A Plea for Peace

           This week’s Nutshell comes to you well past our usual Friday deadline, not because of procrastination, but rather exasperation.

           I had prepared what I thought would be a happy and uplifting message about new life to set the tone for your weekend, but it became apparent that I could not ignore what was happening in Minneapolis and other cities across our nation during the past 72 hours.

           I really thought we were making progress in our efforts to rid ourselves of all bias and prejudice, and instead demonstrate love for and acceptance of all of God’s people, regardless of what they looked like or where they came from.

           Unfortunately, our nation regressed significantly in recent days following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the subsequent looting, burning, and rioting in that city.

           As a denomination that champions social justice, we have to live the “Greatest Commandment” as outlined in the Gospel of Mark through the words of Jesus himself when he said,  ^“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…[and] Love your neighbor as yourself.”

           Pretty simple to understand, but incredibly difficult to uphold. Let’s face it, our neighbor often annoys us and sometimes even angers us. How can we love someone who continually irritates us?

           The answer is to surrender fully and completely to God’s word and to his commandments. What happened in Minneapolis — and all too many other places throughout our nation’s history — is the result of raw emotion, limited forethought, a lack of discipline, and a disregard for obedience.

           If we claim to be disciples of Christ, we have to be more loyal and obedient to his commands. It’s not easy to love one’s neighbor. In fact, it can be incredibly difficult, but it is not impossible.

           We are all God’s children, and through him, all things are possible. As we head into the weekend, I would invite you to set aside some time for prayer, and I would encourage you to pray for peace — peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace on our streets.

Until we meet again, Be Blessed — Pastor John

Don’t forget to join us Sunday for worship at oakchapelumc.com.

Are We There Yet?

Remember when you were a child, and your parents took you on vacation? The car was packed to the gills, and you and your siblings were practically sitting on top of each other (because most of us did not wear seatbelts back then).

Those were the days…or so we thought. No sooner had your father pulled out of the driveway when you and your brothers and sisters started chanting, “Are we there yet?” “Are we there yet?”

That was a familiar refrain back then, and still is today. Many of us are wondering (and possibly even chanting), “Are we there yet?” when it comes to opening the church and worshiping together.

The immediate response to that question is, “Not yet,” but we are getting closer — much closer. While I don’t have a date yet, I do believe that we will be able to gather soon based on the Governor’s further loosening of restrictions and the conference’s updated guidelines, both of which were released yesterday. Our future worship experience will not be exactly as it was. We will need to continue practicing social distancing, and we won’t be able to hug or shake hands, even though we would love to do so, but the most important thing is that we will be together.

As we plan to reconvene, rest assured that we will do everything possible to provide for your health and safety while trying to make our service as familiar and comforting as possible. Stay tuned! We will have more information coming soon.

In the meantime, please worship with us through our video services, which will continue at least through May 31^st, and please feel free to share that link with others, both in and out of the church.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to salute our veterans. Although we will not be together on Memorial Day weekend, we will never forget your service. Because of you, we enjoy so many freedoms, the most important of which is our freedom to worship.

Until we meet again, Be Blessed — Pastor John

Nutshell – A Renewed Call to Prayer

I’ve been here at Oak Chapel for almost a year — and a very blessed year it has been for me, despite the crow, the cat, the break-in, and the pandemic — but even after 11 months, I still find myself sorting through old files here at the church. Each time I engage in this exercise, I discover some fascinating information about our storied history and the many holy people who came before us as well as those who are with us today.

This past week, I stumbled upon a binder and a stack of cards — all dealing with prayer requests. I guess I never realized how abundant and robust Oak Chapel’s commitment to prayer has been over the years. You are, indeed, prayer warriors.

I was planning to place a renewed emphasis on prayer as we prepare to return to worship at the church, but it has become clear to me that communicating the importance of prayer to this group won’t be much of a challenge — you already get it in a deeply meaningful and spiritual way.

Still, I think it is important that we focus on prayer — now more than ever. As I reviewed the prayer cards from 10, 12, 15 years ago, I could see that overwhelming majority of them dealt with health issues, which is completely understandable. Praying for health in all its forms — physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual — is, indeed, a worthy undertaking. But moving forward, I wonder if we can expand our prayer regimen to include intentional prayers of praise and thanksgiving as well as prayers for guidance and enlightenment.

If this current health crisis has taught us anything, it is that we are not in control and that the more we rely on God to guide us, the better choices we will make and the better lives we will lead.

