Finding Joy 11.07.2025

When was the last time you experienced the “joy of the Lord?”  What I mean by that is when was the last time you were in a situation in which the presence of God was so very real that you just couldn’t help but smile or in your own way give praise to God?  In some ways what I am speaking of could simply be identified as a very “holy moment.”  Just recently I witnessed someone experiencing a holy moment and feeling the joy of the Lord.  And because of their holy moment, I too experienced a holy moment and felt God was near…and it truly was a joy filled moment!

What happened is that on a recent Sunday morning as worship was just about to begin, I was at the back of the worship center waiting with the acolytes, the children who light the candles.  On that Sunday, there was a young girl about to participate in the candle lighting and she had the biggest smile on her face.  I asked if this was her first time lighting the candles and she got an even bigger smile and nodded her head.  Cindy, who is often the helper in the back getting the wicks lit and the youth ready to go, confirmed that this young lady was very excited!!

It was obvious that this girl could barely contain her joy and excitement.  The music began, the wicks got lit, I nodded my head indicating it was time to go, and together with the girl and her fellow acolyte leading the way, we made our way to the front of the worship space.  Both candlelighters did a great job and when the girl turned toward me after lighting the candles, there was an expression on her face of pure delight. She had the hugest smile on her face.  Indeed, this was a holy, joy-filled moment for her.  

As I paused to pray after the acolytes left the platform, I asked God to be present with all of us in this time of worship like God was present for that girl.  “Lord, may we all experience the joy of your presence as this girl did as she lit the candles.”  Sometimes I wish everyone in the congregation could witness things that I see and experience during worship.  But I’m also glad that I am able to witness those holy moments because it reminds me of why I do what I do.  

Today as we go through this day and maybe even begin to prepare ourselves for worship in a couple days, may we be open to the presence of God with us, even in the “ordinary” days of the week.  Such as yesterday as I was doing a project at home, watering a new tree that Nancy and I just planted this fall.  I was noticing the beauty of the reddish leaves on the tree – how perfect, delicate, and bright it looked.  I just marveled in that leaf for a moment.  

That got me thinking about how often is God really near…but we fail to notice God in our midst?  The truth is God is always near…always present…it’s just a matter of slowing down and opening our heart and mind enough to see God’s presence, love, and creative power.  I’d love to hear some of your stories of when you felt the joy of the Lord, or when you experienced a holy moment and knew God was near.  Our “God moments” don’t have to be big emotional moments, it can be something as simple as lighting some candles, noticing the beauty of a leaf, or…well, you can fill in your own holy moment from your life.  

How about if we all approach this day, as well as come to worship this Sunday expecting to meet God in some simple yet beautiful way?  Wouldn’t that inspire us all and ignite this church as we faithfully follow Jesus! 

Pastor Keith

Do Not Be Afraid 10.31.2025

We have arrived at the year’s spookiest holiday…as I write this reflection, it is Halloween!  In just a few hours there will be trick-or-treaters arriving at our door and costumes of every kind will be worn by these children and youth.  Sophie, our golden retriever, will be so excited because she always assumes the kids coming to the door are coming to pet her, and many do!  Halloween is her favorite holiday!! 

As the sun sets and darkness fills our community the 30-40 monster inflatables in the yard across the street will be standing tall and illuminated, providing a ghoulish delight for all who walk by.  (Except for the mechanical spider – or whatever it is – which will make a loud noise and lurch toward people on the sidewalk.  That one has scared a few unsuspecting people and pets.)  

On our side of the street and down the block is a new addition to the Halloween displays on our street – a new light display that features dancing skeletons, moving lights, spiders on the roof, and all sorts of other “spooky” items helps create the proper Halloween mood.  Of course, it is likely there will be a lot of horror movies being watched on TV’s all across the land.  Yes, Halloween is a favorite holiday for many with all its frightening wonder.   This is the season of haunted houses, ghost tours through cemeteries, and all sorts of other events and parties featuring various creative snacks and beverages.  

Halloween is really a time of just having fun, for the most part, with the focus on being scared.  Did you know there are many articles out there that say we human’s actually like being scared…at least a little bit.  So, Halloween is one time of the year we sort of give a playful nod to the feeling of fear that can be found within each of us.  

