Bro. Aguilar preached from  I Corinthians 1:26-27.  The message was uplifting and powerful!  People came to the UPC church altar after the service and reclaimed their position in God.

October 31st is Harvest Sunday at The Rock of Salinas. There will be a potluck dinner after church. You are invited to come and enjoy food and friendship.

Remember, your ministry is only as great as your relationship is to the Lord.

 Jeremiah 29:11 says  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Israel while in captivity was blessed of the Lord. We need to have the desire to be blessed of the Lord while you are in the middle of a trial or while you are in a ‘bad place. Shane used examples of Paul and Silas, Job, and many other examples of Bible heroes that learned to watch and listen for God’s hand and voice while going through the bad places.

This message left me with an image. Two bowls of water. One dirty and the other clean. Two sponges. Two lives. One lives clean and the other lives in sin. Life happens to both sponges; sickness, loss of jobs, loss of friends, unfair treatment, car breaks down….life looks bleak…both sponges are wrung dry. The comfort and peace the clean sponge felt kept him standing until he could dip back into that clean water and restore his spirit. The dirty sponge had no relief and all he could do was complain. The situation went from bad to horrible as he was plunged back into the dirty water.

I put my sponges through the dishwasher to sterilize and clean them. The power of repentance and the tears of joy are wonderful cleansers! Put your sponges in a Holy Ghost dishwasher and feel clean again.

Tyler Austin Koch was born 5-27 by cesarean section to Jessica and Shane Koch.  He was almost 6 lbs. and 19 inches long.

Being 4 weeks early has taken a toll on his new life outside the womb. We are trusting our wonderful God to care for him as he struggles to breathe and our prayers are constantly bombarding Heaven for this new family.

Everyone falls in love the minute they see Tyler. I remember falling in love with Jesus the minute I truly saw Him. The presence that filled me with a life-giving force is an unforgettable experience and one I constantly thank Jesus for. This is such a fragile new life.

I have started a garden and I am watching new growth everyday. The plants are tender and need me to refresh them with life-giving water as the heat of the day evaporates the moisture. Night-time brings out the life-sucking bugs and slugs that would like to feast on this new life. Vigilance pays off as I look for them with a flashlight and destroy with a satisfying crunch under my shoe.

Remember Christians, this new life is fragile and should be handled with care! It will be worth every effort when we feast at the Lord’s table in Heaven.

Bro. Brian Koch preached a moving message about the Lord tries the reins of the heart. He guides us, pulls back on the reins and sometimes just lets us have the lead.

I love horseback riding and it has been many years since I was on my horse. I have ridden retired race horses, old geldings, spirited quarter horses, and my favorite… a Tennessee walker (like being in a rocking chair!)

Tack is what you use to ride a horse. It is the equipment (saddle, pad, halter, etc.) One particularly important piece is the bridle and reins. You slip the mouthpiece or bit into the horse’s mouth and up over the ears with the bridle and the reins are attached. You buckle it around the neck. This is how you really communicate with the horse. Depending on what style of riding will determine how you use the reins in turning. The way you use the reins will directly communicate with the horse because they run down into his most sensitive area of his body…the mouth…in which lies the bit. Now if you have a gentle horse, you use a small metal bit that won’t hurt when you pull to stop but if you have a racehorse, well, you better wear gloves and be strong if you want to stop! They need a strong bit in their mouth.

Bits can look like torture tools…rings, chains, leather. I wonder what kind of bit does the Lord have in your mouth?

The flesh demands and demands and demands. Saint of God, what do you hear? What do you listen to? Does your flesh tie you down to the tracks of this world? That demon train is barreling down. The enemy won’t stop for anybody.

The Spirit is calling, calling, calling. Soft and quiet comes the urgings from the Holy Ghost. “Come to me, child.” “Pick up my word, precious.” “Lay your worries down at my cross.”

The world is all around us. Keep your eyes open. Ask for discernment. LIVE IN THE SPIRT NOT IN THE WORLD!

There is unity and power in sisterhood. We all understand each other. We all help each other. We are in this for the long haul. You can count on us! We love Jesus!
Thank you Jessy, Nikki, Sarah, Terra, Serenity, Alexa and me (Mama Koch).

Don’t be afraid to lose this life. Yes, Jesus has blessed me and I do enjoy my children, brothers and sisters, church life and my wonderful husband but I must be ready to give it all up to see the Lord. Thank God, He understands our fraility.

Installation service for Rev. Shane and Sis Jessica Koch was annointed and timely. The Lord spoke to us in prayer service the next day and stating that He had specifically gathered those in The Rock of Salinas and we were going to be a spiritually force in the city of Salinas. Thank you Sis Jeannie for being faithful and sensitive. It is a difficult thing to be used in the gifts but with Pastor Koch at the helm, I believe we shall see more of God’s spirit moving in these last days to save souls.