Until we meet again, Be Blessed — Pastor John

Since You’ve Been Gone

Most of you have been sheltering at home during the past seven weeks, and wisely so, but I have to tell you that things are getting pretty lonely here at the church. You are missed more than you could ever know, and we long for your return.

I am hopeful that when the restrictions are lifted — and I imagine that will happen gradually — we will be able gather in the sanctuary, even if we still have to distance ourselves from one another and quite possibly make other concessions as well.

We worship in a beautiful sanctuary, blessed by God and built by our loyal ancestors, who probably never could have imagined that none of us would be there for seven straight Sundays, including Easter. But there are silver linings in almost every situation, and I am hopeful that you will return with newfound energy and enthusiasm, and that you might consider inviting a friend or neighbor, so that we can begin to grow.

The year 2020 began as one of great vision and promise, and despite the interruption, we still have an opportunity to make things happen before the calendar runs out. So store up your good ideas and rev up your personal engine as we get ready to reconnect. It will happen.

Until then, stay healthy, stay safe, be humble, and be hopeful!

Rockin’ Robin

We all know that former Oak Chapel Pastor Robin Dillon is a Rock Star, but did you know that she is also a prophet?

In looking over former editions of the “Nutshell,” I found that Robin wrote the following on June 4, 2016…

“Last night I returned from my week at Licensing School. It was a week of both teaching and learning for me as I prepare to take on the role of Dean of Licensing School, effective July 1. Events like this show our United Methodist connection. Through your support of me as your pastor, you also participate in the formation of new pastors in our conference. And who knows? One of those new pastors could be appointed to Oak Chapel someday.”

She was right! Your current pastor attended Licensing School last May under the very helpful and valuable mentorship of our own Robin Dillon, to whom I am extremely grateful.

So, the next time Robin speaks, we all need to listen — even more closely than we have in the past!

For the Birds…

           Do you remember when you were young hearing your parents say that something was “for the birds”? It was an expression that emerged near the end of World War II and meant that something was “worthless” or “useless.” It was commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s before falling out of the lexicon, but if it were used in today’s world, people would almost certainly be saying that “this coronavirus is for the birds.”

           During the past few weeks, I have been thinking about the birds, not as being worthless or useless, but rather as being trusting and carefree. We are, of course, aware of the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 6, Verses 25-27 in which Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

           We’ve all been doing a lot of worrying lately, and that’s on top of the many things about which we already worried. Maybe it’s time to stop worrying and start trusting. This current pandemic has shocked the world and in many ways made us feel worthless, useless, and helpless, but through our faith we know that we are anything but. We know that God’s grace and mercy and unconditional love is stronger than any pandemic or plague.

           As I came to the church on a sun-kissed Thursday morning this week, I took special note of the birds in the field — how trusting and carefree they appeared to be. It caused me to revisit the passage from Matthew and remember that in the eyes of the Father, we are much more valuable than the birds.

           So, as we work our way through this crisis and whatever other crises might lie ahead, let us take a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks. God has freed us from the burden of worry. In fact, when you think about it, we might all agree that worry is “for the birds.”

           Stay safe, stay healthy, stay strong, stay faithful, and be blessed until we meet again (and we will meet again!) — Pastor John

Facing Our Fears

First the coronavirus, then the burglary. Our church has certainly faced its share of challenges in recent weeks.

So, what do we do? How should we respond? Do we run away in terror, or do we step up and face our fears?

I admit to being a little skittish since last week’s break-in. The church that for me represented safety, security, and serenity had been shaken. I found myself being more cautious as I entered the building — which is probably a good thing — but there is a difference between being guarded and being paranoid. Every little bump, or clang, or click can become unsettling.

This is not what God intended, especially in the House that our ancestors built, so I am asking you to join me in prayer for our church. We often refer to it as bricks and mortar, but we know that it is so much more than that, even when empty.

When restrictions are lifted and we are able to worship again in our sanctuary (even if we still have to physically distance ourselves), I and going to ask you to join with me in an anointing of the church as we ask God to consecrate, sanctify, bless, and protect our church and our people.

In the meantime, we can take comfort in a passage from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, which helps us to put things in perspective in Chapter 41, Verse 10:  “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but when you think about it, such a response actually strengthens our faith. When he is with us, who can be against us? He affirms that he is our God, and he promises to strengthen us and help us in all situations and circumstances. He will uphold us with his righteous right hand.There is no power in heaven or on earth that can overcome His Righteous Right Hand. We may be weak, but he is strong. So, let us move forward boldly and without fear.

