Pastor's Weekly Blog

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a wonderful Christmas journey we had on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We travelled from ancient times to the time of Jesus' birth and all the way to today. The significance of the Son of God being born as a human being from a virgin is overwhelming to me. God loves us that much. He even had Mary and Joseph name him "Jesus" (Yahweh Saves) because he is the Savior of the world. I never get tired of Christmas. I could read the account year-around. But I always remember that Jesus wasn't born just to live among us. He was born to live without sin and then die for our sins. He accomplished that on a cross a few decades after his birth. It still is not the whole story. Jesus rose from the dead three days later. So, not only did he die, paying the price for our sins, he showe his power over death by rising to life - life that never ends. As we enter into the New Year let's keep on hearing the story, studying the story, telling the story to others.

By the end of the Christmas worship I needed a rest. I was exhausted. It was good to relax at home with my family. Your continued prayers are much needed and very much appreciated - thank you. I am excited and refreshed to go into the New Year discovering what God has in store for me and for us at Friends In Christ. I will see you all this weekend. Peace has come to us through Jesus, share that peace with those around you.

In the Baby Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Merry Christmas to all,

I am sorry that I am a day late, but since it's Christmas I am also a dollar short - haha! I have been enjoying our Journey through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings. It has been great having so many of you growing in your relationships with each other and your relationship with Jesus. I have noticed that the wait staff at the Turtle Tap has been doing things around our tables more and more. I believe they are listening in with great curiosity. Praise God!! The discussions have been very beneficial to my life and those that are there as well. If you have not attended yet I invite you to come to our first class of 2010 on January 3rd. Your life will never be the same.

I have been working through the pain of the cold and I do whatever I feel like doing. My wife and children are my monitors that keep me from doing too much and getting into trouble. You can thank them for that. They are great!! I couldn't have asked for a better woman to be married to or better children to raise they are all soldout believers in Jesus and do their best to live as He desires them to. I love them all very much.

And as we celebrate the birth of Jesus remember that it is the love the Father has for us that caused Him to send His Son as a baby in Bethlehem to live the perfect life we can't, to die for our sins and rise in triumph over death. Share this love with your family and friends this Christmas.

I love you all,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

My dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Today is a cold one. Tomorrow is supposed to be even colder. I don't know what it is about Wednesdays this Advent, but it seems that the bad weather comes on those days. I have been doing my best to keep warm and most days I have been successful. On the other days I sleep a little more and that seems to help. I keep excercising and stretching and noticing improvement, so praise God for that.

I would not be where I am today if God had not done his miraculous work on me and in me. He kept my fall from being a fatal one. He gave me skilled and dedicated medical people who used their God-given gifts to repair my broken body. He used His Word and prayer to repair me mentally and spiritually. He has me where He wants me to be. He has a plan for me and I want to follow it.

It is this time in the year that we start to be stressed beyond our limits. Where we start to snap at our loved ones. It is the time when we dread the relatives showing up and adding to the mix. The money is low, the patience is low, the understanding is gone. It is this time of the year that I find a spot in the house or gather the family together and open my Bible to Luke chapter 2. I take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and begin reading the Christmas account. Everything begins to slow down. The tension leaves my body and my family. The important things of life become important again. The unimportant things become unimportant again. And I feel BETTER!!

God has a plan for your life and your family's. Take the time, by yourself or with your family, to relax around the greatest story ever told. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (ESV)

In the Peace of Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful. We've got no place to go. Let it snow.".....screeeeeeeeetch!!!!
How many of us relly have no place to go. We might wish it to be true, but that is not the case for most of us. If you are like me every day and evening is full this time of year. With work parties, children's concerts, worship services, and family gatherings it is hard to catch your breath. For me I find the time to relax and breathe in prayer, worship services, and in the study of God's Word. Just a few minutes each day, with family too, can make a whole lot of difference in harried Christmas season. It can also help us keep our focus on the truth about Christmas - that it is the celebration of the Savior's birth.

I continue to push through the pain and fatigue of my injuries. God has given me the gift of a high pain threshold, so I am able to withstand most of the onslaught. My cold weather gear is working out marvelously. I don't believe I could make it with out it. I feel stronger all the time and enjoy being with all of you in worship, journeying through the Gospel of Luke, and planning the mission and ministry of Friends In Christ congregation.

Being held close by Jesus,
Pastor Randy

"And the angel said to her, 'Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.'" Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Greetings In Jesus Christ,

As we look forward to the second coming of Jesus we celebrate and take comfort in His first coming as a baby boy born in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago. I love this time of the year. I remember as a child that when the Christmas decorations went up my excitement was heightened. I looked forward to Christmas Eve service and the opening of Christmas gifts that night.

