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

As we work on practicing our faith today, I encourage you to look for God in your life and the world around you.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate Easter when Mary Magdalene said to the other disciples, “I have seen the Lord!!!”  She was not even looking for Jesus when she encountered Him in resurrected form.

How much more will you and I see Jesus when we are looking for Him?  Jesus is not hiding.  He plans to be found.  What will your life look like when you encounter the resurrected Jesus?

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

As we look to practice our faith daily during this time of crisis, I was drawn to Philippians 4:8 which says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (NIV). 

In this passage we are reminded that we have a choice about what we focus our mental attention on.  Do we focus on our challenges and anxiety or do we focus on the good stuff?  Paul then tells us what we should focus on.

Take time tonight to talk with your families about the good things going on around you.  Take time to notice the beauty of God regardless of your circumstances.  Spend time in prayer focused on the good and I guarantee that you will experience more of that goodness because we usually find what we are looking for. 

Look for the good, focus on it and you will see all that God is doing around you.  You are loved by your pastor and the God who created the world!!!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Blessings! I look forward to all we have planned for Holy Week and I look forward even more to gathering with you online at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, to celebrate the resurrection on Easter.

Pastor Craig Moock, Office 740-548-4389, cmoock@ruralchapel.org

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

As we practice our faith today, I am reminded that we are told “Do not be anxious in anything” in Philippians 4:6.  That is easier said than done.

Especially during these present challenging times, it is easy to be anxous.  Anxious about the future, about our health, about the health of those we care about and about the economy. 

However, the opposite of anxiety is peace. Peace comes from trusting God. Trust is built with God as we grow in our relationship with Him and learn more and more that He is trustworthy. 

What do you need to do today to grow your trust in God? Do you need to pray, read God’s Word, talk to others about God or hear someone else speak about God?  Whatever that practice that God is leading you to will grow that relationship and God will wash away your anxiety with the power of His great love.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Blessings, I look forward to all we have planned for Holy Week and I look forward even more to gathering with you live online at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 12 to celebrate the resurrection on Easter,

Pastor Craig Moock, Office 740-548-4389, cmoock@ruralchapel.org

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

As we look to practice our faith daily, one question continues to challenge me.  What are the things that keep me from God?

As it turns out, people of faith have wrestled with that question from the beginning.  The practice of confession in the Roman Catholic tradition has been one way to explore that.  Asking God is another way. 

Funny enough, having our lives radically changed over the last few weeks has also shown many of us the things that keep us from God because they are the things that we turn to in times of stress.  Many of those things would qualify as sin.  Many of them are merely distractions. 

What will you do with the things that keep you from God during this present crisis? 

Holy Week has been traditionally about asking God to show each of us what keeps us from Him.  We will all be more holy when we wrestle to understand those things and to intentionally move toward God.  Will you do that today in light of God’s marvelous love for you?

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

Today’s Daily Faith Practice isn’t exactly a Daily Faith Practice, but an invitation to grow deeper with Jesus during this Holy Week.  When I was in my early 20s my roommate and I used to call Holy Week “Emotional Rollercoaster Week.”  We went from Palm Sunday, to The Last Supper, to Good Friday (the death of Jesus) and that led us into the Easter season.  We loved Holy Week and everything it entailed and yes, sometimes we cried and got emotional while we reflected on the events of Holy Week.  This year I know it seems different  with everything that is going on, but I really encourage you to take some time and come out to the church property sometime this week and pray through the prayer stations that are set up outside on the church property. 

These will focus on the fall of Adam and Eve then jump into the last few days and moments Jesus spent on this earth.  These stations are a way for you to grow in your faith and allow this Holy Week to truly let you reflect on what it meant for Jesus to die for us. 

You will start at the front doors of the church, then at the end of each station you will be told where the next station will be.  Most materials you will need are there. (The only thing you can consider bringing is a hammer and 1 nail per person in your family who is with you. I ask that the pens you use you take with you so we do not spread germs.)

If you cannot make it to the actual property, you can still benefit by reading the stations in this document. 

Each one gives you a reading, a reflection and some kind of action.  If you have any questions or concerns, or if you are at the church and it seems the papers haven’t held up through wind or weather please reach out to me via email, call or text. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Holy Week and lead up to Easter!

Love in Christ,
Mary

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