Reflect, Repent, Reconcile, and Reconnect This Lent

The older I get, the more I regret. Thoughtless words, careless actions, and bad decisions over the course of my lifetime cause me to wonder  why I didn’t exercise better judgment and greater forethought. Thank God for the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! Where would we be without His grace and mercy?

Although we can’t take back what we’ve said or done, we can have it expunged by our Savior, whose blood cleanses our soul and purifies our spirit. During this solemn period of preparation, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our faith by reconnecting with our God and rethinking the way we live our lives.

The first step in the process of reconciliation is the awareness of our sinful nature and the desire to be more obedient. We are invited to bring our sins to the foot of the cross and to repent with sincerity and transparency. This helps us to re-establish our relationship with the Lord and pursue the pathway to redemption.

During the Lenten season, we invite you to expand your commitment through prayerful reflection and worship. If you happened to miss our Ash Wednesday Service this week, you can view a pre-recorded version on our website. Then, on Sunday evening, we invite you to participate in the first of our five Lenten Services, during which we will gather at one of five area churches — Oak Chapel, Church of the Cross, Moreland, New Pittsburg, and Wooster — each week.

We will also have other opportunities for fellowship during Lent, including our monthly Retirees Breakfast on Monday (March 7 – 8 a.m.) and the United Methodist Men’s Breakfast next Saturday morning (March 12 – 7:30 a.m.) at Greenleaf Restaurant. In addition, Art & Soul meets Monday (March 7 – 7 p.m.) at the church, and Days for Girls gathers the following Tuesday (March 15 – 1 p.m.), also at the church. And don’t forget about choir. Our faithful ensemble rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., and there is still have plenty of room for more singers.

With the weather improving and the pandemic fading (we hope), let’s breathe new life into this great church. Active involvement not only serves the Lord, but it can also be a source of great joy for those who participate. I remain optimistic about the future of Oak Chapel because of people like you — loyal, dedicated, selfless, caring, compassionate, and so much more.

What we do throughout the Lenten season and in the months that follow will have a profound impact on the course and direction of our church. Let us join together with a renewed commitment to discipleship, and let us honor our ancestors who worked so diligently to ensure that our church would not only survive, but also thrive. 

It will take a period of time and a considerable amount of effort, but I believe in each of you, and I am confident that you will do everything in your power to guide this church into an exciting new era of service and stewardship.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Ashes to Ashes, Death to Life

Our Lenten journey officially begins next week with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. I hope you will consider joining us for a brief, but meaningful service at
7 p.m. that evening.

This storied tradition of Ash Wednesday dates back centuries and reminds us that our life in this world will one day pass away, but our life in God’s Heavenly Kingdom will last forever.

This message is often hard to grasp, even for believers, but through Ash Wednesday we begin to realize that in order to have abundant life in the spirit, there must first be death to our sinful nature in the flesh. Jesus came into this world to conquer sin and death, but in order to do that, he first had to die on the cross so that he could be raised up in the spirit.

According to I Corinthians 15, if there is no death, then there is no resurrection, and if there is no resurrection, then our faith is futile because we have not been rescued from our sins and redeemed by his blood. But the good news comes to us beginning in Verse 20 of that chapter, which states, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.   For as in Adam, all die, so
in Christ all will be made alive.”

“Then,” the passage continues, “the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” From that perspective, we might say that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the end for the Grim Reaper and the beginning of abundant life for us.

In 1973, The Fifth Dimension released a song, titled, “Ashes to Ashes.” It was on the “B” side of one of their hits (I forget which one), but it was a catchy tune with some meaningful lyrics that relate to this discussion: “Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, it will never be the same, but we’re all forgiven, we’re only living to leave the way we came.”

There is considerable truth to that riff from the standpoint that our mortal bodies will pass away and that we will never be the same, but the good news is that we’re all forgiven and basically living to leave the way we came — in other words, in the spirit.

So let us spend a few moments together on Ash Wednesday as we take stock of who we are now and how we will be transformed through the spirit so that we can all be reunited together as one and rejoice in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Making Our Way to the Cross

You never know what you might see simply by gazing out the window. A few weeks ago, I watched a man walk toward the church on West Old Lincoln Way. It’s not really a safe roadway for pedestrians in ideal weather conditions, but with all the snow that had piled up on the berm, it appeared to be particularly treacherous.

I had no idea where the man was headed until I saw that he had turned left and was now on church grounds. I wondered if he might be on his way to our outdoor pantry, but instead he stopped at the Serenity Garden, set down his backpack, sat down on the bench, and, I assume, reflected and prayed in front of the cross.

