PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Hi Friends,
It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite Christmas movies. And I’m not alone. It is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Which is surprising, because when it was first released, it was a box office flop. But over time, it grew in popularity and now it is a Christmas classic.
How did this happen? What makes this movie resonate with so many people throughout the decades? Why do we keep watching this movie year after year during the Christmas season?
Because, in some way, it demonstrates a universal struggle with hopelessness. After George Bailey loses $8,000 of his company’s money (actually, his Uncle Billy lost the money), he is hopeless. He wonders if he will lose his business, his reputation, and even serve jail time. He concludes that he would be better off dead than alive. So he goes to a nearby bridge and prepares to do something drastic.
In some ways, we have all had our “bridge moment”. We have all felt hopeless and maybe wondered if it would be better if we were not around. And that’s why we will discuss this movie this weekend. Even more importantly, that is why we will be looking at the Holy Scriptures. We need hope to come off the bridge and reengage in the life that God has given us.
That hope is ultimately found in God’s promises and his perspective on reality. From our perspective, our failures and our suffering are overwhelming and unending. But like George Bailey, we need a new perspective on reality. We need a revelation of the truth of Jesus, our Savior, our Immanuel, God who is with us.
Hope to see you for worship this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30am, in person or online. Feel free to invite a family member or friend to join you. You can worship at Victory, on our live stream site, or on our YouTube channel.
Reaching today’s people with Christ’s victory,
Pastor Ben
THIS WEEKEND – CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES
ICYMI – Last weekend, Pastor Bill kicked off our Christmas at the Movies series with a message about how we are never truly alone. Jesus is right there with us, celebrating with Our Father when we return. You can click here to read and watch this message.
Coming Up This Weekend – This weekend, Pastor Ben continues the series with a message about the unexpected. Things don’t always turn out the way we’ve planned. This gets frustrating to us because we think we know what’s best for our lives. But nothing that happens to us surprises God. Join us for worship on Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30am at Victory on our live stream site or our YouTube channel.
VICTORY OPPORTUNITIES
Friends of Jesus Toy Drive – Through this weekend only, Victory will be collecting gifts for the Friends of Jesus Toy Drive. Please consider bringing new, wrapped toys of at least $15 in value to donate to Milwaukee children in need. Click here to learn more about the Toy Drive. Please make sure that your gifts arrive at Victory by 10:30am this Sunday, as this is when they will be picked up by the Friends of Jesus organization.
Operation Jesus Cares – This year, we’ll resume our partnership with St. Jacobi and Christ/St. Peter School to support Operation Jesus Cares. In this project, children at Christ/St. Peter School prepare and deliver care packages to their neighborhood. You can get involved by making a financial contribution, donating items from a Target Wish List, and/or volunteering at the packing party coming up NEXT FRIDAY, December 17. Click here to learn more about Operation Jesus Cares.
Cookies for Christmas at Victory – For those who attend Christmas worship at Victory on December 23 & 24, we’ll offer cookies and hot cocoa. You’ve got an opportunity to donate your favorite cookies to provide this service to our guests. Click here to register to donate cookies.
VICTORY NEWS
Christmas at Victory – You’re invited to Victory this Christmas as we celebrate the greatest story ever told… the birth of our Savior Jesus, who brings hope and peace to the world. We’ll host services on December 23 at 6:30pm and December 24 at 1:00, 2:30, & 4:00pm. In order to help us plan for guests, we will be asking everyone to reserve their seats, which you can do by clicking here.
Year-Long Bible Reading Plan – If you’ve struggled to keep up with the year-long Bible reading plan, we encourage you to try it this year with a new, more manageable reading schedule. Throughout the year, we’ll be reading the New Testament and the Book of Psalms. You can join in the plan by clicking here. The plan begins January 3.
VICTORY STORIES
Jingle Jam – Last Friday, we welcomed over 200 people to the Ministry Center and over 50 people online to join us for Jingle Jam! Many of these people were new to Victory, and we had the privilege of sharing the Good News of Jesus with them. Thank you to everyone who donated, loaned us items, and volunteered.