Midweek Check-in (Oct. 1, 2025)

Good evening, church family!

On Saturday my family participated in the Annual Doug Unruh Memorial Disc Golf Tournament on the campus of Hesston College. Doug was my father-in-law (CJ’s dad), and he left us too soon 11 and a half years ago. He was a great, godly man and a wonderful husband and father. And he loved disc golf!

In the first few years after his passing, we got permission from Hesston College, where Doug and many members of his family are alumni, to design a disc golf course on campus in his honor. There’s now a really nice, 18-basket course that is free to play, well-maintained by the college and the host of an annual disc golf tournament in his honor.

We had beautiful weather, and CJ proudly represented the family well by placing second in the ladies' division!

It’s a bittersweet celebration each year. We love getting together, playing a round in honor of Doug and remembering all the times we played on his makeshift course around his farm in Perryton, Texas. We had extended family from as far away as Ohio play in the tournament this year! Of course, we’d trade it all to have Doug with us again, but that’s not possible.

What is possible and even inevitable is the resurrection of the dead. Jesus was the first. His followers (including Doug!) will be next. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 describes the eventual return of Jesus (it’s definitely worth reading), and what will happen when He does return. And this description ends with a command: “So encourage each other with these words.” (v.18).

That’s part of what we should be doing each Sunday! We gather in the name of Jesus, who died but is no longer dead. And that’s worth celebrating! You may have someone close to you whom you have lost. But we encourage each other with the reminder that we will see them again one day! Why? Because we serve a Risen Savior who has hope for us in this life and in the next!

If we have hope in Christ only in this life, then we deserve to be pitied more than anyone else. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He’s the first crop of the harvest of those who have died.

-1 Corinthians 15:19-20

He is Risen and we will one day know that resurrection power as well!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

MISSIONS FUNDRAISER: We could use a few more volunteers to work the concession stand at the karate tournament at our church this Saturday. All proceeds will go to fund a missions project that the kids of our church will participate in later this month! If you are willing and able to help at the karate tournament, contact Tiffany Newell as soon as possible.

ALL-CHURCH WORKDAY: We need your help with several projects inside and outside the church property. So join us Saturday, Oct. 11 starting at 8 a.m. with breakfast at the church and special guest speaker Col. (ret.) Cathy McClain, who will share about servant leadership before we get to work!

WHISPER CLOSE 2025 LADIES’ RETREAT: The annual Kansas District ladies’ retreat is Oct. 17-18 at the Wichita Marriott featuring special guest speaker Jill Barber.  The cost for the two-day event is $79, which includes dinner on Friday evening and breakfast Saturday morning. Register online by this Friday (Oct. 3).

ADOPTION PARTY: Come celebrate with Angie Morris and her four newly adopted children (Hayze, Cylis, Kaizer and Skylynn) at a party at the church on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. We’ll hear a little more about Angie and the kids and their journey through foster care and adoption!

LAY MINISTER’S ACADEMY: Save the date for the next Lay Minister’s Academy Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pratt, KS. This event is designed to encourage, equip, resource, and network volunteers who serve in our local churches. Lunch is included! Register here.

BAPTISM: We have had several people express interest in getting baptized! If you’d like to learn more about baptism, contact Pastor Billy.

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 6-year-old boy drew a picture of himself sailing the seas in a bathtub. Twenty-five years later, he did it.

·      Meet the people who seek out and willingly eat 100-year-old military rations.

·      With only 85 days until Christmas, you and a friend need to act quickly to get this two-person, fried mozzarella cheese sticks costume from Chili’s.