MARCH 2026 NEWS & UPDATES
Welcome to our monthly church news page. Check here for ministry updates, featured events, birthdays, volunteer schedules, and ways to get involved this month.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DEB...
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially
the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has
set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
March brings us St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring (Praise the Lord!)
and the season of Lent. Lent is a recognition of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness as He prepared to begin His ministry. He followed the Spirit into a place and time of communion and reflection, a time away from all other voices and all other distractions so He could hear the voice of God.
I love this verse from Hebrews 12. We have been talking about the new
thing God has for us in 2026. I believe that before God can do a new thing, there may be some old things we need to strip off. There may be some
weight that is holding us back. There may be some sin that is tripping us
up. That can happen with us both individually and as a church.
Whether or not you give up meat or coffee or chocolate or social media, I pray that you will take some time alone with God, undistracted, so that you can hear His voice. Draw near to Him. Ask Him to help you recognize the
things you need to let go of in your life. Ask Him to show you the race
ahead and submit to His training and preparation so you can run with
endurance.
Spring brings us the end of winter and the budding of new growth, new
life. I pray that for each of you and for the church. As we journey through Lent, stripping off the old, we do so with the sure hope that God has
something new ... new growth, new beauty,
new life! Spring is coming!
In Faithful Prayer,
Pastor Deb
the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has
set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
March brings us St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring (Praise the Lord!)
and the season of Lent. Lent is a recognition of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness as He prepared to begin His ministry. He followed the Spirit into a place and time of communion and reflection, a time away from all other voices and all other distractions so He could hear the voice of God.
I love this verse from Hebrews 12. We have been talking about the new
thing God has for us in 2026. I believe that before God can do a new thing, there may be some old things we need to strip off. There may be some
weight that is holding us back. There may be some sin that is tripping us
up. That can happen with us both individually and as a church.
Whether or not you give up meat or coffee or chocolate or social media, I pray that you will take some time alone with God, undistracted, so that you can hear His voice. Draw near to Him. Ask Him to help you recognize the
things you need to let go of in your life. Ask Him to show you the race
ahead and submit to His training and preparation so you can run with
endurance.
Spring brings us the end of winter and the budding of new growth, new
life. I pray that for each of you and for the church. As we journey through Lent, stripping off the old, we do so with the sure hope that God has
something new ... new growth, new beauty,
new life! Spring is coming!
In Faithful Prayer,
Pastor Deb
THIS MONTH AT A GLANCE
Here are a few featured events happening this month. Visit our full Events page for the complete church calendar.
Calendars
Upcoming Events
News
YOUTH MINISTRY
Here is this month’s update from Bill Dilks and the Youth Ministry.
Youth Ministry Update from Bill Dilks
Dear Church Family,
We have had a pretty rough start to 2026. Struggling as snow, cold weather, and illness have caused setbacks in our opportunity to fellowship with one another. Although we may experience setbacks, the Lord never stops working. I am continuously amazed at how God’s inspiration continues regardless of what we may be going through. As we have now started the season of Lent, I am reminded of the struggles Jesus went through carrying out the will of His Father. Although a man of many sorrows, trials, and temptations, Jesus lived a life full of love, fellowship, and purpose. Jesus leaned on and drew close to the Father, and the Holy Spirit was with Jesus, and went before Him. So, instead of seeing the darkness that sought to surround the life of Jesus, we have seen a great light that the darkness cannot overcome. Maybe if you haven’t thought of what to give up for Lent, a good idea would be to give your time. If you’ve already committed time to spend intentionally with God, maybe give up a little more. We often think of Lent as depriving ourselves of our physical needs, a form of fasting in recognition of Jesus overcoming the flesh. Often times, though we are reluctant to admit it, the thing that we need to give up the most is our time. Maybe take some of that personal time we spend on social media or late-night binge watching and give it to God intentionally. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and say, “OK God, for the next thirty minutes I’m giving this up to spend time with You because You are the king of my heart.” Sometimes when facing struggles, all we have to do is be still and know that He is God because God is faithful and He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.
I want to thank everyone in this family for supporting the Valentine’s Dinner and the Pancake Dinner. God has so much more in store for us in the month of March. We have several opportunities for fellowship, so make sure that you are keeping an eye on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. The joint unity service with the Spanish church will be on March 14th, youth BINGO night will be on March 20th, and more along with all of our regularly scheduled events. Also, towards the end of the month there will be a sign-up sheet available to rent the youth group to work for you to do small labor tasks, household cleaning, odd jobs, and spring clean-up service throughout the month of April. There will be approximately 10 work slots available, so they might fill up fast!
