Midweek Check-in (May 20, 2026)

Good afternoon, church family!

The work of the Holy Spirit continues to be evident among us. Let me tell you why.

This past Sunday many came to the altar for what I called an “oil change”. For the lasting health of a vehicle, oil changes must be regular and consistent. If not, that vehicle won’t last long.

And if you tell someone, “Hey, I’m going to take my car in for an oil change,” no one responds with, “Oh no, what’s wrong with your car?”

There’s nothing wrong. It’s just time for an oil change.

For the life of a Jesus follower, maybe time at the altar ought to be something similar. The altar isn’t a place where all the perfect saints get to look around and see who all the dirty sinners are. It’s a sacred, holy place in which we can kneel, sit or stand before the Lord, in the presence of His people, and ask the Lord to just deal with whatever needs to be dealt with.

And sometimes maybe nothing’s wrong at all. Like an oil change is good for car care, altar time it good for soul care.

For some, altar time this past Sunday came with a desire for healing or wisdom or forgiveness or confession. For two young ladies on Sunday morning, the altar was where they knelt and accepted Jesus as their Savior!

There’s more to their stories that only the Lord knows, but we can very clearly see the Holy Spirit at work again and again.

Yes, it took a bit more time. No, it wasn’t all scheduled or planned out. But when the Holy Spirit shows up, church family, we’re going to simply follow in obedience, patience and love.

The video testimony from our own Steve Carrick was also evidence of the Spirit’s transforming power. If you missed it, you can watch it here.

I’ll confess, I’m having a hard time keeping up with all the many ways the Holy Spirit is at work, but what a ride it is! And this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday! We’ll celebrate the Spirit’s activity in the early church and continue to testify to the mighty work’s we’re seeing now!

In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

Your young will see visions.

Your elders will dream dreams.

Even upon my servants, men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy. …

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

-Acts 2:17-18,21

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

MEMORIAL SERVICE: We will celebrate the life of Randy Rouse on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Woodland Lakes Community Church. Randy passed away peacefully early Monday morning surrounded by his family and with his wife, Debbie, at his side. Please remember Debbie and the entire family in your prayers and join us Thursday morning. Following the instructions Randy left us, light refreshments will follow for everyone in attendance.

PENTECOST SUNDAY: This Sunday (May 24) at 10:30 a.m. we’ll celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit that the early church experienced in Acts 2. This will also be your final opportunity to turn in a pledge card and participate in The NEXT Initiative. Learn more at woodlandlakescc.com/next.

CELEBRATION SUNDAY: Don’t miss this! Sunday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m., will be a celebration unlike any other with the big reveal of our commitments to The NEXT Initiative and more stories of God’s faithfulness and mighty works among us. The kids will join us for the entire service (even the babies!), because we don’t want anyone to miss out on the party in the sanctuary.

BAPTISM SUNDAY: We are planning another Baptism Sunday! If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, please contact me.

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:

• Scientists don’t fully understand how or why it happens, but when pregnant moms yawn, the unborn baby does too.

• It sounds absurd, but a newly discovered fish off the coast of Australia looks like Mr. Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. So that’s what they named it.

• A man in Georgia got so fed up about rising gas prices that he stuck a two-gallon, one-piston engine on a Power Wheels Barbie car and now drives that around.