On Wednesday, March 18, during Gather, around 30 elementary children participated in a special anointing time that created a calm and reverent space for worship and reflection. Students came forward by class, and each child was anointed with oil as leaders spoke a blessing over them: “May the Holy Spirit give you peace.” This moment helped teach that anointing is a spiritual act led by the Holy Spirit, used for blessing and drawing closer to God. As the children quietly returned to their seats, the room remained peaceful and focused. We connected this experience to Jesus being anointed during Holy Week, reminding them that just as He was prepared for His work, we too are blessed as His followers. We ended in quiet prayer and worship, and it was a meaningful and powerful moment for our kids.

Over the month of March, in preparation for Holy Week, during our student gatherings, we have been reflecting on the people who were present at the cross or noticeably absent. We often (rightly) focus on Jesus in the crucifixion scene, but the Scriptures offer us wisdom through notes about Jesus’ enemies, friends, family, and bystanders as well. My hope is that the students are now prepared to fully engage in Holy Week this year with a new depth of understanding. 
  We also tried something new with the high school students this month. Instead of our normal gathering, we attended First Wednesday Theology together and then had a reflection group afterward. This time was helpful to apply the ideas and gave students time to ask further questions that came up during the teaching. 
  One final note is that the students continue to understand the importance of inviting others to church. Despite the Spring being a heavy sports season and many of our regulars being unable to attend, we have had a steady influx of new students in both middle and high school. One student noted that she was scared to come to a church on her first visit, but has now joined us three times! 

One of the young adults in our community has recently begun walking through a remarkable season of healing and restoration. Having grown up in an abusive home environment, he carried years of pain and harm that eventually led him to leave that situation behind. Like many who come from difficult backgrounds, those experiences shaped how he saw himself, his relationships, and even his understanding of God.
Over the past several weeks, however, we have watched God begin to move in his life in deeply meaningful ways. For the first time, he is experiencing genuine healing in areas that had remained wounded for much of his life. Through time in the Word, prayer, and the encouragement of other believers, he has started reading his Bible consistently and connecting personally with God in a way he never had before.
At the same time, he has begun forming healthy, Christ-centered relationships within the young adult community. True fellowship—centered on Jesus and lived out through conversation, prayer, and shared life—is becoming a regular part of his daily and weekly rhythm.
Watching God bring healing to long-standing wounds while also drawing someone into deeper relationship with Himself has been profoundly encouraging. It is a beautiful reminder that the Lord continues to restore lives, bring truth where there were once lies, and build genuine Christian community around the person of Jesus Christ. 

March was a meaningful and active month in congregational care at Timberlake Church. Through 170 care touchpoints, more than 30 individuals and families were supported through visits, calls, prayer, and practical care. This included 20 in-person visits, 35 volunteer visits, and 89 handwritten cards—each a reminder that no one walks alone.
Additional care efforts included meals delivered, pastoral counseling sessions, crisis response, and bereavement care, all reflecting the heart of our church to reach, feed, and release people with compassion and consistency.
Our OWLS gathering in March was a special highlight featuring a concert and devotion led by Glenn Babbitt. Glenn and his wife Susan, new members of Timberlake, are already making an impact. Glenn is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity and serving as an intern, with a calling toward chaplaincy ministry.