But on the other hand, there are some people who are living amid horrific and even genuinely scary situations.  I think of the people of Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and several other small Caribbean Islands that have been heavily devastated by Hurricane Melissa.  

I think of people living in the literal war zones in the middle east, in Ukraine, and other places in the world.  I think of people right here in our own country who are greatly impacted by the government shutdown.  

I think of some individuals I know who are dealing with the reality of cancer, others who are facing addictions in their lives, or some who are experiencing the reality of uncertainty in life and for them it is frightening.  Yes, for some…it is a very scary world out there.  

This is why I am so grateful for the faith we have as Christians.  Ours is a faith that continually proclaims the message “Do not be afraid!”  This theme is woven through the Bible but that doesn’t mean that fear is a sin.  No, fear is an emotional response to the situation we find ourselves in.  However, because we have a savior who is with us, who has taken the worst the world had to offer (death on a cross) and then walked out of the tomb three days later, we can know that fear and the darkest moments of life are not victorious for us.  We do not have to be afraid…because Jesus is with us and Jesus has made new life possible, now and for all eternity.  

So, on this Halloween, may we all have a little fun with the spooks, ghouls, and monsters in our midst.  Give them a little candy and they’ll go away!  But just remember, the Spirit of God is always present in all situations whispering in our ear…Do Not Be Afraid!  And by the way…our theme for Advent this year will be – Do not be afraid!!  Seems like a good theme for the times in which we live.

Pastor Keith

The Hands and Feet of Jesus 10.24.2025

Last evening was a good evening!!  Last evening, Thursday evening, was Love Feast, and the youth of our church were the ones helping prepare and serve the meal, they helped lead a children’s activity, and also did the cleanup when all the guests had gone.  76 Guests were received.  140 meals were served (including meals for the volunteers and meals guests were able to take home because there were leftovers.)  Actually, it wasn’t just a good evening…it was a great evening!

For me what was so great about it was the fact that this was an opportunity in which all present at Love Feast were able to witness the various generations working side by side and serving God together.  We live in one of the most interesting and diverse times in our world.  There are currently at least six (some say seven) distinct generational groups alive in our nation and each generation has its own unique and distinct characteristics, beliefs, and attitudes that help define who they are and what is important to them.  Last evening we had at least 4 if not 5 of those generations present and involved in serving Love Feast.  If you include the guests, we had all 6 generations present.  It was fun to see the various generations working and interacting together, not focusing on our differences, but laughing, working, and serving a meal to all who came to gather around the tables.  

Part of the reason I felt so much joy about what I was witnessing and experiencing is because of three things. 

1. I was witnessing the living out of Jesus’ command that we love one another.  “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35  There were no questions asked about whether anyone, volunteers included, were worthy of being present at Love Feast.  We were simply loving one another.

   2. I was witnessing the example of the entire team feeding and caring for Jesus.  Yes, he was here last night!!  I was reminded of Jesus’ parable regarding what is referred to as the “final judgment;” “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Matthew 25:35  and then Jesus goes on to say in this parable, “‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”  Matthew 25:40

   3. The final reason I was proud and joyful to be a part of last evening was that I saw young and older alike living out our church’s mission statement; “We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and grace to all we encounter, by living out God’s Kingdom together.”  Yes, last night I saw the hands and feet of Jesus at work.  I witnessed love and grace being extended to all, and through all of this, the Kingdom of God was expressed and furthered right here in Mitchell, South Dakota.

So, church…well done!!  This is just one example of how we build the Kingdom of God and it is just one way we live out being the hands and feet of Jesus…and for that, I am grateful.  May we keep on going, growing, welcoming, and serving, as followers of Jesus in our world.  Yes, this is exactly what we are called to do!!

Pastor Keith

Construction Zones...10.17.2025

“I’m tired of all the construction!!!”  Do you know how many times I’ve heard that statement over the past several weeks?  I haven’t counted the times I’ve heard it…but I know the number would be up there.  It seems the “construction zones” around town and the area have become a popular conversation topic this year, mainly because we’ve been dealing with quite a bit of construction during this road construction season.  You can already hear the jokes about South Dakota having two seasons; winter and road construction!

