Using Our Personal Platform to Spread the Good News (282)

At a time when professional athletes are known as much for their massive egos and outrageous salaries as their ability, rookie NFL quarterback and former Ohio State Buckeye C.J. Stroud is a breath of fresh air. In his first year with the Houston Texans, he has guided his team into the playoffs, where they will face the Browns on Saturday. 

Football will be front and center, but it won’t be Stroud’s top priority. He is an anomaly among the athletes he competes with and against. Despite his success and his passion for football, he has shown uncommon humility and deep faith, which he is committed to sharing with whomever will listen. With symbols of faith on his headband, wristband, and even his face, Stroud says that his football experience is a vehicle for his primary purpose — “to spread the Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ.”

Clearly, Stroud has a platform that most others don’t — a weekly audience of millions of viewers. Our exposure is not nearly as far-reaching, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be just as effective. To the contrary, our one-on-one opportunities to share our faith can arguably have a comparable or even greater impact.

Stroud says that he is blessed “to walk, to talk, to interact with people…to do his best to thank the Lord, who laid his life on the cross for us.” Indeed, Stroud’s faith trumps everything else in his life. In that sense we are just like him. Even though we don’t have the same athletic skills or the same platform, we are called upon to share our faith whenever and wherever we can with the same passion as this talented young quarterback.

Hope in the Midst of Darkness and Despair

The year 2023 has finally come to an end, and not a moment too soon. As you know, our church was hit extremely hard by the passing of longtime, loyal members, and their loss has left a significant void in our hearts. Since July 1, we have conducted eight Celebration-of-Life services here at Oak Chapel, and after a while, it begins to wear on us. Sadness is an unavoidable part of life, but when you lose so many people in such a short period of time, it has a profound impact on us — individually and collectively.

The good news is that these departures are not permanent. Isaiah 40:28-31 gives us encouragement, even inspiration, with this familiar passage, so often read at memorial services: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

We have been given a great gift through our faith, and it is that faith that we lean on in times of trouble and despair, lifting us up and giving us hope. God only knows what 2024 will bring, but we can rest assured that He will walk with us through the valley of darkness and up to the mountaintop of resilient light and joy. So take heart, remain faithful, obey God’s commandments, follow His Word, and love one another as he has loved us so that our journey will culminate in the glory of His eternal kingdom.

Let Peace and Good Will Reign

In the Gospel of Luke (2:13-15), an angel appears with a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’”

This is, indeed, a season of peace and good will, or at least that’s what we hope for. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always come to pass. Conflicts continue, bloodshed persists, and those words from the Gospel passage that we long to hear seem to ring hollow.

The shepherds keeping watch in their fields were struck with a profound sense of curiosity when the angels appeared to them. This led them to abandon their routine and see what “has come to pass.”

How often do we get so caught up in a daily pattern of life that our curiosity is stifled, and our routine turns into a rut? Perhaps this Advent season, we can allow our curiosity to take us in a different direction. Instead of being consumed by our to-do list, maybe we could take a break, relax, and enjoy the peace of the Christmas season.

With that in mind, allow me to invite you to join us for our Christmas Hymn Sing this Sunday at 2 p.m. Hear the sounds of the season, and lend your voice to the chorus if you wish. Then join us for a cookie reception in Fellowship Hall. Our hope is that this will bring serenity to your soul and inspiration to your spirit as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and take note: our Nutshell will also be taking a brief respite for the holidays before returning again in January.

Riding the Great White Horse

On my way to the church each morning, I make a point of looking to my left and checking out the small white horses in the corral just east of the bright red barn. 

In modern-day culture, the one who rides the white horse is the “good guy,” the noble one. Likewise, in the Book of Revelation 19 (11-16), the White Horse is believed to be carrying Jesus as our Savior, suppressing all evildoers and conquering all sin. 

Here is John’s account of that vision: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Now that, in contrast to the white horse believed to be the antichrist in the sixth chapter of Revelation, is quite a striking image of the Lord coming in glory to rescue his people. It is, indeed, a reassuring vision of God’s great power and might.

The little white horses on Warner Hill are no match for the great White Horse, but they still provide for me an assurance of God’s other side — his purity, gentleness, compassion, grace, mercy, and, of course, love.

Color Your World This Advent

Lighting candles during Advent is a ritual with origins that date back to the Middle Ages, but the tradition of the Advent wreath as we know it today was conceived years later — in the early 1800s by a Protestant pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern, who was known for his mission work among the urban poor.

We are all familiar with the Advent Candles and what each one represents: three purple or blue candles, symbolizing hope, peace, and love; one pink candle, signifying joy; and a fifth candle, which is white, touting the purity of Christ.

