Candlelight Christmas Eve. 3:00 & 5:00pm Choir 7:00pm Quartet 11:00pm communion Bells. Christmas Day 10:00am communion

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1 DECEMBER 2018 C AMPUS NEWS FOR VICTORY LU THERAN CHURCH Candlelight Christmas Eve 3:00 & 5:00pm Choir 7:00pm Quartet 11:00pm communion Bells Christmas Day 10:00am communion ADVENT BEGINS AND WE BEGIN A NEW SERMON SERIES UNEXPECTED PRESENCE Old Testament prophecy, and many of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, give us an up close and personal view of how God is always with us often in very unexpected and unnoticed ways. So starting on the weekend of December 2nd, and for the next four weekends, we are going to look at how God was present in the lives of men and women in the first century so we are better prepared to catch glimpses of God in our lives. At the end of the series we hope you have a new appreciation for the following: 1) When the unexpected happens, God is with us. 2) When the unexpected happens, we have a choice to make. 3) When the unexpected happens, seek God first. 4) When the unexpected happens, follow God s plan. Here is our schedule of Unexpected Events: Dec 1/2 - Mary is Visited - Luke 1:26-38 Dec 8/9 - Joseph is Visited - Matthew 1:18-24 Dec 15/16 - The Shepherds are Visited - Luke 2:1-20 Dec 22/23 - The Wise Men are Detoured - Matthew 2:1-12 UNEXPECTED PRESENTS Presence DECEMBER SERMON SERIES VICTORY LUTHERAN CHURCH 5946 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm VictoryLutheran.com Larry Kassebaum, Senior Pastor Steve Lien, Pastor of Growth Ministries Floyd Anderson, Visitation Pastor Jeremy Walloch, Pastor WORSHIP WITH US: Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 8:00 & *9:30 Sunday 10:30am *with communion

2 LETTER FROM THE PASTOR 2 Something to Seriously Think About Pastor Larry Kassebaum But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 The verse (above) is one of the last sentences from the Christmas Gospel that is read on Christmas Eve. As much as I like the rest of the story, this is a verse that seems to take on more meaning with each passing year. This verse is another reminder for not only Mary but for all of us, that it s not just about what happens but what we do with what happens that is important. Mary did not yet know or understand all the details of what was in store for her and her son, but she did know that not everyone gets visited by angels and shepherds. She knew just enough to know that she was a part of something pretty incredible. It would take her most of her lifetime to understand what God was doing in the world and in her life. My guess would be that it took her over thirty years not until after she had stood at the foot of the cross and then witnessed the resurrected Jesus before she could really make sense out of all that was taking place. But even without all the answers, she trusted and obeyed. Like Mary, there is much for us to ponder about God, about the world and ourselves. The more time we spend talking to and/or learning about God, the more we grow in awe and wonder of this God who loves us and the world so much. The more we ponder the world, the more we become aware of the power of sin and the evil that exists in and around us. The more we ponder our own lives, the more we are reminded of life s uncertainties and the reality that we really do need a Savior. I hope each of you will take some time this holiday season to reflect on the things God has been doing in you and in the world. More importantly, consider what God would like to yet do in your life. Christmas is not just a story about Jesus being born to Mary in Bethlehem. Christ s birth is the story of a God who wants to be at work in and through each of us to reconcile the world to Himself. The best use of your life is to invest it in that which will last forever. Think about that!!! Grace & Peace, Pastor Larry Kassebaum CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUMMARY Victory s 2018 Annual Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, November 18th with 62 members and 4 non-members in attendance. The highlight of the meeting was a wonderful video review of Victory s past year of ministry and service set to some of our most beloved hymns and Christian songs. The business portion of the meeting produced the following results: 1) Ginger Kuemmerle and Jim Grosnick were re-elected to three year terms on the Congregation Council. 2) Rose Raney and Noble Masslich were elected to three year terms on the Victory Foundation Board. 3) A new nominating committee consisting of Sharon Kays, Lois Magnuson, Darrell Guy, Sharon Scott and Jim Felten were elected. 4) A spending plan of $1,105,000 was adopted for the calendar year 2019 and the minutes of the November 19, 2017 Annual Meeting and a March 18, 2018 Special Congregational Meeting were approved. In other business, those present heard a progress report from the Renovation/Building Committee along with an update from our renovation architect Ray Eynon from Robert Jones and Associates. Next year s congregational meeting has been set for Sunday, November 17th at 1:00pm. The meeting adjourned at 1:57pm. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR LARRY! SUN, DECEMBER 2, 10:45AM Pastor Larry Kassebaum celebrated a super 70th birthday November 30th and Victory will be celebrating that milestone on December 2 at 10:45am in the Fellowship Hall. The church will provide sloppy joes and cake. We are asking members to contribute potluck items to round out the meal (desserts, salads, or whatever the spirit moves). We are collecting birthday cards (no gifts) and will present these to Pastor Larry on Dec. 2nd.

