NO. 17
A Note From Pastor
Dear Church Family,
This summer, we’re inviting you on a journey through some of the most beloved and soul-stirring chapters in Scripture—the Psalms. Just as music sets the tone for a season, the Psalms serve as a spiritual soundtrack for the soul, helping us navigate life’s highs and lows with faith, honesty, and hope. In this series titled Summer Songs: Timeless Truths from the Psalms, we’ll explore six powerful “songs” from the Book of Psalms that speak directly to the heart. Whether you’re feeling the stillness of rest, the chaos of challenge, or the joy of God’s presence, these psalms offer words of life and perspective for every moment. If you’re looking to be refreshed spiritually this summer, this series is for you. Whether you’re on vacation or staying close to home, Summer Songs will help anchor your heart in God’s presence and promises.
This series begins on June 22, 2025. So grab your Bible, invite a friend, and join us for a summer of worship, wonder, and deeper trust in God through His timeless Word.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Rick
A Note From Pastor Eric
Hello, Violet Baptist Church Family!
Can you believe we’re already heading into June? As I look back over the last few months, I’m in awe of all God has done in and through our church. He’s been so faithful, moving in hearts, answering prayers, growing ministries, and drawing people closer to Him. It’s been a very powerful season at Violet, and I’m so thankful we get to be part of it together. Whether it’s been through worship services, baptisms, new life, baby dedications, new faces joining our church family, the energy in our kids and student ministries, or the way you’ve stepped up to serve and love our community in various ways, God is clearly at work. And the best part, He’s not done yet! June is a new chapter, and I believe it’s full of opportunity. Summer always brings new ways to connect with each other and to reach out to all the people around us. From upcoming events to quiet moments of prayer, God wants to use all of it to keep growing us individually, as a church, and to keep using us for His glory.
As we head into a new month, let’s keep praying big prayers, loving people well, and trusting that God will continue to do more than we could ever imagine.
Thanks for being the church, not just on Sundays, but every day!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20
Excited for what’s ahead!
Pastor Eric
A Note From Pastor Brian
The Importance of Joining a VioletGroup: Community, Growth, and God’s Word
In a world that often pulls us in every direction but toward each other, finding a space where faith, community, and spiritual growth intersect is more important than ever. That’s the heart behind VioletGroups—small groups designed to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ while connecting authentically with others on the same journey. VioletGroups are more than just a weekly meeting; they are an intentional community where encouragement, accountability, and biblical truth come together. Whether you’re new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for years, being part of a VioletGroup provides the support and structure to help you live out your faith in everyday life. One of the key tools VioletGroup members receive is a 5 Day Devotional that aligns with our weekly sermons. This devotional isn’t just another reading plan—it’s a resource carefully crafted to help you reflect more deeply on God’s Word, apply it personally, and prepare your heart for meaningful group discussion. Each day is designed to draw you closer to Christ and reinforce the truths shared during Sunday messages, helping you live them out throughout the week. Joining a VioletGroup means you’re not walking alone. You’re stepping into a circle of believers who are growing together, praying for one another, and encouraging each other to keep Jesus at the center of it all.
Don’t do life alone—grow in Christ together. Join a VioletGroup and start your journey today.
To God be the Glory!! Our men's mission trip this year was such an amazing blessing. Our men worked on a bunkhouse, building it from the ground up in a week. They also worked on drywalling a house that is being built for one of the ranch staff members. It was an awesome week to see how God worked in and through each team member. We already have the dates for next year: May 2-9, 2026. Mark your calendars and join us. A Note From Pastor Brian
Click here for the recap video!
Grief is a journey, and we all go through it at some point in our lives. It is never easy losing a loved one, and I know this all too well.