I still get excited as Advent worship begins every Wednesday (7:00pm)and the Christmas Eve worship services (7:00 & 11:00pm)come near. The announcement of the birth of Jesus as the Savior - all of it - is so wonderful I can't contain it inside. I hope that you can't contain it either. That you will tell those around you what Christmas is about - The Christ.

I am doing better all the time. The cold is affecting me just as I was told. It is quite painful to be in the cold for too long. The ski mask is a great addition to my wardrobe - although I receive some funny looks from people because it's not snowing yet. But I am warm and it helps keep my pain levels down, so that is all that matters. I am still on this earth and Jesus has a plan for me and a plan for each one of you and a plan for all of us together.

I pray that you are excited at this time as I am. That Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and you just can't contain the message "Jesus, the Savior is born" inside. Blessings to all of you as we approach Christmas.

Excited about the baby Jesus celebration,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

I give thanks for you - my brothers and sisters,

I have been having a lot of fun journeying through the Gospel of Luke with almost 35 people now. It is very inspiring to have so many growing in Jesus together. It would be great for all of us to journey together - just come to Turtle Tap Restaurant at
9:45 am. See you there!

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving Eve worship tomorrow. I hope to see all of you there at 7:00 pm. If I don't see you enjoy your families and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

I am gaining more stamina with each passing week. It does mean that I have to push it and sometimes I push a little to hard, but I am getting better at gauging how much rest I need to continue doing what I need to do. I am enjoying it!! The weather forecast is for snow on Thanksgiving. I have always loved the snow. We'll see!!!

The first Sunday in Advent is this Sunday. It begins our walk to Christmas with stops every Wednesday at 7:00 pm and every weekend at the usual times (Sat. 5:30 pm; Sun. 8:30 & 11:00 am). I look forward to Christmas this is one of my favorite times of the year. Have a warm and blessed Thanksgiving celebration!!

Always thankful for Jesus,
Pastor Randy

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Greetings my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

I had a busy week last week. With worship preparations, meetings, nursing home worship services, our journey through the Gospel According to Luke, weekend worship services, and our congregational information meeting. It is great to work with all of you on the mission of Jesus in this community. It was wonderful to see all of you at the congregational information meeting. We are impacting our community for Jesus. We had six more join us on our journey through Luke - it is never to late to join the journey. I hope and pray that more will join the journey this Sunday at 9:45 am at the Turtle Tap restaurant.

I am feeling a little better each and every week. I sense more strength and stamina coming to me over time. I generally have more energy now than just a few weeks ago. The weather changes and cold are still a factor, but I am able withstand more now that I am stronger. I thank you for your continued prayers as I progressively get better. You are great prayer warriors! Thanks for all the cards that continue to be sent my way. They are very encouraging.

I pray for you that you are all well and that the Holy Spirit continues to grow you to be like Jesus that in every expression of love you do the good that Jesus would do for family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" Hebrews 10:23-25

Always in the Arms of Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hello my Christian Brothers and Sisters,


What a great time I had as we began our journey through the "Gospel According to Luke" this past Sunday. Meeting at the Turtle Tap restaurant is a wonderful place to study God's Word - food for the soul/food for the body. I was so excited to see 25 people there from all different ages. If you couldn't make it last Sunday come this Sunday. How great would it be to have 50, 60, or more? We had such a great time growing together.

I am moving along at about the same pace of recovery as I have been, which is very good. I am pretty much at a full-time schedule with all the classes, meetings, worship services, and such... I am looking forward to our elders and missions meetings this Thursday evening as we continue to work together to reach and grow people in Jesus Christ. It was so nice last weekend - a gift of grace for me with the warm temperatures. But I am ready for the cold.

This Sunday at 2:00 pm (11/15/2009) we are having our November congregational information meeting. It is so helpful for us to get together and find out about what is going on in areas of the congregation that we are not a part of. I encourage all of you to come and see all that we are doing now and plan to do in the future. We will have some special guests from the Northern Illinois Disctrict - LCMS staff. They have some exciting processes that are available to us that we should take advantage of. We will hear all about them at the meeting.

Again I invite you to join us on our exciting journey through the Gospel According to Luke at the Turtle Tap restaurant on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am. See you there!

Saved by Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi my Brothers and Sisters in the Father's family,

I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I may not get any more movement out of my hand than I have right now. But, he added that I have twice the movement that he thought I would get. I am at about 85% of where my right hand is at. Now I have to strengthen my left arm and hand. He said a normal break with a cast and no surgery takes about 12 months to gain normal strength, so he said could take me up to 2 years to get all my strength back. But he said that I work hard at it so it probably won't take that long for me. The doctor told me that unless something comes up he has no need to see me any more - YEAH!! I am on my own (of course we know that's not true God is with me) to gain full strength.

