is our desire that we as the Body of Christ might sincerely appreciate both the gravity and the joy encompassed in these lyrics, pulled straight from scripture…and embrace the unity that they convey. We are ONE BODY. We are ONE CHURCH. We are a city on a hill: a light for all to see and know us by our love for one another and for others.
On COVID Precautions, Church Division & Romans 14
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. Romans 14:1
All of us are the weaker or stronger brother in different areas. Let’s not be dogmatic where there is no dog, but pursue unity as a fruit of corporate humility.
Preparing for Sunday | November 29
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
Last week we sang 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.
Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) [listen + lyrics]
Joel Houston, Aodhan King
Romans 5:1-2
Living Hope | [listen]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
The Blessing [listen + lyrics]
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown
Numbers 6:24-25
Let There Be Light [listen]
Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt, Hank Bentley, and Mia Fieldes
Genesis 1:3-4
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 2
Awana Message for November 22
QUEST: Clubhouse Service for November 22
Family Quest: Extreme Makeover, Spiritual Edition – Mind, Lesson 1
LESSON 1: MIND MARINADE
When we talk about our mind what exactly do we mean? What are the functions of the mind? When we talk about the mind in the Bible we are talking thoughts, attitudes, imagination, will, purposes, convictions, intelligence, understanding, and memory. In the Bible the mind and the heart are closely tied together. Many times they are used interchangeably. They communicate and work together to influence our actions.
What would the mind of a Jesus follower increasingly look like?
Download Mind, Lesson 1First 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.
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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