In addition to the Advent candles, there are several other colors associated with Christmas — some sacred, some secular. Here at Oak Chapel, we have a long history of wearing a designated color on each of the four Sundays in Advent leading up to the arrival of the Christ child.

Believe it or not, I could not find a definitive answer regarding the meanings of each of these colors, despite repeated Google searches, so I have taken the liberty of drawing some conclusions of my own, which you are free to accept or refute. 

The first Sunday of Advent features the color Green, which represents a fresh start and a commitment to growth. The second week we wear the color Purple, which is often associated with penitence and sorrow. The third week we switch to red, most likely in honor of the redeeming blood of Christ. The fourth week is blue, symbolic of solemnity and reverence. And finally, at our Christmas service, we celebrate with the purity of white and the royalty of gold.

Christmas is all about colors, so be sure to wear yours this Advent season, beginning this Sunday by sporting some article of clothing — shirt, blouse, sweater, tie, etc. — with the color green, marking the beginning, or a renewal, of a relationship with Christ

A Thanksgiving ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ 

As we prepare to celebrate another Thanksgiving, I find myself overcome with gratitude. I have been greatly blessed in so many ways throughout my life, and having the opportunity to serve as your pastor at Oak Chapel has been the ultimate capstone experience.

Your kindness, gentleness, selflessness, generosity, and desire to serve the Lord by serving others is heartwarming and inspiring. I am so grateful for each of you and thankful for your many benevolent acts, including your incredibly thoughtful gift to me at our Fellowship Dinner this past Sunday and your wonderful prayerful support during my recent surgery.

When I describe our faithful congregation, I could easily quote II Corinthians (3-5,7), which states, “For I testify that [you give] as much as [you are] able, and even beyond [your] ability. Entirely on [your] own, [you] urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And [you] exceeded [our] expectations: [you] gave [yourself] first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us… But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

You do, indeed, excel in all phases of discipleship, including your many contributions of time and talent, and you are to be commended for all you do. In addition, your financial generosity is exemplary! In all the ways that you give, you do so with a joyful heart, and that certainly does not go unnoticed. I am confident that your “attitude of gratitude” is a reflection of your happiness, hopefulness, and faithfulness. I am especially thankful for you this Thanksgiving…and throughout the entire year. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed me and our church.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor John

Food, Fellowship, Faith

Of the many joys that come with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the opportunity to enjoy a hearty meal with family and friends is certainly one of the greatest!

This Sunday, we will have an opportunity to “warm-up” for the holidays with our November Fellowship Dinner. We hope you can join us and perhaps provide a dish to share. We could really use some hearty hot dishes or casseroles to feed an expected influx of guests, including members of the Scot basketball team. Salads and desserts are also appreciated.

Indeed, we are greatly blessed by the bounty of food we have been given, but it is also important that we never lose sight of the less fortunate — those who struggle to put food on the table for themselves and their family, especially this time of year. 

Jesus encouraged his disciples and all those who would follow to “feed the hungry,” and once we have provided for their physical needs, he reminds us to take care of their spiritual needs.

In the Gospel of John (6:35), Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” In a spiritual sense, Jesus provides all the nourishment we will ever need.

Several verses before that (John 6:27), Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

We know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through him. He will guide and protect us on the pathway or righteousness, and just as we are to share bread with others, we are also called upon to spread the Word and provide nourishment for them.

When Death Becomes Us, the Lord Rescues Us

As we age, we face the reality of our own mortality. Our aches and pains increase as our flexibility and mobility decrease.

Even more sobering is the frequency of deaths among family, friends, and acquaintances in our age group. In just the last few weeks, each of the three congregations I have had the privilege of serving, as well as the church I attended for more than 20 years, has lost a longtime member.

When a fellow believer with whom one has developed a lasting relationship passes, there is considerable sadness, but because of our faith we can work through our grief and eventually find joy as we celebrate their legacy and rejoice in their entry into God’s Heavenly Kingdom. 

In the Gospel of John (5:24), Jesus proclaims, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.“

Later in that same Gospel (John 11:25-26), Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

That’s good news for those of us who believe, but what about those who don’t? Well, because life is so temporal, and the longtime stakes so high, it is essential that we not only affirm our faith but also share our testimony with others, so that they, too, will have an opportunity to come to the Lord.

We can encourage and influence others through passages from Scripture, including this from Joshua 1:9, which states, “Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“

Indeed, we have nothing to fear because, as Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.“

So, regardless of our age, we are to rejoice in the glory of the Lord. Therefore, we can live life to the fullest, actively share the Good News with others, and be prepared when He calls us home.

