diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7a7db15..08af5d3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -170,10 +170,9 @@ Verify, and update if needed, that the docker tag in the script and GitHub actio
 Follow these steps to publish a new GitHub release, and build and push the gem to <https://rubygems.org>.
 
 1. Bump the "VERSION" in `lib/vmpooler/version.rb` appropriately based on changes in `CHANGELOG.md` since the last release.
-2. Run `./update-gemfile-lock` to update `Gemfile.lock`.
-3. Run `./update-changelog` to update `CHANGELOG.md`.
-4. Commit and push changes to a new branch, then open a pull request against `main` and be sure to add the "maintenance" label.
-5. After the pull request is approved and merged, then navigate to Actions --> Release Gem --> run workflow --> Branch: main --> Run workflow.
+2. Run `./release-prep` to update `Gemfile.lock` and `CHANGELOG.md`.
+3. Commit and push changes to a new branch, then open a pull request against `main` and be sure to add the "maintenance" label.
+4. After the pull request is approved and merged, then navigate to Actions --> Release Gem --> run workflow --> Branch: main --> Run workflow.
 
 ## License
 
diff --git a/release-prep b/release-prep
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..63a3d6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-prep
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# The container tag should closely match what is used in `docker/Dockerfile` in vmpooler-deployment
+#
+# Update Gemfile.lock
+docker run -it --rm \
+  -v $(pwd):/app \
+  jruby:9.4.1.0-jdk11 \
+  /bin/bash -c 'apt-get update -qq && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends git make netbase && cd /app && gem install bundler && bundle install --jobs 3; echo "LOCK_FILE_UPDATE_EXIT_CODE=$?"'
+
+# Update Changelog
+docker run -it --rm -e CHANGELOG_GITHUB_TOKEN -v $(pwd):/usr/local/src/your-app \
+  githubchangeloggenerator/github-changelog-generator:1.16.2 \
+  github_changelog_generator --future-release $(grep VERSION lib/vmpooler/version.rb |rev |cut -d "'" -f2 |rev)
+
diff --git a/update-changelog b/update-changelog
deleted file mode 100755
index b14db59..0000000
--- a/update-changelog
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
-
-docker run -it --rm -e CHANGELOG_GITHUB_TOKEN -v $(pwd):/usr/local/src/your-app \
-  githubchangeloggenerator/github-changelog-generator:1.16.2 \
-  github_changelog_generator --future-release $(grep VERSION lib/vmpooler/version.rb |rev |cut -d "'" -f2 |rev)