Enjoy this December Newsletter [PDF] from Siloe Ministries
Save the date for Camp Pondo! Middle School & High School students – plan for adventure in the pines as we head to Ponderosa Pines for a week you’ll not soon forget. Details to come!
Dear Venture Family,
This is the season in which we are reminded of the greatest blessing ever given when God sent his Son, Jesus to the earth to carry out the greatest rescue in all of history—the gracious, merciful redemption of sinful humanity. Out of that gift flows every blessing we enjoy as the people of God who are his by faith in Christ.
Part of that blessing is that God has gathered us to form a community of Christ-followers known as Venture Church. I’m so grateful for what God is doing in and through Venture! On Sunday we were reminded of the many people from our church family who are, in some way, serving God in missions and outreach in the coming year, not to mention those who serve week in and week out in the ongoing ministries of the church. We firmly believe that each person has a valuable part to play in the church, and your participation is critical to our disciple-making gospel mission. We’ve been reminded in the violent and saddening events in San Bernardino just this past week how critical that mission is in light of the brokenness of our world.
Over the past year so many have given sacrificially of their resources in order to accomplish what God has called us to as a church. That means that every moment spent in service and every kind of support given is important and is used by God to transform lives for eternity and to ultimately bring more glory to him.
We have enjoyed many blessings this year: Mark Brown joining our staff, new office and ministry space, and many new families added to our body. It has been an exciting season of growth! Growth is often accompanied by additional expenses, and our current giving hasn’t kept pace with some of these expenses. As a result, we are experiencing a shortfall in our budget. We’d like to bring that into balance as soon as possible, striving to be good stewards of what God supplies through his people. God has generously provided for the needs of the ministry of Venture Church and we believe that he will continue to do so through each of us, the community of believers at Venture who are joined together in his mission.
The end of the year provides an opportunity for many of us to give financially in a special way. Many of you are taking up the challenge to ReThink Christmas, by spending less and giving more to selected outreach and missions ministries of the church. I also encourage you to pray about what added part you might play in contributing to the general fund of Venture which resources its overall ministry and mission as God has blessed you.
We’re called to be part of a great venture as God’s people. It’s also an amazing adventure when we entrust ourselves and everything we have to God’s purpose and use in his kingdom mission. There’s no greater cause on earth! Thanks for your involvement in it. God is at work and we have the most incredible privilege to be part of what he is up to in the world.
Have a blessed Christmas and a purpose-filled New Year!
Rob
Make Venture Church’s Christmas Eve Service a treasured part of your Christmas tradition. Before all of the food and presents, bring your family to the Chatigny Community Center (1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont) for a time of singing carols and reflecting on the birth of Christ. The community is warmly invited to attend, so make your plans to join Venture for this significant time. The service begins at 4:00 pm and will end by 5:00 pm.
“He will save his people from their sins.”
Perhaps no other words are as important in all of history than those words spoken to Joseph by the angel. Jesus was born in Bethlehem for a purpose: to save people from their sins. Each Sunday in December will feature a special message about God’s plan to rescue us through giving Jesus for our sins. We all need forgiveness, and we can find it in Jesus.
For the month of December, we’re “Triple-Dog-Daring” our Kindergarten – 5th grade kids to show compassion to the people around them and even across the world.
We define compassion like this: caring enough to do something about someone else’s need.
Every week this month, we’ll be asking our kids an important question to help them think more about showing compassion.
1. God loved you first. How will you love others?
2. God saw our greatest need. Whose needs do you see?
3. God gave us the greatest gift. What will you give?
4. God gave us great news. Who will you tell?
Our memory verse is John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” This is the best verse to describe God’s compassion for us. He loved us SO much and wanted us to be with Him SO much, that He did something about it and sent Jesus to be our savior.
A Christmas Family Experience! Fun for the whole family! Join the characters from Kandy Kingdom for an exciting Christmas production, followed by crafts, games, family pictures, refreshments, and lots of Christmas fun! Admission is FREE! Sunday, December 13, 2:00pm – 5:00pm Chatigny Community Recreation Center (1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, CA 92223)
This Christmas, spend less and give more! The season is a time of giving, and we want to be involved in significant ministry opportunities. So spend a little less on decorations, gifts, and food while you give a little more to help God’s work around the world.
This year the goal is to come alongside of four ministry initiatives:
Mexico Loft House ($3,500): Help build a home for a needy family in Mexico. Donate now, then help build this spring.
Community Outreach ($1,000): Love our community through the Christmas Family Experience “Candy Kingdom” Dec. 13.
Hovivian Support ($500): Bless our missionaries with an end of the year gift.
Urbana ($500): Help our young adults attend this life changing mission conference.
Our annual goal is to fully fund each project. Once a project has reached its goal, excess funds will be applied to a project within ReThink Christmas. When the total goal has been reached, excess funds will support the ongoing ministries of Venture Church.
Please consider how your family can give above and beyond your normal giving to Venture Church, and pray for these partnerships to result in effective and fruitful ministry for God’s glory.
Join us for our women’s half-day retreat for an opportunity to draw near to God and be encouraged to keep a worship-focused heart throughout the hectic holiday season!
Saturday, November 14, 9am-1pm
Venture Ministry Center
$15
Lunch Included
Register: amy@venturelife.org