Midweek Check-in (March 19, 2025)

Good afternoon, church family!

It’s time for a midweek check-in! What’s the old saying? March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb.

I think we’re still in the lion phase.

I can hear the wind blowing outside of my office door as I’m writing this. Do you know how wind works? Essentially, it’s the air moving from one system of pressure to another. Just as water shifts and flows to the lowest point, air shifts to the place of lowest air pressure.

It’s fascinating that meteorologists (who, despite their title, study weather and not meteors) can track this stuff and make forecasts about wind speeds and other weather factors.

Really, it’s the study of change. Weather systems are never permanent and rarely stagnant. Air pressure changes, so we experience wind! The tilt of the earth’s axis shifts, so we experience a change of seasons. And at this time of year, I welcome the change! I’d rather have flowers and green grass rather than more snow and ice!

We know other things in life also change. Fashion, music, the stock market (yikes!), even our age! Change is unstoppable in some areas of life.

Even some things that don’t change end up changing. The Bible doesn’t change, right? But language does. A few hundred years ago I would have welcomed thee to mine midweeketh-checkineth. I’m glad the English language has changed a bit. But that means every so often wise biblical scholars unite to produce new versions of the Bible using updated English language. The goal is not to change the Bible but to keep it accurate despite changes in language.

So much change can be a bit intimidating. Let me assure you of one thing that scripture tells us:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

-Hebrews 13:8

That means that it doesn’t matter how long ago Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. You can still receive forgiveness for your sins!

It doesn’t matter how much the world tries to change the definition of love to fit various agendas, Jesus still loves you completely and perfectly!

And it doesn’t matter how much change we experience in the weather, the stock market or even our relationship status – Jesus stands ready to bring about new creation out of the brokenness of this world.

So in a changing world, let’s keep our hope built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness! On Christ the Solid Rock, we stand!

Keep reading for some important church announcements!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES EVENT: All ladies are invited to “A Surprising Encounter with Christ” by special guest speaker Lynnette Hawkins this Saturday (March 22), 1-3 p.m. in the church lobby.

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.

CHURCH ELECTIONS: Our annual church elections will take place Sunday, April 6 to elect new leaders for our church board and delegates to represent our church at the 2025 Kansas District Assembly and NMI Convention. Only church members are eligible to vote. If you are interested in becoming a church member, contact Pastor Billy.

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.

EASTER EVENTS: Easter is coming, and we’re so excited to celebrate! Here’s how we’re going to do it (and how you can help!):

FAMILY PICNIC & EGG HUNT

It all starts on Saturday, April 12 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a Family Picnic and Egg Hunt right on our church lawn! All are invited for a free lunch, games, crafts and egg hunt. Lunch includes burgers on the grill provided by a generous donation from Creekstone Farms in Ark City, KS.

Here’s where we need your help:

·      Volunteer and/or bring something (signups are in the church lobby)

·      Help us stuff Easter eggs with candy (date to be announced soon)

·      invite friends, family, neighbors and coworkers!

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.

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.

We have invite cards to all these events ready for you to take with you on Sunday. Share them with your friends, neighbors, coworkers, relatives and anyone else!

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 4-year-old boy in Wisconsin called 9-1-1 earlier this month to report a crime: his mom ate his ice cream!

• There’s a museum in Sweden that gives each visitor a barf bag. Why? Because it’s the Disgusting Food Museum and exhibits include crispy fried crickets, fermented shark meat and a milky carbonated soda.

• Have you filled out your bracket yet? Correctly predict every game in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Twitter (X) and you'll win a trip to Mars!