3 THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM JANUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 25, 2019 Mondays, 9:30-11:00am (8 weeks) Led by Pastor Larry Kassebaum Pastor Kassebaum will once again be teaching a Monday morning Bible Study class during January and February. This year, his class will look at the one Gospel writer who helps us understand God s whole plan of salvation. It has been said that John 3:16 is the Gospel in a nutshell. Not only is that a true statement, but as John himself is recorded saying in the 20th chapter, verse 30-31, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John wrote these words so that we would understand key words like life, truth, the world and belief for ourselves and be prepared to offer that same gift to others. In order to facilitate planning, we would like to encourage people to SIGN UP now on our website at VictoryLutheran.com or at the Welcome Center. Would you like to leave a lasting legacy? People who believe in the goals and purposes of Victory Lutheran give financial support because they want to help others, change or improve the life of our church and expand God s Kingdom on earth. This noble intent does not have to end with death. The Victory Lutheran Foundation exists to help people like you do the most with the resources God has entrusted to you. In fact, there are quite a few ways you can make gifts of securities, property or life insurance that have little or no impact on your heirs. In some instances a good estate strategy can even increase the value of what you leave to those closest to you. It can be good and wise to plan carefully and faithfully. This is the month to take advantage of tax benefits before year's end. For more information or if you would like to visit with a Foundation member or estate planner to discuss a gift to the Foundation, please contact the office at or contact our Foundation chairman, Ross Kirchway at VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 9:00AM We need lots of helping hands to decorate our church for Christmas! SIGN UP at the Welcome Center or call NEHEMIAH S MEN Please note date change. We will meet on December 4th instead of December 6th to assist with decorating the campus. POINSETTIAS NEEDED Donate a Poinsettia for the Sanctuary. Help make our Sanctuary look beautiful for Christmas by purchasing a Christmas Poinsettia. Cost is $10 per plant. Money can be placed in a pew envelope marked Poinsettias or envelopes are available in the lobby window. CHRISTMAS HELPERS NEEDED Helpers are needed at ALL Christmas services. Please sign up at the table in lobby to greet, hand out candles, usher and acolyte. PICK UP YOUR TOUCH CARDS Invite others to worship with us during the Christmas holidays. We have touch cards available at the Welcome Center for you to easily share with family, friends and even strangers. We encourage you to be generous with your invitations. WINTER WORSHIP SCHEDULE JANUARY 6 - APRIL 28, 2019 Beginning in January we will be adding an 11am service on Sundays. This service will be identical to 9:30am (with communion) to allow for better parking and seating. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BUS TOURS We invite you to our annual Christmas Light Tour. The bus will leave Victory at 5:30pm and we will return to church for Christmas refreshments. Please sign up and pay your $5 at the Welcome Center for this fun, festive tour! TOUR DATES DECEMBER 12, 13, 18, 5:30PM 3

4 2 DECEMBER 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY :00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 8:00am - Nehemiah s Men - NLC 9:00am - Christmas Decorating of the Church 2:00pm - Foundation Board Mtg - FS 3:00pm - Caregivers Group, Rm. 10 4:00pm - LYFE Group - FS 7:00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 9:15am - Stephen Ministry - FS 10:30am - 10:45am - Pastor Larry s 70th Birthday Celebration 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 9:30am - VLCW Board Meeting - FS 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 1:30pm - Men s LYFE Group - FS 5:00pm - Bell Choir Rehearsal - SA 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 12:30-2:30pm GriefShare Loss of a Spouse 10:30am - 1:00pm Serving Better Class - CH 2:00pm - Prayer Group - CH 3:00pm - VLC Choir & Bells Concert - SA 11 4:00pm - LYFE Group - FS 12 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 1:30pm - Men s LYFE Group - FS 5:00pm - Bell Choir Rehearsal - SA 5:30pm - Christmas Lights Tour 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 9:15am - Stephen Ministry - FS 10:30am :00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 18 4:00pm - Council Meeting, Rm. 10 4:00pm - LYFE Group - FS 5:30pm - Christmas Lights Tour 19 9:00-11:30am - Food Bank Open 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 1:30pm - LYFE Group, Rm. 10 1:30pm - Men s LYFE Group - FS 5:00pm - Bell Choir Rehearsal - SA 5:30pm - Christmas Lights Tour 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal - SA 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 8:00am - Traditional Worship - SA 10:30am - 24 CHRISTMAS EVE FOOD BANK CLOSED 3:00pm - Christmas Eve Service - SA 5:00pm - Christmas Eve Service - SA 5:00pm - Christmas Eve Service at 7:00pm - Christmas Eve Service - SA 11:00pm - Christmas Eve Service - SA 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00am - Christmas Day Service - SA 26 FOOD BANK CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED 12:30pm - Alanon, Rm. 23 & FS 8:00pm - AA, FS / Alanon, Rm :00-11:30am - Morning Fellowship - FH 8:00am-Traditional Worship-SA 10:30am - 31 FOOD BANK CLOSED JANUARY 1 NEW YEAR S DAY OFFICE CLOSED PLEASE NOTE: THE FOOD BANK WILL BE CLOSED DEC 20 - JAN 6 4

