Newsletter for March 4, 2026

Join us for a new Family Night Bible study as we explore timeless biblical principles through the simple life and values of a small town.

From integrity and forgiveness to patience, humility, and faith, we’ll discover how everyday moments can point us to lasting truth.

Come grow with us as we learn how small-town wisdom connects with God’s Word and speaks to life today.

Supper is at 6 PM, followed by our study.

On The Menu
Beef Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy
Broccoli, Rolls, and Chocolate Lasagna

Monday, March 9th
1:30 PM

You're invited to be part of a wonderful group of ladies! Join us each month for our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) meeting—a time for women of all ages to gather in fellowship, grow in our faith, and focus on missions near and far. Discover how God is working through women just like you and missionaries worldwide.

WMU meets in the Prayer Room

Mark your calendar!
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026

We would love to have you.

Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, March 15

Join us for a special day with Murray Tilles from Light of Messiah Ministries as he presents “Jesus in the Passover.”

Have you ever wondered what the Jewish Passover has to do with Jesus and the Lord’s Supper? Discover how the Passover meal beautifully points to Christ and the redemption He brings.

Murray will be sharing during:
Sunday School, Morning Worship Service, and a
special Passover lunch presentation.

A traditional Passover table will be set up, and you’ll gain powerful insight into the Jewish roots of our faith and the meaning behind Communion.

This will be a meaningful and eye-opening experience for all ages.

Fellowship & Fun – Join Us!

We are excited to invite you to our next time of fellowship and fun as we travel to a Mennonite restaurant in Montezuma on Saturday, March 21! There is nothing better than enjoying good food and sweet fellowship together, and this promises to be a wonderful day of both. We will leave the church at 10:30 a.m., so come ready for a relaxed and enjoyable outing with your church family.

If you would like to attend, please sign up in your Sunday School class or let Jonathan know as soon as possible. We hope you will join us for a great time of food, laughter, and fellowship!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . .  $59,456.79
Received to Date . . . . . . . .  $55,454.33     
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . . $8,502.02
 

As I’ve been putting together devotions for our Small Town Truths series, I’ve found myself thinking about the stories my dad used to tell. Now, you had to be careful with some of his stories. My dad had a way of placing himself in historical events that clearly happened before he was born. When I learned in school about when the Civil War actually took place, I realized he probably didn’t serve in it as he claimed. So, some of his “history lessons” required a little discernment. But there was one story he told that several people who were actually there confirmed.

It happened at a graveside service out at Bethel Church. The burial that day was taking place near the edge of the cemetery, and just beyond the fence was a cow pasture. And in that pasture was a bull. During the service, while prayers were being prayed and tears quietly wiped away, the bull would lower his head and charge toward the fence. He would run hard and fast, stopping just a few feet short. The first time it happened, people nervously shifted in the seat. The second time, they stepped back together almost in unison. By the third charge, it had become as beautiful as a choir singing in unison. The bull would run, the congregation would scoot, the bull would stop, and everyone would slowly and respectfully return to their place as if nothing had happened. No one said a word. Everyone was trying to remain respectful of the situation.

After the service, when I came up to help fill in the grave, people didn’t say a thing about the man who was buried; all they talked about was the bull.  Isn’t that how life happens? At important moments in our lives, especially when we are trying to grow as believers, something always seems to be charging in. Distraction. Fear. Awkwardness. Worry. Sometimes, even humor at the most unexpected time. We gather for worship, and our minds wander. We bow our heads to pray, and something pulls at our attention. We face serious moments, and something unexpected shakes us.

The fence that held the bull back was worn and weathered, the kind of fence that didn’t look strong enough to keep a large dog from slipping through. Yet every time that bull lowered his head and ran full speed toward it, something unseen stopped him in his tracks. The fence may not have looked impressive, but it was stronger than it appeared.

That’s the lesson. The bull could charge all he wanted, but he couldn’t cross the fence. He could stir nerves. He could disrupt comfort. He could make people shuffle their feet. But he couldn’t break through. Hebrews 12:28 reminds us that we have received “a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” The world may shake us. Circumstances may rattle us. Distractions may charge at us. But what God has secured for us in Christ stands firm. Death was present that day at Bethel. Grief was real. But so was hope. As believers, we can have hope in a savior who is stronger than anything that charges the fence.