Then what makes matters worse for those of us on the north end of town is that another road got blocked off just the other day due to …construction.  And there’s been no word how long the road closure will last.  Yes, road construction can be disruptive to our lives.  Yet, we also don’t like it when roads get worn with cracks, ruts or potholes.  So…we endure, and we sometimes complain a bit too.

Have you ever stopped to consider about the “construction” that is taking place in other areas of life??  The truth is it’s not just road construction that provides disruptions, there are also other “construction zones” present in life.  Maybe you’re trying to get into better shape, so you’re trying to exercise.  Or maybe the doctor has said you need to lose some weight, or lower your caffeine intake, or cut down on the sweets you eat.  

Or how about your emotional and mental health area??  Are you trying to overcome the negative messages that often play in your head?  Or how about any addictions you might be dealing with?  Even spiritually, there are likely places that God is at work shaping and molding each of us.  So, you could say there are likely multiple construction sites going on within us at any particular time.  And yes, it is true that these construction sites within us can be just as annoying and disruptive as any road construction project we’ve been dealing with here in Mitchell.  

But again, we have to keep our eyes on the bigger picture; roadways being improved or developed, new construction being developed to improve our community.  That is the goal!  And the same is true with the different construction zones in our lives.  God is at work within us helping us become the more complete and whole person that God sees us to be.  And also, that is what we are charged with doing as followers of Jesus.  There are several passages in the New Testament where Paul encourages us to “build one another up.” We are to be encouragers and helpers, where we can, of the formation and transformation that God is doing in the world and in each of our lives.  So, each of us could be wearing a safety vest and a hard hat to show that we are each involved in the construction work taking place around us and within us.  

So, here’s the challenge I’m going to take up…and I want to share with all of you.  Next time I come upon a construction zone that is going to delay or disrupt my life, I’m going to try giving thanks for the construction workers…and give thanks for the project that is seeking to make improvements in our community and world.  And then, maybe I’ll be able to give thanks for the construction work taking place within me…and be more patient with myself, with God, and with those around me.  After all, I really do believe we are all “under construction!”

Pastor Keith

Missing the Rapture? 10.10.2025

I guess I missed it!  Missed what, you ask??  I missed the rapture.  No, not “missed the rapture” as in the “Left Behind” book series…  No, I missed all the rapture talk of the past month.  It wasn’t until just after it was supposed to happen that I heard a podcaster pastor mention it that made me aware that someone had predicted the rapture.  However, the date came and went…and we’re all still here, including the guy that predicted the rapture.  Now I guess he’s predicting a different date.  (sigh)

Now I don’t know the whole story of the guy from South Africa that predicted the rapture.  If I had heard about it, I likely would not have paid much attention to it.  You see, this is probably the 6th or 7th time just in my lifetime that someone has predicted or said that “Jesus told me…” and then gave a date for when the rapture would happen.  And obviously none of them have come true.

But the biggest reason I don’t pay attention to claims or predictions of the rapture “coming soon” is because of what Jesus had to say about it.  In Acts 1, Jesus is about to be taken up into heaven and he is giving the disciples their final instructions.  In a pause in the conversation one of the disciples ask, “Lord, is this the time you will restore the Kingdom to Israel?”  Jesus hadn’t even gone yet, and they were already asking about his return and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom here on earth.  Jesus gives a very clear answer, “It is not yours to know the times or the periods that the Father has set by his own authority.”  In other words, Jesus is saying, “Don’t worry about it.  It isn’t for you to know. God will take care of it!”  

In Matthew 24 and Luke 12 Jesus tells a parable relating to the end times. What Jesus tells the disciples is that we aren’t to know the time or the date of his return.  But through the parable Jesus tells, he makes it clear the disciples are to live in such a way that they are always ready and prepared for Jesus’ return.  That is exactly why I don’t buy into any person here on earth claiming to know the date of Jesus’ return. I believe we should all be more concerned about living into God’s Kingdom here on earth and simply being ready for Jesus’ return.  

Another comment I hear fairly often is someone saying, “With everything happening in the world, the end times must be near.”  I usually agree with that statement mainly because whether Jesus’ return is in 1 year, 10 years, 100 years, or 1000 years, it is “nearer” than it was last week.  