I was struck by the fact that this gentleman, whom I did not know (or at least did not recognize), had made an intentional journey to the cross. He could have reflected or prayed anywhere else, but he chose the cross in our Serenity Garden on that day.

In addition to being gratified that he chose to come to our church, it caused me to think more deeply about what it is that brings us to the cross. Many of us were introduced at a very young age and have never known life without the cross. Others come at various stages in life. Some are led by family, friends, mentors, or even strangers. Some find their way in times of triumph; others connect through tragedy.

It really doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you reach your desired destination. Once you arrive, however, it is important to remember that it is not really the end, but rather the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the one who hung there, dying an excruciating death so that our sins would be blotted out, and so that we could experience life eternal through his glorious resurrection.

Paul’s journey to the cross was both intricate and inspiring. In Philippians 1, he talked about his time in captivity, but actually reveals the joy in his journey when he says, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare
all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

Paul, the one-time persecutor of Christians (a.k.a. Saul), had a life-changing experience on the road to Damascus, where the Lord intervened and dramatically changed his journey. Our path to the cross may not have been that dramatic or traumatic, but the point is that we found our way. Moving forward, our mission is to provide instruction and direction so that others may also find their way to the cross.

Please join us this Sunday as Rev. David Wilcox helps us to “See the Larger Picture” with his inspiring message. Be sure to bring the kids, too, because he will have some words of wisdom for them as well, and don’t forget to bring a dish to share for the Fellowship dinner after the service.

As always, our time of worship and fellowship is blessed by God as he further reveals himself and provides clarity for our journey, which will ultimately take us from this world safely and securely into the next.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Paralympians Excel with Optimism and So Can We

The fortnight of Olympic competition reaches the halfway point this weekend, but the real heroes will take center stage next month when the Paralympic Games are held in Beijing.

These athletes may not receive the same attention or acclaim as those currently competing, but a strong case could be made that they should. Paralympians have a limiting factor of one sort or another that prevents them from competing in the Olympic Games, but no one would dare call them disabled because these athletes don’t
consider themselves less capable than anyone else. Their stories and their performances are particularly inspiring because of the great desire, uncommon stamina,
unyielding fortitude, and exceptional effort they have shown, as well as the many obstacles they have had to overcome.

Adversity is a part of life for all of us. Some have daunting obstacles to overcome, while others must deal with less extreme challenges. Regardless of the size or scope of one’s hurdles, our foundation in faith can be a vital asset in all circumstances.

Scripture has a number of passages that offer encouragement and assurance. Most deal with spiritual distress or persecution, but the wisdom of God’s word can also be applied to other phases of life.

One of the most familiar and comforting excerpts comes from Psalm 46:1, which reminds us that “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in times of
trouble.” This short but powerful phrase assures us that God gives us both shelter and
strength, and that he is always with us, especially when we struggle.

Proverbs 3:5-6 provides perspective with these familiar words: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This passage grounds us and fortifies our faith, making us better equipped to deal with life’s setbacks and disappointments.

The Book of James (1:12) sheds light on the spiritual benefits of endurance with this insight: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” There is indeed a great benefit to standing tall in times of trouble. Many people choose to give up when things get tough, but those who stand strong not only survive, but ultimately thrive.

So when we face troubled times, we can turn to Scripture and be lifted up. In II Thessalonians (3:3) we read that “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect
you from the evil one.” Philippians 4:13 offers additional inspiration to the Paralympians
and all the rest of us as well with the assurance that we “can do all things though him who gives us strength.”

While it is quite common to be discouraged by life’s disappointments, we should never allow them to defeat us. Instead, let us rest on our faith and stand tall in the face of adversity because, as we know, through God all things are possible.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

God and the Groundhog: Whom Do You Believe?

There is an unwritten rule in ministry that a pastor should not preach about Groundhog Day more than once in a career. So, since I invited Gabe the Groundhog to speak through his alter ego (Bill Braucher) a year ago, I will honor that rule and not address the issue again during our Worship service. I will, however, make mention of our furry friend and pose a perplexing question about our faith in this week’s Nutshell.

As you probably know by now, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at Gobblers Knob on Wednesday morning, meaning that there will be six more weeks of winter. No surprise there. Did we really need a groundhog to tell us that? Probably not.

It does, however, raise the issue of silly superstitions and other sources through which people base their beliefs. Most rational human beings know that a groundhog has no special meteorological insight and therefore cannot predict an extension of winter or an early spring, yet hundreds gather well before dawn in frigid conditions every February 2nd to celebrate the occasion and to witness whether or not he sees his shadow.

