PAGE 1 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12. Life on the Green. Volume 7, Issue 12 December 1, 2015

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1 PAGE 1 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 The Newsletter of Vi llage Green Baptist Church Life on the Green Volume 7, Issue 12 December 1, 2015 December is here, and the sounds and smells of Christmas are in the air. The stores are all decorated, there are sales everywhere, Christmas carols can be heard on the radio, and the children are excited about what is coming at the end of the year. Whether we notice or not, we plan it or not, we are creating traditions that our children will remember. As I was growing up I remember how important is was in my family to give to others. My dad was a big giver and I think some of that rubbed off on me. I remember packing our small VW bug and driving to my grandma s house where he would always buy way too much food and gifts for his younger brothers and sisters. I am very thankful for those memories now! As a parent, with two girls of my own, I want to make sure they are brought up in a home where Christmas is remembered in a special way. I want to make sure Christmas is more than getting gifts, or focused on them. I want them to experience and to know that giving is really better than receiving. That was my experience growing up, watching my dad blessing others, and seeing the joy that comes from giving. I pray this Christmas season you get the opportunity to exercise your generosity. May your children see and learn what the apostle Paul wrote to the elders in Ephesus reminding them the words of Jesus It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) God himself gave us the perfect example to follow, giving us His very own Son. ~Cindy Rojas

2 PAGE 2 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 In Prayer this Month PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES Staff David Pirrie, Ministry Director Leadership Lynn Conrad, Deacon Group VGBC People Dorothy Stolt; Tom & Therea Stolt; Rich & Betty Stucky; Rick Stucky; Tyler Topel; Jaime & Esther, Sophia and Alister Torne; Doug & Vicki Totel; Mike & Lois Tracy; Carlos & Lidia and Zuriel Tronco; Gerardo & Alma, Santiago, and Christian Tronco; Helyn Urbanick; Rick & Mary and Peter Warner; Jerry & Christy Watkins; Chuck & Linda Weber; Blaine & Nancy Welman. Outreach Todd & Sue Kelly Leadership Resources tkelly@leadershipresources.org Refugee Ministry The Refugee Program is always looking for help! On Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. refugees that live in the area meet at Village Green to learn basic life skills. Volunteers are always welcome to help! Please contact Jean Rosio if this is something that God is calling you to do. No experience is needed! Office Hours Administrative Assistant Office Hours Monday - Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm. Outside those hours, please leave a voic and we will get back to you on the next business day. Please Take Note of the Holiday Office Hours: December 24 & 25, 2015: Office is Closed January 1, 2016: Office is Closed Business Meeting The next Business Meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda includes the 2016 Budget, slate of offices, and a resolution to create a funding source for Property Maintenance/Improvement projects that are not considered emergencies. Please plan to attend. Membership Class We will be offering a Membership Class on Sunday, December 13. This is a 4-week class. We will meet during the Sunday School hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Membership classes are a great way to find out what we believe and to become more involved at Village Green. Please contact the church office at if you d like to enroll, or if you would like more information. Reminder The Deacons are ready, willing and able to provide practical help and prayer support for those in need. Please contact any of the deacons, or Amanda in the Church Office, if you or someone you know would benefit from prayer support, meals, financial assistance or other encouragement. Freed to Share Life in Christ Update Gifts and Pledges to Date: $405,243 Amount Received to Date: $249,655 Children s Gifts: $ Updated December 4, 2015 ~Village Green Baptist Church~

3 PAGE 3 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 Christmas Sharing 2015 Village Green is partnering again this year with the Glen Ellyn School district to provide gifts to local families who are in need. The families will receive the gifts at a festive Christmas party at the church on Saturday, December 12 from 1:00-3:00pm! But we need your help! To make this party a great success, we need help is the following areas: With Games and Crafts for the kinds! Wrapping presents with the parents! With baking cookies and treats! Please contact the church office ( ) if you are able to participate in the Christmas Sharing program to make Christmas special for these families! With Special Guest Speaker Skye Jethani ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~

