*|FNAME|*, here's the latest from Vail Christian Church...
Emulating His Heart
The Hebrew word most often translated as “neighbor” in the Bible is rea. It has a variety of connotations: friend, lover, and of course the usual sense of neighbor. In general, it is used to refer to anyone who isn’t an immediate relative or an enemy. In contrast, the concept of “neighbor” that we understand as Americans is limited to those people who live near us, or at least people in our local community. So I want to make sure that we understand that Jesus’ command is a much bigger component to the Christ-follower’s life than most of us ever realize.
One of the best remembered teachings of Jesus is about the Good Samaritan who stops to help an injured man when no one else would. Most people don’t remember the fact that this parable was told to answer the question “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ answer suggests the broadest possible interpretation for “neighbor” - so broad that it even includes members of unfriendly tribal groups. It reminds us of a similar command that we find in Luke 6:27 where Jesus tells us to love our enemies.When we really stop and think about this teaching it becomes evident that this is at the center of Christ’s heart, His core. Knowing Christ truly means emulating His heart. Emulating His heart proves our heart is His.
Could it be that the way we love our neighbor is through getting to know Christ, the living Word of God? The more we discover the heart of Jesus Christ, the more we find a God worthy of our whole-hearted love. And the most amazing thing of all is that our neighbor will see that love in us - a life changing love from God! |
Student Ministries:
From September 25th to October 10th, students and leaders from our student ministry will travel to Ukraine to serve Eric and Beth Yodis in their efforts to plant a church. You can support this effort through prayer, financial contributions, and participation with fundraisers. Follow the journey at: www.yodis.org/Vail PRAYER REQUESTS: - Pray that God would bless the Yodis family as they seek to launch church planting efforts in Donetsk, Ukraine and Russia. - Pray for the country of Ukraine; there is much poverty, corruption and superstition. Pray that God would provide restoration in a way that draws people to know Him. - Pray that God would establish unity and humility in our team and that He would work powerfully in and through our team so that lives are changed. - Pray over our team from September 26 - October 10 that God might provide safe travel and good health.
Gym-Mania! Sunday, October 18
Radiate is a series of events for middle school and high school girls. Coming up in November is a middle school girls only event focused on topics that matter to you. Don't miss it! Sunday, November 1 For more details on Student Events, contact Julie Biagi, Director of Children and Students. |
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The Good Neighbor Project: Just inviting our people to a Sunday morning worship service usually will not make new Christ-followers, rather Christ-followers are made through intentional relationships with those in their sphere of influence. This is where we, the church, have the responsibility to be good neighbors to those around us. Get ready to be a good neighbor and then bring your neighbor to worship on October 18th. |
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Parenting Presentation: Here at Vail Christian Church, we want to be very strategic and intentional about the way we are raising our kids. The Parenting Presentation is a public declaration that parents are going to commit to raise their child up in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you'd like to be part of this Parenting Presentation, contact Julie Biagi for details. |
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Men's Breakfast: Every third Monday of the month the men of Vail Christian Church are meeting up at Hacienda Del Lago for a great breakfast, hanging out with good friends and hearing a short encouragement from God's Word. Get up early and get there! You won't regret it. September 21st - 6:30am - Hacienda Del Lago |
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Each year, Vail Christian Church has focused our collective energy in order to make a difference in the area schools. This year we have three schools to tackle with multiple projects and we're expecting each one of you to show up to make a difference. Sign up for this year's Make A Difference Day Event online or Connection Pastor Tim Sheaffer. |
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Baptism: Baptism is an outward sign of the inward reality that Jesus Christ has become the Lord of your life. If you have been thinking about being baptized or would like to know more about what this symbolic act means, contact Tim Sheaffer. |
Make a Difference Day - it’s a long and rather awkward name, but you have to admit that it’s pretty descriptive. It was first coined in 1992, when USA Weekend Magazine issued a challenge to its readers to go out and do something to help others on the fourth Saturday of October. Today, almost twenty years later, we are gearing up once again to participate in Make a Difference Day as Vail Christian Church. For the past three years, we have focused our collective energy in order to make a difference in the area schools. Doing everything from gardening to painting to moving rock, VCC has lived out God’s call to be a good neighbor by participating in this nationwide event. This year, we are excited to be participating again by reaching out to three schools in the Sunnyside district. Check out the information below, meet our Make A Difference Day team leaders and visit vailchristian.com/madd to sign up for a team!