I know we human beings like to have everything scheduled and in our planners.  But Jesus’ return isn’t something for us to know.  We just have to take it on faith that it will happen, and live out our faith accordingly so the people around us can see Jesus in and through us.  Until Jesus’ return, we are Jesus’ representatives in the world.  We are Jesus’ ambassadors in this community.  Let’s keep on doing what we can to make the Kingdom more and more present every day.  That is something Jesus has clearly asked us to do.

Pastor Keith

Homecoming 09.26.2025

As I write this, we are in the middle of Homecoming Week here in Mitchell. Monday night featured coronation and the burning of the “M.” From Tuesday through Thursday, students have been enjoying dress-up days—color day, jersey day, pajama day, etc.—depending on their school. Friday caps it all off with Black and Gold Day and the 2025 Homecoming football game. It’s a full week of Kernel spirit.

In looking back at the origins of Homecoming, I discovered its purpose was clear: to build school spirit, create a sense of belonging, develop traditions that bring unity, and welcome alumni back home.

But the theme of “coming home” is not just a school tradition—it’s a biblical one. Jesus told a story about a young man who left home searching for “the good life.” Once his money was gone, so were his friends and the fun. He then found himself in desperate circumstances doing the unthinkable just to survive.  Finally, he decided to return home, not expecting to be welcomed as a son, but hoping to be taken in as a hired servant.

The son makes the journey home, has his short speech ready and was prepared to receive his father’s scorching words.  However, he was greeted by his father’s embrace and a celebration of his returning to the love of the family.  Rather than an ugly scene, the son was greeted with a welcoming acceptance by his father.  It was a relationship-restoring homecoming.  

The whole point of the story that Jesus tells is to let people know that the God of the Christian faith is a God who celebrates homecomings with open arms and a joy-filled spirit.

 As we celebrate our Kernel pride and connection this week, may we also celebrate the best homecoming of all, that of the “Welcome Home” that God gives to all who return to God’s presence and love.  

Welcome home to our Mitchell alumni. And to anyone reading this article, if you feel far from God, know this: no matter where life has taken you, God is always waiting with open arms. That is the greatest homecoming of all.
Pastor Keith

Maintenance 09.19.2025

Maintenance…  I’ll be honest, I’m not the best at doing it.  I am pretty good with changing the oil in my vehicles, but some of the other maintenance like rotating tires, flushing the cooling system, changing windshield wipers periodically…those kinds of things I’m not so good with.  

Then there’s the house maintenance.  This past summer I took a couple of extra weeks off to recoup from the very full year I had while I was involved with the Practical Church Leadership program…along with being a full-time pastor, etc.  Anyway, I had a list of home maintenance projects that I wanted to accomplish during that time off.  I think I got one, maybe two items from my list cared for…and those two weren’t really the biggies that I had hoped to cross off the list.  I guess it’s always good to have some projects on a list just in case some day I find myself bored and don’t know what to do with myself. 😊

The reason maintenance is so important is because that is what keeps the car or the house in tip-top shape, functioning at its best, and keeping its greatest value.  If you don’t check the air pressure in the tires, they can get low, and that can ruin a tire, which can be rather costly to replace.  If shingles blow off your house and the repair isn’t made, moisture can find its way into the roof and house, which can cause serious problems.  Yet, it is so easy to ignore maintenance because as they say, out of sight – out of mind.  

It's easy to think about maintenance in regard to vehicles we drive or the home we live in, but there are other crucial areas in life where maintenance is just as important as it is for a house and car.  Two such areas are in one’s marriage (and other significant relationships), and also one’s faith.  

Just like a car or a house, a marriage or one’s faith journey won’t stay strong on its own. They require regular, intentional attention. A healthy marriage doesn’t just happen on the day of the wedding; it grows through little acts of kindness, listening, forgiveness, and shared experiences. Faith is the same way—it can’t be sustained only by an occasional Sunday service or a once-in-a-while prayer. It needs daily “check-ins” with God, time reading and reflecting on passages from the bible, taking time to serve and make the world a better place, and other rhythms and disciplines that keep our hearts turned to God and tuned in to God’s values.

