Wiley Church
March 2026
FROM THE HEART OF OUR PASTOR…
ALIVE: A Lenten Invitation
We are in the early days of Lent — the forty days leading to Easter. Lent is not about religious traditions. It is about returning. Returning to the cross. Returning to mercy. Returning to Jesus. For generations, believers have used these days to fast, pray, repent, reflect, and renew. It is a sacred season to slow down and seek the Lord with fresh love and deeper surrender — remembering the gift God gave us in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.
This year at Wiley Church, our journey is centered on one theme: Simple Faith → Deeper Faith.
Simple faith comes to Jesus just as we are. Deeper faith stays with Jesus as He changes us. Transformation begins with mercy. And mercy is never in a hurry.
Consider Him
Many years ago, while I was in seminary, I came across a powerful reflection by Max Lucado describing the final week of Jesus’ life. It has stayed with me ever since. As we walk through these forty days, don’t rush these words. Let them move you.
ALIVE! by Max Lucado
ROAD. DARK. STARS. SHADOWS. FOUR. SANDALS. Robes. Quiet. Suspense.
Grove. Trees. Alone. Questions. Anguish. “Father!” Sweat. Blood. God-Man.
Torches. Voices. Betrayal. Fear. Run. Bound. Wrists. Marching. Courtyard. Trial. Sneer. Mocking. Punch.
Rooster. Guilt. Whip. Silence. Whip. Silence. Whip. Thorns. Jeering. Compromise. Blood.
Crossbeam. Nails. Pound. Pound. Pound. Forgiveness. Darkness. “My God!” Silence. Death.
Earthquake. Stone. Waiting. Mary. Running. Peter. John.Belief. Alive. Alive. Alive.
The writer of Hebrews tells us:“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus… Consider Him… so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2–3)
This Lent, let us consider Him. When life feels heavy — consider Him. When your faith feels thin — consider Him. When you are weary — consider Him. Don’t rush to Easter. Walk the road. Stand at the cross. Sit in the silence. Because resurrection only makes sense when we remember the cost.
Reflection Questions for Lent
Take a few moments this week to prayerfully consider:
Where have I rushed past the cross in my life?
What distraction is keeping me from deeper surrender?
What does “simple faith” look like for me right now?
What area of my life is Jesus inviting into deeper faith?
Am I fixing my eyes on Christ — or on my circumstances?
Write your answers down. Pray over them. Act on one of them.
A Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, As we begin this Lenten journey, slow our hurried hearts. Help us not to skim past the cross, but to stand before it. Teach us simple faith — the faith that comes honestly. Lead us into deeper faith — the faith that stays and trusts. Renew our love. Strengthen our surrender. And fix our eyes firmly on You. Amen.
Will you join me on this journey?
In His Amazing Love,
Pastor Sam
SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH
“Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God.
‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!’” John 1:14-15
Wiley Church Happenings March 2026
Church Worship and Sermon Schedule
Lenten Series… “Powerful Conversations on the Way to the Cross”
Join us as we study and apply to our daily live the stories of reckless grace that culminates in the death and resurrection and celebration of Jesus life.
March
1 Open Invitation Luke 14 : 16 – 24 Communion
8 Feasting With the Found Luke 15 : 3 – 32
15 Crumbs from the Table Luke 19: 1 – 10
22 Refusing the Host Luke 19: 11-21
29 Palm Sunday (David and Melissa Raube, Tyndale Bible Translators going to Manila, Philippines)
April
2 Maundy Thursday “Jesus Last Night Experience” 7:00pm Free Tickets
3 Good Friday Men’s Breakfast 7 am, “Words from the Cross” 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Easter Celebration of Reckless Grace Series…
This Easter, we celebrate a grace so reckless it shattered the tomb and rewrote our story — and it’s still rewriting lives today. Join us as we discover how the risen Jesus finds, restores, renews, and sends ordinary people like us — and what that means for our failures, your doubts, and future.
5 Easter Sunday “Celebration of Reckless Easter Grace” John 20:1-18 Communion
12 “ Reckless Grace Restores Failures ” (Peter restored) John 21:1-19
19 “ Reckless Grace Reverses Messiness in Place ” Luke 24:13-35
26 “ Reckless Grace Empowers our Walk and Story” Acts 1:4-8
Wiley Church Grief Ministries
Griefshare has begun and currently is full.
Journey with Hope (grief and loss) the third Tuesday of every month March 17th and April 21st
6:30 p.m. in the Terrace Room.
Wednesday Lenten Faith Journey 2026…Fellowship, Faith & Friends
Join us from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the church foyer. Theme: “Understanding the Reckless
Grace of Jesus on the way to the Cross” by Dr. Will Willimon. Join us each week for
coffee/snack and growing deeper in our faith with friends. Dates: March 4, 11,18 & 25.
Upcoming Easter Celebration
March 29th Palm Sunday Worship Celebration@ 9:30 a.m.
(With David and Melissa Raube, Tyndale Bible Translators going to Manila, Philippines)
April 2nd Holy Thursday at 7:00 p.m. (Jesus Last Night Experience)
April 3rd Good Friday Men’s Breakfast at 6:55 a.m.
Good Friday Service from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. “ Words from the Cross”
April 5th Easter Sunday Worship @ 9:30 a.m.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt @ 11:00 a.m