It’s easy to mock and denigrate this annual event as nonsense, but perhaps we should take a step back and realize that many people view Jesus with that same sort of skepticism. After all, they say, why would a great and powerful ruler who has dominion over all of creation allow himself to be insulted, scorned, and crucified for our sins? To
them, it just doesn’t make sense. How can Christians believe this and then mark the
occasion every year with an event known as Good Friday?

If we step back for a moment, perhaps we can understand their perspective, but it is important for us to point out that the crucifixion, as compelling as it was, is only half the story. Just a few days later, Jesus, who was put to death as a human, overcame a sin-filled world with His glorious resurrection.

Granted, many reject the notion that Jesus rose from the dead, but the evidence is pretty persuasive, and in order to understand and accept this fundamental truth — the very foundation of our faith — it is helpful to delve into the Word of God by reading the Scriptures. For me, the most persuasive argument for this mystery of faith can be found in the Old Testament where the prophets, most notably Isaiah, tells the story of the Messiah well before it actually takes place.

Some say that Scripture is confusing, even cryptic — and it is true that there are passages that are a little more difficult to understand than others — but the truth of the
Gospels is undeniable, and our faith is strengthened each time we read and re-read the
accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If we take time to acknowledge a groundhog, certainly we can summon the wisdom to accept and embrace our Savior. As we look ahead to the Lenten season, let us all take time to review the Gospels and to pray for the eloquence to share the Good News in a loving, caring, compassionate way so that others may see, believe, and be saved.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Life’s Lessons Often Revealed in the Snow

As I gazed out of my office window earlier this week, I watched the snow fall — slowly, steadily, even serenely — adding several more inches to the nearly half-a-foot that had already accumulated.

Even though we typically don’t get a lot of snow in our area — at least not as much as, say, Syracuse, where our son and his family live — there is at least one inescapable fact about snow (or rain for that matter) — once it starts, we are powerless to stop it. All we can do is react once it has fallen. This usually involves potentially treacherous slipping, sliding, and skidding, but it can also set the stage for enjoyable activities, like skating, skiing, and sled-riding.

Indeed, snow presents a paradoxical dilemma for humankind. When it falls, it is beautiful, but after a while, as it begins to pile up, it creates problems for those who need to get from one place to another. Then, when it mixes with road salt, oil, and other
sources of grime, it leaves an unsightly black residue on our garage floor.

In that sense, snow can be a metaphor for life — pure and clean when we enter this world, but dark and dirty when we stray off course. Likewise, snow can present perplexing problems as well as joyful opportunities. Snow, like life, is what we make of it.

One notable difference between snow and life is that we usually get a warning about snow in a weather forecast, while events in life often catch us completely off guard. Nonetheless, we can be prepared for life’s storms through the wisdom of Scripture.

For example, the Gospel of John (16:33) states, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” There will be trials — we all know that — but the mere presence of Jesus in our lives gives us a sense of security in the midst of a storm.

In II Corinthians 4:8-9, we are advised to never give up, regardless of the circumstances because, “we [may be] hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” As baseball legend Yogi Berra once infamously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” but with Jesus it’s never over, even to the point of death, because with him and through him, we will rise again and overcome all the woes of this world. 

And finally, there is this from Lamentations 3:21-24 — “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

We do, in fact, have hope from the beginning of our life to the very end when we covenant with Him. His love and grace and mercy are infinite, and His pledge to always be with us is affirmed through our rock-solid faith.

Take heart, the trials and tribulations of this life will give way to the glory and majesty of the world to come when we covenant with the Lord.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Searching for the Light that Illuminates all of Life

Debby Boone has the distinction of recording one of the most popular — and most disparaged — love ballads of all time. “You Light Up My Life” spent 10 weeks atop Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 songs in 1977, but it wasn’t long before the song became
widely parodied as people mocked the sappy tune.

Despite the derision, the message rings true. Each of us needs light in our life as we navigate through the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual darkness. Sometimes the light is so bright it illuminates the entire night sky, like the spotlights that call attention to the opening of a new store or the debut of a major event in a particular city. Other times, the light is barely visible, like a match in the wilderness where you have to squint to see it. Nonetheless, even a flicker of light is better than none at all.

In Scripture, there are numerous passages about the light, the most familiar of which come from the Gospels. Luke 8:16 quotes Jesus as saying that “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Clearly, if we are to serve as a source of light, there is no reason to hide or even minimize its glow.

