Filed under: The Orchard
This weekend at The Orchard, I shared the bittersweet news that my friend, Chris Bell, has accepted the position of “Lead Pastor” at a church just outside of Richmond, Virginia.
As most of you know, Chris joined our team about a year ago and has been a tremendous help to me and our team on so many levels. And I have to say….working with Chris has been a blast! Looking back over this past year, I am so thankful for all of the great moments of celebration, laughter, and tremendous conversation.
It was a great journey! And one that I’d take all over again.
So with that said, I’m sad to see you go Chris, but I’m also very, very excited for the opportunity ahead. I love you friend!
Would you please keep Chris, Jen, and their family in your prayers as they prepare to make this move?
You can read more on Chris’ blog here.
Posted by Scott Hodge.
Here’s a link to some of our favorite photos from the last two weeks of our series Becoming. It’s been a mix of ancient and future; a mix of art, paint, light, video, and music. Candles, strings and cloth… one of our most creative and unique sets to date.
Enjoy the pics by clicking here.
Posted by Mike Jones.
Filed under: The Orchard
Hey everybody! Here is some free wallpaper for your desktop and iPhone!
320×480 – iPhone
1440x900ws – Widescreen
Enjoy!
The music setlist is back! Every week we have people ask us about the music we play here at the Orchard and how they can get a copy of it. While we may perform these ‘Orchard style’, you will find links to purchase almost all of the songs we use from iTunes.
This last weekend, was a tough one for me and some of the staff – I lost a very close friend. While we grieved and celebrated his life, we also continued to do what Todd did… lead other’s in a growing relationship with Jesus.
I hope this second week in our series BECOMING was practical for you. Finding opportunities to be quiet, to be still and listen, can be difficult. We talked about silent meditation and meditating on scripture. You can download the message here.
Here’s our music setlist from the weekend:
Belief – John Mayer (instrumental)
Salvation is Here – Hillsong United
Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster
Center – Charlie Hall
In Your Presence – Jeremy Camp (same song prior to message and after)
Posted by Mike Jones
Orchard friends and family you are invited to the visitation and celebration of life of Todd Mitchell. The visitation will be held at Healy Chapel in Sugar Grove (directions here – make sure you select the Sugar Grove location) from 3pm-8pm on Friday, August 22nd. There will be a viewing at the visitation.
The Celebration of Life will be held at The Orchard on Saturday August 23rd, at 11am. This service will be celebrative in nature as we remember and celebrate Todd’s life. There will be no viewing at the Celebration of Life.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at (630) 897-8888 or email us by clicking here.
Filed under: The Orchard
Hey everybody, this is a tough one to write….
Tonight (Tuesday), at around 10pm, Todd Mitchell passed away.
I was with Todd and his family at the time of his passing, and even though it was extremely difficult for everyone, it was also a BEAUTIFUL moment as we all worshiped, prayed, and shared scriptures of comfort with one another.
As you can imagine, Todd’s wife Paula is hurting pretty bad right now, but is resting in the faith she has that Todd is now in God’s presence. She also wants everyone to know how much she appreciates the outpouring of prayer, love, and support. It really is making a difference!
We will be updating the blogs in the next couple of days with arrangement information. In the mean time, please keep Paula, her boys – Jackson, Sam, and Luke – and the entire Mitchell family in your prayers over these next several hours and days.
Thank you so much for your love and care…
Posted by Scott Hodge
Filed under: The Orchard
Tuesday, August 19th
1:10pm
Orchard Family,
I’m writing this from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago to give you an update on a young man from our church community named Todd Mitchell.
Last Saturday, Todd collapsed at home after unexpectedly suffering a cardiac arrest. Tragically, one thing led to another and it has since been discovered that Todd has suffered severe and irreversible brain damage.
What all of this means is that outside of a miracle, Todd’s prognosis for survival is not good. So as you can imagine, his family is now faced with some pretty tough decisions.
This is obviously a very sad and difficult situation, so please continue to keep Todd, Paula, their kids, family, and loved ones in your prayers today.
At the same time, I want you to know that even in the midst of the shock and grief of the situation, God’s presence and peace is being felt in some very tangible ways right now. Todd’s family is hopeful, and they are steadfastly resting in God’s promise that He will guide them and walk with them through each step of this journey. For that, I am so thankful!
I know so many of you are concerned and would love to be around Todd’s family right now, however, we would like to limit visits to family and close friends only at this time. I would also like to ask that phone calls to the family and hospital be kept at a minimum right now as well.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know it means so much to the Mitchell family! They are extremely thankful for the outpouring of love they are experiencing from all of you.
Please feel free to leave a comment here on this blog. We will be sure to forward them all to Paula.
And check back periodically for updates.
Love and appreciate you all!
Scott Hodge
Lead Pastor, The Orchard
Filed under: The Orchard
Hey everyone!
I’m down here at Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago…
As some of you know, Todd Mitchell, a young man from our church community has fallen severely ill and is currently in critical condition here in the Neuro ICU.
Since I’m typing this on my iPhone I won’t get into the details of what all has happened. But right now he needs your prayers – specifically for brain swelling to go down and for any damage to his brain to completely heal. Please keep his wife, Paula, and three boys in your prayers too.
Thankfully, Todd is in great hands and surrounded by some of the best neurosurgeons and doctors in the world.
The Orchard’s creative arts director, Mike Jones, who is also close friends with Todd, is regularly updating via Twitter. You can follow the updates via your cell phone or computer by going here.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Originally posted on scotthodge.org 8/17/08, 9:36pm
Filed under: The Orchard
Hey Everybody!
All of the preparation and hard work that has been culminating for the past 2 months BBQ and BAPTISM all boils down to this:
120 people being baptized (and still counting!).
Isn’t that awesome?!?!
Story after story of how The Orchard has played such a big part of so many lives… And now we get to be a part of this next step in their journey. What an incredible honor!
Regardless of whether or not you are planning to be baptized, we would LOVE to have you celebrate this day with all of us. We have so many great things planned – you won’t want to miss it! Here’s a schedule of the day’s events:
THIS SUNDAY, August 10th
3:00pm Games, clowns, face paint, live band (great time to meet some new people!)
5:00pm BBQ dinner catered by 5B’s catering!
7:30pm Baptism at Splash Country (right next door!)
8:30pm Back to The Orchard for an Ice Cream PARTY!!
If you would still like to be baptized we would love to have you join us – it’s not too late to sign up!! Just click here to email us or sign up at the Information Center this weekend!
Also, if you would like to join us for dinner, we do have a few extra tickets available. Please email us TODAY with how many ADULT tickets ($8.00) and how many KID tickets ($6.00) you will need. Tickets are going FAST, so don’t delay!
We look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Terri Casey
The Orchard Blog 
