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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.
Volume 8, Issue 3
March 1, 2016
The News let ter o f V i l lage Green Bapt i s t Church
Life on the Green
PAGE 1 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
~Jeremy Straus
~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 2 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
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!
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 — [email protected]
In Prayer this Month
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
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 a2 j4ever@gmai l . com or
(630)204-8187
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.
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 3 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
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.
Upcoming Events —
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!
~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 4 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
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.
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.
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 wel-
come!” Contact Carolyn Larsen
([email protected]) or
the church office if you’d like to
join our team!
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 5 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
Awana Clubs i s in Ful l 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!
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:
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.
~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 6 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
Curtesy of Tommi Graves via Facebook
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!
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!
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.
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 7 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
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!
March 2016 Calendar
Tuesday, March 1
7:00p KidsQuest
Wednesday, March 2
9:00a Refugee Ministry
6:30p Awana Clubs
Life Group
Revive
7:45p Worship Team
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
9:00a Refugee Ministry
6:30p Awana Clubs
Life Group
Revive
7:45p Worship Team
For a complete list of events at Village Green, or to
check for changes to this calendar visit our website
at www.villagegreenbaptist.org
PAGE 8 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 3
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
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
9:00a Refugee Ministry
6:30p Awana Clubs
Life Group
Revive: Feed My
Starving Children
7:45p Worship Team
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
9:00a Refugee Ministry
6:30p Awana Clubs
Life Group
Revive
7:45p Worship Team
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
9:00a Refugee Ministry
6:30p Awana Clubs
Life Group
Revive: Feed My
Starving Children
7:45p Worship Team