2013_01 Village Blog
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Action News | June 2013

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Village has grown dramatically over the last several years. It has been amazing to see how God has been at work in our midst. At the same time, it is also easy to miss what God is doing in the lives of people we might not know very well. In each edition of Action News, we want to introduce you to some of the people in our church that you may not know and give you a chance to see how God is working in and through them.

Here you will meet several members of Village, at least one from each campus, and the ministry in which they are currently involved. The Scripture says that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14), and it exciting to see the Spirit leading and moving our people to serve!

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Scott Capp

Scott Capp
Ryan Aseltine

Ryan Aseltine
Andrea Gerhart 

Andrea Gerhart
Julie Griffith

Julie Griffith
Debbie Nieter

Debbie Nieter
Laura Wood

Laura Wood
Hannah Dorn

Hannah Dorn
Dave Mogle

Dave Mogle
Lisa O'Brien

Lisa O'Brien
Leighton and Jennie Helwig

Leighton and Jennie Helwig
Megan Kirkland

Megan Kirkland
Upcoming Action Teams

Upcoming Teams

A Letter from Pastor Scott

Hey Church Family!

Thanks for coming online to read some of these stories, and get to know some of the amazing things that God is doing right now!

There are so many ways to put our faith into “action”, and
we want you to be inspired
by others in the church family who are being led by and filled with the Spirit. You don’t have to sign up to travel overseas in order to be used mightily by God. In the last few years you’ve heard much about the ends of the earth, but we want just as much to “see our community through the eyes of Jesus”. The fields are ripe for harvest! Do we have eyes to see them?

There are so many ways for us to be involved.  Prayer is the staring point. Belief that God is calling and empowering is the key.  Courage to stand up and obey is where we will find community-changing impact!

If you ever have questions about how you can get involved spreading the Good News of Jesus to our community, please email me at 

 

Loving Our Neighbors to the Point of Action,

Scott Capp, Equipping Pastor | Romans 8:14

 

Find Your Place
Want to start serving or reaching out?

Our team is willing to help get you started and find a new adventure in serving God! Select your campus to begin.

I attend the Aurora Campus 

I attend the Indian Creek Campus

I attend the Sugar Grove Campus
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in Parenting, Family Ministries, ParentLink
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Equip Kids for Making Good Choices

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Articles

Decisions, decisions. Teenagers face lots of choices, ranging from what to wear to which career to pursue. Every day, young people also deal with social and moral decisions that can impact their faith and their future.

Making the right choices can mean the difference between life and death, so it’s important to help kids connect their choices to real-world consequences. Showing off in a car may impress friends, for example, but it can also put lives at risk. The developmental challenge is that the part of the brain that processes cause and effect isn’t fully developed in teenagers. Although kids sometimes have to learn things the hard way, we still need to show them grace and compassion, as well as loving support and guidance.

Parents may not be able to make decisions for teenagers, but we can equip them with the right tools so they can make wise choices of their own. The solid foundation for decision-making is God’s Word. Jesus urges his followers to spend time in prayer and to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Making good decisions can be hard, and the pressure can leave kids stressed out. But God offers an alternative: peace. He wants to give us extraordinary peace in the midst of making easy or hard decisions. All we need to do is seek him and his wisdom.

Tips

Guy Talk, Girl Talk 2 (Simply Youth Ministry) offers tips for dependable decision-making:

    • The focus must first be on who, not what. Instead of asking “What am I supposed to do?” ask, “Who am I supposed to be?” Who you are is defined by whose you are. If you’re first concerned with becoming a more devoted follower of Jesus, then decisions become clearer and wiser.
    • It is possible to live worry-free about your future. The stress of big decisions trickles all the way down to junior high these days. But Jesus commands us not to sweat it (Matthew 6:34). Is he really in control of your life?
    • You have a destiny in this life and the next. Jesus offers us abundant “full” life on earth (John 10:10) as well as indescribable beauty and eternal adventure in heaven. Our decisions today affect our ability to enter the destiny God offers.
    • Who you are determines where you end up. Decide where you’ll be tomorrow by deciding who you’ll be today. Who you are is seen in the fruit you bear (Galatians 5:19-26).
    • Who you listen to can make or break you. Build your future on solid rock by listening to Jesus and to wise people he puts in your life.

