Hey Wildwood Family!

It was truly a blessing to get some rain this past week before July comes on the scene with its hot weather.  For me that blessing was accompanied by two major rounds of collecting downed branches, cutting and tying them up, and setting them out for the city to pick up. Truth be known, the city missed our stuff last Monday.  I’ve called them asking for some curb relief soon!

Last week, we finished our 3-part series entitled Marks of Maturity from James 3.  This Sunday we will have a special opportunity—not a normal sermon series.  The spiritual treat is the opportunity to have our worship service entirely focused on the celebration of communion.   It is always fulfilling to have times of communion, but this week we have the privilege of an extended focus together on the Lord’s table.   I’ve titled our worship time, Gathering Around the Lord’s Table.  All the music, all the Scripture readings, and our message will focus on partaking of communion before the Lord. We pray it is a refreshing time of spiritual encouragement and realignment for all of us.

Some important things to note at Wildwood:

1. Baptism classes will be held this Sunday during the 11am hour, one for children in the downstairs theater, one for students and adults in Room 227 (Mark’s office just outside the SW worship center doors near the church offices). We hope all who are followers of Jesus will take advantage of the opportunity to share their testimony of trusting in our Lord in this public way.
2. Next Sunday, July 5 will be an All-In Sunday. Everyone, all ages, is invited to join us in the Worship Center as there will be no children, student, college, or adult classes that Sunday.

Excited to see you all this Sunday!

​​​​​​​
Bruce

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Marks of Maturity: Cultivating Godly Wisdom”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Who in your life has modeled Godly wisdom well?  What characteristics did they model?
2. Colossians 2:8 (NLT) says, Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.  What types of ‘empty philosophies’ and sounding nonsense’ do we see today both in our culture and the church?
3. Bruce emphasized that wisdom is commonly equated with knowledge.  How is wisdom at its core different from mere knowledge?  What verses emphasize this truth?
4. If we wish to display more wisdom from above (peaceable) rather than wisdom from below (contentious), how should that affect our use of social media, messaging, etc.?
5. James says wisdom from above is ‘full of mercy.’  Also, Jesus said Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). What does being merciful look like in everyday practice?  Who is our model for being merciful?
6. If one manifestation of true wisdom from above is being ‘pure’ (vs. 17), what does that mean for our relationships with the opposite sex? With what music we listen to?  With the types of things we watch?
7. In 3:17, James says another manifestation of Godly wisdom is being ‘sincere’ (the NASB says ‘without hypocrisy’).  What are some ways we tend to ‘put on masks’ around others?  How can we avoid such tendencies?
8. As you reflect back on James 3:13-18, what changes do you sense that God wants you to make?
9. Read out loud Proverbs 2:1-11.  What stands out to you from this passage?
10. Take some time in prayer before the Lord.  Tell Him of your desire to have Philippians 1:27 be true in your life.

To listen to sermon audio offline, click below to download:

Marks of Maturity 3

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch the stream, click below:

Hey Wildwood Family!

It has been a fabulous several months for Janet and me as we have been able to have our daughter Jennifer, husband Zac, and our three grandkids (Summer, Max, and Kaylie) in town from their ministry in Mexico. The family came back for Kaylie’s birth.  They packed up and flew back to Mexico on Wednesday.  We got word they arrived well and in a timely fashion, PTL!  We look forward greatly to the next time we can be together.  They are great people!

A few things to note:

1. Baptism classes are scheduled for a week from Sunday on June 28 at the 11:00 am hour. If you would like to declare your faith by being baptized, you can get more information at wildwoodchurch.org/baptism
2. I jumped the gun somewhat last week talking about some of our global outreach partners being here at Wildwood. It is actually THIS week as two sets of our Global Outreach partners will be with us (their pictures can be seen on the wall in the downstairs south hallway). There is a reception scheduled for both couples at 11 am this Sunday in Room 6 downstairs. (Note: the bulletin insert incorrectly lists the place as the Fellowship Hall, however, we don’t yet have official occupancy there!).

This Sunday we will be presenting the third message from our three-part series entitled, Marks of Maturity. This message focuses on the second mark of maturity from James chapter 3,  “Cultivating Godly Wisdom” from James 3:13-18.  I encourage you to read through that passage before Sunday.  This a great section of God’s Word!!

See you on Sunday!