Snow Kidding: Planning for the Months Ahead

Snow on Halloween? You must be kidding! Five months of winter weather ahead, and we’re just getting started!

Oh well, if you need a small dose of good news, consider this: We return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend, which means you will get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before you head to bed on Saturday evening. (We won’t mention the long winter nights that follow)!

This week’s Nutshell is less about inspiration and more about information, so as we prepare for the next two months, here are some items and events about which you may want to be aware…

Celebration-of-Life: A Celebration-of-Life Service for our beloved brother, Pete Bunt, will be held tomorrow (Nov. 2) at 12 noon at Oak Chapel. Calling hours will begin at 11 a.m. We invite all of you to pay your respects while providing support for Natalie and her family.

All-Saints Sunday: We will celebrate the lives of those we lost in the past year this Sunday (Nov. 5). If you would like us to lift up a lost loved one, please let Pastor John know (330-988-2577) by this Friday. So far, we have the following names: Ewing Giffin, Roger Martin, John Hower, Helen Henshaw, Marilyn Meigs, Robert Beckler, Bill Feldman, and Pete Bunt.

Welcome Home: Evelyn Silver will be coming home sometime this week so that she can rest in Hospice and Palliative care with her family by her side. If you would like to visit her, you can coordinate that by texting her daughter, Penny, at 419-651-9559.

Bible Studies: Our Monday morning Bible study continues at 9:30 a.m. in the Gathering Grounds. All our welcome as we study the origin of life in the Book of Genesis. There is also a Bible Study at The College of Wooster on Thursday evenings at about 7 p.m. All are welcome to join us for that study as well.

Membership Care: Our Membership Care Team will meet on Monday (Nov. 6) to make plans for reaching out to those in our congregation who may be homebound and could benefit from a visit as we approach the Christmas season. If you would like to be part of this endeavor, please contact Rosie Troutman.

Candy Making: Our Monday night candy-making sessions continue this month. Join us for the fun and frivolity each Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Service: Join us on Monday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at Oak Chapel as we gather to pray for peace in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere around the world, including our own country. All are welcome as we yield to God’s divine power to bring calm to all areas of our world where violence and bloodshed persist.

Tis the Season: Circle Sunday, Nov. 26, on your calendar and plan to join us after our worship service as we decorate the church for the Christmas season.

Advent Bible Study: Oak Chapel will host a Wednesday evening Bible Study during Advent (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20) at 6 p.m. Join us for all four sessions, or whenever you can make it. There is a theme to the series, but each session is self-contained. In other words, you don’t have to commit to all four sessions. We’re also hoping to offer a light supper of soup and bread each evening. If anyone is moved to help with that preparation, please let us know.

New Members: We are planning to welcome new members on Sunday, Dec. 9. If you have been attending and would like to join our church, or if you simply would like to affirm your affiliation, just let Pastor John know, and we will welcome you on that day.

Blue Christmas: If you have lost a loved one during the past year (or many years ago), you are welcome to participate in a Blue Christmas service at Wooster United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.

A Savior is Born: We will hold a worship service at the regular time on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m. and then return to celebrate Christmas at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Please plan to join us.

Music Fills the Air: We are also planning a Christmas music event sometime in December. Stay tuned for further details. 

Whew! That was a lot to digest. Even as your pastor, I did not realize how busy we are, but we know that we are an active, vibrant church, and we could not carry out our mission without each of you. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed us.

Back on the Grid, Guided by the Light

When the power goes out, we often refer to the ensuing experience as being “off the grid” — in other words, out of touch with anything that requires electricity. 

We’ve all been there, right? A storm rolls through, and high winds or persistent lightning disable the power grid, leaving us in the dark — both literally and figuratively. It is only then that we truly appreciate the power of light.

For the past four weeks, as I recovered from surgery, I have felt like I have been “off the grid.” Fortunately, I was able to connect with the church through our livestream. Even though I could not worship in person, I could certainly experience the moment, but last Sunday, I was totally out of the loop. The power in our neighborhood went out, and there was no way I could log on. Fortunately, power was restored, and I was able to see a little more than half of the service.

It’s tough to be off the grid and out of the loop. Sometimes people choose to distance themselves from the mainstream, but most of the time, it is an external factor that knocks us off the grid, like the forces of nature or a human-caused event like an accident or an act of sabotage. 

Fortunately, we serve a God who is not subject to human-made power systems. As we read in the Gospel of John (8:12), Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Imagine that — a life in which darkness can be mitigated! It is true for all who believe, and not only that, but we also have the opportunity to reflect that light and lift up others who are struggling.

True, there are times when we all experience darkness, but it does not have to be debilitating. We can rise above through the light of the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that through God all things are possible.