Something Bigger then ourselves

Why be apart of a Church? Why work together as a District of Churches? Or in this day and age, why be part of a Denomination? This past weekend Beckie and I attended and took part in various ways, in our District Conference held at Lake Williamson Illinois. A conference of 37 Churches in the state of Illinois and 1 in Wisconsin. Why be a part of such a group? Couldn't the energy that I and others give to this entity be better spent right here at home? Some may think so. Sometimes I even do! But when we come together as a Body of Christ, from different places geographically, theologically and in size and shape, there are things we can do as a combined Body of Christ that we cannot do alone! With our combined manpower, wisdom and knowledge we can go places and do mighty things in the name of our Lord Jesus that we cannot do on our own! And so I choose to be a part of something bigger then myself! We here at Dutchtown are apart of something bigger then our own little white church that sits atop on a hill in Northwest Illinois! For a few brief days this past weekend we came together and with God's help laid aside our differences and I believe we made an impact for Christ's Kingdom. May you and I continue to put our own selfish needs aside and see the possibilities that we can accomplish as a Church in northwest Illinois and beyond! For those of you reading this that are Dutchtowners I will be sharing with you on Sunday, a few of those ministries that we can only do together as God's great Church! Pastor Rick

Worship is Vital

Like most other Pastors the worship service on a Sunday morning often times does not meet the Spiritual needs I have for my mind is racing about to everything else that I am in charge of on those mornings that are in the bulletin. Yes, I do have snip-its of time when I encounter God's blessing and where I find myself able to fully give myself to Christ and praise Him. So throughout my week I try and find times where I can be in worship of of Lord and Savior. In the last two weeks those times have come easy as I have attended two different Funerals. Times of grief I know, but also times of worship where I had NO responsibilities. I just was allowed to be with God. The prelude was soothing, the special music a blessing and to hear and the Word read and proclaimed was comforting, but with a challenge given each time.
So what about you? On Sunday morning do you arrive at Church with too many irons in the fire to give yourself wholly unto our Lord? Or maybe you are one who finds a different reason each weekend not to go to worship. I'm too tired or have to much to do. Or maybe you are allowing a few frayed feelings to keep you from worship. This time has been aside by God for you to worship and praise Him and to be a blessing unto you. A time of Sabbath, to find healing amidst your brokenness, to bring calm amidst your chaos. So, don't just go to Church this Sunday, go to worship and be blessed! Love You all Pastor Rick

My Halloween Perspective

You ask anyone about how they think Christians should view Halloween and you will get a broad spectrum of views. Allow me to offer up one to you. It's not a time my wife decorates for. We don't attend Halloween parties. But, I enjoy this evening that only takes place once a year. Up where we live, the Stover Additon as it is called , we get a whole bunch of children and their families walking around the neighborhood. And this year was no exception. Actually it was the largest Halloween I can remember. I can say this because I keep track of our Trick or Treater's and what Dutchtown kids stopped by. Well over 180 kids this year and almost 30 little Dutchtowners! I enjoy sitting outside, weather permitting as it did this year. I enjoy visiting with each and every family, not just our Dutchtowners. I always offer a candy bar to the parents and many accept. For me it has become a great time of fellowship with my community and Church Family. I am blessed through it and I hope that others are blessed who stop by. And one other great blessing that came our way this year was that we had a couch to get rid of, as we are getting a new one. earlier that afternoon I had some high school boys help me get it outside and then placed a sign on it, "Free Couch! You haul it away!" Not only did it get taken, but I was able to visit with a new family in our community that does not go to Church and guess where they live, Betty Diehl's old house! At the end of the evening, Beckie had a sigh of joy and said, "My couch is in Betty's old house"! So say what you want about Halloween, but this old Pastor will continue to hang-out each year with his community, pass out a little candy and be blessed in the midst of it all.
Love you all! Next Holiday up, my favorite, Thanksgiving!

