Old Victory Church

08/30/2026

PASTOR’S CORNER

This week we’ll be exploring Matthew 18: 15-20, where Jesus begins by instructing “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” Hold one another accountable, in restorative love, as brothers and sisters. To provide private correction. while not ignoring the need. One of the great blessings, and challenges, of following Jesus together is learning how to hold truth and grace, correction and compassion, conviction and mercy in the same heart. Jesus never calls us to ignore sin, but neither does He call us to become judges of one another. Instead, He invites us into the far more beautiful work of restoration.

Jesus teaches us how to do this, and we see Him do it throughout His earthly ministry, perfectly, when a brother or sister has gone astray, like the Good Shepard after His lost sheep. The purpose is not to prove them wrong or to expose their failure, or win an argument. Jesus tells us the goal plainly: “You have gained your brother, or sister.” Christian correction, when necessary, must always have reconciliation as its destination and love as its spirit.

Jesus also reminds us through the parable of the wheat and the tares that we must be humble about what we think we see in others. When the servants wanted to pull the weeds from the field, the master told them to wait, because their roots had become so intertwined, that in pulling the tares it would uproot the wheat as well.

Remember when the Pharisee and a Tax Collector came to pray? The Pharisee, while living a religious lifestyle, could clearly see the faults of everyone around him. The tax collector could only bow his head and pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus tells us it was the humble man who went home justified. I pray that will always be our posture. We are not called to be a church skilled at pulling weeds. We are called to be a church full of grace.

May Victory be a place where wounded people can heal, wandering people can come home, struggling people can find encouragement, and sinners like all of us can encounter the transforming mercy of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to worshiping together, with love, hope, and gratitude for our Victory family,

Cliff

07/26/2026

Pastor's Corner
The Good Shepherd Provides

"When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them."
Matthew 14:14

The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand begins with a simple but profound truth. Jesus looked upon the crowd and His heart was moved with compassion. Before He fed their hunger, He healed their sickness. Before He multiplied the bread, He saw their brokenness. Before they ever asked, He already knew what they needed. This is the heart of our Good Shepherd.

The crowds who followed Jesus were far from perfect. They were weary, confused, fearful, sick, and spiritually hungry. Yet Jesus did not turn them away because of their weakness. He welcomed them because of it. The Good Shepherd does not love perfect sheep. He loves lost sheep. He seeks wandering sheep. He carries wounded sheep. He feeds hungry sheep. That is still His heart today.

If we come to Him burdened with grief, He provides comfort. If we come wounded by sin, He provides mercy. If we come carrying guilt, He provides forgiveness. If our bodies are broken, He provides healing according to His perfect wisdom. If our hearts are anxious, He provides peace. If our souls are empty, He provides Himself.

When the disciples saw only five loaves and two fish, they saw scarcity. Jesus saw abundance. He took what little they had, blessed it, broke it, and placed it into their hands until everyone had eaten and was satisfied. Our Shepherd never gives grudgingly. He pours out His blessings from the inexhaustible riches of His love.

Ultimately, the miracle of the loaves points us to an even greater gift. Jesus is not merely the One who gives bread. He is the Bread of Life. He satisfies a hunger that no earthly meal can fill. On the Cross, the Good Shepherd held nothing back. He gave everything. He poured out His love to the very last drop of His precious blood so that His imperfect sheep might become God's beloved children. Psalm 23 reminds us, "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." That does not mean we receive everything we desire. It means that in Christ we receive everything we truly need. His grace is sufficient. His mercy is new every morning. His love never runs dry.

Whatever burden you carry this week, bring it to the Shepherd. Come with your wounds, your fears, your doubts, and your faith. Bring Him your "five loaves and two fish," however inadequate they might seem. Place them in His hands, for the hands that broke the bread are the same hands that were pierced for you. Those hands still bless. They still heal. They still provide. They still hold every one of His sheep securely. He is our need, and He provides abundantly…The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He is Trustworthy. Count on it.