Jedediah saw a beautiful low-rider on his way to church. He described the paint job and the angle at which the body was set. The bumper almost kissing the asphalt. The dude with an attitude. Gotta have that! He began to think of the diminished value of the truck. Oh, it might hold value to the owner or others who cherish that kind of ride but for the ones who created the truck, it was ruined. It could no longer go off-road or into sand dunes. It would not be able to haul loads or move furniture. It would have a hard enough time going over speed bumps or up curbs. It was only for show. It really couldn’t be used as a truck anymore. Too bad.

God creates us with specific designs and abilities. All too often, we take our vessels and pollute them, change them, cheapen them, altar them, abuse them all for our glory but not God’s glory.

The Lord speaks of vessels unto honor and some to dishonor. If we follow God’s design and allow Him to change us, we can become a vessel unto honor. We will be ready when Jesus looks for a vessel to use. He will see us waiting on His will.

I think I would rather be an old truck that has been able to climb the mountains of life and stand the heat of the valley of trials. One that has been maintained on the Word of the Lord and the oil of the Holy Ghost has been changed every 3000 miles. The tires of my life have worn well with living the life of a Christian. The interior smells of the joy and praise found on the lips of the driver.

That is the kind of vessel I want to be!

Pastor Brian Koch announced the installation of Bro. Shane Koch into the position of Pastor of the Rock. The church prayed for Bro. Shane and Sis. Jessica as they fulfill the call of God in their life.

Bro. Jedediah and Sis. Nicole will be starting outreach in Greenfield with Bible studies.

Please pray for these wonderful young men and women as they work to bring in the harvest. God is with them.

Rev. Shane is doing an awesome job along with his beautiful young wife, Jessica, with her singing talent. Bro. Jed leads in drums and adds his wonderful tenor voice.

Bro. Caleb is thankful for nothing cuz sometimes nothing is good!

Praise God! The Ramirez family is thankful for the simple things in living for God. Sis. Carmen carries a burden for her family but she hears from God His wonderful constant assurances.

Rev. Shane begins his message with the question, “Where did the sword come from?”.

The will of God comes to your life so clear and plain and we respond “God, I want your will but I know that ain’t it!” We need to quit fleecing God and start trusting God. You think Gideon was excited that his fleece worked? He went about figuring out a plan that did not match up with the plan of God. Thank God he listened to God, reduced the army, changed the tactics and won the victory for the Lord.

Peter thought he knew the will of God and wore a sword (remember he was a fisherman!) to join into the fight for the kingdom of God but when he struck out at the armed guard he was quickly rebuked for cutting off the ear of the guard as the Lord healed the man. Jesus won the battle and Peter picked up the sword of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and spoke to the sinners about what they needed to do to make it into the true kingdom of Heaven.

Powerful tongues and interpretations with a message of love from God Almighty, straight down to our congregation prepared the way for preaching by Pastor Koch on the power of a tender heart. Forgiving one another allows our footing on the Rock to remain strong. “Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord.” from Romans 12:19…Remove wrath and evil speaking far from you…How often do we get hurt and angry when we should be loving and forgiving? Pastor Koch used to ask his children when they were misbehaving “Just who do you think you are?” I am sure that Jesus would like to ask us that same question. Let us put bad thoughts and things far away from us and let’s just love one another and Jesus. I want to make it to Heaven, don’t you?
Let’s go!

WHAT WE SPEAK SHOWS WHAT IS IN OUR HEART.

Jesus further warns us in verse 36,37: “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

OUR WORDS ARE GOING TO MAKE US OR BREAK US!

CONTRAST WITH WHAT THE WORD SAYS ABOUT JESUS:
1Peter 2:22, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”

INSTRUCTION TO SAINTS:
James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

SEEMS LIKE THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAD A FOUL MOUTH. DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN’T STOP CUSSING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE HOLY GHOST?

READ EPHESIANS 4:21-31
IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN CHURCH LONG ENOUGH TO HEAR PREACHING ABOUT HOW WE OUGHT TO LIVE AND CONDUCT OURSELVES THEN THE WAY YOU TALK SHOULD REFLECT THAT. IF YOU NEED HELP THEN RENEW YOUR MIND BY PRAYING THROUGH (GO TO AN ALTAR AND CRY AND SEEK GOD UNTIL YOU HAVE FOUND HIM). STOP LYING, STOP GIVING VENT TO YOUR ANGER, STOP TALKING ABOUT THE DEVIL. JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE. STOP STEALING. GET A JOB SO YOU CAN HELP YOUR FAMILY, CHURCH AND THE POOR. BACK TO MOUTH. IF IT AIN’T GOOD THEN SHUTUP.

