PAGE 1 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 The Newsletter of Vi llage Green Baptist Church Life on the Green Volume 8, Issue 3 March 1, 2016 From the time that I have arrived at Village Green Baptist Church, I have been preaching from the book of 1 John. Now, John is writing to a specific audience with a specific purpose. He writes a lot about love, but keeps his application focused on Christians loving other Christians. This is important, and necessary. However, we may need to be reminded that God calls us to love more than just our brothers and sisters that we meet at church. Luke 10 offers a great reminder of the witness we are called to be. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What is written in the Law? [Jesus] replied. How do you read it? He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ; and, Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus tells the man that he has answered correctly, and then goes on to describe who our neighbor is. He teaches through a story that our neighbor is anyone who may need compassionate love, the kind of love that 1 John 4 teaches us that God demonstrated to us first. In another place in the Gospel books (Matthew 22), Jesus tells us that loving God with all that we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves are the two greatest commandments. Not only that, but Jesus goes on to say that those two commandments summarize all the writing of the Old Testament. It is imperative that we remember, even as we focus on loving our Christian brothers and sisters, as we study 1 John together that we not neglect the call to share love with those outside the family of God as well. You never know when the love you show to someone who doesn t follow Christ will be the very thing that sets them on a new, life-long path, of following our Lord. There are many needs in this world, and you have just the right means to meet some of them. You can give your money to organizations that provide food and shelter to the homeless. You can donate your time, or your food, to a local pantry. You could help engage the refugees that meet at Village Green in English. You have valuable skills and resources that will speak love to others. Love your brother, and love your neighbor. ~Jeremy Straus
PAGE 2 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 In Prayer this Month PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES Staff Christy Watkins, Worship Ministry Director Leadership Don Conrad, Facilities Team VGBC People Jim & Nancy Erickson; Pete & Christine, Tyler, Jacob, and Allison Foster; Bill & Carol Goeman; Dave & Terry Goff; Jim & Ann Gootee; Dave Green; Jim & Lurann Harmon; Steven Harmon; Bernice Harsch; Veronica, Amada, and Bahgat Hassan; Timothy & Tiffany, Logan, Natalie, and Ethan Hauser; Ginger Hayslette; Mike & Rachel, Aaron, and Kaylie Hewitt; Ron & Rickie Hexom; Mark & Lori Hilliard Outreach Gary & Lois Sprague Center for Single Parent Families gary@spfm.org Sr. Pastor/Admin. Assist. Office Hours Pastor Jeremy Straus Office Hours Monday: 8:30am 4:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30am 12:30pm Thursday: By Appointment Only Friday: Out of the Office Administrative Assistant Office Hours Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 8:30am 12:30pm Tuesday/Thursday: 8:00am 12:00pm Outside those hours, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you on the next business day. Freed to Share Life in Christ Update Gifts and Pledges to Date: $405,243 Amount Received to Date: $265,786 Children s Gifts: $302.76 Updated February 25, 2016 Annual Business Meeting March 6 The next business meeting will be Sunday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the night will include Annual Reports from Village Green s many ministry teams. Please mark your calendars and we will see you there! New Member Class A new membership class is scheduled to start on Sunday, March 20, 2016. This is a 4-week class that will meet during the Sunday School hour at 9:00am, except on Easter Sunday, March 27. It s a great way to connect with Village Green and to have your questions answered. Contact the c h u r c h o f f i c e a t 630-469-4400 if you d like to e n r o l l, o r f o r m o r e information. Help with Meals Are you available to help prepare and/or deliver meals for those in the congregation in need - those with a new baby, serious illness, or other significant life event? We know many are willing but may not be able to prepare and deliver an entire meal. We have flexible options for everyone! You can prepare a whole meal and deliver it, just deliver a meal, prepare part of a meal, or purchase a meal for a family in need. Please call or email the church office to let us know your availability! Meals update! Deanna Riehecky is now in charge of the Meal Ministry. If you have any questions, or if you know someone in need of a meal, please reach out to Deanna at a2j4ever@gmail.com or (630)204-8187 ~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 3 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 4 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 Upcoming Events A Different Kind of Prayer Time for Women Women, you are invited to a prayer meeting that's different from prayer meetings of the past. We're learning new ways to focus our thoughts and allow God to speak into our hearts and direct our prayers. There's no pressure to pray out loud because this is a time of personal reflection and prayer for the things God puts on your heart. Please consider joining us! Our next meeting is March 10 at 7:00 in the library. Men s Breakfast The next Men s Breakfast will be on Saturday, March 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 630-469-4400, or sign up