Grace and Peace,

Cliff

06/28/2026

Pastor’s Corner, July 5, 2026

As we read Matthew 11: 25-30, Jesus says-“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

What an invitation for us all. Come and rest. Be at Peace. Lay down your burdens, off load them for good. Give them to the one who asks that we learn from Him in his own meekness, and humble heart. The one who knows us better than we know ourselves. The one who made us to want to know and love Him. I think, this July 4 weekend, that’s the message. True freedom is in knowing, loving, and following Jesus. Truly making Him Lord of our lives.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” True love requires freedom to choose. True freedom is what Adam experienced in the garden before the fall. He was free to walk with and to love God, or not. Was he free after the fall?

How about us? Is there any freedom apart from God? What is freedom? Jesus says no one knows the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. He also says, through Paul, it is for Freedom that He came to set us free. Are these two statements one and the same? He invites us into repentance and belief, to Faith. To lay down our arms, our burdens of resistance, into authentic confession and relationship, and to truly love Him with our whole heart to experience complete joy, as He created us to do.

I look forward to exploring all of this together, as we celebrate in Worship The King who came to set us free!

In His Peace,

Cliff

05/30/2026

PASTOR’S CORNER
June 7, 2026

This Homecoming Sunday, we will be led in Worship by my good friend and brother in Christ, Martin Watts, who has helped inspire my own faith across the years. I hope he might inspire yours as well, as we worship together! Welcome Home Victory!

I remember when I was off at West Point, I couldn’t wait to get away from the pressures of cadet life, and make my way home, usually with a few cadet buddies. My mom and dad had relocated to Northeast Pennsylvania during my Sophomore year, and it was just a couple hour ride home for Thanksgiving break.

The ride through the beautiful fall colors of the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania fueled the anticipation of the sensational season’s aromas, from turkey and dressing and casseroles to apple pies and fresh fires in the fireplace. My mind was filled with thoughts of the quality family time with loved ones I hadn’t seen for some time and couldn’t wait to enjoy. It would always be a fabulous homecoming. Even better memories overflow my heart today, as I think of my own children and now grandchildren coming home.

I wonder how it makes our Heavenly Father feel, as we make our way home, turning back to Him, and what it will be like when we finally make it Home? I can only imagine it will be far better than anything we could possibly envision. I understand there will be a banquet. The aromas will be sweeter than any of my fondest memories. I wonder who we’ll be seated with? Maybe loved ones we have missed for so long, whose faces once dimmed by illness and age, will be shining with love, life, joy and peace, where there will be no more goodbyes, no more burdens to bear, no more tears, only rejoicing in their presence together with our Savior. The One who reconciles all things together for the good of those who love Him. It will even be better than that! I love the song “I can only imagine” written by Bart Millard and sung by MercyMe. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him. I can only imagine, will I dance for you Jesus, or to my knees will I fall, will I sing Hallelujah or will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine…

As we gather for Homecoming here at Old Victory Church, we celebrate the cherished memories and the goodness of God that has carried this church through generations. We rejoice in the lives that have gone before us, lives changed, prayers answered, hymns sung, and the souls that have been saved within these walls. We know even this sweet fellowship is only a glimpse of the greater Homecoming that awaits us in our Faith, Hope and Love of God.

Until then, may we continue to love one another, encourage one another, and faithfully serve the Lord together in all that we do, inspired to hear those words “Well done.” As we contemplate 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21, let us rejoice together that He is reconciling and making all things new.

Thanks be to God.

I look forward to celebrating in worship together,

Cliff

05/27/2026

Please join us on June 7th. Worship starts at 11:00 and we will have dinner on the grounds immediately following the service.

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

Many folks have commented on how they loved to hear our church bell chime. What many don't know, is that after the church burned down, we almost couldn't replace the bell. Thanks to the efforts of long time member and servant of the church, Alvin Chambers, we acquired the last bell cast in the United States. We hope everyone can attend our homecoming and the 25th anniversary of the rebuilding of Old Victory Church.

05/09/2026

05/05/2026

One of the longest days in the history of Old Victory Church. Hear the story of that day from those that were there. On June 7th, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the rebuilding of the Church as well as our annual homecoming service. After the 11:00 service, we will have a true and authentic dinner on the grounds. Old members, current members, friends, and family are all invited…we hope to see you there to help us celebrate this special occasion that was only made possible through the grace of God.