Weekly Newsletter – September 15, 2025

Pastor Dustin Leek   -   September 15, 2025

đź“–Sunday Recap

Whether rich or poor, admired or overlooked, our worth is not tied to our circumstances but to Christ Himself. James calls us to shift our perspective from what the world values to what God has promised. For the poor, that means boasting in the high position we have in Christ; redeemed, forgiven, and raised with Him. For the rich, that means boasting in humility, remembering that wealth and status fade, but the love of Christ endures forever. Either way, our identity isn’t defined by what we have or lack but by who we belong to.

The call of this passage is clear: stop chasing the world and stand firm in Christ. We do that in three ways. First, we boast in Christ, making Him our joy and confidence no matter our circumstances. Second, we flee worldly status, refusing to measure our lives by what we own or how others see us. And third, we trust God’s promises, resting in the eternal crown of life that awaits all who love Him. The question we each need to wrestle with is this: Am I standing firm in Christ, or am I still chasing the world?

đź“… Happening This Week

Sunday

  • 9:00am – Worship
  • 10:20am – Sunday School
  • 5:30pm – Thrive (Youth Only)

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar

Small Groups
October 5

Small groups will officially begin the week of October 5. We decided to push the start date back a week since Pastor Dustin will be serving on a mission trip to Costa Rica, and we want to make sure everything is in place so our groups get off to a strong start. If you’ve already signed up, you’ll be contacted in the next few days with details about where your group will meet. We’re also excited to share that one of our groups will meet on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., beginning October 8, 2025.

Fall Festival
Saturday, October 18th 

Join us for our Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18th from 3–6 p.m. at the West Salem Square! This free family event will have something for everyone; bounce house, pumpkin painting, hayrides, a petting zoo, and plenty of chili to enjoy. It’s a great way to celebrate the season together, and we’d love for you to bring your family and friends.

We’ll also need help for this event, and opportunities to serve will be announced at church.

Fall Community Worship Service
Sunday, October 19th @10am

After hearing so many people say, “Why don’t we do more of these?” following our summer community service, we’re excited to host a Fall Community Worship Service! Join us on Sunday, October 19th at 10 a.m., the morning after Fall Fest. Seth Schanutz will be sharing the message, and we’d love for you to come worship with us.

🙏 Prayer Requests

Please be praying for:

  • Thrive – Students to grow in knowledge and understanding of Jesus
  • Family of Steve Greiner
  • Georgia Bunting – Surgery recovery
  • Lugenia Simms – test results
  • Kelly Wilson – surgery recovery
  • John Giese – Home; recovery
  • Charlene Lynch – surgery recovery
  • Ginger Boewe – Moved to Villas of Holly Brook
  • Chuck Perry – Cancer
  • Rodney Hardner – Cancer
  • Kelli Savage – Cancer
  • Dina Reid – Recovery
  • Aaron Larkin – Cancer

If you have a prayer request, contact church office at 618-456-8563 or fill out a card on Sunday.

See you Sunday!