Midweek Check-in (Oct, 21, 2026)
Good afternoon, church family!
I would like to announce a new addition to our family.
That’s right. We got a puppy.
At one time we were a two-dog household, but that was a while ago. We’ve been dog-free for the past two years, and it was time. Or, to be more accurate, I was told it was time. By my daughters. And wife. Let’s be honest, I’m just along for the ride.
This dog – we’ve named her S’mores – is a mix of a few different breeds, so we’re not exactly sure what size she’ll be when full grown. But for now she’s just a little puppy.
The house training is going well. She’s had only one accident in the week that we’ve had her. But she has a lot of energy. So much of energy. I believe there’s a particular canine condition called “the zoomies”. Yeah, she has the zoomies.
The zoomies is a physiological state in which you have so much excess energy that you end up running around in circles just to burn it all off. I haven’t experienced this since the late 90s, but I hear it’s a rush.
What does this look like? Every once in a while, the dog will go from standing or sitting or laying down to an all-out sprint in half of a second. Where is she going? I don’t know. No one knows, least of all the dog. A dog with the zoomies is not going anywhere; it’s going everywhere. All at once. She’ll run around the house or the backyard at lightning speed before settling down momentarily, catching her breath, then taking off again.
The amazing part is that all the puppy energy is mixed with all the puppy curiosity. She is literally seeing everything for the first time in real time. So every flower is new. Every butterfly a best friend. Every blade of grass a glorious smell.
After a week of this, I can’t help but think: People in heaven will be like puppies on earth.
Imagine the sights, the sounds, the smells, the sensory overload waiting for us in the new creation! And boundless energy with a new body to explore it all!
"So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!"
-2 Corinthians 5:17
One day, I’ll have the zoomies. And the Lord is preparing for that day. I suppose eventually I’ll settle down on a cloud somewhere with a good book. But not on Day 1. What a day that will be!
Your pastor,
Billy Byler
NAME TAGS: I’d like us to take make an extra effort to wear our name tags on Sunday mornings. This is for the benefit of us all, but it will also be a blessing to our new staff member (worship leader Gabe Wilson) who wants to get to know each of you when he joins us this Sunday! If you don’t yet have a name tag, you can request one on the form at the welcome center or talk to Bill Price.
CHURCH WORKDAY: Winter is coming and we have some projects in and around our church facilities that need attention. Join us Saturday, Nov. 7 for breakfast followed by a church workday. All our welcome and there will be projects for every skill level.
FALL 2026 MEN’S RETREAT: This year’s Kansas District men’s retreat will take place at our church Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, Nov. 13-14. Activities include TopGolf, delicious meals, dynamic speakers, games, door prizes and the opportunity to connect with other men from all over Kansas. The cost is $100 for the weekend (or $50 if you can only attend one of the days), but scholarships are available, if needed. Register here and join Pastor Billy and the men of the church at this awesome annual retreat!
PRAYER: I’d like to know how I can best pray for you. We have a way to submit prayer requests onlineanytime 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:
· If this is the season for scary things – how about a snake that can do cartwheels?
· On the 100th anniversary of the first Winnie the Pooh book, a bear broke into a library and ate all the honey and peanut butter in the staff room.
· Christmas Day is just 65 days away, and Lay’s potato chips is releasing new flavors of chips, including Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes, Roasted Holiday Turkey, Maple Bacon and Wavy Milk Chocolate.
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