PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Hi Friends,
When I was a young child, I always had a list of things I wanted: the Sega Genesis game system with the NHL 94 video game, a new bike, a boom box, or the latest MC Hammer cassette. But these days my list looks a lot different. I no longer have items on that list because I am at a point in my life that I am blessed to be able to order it on Amazon or turn on one of my streaming services if I want to watch something. I would rather have things like quality time with my kids and my wife than more stuff.
But also, I’ve gotten enough stuff over the years that I know by now the material items don’t satisfy. Everything that I will get will end up in a landfill sometime in the near future. It doesn’t last or satisfy my soul. And so, my desires have shifted. Instead of wanting more material items, I want deeper things that help and heal me from the inside out.
In our current sermon series, we are identifying those deeper desires and calling out to God to deliver. This week we will focus on our longing for belonging. Nobody wants to feel like an outsider. Nobody wants to feel rejected. We all want to be accepted, loved, and feel like we belong on this earth. The problem is our past traumas, unmet dreams, guilt, and unprocessed grief keep us from feeling that sense of belonging. That’s why we need the truth of God’s Word. We need to know that despite how we feel, we do belong. We belong in God’s family, we belong at this church, we belong in this world that God created. And ultimately, we belong with our Savior in the life of the world to come.
You’re invited to join us for worship this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30am. You can worship at the Ministry Center, on our live stream site, or on our YouTube channel.
Sharing Christ’s Victory,
Pastor Ben
CURRENT SERIES: Christmas list
ICYMI: Pastor Bill launched the new sermon series, Christmas List. We learned that Hope is like a coat, it doesn’t change the bad weather (circumstances) you are in, but it can change YOU in those circumstances. Hope is an eager expectation and anticipation of what is sure to come—an active, faith-infused waiting for God to fulfill that which he started by the power of the Holy Spirit. To read and watch the message, click here.
Coming Up This Weekend: Pastor Ben continues the sermon series with a message from the book of Matthew. Matthew wrote this genealogy of Jesus very intentionally. He included people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all nations. He wanted people to see that God uses all types of people – he paints an inclusive picture. Jesus included the rejects and outsiders into his family. Everyone comes with their own experiences and struggles. Sometimes our experiences make us feel like we are on the outside, like we are all alone. But in Jesus you are accepted. You belong to God. You can join in on Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30am at the Ministry Center, on our live stream site, or our YouTube channel.
Victory news
Christmas at Victory: Christmas is right around the corner – only 16 days away! You’re invited to join us for Christmas at Victory! We will have worship available for you and your family, both in-person and online, on 12/23 at 6:30pm and 12/24 at 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00pm. We encourage you to invite your loved ones to join us too! Find out more by clicking here.
VICTORY Opportunities
Toy Drive: Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the Toy Drive so far. You have blown us away with your generosity. There is still time to donate! You have the opportunity to make a difference and bring JOY to a child this Christmas season. Bring a wrapped gift to the Ministry Center by THIS SUNDAY, December 11. To learn more, please click here.
Cookies for Christmas: We will be serving cookies and hot cocoa to our guests at the Christmas Eve services. Please considering signing up to bring Christmas cookies for the Café! You can learn more or sign up to donate by clicking here.
Victory Stories
How to invite someone to Christmas at Victory: We encourage you to invite your loved ones, your neighbors, or anyone to join us for Christmas at Victory. Sometimes it can feel nerve-wracking to share an invitation, but here is a quick way you can invite someone!
1. Take a picture of the invite card with your phone or click here to find and download the invite!
2. Send it to them via text, email, share on social media.
3. Say “I want to invite you to join me for a fun and beautiful Christmas service! Can I save you a seat?”
4. Pray that God works through you and in the heart of the person you are inviting.
Amazon Smile: Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app this holiday season, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select “Victory of the Lamb Exploratory” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us. How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
3. Select “Victory of the Lamb Exploratory” as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app