FROM PASTOR LEONARD
This Sunday, December 28, I will give my final sermon – “Are You a Dreamer?” as your senior pastor. I hope you can be in-service. If you can’t, please be present in spirit and pray for me. I am really excited about VJF’s future. Lesley and I will be in there with all of you – supporting Pastor Jim and working together to keep Jubilee happy, healthy, holy and offering hope in Christ.
WHAT BAPTISM IS ALL ABOUT
Baptism gets its importance from Christ’s death in our place, His burial, and His triumph over death. Through baptism, a person publicly declares that they are a follower of Jesus and want to serve Him wholeheartedly. Interested in expressing your faith through baptism? Pick up an application from the information table in the foyer and return it to the church office.
BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS – CHRISTMAS OPPORTUNITY
VJF MISSIONS invites you to bless Rick Dugan (World Partners—Pakistan), Marcel Serubungo (EFM Congo), and Esteban & Emily Alvarez (BBFI Uruguay) with a special Christmas gift as they share God’s love and salvation around the world. To participate, mark “Missions Christmas Gift” on your giving envelope with any amount the Lord leads you to give, and place it in the designated white boxes.
END OF YEAR GIVING
First, THANK YOU for your faithful giving throughout 2025. Your regular giving to VJF and to missions has reflected God’s generosity and enabled us to do so much for His glory. Often, at the end of the year, people like to give extra, usually to improve their tax situation. Whatever the reason, if you feel prompted to give an end-of-year gift, we will put it to good use.
CHECK OUT THE CHURCH LIBRARY
Lots of great books to borrow or share. Plus, for a short time, we have a few back issues of magazines on the shelf, such as In Touch, All God’s Creatures, and Turning Point, plus a handful of free, assorted 2026 calendars.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT – 4 PM on DECEMBER 24
Carol Singing, Scripture, Children’s Message, Christmas Devotional, and Candle lighting! A beautiful way to connect your Christmas celebration with Jesus’ birthday and the story of Salvation.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – ONE SERVICE – SUNDAY DECEMBER 28 @ 10 AM
We will have ONE SERVICE on the Sunday after Christmas and NO Bible Alive. Finish the year strong. Focus on worshiping God. Face the New Year with hope!
NEW DATE! CHRISTMAS DECOR TAKE DOWN!
Friday, January 9 @ 9:00 AM – Many hands will make light work of putting away our Christmas decorations.
PASTORAL TRANSITION – PRAYING IT THROUGH IN DECEMBER!
Our prayer guide calendar is available now! Seek God’s best for Pastor Leonard, Pastor Jim, and Ventura Jubilee Fellowship as we enter a new, exciting season!
AVAILABLE NOW – 2026 BIBLE READING GUIDES (& BIBLES!!)
Start the New Year by regularly reading God’s Word. This easy-to-use Bible reading plan will help you grow closer to Jesus Christ in the New Year. The 2026 Bible Reading Guides, along with bookmarks and free paperback NLT Bibles, will be available on the table outside the office. Also NEW this year, really nice leather-like, large-print NLT Bibles are available for only $15!
PL’s BOOK GIVEAWAY!
Pastor Leonard has lots and lots of books that are good reads – some short, others long, but all relevant and excellent. He is selecting a few to keep and take home. The rest will be left in the bookcases for a brief time. Starting Monday, January 5 through Friday, January 16, feel free to come by the church office and help yourself. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and drawn closer to God’s heart as you read.
CHURCH OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS
Note that the following days our church office will be closed to allow our staff to celebrate with their loved ones. Because Christmas and New Year’s fall on Thursdays, there will be NO Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study and NO All-Church Prayer on those days. All ministries resume the week of January 5, 2026.
- Wednesday, December 24 @ 12 noon
- Thursday, December 25 – ALL DAY
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 – ALL DAY
