Illuminate Community Church

4/26/26 - Remember, Rejoice, and Respond | 1 Timothy 1:12–17 - Pastor Alec Williams

I’m looking forward to being together this Sunday as we continue in 1 Timothy. In this passage, Paul reflects on his own story. He looks back at who he was apart from Christ, the grace he’s received, and the way his life has been changed. He’s honest about his past, not to stay there, but to show just how good God’s mercy really is. That’s where we’re going this week. The Gospel produces something in us. It leads us to remember who we were apart from Christ, rejoice in the grace we’ve received, and respond by living for His glory. My hope is that this Sunday wouldn’t just be something we hear, but something that actually moves us. That we would walk away with a deeper gratitude for God’s grace and a clearer sense of how to live in light of it. Looking forward to worshiping with you.

4/19/26 - The Law and The Gospel | 1 Timothy 1:8-11 - Pastor Matt Burkholder

This Sunday, we’ll continue our series in 1 Timothy as we look at chapter 1, verses 8–11 and consider what Paul says about the purpose of God’s law. In the church at Ephesus, there had been a subtle but significant drift away from sound doctrine, as false teachers rose up and began to misunderstand and misapply the law. What was meant to point people to God was instead being used in a way that led them away from Him. Paul addresses this head-on by reminding us that the law is good—but only when it’s used properly. Like many today, the people in Ephesus were tempted to treat the law as a measuring stick for their own righteousness or to separate it entirely from the message of grace. But Paul shows us that the law and the gospel are not at odds—they work together. The law exposes our sin and reveals our need, while the gospel points us to Jesus, the One who fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. Together, we’ll explore how the law was never meant to save us, but to serve a greater purpose: to confront us, to lead us to Christ, and to shape how we live in response to His grace. My hope is that this message helps us see both the depth of our need and the greatness of God’s love—that while we may be far more sinful than we realize, we are also far more loved than we could ever imagine.

4/12/26 - Defend the Truth | 1 Timothy 1:1-7 - Pastor Jason Fritz

As we begin this new series, we step into a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a young pastor named Timothy, who was leading a church in Ephesus where something had begun to drift. The issue wasn’t outright denial of the gospel; it was more subtle than that. False teachings had crept in that sounded spiritual but were pulling people away from the truth. Paul writes to bring clarity, reminding us that the church is the household of God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. That means we don’t create truth, we hold it up, protect it, and live it out. We’ll also see that what shapes us will ultimately define us. True teaching doesn’t lead to empty discussion, but to lives marked by love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. And that’s exactly what we’ll witness in baptisms: not speculation or empty words, but the clear, life-changing truth of Jesus on display. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you all that God is doing in and through His people!

4/5/26 - Easter - Same King. Different Crown. - Pastor Jason Fritz

As we head into Easter weekend, I cannot wait to join you for both Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. Good Friday will be a quieter, more reflective time as we sit in the weight and meaning of the cross. We’ll walk through the final words of Jesus, each one revealing His heart, His mercy, and the price He willingly paid for us. It’s a moment to slow down, examine our hearts, and remember the depth of His love as we come to the table together. Then on Easter Sunday, everything shifts. We celebrate the resurrection! The moment that changed everything. We’ll look at how people responded to the empty tomb: some worshiped, some doubted, and some rejected it altogether. And in that, we’re invited to see ourselves. Wherever you are spiritually right now, steady in your faith, full of questions, or just exploring, I believe this message will meet you in a meaningful way. More than anything, I hope this weekend feels like an open door for you to invite friends and family to experience the people of Illuminate and the gospel of Jesus. Bring whatever you’re carrying and encounter the hope that only Jesus offers. I’m praying that God meets you personally, whether in the quiet reflection of Friday or the joy of Sunday, and reminds you just how deeply you are loved.

4/3/26 - Good Friday - Pastor Jason Fritz

As we head into Easter weekend, I cannot wait to join you for both Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. Good Friday will be a quieter, more reflective time as we sit in the weight and meaning of the cross. We’ll walk through the final words of Jesus, each one revealing His heart, His mercy, and the price He willingly paid for us. It’s a moment to slow down, examine our hearts, and remember the depth of His love as we come to the table together. Then on Easter Sunday, everything shifts. We celebrate the resurrection! The moment that changed everything. We’ll look at how people responded to the empty tomb: some worshiped, some doubted, and some rejected it altogether. And in that, we’re invited to see ourselves. Wherever you are spiritually right now, steady in your faith, full of questions, or just exploring, I believe this message will meet you in a meaningful way. More than anything, I hope this weekend feels like an open door for you to invite friends and family to experience the people of Illuminate and the gospel of Jesus. Bring whatever you’re carrying and encounter the hope that only Jesus offers. I’m praying that God meets you personally, whether in the quiet reflection of Friday or the joy of Sunday, and reminds you just how deeply you are loved.