4 PAGE 4 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 VG s Connection Corner Outreach Team Update As we rapidly approach the Christmas season life seems to get so hectic and out of balance. On December 12 we have an opportunity to share the Love of Christ with some who are in need of a present for their children. Please take some time to pray for these individuals that the Love of Jesus will reach them and that God may chose to use this tool of Village Green's C h r i s t m a s S h a r i n g " program. If you have some time to help that day please let Jerry Watkins know. If you would like to be part of the Outreach team at Village Green, we are looking for some new members, please let Jim Lewis know. Giving Statements and Envelopes It s that time of the year again! The 2015 giving statements will be sent out in the mail by January 31, Please keep an eye out for them. The statements are available on the CCB website, as well. Just find your profile and click on the financial tab. We encourage you check the website before the statements are mailed so you can double check them for inaccuracies. If you have any questions or you have found a mistake on your 2015 giving statement, please contact the church office or Landon Kavlie. Giving Envelopes 2016 envelopes will be available in the foyer at the church near the end of December. Please take your assigned envelope box, or take a blank box and put you name and the number on the sign up. ~Village Green Baptist Church~ Men s Breakfast The next Men s Breakfast will be on Saturday, December 19 at 8:30am. The men will continue working through a video series called Onward by Dr. Russell Moore. Please call the church office if you would like to attend at , or sign up online! Nursery Needs Do you enjoy playing with babies and watching them grow? Then the Nursey needs you! The Nursery needs helpers to watch the babies during the Sunday School hour (9-10am) and during the worship service (10am- 12pm). Please call or the church office if you are interested in helping these little ones grow in the Love of Jesus!

5 PAGE 5 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 It is with great joy and anticipation that we inform you that Pastor Jeremy Straus has accepted our call to be Village Green s Senior Pastor! Pastor Jeremy expects his first Sunday with us to be January 17, He expects to be in the office during the week preceding January 17, Prepare to welcome him that week and on Sunday! Please continue to pray for Pastor Jeremy and his family during their transition. Village Green Baptist Church Search Team A Up date Fro m If a picture is worth a thousand words, then these three pictures represent 3000 words praising God for the outreach efforts in Revive Student Ministries! For the months of October thru December, the Students have gone to Feed My Starving Children, assembled and sent out care packages for the college students, and made Christmas cookies for the Glen Ellyn Fire and Police Departments. As we look to the new year, pray that the students will continue to grow in understanding of the need to spread the love of Christ into the world! Baking Cookies for the Glen Ellyn Fire & Police Dept. Sending Care Packages to the College Students Filling bags at Feed My Starving Children ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~

6 PAGE 6 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 Upcoming Events Revive Senior High Winter Retreat The Revive Senior High students are invited to the 4-State Youth Retreat on February 26-28, 2015 at Village Creek Bible Camp. This is a great weekend filled with challenging messages, fun activities, and great food to add to the experience of building lasting relationships with others and God! Registration forms can be found at the information center. More information can be found at You can save $10.00 if you register by February 5, 2015! Revive Student Ministry Schedule Wednesday December 9 th Revive Christmas Party (there will be a white elephant gift exchange as well as an ugly sweater contest) Wednesday December 16 th Christmas cookie decorating for Glen Ellyn Fire and Police departments. Wednesday December 23 rd No Revive youth group meeting...enjoy your break!! Prayer Room The Prayer Room is available as a quiet place for prayer at any time the church is open. On Sundays, deacons or members of the Care Team will pray with those who desire prayer. ~Village Green Baptist Church~

7 PAGE 7 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 December 2015 Calendar Tuesday, December 1 7:00p KidsQuest Meeting Wednesday, December 2 9:00a Refugee Ministry 6:30p Awana Clubs Life Group Revive Saturday, December 5 9:00a Women s Sunday School Christmas Brunch 9:30a Children s Christmas Program Practice Sunday, December 6 6:00p Business Meeting Monday, December 7 7:00p POWER Co. Tuesday, December 8 7:00p Administrative Group Meeting Governing Team Meeting Deacon Group Meeting Wednesday, December 9 9:00a Refugee Ministry 6:30p Awana Clubs Life Group Revive Saturday, December 12 9:30a Children s Christmas Program Practice 1:00p Christmas Sharing Sunday, December 13 7:00p Christmas Program Monday, December 14 7:00p POWER Co. Tuesday, December 15 7:00p Finance Meeting Wednesday, December 16 9:00a Refugee Ministry 6:30p Awana Clubs Life Group Revive: Feed My Starving Children Saturday, December 19 8:30a Men s Breakfast Sunday, December 20 Wednesday, December 23 Thursday, December 24 Office is closed 7:00p Christmas Eve Candle Light Service Friday, December 25 Merry Christmas! Office is closed Sunday, December 27 Wednesday, December 30 *** The Church Office will be closed on January 1, For a complete list of events at Village Green, or to check for changes to this calendar visit our website at ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~