When a choice looms, ask: Does it honor God? Does it help me grow? Does it help others grow? Does it cause me or anyone else to stumble? Do my Christian friends and family support my decision? If not, why not?

The View

    • A majority of teenagers say they’d make more responsible decisions than their peers from 20 years ago did. (girlscouts.org)
    • More than 9 out of 10 teenagers admit to making poor decisions while driving. (cnn.com)
    • 46% of teenagers say parents most influence their decisions about sex, while 20% of teenagers say friends most influence those decisions. (thenationalcampaign.org)
    • 71% of teenagers say they feel prepared to make ethical decisions when they enter the workplace. (gactaern.org)

Questions to Ask

    • How do you approach tough decisions? What role does your faith play?
    • If you could go back in time and make different choices, what would some of them be, and why?
    • What are the most important decision-making lessons you’d like your teenagers to know?

The Role of Emotions

Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers | By Jerry Varner

Teenagers are very emotional beings who face a lot of forks in the road. Those emotions often get the best of kids and their decision making, whether those decisions are social, mental, academic, sexual, or even spiritual.

We receive our emotions from an emotional God who created us in his image. Emotions can be powerful, effective gauges that help us navigate spiritually. When we submit them to God, emotions can help reveal our passions, our fears, and even our direction.

It’s important to keep in mind that all teenagers (male and female) are hardwired with emotions given to them by God. One of our roles as parents is to help them sort out what’s from God and what’s sheer emotion. Involving our emotions in the decision-making process is so very natural, but allowing emotions to drive decisions is where we get into trouble.

Here’s how you can help teenagers separate emotionalism from God’s clear directive:

Remind kids that their choices have to be lived out in the open. After all, how hard can it be to take a stand when no one sees it?

Speak clearly with kids about what God’s Word says. You can use sensitivity in your communication without adding fluffiness that dilutes God’s Word.

Offer teenagers questions to consider and clearly defined steps to take in the days and weeks after they make a decision. This allows the “dust to settle” on the emotions that undoubtedly played an important role in their initial choice.


Let’s face it: Teenagers are prone to allow emotions to rule the day. But we don’t want to be making disciples who follow Jesus and live for him only when it “feels” right.

Bible Focus | Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Media Reviews

MAINSTREAM MUSIC

Snoop Lion

Background

Snoop Dogg changed his name to Snoop Lion after visiting Jamaica, where he became Rastafarian. His new reggae album features big-name guests such as Drake, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, and Miley Cyrus. Rastafari’s mish-mash spirituality—along with the spiritual use of cannabis—makes it a tempting and dangerous “religion” for teenagers. Snoop Lion has been very successful as a hip-hop artist, with numerous multi-platinum albums. 

Albums

Reincarnated (2013), Ego Trippin’ (2008), Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss (2002)

What Snoop Lion Says

“It’s not that I would ever push weed on our kids, but if they wanted to, I would love to show them how, the right way, so that way they won’t get nothing put in their [stuff] or overdose or [try] some [stuff] that ain’t clean.”

Explore

His music is available on Spotify, last.fm, Pandora, and other music services.
CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Andy Mineo

Background

Mineo grew up in a single-parent home. With no male authority figures, he struggled with aggression and profanity. Mineo became a Christian at a junior high camp but didn’t have a church home. He grew to love music and bought equipment with birthday money. Since getting connected to many names in Christian hip-hop, Mineo has produced and worked with people such as Lecrae and Trip Lee.  

Albums

Heroes for Sale (2013), Formerly Known (2012)

What Mineo Says

“All throughout high school, it was really difficult to follow Jesus without having any community. I didn’t have any home church or men to disciple me. When I went to college…God put me around a bunch of people that loved God, and looked and talked like me.”

Explore

Mineo’s music is available on Spotify, last.fm, Pandora, and other music services. 
MOVIES

Iron Man 3

Genre: Action, Adventure  

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: Tony Stark has a new adversary who’s willing to take everything Stark holds dear. To overcome this threat, Stark must find out who he really is.