I had a wonderful time worshiping with all of you this past weekend. I look forward to beginning our study of the Gospel According to Luke this Sunday at 9:45 am in the Turtle Tap restaurant - right next door. It will be a great joy to see all of you there and search God's Word together. Don't forget that we have a congregation Game Night this Sat. at 7:00pm at the church building. I look forward to having a great time with all of you.

In Jesus' hands,

Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

This past weekend was an exciting and eventful one. We baptized a wonderful baby boy and confirmed nine young people and we celebrated the anniversary of the Reformation all at a moving worship service. It started last Wednesday with our last confirmation class for this group. They were excited and a little sad that they were not going to continue to have class each week. Or at least some of them said that. We in the office had a hectic week finalizing all the preparations and making sure everything was in place. It all went without a hitch. I am so excited for these young people. I pray that they will continue to grow in their faith in Jesus and fulfill the commitment they made on Sunday to remain diligent in the Body of Christ.

The weather has not been my friend of late. With all the changes, rain and cold I am in the process of adapting to the Fall and Winter weather patterns. I have to say that the ski mask, gloves and arm warmer is really helping. I just have to get use to people not seeing my smiling face and their wondering why I am wearing this type of clothing when it's only 45 degrees.

I am very grateful for all of your prayers and encouragement it means a lot to me. Continue to pray for the youth who were confirmed last weekend and for all the youth - it truly is a struggle to remain in Jesus as a young person today.

In Jesus Always,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi my fellow Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

It has been an eventful week. I have had a cold and it has been a new experience for me in the pain department. I am almost completed with it now the worst days were Thursday and Friday last week. I continue to get more flexibility and strength in my arm which I am very happy about. The cold air does not affect me as much now that I have my ski mask and arm warmer. Preaching was a joy, again. I look forward to the services each weekend.

This weekend is a special one. Not only are we celebrating the Reformation, but we have nine young men and women who are confirming their baptismal vows to follow Jesus as their Savior all the days of the lives. Again, I ask you to pray for them that temptation does not lure them away from the body of Christ. In addition to this we have a great opportunity for a visual lesson to all of us of God's great work in Baptism as A. J. Olsen will be baptized on Sunday as well.

I enjoy writing this blog to all of you and letting you know how everything is going with me and my recovery. Thank you for all you prayers."And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up."(James 5:15)

In Jesus care,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Greetings in Jesus Brothers and Sisters!

I am enjoying getting back into a more frequent routine of preaching and teaching, etc. It will take some time to get the strength and energy I need to go, go, go like I did before. The more I do it the more energy I pick up.

It is getting colder now, so I purchased a ski mask and arm warmers so that the cold will not affect me as much as it could. That first cold day was a wake-up call for me to go out and get the proper winter garb. It was much more painful than I thought it would be. I guess I had to learn from the experience.

I look forward to confirmation Sunday on October 25. We have nine confirmands this year and they are great kids. I invite you to join me in praying for them and their parents that they continue to grow amongst the Body of Christ here at Friends In Christ and not to fall away like many have in the past.

I pray that all of you remember Jesus' words to us after his resurrection, "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) Taking comfort in this we can be comfort for others just as all of you have been comfort for me during this uncomfortable time. Thank you!!

In the Comfort of Jesus,

Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hello My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus,

I enjoyed my last week teaching classes and preaching. It was so good to see all of you and hear God's Word and be grown by it, together. I wil be preaching for the next five weekends and your prayers are greatly needed to give me the strength and rest to get me through. I have so appreciated your patience and understanding during this time of recovery for me. Your words, cards and letters have been coming at just the right time when I needed them the most. Thank you.

In my convalescence as I read through Scripture and prayed God has strengthened me in my relationship with Him. I have grown much closer to Jesus than before and I have an even greater desire to do just what He wants me to do. I believe that Jesus allowed me to live because He is not through with me yet.

I am sorry that you have had to endure everything that has effected you throughout this time. I hope that through Scripture and prayer you have grown closer to Jesus as I have. I look forward to continuing to see you, grow with you, serve with you and reach people for Jesus with you.


Closer to Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!

It is a great pleasure for me to address you every week. I am doing a little better each week. The weather has turned a little colder which is a reminder to me to go to REI and pick-up a ski mask and glove liners. Keep reminding me to take the ski mask off before I enter a bank or a convenience store. You wouldn't want to read about me in the police blotter.

I am enjoying teaching the confirmation classes. It is great to see the light come on in the kids eyes when they understand something about God. I invite anyone who would like to come and see me check the calendar for the time frame that I am in the office and stop by and see me. It would be great to see any of you. If you have not yet picked-up a calendar they are right on the table where the bulletins are stacked.

