Midweek Check-in (March 26, 2025)

Good afternoon, church family!

Let’s pause in this busy season to refocus our thoughts on the Lord.

Last week I was driving my family home. As we turned onto our street and approached our driveway, I couldn’t help but notice the sign. It wasn’t there earlier in the day. But it was definitely there now – taped to the front of a decorative, antique wheelbarrow in our front yard. “MISSING” it said it bold, red, capital letters. And then there was a photo that I couldn’t quite make out.

I prayed it wasn’t a missing person, but it didn’t look like that type of sign. I assumed it was a neighbor who had lost a pet. Someone’s dog had escaped their backyard, or a cat had someone gotten out of the house. You see those signs occasionally.

But after parking the vehicle and walking out into our front yard to get a closer look, it wasn’t a sign about a missing pet. But there was something missing, something so valuable that it required someone to make a large sign, walk onto my property and post the news for all to see.

And the message was clear: “MISSING: be on the lookout” followed by a photo of a single, blue flip flop. The left one.

And in case the photo wasn’t clear, there appeared to be a rough sketch of that same flip flop colored onto the margins.

And a phone number on the bottom (I blacked out the number so it wouldn’t get shared on the open Internet).

So far, we have not solved the mystery of the missing, left flip flop. We have two working theories on this: Either a kid lost it, got in trouble and is trying to get out of the doghouse with mom by rallying the entire street to their search-and-rescue mission OR a right flip flop is searching for its long-lost mate, which sounds like the plot of the next animated movie from Pixar.

I must admit, standing in my front yard and looking at this sign, it didn’t seem to me that this was worth the effort and materials for a neighborhood-wide search. A flip flop is just not that important. Who would search for something so worthless?

And then I was reminded of a story Jesus told.

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

I don’t know which you value more: sparrows, hairs on your head or flip flops. But know this: God cares for the insignificant things. And you are not insignificant. So he certainly cares for you.

Keep that in mind on this first Wednesday of spring. And if you happen to find a blue, left flip flop, let me know!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

MEMBERSHIP CLASS: We have a few people interested in becoming members of the church. Our next Membership Class will take place this Sunday (March 30) at 12:30 p.m. in the church lobby. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Pastor Billy if you’re planning to attend.

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.

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.

FAMILY PICNIC & EGG HUNT

We need all hands on deck for Saturday, April 12 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. four our 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. There will be a volunteers’ meeting in the church sanctuary immediately after the Sunday morning worship service this Sunday (March 30). The meeting will last no more than 30 minutes and will be full of info on how you can help and what to expect as a volunteer.

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.

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 goat in South Carolina has acquired the unique ability to open a gate at any time. That proved problematic last week when he used this skill to let a kangaroo escape, which resulted in a police chase through town.

• Police in Tennessee are searching for four people who robbed a gas station using snakes.

• The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released its 2025 list of the Top 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. And, CONGRATULATIONS! Wichita is No. 1 for the third year in a row!