The truth is that maintenance usually isn’t glamorous. It rarely gives you an immediate thrill or a big “wow” moment. But over time, it’s what makes the difference between something that breaks down and something that endures. It was regular maintenance that allowed my previous car to reach over 200,000 miles of my driving, and it was still going strong when the family I sold it to sold it to someone else.   

So maybe the best way to think about maintenance is this: it’s the small, steady practices that keep the most important parts of life from falling apart. Whether it’s tightening a loose bolt, taking time to connect with your spouse, or pausing to pray or serve those in need, the little things add up to a life that’s strong, healthy, and ready for the road ahead. Just recently I saw this five word quote I really like and it speaks much truth – “What you maintain will remain.”  Now let’s get out there and take care of some maintenance today!!

Pastor Keith

We Remember 09.12.2025

Today is a day of remembering!!  As I write this article it is the evening of 9.11.2025.  I remember the Alan Jackson song – “Where were you when the world stopped turning…”  Of course he is referring to 9.11.2001.  I do remember where I was – in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  I was taking a shower when Nancy stuck her head in the bathroom and said, “Keith, an airplane crashed into a skyscraper in New York City.”  My first thought was a little plane and then Nancy said, it was a big plane.  Knowing just a little bit about aviation and airplanes, I thought it unlikely this was an accident…but I supposed it would be possible.  But then I watched as the second jetliner hit the other tower, and I knew in that moment this was no accident.  In a sense, the world did stop turning…in so many ways!

So much has happened and changed since this day 24 years ago.  Probably one of the areas where we still notice some of the biggest changes is that of air travel, from the documentation to the TSA experience, air travel has changed significantly, and understandably so. I wonder what each of you think about as having changed because of 9-11? 

Something else that I remember feeling in our nation because of 9-11 is the sense of shock we all felt…but then there was a sense of coming together.  Some would say that we had a common enemy, but others said we suddenly realized how precious life was and how quickly things can change.  There was a brief “bump” in church attendance, for a few months.  But then it dropped back to previous levels. There was still a sense of positivity, that we had a common reason to look for and share the good in the world in the midst of such devastation that we were all feeling. There were so many stories of bravery, as well as neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger, all in the name of healing the hurt of our nation and making the world a better place to live.  

Much has happened in our nation since 9-11-2001.  This year on 9.11, once again our nation finds itself reeling from violence and tragic death.  On September 10 a man was shot and killed at a political rally at a university in Utah at which he was making a presentation. That same day another school shooting took place in Colorado in which 2 students were wounded and the shooter died by suicide.  Once again, the cycle of violence and anger continues, and the presence of evil is alive and well in our nation.  

There is already a lot of noise on social media; rage, accusations, name calling, conspiracies – exactly what our world needs less of.  Instead, what our world needs is exactly what our Mission Statement says.  Our world is in desperate need of more people who say, “We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and grace to all we encounter by living out God’s Kingdom together.”  My word to us all is, don’t join the noise and hatred that is so rampant, but instead join your voice with those calmly calling for peace, justice, and seeking a new way to deal with differences and disagreement.  More than ever I believe in the power and the need for our church family to reflect and lean into our Mission Statement. Our community and world needs this.  

I also remember from 24 years ago that there were many days of despair and uncertainty.  It feels somewhat the same way now.  But remember, there is light, there is hope, there is the possibility of new beginnings, and it begins with just one person, me, you, all of us together deciding there is a different set of values that we live for…and that’s God’s Kingdom Values.  This is what it means when we say, “We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and grace to all we encounter by living out God’s Kingdom together.”

Pastor Keith

Road Construction 09.05.2025

This has been a frustrating summer!!  Not because of weather or canceled travel plans or anything like that.  No, the frustration has mainly been caused by all the road construction in our area.  Between trying to get around different parts of Mitchell, going to Sioux Falls, to even driving to Parkston there has often been road construction to deal with.  On one of my journeys to make a visit to a parishioner in the country, I discovered the road I had intended to take was totally closed off.  I had to backtrack and figure out a different way to get to my destination.  AHHHHHH

We all understand the reality of road construction here in South Dakota.  We’ve all heard the joke, there are only two seasons in our fine state, winter and road construction.  Our weather does limit the time frame for many road construction projects.   

