Midweek Check-in (Sept. 23, 2026)

Good evening, church family!

Let’s stop, take a break and enjoy a midweek check-in together. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat.”

Well, it saved Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was a guy who was just curious. Who was this Jesus guy everyone was talking about? What did he look like? Where was he going? What would he do next?

Curiosity got the best of Zacchaeus. So he climbed a tree to get a look for himself.

“When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.’ So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.”

-Luke 19:5-6

It’s a beautiful story… until you get to the very next verse.

“Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’”

-Luke 19:7

Grumblers. What are we to do with the grumblers? This amazing, redemptive story played out in front of a bunch of… grumblers. You can’t be curious when you grumble.

But I get it. Much of the Old Testament describes a system of rules in which only those who are ritually clean may approach the presence of the Lord. So if you touch something unclean you don’t get to participate in the ongoing worship at the Temple. And getting too close to a rotten, dirty sinner is rather unclean.

But Jesus not only showed kindness to this dirty, rotten sinner; He also invited Himself over for dinner. The risk of coming into contact with the unclean was high. But here’s the thing about Jesus: while the clean become unclean when touched by the unclean; The unclean become clean when touched by Jesus.

That’s why even us sinners can, as Hebrews says, approach the throne of grace with confidence. We won’t dirty up Jesus. He’ll clean up us.

May the Lord clean off the grumbling and clean us up with a spirit of curiosity!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Throughout the year we partner with a local karate instructor who uses our facilities for classes, and this group’s annual karate tournament is Saturday, Oct. 10. We will once again provide concessions during lunch at the tournament, and this year all funds raised will go to a Nazarene elementary school in Belize as they expand their facilities to educate and feed more than 250 students. We need food donations and volunteers to serve in the concessions stand to make this happen. Contact Tiffany Newell for more info or sign up at the welcome center this Sunday!

ALABASTER: Each September and February we collect Alabaster donations, which go to build churches, parsonages, hospitals and other ministry buildings on the mission field. Alabaster donation boxes can be turned in on any Sunday or in the church office during the week.

FALL 2026 LAY MINISTER ACADEMY: This event will take place on Zoom on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 4-6 p.m. and is designed to equip and network ministry leaders and volunteers from all over Kansas. The first hour will be a special conversation with Dr. Amy Clarkson discussing the diversity of personalities we are called to serve. The second hour will be1 an opportunity to break into groups within ministry emphasis, coverse more specifically, and network! The event is free. Register here.

FALL 2026 LADIES’ RETREAT: This year’s Kansas District women’s retreat is at the Wichita Marriott (across from Costco) Oct. 16-17. Special guest speaker Susie Schellenberger will speak on the theme “More than You Can Imagine”. The cost is $79 for the weekend, but scholarship opportunities are available, if needed. Contact Pastor Cyndee Price or Melinda Martyn. Registration is now open.

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!

KIDS QUIZZING: This fall we are bringing back the Nazarene Kids Quizzing curriculum in our children’s ministry during the Sunday School hour. If you would like to help as we re-establish this valuable, Bible-based training, contact our children’s director Tiffany Newell for more info.

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:

·       Just in time for the fall coffee season – Dunkin and L.L. Bean have partnered to make clothing for your coffee.

·       MIT researchers have created batteries that can be safely swallowed with the potential to power medical devices inside the body.

·       Christmas Day is just 93 days away, and here’s a unique gift idea: Burger King has launched a line of tiny purses big enough to hold exactly one Burger King nugget.