Wow, it is hard to believe we are already thinking February, the month of “LOVE” and Valentine’s Day and candy and more snow and Super Bowl! As I was thinking about all that is before us as a church in 2026, I been asking the Lord to give me personally and our church a special kind of love to be the people and the place he desires. I came across this writing by Phil Ressler in my devotions, in my heart I knew this is what I was praying for so I want to share it with you. Especially as our focus this year is Simple Faith… come to Jesus as you are. Deeper Faith… stay with Jesus as He transforms you.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9–11, ESV)
These verses outline the purpose for which Philippians was written. In Paul’s fondness for the people of this church, he wants even more for them. His prayer for them is it that:
1. Their love may abound more and more.
2. That they would grow in knowledge and discernment.
3. That they would experience the fruit of righteousness.
4. It would all be for the glory and praise of God.
These are not prayer requests for the Philippians alone. They are prayer requests for us as well. We would do well to regularly pray these petitions. There are four benefits to pray for ourselves and for others.
Breaking these requests down further:
To abound in love –We pray for more than gushy feelings. We pray that we would love by serving God and others in a more selfless way. We pray we would make commitments that are not self-centered, but other-centered! We pray that we would love better.
To grow in knowledge and discernment – We pray we would become more knowledgeable of the things and the ways of God. Reading the Scriptures! Studying the Scriptures! Memorizing the Scripture! But we pray for more than knowledge. We pray for discernment. Another word for this is wisdom. I can be knowledgeable but not wise. We pray we would live out our faith in ways that are wise.
That they would experience the fruit of righteousness – We pray to be free from worry and anxiety. That we would have peace in our hearts and joy in our souls. Even though life may be crazy, we pray that we would be content and confident in God.
That it would all be for the glory and praise of God – We pray that others would see Jesus in us and through us. We pray that heaven would be bigger because of the witness and the testimony that we gave. It’s not to us, but to his name for His will and glory.
What a prayer. We thank God for His faithfulness to each one of our lives personally and our church family and community. We recognize that in the challenging times we live, we must confess as we look to the future we cannot lead or carry out God’s purpose for our lives on our own. Because we have the sovereign presence of God that makes an amazing difference in all things. May the Lord guide us in this upcoming year together to greater things!
In His Amazing Grace,
Pastor Sam
SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH
“Therefore, I urge you brothers; in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to
God – this is your spiritual act of worship”
Romans 12:1
WILEY CHURCH HAPPENINGS…
Church Worship Services and Sermon Schedule
Theme: Simple Faith… come to Jesus as you are. Deeper Faith… stays with Jesus as He transforms you. “Mercy invites us to come as we are—and calls us to live transformed lives.”(Romans 12:1)
February
1 Sacred Standards John 2:13-17 (The How)
8 Looking For A New Path Matthew 4:1-11 (The Resistance) Communion
15 A New Mind Matthew 17:1-8 (The Transformation)
18 Ash Wednesday Service … Getting Things Right Luke 2:41-52
Lenten Series… “Powerful Conversations on the Way to the Cross”
Join us as we study and apply the stories of the Jesus’ reckless grace that culminates in the death, resurrection and celebration of his life.
22 Sowing Seeking Finding Luke 7:43, 8:5-15
Wiley Church Grief Ministries
• Grief Share starts Monday, February 2nd 7:00 pm for 12 weeks (We have most likely have a full group.) Join us in prayer for this ministry!
• Journey With Hope… (grief and loss) 3rd Tuesday at 6:30pm will take place in theTerrace Room at the Wiley Home
Children’s Ministry
February 27 – Kids and Family Game Night at 6:30pm
March 22 at 11:00am – Children’s Communion Class
April 5 at 11am (after church) – Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
Our Lenten 2026 Journey
Ash Wednesday, February 18
12:00 Noon – Ash Wednesday Service for all ages and brief prayer
7:00 pm – Worship with us in the Sanctuary as part of our kick off to the Lenten journey
Pastor Sam and Chaplain Tom share ashes with the church, Wiley community,
Pennsauken community, and greater community as opportunity is given.
Seeking God’s Face Week – February 15th- 22nd
We are putting aside this week for a special time of prayer, meditation and fasting to God so we might know God’s mind intimately, know His will for our lives and our church, and for the future. We’ll seek Him through…
- Daily prayer – challenging each to devote 15 minutes a day to prayer for God’s will.
- Ash Wednesday Services, February 18:
- 12 pm (noon) for all ages and brief prayer (church chapel)
- 7:00 pm – Worship with us in the Sanctuary as part of our kick off to the Lenten journey together with ashes for those who wish to receive.
Wednesdays Lenten Faith Journey 2026 … Fellowship – Faith – Friends
6:00-7:30pm
February 25, March 4, 11,18 25
Theme: “Understanding the Reckless Grace of Jesus on the way to the Cross” Dr Will Willamon
Meets in the foyer each week for coffee/snacks, growing deeper in our faith, with friends.
EASTER SEASON CELEBRATION 2026
March 29th – Palm Sunday Worship Celebration, 9:30am
April 2nd – Holy Thursday 7:00pm Jesus Last Night Experience.
(“A focus on the heart and reckless love and grace of Jesus”.)
April 3rd – Good Friday
- 7:00am – Men’s Breakfast 7:00am
- 1:00 – 2:00pm – Good Friday Service
April 5th – Easter Sunday
- 9:30am Easter Sunday Worship Celebration
- 11:00am Children Easter Egg Hunt