Tonight the Word Among Us study of the "Gospel of John" begins at 7:00pm at the church building and will continue each week after that. It is a great way to study and Tim Hetzner has some great insights that assist us in our interpretation of Scripture. I would greatly recommend that you attend this study.

Thank for your continued prayers for my recovery. I also request that you would pray for our Friends In Christ family that we would be led by Jesus to be what He wants us to be.

By God's grace,

Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!

It was a great pleasure to preach this past weekend. It was great to see all of you there. I also attended the Trustees' meeting last Thursday and it was a great pleasure to be there and be a part of leadership again. We are so blessed to have such a great group of leaders who get along well and genuinely have the mission of Jesus Christ as their focus.

I laid-out a plan to return to full-time ministry. This plan is available on Mary's desk. It is in calendar form and extends through December 31, 2009. Please pick one up, if you didn't last weekend, and place it where you can see it easily.

I feel as though I have more energy. I am three months ahead of the schedule the doctors and therapists thought I would be able to keep. I still have to be careful not to do too much or move too fast. The schedule I laid out will help me to keep a constant progression without doing too much or not doing enough. You also will be able to keep track of my progress and know what is going on with me. I hope it is helpful.

As the weather changes it is difficult for me, so prayers for pain relief are very welcome. I am able to ignore the constant pain for the most part, but when I get overly tired or the weather changes then it becomes more difficult. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, loving concern, and words of encouragement. Until next week.

In the Arms of our Savior, Jesus,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!

This past week I taught confirmation and all went quite well. It is so good to get back into doing more things. I really have missed it. The kids were excited as well and it was good to see their interest and growth.

This week I will be teaching Confirmation on Wednesday, attending the Trustees' meeting on Thursday and preaching/leading worship this weekend. Pray that all will go well and that I will have the necessary energy to accomplish all of these things.

Again, I will be preaching/leading worship this weekend, September 19-20, October 03-04, 17-18, 24-25, and October 31-November 01 - I will keep you up to date through this blog of what else I will be doing as I look forward to and work into doing more and more.

I know that this has been a difficult time for all of you and I thank you for your patience and prayers as I continue to recover.

Jeremiah 29:11 has been on my heart "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

God has a plan for your lives, my life, and our lives together. It should be our desire to seek this plan out and grow to accomplish it.

In Jesus' arms,
Pastor Randy

Pastor's Weekly Blog

Hi brothers and Sisiters in Christ,

This weekend was a great weekend seeing all of you and being able to lead worship and preach. Confirmation classes start this Wednesday and I am excited to teach the youth. Please pray for the kids, more and more high-schoolers are falling away from the Christian Church every year. Confirmation Sunday is October 25, 2009 at 11:00am - which is Reformation Sunday.

I felt like I had a little more energy than the last time I led worship and preached. I was still very tired, but I feel like I'm getting more endurance each week. I am praying that all will go well with Confirmation classes starting. I do feel that I will be able to sustain this weekly activity. Please pray that will be the case.

This Saturday is Barbara and my 28th wedding anniversary. God has been so good and truly given me a remarkable woman to travel through life with. Please continue to pray for her.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and encouragements.

In Jesus arms,
Pastor Randy

Hi my brothers and sisters in Christ,
On Monday I had my last physical therapy appointment. I have reached 70% of normal mobility, so I am on my own to try and make it back to full mobility. I also saw the doctor on Monday afternoon and he said that I have about a three month window where I will be able to improve, so I need to work hard at it. Both my therapist and doctor are amazed at my speedy recovery. They said they never expected that I would recover to this point this quickly. That is good news. I can't imagine it taking any longer. I Have worked out a plan, that the doctor and therapist believe is achievable as long as I don't have any set-backs, to return to full-time work.
In September I will be teaching confirmation classes each week beginning Wednesday, September 09. I will be preaching the weekends of September 05-06 & September 19-20. I will be attending the Trustees Meeting on September 17. I will be in the office every Wednesday and will be avaiable to anyone who would like to come and see me between 12:00 - 2:00 pm. I need the other time to prepare for confirmation classes and worship services.
In October I plan on adding to this by preaching October 03-04, October 17-18, October 25-25, October 31-November 01 and adding Thursdays in the office where I will be avaiable from 12:00-2:00 pm for anyone who would like to come and see me.
I hope that this is encouraging to all of you as it is encouraging to me that I am on the mend and feel like I am at the top of the plateau and hope that soon it will be a downhill walk for me and you. I realize that it has been very hard for you to have a pastor who has been out of commission. I pray for all of you every day as I know (from your cards, letters, and verbal encourgements) that you have been praying for me everyday as well. Thank you so much for traveling on this journey with me.
In the arms of Jesus, our Savior,
Pastor Randy