Our Take: Iron Man 3 is what you've come to expect from a standard superhero movie, then. It's chock-full of glossy graphics. It boasts frivolous (kiss kiss) sensuality and mounds of discomforting (bang bang) violence. It's somewhat ironic, I suppose: A movie that forces Tony Stark out of his suit is itself unwilling to take the same chance, cocooning itself in piles of popcorn when it could've showed us its soul.

Read the Full Review
VIDEO GAMES

Grid 2

This racing game promises to straddle the fine line between realistic-handling cars and accessibility. There are lots of cars, tracks, and options to keep your foot to the floor. There likely won’t be anything objectionable here. (Rating pending; Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Metro: Last Light

This follow-up to the hit first-person shooter is changing gears to focus more on exploration and stealth than on firefights. But it will still be gory and bloody and not suitable for teenagers. (Rating pending, but almost certainly M; Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

For more media reviews, visit http://www.pluggedin.com

Middle School (6th-8th) Events

Student Bible Communities
Sunday , May 26
Memorial Day Picnic
Monday , May 27
Middle School Game Night
Wednesday , May 29
Cause Community
Wednesday , June 5
Move Up Wednesday
Wednesday , June 5
Aurora Mission Trip
Monday , June 10
Lake Ann Summer Camp
Sunday , June 23

High School (9th-12th) Events

Student Bible Communities
Sunday , May 26
Memorial Day Picnic
Monday , May 27
High School Guys Night Out
Wednesday , May 29
High School Girls
Wednesday , May 29
Cause Community
Wednesday , June 5
Move Up Wednesday
Wednesday , June 5
Aurora Mission Trip
Monday , June 10
Lake Ann Summer Camp
Sunday , June 23
The Loft
Saturday , September 14

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Leaving a Legacy of Hope | Sponsoring a Child

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One evening I was talking with one of the Juna Amagara students who in in our equillivant of 9th grade.  His name is Isaac and he is an orphan.  Six years ago, Juna Amagara found a sponsor for Issac which allowed them to provide a home and education for him.  Isaac said that if it wasn’t for his sponsor and JAM, he would probably be a farm servant trying to earn enough money to survive.  He said he definitely wouldn’t be in school or having any hope of attending a university. He said he was so incredibly thankful for his sponsor who makes it possible for him to live at the JAM orphanage, to learn about God and to attend school.  He said his life has much hope because of that….

For less than $2 a day, you can literally save the life of an orphan child in Uganda. In a place where there is no working welfare system, where tens of thousands of children live in child-headed families, where they do hard, menial labor just to earn one meal a day, you can give a child hope. Look at these faces.  $50 with Juna Amagara covers the costs of providing an orphan a home, meals, health care and education.  (By comparison most child sponsorship programs do not provide housing or education, but rather focus on after-school and holiday Bible teaching programs along with health and nutrition services.)  If you can't afford $50, then consider sponsoring at their basic level of $35.

Above are the pictures of orphans who are awaiting sponsors. Maybe you will be the person God uses to provide them with a home and a quality education.  It sure is a great investment that bears many eternal returns.   If you have questions, please contact Pastor Keith (630-466-7198) for more information today. 

You can also view additional children and sign up online.

Sign Up

My Personal Experience Sponsoring a Child

Check It Out

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in Middle School (6th-8th), High School (9th-12th), ParentLink
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Be Stewards of God's Earth

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Dare 2 Share Testimonies

Dare 2 Share

Dare2Share was AMAZING!!! So impacting, awesome, fun, spiritually filling, and just like i said AMAZING!!!!!!! Sharing The Gospel at the bean was like one of the best parts! :)

-Hanna W.

You know I'm done letting this feeling just be a "spiritual high." I'm ready to not let this passion die.

-Rachel C.

Read More Testimonies

Articles

Environmentalism isn’t reserved for Earth Day anymore. Now we’re deluged year-round with information about saving the earth and combating climate change. Teenagers are taking charge with go-green efforts, raising awareness and leading many local initiatives to reduce their footprint.

God, who created our world and then sent Jesus to be its Savior, charged humans with caring for the planet. By conserving and preserving resources, we act as wise stewards of the land and blessings that God has given us.

The term “green Christianity” refers to the call to action that many believers are now undertaking—not as owners but as caretakers of the earth. There’s even a Green Bible, which aims to help readers “in the work of healing and sustaining…God’s vision for creation.”

