Uncategorized – Dutilh Church

Getting Lost in the Bible

by Heather ShoffstallDirector of Student Ministries Whether we like it or not, 2024 has arrived! As I page through my calendar for the next couple of months, I know that the new year will be just as busy as last year. The days fill quickly! I don’t make resolutions, but I do make goals forContinue reading “Getting Lost in the Bible”

Harmony and Holiness

Celebrating the Joy of Music this Christmas By Maureen Konopka,Director of Music Ministries Hey there, dear church family! That magical time of the year is upon us once again, and there’s a special joy that comes with the Christmas season – a joy that’s beautifully amplified by the timeless melodies of the festive music ofContinue reading “Harmony and Holiness”

A Thanksgiving Prayer

by Rev. Tom Parkinson What would Thanksgiving be without actually taking a moment to pause and give thanks for the blessings we have received? While the day is filled with cooking, watching parades and football games, and feasting with family and friends, it is the quiet moment spent reflecting and giving thanks that is theContinue reading “A Thanksgiving Prayer”

Pray and Give Thanks

There is a trend that has become prevalent in the past few years. “Word of the Year.” Have you heard of this? Each year, instead of looking at resolutions, you are encouraged to pray and choose a word of the year. If you google it, there are lots of websites with word ideas and processes of how to pick your “Word of the Year.” Usually, I can pick a word even before New Year’s Day. However, when 2023 began, I was not sure what my word needed to be.

Pray for Your Heart

I recently came across a great resource for educators on social media called “Joy in the Journey.” (If you are in education, please follow or visit the website joyinthejourneyteaching.com!) The specific resource I read about was a prayer journal for teachers called Prayers for the Teaching Journey. With the start of the school year coming soon and my role in education, this journal piqued my interest!

Transformational Dandelions

By Carlen Blackstone, Certified Lay Leader For the past two years, I have shared the reasons why dandelions are in fact the true Easter flower and should have their rightful place among all the other beautiful Easter lilies, tulips, and daffodils that adorn the front of our sanctuaries Easter morning. Jack Sheehan, a member ofContinue reading “Transformational Dandelions”

Following the Good Shepherd

I am a planner. I like knowing what to expect, having a plan, and being organized in executing my plan. One of my biggest fears is walking into something for which I am not prepared. Can you relate?

Such a Time as This

As we are gearing up for our annual Open House and Registration at Dutilh Preschool, I have been reflecting on all of God’s goodness, provision and faithfulness. In the last two years, God has given me such a meaningful purpose in taking the charge of rebuilding Dutilh Preschool. This is a responsibility I don’t ever take lightly. As God’s word says, we are called to, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

What a World We Live In!

In the middle of October, Joyce and I enjoyed a vacation. We traveled with good friends, another United Methodist pastor and his wife.

On our first day of travel, our friend got an alert that someone had opened a Gmail account using his name and was emailing the members of his church soliciting donations of gift cards for an “emergency need.” Yes, it was a typical scam.

The Power of Your Story

My story. Your story. It matters. God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, and the story God has written for your life is one we should not question because his ways are so much higher than ours.