The Orchard Blog

Ok, I need a break… I’ve been working on my talk for this coming Sunday and it has drained me pretty well. I have some appointments this afternoon so I need to focus my attention in some other areas.

SO – I will use this as an opportunity to remind you about our FIRST WEDNESDAY coming up THIS COMING Wednesday, November 3rd at 7PM. It’s going to be a great evening. If I had to summarize in one or two words what it’s all going to be about, I would say, “LIFE REALIGNMENT”. Refocusing our attention, our lives and our hearts back towards our Creator.

It really will be very different from what we all experience on Sunday mornings, so plan to come out.

By the way – our yard needs rain bad, so if you don’t mind praying for rain or if you know a good rain dance, get up off your feet and dance!

See you Sunday…

If you haven’t had a chance to take a break and just look at the beautiful leaves – do it QUICK! Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. Time to pull out all the sweaters and warm clothes. As much as I love summer, I love staying cool…

Last weekend, our friend Dave Garda, shared a great talk with us. If you missed it, don’t forget you can download it at our website by clicking here. Dave and his wife Rennie are two of the most encouraging people I’ve ever known. I’m sure that those of you here this weekend felt that too.

That’s it for now – lots to do today… Keep me in your prayers for this coming weekend as I plan to talk about my own personal journey these past couple of weeks.

Much appreciated…

This coming Sunday, I’ve asked our friend – Dave Garda – to come and share a timely talk with us entitled, “360 Degree Relationships”. Dave has been a HUGE friend of The Orchard over the past couple of years. He and his wife, Rennie, travel all around the United States equipping churches and ministries to better reach their communities. These people are AWESOME.

As a staff team, we really want to focus our attention right now on being here for you – our church family. Being able to have Dave here this weekend will help us be able to do just that.

I want to encourage you to plan on being here Sunday and don’t forget to bring a friend. Also – if you land in the “40 or Better” category, don’t forget about the CHILI cookoff.

Also men – don’t forget about the BBQ & Football game happening on Sunday.

For more info on either one of these events, click here or call us at 630-897-8888.

We’re looking forward to a great weekend as we continue to pull together as a church community through this difficult time of loss. It’s been quite a ride these past several days and I can’t imagine going through all of this without a church family. For real…!

See you this weekend,

Scott

Well we hit the one week mark yesterday. It has been quite a journey this past week for our family and all of those a part of our faith community here at the Orchard. I was blown away by the responses of people everywhere. I am realizing the importance of community and relationships like never before.

Thank you for your prayers and support. As a part of the Orchard family, if there is anything we can do, please call us at: 630-897-8888 or email us here. We’re here for you and want to reach out to you as our church family and offer you words of peace, a prayer or even just a hug.

We are hoping to have the Memorial DVD presentation we showed at the funeral available for purchase in the next couple of weeks. A lot of people have been asking for a copy, so we hope to get those out at the Resource table in the next couple of weeks.

So many of you have written and called to ask how we are doing. I think we are still partially shocked by what has happened, but at the same time, we are standing strong and feeling God’s peace and grace like we have never experienced before.

More later – I’m going to BED!

We love all of you so much!

the last few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions, as many of you may have experienced here at the orchard. today we celebrated with our church community, the day after the memorial service of our lead pastor larry hodge. i will most definitley miss him — his laughs, priceless smile, words of wisdom and most of all our talks about god’s extravagant love.

today our pastor was probably smiling down from heaven (starbucks coffee in hand as he would typically have on a sunday morning) cheering us on in our journey as we continue to “lead people into a growing relationship with jesus christ.”

last week, before my message on peace, pastor hodge asked if i wanted to put this quote in my message. i didn’t get to share it last week in my message, but i thought it might be appropriate to blog it. the quote says, “the greatest turning point in your life comes not when you realize that you love god but when you realize and fully accept the fact that god loves you unconditionally.” wow!

thank you pastor hodge for serving us, leading us, loving us and praying for us.

your friend and fellow-teahing pastor,

ted w. egly

We realize that many of you are travelling from out of town to attend my father’s funeral service on Saturday. The Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora has very kindly offered a reduced room rate of $99/night for anyone coming for the weekend.

Hampton Inn & Suites (Link)
2423 Bushwood Drive (Off of Orchard Road and I-88)
Aurora, IL 60506
630-907-2600

To receive the reduced room rate, mention “Hodge” when you make your reservations.

See below for visitation and funeral times.

Blessings,

Scott & Family

First of all, thank you all so much for the flood of emails, phone calls and prayers. Our family is very shocked and saddened right now, but we are remaining very strong and confident with God as our strength.

Here is the visitation and celebration memorial information:

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 15th from 2:00pm – 8:00pm at Orchard Valley Community Church.

Celebration memorial service will be Saturday, October 16th at 11:00am also at Orchard Valley Community Church.

Arrangements are being made in conjuction with Healy Chapel in Sugar Grove, IL.

In leiu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to “Orchard Valley Community Church” and will be used in a fund established by our family.

Orchard Valley Community Church
101 Barnes Road
Aurora, IL 60506
(630)897-8888

For a map of how to get to The Orchard, click here.

Tonight it is with sadness and grief that I share with you that my father, Larry Hodge – lead pastor of Orchard Valley Community Church, has passed away.

More details will appear on this site over the next couple of days. Beginning tomorrow (10/13) visitation and funeral information will be made available on this site.

Thank you for your prayers for the family and the church community of The Orchard. We know and are confident that God will bring great things through this very difficult occurence.

Thank you for your prayers,

Scott Hodge & the entire Hodge family

I ran across this quote tonight that I had written down a couple of years ago…

Robert Quinn

Are you involved in ANY aspect of Children’s or Youth Ministry at The Orchard? If so, this is an event you need to know about!

It’s called FUEL and it’s happening on Saturday, October 17th at 9:00am.

FUEL is all about equipping you to be the best leader you can be! Our staff team is excited to spend the morning with you talking leadership and serving.

Mark the date on your calendar – and don’t miss out! (Pick up a flyer this weekend at the Info Center!)

For more info, click here.