No matter your political stance on hot topics such as global warming, it’s important to respect our earthly home and to model good environmental stewardship to teenagers. It’s also important to remind them of the proper reasons and motives for maintaining the earth. By conserving our resources and giving credit to the God who created them in the first place, young people will “shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15, NIV)—a universe lovingly and masterfully created by the God we worship. 

Tips

In Green Like God (FaithWords), Jonathan Merritt rejects “pop environmentalism” and debunks the following three myths:

    • “Environmentalism is for tree-hugging secularist liberals.” Caring for creation isn’t a “right-left issue,” Merritt says, but a “moral-immoral issue” that God’s people are called to address.
    • “The world is going to end anyway.” When Jesus returns, Merritt wants to be “caught in the act of loving people, worshipping Christ, and obeying all God’s commands, including the command to care for his creation.”
    • “Creation care distracts us from more important tasks.” Merritt says Christians can do evangelism and creation care simultaneously. A key part of Jesus’ Great Commission, he says, is to teach converts to obey all God’s commands—including being good stewards of the planet.

Because God wants to commune with us at all times, Merritt says, “he has made the whole world his sanctuary.” So when we care for creation, we can encounter God more easily. After all, our Creator even became part of creation when Jesus came to earth as a human being.

Merritt encourages Christians to reject consumerism, avoid “affluenza,” and embrace God’s “divine plan”: “valuing God above all else, loving others, and bestowing on creation the honor and respect that God has given it.”

The View

In a national poll conducted by the Nature Conservancy:

    • 73% of teenagers agreed that “previous generations have damaged our environment and left it to our generation to fix it.”
    • 66% of teens agreed with this statement: “Protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of slowing economic growth.”
    • 36% of teens expressed interest in “joining an organization made up of and controlled by teens that was taking action to fight climate change.”

Ponder This

    • Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Why or why not? Why do that movement and Christianity often seem to clash?
    • How would you rate yourself at being a steward of God’s creation? What areas do you and your family need to work on?
    • In what ways have your teenagers inspired you to go green or change your habits?

Hope for a Broken World

Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers | By Josh Griffin

When I prepared a sermon series about the environment, I was surprised to discover how much God talks about this topic. He has created an amazing playground we call earth, and all of creation is proclaiming God’s glory.

By looking at creation, we can know several things about God: He watches over and cares for us. He is a rock in times of difficulty, whether that’s temptation, failures, or disappointment. Finally, when God speaks, we can trust him.

Teenagers and their families have many opportunities to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. You can be less of a consumer, lower your gas consumption, change your light bulbs, and reuse, recycle, and repurpose. To gain a new perspective, you can also visit a country of “have nots.”

Ultimately, the reason we need to save the planet and go green is because it’s broken. When Adam and Eve sinned, God’s perfect earth became a lost paradise. The Garden of Eden was shattered by sin and disorder and chaos. The kicker is that it’s not just the planet that’s broken; it’s the people, too.

God the Creator sent a Savior, a rescuer for humanity. The “fix” is Jesus, who came to earth as God in the flesh. He frees us from sin, which we can’t do by ourselves. By giving us new life, Jesus makes each of us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). God realizes our world is broken but gives us a new creation inside of us.

Although this world and its desires will pass away (1 John 2:17), anyone who believes in Jesus, the rescuer of humanity, will live forever with him.

We should all do our part to care for the earth, recognizing the Creator who made it in the first place. But when you hear people talking about saving the planet, remember that God has already taken care of that. He loves you and promises you a new, perfect home in heaven.

Bible Focus | Psalm 24:1-2 ESV

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Media Reviews

MAINSTREAM MUSIC

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

Background

Timberlake began performing at a young age on Star Search and then The New Mickey Mouse Club with future girlfriend Britney Spears. He was part of the hit boy band ’N Sync before launching a solo career. Timberlake is infamous for his role in Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. He’s also an actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Timberlake is incredibly talented, and everything he touches seems to succeed. Unfortunately, his songs often glorify sex and hedonism. 

Albums

The 20/20 Experience (2013), FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), Justified (2002)

What Timberlake Says

When asked what advice he’d give his 16-year-old self, he says, “It’s important to have things close to you that mean something to you rather than putting your importance and what everyone else thinks of you first.”