My name is Laurie Walsh, and in the last several years, I have lost my husband, my brother, my mother-in-law, as well as many other close relatives. After losing my brother and watching my mom grieve for the loss of her son, I felt the Lord lead me to do something to not only help her but also to help others who have lost those near and dear to them. It was then that we went and spoke with Pastor Brian to see what we could do to help those who are grieving not only in our church but in our community. Pastor Brian then searched and found Grief Share. Grief Share is an adult-based, Christ-centered program that guides individuals after the loss of a loved one, whether it be a family member or a friend. It is a 13-week session with three parts: Video Session, Small Group Discussion, and a Participant Guide. It will not take away your grief; however, it will help you navigate through losing your loved one. If you are struggling in your grief, I recommend that you try Grief Share. We do two 13-week sessions on Wednesday evenings every year, one in the fall/winter and one in the winter/spring. If you would like to know more about Grief Share, please feel free to reach out, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Please join us every Tuesday night from 6-7PM in the VioletCafé as we meet to pray.
If you would like to respond in obedience and be baptized by immersion, sign up today and a pastor will contact you. Baptism symbolizes the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior; the believer’s death to sin; the burial of the old life; and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ.
We would love to stay connected with one another over the summer, and a great way is to join us for walking on Wednesdays! We will be meeting at Blacklick Park every Wednesday at 5 PM, at the start of the 4-mile multi-purpose trail. You could also meet up with us at the (almost) halfway mark at the trail entrance near the parking lot by the nature center. Please feel free to call or text Karen Bramlish at 614-557-3598 if you have questions or if you would like to be added to the group text thread! Hope to see you at the park!
We asked 100 people…what are the Top 5 reasons you will want to be at the next Ladies Luncheon!?!
1. Live Family Feud Game featuring the youth gals against the senior sisters! 2. Pizza! 3. Door prizes! 4. Making the CUTEST charm bracelets! 5. Your mom is making you go!
But seriously!! You really won’t want to miss the fun and fellowship at the Ladies Luncheon on June 22nd, right after 2nd service, in the VioletCafé. We’re serving up pizza and strawberry shortcake, making cute charm bracelets, and (YES!!) we are hosting a Family Feud game with the young gals from the youth group competing against the older seasoned saints with prizes for the winners!! It’s going to be a really fun time. There is no cost to attend, and you can bring your friends! Please text Karen Bramlish at (614)557-3598, if you have any questions.
Click here to register
Three Great Resources To Help Teenagers Live For Jesus in Our Current Cultural Moment
You love Jesus and you love your teenager. But if we are honest, raising godly teenagers can seem like a daunting, and even overwhelming task in our current cultural moment. As a youth pastor, I have a few go-to sources for current information on culture from a Biblical worldview. Here are 3 of the best that I have found. I hope they are as helpful for you as they have been for me. Thanks, Pastor Keith Axis.org features Biblical resources to help parents disciple their teens. They feature downloadable PDF Parents Guides that will help you discuss challenging topics with your teenager. There are also advanced courses on some of these tougher topics. The Culture Translator is a weekly email that highlights 3 current trends that are relevant to teens. The Culture Translator podcast features a 9 minute discussion of these topics (complete with questions to use while discussing these issues with your teen). There is also an hour-long deep dive on these issues in the podcast. You can find it all for free at https://axis.org.
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The Center for Parent Youth Understanding seeks to help parents as they nurture their kids to become Biblically-faithful, whole-life Christians. They do this through a variety of resources including news updates from a Biblical worldview, “Parent Prompt,” and a “Parent Page.” They also publish a cultural “Trend Alert,” and “Media Reviews.” They offer two podcasts (“The Word in Youth Ministry,” and “Youth Culture Matters”) and a regular radio broadcast (“Youth Culture Today”). You can find these resources at https://cpyu.org/.
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The Colson Center has produced a series of 5 minute videos in their “What Would You Say?” series. These videos tackle challenging topics from a Biblical worldview. They are designed to help equip Christians as they have conversations with friends, co-workers, and family members. There are currently over 200 videos in the series with more content being added on a regular basis. You can find these videos at https://www.youtube.com/@whatwouldyousaytcc.
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Click here to register
We're going to Cedar Point!
