Welcome to the December 2021 issue of the Village Green newsletter. This month marks the countdown towards Christmas Day and all that the season brings with it. Enjoy our December update for all that is happening at Village Green for this month and beyond.
Communion
Sunday, December 5th is our Communion Sunday. 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.
Christmas at Village Green
Our Advent series for 2021 is My Christmas Wish. Each week we look at the main Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love. We also have special elements planned for each service that will help us focus on the coming of Jesus as a baby in a manger. We had the Heritage One80 team lead us last Sunday as we opened up the Advent series with a message on hope. Oh, and one last thing, you don’t want to miss those who will be lighting the advent candles each week. Brent and Jennifer Paul (and Brent in his yearly red sweater) led us beautifully to kick off the series and remind us once again of the message we celebrate every Christmas season.
Christmas Eve Registration
Registration for our Christmas Eve service begins on Monday, December 6th. You can call the office at 519-473-5505 starting at 9:00 am or email at office@villagegreenchurch.com. Registrations are for in-person attendance only. Everyone must register for this service, even if you have been regularly attending our Sunday morning services. Seating will be on a first come basis until the auditorium capacity has been reached. From there, we will be opening up other rooms such as the overflow for those who still want to attend in person. The Christmas Eve service starts at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, December 26th – Boxing Day
Traditionally we do not have a service on the last Sunday of the year which happens to be Boxing Day. Therefore, mark your calendars as a reminder that there is no service with the next one coming in the New Year on January 2nd. We are planning to have something pre-recorded for Boxing Day so stay tuned for that announcement later in the month.
Coming in January 2022
Crossroads Series begins January 9th, 2022
Standing at a crossroads is the place that demands a decision. Do I go left, or do I stay right? When it comes to matters of faith and belief, there are questions that will force us to stand at a crossroad. Do I let it destroy any belief in God or do I learn from it and grow a deeper faith? Join us for this six-part series starting January 9th.
Life Groups
Life groups are not just a way of growing deeper in your faith but also a place where you can connect deeper with others in community.
The next session of Life Groups will start the same week as the Crossroads sermon series. If you are interested in leading, hosting, or being part of a group please contact the church at office@villagegreenchurch.com
Youth
January 9th will also be the startup of a new youth Bible study for ages 6 -12. It will be held during the morning service and will run every 2 weeks. Also, the startup date for the weekday youth gatherings is Tuesday January 4th. Mark your calendars accordingly.
Theology Jam
Don’t forget to check out the podcast hosted by myself (Jon Korkidakis) and Matthew Burkholder where we discuss relevant topics affecting our spiritual lives and the church. Thank you to those of you who faithfully listen.
We have some interesting and dynamic topics in the works so look for those coming to your favourite app soon. You can contact us at theologyjam@gmail.com.
Budget Time
At a time when most are dreaming of Christmas the leadership of Village Green is beginning its budget deliberations. Will you take some time to pray for the leadership and the difficult task they have in producing a budget? With the onslaught of Covid our ability to counter financial shortfalls with rentals has been a challenge to say the least. Further, there are some major expenditures coming up (such as facility upgrades and maintenance) which poses additional stresses to a budget that is already bare bones. We are a church that wants to continue providing excellent ministry so that we can continue reaching people with the Gospel. May you remember us in prayer.
Merry Christmas!
Here are some of my favourite lyrics from various Christmas songs. Let’s see if you recognize what songs they come from. (Try and do this without humming the song out loud). Hint, these are all from very well-known Christmas carols. Answers are at the end of this newsletter…no peeking!
- Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming; With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
- For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
- What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song?
- But little Lord Jesus, No crying he makes
- Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.
- Come, Desire of Nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home
- Then let us all with one accord, Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
Did you get them all? Maybe you will recognize the words as we sing them together during one of our Advent services. As we close, we want to extend to you and your loved ones the best of this Christmas season. May the hope, peace, joy, and love, of Jesus Christ be yours this Christmas!
Thankful for you all. Merry Christmas
Jon Korkidakis
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14 NLT
(Answers: 1. O’ Holy Night; 2. O Little Town of Bethlehem; 3. Angels We Have Heard on High; 4. Away in a Manger; 5. O Come O Come Emmanuel; 6. Hark the Herald Angels Sing; 7. The First Noel)
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