Midweek Check-in (April 16, 2025)

Good afternoon, church family!

Here, in the middle of a very holy week, let’s pause for a moment. As I type this, we are 3 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes from Easter Sunday morning.

Do you know why I’m excited?

It’s not because of the Easter Bunny.

It’s not because of Reese’s peanut butter eggs (but, yum!).

It’s not because of church clothes and wearing my Easter best and taking one, just one, family photo where I just want everybody to look at the camera at the same time and smile, please, even the children, please will you try, please, PLEASE? THANK YOU WAIT A MINUTE WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES AND OH NO WHOSE SOCKS ARE THOSE?

That’s not why I’m excited. Here’s why I’m excited: On Easter Sunday, we proclaim the TRUTH.

Of course, we do that every Sunday. But on Easter, it’s kind of the big one. It’s not just the truth. It’s the celebration of the TRUTH!

In John 18, Pilate – the highest-ranking official in all the land, asked Jesus a question: “What is truth?”

Then John wrote out a very detailed description of the crucifixion in which Jesus was beaten and tortured and then He suffered and died on the cross.

And at the end of that description, John wrote this:

The one who saw this has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he speaks the truth, and he has testified so that you also can believe. -John 19:35

Pilate might not know what’s true. But John certainly did.

Jesus really did die. But, and not to spoil anything, death couldn’t contain Jesus.

And so on that Easter Sunday morning, Jesus was resurrected. He didn’t just come back to life. There’s a difference. Others had miraculously come back to life but eventually died again. Jesus was resurrected, meaning He would never die again. Death has no power over him.

And on Easter Sunday we will celebrate that truth! Death has been defeated! The grave is overcome!

I hope you’ll join me Easter Sunday, and I hope you’ll invite a friend, a relative, a neighbor, a coworker – this truth is too good to keep to ourselves! Do you know someone who could use a bit of good news these days for themselves or their family? Your invite may just be the thing they need. Let’s share this Good News!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Before Easter, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and the turmoil and division leading up to the crucifixion. Join us April 18 at 6:30 p.m. to hear the Word read aloud and experience the darkness of Good Friday. This will bring proper context and set the stage for the hope and celebration of Easter Sunday.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

New this year – let’s celebrate our Risen Lord and Savior at daybreak with a special Easter Sunrise Communion Service outside by the church pond starting at 6:45 a.m. The sunrise will be at 6:48 that morning, and if you have never experienced an Easter sunrise, I encourage you to bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us at the water’s edge for a one-of-a-kind Easter experience. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday. Instead, join us for doughnuts and coffee in the café.

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

The celebration culminates in our Easter Sunday worship service starting at 10:30 a.m. in our sanctuary! Let’s worship Jesus and celebrate His resurrection in song, scripture and preaching of His Word.

BAPTISM: We have several who are interested in baptism, and we are planning a Baptism Sunday in the weeks after Easter. If you would like to know more about how you can experience the grace and joy of baptism, please contact Pastor Billy.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Our monthly Cancer Support Group meeting will take place Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at the church. If you or someone you know is facing a cancer diagnosis, this group is an excellent resource and community for Godly encouragement, prayer and support.

CRAFT CONNECTIONS: For those interested in a community that loves to craft, join Craft Connections at their next meeting on Monday, April 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS 2025: This summer we’re inviting all kids to Trust Jesus in a Wild World with TRUE NORTH – our Vacation Bible School that will run each evening June 18-20. Be on the lookout for more information as we draw closer to the summer. We’ll have a volunteers’ meeting on May 18.

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:

• A couple of chocolatiers unveiled the world’s largest Cadbury Crème Egg, which they describe as weighing 99 pounds with the height of an emperor penguin.

• A driver in Florida was pulled over by police for driving 105 mph on a 45-mph road. The reason: the bride was late for her wedding.

• A new TV sensation is sweeping all of Sweden: 24-hour coverage of moose migrating. The coverage, which will run non-stop for 20 days, can be watched live on this Swedish website.