Midweek Check-in (July 1, 2026)

Good morning, church family!

Let’s focus our midweek check-in on the nation-wide celebration coming up.

That’s right. July 2 is National Lint Awareness Day, according to this website that proves I didn’t totally make this up.

So be sure to, uh, be aware of lint in all the places you may encounter lint. You know – dryers, jean pockets, bellybuttons.

But seriously – there is a far more important holiday coming up. July 4 is not only Independence Day, this year we are celebrating 250 years as a nation!

The freedoms we enjoy have been hard-earned, preserved and even tested over the years. Many other countries do not have these freedoms guaranteed to their people.

I want to encourage you on this special holiday weekend to celebrate and appreciate our freedoms. Whether it’s with a backyard cookout, fireworks, a parade, a road trip or maybe watching a scene from one of my favorite movies – I also think it would be appropriate to pause, take time and pray.

The nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom God has chosen as his possession,

is truly happy!

The Lord looks down from heaven;

he sees every human being.

From his dwelling place God observes all who live on earth.

God is the one who made all their hearts,

the one who knows everything they do.

Kings aren’t saved by the strength of their armies;

warriors aren’t rescued by how much power they have.

A warhorse is a bad bet for victory;

it can’t save despite its great strength.

But look here: the Lord’s eyes watch all who honor him,

all who wait for his faithful love,

to deliver their lives from death

and keep them alive during a famine.

We put our hope in the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

Our heart rejoices in God

because we trust his holy name.

Lord, let your faithful love surround us because we wait for you.

Psalm 33:12-22

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

PRAYER PARTNERS: We’re launching a new ministry this summer that will connect kids with prayer partners within the church for prayer, encouragement and mentorship. All adult volunteers must pass a background check, and training is tonight at the church at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Children’s Director Tiffany Newell.

2026 DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: Woodland Lakes Community Church has long been a part of the Church of the Nazarene, and each summer Nazarenes from all over Kansas gather at the annual District Assembly. This year it will be downtown at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene (1400 E. Kellogg Dr.). All are welcome to attend! Here’s what to expect:

·      Thursday, July 30 – The opening worship service starts at 7 p.m. and will feature District Superintendent Kendall Franklin giving his annual report. I’d love to see a great turnout from our church in support of Pastor Kendall.

·      Friday, July 31 – The annual ordination service begins at 7 p.m. This is a sacred, holy worship service in which General Superintendent Gustavo Crocker will bring a message and we will witness the ordination of three ministers and honor one retiring minister.

·      Saturday, Aug. 1 – The annual EQUIP Day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and features plenary speaker Selena Freeman plus several workshops and seminars focused on specific ministry topics (more info to come).

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:

·       Don’t forget to cheer on Team USA tonight at 7 p.m. against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup. Here’s a helpful guide on what channels are showing the game.

·       Soccer fans from all over the world are traveling to the U.S. to watch their teams play in the World Cup. Japanese fans have a tradition that they’re once again upholding: when the match ends, they start cleaning up.

·       Because of the World Cup, some international travelers are experiencing Ranch Dressing for the first time and desperately want to take it back home with them. So Kraft is scrambling to sell TSA-compliant Ranch that will make it through airport security.