We arrived in China just days after the giant
earthquake hit Sichuan Province measuring 8.0 on
the Richter scale with the original quake being felt up
to one thousand miles from its epicenter. This
country, and its people, were shaken to the very core
of their being asking: Why did this happened? What
does this mean for me personally? What is the
meaning of life if everything that I thought was
important could be taken from me in such an abrupt
manner? People lost their only child, their homes,
their livelihoods, any trace of the history of their
villages, and sometimes their entire extended
families.
Earthquakes aren’t the only things that shake our world…
Although Ann and her husband raised their children in the church and pray for them daily, one of
their daughters ran away from home, dancing in a club in a nearby town. Little did they know that
this club was a front for prostitution
Peg fears for her life every night when her husband comes home from work… she is ashamed to
admit to anyone that her husband beats and abuses her; especially when everyone at church thinks
they have such a nice family.
Mary knows that she is next on the list of people to have to lose her job at the place where she works
and she is petrified for what that will mean for her family. If she loses her home, where will they live?
The Christians that we met in China faced the earthquake filled with courage to use this opportunity to
share Jesus with everyone they met, yet, fear also moved many to wonder if God had turned from them.
We sat in a group of 400 university students as a young pastor encouraged them with Isaiah 54:10
(TNIV) … “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will
not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
This compassion isn’t extended only to people who experience horrendous
things in other parts of the world. No, this compassion is for all of us! It’s for
the things that we face daily. This compassion is for those who live around us
whose lives have been shaken to their very core. This compassion is for
those who live under the rubble caused by the things that came down around
them in their own personal earthquakes.
Volume 7, Issue 6
June 1, 2015
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 7 , ISSUE 6
~Linda J. Weber
~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 2 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 6
PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES
Staff — David Pirrie, Ministry Director
Leadership — Caitlin Luszczek, the Finance Team
VGBC People — Dave Green; Jim & Lurann
Harmon; Bernice Harsch; Veronica, Amada, &
Bahgat Hassan; Ginger Hyslette; Mike, Rachel,
Aaron, & Kaylie Hewitt, Ron & Rickie Hexom; Rick
& Mary Hockett; Gail Hradek;
Outreach — Jeff & Heather Pott —
Helps International Ministries [email protected]
In Prayer this Month VGBC News & Events—
HoneyRock Fishing Trip The annual fishing trip to HoneyRock in
Wisconsin is scheduled for June 12-15. If you
have any other questions or you would like more
information, please ask David Maas
or see the informative flyer at the
Information Center.
Spring Business Meeting The Spring Business Meeting is scheduled for
June 7, 2015 at
6:00 p.m. Please
plan to attend to
learn what is going on
at Village Green.
Please Welcome... Village Green is excited to announce Mike Weber
as our Interim Pastor! The Governing Council
wants to thank everyone who provided feedback.
Pastor Mike will be serving 25 hours per
week during these months of transition as our
Search Team looks for our next long-term Pastor.
Part of Mike's time will be for sermon preparation
and the Sunday services, but that will still leave a
significant portion for working with leadership and
teams, providing staff support, and covering
critical congregational needs. Please join us in
welcoming Pastor Mike and his wife Nancy!
"I am honored and thrilled to serve God and
Village Green as your Interim Pastor. Nancy and I
look forward to getting to know each of you and
your families. Feel free to contact me about
anything. I pray that this season of transition will
be a season of transformation for us all!"
— Pastor Mike
Pastor Mike’s Office Hours:
Monday & Tuesday — 9:00am- Noon
Wednesday & Thursday — 1:30-5:00pm
Reminder This is just a reminder that starting on
June 7, Sunday School for all ages and
Life Groups will be suspended for the
summer months. Don’t worry! They will
resume in September for the new
school year!
Revive Student Ministries Revive Student Ministries will continue to meet on
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. during the
summer months. Please keep
your eyes open for many
upcoming summer outings,
including pool parties and a trip
to the Dunes!
“Back to the Savior” Power Co. will be giving a special
performance on June 8 at
7:00p.m. in the Gym before they
leave for Texas on June 12. Please
invite your family, friends and neighbors to see
the musical, “Back to the Savior”!
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
PAGE 3 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 6
Hurry! The Program End’s June 5!
~Village Green Baptist Church~
PAGE 4 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 6
Social Committee The Social Committee has been reorganized, and all
the ladies in the church have been assigned to one
of four groups. Each group is under the leadership
of a Group leader. The Social Committee functions
to help provide hospitality at large church events,
funerals, receptions and holiday
events. If the assistance of the
Social Committee is needed for
an event, a Group leader will call
each person in her group. If you
are called, please assist
whenever possible. Group
a s s i g n m e n t s a n d m o r e
information can be found in the church narthex by
the bulletin boards.
