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 him@helpsinti.com

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

cindy.rojas00@gmail.com

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