5 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm :00am - Communion Service at Citadel 13 5:00pm - I-HELP, Rm. 23 5:30pm - Christmas Lights Tour 20 8:00am - Nehemiah s Men - NLC 27 THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY [NEWSLETTER DEADLINE] 5:00pm - I-HELP, Rm Office Closed 9:30-11:30am - Chapel Time at 14 Office Closed 9:30-11:30am - Chapel Time at 21 Office Closed NO Chapel Time at 28 Office Closed NO Chapel Time at :00am - VLCW Luncheon - FH JANUARY 2019 JAN 6 - APRIL 28 11:00am service begins on Sundays JANUARY 7 9:00am Undecorating of the Church JAN 7 - FEB 25 9:30-11:00am Pastor Larry s Annual Bible Study on Mondays JANUARY 11 10:00am LSS-SW Volunteer Luncheon JANUARY 13 1:00pm New Member Orientation JAN 14 - APRIL 8 12:30pm GriefShare Class on Mondays JAN 20 1:00pm 401 Class Living Boldly JAN Spiritual Life Conference at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills JAN 27 - FEB 3 Family Promise Host Week The Quilters will NOT meet in December. We will resume in January on Tuesday the 15th from 8:30-2:30pm and Wednesday the 16th from 8:30-11:30am. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Come, join us in January! ATTENTION all Food Bank and I-HELP volunteers save Friday, January 11, 2019 for the Annual Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest Volunteer Appreciation Fiesta! It will be at Victory from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Please join us in celebrating another successful year of service. RSVP to lss-sw.org or Communion is offered every Sunday at the 9:30am service and first weekend of the month at all other services. CH CY FH FS LB NLC SA = Chapel = Court Yard = Fellowship Hall = Fireside Room = Lobby = New Life Center = Sanctuary 5

6 A WARM THANK YOU! Victory is one of ten local churches that provide housing and meals for 25 single women who are experiencing homelessness. The program is I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program). It is the ONLY emergency shelter for single women in Mesa. Some ladies stay just a few days, others remain in the program, working with the Case Manager for three months or more. Some come with nothing and others come with bags and suitcases full of belongings. We keep an emergency supply of some items for those who come with nothing. Victory does not keep a wide assortment of clothing on hand due to lack of storage. However, the ladies have access to well stocked clothing closets at First United Methodist Church in downtown Mesa every Wednesday and at Our Saviour s on Monday and Tuesday three weeks of the month. A wonderful example of how God provides occurred on November 8th, when Luann Flygare, one of our wonderful volunteers brought in three large bags of jackets donated by a neighbor and her daughter. That was the first really chilly night of the fall and every lady who needed one chose a jacket suitable for her! In the morning, every jacket had been spoken for and the ladies were warm and happy as they waited for the van to pick them up. Because of your generosity, we will have a gift for each lady on December 13. It includes a hand-knit ear warmer, two pair of socks and a $25 Walmart gift card. The ladies really appreciate the gift cards because they can use them to purchase gifts for others prior to Christmas. Thank you for supporting this local ministry with your time, talents and donations. You have made the holidays a bit brighter for our homeless women. VLCW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON SAT, DECEMBER 8, 11:00AM This years featured speaker is Michelle Tessendorf, Executive Director & Co-Founder Orchard:Africa. In the first ten years, Orchard grew from being a church-led feeding project for thirty children, to becoming a multiprogrammed response to the daily social and economic injustices that plagued vulnerable individuals in Africa. Over the next 15 years, Orchard grew beyond being a church mission in the town of Mafikeng and extended its reach to over 600 community churches and 100 funded programs in sub-saharan Africa. Ticket sales thru December 2nd. Cost $ OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Thank you for your generous donation of shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. We turned in 374 boxes between our two campuses. Glory be to God in the Highest! GRIEFSHARE LOSS OF A SPOUSE (ONE SESSION) MON, DEC. 10, 12:30PM Workbook Cost $5 Our Loss of A Spouse seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one s death. You will learn: How to deal with the many emotions you will face during the holidays. What to do about traditions and other coming changes. Helpful tips for surviving social events. How to discover hope for your future. For more information contact: Blair Revak blairmom@cox.net Pastor Floyd Anderson fanderson@victorylutheran.com GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP JAN 14 - APRIL 1, 2019 (13 WEEKS) MONDAYS, 12:30-2:30PM PHOENIX SUNS VS. KINGS TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 7PM Victory Lutheran Night with the Phoenix Suns! Tickets $45 (lower lever, Club Annexus seats), includes bus transportation from Victory. Bus leaves at 5:30pm Space is on a first come, first served basis. No refunds on ticket sales. Family & friends welcome! DEADLINE: December 20, 2018