Los Ninos Elementary Projects include: Interior painting & building a porch
Los Ninos Elementary Projects include: Interior painting & building a
Lauffer Middle School Projects include: Garden demolition, concrete block placement, tilling and replanting, bench construction
Lauffer Middle School Projects include: Garden demolitin, concrete block placement, tilling and replanting, bench construction
Desert View High School Projects include: Various landscaping projects
Desert View High School Projects include: Various landscaping projects
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Johnny Cruz
Justin Youvan
books . . .
What God Does When Men Lead
Bill Peel
If you're like most Christian men, you want to be the kind of leader God designed - strong, confident, one who takes care of himself and the people he loves. But when you find yourself dealing unsuccessfully with difficult coworkers on a daily basis... when your relationship with your wife seems damaged beyond repair... or when your children rebel, that destiny may seem unattainable. Best-selling author Bill Peel has good news for you if you feel you're missing out: God has equipped you with specific gifts that will help you to lead. Learn to embrace them, and you'll discover richness in your life that you never could have imagined!
music . . .
Matt Maher: Alive AgainThis is Matt Maher's second release on a major label, but his fifth album. Maher has never released a mediocre record, and his albums have gotten progressively better. With "Alive Again," however, the Canadian takes his music to an entirely new level--one een more mature, artistic, and meditative than that of his previous albums. His album includes refreshing covers of a few hymns as well as powerful new tracks with thought provoking lyrics. It is a fantastic addition to your worship music library!
websites . . .
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messages this month . . .
Coming Sunday, October 18th!
Peter's second letter is a simple letter with incredible depth and power. In this six week series, Lead Pastor Ben Pitney, Connection Pastor Tim Sheaffer and Worship Pastor Chris McLaughlin unpack this powerful letter and give us real-life, practical tools for our journey through life as we're following the Way of Jesus.
Sometimes between life at work and life at home, we need some encouragement or a reminder of what God is doing in our lives. That’s why the Vail Christian Church Podcast is a must have on your iTunes subscriptions.
It’s free to download, and when you 
subscribe with iTunes, each week’s
message is automatically downloaded
to your Mac or PC. Put it on your mp3
player, listen in the car on the way to
work or listen at home while you’re
making dinner.
We hope you take advantage of this
amazing resource!
Download each Sunday’s teaching from our podcast.
Lead Pastor: Ben Pitney
ben@vailchristian.com
Connection Pastor: Tim Sheaffer
tim@vailchristian.com
Lead Worshiper: Chris McLaughlin
chris@vailchristian.com
Director of Students & Children: Julie Biagi
julie@vailchristian.com
Administration: Meghan James
meghan@vailchristian.com
Assistant To The Pastor: Sherri Van Fleet
sherri@vailchristian.com
Accounting: Jennifer Bertrand
jennifer@vailchristian.com
8000 S. Kolb Rd., Ste. 190
Tucson, Arizona 85756 (map)
Voice - 520.722.1220
Fax - 520.722.1253
Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sundays: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Empire High School
10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Tucson, Arizona 85747 (map)
Middle School: Meets Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. at:
· 9216 E. La Palma Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
Dave Allardice, Susan Rodriguez, Nathan Porterfield and Kaitlyn Dusek
· 10143 Canyon Meadow Dr.
- Rita Ranch - Map
Gene and Cecilia Wright,
Nason & Rachel Simpson
and
Sunday mornings during the 9:30 service. For more information, contact julie@vailchristian.com
High School: Meets Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. at:
· 10535 E. Heartleaf Willow Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
Mike and Sherri Van Fleet
· 9519 E. Ashford Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
Matt Johnson and Mikelle Cronk
· 9039 E Autumn Sage – Rita Ranch - Map
Erica McLaughlin and Mat Miller
and Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. service. For more information
contact julie@vailchristian.com.
Our children's programs meet during our regular
service times at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. We offer programs
for nursery, preschool, and elementary school aged
children. For questions, contact julie@vailchristian.com.