Bruce

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Marks of Maturity: Controlling Our Tongue, part 2”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. James mentions being a teacher in James 3:1.  Share briefly about a teacher of God’s Word who had a significant impact in your spiritual life. Part of James’ counsel includes a caution about becoming a teacher.  Why does he do that and how should we process his warning?
2. Verse six states that the “tongue is a fire.” Bruce said that the misuse of our tongue could be considered “spiritual arson.” What are some examples of damage that our tongues can do?
3. How is our culture reinforcing and promoting this human tendency to put people down? How does James’ counsel on the tongue apply to SnapChat, Instagram, FaceBook, X, YouTube and other social media?
4. When you think of controlling your tongue, what type of speech is more difficult for you to avoid?  Sarcasm? Gossip? Criticism? Vulgarity? Complaining?  Why?
5. Bruce stated that our flesh holds to an ‘unspoken belief’: we reserve the right to put people down.  Why is that?  How do we avoid doing that in our spiritual walk?
6. “No human being can tame the tongue.” Unpack some truth here about our need for the Holy Spirit in our spiritual walk.
7. What are some verses from Scripture that encourage us to unleash the positive power of the tongue (to encourage, affirm, comfort, build up, etc.).
8. Proverbs 10:11 in the NLT says, The words of the Godly are a life-giving fountain. Spend some moments in prayer asking the Lord to help make your words a life-giving fountain.
9. Consider memorizing Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.​​​​​​​

To listen to the sermon offline, click the link below to download:

Marks of Maturity 2

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch the stream, see below:

Hey Wildwood Family!

It’s been an exciting week around the Wildwood facility.  More doors are being put in place and the AV technical team from out of state has started to install AV to our new areas.  This will take a couple of weeks. You should see some evidence this Sunday.

Men’s bible study has begun and the Women’s bible study starts this next Thursday June 18 at 7pm. Gals can sign up at wildwoodchurch.org/wow.

If you have been considering water baptism as a public testimony of having trusted in Christ, make note that the baptism classes are scheduled for Sunday June 28 at 11am,  Questions?  Go to wildwoodchurch.org/baptism.

Some of our global outreach partners will be present with us this Sunday.  Hope you can meet some of them!

​​​​​​​Also, this Sunday we will be continuing our 3-week series entitled, Marks of Maturity, by looking at part 2 of Controlling our Tongue from James 3:1-12. James sure knows how to touch us where we need it most. I’m excited!

See you on Sunday!

Bruce

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’s message is “Marks of Maturity: Controlling Our Tongue, part 1”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Share any memorable experiences you may have experienced facing a serious fire, or in controlling a horse.
2. What would you imagine were common things that James stated openly about his older brother Jesus prior to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?
3. In James 1:26-27, James mentions both “religion that is worthless,” and “religion that is Pure and undefiled.”  What does James mean by the term “religion?
4. Believers often don’t associate their speech as indication of their spiritual maturity. Why is that?
5. What is the connection biblically between our heart and our speech?
6. Proverbs 18:21 states that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Make a short list of words that might be understood as “death words,” and do the same with what might be understood as “life words.
7. Who is someone whose words consistently encourage and build you up?  What makes their words so impactful?
8. What specific type of affirming “life” words most encourage and refresh you?
9. Read Colossians 3:12-14 out loud.  What stands out to you from those verses as potential areas where you might need to grow?
10. Pray for God to lead you when it comes to honoring God with your words.

Hey Wildwood Family!

What an exciting week it has been with Wildwood’s VBS, You’re invited to Follow Jesus! Around 600 kids attended, with just under half of them from non-Wildwood families.  What a great outreach!

I was especially excited that my grandchildren (who are normally in Mexico) were able to attend, Max in mini-VBS and Summer in regular VBS. It was amazing to see 325 volunteers serve the kids all week. To add to that, the VBS offering that was taken will be able to purchase 32 pediatric wheelchairs to be donated to disadvantaged kids around the world through the Joni and Friends ministry.  Praise the Lord!

Two other special things to note:
1) Men’s and women’s Bible studies are about to start. The men this Monday at 7 pm and the women on Thursday, June 18 at 7 pm. You can sign up at wildwoodchurch.org/next
2) Starting Point (learning about Wildwood) begins this Sunday at 9:45 in Room 4. If you know someone (or even yourself) who would like to learn more about our church history, beliefs, etc., Starting Point is a great opportunity!

On Sunday, I will be launching a three-part series from James chapter 3, which I’ve entitled Marks of Maturity. James is a highly practical book that highlights for us what true, authentic, Godly living looks like. The first mark of maturity that we will look at beginning this week is Controlling our Tongue, part one. Frankly, we ALL need to learn from James on this subject. Right?! I’m excited.

See you on Sunday!

Bruce