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

As we look at practicing faith today, I reminded that one of the oldest methods that people have used to grow their faith has been to tell the stories of God. 

Regardless of what we face, when we hear stories of God and God’s faithfulness, it builds our faith and reminds us of how God has worked in the past.  These stories have carried God’s people through hard times in the past and they will carry us through in the midst of this present crisis. 

One of the main stories which gets shared of God’s faithfulness from the Old Testament is in the book of Exodus about God freeing His people from slavery in Egypt.  What is interesting, more contemporarily, is that those who were slaves in America heard the stories of God’s faithfulness in the time of Exodus and that gave them faith that God, too, would deliver them from their slavery. 

Today, in a much lesser way, many of us might feel enslaved by how the coronavirus has upended our world.  What might the story of the Exodus do to bolster your faith during this time?  What stories of God’s Faithfulness might you share with others to bolster faith that God will indeed deliver us from this present crisis?

God is with us.  Tell someone about it. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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

As I look at practicing faith today, I was drawn to I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”(NIV) 

As people who have hope in a Risen Savior we are to be an encouragement to one another and to the world.  Right now, people need encouragement more than ever. 

In my interactions with people these days, what I am seeing is that people are doing their best, but that the pressures of their present situations have them running thin.  Some people are at home bored out of their minds, others are overly busy as essential workers while also trying to educate their children at home, high school seniors are grieving the loss of most or all of the events that are supposed to accompany their senior year and money has become a real pressure for others. 

Within those challenges and many others, what can we do as God’s people to encourage someone today? 

For me, I want to remind you that God loves you, God is in this with you, God has a plan for your life and that plan is awesome.  I hope that you were encouraged today!!!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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