FINALLY, DON’T MESS WITH THE SEAL. SEALS ARE IMPORTANT. TELLS YOU THAT THE CONTENTS HAVE NOT BEEN CONTAMINATED.

IF YOU LET EVIL HAVE IT’S WAY IN YOUR LIFE THEN YOU MAY DAMAGE THE SEAL THAT GOD HAS PUT ON YOU. DON’T GRIEVE GOD..DON’T BE FOOLED, NO SIN —NO LUKEWARM— NO FOOLIN AROUND IS GOING TO BE RAPTURED.

PUT ALL THAT BAD STUFF AWAY FROM YOU.

1Peter 1:15, 16, “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy for I am holy.”
WORK ON THE HEART, THE MOUTH WILL FOLLOW

YOUR NAME WILL REFLECT YOUR LIFE. MAKE SURE IT COUNTS.

2Peter 3:11,12, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shal melt with fervent heat?”

SOUNDS LIKE GLOBAL WARMING? I’M WORKING ON HAVING A GOOD NAME, HOW ABOUT YOU?

Pastor Koch preached on choices we make regarding our life. How do we make decisions? What is the biggest decision of our life? Do we follow Biblical principles or choose to let decisions be based on convenience.

After hearing this message, I thought about Samson and how frustrating to listen to his story of blind love with Delilah. She repeatedly tricked him and he chose to stay ignorant of her devices. He lost his strength and power because he trusted her. We can chose to be ignorant of the devil’s devices and allow our flesh to dictate our course only to find our strength and power in God gone.
What a sad conclusion. He lost so much. Our life is so short. Let us be informed about the Word of God and understand how to make smart decisions in our life. You can be victorious and have joy.
Be informed, be smart, be a Christian!
Posted by Sis. Kathryn Koch

Shane Koch (the assistant pastor at The Rock) fell from a ladder while he was checking inventory at WheelWorks.  Shane currently manages the store in Gilroy and was about 10 ft. off the ground when the ladder he was standing on collapsed under him. Shane broke 12 bones mostly in his back and spine but as the story goes with most men of God…  He’s walking with a little help from a walker and cane just two weeks after the injury.

I’ve heard the story over and over again; the preacher or saint that falls from an impossible height, receives minimal injuries and recovers quickly.  One of our saints fell 70-80 ft. into a barley silo missing a concrete step by 6 inches and plunging several feet below the surface! He was rescued by the same guy that knocked him off the top of the wall in the first place! What are the standard reports from the news or your friends?  I’ve never heard of this type of miracle reoccurring at such a consistent pace in the world. We truly received an exceptional health plan when signing up to become the bride of the Creator.  Does it feel reassuring to know that God has your life in his hands?   There are so many things, people or situations that vie for control of our lives. I’d rather have Him in control of my life than anything else.  You’ll never feel your life is truly stabilized until you give the reins over to Jesus.  He is the Great Physician after all.

Pastor John Nelson preaches Gods Only Master. His scripture references were John 3:16 and I John 1:1. God is only mastered by one thing – His love for us. Rev. Nelson preached of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace and how great the fall was. God mingles His judgment of us with His love for us. As the judgment of God moves through His shed blood it turns into grace. God’s love is indescribable . How do you describe a sunset to a man that’s blind; or the sound of a symphony to a deaf man? The love of God is just as indescribable and difficult to explain to those who are lost. God’s love never pauses. You could ask the great patriarchs, apostles and prophets of old if the love of God ever fails and the reply would be, “The love of God NEVER fails!”

Shaeleen Koch was dedicated to God this Sunday morning and couldn’t have been more of an angel! She had rosy pink cheeks and bright blue eyes; the preacher conducting the ceremony (grandpa) could barely contain himself! She was prayed over by the whole family and church. We’re hoping for a prayer warrior. Click on the link below to see more cute baby pictures!!!!

Everyone had so much fun at Shane’s B-day this year. The man of the hour showed up TWO HOURS LATE for his own party! Nobody seemed to mind, it was his party after all.

The Nintendo Wii was very popular and bowling seemed to be the game of choice for the night. The poor
little PS2 sat in it’s corner all night… alone.

We all drove to the surprise concert at 7 and Shane was thrilled! Pillar was awesome, but we all had to wear earplugs because it was sooooo loud!

Thanks to Stephanie From EVPC, she contacted the guys from Waverley and they wished Shane a Happy Birthday from the stage during the concert!

Everyone that had missed the first party met back up at the church and had a little AFTER PARTY! WHOOO HOOO! Good times!

Thanks to Terra, Eric and Marie, and Nicole for helping out so much!

Check out Shanes New Ride! Sweet!