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.

‘Boiler Alert’

Once upon a time, you had to wait an entire week, or longer, to see the next episode of your favorite television show. Back in 1980, fans of the hit series, “Dallas,” had to endure an extended delay to find out who shot J.R. because of the writer’s strike. When the program finally aired months later, it drew one of the largest audiences of all time.

These days there is no waiting. People can stream and binge all they want, while trying not to give away any details to someone who has not yet seen a particular episode. We call that a “Spoiler Alert.” 

In the church, we have something that sounds similar, but is actually quite different. I call it a “Boiler Alert.” In just about every church I ever attended, there has, at one time or another, been a problem with the boiler. Most recently, here at Oak Chapel, we were flagged for some sort of “violation.” Who knew that a church could get in trouble because of its boiler.

My limited experience with boilers tells me that they rarely work properly. In fact, I have this theory that they are manufactured to malfunction on a regular basis, just to aggravate the Trustees and to chill out the congregation when the temperatures begin to dip.

So bear with me as I make this giant leap: We are a lot like a boiler — imperfect, inconsistent, subject to breakdown, and often unable to carry out our function. Fortunately, we have people like Blair and some of our other Trustees to repair the boiler at Oak Chapel. 

Likewise, our Lord sees pasts our shortcomings, forgives our transgressions, heals our frailties, and puts us back on the pathway of righteousness, while also “alerting” us to be on the lookout for potential pitfalls that threaten to push us off course and possibly cause us to break down.

So, don’t be caught off guard! You have now officially been “alerted!

Do Not Be Deceived by Silly Superstitions and Unfounded Rumors 

Are you superstitious? If so, just a friendly reminder that today is Friday the 13^th. The origin of this superstition actually has some roots in our faith, dating back to the Last Supper in which there were 13 individuals present in the Upper Room on the night before the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday.

Some people grow more superstitious as they age, but most of us tend to pay less attention to such things that have little or no basis in fact. Still, humans have a reputation for being inherently superstitious, especially when informed by a previous experience. For example, it someone wears purple socks on the day of an exam and that person aces the test, he or she is likely to wear those same purple socks on the date of the next exam. 

But what about us in the context of our faith? We are advised to fear the Lord, but there is no indication that we should be illogical in our thinking. I Timothy 4:7 provides some guidance with this passage: “have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” In other words, don’t fall victim to unfounded beliefs or practices. Instead, we are to focus on our faith and the truths of God’s Word.

Colossians 2:8 provides further insight with this passage: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Unfortunately, we see this playing out in our world today, to the point that we appear to be more vulnerable than ever to unfounded myths and rumors, due in large part to the unregulated messaging on the Internet. This has led to an erosion of empathy for one another and a general degradation in the way we treat others. 

If we’re not careful, we might lose our grip on our very soul. That’s not a superstition but a potential reality that none of us wants to experience.

Until we meet again, be blessed!

Let Us Be Blest When We Rest

If there is a bright side to the post-surgery experience, it is the wealth of free time that one suddenly has. But is that really a blessing or more of a burden?

Like many of you, I have been conditioned to make the most of every moment, to squeeze something out of every second, but during the past week I have found myself wondering just a bit, trying to be productive even when there is not much to produce.

It caused me to think about the way we live our lives in contrast to the way God intended for us to do so. Sure, he wants us to be industrious and fruitful, but he also encourages us to rest and relax.

We are, of course, all familiar with the 23^rd Psalm in which we are advised to “lie down in green pastures” and “beside still waters.” In addition, Proverbs 3:24 comforts us with these words, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

I think we would all agree that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep to restore the body and comfort the soul. We are sharper mentally, healthier physically, sturdier emotionally, and stronger spiritually when we are rested.

Setting aside time for rest is, indeed, essential to our performance, our balance, and even our sanity. Compromising one’s need for rest is not a wise choice. I will admit that I can’t wait to get back to a regular routine at the church, but I have learned that I cannot be effective without sufficient rest and relaxation, and I hope that you, too, will take time to rest your body and restore your soul so that together, we can all serve the Lord with even greater energy and enthusiasm moving forward.

Until we meet again, be blessed.

God’s Presence in the Face of Evil

The concept of God’s omnipotence is, indeed, complex and cumbersome, especially in the context of evil. How can the goodness of God coexist with the evil of this world? Well, it’s not really a question of why God can’t eradicate the malevolence in this world — I think a majority of us believe that he can — it’s more a case of why he doesn’t. 

That’s what is so perplexing: Why does he allow the violence, death, and destruction to continue, especially when so many of the victims are innocent? Certainly he is the all-powerful Almighty, but he often appears to be standing on the sideline as a casual observer when we need him most. 

I don’t claim to have the answer, but I would suggest that we turn to the Book of Isaiah (55:8) to at least begin the conversation. It is there that God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”

God’s plan and his vision are beyond our purview. Too often we try to “figure him out” or “think like him,” and that often leads to inaccurate conclusions harmful consequences. For example, when my mother lost her third child, a well-meaning neighbor said, “Well, God must have needed another angel.” Needless to say, that brought no comfort or consolation to my mother. 

Noted theologian John Cobb also attempts to provide insight with his hypothesis that instead of taking direct action (which he can and does on occasion) God is calling on us to respond in times of trial and tribulation — to provide comfort, encouragement, and assurance to others who are hurting. 

It would seem that the ball is in our court right now to do what we can do to respond when evil or adversity enter the picture. We do this in honor of the appeal that God makes to us by reaching out to those in need, knowing that one day, he will return to eradicate all evil and establish a new kingdom in which there will be no pain or suffering, just joy and exaltation.