online! Lunch Break The next Lunch Break is scheduled for Thursday, March 17 at 12:00 p.m. in the Great Room. Don Conrad will be talking about his most recent trip to Peru. He will talk about the ministry he helped with in Peru and there will be plenty of pictures! Make sure to join us and see how God is using Don and his gifts. Please sign up online or call the church office at 630-469-4400 if you are coming. Ladies Book Club The Ladies Book Club will be meeting on Saturday, April 23 at 9:30am in Jean Rosio s office. The book up for discussion is State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Packs a textbook s worth of ethical conundrums into a smart and tidily delivered story.... Ms. Patchett presents an alluring interplay between civilization and wilderness, between aid and exploitation. - Wall Street Journal Everyone is invited! Please bring your reading friends! Greeters Do you enjoy meeting people? Are you good at a friendly Hello? We re looking for more of you to join our team of Greeters on Sunday morning. It s fun! It s easy just stand by the door and...say Hello and welcome! Contact Carolyn Larsen (carolynlarsen@yahoo.com) or the church office if you d like to join our team! Prayer Room Here s a reminder that the Prayer Room is available as a quiet place for meditation and prayer at any time the church is open. Immediately after the service on Sundays, deacons or members of the Care Team are available in the Prayer Room to pray with those who desire prayer. During the Sunday service, deacons or members of the Care Team pray for the service and for prayer needs left in the prayer boxes located in the sanctuary and the Great Room. Never forget, there are many at Village Green willing and able to pray for you and with you. ~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 5 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 Awana Clubs is in Full Swing! What an adventure we ve been on these past months. As many of you know, we recently started our AWANA program. After much prayer and planning, the KidsQuest team felt this is where God was leading. We couldn t be more blessed and excited to have begun this journey. It s been a blessing to see volunteers, young and old, connect with our kids. We ve had new kids come to our program, too! Kids who didn t attend VGBC and some whose families now do! Your kids are learning the Word of God and keeping it in their hearts. It s a true blessing to see the team of teachers and volunteers come together each Wednesday night. A big THANKS to each one of them and to the parents, grandparents and friends who faithfully keep bringing these kids! ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 6 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 Easter Flowers Help decorate the sanctuary for Easter! E a s t e r L i l i e s a n d springtime plants are available for purchase. You will be able to take the Lily or plant home after the Easter services. Please call the church office if you are interested in purchasing a plant. Send your payment to the Village Green and note Easter Flowers. All flower orders are due by March 13! Your Information If you have moved and changed your address, or changed your email address, or changed your phone number please remember to let the office know so that our records are up-to-date. Please e-mail your information to: villagegreenoffice@comcast.net Not sure if we have your correct information? Just give us your info and we ll double check. 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. Nursery Needs The Nursery 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 email the church office if you are interested in helping these little ones grow in the Love of Jesus! Curtesy of Tommi Graves via Facebook ~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 7 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 Join with men from Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Enjoy a weekend of great fellowship, excellent and challenging teaching, and numerous activities! The cost is $107 per person. If you have any questions or for more details, please reach out to Mike Tracy or Rick Warner, or see the brochure at the Information Center. Get your lists together! The Rent-a-Puppeteer program will be starting up again in early April to help the Power Company puppeteers go on tour to New York! ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 8 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 March 2016 Calendar Tuesday, March 1 7:00p KidsQuest Wednesday, March 2 Revive Sunday, March 6 9:00a Sunday School for All Ages 10:00a Fellowship 10:30a Worship 6:00p Business Meeting Monday, Marc 7 7:00p POWER Co. Tuesday, March 8 7:00p Administrative Group Meeting Governing Team Meeting Deacon Group Meeting Wednesday, March 9 Revive Sunday, March 13 9:00a Sunday School for All Ages 10:00a Fellowship 10:30a Worship 6:00p Outreach Team Monday, March 14 7:00p POWER Co. Wednesday, March 16 Revive: Feed My Starving Children Thursday, March 17 12:00p Lunch Break Saturday, March 19 8:30a Men s Breakfast Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday 9:00a Sunday School for All Ages Membership Class 10:00a Fellowship 10:30a Worship Monday, March 21 7:00p POWER Co. Tuesday, March 22 7:00p Finance Team Wednesday, March 23 Revive Friday, March 25 Good Friday-Office is Closed 7:00p Good Friday Service Sunday, March 27 Easter Sunday 9:00a Sunday School for All Ages 10:00a Fellowship 10:30a Worship Monday, March 28 7:00p POWER Co. Wednesday, March 30 Revive: Feed My Starving Children For a complete list of events at Village Green, or to check for changes to this calendar visit our website at www.villagegreenbaptist.org ~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~