They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Join us for a very special Men’s Breakfast

Saturday May 7  |   8 AM in the Carlson Center.

• This is a great opportunity to invite a friend.
• Sign-up on the bulletin board in the church lobby.

See Tim Quinn or Scott Dussia with questions.

GAME NIGHT FUN

6:30 PM @ rbc

Family fun for all ages. There will be karaoke and games. Everyone is welcome!

• Bring your favorite game.
• A snack to share.
  
• Your family, friends, and neighbors.
  

Questions, see Betsy Sanderson.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13  |  12:15 PM @ RBC

Our 11th & 12th grade students are planning a lasagna luncheon for their Spring trip.

• This is SUCH a great way to help the kids raise money to offset the costs of the trip; and you get lunch!
• GF & Keto Options available.
• Please plan on joining us and bring your appetites!

Summer Reading Challenge

The Media Center is excited to announce a summer reading challenge. 

• The challenge will be adults & high school vs kids (0-8th grade)
  
• There will be monthly drawings for adults & kids (every time you check out at the library, enter your name to win)
• Items MUST be checked out from the church Media Center to count
• Tally your completed books, DVDs or cds on the Media Center doors
• The winning team will get to "PIE THE PASTOR" (Pastor Jake for the kids, Pastor Justin for the adults)

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OCTOBER 1 OR 8

Tim Quinn, Director of Worship & Small Groups has put together a pizza lunch for ALL CURRENT & ANYONE INTERESTED in being a part of the worship team ministry. Your family is also invited! If you sing, play an instrument, or are willing to be trained to run audio & video equipment, this meeting is for you. Tim will go over information & a plan for moving forward. He is excited about working with all of you & is appreciative of your talents & selfless service to the Lord.

If you are coming, or can provide a salad or dessert, please sign-up on the bulletin board in the church lobby or email Tim.

Guest Speaker - Dr. Michael Whittmer

Dr. Whittmer will be speaking in the 11:00 am worship service.

Dr. Wittmer teaches various courses, including Graduate Research Methods, Christian Worldview, Medieval Theology and Systematic Theology at Cornerstone University.

JULY 11 - 15

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

For all kids grades K - 5th

Click HERE to preregister your children or to volunteer to help.

Please note: For insurance purposes ALL volunteers must fill out a Children's Worker Screening Form.

Click HERE to listen to this year's VBS songs.

RBC is looking to fill our Music Coordinator position. This is a paid, part-time position of approximately 10 hours per week.

• Questions, or to send a resume contact Pastor Justin Rowland
  justin@rockfordbaptist.org

Trunk-or-Treat Community Event

Come out & enjoy TRUNK-OR-TREAT, an event to serve our community & provide a safe evening of Halloween fun for kids & families! 

• Bring your children & invite your friends
  

Our front drive will be full of delightfully decorated cars with lots of goodies in their trunks. Kids & parents are invited to make their way around our TRUNK-or-TREAT ZONE for free candy, hot chocolate, & popcorn.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7

9:30 AM & 11:00 AM

Join us as we welcome Dave & Diane Ford, RBC supported missionaries serving in Thailand with ABWE/GAP as CLAY Center Directors. Dave will be sharing both in the 9:30 AM Sunday School hour and 11:00 AM service with a message from God's Word along with giving us an update their ministry.

• On Missionary Christmas is our custom to take a yearly Christmas offering for all of our supported missionaries during morning worship. These monies are divided and distributed in time for Christmas. 
  

Pastor Justin Rowland

This incredible journey through Mark, emphasizes the actions of Jesus, His works, in providing an incredible example of His life for us.  We want to see our Savior, we want to walk with Him, we want to become a disciple so that we might learn His ways.

JULY 12 - 16 | 9 - NOON

FREE to all kids who have completed pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

• There is NO COST to attend.

• Registrations are currently CLOSED as we have hit our limit of 100 kids. 
• If you would like to be put on a waiting list, please contact  AMY GINAC VBS Director.

Rocky Railway VBS will give kids opportunity to discover through life’s ups and downs that Jesus’ power pulls us through.

• Kids will participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, engage in fun snack-eating experiences, take part in one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them to trust Jesus, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with the Rock Wrap-Up that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned.

• Questions contact...

  Amy Ginac, Director

  231-384-0236

  ginac5@att.net

VBS Parent Information

NO prayer/Bible study group. Wednesday suppers. RBC Kids, or friendship club.

Stay home and stay safe.

10:00 AM

• In case of rain or severe weather we will meet inside.

It was exciting to bring back outdoor worship this past month. However, NEXT Sunday (7/18) we will be back indoors with Sunday school from 9:30 - 10:30 AM, coffee fellowship time 10:30 - 11 AM, and our morning service will return to 11:00 AM with livestreaming of the service available. 

