On Sunday, January 14th, Rev. Chris Mereschuk concluded his time as Acting Pastor. In his final sermon at Haydenville, he reflected on his own call to ministry through the story of Samuel's call (I Samuel 3:1-10). Perhaps God is calling each one of us -- but do we know how to listen? How can we discern the voice of God amidst the other voices all around us? 

This podcast contains original music by Minister of Music Jeff Olmsted.

Jesus went to John to be baptized in the River Jordan. We Jesus emerged from the waters, a voice broke forth from the heavens: "This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 1:13-17) Maybe that same voice broke forth when we were baptized? Maybe we can hear that voice each time we touch water and remember that we, too, are beloved.

Credits: Image: "Baptism of Christ' by He Qi; This podcast contains original music by Minister of Music Jeff Olmsted.

So much about how we celebrate Christmas is temporary: toys, gadgets, trees. But Christmas also reminds us of God's gifts that will last: peace, hope, joy, and love. (Luke 2:1-20)

This podcast contains orginal music by our Minister of Music, Jeff Olmsted.

Scripture is loaded with "absurd" tales: unlikely models of faith, illogical scenarios, unexpected twists and turns. A vulnerable Jewish peasant is God Made Flesh? How divinely absurd! But isn't that just like God... (Luke 1:26-38)

John the Baptist appeared from the wilderness proclaiming the coming Messiah. John was a sign pointing us toward the Messiah, but was clear that he, himself, was not the Messiah. How often do we mistake the sign for that which it is pointing us toward? (Mark 1:1-8)

This podcast contains original music by Minister of Music Jeff Olmsted.

What does God have against goats? How and why are we supposed to be like sheep? Pastor Chris ruminates on these questions and our call to discipleship in "Sheep & Goats" (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 17-22 and Matthew 25:31-34, 41). 

 

This podcast contains original music by our Minister of Music, Jeff Olmsted.

Guided by the Iroquois Thanksgiving Address, the Men's Fellowship joined by other church leaders brought us through a Service of Gratitude where we acknowledged the original inhabitants of the land and gave our thanks to creation. (Psalm 100)

This podcast contains original music by Jeff Olmsted, our Minister of Music.

God spoke through the Prophet Amos: God was fed up with empty worship of those who oppressed the vulnerable. God did not want to hear the empty "thoughts and prayers" of the unjust (Amos 5:18-24). What are we saying and doing when we offer our "thougths and prayers" following trauma, crisis, and grief? Are our "thoughts and prayers" an end point, or are they a catalyst for transformative action?

This podcast contains orginal music by our Minister of Music Jeff Olmsted.

The author of the Letter to Hebrews encourages us to remember the great "Cloud of Witnesses" that surrounds us: all of the pioneers who made the way for us and help us run the race with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-2). Who is in our Cloud of Witnesses? Whose Cloud of Witnesses might we be in? 

This podcast contains orginal music by Jeff Olmsted.

Jesus sent 70 missionary disciples out into the world to share the Good News and announce the coming Kin-dom of God (Luke 10:1-9). They had no provisions, no money, no guaranteed food or lodging - - but they had each other, and they had Go'ds presence. The could've surrendered to scarcity, but instead were harvesting adundance.