But the truth is, we also understand the need for road construction.  Over time roadways begin to break up, the concrete or asphalt fails.  Potholes develop and deepen, etc.  Sometimes the road construction isn’t about the road as much as what lies beneath the road, so the concrete or asphalt has to be torn up in order to fix the problem below.  

We all rejoice when the road construction signs and barriers come down and the roadway is opened up again allowing traffic to flow freely.  And usually, we can see or maybe feel the benefit of the work that was done.  Often, it’s then that we realize the road construction, the work was necessary, even though it was frustrating and made life challenging for a while.

So, the question I want to ask today is, “Where is the road construction in your life?”   Where are you experiencing disruptions, delays, even detours in your life or in your spirit?  Have some potholes developed in your soul?  Is a sewer line plugged up or other updates needing to be made in your faith? Maybe God is at work in your life doing some repair or rebuilding to help you become the person that God sees you to be.  Or maybe God is at work preparing you for something that you can’t even see or imagine yet.  

I don’t know about you, but I can sure see that in my own life and faith journey.  So often the struggles and the things that I learned at one stage in my life helped prepare me or have been useful for dealing with situations in my future.  It’s true, I never enjoyed the disruption and detours that came along, but later in life I was able to see the benefit of those difficult or challenging experiences.  

With the beginning of the school year, it means that the fall season is kicking off in our church too.  Sunday School begins this weekend.  Dave Mitchell’s adult class has met all summer, they continue to meet. Natalie’s Wednesday evening study group is starting up, Youth Group is beginning again.  These opportunities, and so much more, allow our lives to be touched, shaped, and molded by our creator God who is continually at work in our lives.  May the coming “school year” be a time for all of us, even those of us who aren’t officially in school, to learn and grow.  And may God continue to do the “construction” work that needs caring for in order for each of us to follow Jesus more closely and faithfully.  

Pastor Keith

Saddened Today... 08.29.2025

I am saddened today…because once again, just a couple days ago, gunfire interrupted a school day.  

I am saddened today…because once again lives were lost, and families are forever changed because of the consequences of a shooter and the gunfire that took place at the school/church in Minneapolis.  

I am saddened today…because several families will not be able hug their children, and instead the parents are doing the unthinkable…planning a funeral for their young children.

I am saddened today…because close to 20 other children and adults were injured, some critically, by the gunfire.

I am saddened today…because once again after a tragedy takes place it seems that many are more interested in pointing fingers and blaming others rather than saying, enough is enough…what are we going to do about this persistent evil.

I am saddened today…because once again we are all reminded of the brokenness of this world we live in.  And even as sophisticated and advanced as we believe we are as human beings today, the brokenness continues to be evident.  

I am saddened today…because an individual felt so much fear or anger or was experiencing such a twisted state within their mind and soul, they felt compelled to take up a weapon and use it upon innocent people.

I am saddened today…because once again this tragedy will be seen by some, as a reason to abandon faith in God.  “Why would God allow such a horrible thing to happen, especially to these children and adults who were participating in a worship service in their school day?”

I am saddened today…because right now many people are asking the question, “Why?”  And the truth is I am too!

I am saddened today…because it seems as a society we are paralyzed in these situations and have come to the point of simply shrugging our shoulders as if to say, “There’s not much we can do about it.”

I am saddened today…to hear how older children actually used their bodies to protect younger children from harm.  That is such a beautiful act of self-sacrifice. But my sadness is that these children found themselves in that situation.

I am saddened today…to see the parents and neighbors having to hold and support each other in the midst of their shock, grief, and tears.  And yet I am reminded that is exactly where Jesus calls us, the Body of Christ, to be in times of tragedy, doing what we can to express the love and presence of Jesus.  

Yes, there is sadness in my soul over this senseless school/church shooting.  But I also know it is in those kinds of moments that Jesus was there with those children and adults, and with the parents, weeping, and saying… “I’m here with you.” 

May we hug our own children and grandchildren a little more closely today…and may we go forth into this world to live, act, think, and speak in such a way that the peace of Christ becomes more and more evident.  After all…the real change begins with each of us!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith