Giving up Control

       Whether or not you will be honest enough to say it, most of us like our routines. We like knowing what lies ahead of us in the day to come. We like to make plans and we like it even more when our plan comes together. I am no different then any of you in this area of my life. I like to have the feeling that I am somewhat in control, when the truth is that I have very little control over life's ups and downs, the changes that come our way, both good and the bad. But amidst our routines, chaos is often thrown into our lives. A severe illness to yourself or a loved one, a death in the family wreaks havoc, issues with your children or grandchildren upset the apple cart. Financial issues cause you to reasess your life, not to mention what these"flies in the ointment" do to your Spiritual lives. Where is God, why does He same so far away, my hope is waning, where is my Church family when I need them. We may ask all of the above and so much more when our lives seem like utter chaos now rules the roost. 
     Remember this: God still loves you and always will,  God has not moved away, instead in these times He pursues to draw closer to you. His hope is but a prayer away and and your Church family, they still love you and desire to care for you as well even more then you know and they are going thru the same struggles that you are! That's what makes them your best friends and helpmates in these times. So give up control, for we really never had it. Give it up and allow Christ to lead you, to empower you, to draw close to you through those folks, you and I call the Church.
      God Bless You in your quest to allow Him to take the reins of your life! Pastor Rick Koch     

A Father's Day Reflection

         With Father's Day now in our rear view mirrors, I want to share a few words of Thanksgiving that I hope and pray many of you can echo as well. Oh, I am thankful to my wife for allowing me to buy a new tackle box, (my other one got ate up by Raccoons while on vacation, but that's another story).  Thankful as a Father of two grown daughters and the ladies they have become And of course I am thankful to be a Grandfather as well to my Ty and Chase and my Emma and Drew. But as I reflect back on this Monday after Father's Day, I want to give God a special "Shout Out of Thanksgiving" for my two son-in-laws, Mike & Jeremy. I know that it's not called Father-in-law Day or Son-in-law Day, but God has brought into my life two wonderful young men that I am proud to have as son-in-laws. Too much of the time we in-laws give very little praise to our son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. Too much of the time we in-laws spend way too much time "Dumping" on these people and not being thankful for them. With my guys I can talk about other things besides fishing and football, yes those get talked about a lot, but so do the important matters of life. So "Thank You Guys" for marrying my daughters who posses all of those wonderful traits passed down to them that my Beckie wishes I never had. Hey, take a moment out of your day sometime soon and express a word or two of gratitude to your son-in-laws or your daughter-in-laws. It will make everyone around  the family happier and create a stronger family as well. Oh, thank you Beckie for the new tackle box. Do you think it will help me catch more fish, I hope so!  Rick    

Anticipating God's Blessing

       It was last August of last year when the Dutchtown Executive Committee decided that we would have a balanced budget for 2012. A good decision, but a hard one. It was also at that time an idea, a dream or hope was birthed to have a fund raiser to fund some of those ministries that were cut from the budget that were dear to us, namely Camp Scholarships and Disaster Relief work. We decided to have a 5K Run/Walk and then began the prayers and plans to make this a reality. This Saturday we will hold our First ever John 3:16 Run/Walk. Your Witness commission and many others have put in many hours to make this happen. Thank you to all who have helped in any way. Also thank you to our local Sponcers have supported our efforts with their financial gifts. Soon it will be Race Day! So one last time, if you are available, I encourage you to help out that day as a volunteerr even if you are not signed up. Many hands are needed. As a matter of fact this coming Thursday at 6:45 after our last Training session @ 6:00 we ask that volunteers gather, if you can, so that we can walk thru together how we envision setting up on Saturday and how we see the morning going. We also ask that ALL volunteers be at Church then on Saturday at 7:45a.m. to begin setting up. The Race once again is at 9:00. Awards around 10:15 and then a massive clean-up effort. With a hope to be headed home by noon. Then on Sunday in worship we will have a ball park number of all the facts and figures that you want to know from the day. I look forward to our time together this coming Saturday and to seeing God Glorified thru it!      Love You all, Pastor Rick