March 11, 2026 Newsletter

March 10, 2026

Through the years, I’ve had people come up to me after a service and say things like, “Pastor, you really stepped on my toes this morning,” or “Pastor, that sermon felt like it was written just for me.” I can honestly say that I have never intentionally aimed a message at any one person. My prayer each week is simply that God would guide me to the message He wants shared and that He would use it in the hearts of those who hear it.

This past Sunday, however, I had to pause for a moment and chuckle. The title of the message was “Distractions.” Whether it was the time change, not quite enough coffee, or something else entirely, it seemed like everything possible was trying to distract me throughout the service. In the middle of it all, I realized that God was allowing me to experience the very thing the message was about. My mind and thoughts seemed to be pulled in every direction except toward worship—ironic, considering the whole point of the message was learning to set distractions aside and focus on God.

I want to thank each of you who joined us in person or online. Even in those moments, God reminded me of an important truth: there is victory in Jesus! We simply need to persevere and continue walking by faith. As the special music reminded us Sunday morning, “I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords.”

Friends, exciting times lie ahead. We have several opportunities coming up to reach out to our community. In addition to the concerts and times of fellowship we enjoy at the church, we are making plans to participate in local community festivals and events. More details will be coming soon, so be sure to watch future editions of the newsletter as those dates approach.

As we move forward together, let’s set aside the distractions, keep our focus on God, desire Him first, love our neighbors, and continue reaching “The One.”

— Pastor Vance

Pastor Vance's Ventures

For your convenience, below is Pastor Vance’s tentative schedule for the next few days. (It may vary depending on emergency situations, meetings, etc.)

Appointments can be made by calling/texting 614-706-3040 or email at PastorVance@WildermuthChurch.com

Wed 3/11

Kiwanis @ Noon GPS

– Somerset @ 7 PM

Thurs 3/12

Office by Appointment

Mission Rally – Hebron @ 7 PM

Friday 3/13

Office by Appointment

Sunday 3/14

Day Off

Sunday 3/15

Worship @ 10AM

Board Meeting @ 11:30 AM

Monday 3/16
Office by Appointment

Tuesday 3/17

Bible Study – Carroll Cup – 9AM

Office by Appointment

Wednesday 3/18

Kiwanis @ Noon

GPS – Somerset @ 7PM

Meetings, events, and Worship services

God and People Stories (GPS)Ministries, an outreach ministry by Pastor Vance in our area.

GPS Ministries — Somerset

Join us Wednesday evenings at Wannabees (the sign out front says “Main Grill”) at 105 W Main St, Somerset, OH. We fellowship over a meal between 5-7 PM (arrive as you can, purchase your own meal from their great menu) and Bible study starts at 7.
Contact Pastor Vance if you would like transportation to this service.

Ministry / Volunteer Opportunities

We invite all to share your gifts during our Worship Service
It could also be by sharing a poem, some musical gift, or other talent during our services. It could even be to serve as a Song Leader during our Worship time, or in some other way.

BC Food Pantry - Monthly (typically the 3rd Friday of the month)
Come join us as we minister to our community by helping with the setting up for the Bloom Carroll Food Pantry.

- Approx 6:30 - 8 PM at Shalom UMC, 4925 Plum Rd NW, Carroll -

Minister to others by bringing in donations of canned Dog and Cat Food

to Wildermuth Memorial Church. We serve as a collection site for these items.

Would you consider helping Wildermuth Church in supporting missionaries by linking your Kroger rewards card to Wildermuth Memorial Church, ID # RJ186.

If you do not shop at Kroger, then please note that all money donated in the Missions cup by our offering plate also goes to this mission’s support.

Looking to the Future

Community Good Friday Service
Please make plans now to join us on Friday, April 3rd, at 7:00 PM, at Trinity UCC, located at 105 North High Street in Baltimore.
This service is a wonderful opportunity to worship alongside believers from across our community, and you will also experience ministers from several local churches leading different parts of the service together. It is a powerful witness to the unity of Christ’s Church.

Several Concerts are getting scheduled for 2026.
Flyers will be attached to the newsletters.

One of our long-range visions for our church is to become a host church for two different youth groups.
Trail Life for boys and American Heritage Girls are Christian based Scout-like organization for youth ages 5 to 18.
We will need a minimum of 5 adult males and 5 adult women to commit to being the leadership teams in order to get these troops chartered.

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March 04, 2026 Newsletter

By Riza Lapaz • March 5, 2026

We had a wonderful concert this past Saturday with Kameron Waits. He is truly a gifted singer with a heart for sharing the Gospel through song. Thank you to everyone who joined us in person—it was a meaningful and uplifting evening of worship. For those who were unable to attend and attempted to watch online, I want to offer a sincere apology. Unfortunately, we were unable to get Facebook to cooperate, and much of the livestream was blocked. That’s one of the ongoing frustrations of technology. Thankfully, a few songs were able to be salvaged and reposted. While we don’t have full control over what social media will or won’t allow, it does serve as a reminder of the value of being present in the room whenever possible. There is simply no substitute for gathering together in person. On another note, as I’ve mentioned before, I am part of a Ministerial Association serving Baltimore, Thurston, and Carroll. This association hosts several community worship services throughout the year. The next of these will be a Good Friday Service. The leadership at Wildermuth Memorial Church has decided that this year we will join in that community service rather than hosting our own. Please make plans now to join us on Friday, April 3rd, at 7:00 PM, at Trinity UCC, located at 105 North High Street in Baltimore. This service is a wonderful opportunity to worship alongside believers from across our community, and you will also experience ministers from several local churches leading different parts of the service together. It is a powerful witness to the unity of Christ’s Church. We hope you’ll plan to be part of this meaningful evening of worship and reflection as we journey toward Easter together .

February 25, 2026 Newsletter

February 26, 2026

What is Lent—and why does it matter? Lent is the 40-day season (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. It mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness and recalls the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. More than a stretch of days on the calendar, Lent is an invitation: a sacred time to slow down, reflect, repent, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. While Lent is most often associated with Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions, many Protestant churches—including ours—have found it to be a meaningful season of spiritual renewal. Lent helps us examine our lives, turn again toward God, and make space for the Spirit to form us more fully into Christlikeness. I also want to remind you about our upcoming New Members Class , which you’ll see more details about later in this newsletter. This class is open to anyone—whether you’re considering membership or simply want to learn more about Wildermuth Church. Together we’ll explore our rich heritage, our theology and doctrine, and how our church is structured. And then comes the challenge. Each of us has THE ONE—that person God has placed on our heart. During this Lenten season, I invite you to intentionally invest in that relationship. Pray for them. Walk with them. Perhaps, as God works, that relationship will grow to the point where they join you for a New Members Class. Better yet, perhaps God is stirring something deeper—leading you, or your ONE, toward baptism. With that hope in mind, I am making arrangements for a Baptism Service on Easter morning. If you—or someone you know—are feeling led to be baptized, please reach out and let me know. I would be honored to walk with you in that step of faith. Grace and peace as we journey through this Lenten season together.