K.C. Wahe

A few of months ago I blogged about Walt Bolen our church organist. I found this little gem on my camera today from back in December 2009 that I took of Walt during one of our Advent services when Walt wasn’t looking. Walt is good a guy and a true follower of Jesus.

I’ve been in ministry for a long time. Right out of high school. Okay it seems like a long time. As a matter of fact the first time I had the chance to lead in ministry was in an after school program where we’d pick up kids from a neighborhood near the church we attended in Hollywood. We’d bring them back to the church for a Saturday morning ministry almost like a VBS program. Did this for a long time.

My first real full-time ministry gig was at that same church that loved me often and my way of giving back to the church was by loving their kids often as I could like Jesus loved me. There are kids I still talk to on occasion and its hard to believe they’ve grown so fast. Teachers, physical trainers, Army folks. It seems like yesterday I was just sitting at camp with these same kids, eating, drinking, and watching kids come to know Jesus or serving side by side with them on some Mexico mission trip.

Hard to believe that someone took the time and believed in me that I had something to offer. Something to give. That my testimony and faith in God was of value in the kingdom and some how I got my little toe into the big show. As pastors I wonder if that’s how we’re perceived by others in the church? In some ways its like the way we look at an athlete. When they get to that place in their lives where they’re at their peak of their game. Maybe we are looked at in this way as pastors. This can be a joyful thought or an overwhelming thought in which I’d like to throw against a wall sometimes. With a smile of course. I hate that metaphor but it fits at least for now in my processing that occurs in ministry as a pastor.

Me in the big show? Hard to believe. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it took a long time for me to get to this place. God’s overwhelming grace. Not my strength. And sometimes I have to thump myself on the head that I’m still not completely ready and prepared for what I’ve already faced and will face on a daily basis in the life of the church as a pastor.

On a sweeter and yummier note there are times that I have to admit that although I continue to grow I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else in the church universal. At least not right now.

What’s frustrating is the assumption that we as pastors have got it all together. Because we are in the positions we hold that we are the chosen ones. We’ve been selected by God to proclaim “good news.” At least that’s how we’re perceived. This morning the heater wouldn’t work in church. One person said something to the affect, “just do that hot air stuff you do.” I smiled. There is a member I’ve served with who reminds me that I’m the dude with the robe. The robe? This robe that people like Calvin wore as a means for telling the world he was now in the big show. He earned his way and that he had some brains regarding who God was and is for us as his children.

Sometimes I don’t like that robe. It’s to heavy. In the summer time especially in the church I pastor it’s too hot to wear. I think it scares people. There are those though of previous generations in the church who love when I wear my heavy black robe. It reminds them of a time when the church was at its peak. Its glory day. There is this one sweet lady who reminds me that I look good in a tie with my robe. I made a deal with her that I’d wear it when I did a baptism or administered communion. She smiled. And when I forget she makes sure to jolt my memory not to forget.

Hard to believe. Much to learn. Still growing. Praise God that at this time in my life I get a small part in the sharing of GOOD NEWS. A little toe in the big show. I love what I do!

(Welcome to my friends from church)

The month of November we will focus on a theme of thanksgiving in our worship services (8am & 10:30am). Our sermon series for the month of November in church will cover four themes; giving thanks for each other, giving thanks for our enemies, giving thanks when times are hard, and giving thanks for the world. Our scriptural theme for the month of November will be from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you, who belong to Christ Jesus, to live.” (The Message Paraphrase)

The word thanks means to be actively giving thanks or to express gratitude towards something or someone. In our case as followers of Jesus we express gratitude to God for all that he does for us as his children. Being thankful is sometimes not easy to do. Especially when the world around us seems to be crumbling every time we turn on the news or read the morning headlines of another problem burdening the world.

How does one give thanks appropriately to God? I appreciate Eugene Peterson’ paraphrase from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Be cheerful no matter what, pray all the time, and thank God no matter what happens.” Paul gives us three things to do that I know for myself are sometimes difficult to live out.

There is a song we sing in worship by Matt Redman called “Blessed be your name,” that is applicable to us especially when we feel like not giving thanks to God when times are tough. May these words be our prayer as we learn to truly give thanks to God with a grateful heart.

Every blessing You pour out , I’ll turn back to praise, When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say; Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name, Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name.

Giving thanks for you! 

Pastor K.C. 

(Pulpit rock in Norway)

This Sunday in church (in a few short hours) we move to a two service format. (8am & 10:30am) The last I church I was part of had two worship services. One “traditional” and one “blended.” The pastor did a wonderful job of leading both worship services. The lay helpers, the choir, and the praise team all had a hand in making the services a worshipful experience. My son says to me today, “dad, are you doing the same sermon twice?” My response, “I hope.” Say a prayer for us if you visit here on occasion and for those of you from church don’t forget to set your clocks back and don’t be late…hehe.