VG’s Connection Corner
Connection Receptions coming this fall Starting this fall the Deacons will be hosting monthly
Connection Receptions. The Connection Receptions
will focus on welcoming newcomers to Village Green,
providing information about becoming involved at
Village Green and providing opportunities to get to
know one another better. The first reception will
take place in August.
Deacon Resources We want to remind all that the Deacon
Group is available to assist Village
Green families and individuals when
needed with prayer support, meals,
financial assistance and other helps.
Please contact the church office or
Lynn Conrad (Deacon Chair) if you or someone you
know has a need.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out the
survey; your participation is greatly
appreciated. The Search team will begin the
process of processing this information to form
a job description that will reflect what is
deemed to be the correct attributes for Village
Green. We are also in the process of writing
interview questions, and researching the best
web sites to post the position for potential
candidates. Please continue to pray for God to
direct Village Green to the person He has
already chosen for us.
Outreach Team Update Can something we consider small and
insignificant make an impact for the Kingdom
of God? A smile, a word of encouragement, or
an act of kindness can these be used by Him?
What about a shoe box filled with a toy, some
candy, and basic toiletries? We participated in
Operation Christmas Child in 2014. We were
part of the 10.4 million boxes that we given to
children who have nothing. Samaritan’s Purse
also gives the children material that introduces
them to the Gospel. They also give an
opportunity for them to be part of a 12 lesson
Bible study by trained teachers with material in
their native language. As a result of 2014’s
effort, 2.8 million children have signed up for
this study.
The Outreach team is looking for a new team
member or two. If you have an
interest, please see Jim Lewis. Please
continue to pray that God will use Village Green
to reach outside our
walls to impact our
community, and the
world for His Kingdom.
Upcoming Events —
PAGE 5 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 6
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
For Your Information There will be no Revive Student Ministries on
June 3. This is the Wednesday following the
Friday Night event on May 29, The Main Event.
There will be a Revive Pool Party at the Loth’s
house on June 28 at 5:00pm. Please see David
Pirrie for more information.
Graduating Students! On June 7 during the Worship Service, Village
Green will be honoring its graduating students.
College Graduates
Amanda Bowling, College of DuPage
Zach Johnson, Missouri University of Science &
Technology
High School Graduates
Joe Browning
Katlin Davis
Ariana Diaz
Maria Meecham
Samantha Oakley
Nathan Peletis
Leah Reeves
Zuriel Tronco
Alex Enright
Middle School Graduates
Jessica Browning
Josh Browning
Olivia Bachar
Sadie Diaz
Bahgat Hassan
Mandy Moberg
Please keep these students in your prayers as
they continue on in their lives, and that they may
always honor the Lord.
Freed to Share Life in Christ Update
Gifts and Pledges to Date: $405,243
Amount Received to Date: $195,019
Children’s Gifts: $186.79
Updated May 27, 2015
Volunteers Needed We are still looking for teachers and volunteers for
Children's Church and Wednesday nights. If you
feel God has gifted you in this
area and are ready to serve
p l e a s e c o n t a c t C i n d y
Rojas 331-481-1020 or
Kid’s Quest Corner Don't forget our game night on Wednesday,
June 10 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Come and play
games with us as we enjoy the beginning of
summer fun.
Our next special kid sized event will be
Sports Camp in July! The camp runs July 27—30,
from 9:30—11:30am. Please sign up online at
villagegreenbaptist.org.
Upcoming Events
July 1 — No Revive Student Ministries
July 12 — Special Speaker during the Worship
Service from Chosen People Ministry
July 19 — Revive Pool Party at the Loth’s
July 27-30 — Kid’s Sports Camp
July 30 — Church Luncheon
August 9 — Revive Pool Party at the Loth’s
August 23 — Revive Pool Party at the Loth’s
June 2015 Calendar
Monday, June 1
7:00p POWER Co.
Wednesday, June 3
7:45p Worship Team
Sunday, June 7
10:00a Fellowship
10:30a Worship
6:30p Business Meeting
Monday, June 8
7:00p POWER Co. Performs
“Back to the Savior”
Tuesday, June 9
7:00p Administrative
Group Meeting
Governing Team
Meeting
Deacon Group
Meeting
Wednesday, June 10
6:30p Kid’s Game Night
Revive
7:45p Worship Team
Friday, June 12
POWER Co. Leaves on Tour
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 6 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 6
~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~
Sunday, June 14
10:00a Fellowship
10:30a Worship
Monday, June 15
7:00p Stephen Ministry
Wednesday, June 17
6:30p Revive
7:45p Worship Team
Sunday, June 21
POWER Co. Returns from Tour
10:00a Fellowship
10:30a Worship
Tuesday, June 23
7:00p Finance Team
Wednesday, June 24
6:30p Revive
7:45p Worship Team
Sunday, June 28
10:00a Fellowship
10:30a Worship
5:00p Revive Pool Party