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
~ Hebrews 10:23
In loving service,
Bill Dilks
We have had a pretty rough start to 2026. Struggling as snow, cold weather, and illness have caused setbacks in our opportunity to fellowship with one another. Although we may experience setbacks, the Lord never stops working. I am continuously amazed at how God’s inspiration continues regardless of what we may be going through. As we have now started the season of Lent, I am reminded of the struggles Jesus went through carrying out the will of His Father. Although a man of many sorrows, trials, and temptations, Jesus lived a life full of love, fellowship, and purpose. Jesus leaned on and drew close to the Father, and the Holy Spirit was with Jesus, and went before Him. So, instead of seeing the darkness that sought to surround the life of Jesus, we have seen a great light that the darkness cannot overcome. Maybe if you haven’t thought of what to give up for Lent, a good idea would be to give your time. If you’ve already committed time to spend intentionally with God, maybe give up a little more. We often think of Lent as depriving ourselves of our physical needs, a form of fasting in recognition of Jesus overcoming the flesh. Often times, though we are reluctant to admit it, the thing that we need to give up the most is our time. Maybe take some of that personal time we spend on social media or late-night binge watching and give it to God intentionally. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and say, “OK God, for the next thirty minutes I’m giving this up to spend time with You because You are the king of my heart.” Sometimes when facing struggles, all we have to do is be still and know that He is God because God is faithful and He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.
I want to thank everyone in this family for supporting the Valentine’s Dinner and the Pancake Dinner. God has so much more in store for us in the month of March. We have several opportunities for fellowship, so make sure that you are keeping an eye on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. The joint unity service with the Spanish church will be on March 14th, youth BINGO night will be on March 20th, and more along with all of our regularly scheduled events. Also, towards the end of the month there will be a sign-up sheet available to rent the youth group to work for you to do small labor tasks, household cleaning, odd jobs, and spring clean-up service throughout the month of April. There will be approximately 10 work slots available, so they might fill up fast!
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
~ Hebrews 10:23
In loving service,
Bill Dilks
Youth Fellowship Schedule
Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
6:00-7:30 pm at the Youth House
6:00-7:30 pm at the Youth House
Special Event: BINGO Fundraiser
BINGO Fundraiser
March 20, 7:00 pm
March 20, 7:00 pm
BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES
BIRTHDAYS:
- Connie DeVoe - March 3
- Logan Schepacarter - March 5
- Julie Hancock - March 6
- Autumn Martinez - March 6
- Arabella Atlee - March 8
- Tracy Cicchetti - March 8
- Andrea Smurlo - March 10
- Autumn Batulini - March 12
- Bert Skipton - March 12
- Brittany Burkhardt - March 14
- Theresa Weible - March 14
- Michael Ritchie - March 19
- Sean David Fitzpatrick - March 24
- Patty Sims - March 26
- Rudy Neisner - March 29
- Robin Gregg - March 30
- Mary Ann Herbst - March 30
- Lee Fountain - March 31
ANNIVERSARIES:
- John and Wendy Burkhardt - March 12
- Rick and Robin Gregg - March 14
- Fred and Eula Gibson - March 25
- John and Eleanor Florczynski - March 30
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
If you are not able to serve on your specific date,
please contact Sandy or Pastor Deb ASAP.
please contact Sandy or Pastor Deb ASAP.
Service Teams
Counters: Bill Wiltsey and Rose
Greeters/Ushers: (Center Aisle): Rose and Linda
Assistants: (Side Aisles): Sean and Amelia
Greeters/Ushers: (Center Aisle): Rose and Linda
Assistants: (Side Aisles): Sean and Amelia
Sunday School (K-3)
3/1: Autumn & Aiden
3/8: Cori
3/15: Autumn
3/22: Lauren P.
3/29: Chelsea
3/8: Cori
3/15: Autumn
3/22: Lauren P.
3/29: Chelsea
Sunday School (4-6):
3/1: Heather & Sean
3/8: Bill & Nathaniel
3/15: Bruce & Joe
3/22: Heather & Sean
3/29: Cori
3/8: Bill & Nathaniel
3/15: Bruce & Joe
3/22: Heather & Sean
3/29: Cori
Nursery Workers
3/1: Heddy
3/8: Lisa G. and Debbie P.
3/15: Audrey & Sandy
3/22: Audrey
3/29: Laura and Rose
3/8: Lisa G. and Debbie P.
3/15: Audrey & Sandy
3/22: Audrey
3/29: Laura and Rose
Song Leaders
3/1: Don Conner
3/8: Arvin Skramstad
3/15: Denise Wooden
3/22: Paul Buford
3/29: Michael Wooden
3/8: Arvin Skramstad
3/15: Denise Wooden
3/22: Paul Buford
3/29: Michael Wooden
OUTREACH & GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
JANUARY 2026:
Budget $7,798
Loose $117
Capital $820
Sunday School $ 127
Flowers $140
Bread Box $5
Arlene Burkhardt Memorial: $1,000
Christmas Eve: $197
CBO: $75
Attendance Average: 51
DECEMBER 2025:
Budget $12,555
Loose $338
Capital $1,100
Sunday School $40
Flowers $48
Dilks Memorial: $200
Wood Memorial: $100
Maloney Memorial: $1060
CBO: $568
Loose $338
Capital $1,100
Sunday School $40
Flowers $48
Dilks Memorial: $200
Wood Memorial: $100
Maloney Memorial: $1060
CBO: $568
Attendance Average: 86