Explore

Timberlake’s music is all available on Spotify and other music services.
CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Hillsong United

2013_04_hillsongunited

Background

This Australian band emerged from the Hillsong Church and was originally a youth ministry worship band. Over time, the songs were resonating with the larger church across the world, so they let go of the “youth” focus. Hillsong United is very popular, and many of their songs are sung across America every Sunday morning. 

Albums

Zion (2013), Aftermath (2011), All of the Above (2006)

What Camp Says

About the new album, Matt Crocker says, “My favorite thing about Zion is that it all points to one thing—the kingdom of God established here on earth and in our lives. So I want the listener to engage with the lyrics more than anything. We didn’t want to just record another album for the sake of it, so everything had to have a reason for being on the album.”

Explore

All of the band’s albums are available on Spotify.
MOVIES

42

Genre: Drama   

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: In 1946, Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey changed the face of sports by signing Jackie Robinson. The movie explores how this heroic act created a wide range of problems for both men.

Our Take: Robinson affected so much more than baseball. Any sports-loving teenager will get a lot out of this story of overcoming prejudice and breaking barriers.

For more media reviews, visit http://www.pluggedin.com
VIDEO GAMES

Injustice: Gods Among Us

This fighting game features a huge cast of superheroes from the DC universe, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and Green Arrow. The “T” rating means this game shouldn’t have the extreme gore of fighting games such as Mortal Kombat or the overt sexuality of the “Dead or Alive” fighting series. (Rated T; Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U)

Bioshock: Infinite

This third game in the critically acclaimed series moves away from commenting on Ayn Rand Objectivism and dystopia toward commenting on the idea of American exceptionalism and class warfare. What won’t be different is the foul language and bloody gameplay in this first-person shooter. (Rated M; Xbox 360, PS3, PC) 

Middle School (6th-8th) Events

Student Bible Communities
Sunday , May 26
Memorial Day Picnic
Monday , May 27
Middle School Game Night
Wednesday , May 29
Cause Community
Wednesday , June 5
Move Up Wednesday
Wednesday , June 5
Aurora Mission Trip
Monday , June 10
Lake Ann Summer Camp
Sunday , June 23

High School (9th-12th) Events

Student Bible Communities
Sunday , May 26
Memorial Day Picnic
Monday , May 27
High School Guys Night Out
Wednesday , May 29
High School Girls
Wednesday , May 29
Cause Community
Wednesday , June 5
Move Up Wednesday
Wednesday , June 5
Aurora Mission Trip
Monday , June 10
Lake Ann Summer Camp
Sunday , June 23
The Loft
Saturday , September 14

Posted by David Wood with 0 Comments
in Middle School (6th-8th), High School (9th-12th), ParentLink
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ParentLink: Tackle the Lies of Our Hook-Up Culture

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Contents:  Articles | Media Reviews | Upcoming Events

Articles

Casual encounters have replaced dating among many young people, as glamorized in movies such as Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached. These promiscuous “hookups” accentuate the devil’s diabolical skills:

    • Mental impact—Satan uses the false promises of promiscuity as a primary temptation to overcome a low self-image: “If you can get a guy or girl to sleep with you, it proves you aren’t as [ugly, fat, awkward, unpopular, generally undesirable] as you think you are.”
    • Physical impact—God created sexual foreplay and intercourse as a celebration of unity between a man and woman who’ve vowed to stay together forever. But the devil flaunts sex as just something physically fun to do—a recreational pastime with no downside.
    • Spiritual impact—Satan promises relationship through physical intimacy but leaves us with only wounds and damage to our ability to be in relationship with God and others.

The hookup culture is so enticing that conventional approaches to helping kids avoid its traps are nearly useless. Young people need to hear about positive relationships, about how God treasures them as his children, and about his limitless forgiveness. Read on to learn more about conveying these messages.

