As we embrace the final month of the year, December brings with it a season of hope, joy, and reflection. This month, we come together to celebrate the gift of Christ’s birth and the promise of new beginnings. We invite you to join us in worship, community gatherings, and special events that embody the spirit of love and giving.
DECEMBER SCHEDULE
December 1 – The first Sunday of the month is our Communion Service. Pre-packaged communion cups will be distributed during the service. If you are watching online, please have the elements prepared beforehand.
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 24 – On December 1 we begin a new series, Christmas at Village Green. The series is an invitation to experience the Advent Season through a community that seeks to explore life through the way of Jesus. Since this is a season that celebrates his arrival, what better way to experience it than being at church where we reflect on the story of Jesus, sing Christmas carols, and celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus brings.
Each Sunday we will take time to reflect on the passage for that Sunday as well as light the advent candle.
December 15 – Youth Presentation.
December 22 – Kids Connection Presentation.
December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service beginning at 6:30 pm.
December 29 – This is our annual volunteer appreciation Sunday so there is NO service on this day.
Christmas is a wonderful time to introduce someone you love to the ministry of Village Green. You can invite them to check out the livestream or join us for one of the Christmas presentations from our Youth and Kids Connection. Or, why not consider coming as a family to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, which is one of the highlights of the year. Either way, we will do our best to make them feel welcomed and to bless them for joining us.
If you are interested in checking out the promotional video for the Christmas series you can find it below.
SAVE THE DATE – CHRISTMAS POTLUCK
Coming Friday, December 13, starting at 6:00 pm, we have our annual Chriistmas Potluck Supper. A time of good food, good friends, and great community!
What to bring: Families with three or more people are asked to bring two good-sized main course dishes; two or less just one item. Desserts will be provided.
There will also be a box available for non-perishable food items to contribute to the London Food Bank.
We will have a sign-up sheet available for the next two Sundays for how many are coming and a sign-up sheet for volunteers to completely set up a table of 8.
OPEN HANDS AND OPEN HEARTS
The Christmas season is a time when many are thinking of ways to bless others and express a heart of generosity. Gifts that come from open hands and open hearts showcase the true spirit of the holidays, one that reminds us of God’s ultimate gift of Jesus Christ.
If you have been blessed by the ministry of Village Green, please remember the church as you plan your giving this holiday season. Your gifts allow us to continue to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to our community, city, and beyond.
We are so grateful for the many who partner with us to make Village Green a blessing, and a church that celebrates life, through the way of Jesus!
THEOLOGY JAM
Matthew and I have been busy producing new content and scheduling some incredible interviews that we know will bless you. Here is a snapshot of what is coming.
- Matthew and I do a post-election review on the United States and its political landscape. Emotions run high in this one.
- We interview Mike Toth, the executive director of Grace Cafe and Annex in St. Thomas. He gives some meaningful insights on the problems of homelessness and addictions and how the Cafe and Annex are making a difference in St. Thomas.
- We sit down with the staff at Village Green and get some surprising insights on what its like working behind the scenes at a church.
- Fay Johnson, from BCM will join us to talk about their ministry to children in our schools.
- We will conclude this year’s podcast schedule with an interview with Derek Ross, from Christian Legal Fellowship. Derek is a well-know lawyer and advocate and this interview is guaranteed to not only be informative, but inspiring.
We are already scheduling into 2025 and we are excited with the topics and guests that are coming. You can catch us on any of your favourite podcast channels, and if you want to leave a comment or suggest a topic, you can reach us at theologyjam@gmail.com.
LOOKING FORWARD…
January 2025
Starting January 12 we begin a new series entitled, The Book: Distant Voices, Timeless Truths. This 10-week series is a survey of the entire Bible, highlighting its various segments and the continuity of its message over the centuries. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the Bible as a whole and its relevence for your life, this series is for you. It also signals the start of our next session of Life Groups.
Women’s Bible Study
Starts Wednesday, January 15th. Take Courage is a 7 week study on the book of Haggai, taught by Jennifer Rothchild. The books with video access are $35 through Amazon.ca. Please contact Paulette Schiestel, Kathy Nafziger or the church at office@villagegreenchurch.com for more details.
Prayer with the Elders
On Sunday, January 26, from 4-6 pm, the Elders will be available for those that need prayer. This is a time to come and have the Elders pray for your need(s). This is a time of confidentiality and encouragement and we look forward to serving you in this way.
Those are just a brief snapshot of what you can expect in the New Year. But getting back to the present, I want to thank you for a wonderful year of ministry together.
From our house to yours, may this Christmas fill you with the wonder of hope, peace, joy, and love found in the person of Christ. The warmest of wishes and blessings to each of you this Christmas and into the New Year.
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Jon Korkidakis
leadpastor@villagegreenchurch.com.
To contact the church. office@villagegreenchurch.com
For the website, go to www.villagegreenchurch.com
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12 NLT)