NO. 25
A Note From Pastor Eric
Running Faithfully: Reflections from our 2 Timothy Series
On January 11th, Pastor Rick invited us into an eight-week journey through Paul’s second letter to Timothy. As we’ve moved through the first three weeks together, I’ve found myself both encouraged and challenged in meaningful ways. Paul’s words, written near the end of his life, have such a way of cutting through the noise and reminding us what truly matters. Week one set the tone by calling us to keep moving forward by faith. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that the same God who has been faithful in every previous season will be faithful in the next one, too. That message landed very close to home for me. It’s easy to trust God in hindsight, but much harder when the future feels unclear. Yet again, Scripture presses us to anchor our confidence not in what we can see, but in the steady presence and grace of God who walks with us. Week two challenged us to live unashamed of the gospel. I love Paul’s words; they are bold and unapologetic, calling believers to stand firm in truth and faithfulness as we run our race to the very end. I’ll be honest, this week some conviction stirred in me. There are very subtle ways we can soften our witness or grow quiet when faith becomes inconvenient. Paul reminds us that faithfulness isn’t about comfort; it’s about courage and endurance. Week three spoke directly to weary hearts. Paul’s call to finish the race by relying on God’s resources was comforting and at the same time, challenging. I was reminded that fatigue, discouragement, and even the temptation to quit are not signs of failure; they’re part of the journey. What encourages me most here is this truth: God never calls us to finish alone. He supplies all the strength we need to cross the finish line, and what an incredible promise we have in that. I'm excited to dig deeper as we look ahead to the coming weeks because Paul will continue to point us toward perseverance, faithfulness to Scripture, spiritual endurance, and finishing well, even when the road is hard. If the first half of this letter has reminded us why we run, the weeks ahead will help us understand how we remain faithful all the way to the end.
Let me ask you a couple of questions to reflect on as we continue this series together:
1.Where is God asking you to keep moving forward by faith, even when the future feels uncertain? 2.Are there places where fear, exhaustion, or distraction have tempted you to grow quiet or give up, and how might God be inviting you to rely more fully on His strength? I’m grateful we’re walking through this letter together as a church family. My prayer is that God continues to shape us into people who run faithfully, live unashamed, and finish strong, by His grace and for His glory.
Let’s keep running together!
Pastor Eric
VioletGroup Leaders and Those Looking to Lead a Group,
I am looking forward to our huddle this February. We will have Rick Howerton joining us. Rick has been in ministry for 50 years and is one of the premier voices in small-group ministry. He has worked with Lifeway, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and many churches. He has served as both a church planter and a pastor in small and large churches, and in his most recent role, he served as the campus small-group pastor for a large church in Dallas, Texas.
The title of his discussion will be Community by Design: Building Groups That Care, Share, and Grow . You will not want to miss this huddle.
If you are reading this and have ever considered becoming a VioletGroup leader, please join us on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 PM.
Pastor Brian briann@violetchurch.com
Click here to register
Community Impact
January was a cold and busy month at Violet. We welcomed back the Pickerington Service-Learning Group, which meets on Mondays throughout the school year, as well as the Thursday Community Bible Study group and Pickerington Parks and Recreation classes. If you would like to learn more about the partnerships we have with local schools or about hosting classes for the community, please reach out to me. For the past five years, Violet has been honored to host the Pickerington Local School District’s MLK Celebration & Awards Ceremony. Thank you to the volunteers who helped greet and welcome so many who came to celebrate.
As always, if you’re looking to get involved and serve, I would love to connect with you. If you have any questions or need help finding where to serve at Violet, please reach out to me.
Thank you, Jamie McCleese
Community Impact Director jamiem@violetchurch.com
Upcoming Event
The Footsteps of Paul & John
We are excited to invite the Violet church family and friends on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to walk in The Footsteps of Paul & John. This unforgettable 11-day tour and cruise, taking place April 14–24, 2027, will bring Scripture to life as we visit many of the most significant locations of the early church. Our journey will include Ephesus, Patmos, Corinth, Athens, Philippi, Thessalonica, and several other incredible biblical sites. As we travel together, we’ll experience the history, culture, and spiritual significance of the places where the apostles lived, taught, and spread the gospel. The estimated cost for this trip is approximately $6,000, which includes airfare, all fees and gratuities, and daily breakfast and dinner—allowing you to focus fully on the experience without worrying about logistics. This trip is open to members of the Violet church family as well as friends who would love to join us. Whether you’ve always dreamed of visiting biblical lands or are looking for a meaningful way to grow in your faith through travel and fellowship, this journey promises to be both enriching and unforgettable.
