Welcome to the October issue of the Village Green Newsletter. The Fall season is in full swing and we have a host of updates for you.
Communion Sunday
A reminder that this Sunday (October 3rd) is our Communion service. For those attending in person, we have pre-packaged wafers and cups that you can pick up as you enter the auditorium.
For those watching through our live stream, we are asking that you prepare the elements beforehand if you like to participate from home.
Believe 101
Our series on the fundamentals of the Christian faith is in full swing along with our current session of Life Groups. This is a perfect series to share with someone that you may be talking with about what it means to be a Christian.
Also, the Life Group material is available from a number of sources. You can download it from the website the Friday prior to the Sunday at www.villagegreenchurch.com/messages. It is also attached to the Saturday email blast and in the YouVersion Bible app.
Kids Connection
Our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings restarted on September 19th and it’s been exciting to see families returning to the building.
We are looking for more volunteers to be part of this vital ministry. If you are able to give any time to this ministry then take a moment to contact the church at office@vllagegreenchurch.com.
Celebration Sunday – October 31st!
Due to COVID, we have not been able to celebrate significant spiritual milestones such as baptisms, parental dedications, or memberships. We are making time available on the last Sunday of October.
If you are looking to be baptized, have a child dedicated, or receive membership status please contact the office at office@villagegreenchurch.com.
Directory Updates
We are updating our church-wide directory so if you have had a change of address, are new to the church, or want to make sure your information is up to date please contact the church at office@villagegreenchurch.com.
Theology Jam
Matthew Burkholder and Jon Korkidakis have started a new podcast called Theology Jam (Just like musicians who jam together they jam on theological topics – also stands for Jon and Matthew). You can catch it on your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify or iTunes, or simply go to our website and find it on our resources page. You can also grab the page here.
A new podcast will be released every 2 weeks and some of the topics we will be discussing are, Staying faithful during a pandemic, Christian deconversions, How to respond to other faith groups, and the new sexuality just to name a few. If there is a topic you want us to tackle just email us at theologyjam@gmail.com.
Let’s Be Different!
As I close out this month’s newsletter I just want to remind you of something that I have been reminding myself of lately. As the church, we are called to emulate Christ.
We live in fractured times, more so than we have seen in recent memory, and it doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. Let’s be different. Let’s be compassionate, not callous. Let’s be hearing others, not shutting them out. Let’s not only be the hands and feet of Jesus but the heart of Jesus too.
Part of being an authentic community is embracing everyone in the Name of Jesus, not by their political, social, environmental, economic, or cultural views.
The apostle Paul lived in strident times and his words in Romans 12:9-10 still hold weight today. Take time to meditate on these verses and challenge yourself to be different. It will be the best decision you make this week!
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
One Last Thing!
I also want to thank those of you who were praying for me as I finished the manuscript for my latest book, Touching God: Discovering Prayer that Moves the Heart of God. The manuscript is complete and in the hands of the publisher. Please pray that it will be ready before Christmas.
Thanks again to those of you who continue to support the ministries of Village Green through your selfless acts of service and giving. We are so blessed to partner with you.
Blessings for the month ahead.
Jon Korkidakis