Who: High School Youth When: Thursday, June 12th 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM Cost: $45 (If you are bringing your own ticket, we are asking for $5 to help cover the cost of the bus and leader expenses.) Paperwork Required: A current pink medical form. (You can download these at www.violetbaptistchurch.org).
Click here to register
Jr High Youth, join us for a fun day at Kings Island, the largest theme and water park in the U.S. Midwest offering more than 40 thrill rides including the big thrills of Orion, Diamondback and The Beast! For a full list of rides and things to do visit- Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio | Kings Island & Soak City Water Park (visitkingsisland.com).
We will be meeting and returning to Violet and the cost is $45 per student.
We hope to see you there!
During the month of May, VioletKids learned that we are here to share Jesus with others! As we studied key truths about Jesus, we learned that Jesus is the only truth, He is God’s only Son, He is the only way, and He is the only one to follow. Our May scripture memory verse says, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6).
If you have a heart for babies, littles, or school-aged kiddos, there is a place for you on the children’s ministry team. Through our weekly Bible stories and classroom activities, it is our heart that the kids who come through the doors of our church would feel welcomed, loved, accepted, and that they belong here! When you choose to invest in a child’s life, you are choosing to partner with God in His Kingdom work. If we are willing to help these kids to feel welcomed and loved and accepted, then we are paving the way for them to freely come to their own relationship with Jesus! Our children’s ministry verse is 1 Timothy 4:12, which says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” We want VioletKids to know that they are “never too young” to have a relationship with Jesus and live out their faith! If this news excites you in any way, or you are feeling led to join the church in this mission, I would love to connect with you and see how you could be a part of this team. We really are better together! You can reach me by email at chelseap@violetchurch.com.
Chelsea Poole Children’s Director
Events & Volunteers
Hey Violet! I know there are so many things happening from the end of the school year, graduation celebrations, spring sports ending, and just the chaos of it all! The end of the school year means Mondays we will be missing the Pickerington Local Schools Service-Learning Group that meets every Monday during the school year and Thursdays for the CBS Bible Study Group. We love having both of these groups in the building and the relationships we build with the teachers and students. May was also busy with Violet hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive, a Special Election, and serving at Stowe. These serving opportunities are ongoing, and we can always use more help. This month we will spend a lot of time getting ready for one of our biggest outreaches to the community, Mega Sports Camp. Let me tell you all about it! Mega Sports Camp is a weeklong outreach from July 7th to 10th from 6-8:30 pm. Each day, kids will discover how to become champions, both in sports and in their faith. They'll engage daily with the Bible through music, interactive Bible stories, and Scripture memorization. Kids will rotate between basketball, volleyball, and soccer, or they can participate in cheerleading only. Through action-packed sports training sessions mixed with interactive rallies, kids will have fun with this year's theme - IN YOUR ELEMENT . MEGA Sports Camp® In Your Element invites kids to discover who Jesus has made them to be. To be in your element means to thrive in your environment and excel in the strengths God has given you. Kids are in their element when they’re in a relationship with Jesus. This week, kids will learn from the life of Jesus’ disciple Peter what it looks like to be in your element. In Your Element is designed for kids to engage with the science that supports sports. They'll learn what it takes to be a better athlete and to grow as a follower of Jesus. This camp is for kids who have finished Kindergarten through 5th grade. Violet, we need your help! Would you please consider serving with us? We estimate that 180 kids will participate in this camp. There are so many volunteer options; please check out the registration on our website or the church center app, or reach out to me for more details! Do you want to help us invite people and tell them all about Mega Sports Camp and other events going on at the church? Then sign up to walk with us in the Pickerington Fourth of July Parade! We will meet at the parade route between 8:30 and 9:30 am on July 4th and hand out candy and invites!
As always, if you’re looking to get involved and serve, I would love to connect with you. I am praying for everyone's transition from Spring to Summer.
Jamie McCleese Event & Volunteer Director jamiem@violetchurch.com
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Let's represent our church in the Pickerington 4th of July Parade.
