Rest in Your church

A Long Road Home My name is Dickie Somers. I want to be honest first: I am not perfect. There are things in my life I am not proud of, but there are also many things I thank God for. One of the biggest blessings in my life is this church. I have been part of this church for a long time—over 50 years now. Church has always been important to me. I grew up in a Christian family with eight children. My father worked in the woods, and my mother worked hard all her life. Faith was the foundation of our home. Even today, I start my day the same way: I make coffee, and then I read my devotions. Every single morning. That is what keeps me going. When I was young, my mother loved the church. She came early every Sunday, not just for worship, but to talk to everyone. She loved people, and I think I learned that from her. I always looked forward to Sunday school then, and I still do today.   Starting the Men’s Group One day, we had a visiting minister named Tom Chandler. At that ti...

    He is Risen! This Easter Sunday was truly special. Despite the unfavorable weather, so many of you came out to celebrate, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar, welcoming faces. Penny’s testimony , as always, deeply moved our hearts and reminded us of the power of God’s work in our lives. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the congregants who decorated the inside and outside of the church so beautifully for Easter—especially Sharon and Bob . Your hard work made our sanctuary feel like a true celebration of life. I also want to thank Jeanie , who meticulously prepared Easter gifts for children of all ages. Having a Sunday School teacher who loves and cares for our children so deeply is a true sign of hope and a profound blessing for our church. We also give thanks for God’s protection over Jean , who serves our community in so many ways—from the media to the bulletins. She had a scary fall in front of the church and could have been injured, but we ar...

A Childhood of Fear I grew up in chaos. My father was a violent alcoholic and a former Marine who used his skills as a sharpshooter to threaten us. He told my mother that if she ever left, he wouldn't just find her—he would hunt her down. Violence was my "normal." I saw furniture flipped, supper thrown against the ceiling, and my mother nearly choked to death. Once, in a fit of rage, my father even threw me in front of an oncoming train. By the grace of God, I landed across the tracks just seconds before the train passed between us. During those years, I was also being abused by others outside the home. They threatened to hurt my parents if I spoke up. I stayed quiet for years out of a desperate love for my family, until I finally reached a breaking point and fought back. Eventually, God provided a way out, and that abuse stopped. The Night Everything Changed The most important moment of my life happened when I was nine years old. During one of my father’s viol...

  Thank you, Denise!  Today is the day Jesus rested in the tomb. While the world felt silent and dark, something incredible was happening behind the scenes. Think about  Joseph of Arimathea . He was a respected leader with a lot to lose—his status, his wealth, and his reputation. Following Jesus wasn't exactly a "safe career move" back then! He probably spent a lot of time pacing his room, thinking,  "If I ask for His body, everyone will know I’m one of them." But Joseph took that brave, terrifying leap of faith. He put everything on the line, and look what happened! Because he offered his tomb to Jesus, that very tomb became the  headquarters of the greatest miracle in history.  His "place of death" became the "evidence of the Resurrection." Do you have a "tomb" in your life right now?  Maybe it’s a shadow of loneliness, a season of loss, or a difficult trial. The Lord is calling the "Josephs" of today! If you bring your ...

Good Friday Online Service | April 3, 2026 Good Friday Today is Good Friday. Children often ask us, "Why do we call the day Jesus died 'Good' Friday?" Death itself usually means separation, suffering, and pain. However, Jesus’ death is "good" for us because it gave us life. Although we cannot gather in person today due to the weather, I believe we are gathered as one through the Holy Spirit, who works beyond any physical location. I feel a bit of sadness holding my last Good Friday service with you online. But I believe God is speaking to us today—telling us that wherever we may be in the future, we will always be one in Him. Originally, I planned to walk the "Way of the Cross" with 16 readers. Instead, I invite you to meditate on this word from your own homes. If possible, please prepare a single candle to light during our time together. Lydia will assist me by reading the Holy Scriptures.   The Lamb in the sacrifices of Leviticus  T...