Tips

Lauren Surprenant, a ministry director for Youth for Christ, suggests these redemptive approaches to engaging with young people on the topic of sex:

    • Ignore the awkwardness. Instead, open your mouth and start talking. Kids may giggle, but they’ll still talk to you. So be adult enough to tackle the topic. You won’t be a magnet for tough questions until you’ve proven you can navigate choppy waters.
    • Be “for,” not against. Rescuing kids from the hookup culture is centrally about being for the beauty and power of a redeemed relationship with God.
    • Move from the givens of promiscuity to the starting point of “asexuality.” Calling kids into a commitment to asexual behavior (no sex) generates more interest and discussion than does the use of churchy words. The asexual standard isn’t simply targeted at intercourse. If kids wouldn’t want Grandma watching them do something, then it isn’t “asexual.”
    • Cancel the condemnation. Share the good news of the redemption behind Jesus’ sacrifice. No matter how destructive and repugnant the behavior, it isn’t an impediment to God’s grace and mercy.
    • Speak the Truth. If teenagers are turning to sex to fill their God-shaped hole, then they haven’t yet discovered their place in that epic adventure. Remind them that they’re in the story.

The View

    • Among kids ages 15 to 17, 44% of boys and 39% of girls have engaged in some kind of sexual activity with an opposite-sex partner. (CDC)
    • Although 73% of mothers tell researchers they’ve talked with their teenager about sex, only 46% of teens strongly agreed they had. (Girls Uncovered)
    • More than 80% of parents who have sexually active teenagers know that their kids have had intercourse, but only 45% of parents whose teens said they’ve had oral sex knew it. (USA Today)

Ponder This

    • How has the hookup culture affected your kids’ attitudes about sexuality? How has it affected your views?
    • For you, what’s the most challenging aspect of discussing sexuality with your teenagers?
    • What’s the most important message you’d like to convey to your kids about sexuality—and how can you do that?

A Template for "The Talk"

Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers | By Lauren Surprenant

Use this guide for discussing sexual choices with teenagers. Also pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the words he wants you to say to your kids.

"I’m not going to preach at you; I just want to help you understand the long-term ramifications of sex-too-soon with someone besides your spouse.

First, you could get pregnant—and you won’t be on a TV show that pays all your bills. Having a baby won’t provide you with someone who will love you unconditionally. (If that’s what you want, get a dog.) If you’re a girl, look at your relationship with your mother; for boys, look at your father. You’ll be just like her (or him), and your child will be just like you. Your child will always have greater struggles, and your life will be over because you’ll exist for your child. And if you think using birth control will prevent these consequences, you’re wrong.

Next, consider the impact of intimacy and how your sexual involvement will impact your future spouse. The level of intimacy you have with your sexual partner should enhance a lifetime commitment. When you save that treasure for the soulmate you marry, sex isn’t a heat-of-the- moment act but a true expression of love. When you hookup as a teenager, however, you will be having an awkward conversation later with the person you’d like to marry—and that could be a deal-breaker.

Premarital sexual involvement also leads to drama and damaged reputations. Don’t give people “something to talk about.” And don’t do stuff that will come back to haunt you in the future.

Finally, remember that Jesus sees you as wholesome, valued, and pure. He knows what’s best for you, so consider trusting him by doing things his way. Step away from “sex too soon” and live a life of purity, repenting and walking away from sin."

Bible Focus | 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God... For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Contents:  Articles | Media Reviews | Upcoming Events

Media Reviews

MAINSTREAM MUSIC

Bruno Mars

Background

This Hawaiian-born 27-year-old gained prominence after co-writing several hits with various artists—including Cee Lo Green’s smash “F*** You.” Mars released his own album in 2010 and was the best-selling digital artist of 2011. His style is all over the board, combining catchy pop, rock, reggae, hip-hop, soul, and R&B. Some of his lyrics are extremely sexual—including a new song that has the chorus, You’ll be banging on my chest/Bang bang, gorilla/You and me baby/making love like gorillas.

Albums

Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)

What Mars Says

Regarding his 2011 arrest for cocaine possession: “It’s something that I wish would go away. It’s a cloud that constantly follows me no matter how many achievements. I’d like to move on. To show that I’m here for my music. Not to be in a tabloid.”

Explore

Both of Mars’ albums are on Spotify. He also hosted SNL late last year, so you can see him sing and act on Hulu.
CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Jeremy Camp

Background

Jeremy Camp’s father, a pastor, taught his son to play guitar. Camp was part of numerous worship bands before hitting it big with a solo career. He has numerous songwriting awards and gold albums. Camp’s first wife was diagnosed with cancer and died less than a year after they were married. Some of his early songs—including the powerful “I Still Believe”—deal with the resulting emotions. Camp has since remarried and has three children.

