It happened in the fall of 1957 when I was a 17-year-old freshmen at Moody Bible

Institute. Back in those early days each student had two weekly Christian work

assignments. My assignments were at Cook County Hospital and Pacific Garden Mission.

At the first meeting at the Mission the leader asked for a volunteer to preach in two

weeks. I volunteered. It should be easy for me, after all, I had gone to church all my life.

My father was in the navy and our family moved every two years to a new town. So I had

worshipped in many different religious

traditions (Presbyterian, Baptist, Evangelical Free,

and non-denominational). All of these pastors

based their sermons on a biblical text. So I started

reading looking for an appropriate text and came

across a passage that stated “open thy mouth and

I will fill it.” Then I recalled that occasionally

pastors had said “God gave me today’s message.”

Ah! I said as a literalist, here was the solution to

my upcoming sermon. I need not think about it or prepare any thoughts, I just had to open

my mouth and God would speak. No need for plan B, in fact any efforts in that direction

only reflected a lack of faith.

The eventful day came and I was honestly excited to hear what God would say. Well, you

can guess the rest. I stood up confidently and opened my mouth and no words came out.

The leader suggested we sing a song and the homeless in the audience went to their

evening meal earlier than usual. No doubt one of them mumbled “short is always better

than a long sermon.”

OK, you can stop smiling now. Maybe you have had a parallel experience. I am thankful for

such moments because sometimes its in our embarrassments we

learn our best lessons. Now I realize how important daily Bible

reading is as God speaks through His written Word. I also

research and over prepare for each talk. But preparation takes

place in synergy with God’s help. My new motto is found in

Proverbs 21:31 “Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust

God to bring victory.”

Volume 8, Issue 1

The Shortest Sermon in Church History

January 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 1

~David Maas

~Village Green Baptist Church~

PAGE 2 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 1

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!

PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES

Staff —Cindy Rojas, Children’s Ministry Director

Leadership— Jean Rosio, Care Team

VGBC People — Tim & Tricia, Mark and Amy

Winter; Leann Womacks; Patricia Zimmermann;

David & Lorie Armstrong; Julie, Allyssa, and

Amber Babecki; Kim & Joseph and Cora Babich;

Bart & Diane Bathje; Sirnollia Beasley and Justin

and Todd Wilson; Ethel Berg; John & Christine,

Emily, James, Joey, Jessica, Josh, and Arianna

Browning; Ron Canniff; Keith Carlo

Outreach — Dr. Dennis & Nancy Palmer —

Cameroon, W. Africa Palmerdd47@gmail.com

In Prayer this Month

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.

New Office Hours Starting January 26 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: $258,701

Children’s Gifts: $271.60

Updated December 31, 2015

Men’s Breakfast The next Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday,

January 16 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!

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 email

the church office if you are interested in helping

these little ones grow in the Love of Jesus!

~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~

PAGE 3 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 1

Revive Senior High Winter Retreat The Revive Senior High students are invited to the

4-State Youth Retreat on February 26-28, 2016 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 www.villagecreek.net. You can save

$10.00 if you register by February 5, 2016!

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, 2016.

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 are available in the foyer at the

church. Please take your assigned envelope

box, or take a blank box and put you name on

the envelope the first time you use it.

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~

PAGE 4 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 1

Christmas Sharing Update

Christmas Sharing was a huge success. Participation from Village Green Baptist Church was at an

all-time high. We had great help in the buying of gifts, games, crafts, kitchen, and helping with the

wrapping. Many people who could not attend sent cookies and treats. It was great to see so many

people involved. Thanks to all!

We also had great cooperation from some retail stores—particularly Kohl’s. Once they heard what we

were doing they wanted to help in the form of additional discounts, etc. We ended up spending about

$65 per child but estimate we were able to get about $150 at retail value for our money by taking

advantage of sales and discounts offered.

We provided gifts for 45 children, many of whom would not have had gifts on Christmas morning. As I

helped one lady carry her gifts out to the car she stopped me and thanked our church for its generosity.

She said, “This is much more than I ever expected.”

I am sure other helpers heard comments like this as well.

It was great to see our people interacting with the families we were able to help. I am sure everyone who

participated got a taste of the Christmas Spirit.

Thanks again for supporting this program!

Jerry Watkins

PAGE 5 LIFE ON THE GREEN VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 1

~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~

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, 2016. He expects to be in the office during the week preceding January 17, 2016. 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

Highlights from

One Night, One Star, One Child

January 2016 Calendar

*** The Church Office will be closed

on January 1, 2016.

Sunday, January 3

10:00a Fellowship

10:30a Worship

Monday, January 4

7:00p POWER Co.

Tuesday, January 5

7:00p KidsQuest

Wednesday, January 6

9:00a Refugee Ministry

6:30p Awana Clubs

Life Group

Revive

7:45p Worship Team

Sunday, January 10

9:00a Sunday School for

All Ages

10:00a Fellowship

10:30a Worship

Monday, January 11

7:00p POWER Co.

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 8 , ISSUE 1

~Actively Sharing Life in Christ~

Tuesday, January 12

7:00p Administrative

Group Meeting

Governing Team

Meeting

Deacon Group

Meeting

Wednesday, January 13

9:00a Refugee Ministry

6:30p Awana Clubs

Life Group

Revive

7:45p Worship Team

Saturday, January 16

8:30a Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, January 17

9:00a Sunday School for

All Ages

10:00a Fellowship

10:30a Worship

Monday, January 18

7:00p POWER Co.

Wednesday, January 20

9:00a Refugee Ministry

6:30p Awana Clubs

Life Group

Revive: Feed My

Starving Children

7:45p Worship Team

Thursday, January 21

12:00p Lunch Break

Sunday, January 24

9:00a Sunday School for

All Ages

10:00a Fellowship

10:30a Worship

Monday, January 25

7:00p POWER Co.

Wednesday, January 27

9:00a Refugee Ministry

6:30p Awana Clubs

Life Group

Revive

7:45p Worship Team

Sunday, January 31

9:00a Sunday School for

All Ages

10:00a Fellowship

10:30a Worship