Then, the Gospel of John (8:12) quotes Jesus in this famous passage as saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Later in the Gospel of John (12:36), Jesus states, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” This passage serves as both a challenge and an opportunity. Once we receive the light, we have a responsibility to live in that light to the point that we become sons (and daughters) of the light. This enables us to reflect His light and illuminate the pathway of righteousness for others.

In that same chapter of John, just 10 verses later, Jesus says, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” This provides hope and encouragement for all of us. Simply by believing in him, we are able to escape the darkness. The deeper our relationship with him, the brighter the light that
we cast.

And finally, from I John 1:7, we receive advice for our daily journey: “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” — an encouraging and uplifting message for all of us.

He is indeed the light of life and the light of the entire world — the only light we will ever need — and we are called on to walk in that light and to reflect that light so that others may see, believe, and follow Him.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Consider the Ways We Can Answer God’s Call

With the increasing number of unwanted phone calls that we all receive on a daily basis, most of us are choosing not to answer unless we recognize the number. Likewise, when we order online, we are reluctant to participate in any of the online surveys that follow because they can interrupt our day and invade our privacy.

Nonetheless, businesses and other organizations continue their efforts to gather as much data about us as possible, and that includes soliciting our opinion and our preferences on a range of topics and products so they can develop effective marketing
strategies.

The church is similar in many ways. Although we try to not be invasive, and we certainly don’t gather data about you surreptitiously, we are interested in your preferences — what you like and what you don’t like, what inspires you and what doesn’t. All of this helps us to develop our worship, education, outreach, and missional plans for the church.

The Book of Acts (20:28) speaks directly to our role as members of the church with this passage: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

This simple, yet profound, passage speaks poignantly about how much God values His Church. It was not built just of human hands but “with his own blood.” Therefore, it is our responsibility to passionately care for the entire flock and to make sure that the church remains accessible to all people.

With that in mind, we are looking for your feedback and your direction as we plan for 2022, and it all starts this weekend. Our objective will be to not only discuss what we can do, but just as importantly, how we can encourage others to become involved in the
life of the church.

Following our service this Sunday, we will entice you to join us in Fellowship Hall with our monthly Fellowship Dinner, after which we will have a very brief presentation about where we think we are and where we might be headed in 2022.

We encourage you to join us if you are able. If you have time to prepare a modest dish or dessert, please do so, but either way, please consider coming to the dinner and the presentation.

As we know from Scripture, specifically Proverbs 16:3, if we “commit [our] work to the Lord…[our] plans will be established.” Let us then commit our work to the Lord as we make plans to grow individually and collectively in the coming year so that Oak Chapel may become the vibrant church it once was and so that it may serve God’s people for generations to come.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Time to Trim the Excess and Fortify Our Faith in 2022

Another joyous Christmas holiday has come and gone, and once again I am feeling the effects of overindulgence. It usually begins with a Thanksgiving Day feast — complete with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes — and concludes five or six weeks later with a hearty New Year’s Day entrée of pork and sauerkraut. Along the way, there are endless varieties of cookies, cakes, candies, and other snacks that challenge my resolve and ultimately tempt me into submission.

Don’t get me wrong; I am very thankful for the bountiful feasts and the seemingly endless selection of delicacies and other treats, but how much can one person consume in such a relatively short span of time with out popping a button on one’s shirt or finding the need to loosen one’s belt buckle by another notch?

If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking about getting back into a fitness center or joining an aerobics class at the local YMCA while cutting some unneeded calories this month. Exercise is wonderful because it yields a healthier lifestyle. Likewise, reducing one’s caloric intake can lead to a more disciplined diet with healthier choices.

Not surprisingly, a similar routine would pay significant dividends in our spiritual life as well. Exercising our faith through consistent worship, intentional devotion, regular prayer, and active service would almost certainly strengthen our faith and fortify our efforts to live a life of obedience. At the same time, reducing, if not eliminating, those
things that contaminate our spirit and pollute our soul would bring us closer in our
relationship with the Lord.

The Bible addresses the perils of overindulgence in numerous passages, perhaps nowhere more eloquently than in Galatians 5:16-21, which states: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.   The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;    idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,
fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions   and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and
the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

It is an ominous but insightful passage, which confirms that the Spirit and the flesh cannot live together in harmony. We must choose one over the other. So, now that we are one week into the new year, there’s still plenty of time to pursue that which is good and avoid that which is evil, not with futile resolutions, but instead through a renewed commitment to God’s Sacred, Holy, and Transformational Word.

We can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others if we recommit to a life without worldly excess and replace it with spiritual abundance. This is an opportunity for us to rid ourselves of the waste and to embrace the benefits of spiritual nourishment and growth, and what better time than during the early days of the new year.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John