Midweek Check-in (Apr. 29, 2026)

Good evening, church family!

“Let me tell you a secret.”

Did you know there’s a Bible verse that actually starts like that? It’s Paul. He was writing to the church in Corinth – a church that required multiple letters because they were loved by God (and Paul), full of grace AND an absolute mess.

But we don’t have time to get into all that today. There’s a secret Paul wanted to tell!

It’s near the end of one of his longest letters. Here’s the big secret:

"Listen, I’m telling you a secret: All of us won’t die, but we will all be changed – in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the final trumpet. The trumpet will blast, and the dead will be raised with bodies that won’t decay, and we will be changed. It’s necessary for this rotting body to be clothed with what can’t decay, and for the body that is dying to be clothed in what can’t die. And when the rotting body has been clothed in what can’t decay, and the dying body has been clothed in what can’t die, then this statement in scripture will happen:

Death has been swallowed up by a victory.

Where is your victory, Death?

Where is your sting, Death?

(Death’s sting is sin, and the power of sin is in the Law.) Thanks be to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! As a result of all this, my loved brothers and sisters, you must stand firm, unshakable, excelling in the work of the Lord as always, because you know that your labor isn’t going to be for nothing in the Lord."

-1 Corinthians 15:51-58

What a secret! Of course, it’s not much of a secret anymore. Paul wrote it down in what would become the bestselling book ever.

But the good news remains: death will be left behind, and even our physical bodies will undergo a change that prepares us for eternity! Praise the Lord!

What I like about Paul’s secret (aside from the fact that it’s such wonderful news) is that he also tells us how to respond. “As a result…” he says, “you must stand firm, unshakable, excelling in the work of the Lord…” Some may have been tempted to stop the work altogether and simply spend all their time staring at the heavens. Nope, Paul says. There’s work to do!

Now, this last part might sound a bit wild, but hang with me...

Don’t keep this secret. Some secrets are meant to be taken into confidence, and we should be people of trustworthiness and integrity. But with this secret – Share it! Blare it! Don’t keep it a secret! Jesus shares His victory over death with all who will put their trust in Him! That’s a secret worth sharing!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

THE NEXT INITIATIVE: What is this all about? We’re seeking the Lord’s will and direction for the future of our church with some big plans and goals. So it’s really important to attend each Sunday morning to participate in this important season. Read more about The NEXT Initiative at woodlandlakescc.com/next.

IGNITE PRAYER & WORSHIP NIGHT: Join us next Wednesday (May 6) at 6:30 p.m. for a worship experience in which we’ll take time to pray for our church, our “ones” and the commitments we’re making to the Lord. This is a time of worship and prayer with music, candlelight and hands-on experiences that you won’t want to miss!

CANCER SUPPOR GROUP: Our cancer support group is a community of love, prayer and encouragement for those impacted by the evils of cancer. This group meets monthly in the church café, and the next meeting will be this Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m.

CONTACT INFO: We have recently sent important church announcements through letters in the mail and through emails. If you are not receiving these, please update your contact info with us so we know how best to communicate to you.

PRAYER: I’d like to know how I can best pray for you. We have a way to submit prayer requests online anytime day or night, which will help me join you in prayer.

JUST FOR FUN: Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:

• United Airlines has a new feature coming in 2027: economy seats that can convert into a couch.

• More than 300 contestants entered a 3-day contest with the chance to win the grand prize of $10,000. The contest? Rock, paper, scissors.

• A Chinese carmaker recently filed a patent for a new invention: an in-vehicle toilet.