The Vista

News and Events for Vista Ridge United Methodist Church

March 7, 2025

Join Us for Lent Worship on Sunday: The Hardest Part

Life is full of hard parts—the moments of loss, doubt, waiting, and suffering that we’d rather skip over. But what if those are the very places where God meets us?

This Lent, we won’t rush to the empty tomb. We won’t settle for easy answers. Instead, we will walk the long road through wilderness, lament, and costly love. We will sit in the tension between despair and hope, empire and kingdom, what is and what will be.

Because the empire wants us to believe that nothing will ever change. That suffering is final. That the broken stay broken. But Lent tells a different story.

The wilderness will not last forever.

The grief will not have the final word.

The hardest part is not the end of the story.

Resurrection is coming.

Come and journey with us through The Hardest Part. It won’t be easy, but it just might change everything.

Sunday, March 9 | The Terrible and Beautiful Wilderness

The wilderness is both a place of trial and transformation. As Jesus faces temptation, we see how struggle can shape us rather than break us. Lent invites us to be honest about life’s hardships while holding onto the beauty God is creating in the midst of them.

Worship Service | 10 a.m. | Sanctuary

Worship Livestream | 10 a.m. | Church Website or Facebook

Communion Chapel on Sunday | Join us for Communion Chapel at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

Online Worship | Please comment or say hello in the livestream chat so we know you are watching. This is also how we record your worship attendance—there’s no need to complete a separate form anymore.

Rev. Ashley Anne’s Ash Wednesday Sermon

If you missed our Ash Wednesday service, Rev. Ashley Anne shares her written sermon per several requests since the service was not recorded.

Surprise the World BELLS Action Sheet

Use this sheet to plan and track your progress in putting the BELLS method into action!

Serve Sunday: Worship, Fellowship, and Service on March 30

Join us for our churchwide Serve Sunday on Sunday, March 30, as we come together for a day of worship, fellowship, and serving our community. The day will begin with worship at 10 a.m., followed by a time of lunch and fellowship. Afterward, we’ll serve our community partner, the Love Thy Neighbor Clothing Assistance Program. We’ll wrap up by 2 p.m.

Please indicate on the registration form which of three areas you would like to serve. One form can be completed for each family. There is an option to work at the Love Thy Neighbor store (near Main Street and Old Orchard Lane in Lewisville) and two options at the church. One is a seated serving opportunity.

Boxed lunches also are available to purchase for $11 each. Children’s lunches are free. Payment for lunch can be made by credit card after submitting the electronic form, or by check/cash through the church office or offering plate. Please indicate Serve Sunday with your payment.

Schedule:

Worship: 10-11 a.m.

Lunch: 11-11:45 a.m.

Serve: Noon-2 p.m.

We look forward to serving together and making a positive impact in our community!

Register for Serve Sunday

Register for Serve Sunday by Sunday, March 23, to ensure a boxed lunch order.

New Church T-Shirts on Sale for a Limited Time

We’re excited to offer a new church T-shirt to wear proudly on Serve Sundays and during other church events! The shirt is available in all sizes, from kids to adult 4X, and can be worn at our upcoming Serve Sunday on March 30.

T-shirts will be on sale for a limited time so be sure to place an order by Sunday, March 16. Cost is $9 each, with larger sizes a few extra dollars.

To make it easy, simply complete the electronic order form and purchase a shirt with credit card payment. Cash and check payments can be made at the church by completing a paper order form in the Welcome Center.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to show your church spirit as we serve our community together!

T-Shirt Order Form for Credit/Debit Payments

To pay by check or cash, please submit a paper order form available at the church. The deadline for orders is Sunday, March 16.

Step into the Story of Migrant Workers Program Set for March 23

Join us on Sunday, March 23, for a thoughtful and engaging gathering where we’ll explore the lives of migrant workers through storytelling, visual reflection, and meaningful conversation.

Using images and imagination, we’ll step into their world, gaining a deeper understanding of their experiences. This time together will offer space for reflection, hope, and action—whether through quiet moments of prayer, personal contemplation, or practical ways to support and amplify their voices. All are welcome, no matter your background or beliefs.

Led by Cathy Weiskopf, a Mexican food lunch will be provided starting at noon. The program will run until 1:30 p.m. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 16, so the order can be placed for lunch.

RSVP for Migrant Workers Program

RSVP by Sunday, March 16.

Easter Basket Items Collection for Denton County Friends of the Family

Easter Basket Items Being Collected for Denton County Friends of the Family

In partnership with our Classic Women’s group, a variety of items are being collected churchwide to create Easter baskets for the women and children staying at the Denton County Friends of the Family (DCFOF) emergency shelter.

To make donating easy, an Amazon shopping list has been created with needed items. Simply click the link, purchase the items you’d like to donate, and they will be delivered directly to the church. Please ensure your donations are received by March 31.

Our Classic Women have already purchased several toiletry and children’s items that also will be added to the baskets. The baskets will be assembled and delivered to DCFOF to bring joy and comfort to the women and children staying at the shelter.

The donation link can be shared with friends and family who may want to support this community project. The details also will be posted on our church’s Facebook page. Thank you for your generosity as we come together to support our community partner this Easter!

Amazon Shopping List for Easter Basket Items

Use this Amazon shopping link to purchase items to fill Easter baskets for the women and children living at the Denton County Friends of the Family emergency shelter. Items need to be purchased in time for delivery by March 31.

Adult Small Group Lenten Studies Begin March 9

This Lent, ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love through participation in a six-week adult Lenten study beginning Sunday, March 9. Two classes of The Final Days: A Lenten Journey through the Gospels, written by UMC pastor and author Matt Rawle, will be offered at 9 a.m. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Rooms 108-109 | Vista Forum | led by James Kunke

Rooms 121-122 | Into the Word | led by Pam Gowens

About the Lenten Study | The four New Testament Gospels aren’t the same story, but they offer the same resurrection hope. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John devote most of their story detailing Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, all highlighting Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city, the suffering and humiliation of the cross, and the empty tomb come Sunday morning, but the stories they tell aren’t quite the same.

Each Gospel offers a different lens through which we understand Jesus’ Passion. One portrait reveals Jesus to be in control, while another emphasizes his suffering. In one story Jesus offers hope to the thief on the cross, and in another Jesus only receives derision. These different perspectives aren't a reason to dismiss the Gospels; rather they reveal an abundant, diverse, and complementary picture of God's work in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Canned Meat Needs for the CCA Food Pantry

Children’s Choir Rehearsals on Sunday Mornings

Children of all ages are invited to participate in Children’s Choir rehearsals on Sunday mornings through April 6. Rehearsals will begin after the Children’s Church lesson in Room 104 and will end at 11:30 a.m. in the Rehearsal Room. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn and practice a special song to be performed during the Palm Sunday worship service. Afterward, a fun outing is planned for the afternoon of Palm Sunday to celebrate the choir’s performance!

Serve Our Children on Sunday Mornings

Sign up to serve our Children’s Ministry on a Sunday morning. You must be Ministry Safe trained. To become Ministry Safe, email Bill Burden at bill@vrumc.org.

Serve at the CCA Food Pantry

Our church serves at the CCA Food Pantry on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Sign up to participate as a bagger or checker. For those who prefer a seated serving opportunity, there is now a volunteer opportunity to be a check-in attendant.

Calendar of Events - March

A calendar of events for March. A printed copy can be found in the attendance binders in the sanctuary.

Schedule a Meeting with Rev. Ashley Anne

Use this link to schedule a coffee chat, call, or online meeting with Rev. Ashley Anne.