Announcement: Our Food Pantry Resource Center is now open. We continue to appreciate donations of food or monetary donations to support this new outreach ministry. If you know of someone in our neighborhood in need of help at this time, please tell them to call 330-264-3527 to set up an appointment to get the help they need.

Highway Robbery

           By now, you are probably aware that our church was robbed sometime between 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. on Thursday. My first clue that something was awry when I entered the church was that the main office door was open. It is almost always closed.

           Then I could see that the window was open, the screen was on the floor, papers were strewn about, and both computers were missing. Uh oh!

           So, I looked around, only to find more evidence of an intrusion, including missing audiovisual equipment in Fellowship Hall, and significant disruption in our sacristy.

           A range of emotions gripped me in that moment: fear, sadness, disappointment, even anger. How could anyone do this to the House of the Lord?

           Well, it was another stark reminder of the type of world in which we live — one that is becoming increasingly godless: no respect, no honor, no decency.

           As I tried to process all that happened, I became more convinced than ever that we must live our faith, share our faith, and demonstrate our faith so that others who live their lives in darkness might see the light and come to the Lord.

           I don’t have any animosity toward the perpetrators. It doesn’t mean that I’m not upset, but my prayer is that they might be convicted to confess what they have done and follow the Lord.

Fallibility and the ‘Fonz’

       Most of you probably remember the hit television show, “Happy Days.” It was popular in the 1970s when I was in high school, but it depicted life in the 1950s.

           One of the more memorable characters from that series was the “Fonz” (a.k.a. Arthur Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler). The Fonz was the epitome of what it was to be cool in that decade — leather jacket, t-shirt, slicked-back hair. But the Fonz had a problem. He was so cool, so caught up in his in persona, that he was not able to acknowledge his own shortcomings. As you may remember, whenever he tried to say he was wrong, all he could muster was, “I was wro…” He simply couldn’t not bear to admit any fallibility.

           As disciples of Christ, we have come to realize the importance of not only admitting when we are wrong, but also confessing it before the Lord and asking for forgiveness. It is really the only way to maintain an open and honest relationship with him.

           On this Good Friday, likely the most extraordinary one we have ever experienced because it accentuates our fallibility, we take time to pause, confess, and give thanks to the Lord our God for his sacrifice on the cross, for without it, we are doomed to a future without hope.

           So the next time we reflect on our transgressions, let us freely proclaim that “we were wrong” and that we seek his forgiveness as we forgive others, not only on Good Friday, but every day of the year.

Cracking Open the Nutshell

        Welcome to Week 2 of the Nutshell relaunch. I hope you are well and that you are taking it easy during this time of slowdown and separation — which, when you think about it, is not all bad.

           Take some time to relax and reflect during this time. The pace of life will almost certainly accelerate in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, think about reaching out to someone by phone, text, e-mail, Facebook, FaceTime, or any of a number of other social media platforms.

Prophecy or Fallacy?

            I’m probably one of the last people to respond to “what’s going around on the Internet,” but I couldn’t ignore what I was hearing about a prophetic passage from Isaiah, Chapter 26, Verses 21-22, as it applies to our current situation…

“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer.”

            Was Isaiah receiving a message from God about the year 2020? Hard to say with any certainty, but you could definitely make a case for a connection. Is this pandemic a symbol of the wrath of God, or is it another random event in human history? Obviously, there have been pandemics in the past, and there are almost certain to be more pandemics in the future, so is this passage addressing the current situation, or is it more likely about something in the past or in the future — or is it all of the above?

            Whatever you believe, the events of the past six weeks should certainly give us pause, grab our attention, and encourage us to ask the question, “Is God trying to get a message to us?”

            I believe that he is, but I also believe that he is looking to commune with us on a daily basis. So regardless of the situation — in both good times and bad — pay attention, and listen for the voice of the Lord. He will guide us on the pathway of righteousness.

Something to Crow About

           Speaking of communicating, the messenger can come in all shapes and sizes, Shortly after I arrived at the church office on Monday of this week, the crow was back pecking at the glass doors outside my office, but this time there seemed to be more urgency in his message. What in the world is he trying to tell me and all of us here at Oak Chapel?

           My mother used to tell me that when she was growing up, grownups would tell her that if a bird pecked at someone’s window, it meant that that person would soon depart this world. What a frightening thought!

           We also know about the rooster that Jesus described in the Gospels, saying that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed a second time.

           Am I missing something here, or is this just coincidence? I don’t know for sure, but between the coronavirus and the crow, I think God is trying to get our attention. Maybe we should be listening more closely.

 Until we meet again, Blessings and Best Wishes! – Pastor John