• You can still give your tithe and offerings. Click DONATE for online or mail in instructions.
• If you have questions or concerns please contact the church office.

• If you visit us for the 1st time, please click HERE to fill out our guest survey.

Pat Adams

patwadams@yahoo.com

Pat, and wife Kathy, began attending RBC in 1975. Pat has served on the RBC Elder and Deacon boards, before joining the the staff in 2001. Pat takes joy in keeping the church building tidy and jokingly refers to himself as the "Minister of Cleanliness".

Pastor Justin Rowland

Though March 15

• As we conclude this series in the book of Jonah we have seen that this book was much more than just a colorful story about a man being swallowed by a big fish; it was a tale of God’s redemption in a lost world. Through Jonah’s bizarre journey, we have seen the incredible mission of God and how it has encouraged us to follow Him wherever he sends us today! 

Don’t’ forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night (March 7). Your smart phones, computers and other digital devices should change automatically, but your microwave and other clocks won't. And while you will get one hour less of sleep on Saturday night, you won’t be late for church on Sunday and you will also enjoy an extra hour of daylight in the evenings!

DON'T FORGET - THIS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15

Take this opportunity to invite your friends/family/neighbors for worship;and stay for the picnic. 

11 AM - WORSHIP

12 PM - FREE PICNIC on the front lawn of the church.

December 19  |  9:30 - 10:30 AM @ RBC

Invite your family and friends to this delightfully sweet Christmas musical teaches that God alone can satisfy His children.

• NOTE: This will take the place of regular Sunday school and ABF classes.

Don’t’ forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. Your smart phones, computers and other digital devices should change automatically, but your microwave and other clocks won't. And while you will get one hour less of sleep on Saturday night, you won’t be late for church on Sunday and you will also enjoy an extra hour of daylight in the evenings!

JANUARY 30

Due to the severe winter storm warning & state of emergency for Michigan, we will be cancelling Wednesday night family activities for January 30. That includes prayer group, RBCKids, RBCYouth, Friendship Club, & College age group.

• If you do need to be outside or on the roads please take extreme caution. Dress warm & be safe.
  

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

The Family Center will be open from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

You can come for ALL or just PART of the day. Bring a snack or a dish to pass at lunch.

We will be sewing, knitting & doing crafts, but ladies can also bring gifts to wrap, cards to write, or just stop by for food and fellowship.

Middle & High school girls also welcome.

Hope to see you there!

SUNDAY - November 18 @ 6:00 PM

You are invited to come share a blessing and a piece of pie.

It is a special time to give thanks for the Lord’s blessings. 

• A monetary & food offering will be received for NK Connect.

We will kick-off our AWANA year on September 6 with a Family Fun Fair @ RBC

• Held the lower parking lot area
  
• 6 - 6:30 PM FREE hot dogs and snacks
  
• 6:30 - 7:30 PM Lots of fun and carnival games for the kids.
  
• Parents: help us by registering your kids early. Our regular AWANA program will begin September 13 (6:30 - 8:00 pm)
  
• REGISTER
  

Praise-in-the-Park

Our Outreach Committee will host a family night during Praise-in-the-Park in downtown Rockford along with music from the RBC worship team. 

• Festivities start at 5:45 pm & music at 6 pm, 
  
• Free popcorn, sno-cones, & more.
  

NOTE: Praise-in-the-Park is a family event held every Sunday (June - August) from 6 - 7:15 pm, at the Garden Club Park stage area; located in the City of Rockford on the east side of the Rogue River along side the White Pine Trail between Bridge & Courtland streets. 

The community is invited to come enjoy an evening of Christian praise music provided by music teams from area churches and Christian bands. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and just relax.

June 17 - 23

We will be traveling to Memphis, TN to serve with local churches and organizations through Lifeway Missions.

• The mission’s trip is open to students who are currently in 8th grade through 12th grade, have placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and have shown commitment to RBCY through either Sunday or Wednesday involvement. 
• All balances are due by June 4.

SUNDAY - JUNE 4

• During the 11:00 am Worship Service
  
• This is a time we acknowledge your accomplishments as well as a time of commitment to the Lord as you head for work & college.
  

Vacation Bible School “Maker Fun Factory” 

All kids entering kindergarten through 5th grade

• Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they’re lovingly crafted by God. 
  

To register your children or to sign-up to volunteer go to myvbs.org/rockfordbaptistchurch/

VBS Work Day

12:00 pm

Help is needed to set up and decorate for VBS. Lunch will be provided for everyone who helps.

VBS Counselors are asked to stay for the training session.

• Questions, see Jessi Rowland or Amy Ginac.
  

RBC Membership Seminar

4 Sundays in June

9:30 - 10:30 am

For anyone considering church membership, baptism, or just have questions regarding RBC, please join us .

Week 1

• Share our stories, 'How I came to RBC'
  
• Introduce the Body of Christ
  
• Review RBC Church Covenant, and Statement of Faith
  

Week 2

• Answer questions from week 1
  
• Bible as our final authority
  
• Review baptism, communion (ordinances)
  
• Discussion of Spiritual Gifts, and introduce spiritual gift workshop
  

Week 3

• Spiritual Gift workshop
  
• Spiritual Gift assessment
  
• How you Spiritual Gifts can be used to help the ministry of RBC

Week 4

• Review RBC government, ministries and committee's
  
• RBC budget and finances
  
• Answer questions from previous materials
  
• Turn in completed membership forms and meet with Elders to answer questions
  

In an effort to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment, we will be working over the coming months to renovate the JAR. Main projects will include updated seating for our teaching area, updated technology, and a new lounge area for students to hang out. 

• UPDATE: We had a great first week of our fundraiser to renovate the youth room. We are looking to raise a total of $5,000 in the month of May, but we have a match for these first two weeks, meaning everything you give is doubled! Which makes our goal $2,500! Our first week of fundraising brought in $740. Let’s max out that match this Sunday and make our youth room a little friendlier place for our students.
  

Alpha Family Center in Cedar Springs has asked our church to support them by participating in the Baby Bottle Blessings. Families are asked to take home an empty baby bottle. As you pray for the center, place your spare change, dollar bills, or checks in the baby bottle. On Father’s Day we will collect the baby bottles and return them to the pregnancy center. This is a great opportunity for us to teach our children about sharing God’s love while making a difference in the community as Alpha Family Center assists women who face a crisis pregnancy.

• Bottles will be available at the Welcome Center in the lobby, starting May 14.
  
• Questions, contact Dale Heminger, RBC Visitation Pastor.
  

GUEST SPEAKER - Dr. Royce Evans

11:00 am

• Dr. Evans currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries, the Executive Director of the Ministry Residency (Pastoral Field Education) for traditional Master of Divinity students. He also facilitates the Urban Cohort Program for GRTS.
  
• Dr. Evans & his wife Marilyn have 4 children.
  

AWANA AWARDS NIGHT

Starting @ 6:30 pm

• Be sure to invite your family & friends to share in your accomplishments throughout the year.
  
• Club may be ending for the season, but it will return on September 6 with the AWANA Fun Fair. Watch for 2017-18 registration information.

11:00 am

Pastor Jake Lang, RBC Student Ministries Pastor, will be bringing the message.

SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY

January 15, 2017, celebrates Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SoHLS). It is celebrated every year on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which legalized abortion in every state for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy.

• On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. (January 22, 1973, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.) Churches around the United States use the day to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage
  

Ring in the New Year @ RBC

11:00 am

• To give families the opportunity to spend New Year’s morning together there is NO 9:30 am Sunday school/ABF classes or nursery provided.
  

Held at Pine Ridge Bible Camp in the Verlee Dining Hall and Retreat Center

8415 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs MI

• Registration begins at 5:00pm; Silent auction tables begin closing at 6:00pm; Live auction and camp update to follow
• All adults welcome to come.
• Chili cook-off between Ed Brown and Kevin Grifhorst. Come prepared to vote for the best chili by filling their respective jars with dollars.

If interested in making a financial donation or items to bid on, (ideas include: baked goods, a new purchased or handmade item, a themed basket, etc.) please contact Michelle Grifhorst at michelle@pineridgecamp.com.

• Pine Ridge Bible Camp is an RBC supported mission.

Missionary Christmas

During the 11:00 am worship service

Kelly Ellis, a RBC supported missionary, serves with Sabaoth Ministries will be sharing her Base Camp ministry in the inner-city of Grand Rapids.

It is our custom to take a yearly Christmas offering for our supported missionaries. 

• NOTE: in order to have the money divided & distributed in time for Christmas, this is the last date to receive missionary Christmas offerings for 2016
  

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September 9

12:00 PM

We will start canvassing the Rockford neighborhood promoting Back to Church Sunday. There will be flyers to pass out as you knock on the neighborhood doors. Canvassing should only last a couple hours. Bring the whole family.

• Questions, contact Holly Przybylski.
  

National

Back to Church Sunday & Picnic

September is when school starts and when most people think about going back to church or trying a church. Take this opportunity to invite your friends, family & neighbors to church & then stay to the picnic.

• 12:00 pm - picnic on the front lawn of the church
  
• Hotdogs, hamburgers, table service, cold beverage, & ice cream. the RBC family will provide the salads & side dishes (visitors just come as our guests)