The church I pastor was charted in 1931 by the Los Angeles Presbytery. After meeting in a local elementary school for a few years the church saved enough money to buy some land and folks from the community and the church finally built the first building sometime in 1942.

There are a variety of persons that the church attracts and many who’ve attended for several years. Many in the church have worshiped together through several pastoral transitions. There was a time that the church was pastored only by part-time pastors and in the mid 80′s was able to hire the church its first full-time pastor. Everyone from retirees, insurance industry folks, accountants, shop owners, a farmer or two, school teachers, a fireman, and some contractors to those who are unemployed and in need are among the folks who’ve joined the church and have worshiped regularly together for years.

The church sits on the highway and often because of where the church is located there will be the occasional person stopping by needing food or some gas money. As with other small communities the town itself deals with its share of issues. Drug addiction and alcoholism are among the many. The church has a wonderful ministry led by many volunteers twice a month serving as a community food bank. Just this last Tuesday there were 52 families served. The food bank is part of the Los Angeles County Regional Food Bank

The community of Littlerock is roughly 40 percent Spanish speaking according to one source. We host a Spanish speaking community church every Sunday evening, a church that is part of the Covenant church. The desire that the church has had along with the presbytery is that we reflect the community we serve and one of the ways in doing this is by sharing the buildings in which we worship Christ together as one Church. We recently helped send off a Hispanic New Church Development to begin meeting on their own in a new building in Littlerock.

We have a wonderful ministry to the youth of the community. One of our leaders for several years now has led our youth ministry and along with the church has placed a high importance on loving kids as Jesus loves kids.

Here is some additional history of the community itself:

Nestled among the rolling foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern part of Los Angeles County just an hours drive from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, is the small agricultural community of Littlerock. Graced by four seasons, with snow in the winter, 100 degree heat in the summer, the beauty of blossoms and ripening fruit in the spring, and the changing color of leaves in the orchards in the fall, all accentuated with the year-round majesty of the native Joshua trees, Littlerock is truly a place of natural splendor.

The territory was occupied by peaceful tribes of Piute and Runner Indians until the mid 1860′s when the first settler moved in, bringing a flock of sheep and building an adobe home along the creek. When he was killed in 1886 by a grizzly bear, his place became a refuge for bandits.

In the 1890′s a settlement was started that was to become the foundation of Littlerock. The settlers planted 2000 acres of almond trees. The trees were early bloomers, and the sometimes unpredictable cold weather destroyed most of the crop. A few of the settlers had also planted pear trees, but these thrived and lived on to start the legend of the pear belt. A few almonds can be found today, but most have been cut for firewood. In 1901 the first ton of pears was shipped to the Mott Market in Los Angeles for $40 per ton F.O.B. Palmdale.

The first business in Littlerock was a blacksmith shop opened in 1890. The area at that time was called Alpine Springs Colony. In 1892 it was changed to Tierra Bonita by a developer, and in 1893 the town became Littlerock and the first post office was established. The first general store was opened in 1894, but failed after the first year because there were so few people living in the area.

A school was started in a shed in 1911, with the first school house opening on March 13, 1913. The one room school served until 1923 when two rooms were added. Keppel Union School District was formed in 1922.

In 1914 the first library was formed in the old stone house still standing on 77th St. East and Pearblossom Hwy. The county supplied 222 books. In its first year of operation, the library lent books out 577 times to a total of 47 cardholders. The library moved to its present location on 80th St. in 1999, and lends up to 25,500 books annually.

To serve the irrigation needs of the orchards, Littlerock Dam was built in 1924. The dam is an Eastwood cement multiple arch buttress dam and is one of several built in the Western U.S. It is considered a historical architectural monument. It is located in the Angeles National Forest adjacent to Littlerock and serves as a recreational facility for off-road vehicles, fishing, boating, equestrian trails and camping. This is a popular retreat and can be enjoyed year-round.

The Littlerock Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1949 after serving many years as the Antelope Valley Landowners Association. In 1950 three members of the newly formed Chamber went to Sacramento and made such an impressive appeal that they received funding to build the bridge over Littlerock Creek on the west side of town. The Chamber continues to serve the needs of the local businesses as well hosting various community events for the residents.

Littlerock is the largest un-incorporated community in the Antelope Valley and is known as “The Fruit Basket of the Antelope Valley.” The town is a series of orchards and homes and the highway is lined with fruit stands, U-pick orchards and small businesses that serve the needs of local residents as well as the high volume of tourist traffic. Littlerock has 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school to serve not only our local children, but the surrounding areas of Pearblossom, Juniper Hills and Lake Los Angeles. A junior college is now being planned for the area as well. There are two county operated parks to serve the needs of the community. Littlerock has numerous churches of many denominations. HT: Littlerock, CA

More to come.