Written by Kay Coughlin, member of the Rural Chapel United Methodist Church community in Galena, OH

A few years ago, I had to face that I just wasn’t reading my Bible as much as I wanted to. I like to think of myself as a highly educated person (and also quite humble!), so it was hard for me to admit that I was struggling to read and comprehend the messages in the Bible. But then I decided to try listening to it.

I had not particularly enjoyed listening to audio books prior to that. However, I realized I was making time to listen to many other things (podcasts, music, the radio, etc.), so I figured I had nothing to lose by giving God’s Word a little bit of air time, too. Being willing to just try it has made a big difference in my life and in my comprehension of the Word!

I guess I just never understood that the Bible wasn’t written down to be “read” by anybody other than scholars – originally, the scholars would have read the Word out loud to people like you and me, and their inflection and interpretation would have helped us understand it. Turns out it still works that way!

The source I prefer is “Daily Audio Bible.”   It’s free and you can listen on pretty much any type of computer or smartphone.

Blessings to you!

Don’t miss our pastor, Craig Moock, Sunday at 10 a.m. on Facebook live.

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

As we look at our faith practice for the day, many people in my world have been taking solace in Psalm 91.  There are many Psalms which speak of our hope in God and we could all use a little bit of hope right now.  Let me share with you Psalm 91 as a source of hope for today.

Also, we are working on some neat things for Palm Sunday and Easter in order to make those days special even though we will not be able to meet in person.  More info to follow!!

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM … and remember to wash your hands,

Pastor Craig

Psalm 91 (NIV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge–

10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

I just got done with the “Mark Extra Credit” study (through Zoom) and for our daily faith practice, I want to commend to all of us to study God’s Word with others. Each of us brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the reading of God’s Word and when we do that in community with others, we always get insights that we would not have gotten on our own. 

In particular, during the Mark Study, we looked at Jesus’ command to his disciples when they went out two by two to stay in the same house the whole time they were in a town.  One of our Bible Study members recognized that this allowed the disciples to go deeper with the family that they stayed with rather than spread themselves thin by staying with many people.  I personally did not think of that and so I learned from someone else as we studied the Bible together. 

How might you study the Bible with someone else?  During this crisis, you could do it over the phone or Zoom and you can get insights into God’s Word that you never would have gotten if you were merely studying on your own. 

Blessings,

Pastor Craig

P.S. We are working on some neat things for Palm Sunday and Easter in order to make those days special even though we will not be able to meet in person.  More info to follow.

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

One of the ways that we, at Rural Chapel, believe that we can grow in faith is to serve others.  When we serve others, we learn to get past our self-importance and learn more about God’s love for everyone. 

One really cool way that I have seen people serve in the last two weeks is the making of facemasks for the medical community because of the limited supply of masks.  What a marvelous way to serve others in these challenging times.  Here is a link to the Facebook page of some local Columbus and Lewis Center folks who are encouraging others to make face masks and taking donations so that they can make face masks themselves.  Might you jump in and support these folks who are serving?  What might you do to serve others during these challenging times?

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM… and remember to wash your hands,

Pastor Craig

Written by Mary Nelson, youth pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

Lately, in the time where we have been forced to change our lives drastically for the greater good of the community, I have felt that although things have slowed down, things have become way more chaotic.

Stores are packed and always sold out of something (it took me 5 days to find baking soda), my kids are getting cabin fever, Randy and I are both trying to work from home. The house is always messy and we’re all a little on edge.

Ephesians 4:2 says “be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing  with one another in love.”

For me a huge faith practice lately has been just this: be gentle with others and yourself- allow extra space for grace. Be patient- this is so hard for me- but take that deep breath, centering breath and be patient. Lastly love. Show love and receive love freely right now. Show love to your friends, the people walking past you down the street, your family, yourself, the person who grabbed the last thing off the grocery shelf. The best way to show Jesus in this time is through love. It’s easier said than done, but if we are aware of how we are responding to other people, this should hopefully become less of a challenge.

In Christ,
Mary

Be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

As we look at our faith practice of the day, I reached out through my personal Facebook page and asked the question, “What faith practices are sustaining you during this time?”  I received lots of great answers from people, but the most consistent one was music.  There is something about music that can connect us to God and restore our souls whether that music comes through 104.9 The River or just singing God’s songs ourselves. 

One song that has connected to me to God over the last year is “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong that you can check out on YouTube.  Another song was written by Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley, called “And Can It Be.”  It is in this song that Charles helps us marvel at all that God has done for us.  You can check this out on YouTube as well.  May these and other songs refresh you and restore your soul in these challenging days. 

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM… and remember to wash your hands,

Pastor Craig

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

For our daily faith practice, I invite you to bask in the sun today!!!  While you do this, take a moment to ponder that God created this specific star in order to sustain life… all life on this planet.  Contemplate how the sun makes plants grow, makes us feel warm, kills germs and allows us to see all of the beauty around us.  Take a moment to enjoy today’s temporary respite from gray days and praise God for the awesomeness of creation.  What a great way to build your relationship with God.

This brings to mind the video that my daughter and I watched yesterday.  It was a virtual tour of Yosemite.  While watching this, the sun showed the beautiful colors in this most beautiful place on earth.  My daughter looked at me and said, “Papa, I am so glad that God decided to make that!”  Turns out, I am too and we need to Sun to see it and the sun to make all of the beautiful plants there grow.

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM… and remember to wash your hands,

Pastor Craig

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, pastor of Rural Chapel United Methodist Church in Galena, OH

As we look at practicing our faith today, I wanted us to consider what it means to be honest with God.  I mean REALLY honest!!!  Sometimes, as Christians, we try so hard to be faithful in following God that we struggle with being honest about how we are feeling when times are tough.  Remember, as I said on Sunday in the message, God sees us and God cares.  God wants us to be honest with Him… especially when times are rough, especially when we doubt and especially when we struggle with faith.  He already knows what we are feeling, but us being honest about it with Him makes us more ready for Him to meet us in our tough times… and all of that honesty builds our relationship with God and that is what God is longing for. 

God knows that these times have been challenging for us.  He sees us and He cares.  Try, for today being really honest with God about how you are feeling about all of this and I trust that you will connect with God in a deeper way.  My hope is that that will bring you peace.  

For those who struggle with being honest with God, I want to commend Psalm 6 to you.  David was honest with His pain.  God has also given us the freedom to be honest with our pain.  Watch what God will do when we give our pain to Him.

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM… and remember to wash your hands,

Pastor Craig Moock

Office 740-548-4389, cmoock@ruralchapel.org

1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? 4 Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. 8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 6 (source)

Written by Rev. Craig Moock, Pastor, Rural Chapel UMC, Galena, OH

It can be hard to praise God at times like this, but it is good to remind ourselves and each other of who God is and that God is worthy of praise!!!!  With that, there are many ways that we can praise God.  We can sings God songs that praise Him.  These songs help give us the words to praise God when we do not have them.  We can pray to God and praise God for His love and His grace and His mercy which are abundant.  We can tell someone else about our God who has given us light and life. 

For me, there is something about flowers that make me praise God.  They remind me that God is a scientist and an artist.  God is a scientist because He created the consistent processes by which flowers grow and thrive.  God is an artist as we see all of the beautiful colors that that are present in each of the flowers.  At my house the daffodils and the crocuses are blooming and for that I praise God.  When I praise God, I feel better than when I started and we could all use a little bit of that right now. 

Blessings and I will catch you on Facebook live on Sunday at 10AM,

Pastor Craig