Albums

Reckless (2013), Speaking Louder Than Before (’08), Stay (’02)

What Camp Says

When asked about priorities, he says, “If I invest time in the Word of God, and spend time in prayer and love God with all my heart, mind, and soul — I’ll love my family better and I’ll be able to do this more effectively. Music does not take the place of family.”

Explore

Camp’s albums are available on Spotify.
MOVIES

Snitch

Genre: Action, Thriller   

Rating: PG-13 (for drug content and sequences of violence)

Synopsis: Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson stars as a father whose son is wrongly accused of selling drugs. He agrees to infiltrate the cartel to prove his son’s innocence and bring the guilty to justice.

Our Take: Movies about revenge are very popular right now. The PG-13 rating means the violence probably won’t be extreme. Consider debriefing with your teenagers afterward.

For more media reviews, visit http://www.pluggedin.com
VIDEO GAMES

Dead Space 3

This science-fiction horror series has always delivered the scares and the gore—two things teenagers can’t get enough of. The other games have been incredibly violent; the enemies are like zombies, and you have to blow them to bits or stomp on them to destroy them. This game is far too disturbing for teenagers. (Rated M; Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Companies keep trying to make video games about the “Alien” franchise, but so far they’ve all been awful. There’s no way to tell beforehand if this one will follow suit. Even if it ends up being rated T rather than M (unlikely), this is sure to be bloody and full of cursing. (Rated: Not yet rated; Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

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in Middle School Teaching Series, High School Teaching Series
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Revive: New Student Ministry Series about How God Ignites Revivals

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This past Wednesday, our student ministry kicked-off our new series about how God uses people to ignite revivals. Over the next 10 weeks, we'll discover and learn from the amazing revivals of Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah. We'll walk through what it would look like for God to start a revival through you!

Students grades 6-12 are welcome to join us on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm at the Sugar Grove Campus for a great time, authentic worship, and engaging teaching and discussion. 

More Info about All-Campus Community

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Corn Boil 2012

Corn Boil 2012 was an amazing weekend!  Several member of VBC gathered on Friday, July 27th to participate in the Corn Boil parade and opening ceremonies.  We all wore are Village Bible Church t-shirts and had a great time waving to the crowd that was gathered.  The children enjoyed seeing people they knew from the community and from church.  On Sunday, July 29th, we were able to serve the children and families of Sugar Grove by volunteering to run the games in the Kids Zone area.  It was a fun time of helping children play games and rewarding them with prizes and smiles.  Blues Clue, the dog, and Boots, the monkey from Dora the Explorer, also made appearance to the delight of the children.  Some members conducted surveys and had the opportunity to speak to those at the Corn Boil about Jesus.  Then, we ended this amazing weekend with a concert from Josh Wilson.  What a gift to worship with Josh and hundreds of other people!  Josh Wilson drew the largest concert crowd they have had on a Sunday at Corn Boil.  To God Be the Glory!  A huge thank you to all that volunteered at the Sugar Grove Corn Boil 2012.

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Tags: corn boil, josh wilson
in Global Outreach
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Feed My Starving Children July 2012

 

On July 6th several VBC families and individuals went to serve at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora.  Adults and children alike were able to hear about the importance of providing nutritious meals for children around the world who go without before taking part in the solution.  Set up at several stations, we filled bags with a chicken (protien/minerals), dried veggies, soy, and rice & packed them into boxes to be sent out.  Before finding out how many we were able to pack & how many children would be impacted by our short time of service, we prayed over those boxes filled with good food.  If you didn't get a chance to join us this time, we hope to see you next time...or you can go to Feed My Starving Children's website and find a time to register your family & friends on your own!

Posted by Lisa O'Brien with 0 Comments
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Above & Beyond - Great News

The Above & Beyond Christmas offering totals increased after this announcement was made on 1/1 as year-end offerings made online and by mail were received in the days that followed. The actual totals can be seen in the graphs below.

Way to come together Village Bible Church to give a great gift to our Savior and to do some great things for His Kingdom!

A&Bfinal - Above & Beyond Christmas...

Posted by Keith Duff with 0 Comments

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