For more information or to express interest, please contact Pastor Keith at keithh@violetchurch.com.
“The Keys To The Church”
In their recent book entitled “Growing Young,” researchers from Fuller Youth Institute discovered that churches that effectively reach and grow students do so by giving them “the keys to the church.” This phrase represents a mindset that enables students to lead and serve in significant ways in and through their church, while still in youth ministry. It involves empowering students to explore their gifting and calling through a wide variety of servant leadership opportunities. At Violet, our students are a vital part of our discipleship and outreach ministries both in our church, and in our community. We don’t want students to fall for the lie that says that they have to wait until they are adults to make a significant Kingdom impact. We are blessed to have students who are not spectators of ministry, but rather have “the keys to the church!”
Pastor Keith Next Gen Pastor keithh@violetchurch.com
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Overflow Youth Retreat | March 6–8 Heartland Retreat Center | Marengo, OH
We’re thrilled to head back to Heartland Retreat Center for one of the most meaningful weekends of the year! Our Overflow Youth Retreat is a chance for students to step away from everyday distractions and intentionally grow in their relationship with God and with one another. For many students, this weekend becomes a turning point in their faith—and it’s consistently the most impactful event we offer all year. Students (6th grade through 12th grade) will enjoy a weekend filled with teaching, worship, games, and plenty of time to connect and build lasting friendships. If your student can attend just one event this year, this is the one! Details: Depart: Friday, March 6 at 5:00 PM (meet at church) Return: Sunday, March 8 at Noon (back at church) Cost: $145 Registration & payment due by February 22 Register and pay through the Church Center App or under “Events” at VioletBaptistChurch.org. A completed Heartland Consent Form is required. Packing details will be sent home with students via postcard.
We can’t wait for this incredible weekend with your students!
If there were a word of the month in VioletKids, then January’s word would be change ! As we enter 2026, we know that God has big things in store for us as we faithfully serve Him.
Here are a few changes that were noticed around VioletKids in January:
Christmas decorations are down — but there is still so much to celebrate! While Christmas 2025 was filled with smiles and joy as we studied the birth of Jesus, there is so much to look forward to as we walk through 2026. (Keep your eyes open for some exciting family events, like the Daddy- Daughter Dance!) Haircuts and styles! You might be shocked by the number of conversations that happen about haircuts and styles. From new “big kid” haircuts to fancy styles, our leaders notice. It isn’t necessarily the hair conversations that mean so much — it’s the fact that leaders are showing up consistently to teach and love the VioletKids, so they notice the change. Leaders — nothing permanent, just small changes here and there. As we all know, sickness is real, and in VioletKids we understand the need to be flexible and ready to step in when the need arises. The VioletKids notice when their regular teacher isn’t there, and they ask where you are. They also stop by the desk on their way out and tell me how much they loved their new teacher. They notice the change, but God notices your willingness to step in and serve! As adults, we often see the new year as a time to make changes in our own lives. Is God calling you to more? There is a place for you in VioletKids! From babies to 5th graders, we have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with amazing kids. Come join us and be a part of making a difference for the Kingdom of God!
With much love, Ms. Jen Children’s Director 📧 jenh@violetchurch.com 📱 614-260-2670 click to register
Marketing & Communications
Stay Connected with the Church Center App
If you haven’t downloaded the Church Center app yet, now is a great time to do so! The app is one of the best ways to stay connected to everything happening at Violet and to access helpful resources throughout the week. Through the Church Center app, you’ll find the weekly bulletin and financial report, making it easy to stay informed. Parents can also access a weekly Parent Guid e tied to each sermon, along with a 5-Day Devotional that helps your family continue the conversation and apply God’s Word throughout the week.
You can follow along with each sermon directly in YouVersion, give securely, find and register for upcoming events, and stay connected to what’s happening across the church—all in one place.
Downloading the Church Center app helps you stay engaged, informed, and connected beyond Sunday. We encourage you to download it today and take advantage of everything it has to offer!
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