7 301-SERVING BETTER Discovering Your Life Ministry SUN, DEC. 9, 1:00PM This class is designed to help believers discover their Godgiven gifts, which are very d i ff e r e n t t h a n t a l e n t s o r experiences. Read through Ephesians 4 or Romans 12, and you'll see how God wired the church with each member having different and unique gifts in order that the church, sometimes called the Body of Christ, would function effectively. This is like our human bodies, where the lungs have a very different function than the kidneys, or the ear than the eye. FRIDAY CHAPEL The class will include an explanation of spiritual gifts, a gifts-inventory to help students discover their own gifts, and some helpful ways to use their particular gift to find the greatest sense of joy and satisfaction. MINI COURSE WITH ROBERT WALTER BREAKING THE SHAME THAT BINDS US TUES-THURS, JAN 29-31, 9:30AM-NOON Where would we be without grace? Nowhere. But have you noticed? Running the race of faith doesn t always seem to get you closer to God. You try your hardest but it may feel like someone keeps moving the finish line. You may wonder, If I ve been forgiven, why do I still feel bad? In this seminar we ll explore a dimension of grace that is often left out of the story of the Gospel. And we ll see how recent discoveries in brain science confirm what the Bible has been saying all along about the source of our s t r e n g t h. W i t h s t o r i e s, scriptures, small group sharing and prayer, we hope to help you take a giant step forward on the journey of faith. Robert Walter s latest book, If I ve Been Forgiven, Why Do I Still Feel Bad? is available in the church office for $ Registrants are encouraged to purchase and read a copy before our class. Registrants are asked to commit to attending all three sessions. Cost of this course is $ To register for this course go to our website: VictoryLutheran.com CRISMON CAMPUS UPDATE VictoryCrismon.com The is Victory s New Contemporary Worship for Youth & Family and is located 5 miles East of the Recker Campus (at the intersection of University & Crismon). We worship Sundays at 10:30am (with Kids Church), we grow together in groups, and we do a Friday morning Chapel Program for the charter school next door. This December please consider three ways to support this ministry: 1. Pray for visitors There are plenty of people who need Jesus in their life and the simply don t know it yet. Pray to the Lord of the harvest for Him to inexplicably send some more of them our way! 2. Volunteer - Winter Seasonal Volunteers Welcome! Friday morning Chapel Program for K-7th graders. We are currently low on volunteers and need more energetic people who love Jesus and love children to keep this fantastic gospel-sharing ministry going. Sunday morning nursery - missing those grandkids? How about attending a Saturday night or early service and then coming down the road and getting the privilege of spending an hour with a couple little ones? Please jwalloch@victorycrimson.com for more information. 3. Give Youth and family ministries always heavily rely on generous patrons who are grateful for the ministry they and their family received in years gone by, and who pay it forward to the next generation. Please do consider a generous gift labeled Crismon to continue steadily irrigating our emerging ministry next year. Christmas Eve AT CRISMON 5 PM SERVICE CAROLS, MESSAGE, CANDLELIGHT, & POP-UP PAGEANT 7

8 5946 E. University Drive Mesa, AZ WORSHIP WITH US! WORSHIP SCHEDULE SAT 4:00pm SUN 8:00, *9:30 Christmas Eve 3, 5, 7, 11pm Christmas Day *10am *Communion Served VLC CHOIR & BELLS CHRISTMAS CONCERT SUN, DECEMBER 9, 3:00PM This year the Victory Lutheran Choir and Bell Choir will be sharing a Christmas concert titled Christmas Around the World. Through anthems and carols both new and familiar they will be sharing the greatest story of all time! This concert is a great way to share the holiday spirit with your friends and neighbors, and help them rediscover that Christ is still at the heart of Christmas! Did you know? Victory sends out a weekly on Thursdays that includes news for the upcoming week and a link to our digital Newsletter once a month. If you would like to be included in our s, please send your request to: ehernandez@victorylutheran.com OUR MISSION is to serve and glorify God by being and making disciples for Jesus Christ through passionate prayer, inspirational worship, transforming study, humble service, spiritual relationships and joyful giving.