We'll meet on Opportunity Way in Pickerington to line up for the parade (you'll get the exact location about a week before the parade).
Please arrive between 8:30-9:30 AM. The roads will close at approximately 9:45 AM and we don’t want to miss you!
The parade begins at 10:00 AM and is about a 2 mile walk.
Parade Route The parade will begin on Opportunity Way, then north on Lockville Road, then west on Columbus Street, then south on Hill Road, and finish at Ridgeview Junior High School. We'll all wear our purple Violet t-shirts. If you do not have yours yet, please indicate the sizes needed for your participants. This should be a fun event and a great way to tell the community how much we love Violet.
*We also have an opportunity to donate candy to be passed out along the parade route (you can drop that off in the Resource Hub between now and July 4th).
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COME OUT AND PLAY!
JOIN US for sports fun at MEGA Sports Camp, where kids will get tools to help them in sports and life. Kids can rotate from basketball to volleyball to soccer or they can participate in cheerleading only.
Each day, kids will discover how to become champions, both in sports and in their faith. They'll engage daily with the Bible in music, interactive Bible stories, and Scripture memorization.
Through action-packed sports training sessions mixed with interactive rallies, kids will have fun in this year's theme - IN YOUR ELEMENT .
MEGA Sports Camp® In Your Element invites kids to discover who Jesus has made them to be. To be in your element means to thrive in your environment and excel in the strengths God has given them. Kids are in their element when they’re in a relationship with Jesus. This week, kids will learn from the life of Jesus’ disciple Peter what it looks like to be in your element. In Your Element is designed for kids to engage with the science that supports sports. They'll learn what it takes to be a better athlete and to grow as a follower of Jesus.
This Camp is for Kids who have finished Kindergarten-5th grade.
Worship Ministry Update: New Drum Cage Unveiled!
We’re excited to share a big (and beautifully soundproofed) update from our Worship Ministry — our new drum cage has officially been installed!
Thanks to your faithful tithes and generous giving, we were able to invest in this important addition to our worship setup. The drum cage helps manage sound levels during services, creating a more balanced and enjoyable worship experience for everyone in the sanctuary. It allows our worship team to play with passion while keeping the volume in check — a win for both musicians and listeners! This may seem like a small change, but it makes a big impact. Our goal has always been to create an atmosphere where distractions fade, and hearts can focus fully on encountering God. This upgrade helps us do exactly that. To everyone who gives, serves, and supports our church family: thank you. Your generosity helps make moments of meaningful worship possible each and every week.
We invite you to come see (and hear!) the difference this Sunday. Let’s continue praising God together — in unity, in joy, and now with a little more clarity!
Pastor Michael
Marketing & Communications
Stay in the Know: Why Staying Connected at Violet Matters
Life is busy, and it’s easy to miss things—especially in a thriving church community like Violet. That’s why staying informed is essential! At Violet Baptist Church, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to stay connected, engaged, and equipped for all that God is doing in and through our church.
Here are three simple but powerful ways to stay in the loop:
1. Open the Weekly Event Email Each week, you receive a carefully crafted email full of upcoming events, ministry opportunities, and important updates. It’s your one-stop snapshot of what’s happening at Violet. Don’t let it sit unopened in your inbox—take a minute to read through it and mark your calendar! 2. Grab a Weekly Bulletin on Sunday The bulletin isn’t just paper—it’s packed with relevant info about Sunday’s service, upcoming events, giving opportunities, and ways to get involved. It’s also a great tool for following along with the message and reflecting throughout the week. 3. Follow Violet on Social Media If you’re on Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook, make sure you’re following Violet Baptist Church! Social media is where you’ll find reminders, event highlights, inspirational content, and real-time updates. It’s also a great way to share what’s happening at Violet with friends and family.
When you stay connected, you stay engaged—and when you’re engaged, you grow. Don’t miss out on what God is doing here at Violet. Let’s stay in the know, together.
Rachel Stone Marketing & Communications Director rachels@violetchurch.com
Links
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