LIGHT+LIFE | FEBRUARY 2025
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Bright City Is Family
Our Launch Team Members:
Marissa & Matt Altimari, Gary & Sarah Anderson, Ashley & Joe Briggs, Justin & Sarah Brogan, Kelly Carsey, Aubrey & Cooper Crawford, Brittany & Travis Hogston, Alicia & Ty Clark, Elaine & Gareth LaGrange, Evie & John Grumney, Lark & Mark Lamontange, Barna & Connie Lukacs, Anna & Josiah Markley, Andrew & Kim Montgomery, Kyle & Laura Parker, Dave & Holly Peterson, Jordi & Samantha Pros, Abigail & Laura Rupert, Paul Russell, Andy & MaryBeth Stone, Josh & Sarah Taylor, Austin & Meredith Tuckerman, Casey VanCauwenbergh
***And the 27 founding members of Kid City!!!
Launch Sunday Recap 🎉
This past Sunday was Bright City’s public launch and we were blown away by God’s faithfulness. 168 adults and kids shared with us in what God is doing in Sunbury and what we know He will continue to do through this growing community. Thank you to everyone who came out to support us and joined the celebration!
We will continue to meet at Big Walnut Intermediate School on Sundays at 9:00am.
Listen to Josh’s Launch Sunday message on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
Thank You To Our Supporters
Over the last 18 months—many churches, individuals, and families have supported the Taylor’s, the Tuckerman’s, and Bright City prepare for our launch. Thank you for sharing this dream with us and building God’s Kingdom in places beyond where you live!
Church Supporters: Movement Church (Hilliard, OH), Three Creeks Church (Gahanna, OH), Grace Polaris Church (Westerville, OH), Five39 Church (Akron, OH), Wooster Grace Church (Wooster, OH), Grace Financial (Charis Fellowship)
Personal Supporters: Adam & Beth Rissmiller, Andi & Jonathan Fister, Andrew Lucas, Andrew & Kim Montgomery, Bailee Dolan, Benjamin Miller, Beth Himmelein, Bethany & Pete Schwartz, Brian & Lynette Bowen, Brennen Ujcich, Brinkman & Brittany Murray, Brody Weber, Caleb & Karolyn Boston, Candy Smith, Cara & Adam Vincent, Casey VanCauwenbergh, Casey Harmon, Cathy & Patrick Knowles, Cathy Shafer, Chelsea Stiffler, Craig & Laura Broome, Dan & Erin Gulling, Denise Stryker, Dick & Patti Lee, Donny & Becky Varney, Doug & Rachel Jones, Emily Soffel, Gary & Audrey Wallace, Heather Lee, Ian Deters, James Vanderpool, Jason & Katie Hurd, Jason & Sarah Pullin, Jeff & Cheryl Reed, Jeff & Sherry Martin, Jeff & Lani Murphy, Jen & Greg Herrick, Jen Bailey, Joel Greve, John Craig, Jon & Amy Livingston, Jon & Shanna Phelps, Jon & Sheryl Murphy, Ken & Sarah Huth, Kevin & Wendy Miller, Kyle Holcomb, Kyle & Sarah Simon, Lindsay & Myles McVeigh, Luke & Katie Reinstetle, Marvin & MaryBeth Taylor, Matt & Nicki Nolan, McKenzie Taylor, Megan & Jeff Cola, Michael & Melissa Molyneux, Michael Lancy, Michael Walther, Mike & Gina Dotterer, Mike Eaton, Mike & Kim Frazee, Mike & Lauren Badzik, Noah & Chelsea Sanor, Noah & Kate Taylor, Paul & Shannon Simmons, Phil & Chelsey Jackson, Rachel & Austin Shanower, Rachel Byerly, Richard & Shiela Broome, Ryan & Lori Rodeman, Scott & Kristen Kauker, Scott & Sara Clark, Scott & Katie Ekart, Scott & Kim Kerekes, Scott Martin, Shannon Borton, Shawn & Jacki Lewis, Stash & Lisa Ptak, Susan Wright, Terri & Duffey Doherty, Tim & Kayla Hromada, Todd & Janelle Young, Tom & Kathy Carr, Trudy Tuckerman, Tyler & Brittany Bush, Tyler & Tia Smith, Wendy & Adam Gnap, Wendy & Greg Chambers, Wess Wolf, Wilson Murphy
***Spouses may have been left off because of our database. But we are also thankful for you!
Telling a Better Story is a resource that helps connect your personal story with God’s grand narrative—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. It explores why stories matter and how they shape our understanding of life. By reflecting on our journeys through the lens of God’s story, we gain clarity on our identity, purpose, and hope. We hope this resource equips people to to better know their stories and share their testimonies in a way that points others to Jesus, emphasizing His transformative work in our lives.
What’s Happening in February
The Table: Your First Step to Become Family
Sunday, February 23 from 11am to 1pm at The Taylor’s Home in Sunbury
Ready to explore what it means to be part of the Bright City family? There's a seat at the table for you!The Table is an event for you to discover the mission, heartbeat, and family culture of Bright City. Sit down with Josh and Sarah Taylor, meet others in the community, and ask questions with our team. You'll learn how to belong, contribute, and grow as part of Bright City.
***Lunch and childcare provided
Missional Communities Start
Missional communities share life together and serve their community. Most nights look like having dinner together, catching up on life, and discussing what God is teaching us. We also create space just have fun or serve in our community.
To get connected with a MC that fits you—view the group on Church Center and contact the leader to plan a visit. You can also email Sarah Taylor at sarah@brightcitysunbury.com with any questions about MCs.
Volunteer Team Gatherings
Feb 02 | Kid City Team Gathering at 1pm (lunch provided). Email Sarah Brogan to RSVP at kids@brightcitysunbury.com.
Feb 16 | Worship & Production Team Gathering at 2pm. Email Tuck to RSVP at tuck@brightcitysunbury.com.
We start a new series in the book of Ephesians on February 2nd.
Paul, the author, was a pioneer who helped people in new places start Jesus communities. Ephesians is a letter to one of those Jesus communities (and likely shared with several other “church plants”). Eugene Peterson in his book Practice Resurrection says: “By means of Ephesians we get an accurate account of what God is doing and the way the Spirit is working at the heart of every congregation. Without Ephesians we would be left to guesswork, making up ‘church’ as we went along, and we’d be easy prey for every church fad that comes along.”
It was a guide to early Jesus communities. We can discover “what God is doing and the way the Sprit is working” in our context by looking at this letter too.
How to Pray
Pray for people to take the step to become part of the Bright City family and mission. We are thrilled by the turnout from our local community for Launch Sunday. We are inviting many people to become part of a Missional Community and to the “The Table” event on Feb 23rd.
Pray for our people starting/leading Missional Communities. Every MC starts with who they are called to bless/serve missionally and who they will create rhythms of life with in that mission. MC leaders takes a lot of time, but has a tremendous impact on our church family and those they are reaching. Many of those leading have also been combatting sickness.
Pray for our impact in the Big Walnut community. On a personal level with individuals we know—that more people would experience life in Jesus, have changed lives, and say “yes” through baptism. In our community—with new inroads to partnerships and opportunities for local impact in the city of Sunbury. We are also prayerfully considering how to steward a property that has been donated to us.
If you want stay connected with Bright City, you can sign up to receive emails and texts below:
