April 2, 2026 | Pastor Spencer Beach

Spring has a way of reminding you that new life is always closer than it looks. Ellen and I and our girls love walking the greenway trail here in Madison. There's something about getting outside together and listening to the birds, catching the sound of an owl off in the distance, and just slowing down enough to notice the world around us. Right now, the dogwoods are absolutely showing off. If you haven't been out to see them, you're missing something special.

But here's what I've been thinking about on those walks: we're only seeing half the story.

Beneath our feet, something remarkable is happening. The trees are interconnected underground — exchanging nutrients, sending signals, quietly keeping each other alive. Scientists call it the "wood wide web." When one tree is struggling, the surrounding trees redirect resources toward it. Not because they have to. Because that's how the system was designed.

The forest doesn't survive because of strong individual trees. It survives because the trees are connected.

I learned this before I ever heard the science behind it.

As the oldest of four brothers, community wasn't something I studied; instead, it was something I lived. When one of us struggled, the others showed up. When I was serving as a missionary in India, my brothers handled things back home on my behalf without being asked. They didn't make big announcements; instead, they just did what brothers do.

That's what the Church is supposed to be.

Psalm 92:13 says those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Not visiting or attending occasionally. Planted. Part of the community of faith.

Paul described the Church in 1 Corinthians 12 as a body where if one member suffers, all suffer and if one is honored, all rejoice. That's not a Sunday morning crowd. That's a living, breathing, interdependent community.

But here's the hard truth: we can attend church every week and still be completely isolated. Attendance does not automatically translate to feeling connected just like showing up is not the same as being planted.

The enemy doesn't need to get us to stop going to church. He just needs to keep us from being planted, connected, and serving in one.

Community isn't built in a moment. It's built in a thousand small moments of showing up.

As Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

And speaking of connecting — Easter is this Sunday. (I'm a Pastor. Of course I’m going to invite you to Easter!) 

We're gathering to celebrate the greatest victory ever won. Not a triumph we earned. One Jesus already finished. The tomb is empty. Death lost. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything!

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring the person you've been praying for who hasn't been to church in years. Easter is one of the best days to invite someone to church.

And the whole family is welcome. Our children's ministry team has a morning of fun planned for children. Toddlers through 5th graders will experience age-appropriate egg hunts while parents enjoy the service. Our team has prepared everything for a great morning for your entire family!

🌸 Easter at Building Church — Madison, Alabama 🕗 8:30am | 10:00am | 11:30am

Come ready to worship. Come ready to celebrate the victory Jesus already won for us.

We'll see you Sunday.

— Pastor Spencer