Taking a Good Walk

We live in a time where many health contious people take daily walks as a part of trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. We do it to burn off a few calories, to strenghten muscles and to keep our heart in good shape. But let me tell you about a "walk" I encourage you to consider so that not only will you be healthier physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. That walk is the distance between the pew you sit in on Sunday morning and the Altar at the front of the sanctuary. A walk I am going to invite to take this coming Sunday so that Christ Jesus can begin the emotional and spiritual healing your lives need as well. At the end of that short walk a service will takeplace that God has called His priests to perform centuries ago and still calls us to take part in today, The Anointing service. A time for you to take that short walk to the altar and let us anoint you with oil on your forehead. Three little drops of oil that symbolize the forgiveness of God, the healing of God and the everlasting presence of God in your life. Then hands will be laid upon your head and shoulders as we have a brief time of prayer for you. A time to be made whole physically, emotionaly and spiritualy. This coming Sunday I encourage you to take that short walk down the asile and to allow our Lord to minister to you through His anointing. He will be there waiting for you as will members of your faith family!

The Face of the Homeless

Hey Church, I am sure that at one time or another you have been somewhere where you encountered someone who was Homeless. Maybe you were driving down a busy big city street or possibly you have volunteered at a homeless shelter. But most of us in small town USA don't have daily contact with those we call Homeless. I am no different, that is until today. Earlier this morning a broken family sat across from me in my office seeking help. A family originally from the Milledgeville area. A family whom I have known ever since I moved here. A family whose rented home was condemned and is now trying to put together funds to live in a motel for a month. After that month they have no plans. A house filled with several generations, with grandma having to care for several of her grand kids because the mom is in prison. These are only a few of the hard facts that they live with daily. They are the face of the Homeless. I sit here consumed by their dilemma. I put together a little help for them, but their need is immense. Not just the physical needs but the emotional and spiritual ones as well. They leave my office and moments later the phone rings with another one time proud Milledgeville resident now hiding out in a Domestic Violence Shelter, looking for help to her heartaches in life. The physical, emotional and spiritual pain she has endured brings back vivid and painful memories of my own childhood where my brothers and I often sought refuge from the violence in our own home. Once again I could offer only a meager amount of financial assistance. I now sit drained of energy and yet I feel as if I have no right to feel this way because of all of the brokenness I have just encountered in these persons lives. The face of homelessness is real and we know there names. Please pray for these families that they will find healing and a home.
I Love you all, Pastor Rick

Ministry Moments

One of my favorite writers and speakers is Pastor Bill Hybels. Bill is founder and Pastor at Willow Creek Church. A mega-church in the Chicago land area. I often times have wondered why all churches could not be blessed with the growth that has taken place there and in many other places. I have found myself at times thinking what it would be like to be in his shoes. But then I also know that Christ has a place for each and every Church that He founded. I was recently reading an article by Pastor Hybels where he is now trying to make Willow Creek into a more service oriented church. He is grateful for all of those who are seeking for more in their spiritual lives and that many of them find themselves drawn to Willow Creek. But he also laments that many of those seekers do not see themselves as "Servants", instead they are there for the experience, so to speak. Bill also spoke of the regrets that he has as he manages such a large church and that he has very little time one on one time with those who call Willow Creek their spiritual home. He says that he misses those "Ministry Moments" that only a small Church fellowship and their pastor can have. Huh, Bill Hybels desiring to have those special moments that I am able to have on an almost daily basis. It just goes to show once again that God has a calling that is different for each Church and each person who feels that call to be a Pastor. I pray God's blessing upon Bill and the folks at Willow Creek and other Pastors and Churches like his. But I also pray for God's blessing upon the small churches whose spires rise high throughout the countryside and whose Pastors have a different call. Our world needs them both.
God Bless you and may you have one of those Ministry moments this week as Christ calls you to Be the Church! Pastor Rick Koch

God Wonderful Creation

Earlier today when I first arrived at Church I was drawn by the Holy Spirit to linger outside for a while. There was a chill in the air and I only had on a short sleeve shirt, but that did not matter. I stood still beside the cemetery gazing east watching the sun rise. What a magnificent site! In those moments that I stood there I was overwhelmed with the awesomeness of Gods creation. And at the same I felt sorrow for those who who believe that all of this happened by accident! A big bang, some say. Others claim that the rest of what I call God's creation began with a single cell evolving through time. I feel sorrow for those who cannot comprehend the majesty of God when they see a sunrise or sunset. Friends, what an awesome God that we serve! What an Awesome God that gives us these pictures of beauty to inspire us each new day! I can't wait to see what the sunset looks like tonight. As always, I love you all as Christian Brothers and Sisters, Pastor Rick Koch