Midweek Check-in (Feb. 25, 2026)

Good evening, church family!

On a recent, cold, winter day, my wife and I got motivated to finally do some rearranging in our bedroom. We slid our bed closer to one wall, freeing up some space against the other wall for a dresser, which freed up just enough extra space against another wall to set up two small chairs and a little nightstand right under the bedroom window.

It has become a small, quiet place of peace and rest for us. But then I added one more feature. For a grand total of $7, I purchased a small bird feeder, complete with suction cups, that sticks to the outside of that bedroom window.

It took about a week for the birds to find it. But now, every morning, we’re greeted by a few pairs of house finches, several chickadees, and even one cardinal, which I assume flew all the way in from St. Louis.

The little bit of joy those birds bring as we prepare for the day helps get our morning going. It’s also a reminder to me of a time when Jesus looked up, saw some birds flying around and had something to say about them.

"Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops in barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?"

-Matthew 6:26

Even the birds on a small window feeder testify to God’s provision and care for us as they sing the songs God created them to sing. And why do they sing? They sing because they’re happy! They sing because they’re free! (if you know, you know).

May the Lord of the birds also provide for you this week, and I hope that is a comfort to us all.

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

LADIES EVENT: All ladies are invited to our next ladies’ event on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Cyndee Price as our featured speaker.

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.

ALABASTER: In the month of February we are receiving an Alabaster Offering to help support missions. It’s not too late to join in by making a donation online and selecting the “Alabaster” option from the dropdown menu. All funds collected for the Alabaster Offering go to missionary building efforts, including churches, hospitals, orphanages and parsonages around the world.

CLEAN WATER 5K: The Clean Water 5k is a race right here in Wichita where you can walk, jog or run while supporting the mission to provide clean water wells to villages in Africa. One hundred percent of your $25 registration fee will go to the mission field! I helped start this race several years ago, and it’s a really fun event. So join me the morning of Saturday, April 11 along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita. Check out more info and sign up at cleanwater5k.com.

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 bird was injured when a fishing hook was stuck in its beak. So it flew to a nearby hospital and tapped on the door, which alerted the staff and got the help it needed!

• A kitten that was born with four ears will soon have surgery… to correct an overbite.

• Shocking scandal at a middle eastern beauty contest: The camels were using Botox!