Hays Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Hays Christian Church
This Pentecost, Pastor Cana opens to Acts 2:1-21, which describes the Holy Spirit descending upon the crowd to grant gifts for them to go out into the world and multiply God’s church. The Holy Spirit’s work in the early church was to bring about miracles of understanding, so we rejoice.
Pastor Cana takes us through Acts 1:1-12, where the apostles witness Jesus’ ascension to heaven 40 days after the resurrection. They wonder what is next, but Jesus reminds them, as well as us, that our role is to return, wait, and witness.
Pastor Cana opens to Romans 8:31-39, where Paul covers the theme of no separation from Christ’s love. Nothing, which ever has been or ever could be, can separate us from Christ’s love. We are called to recenter on the powerful, matchless love of Christ.
Matthew 25:31-46 reminds us to treat the disadvantaged in society as we would treat Jesus. Joanne Tramel, keeping tradition to highlight historic Christians, points to the example set by Paul Farmer (1959-2022). Farmer was a medical anthropologist and physician who worked and advocated for impoverished patients, largely in Haiti and the U.S.
1 Peter 2:1-7 speaks on Christian identity to the young church and dealing with the feeling of instability. Jesus is the foundational stone for the House of God. We seek refuge in the foundation of Jesus, to be built on Him.
1 Peter 1:13-21 speaks on what holy fear is and Pastor Cana expresses that because of God’s holiness, grace, and justice, believers should have holy fear of God. When we repackage our idea of fear of God, it transforms into something better.
Psalm 26 focuses on the topic of vindication and Pastor Cana points out ways we feel the need for proof of our innocence. God is the only one who can vindicate us when we are wrongly blamed or shamed. Therefore, we are encouraged to pray boldly for vindication to the only true judge, our God.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series concludes in John 11:17-27, in which Jesus arrives in Bethany following the death of Lazarus and meets with Martha to give her comfort and hope. Those who live and believe in Jesus will never die. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series picks up in John 15:1-9, in which Jesus illustrates in a clearly explained metaphor how the vine grower (the Father) tends the true vine (Jesus), nurturing the fruit-bearing branches (abiding in Christ) and pruning the dead branches (that which prevents abiding). Jesus, the true vine, gives us reason to praise and bears fruit in us. We only need to remain with the Vine.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series picks up in John 14:1-7, in which Jesus addresses His disciples at the Last Supper with crucial final parts of His teaching. Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life guides and provides for us. We as believers already know the Way, the Truth, and the Life though knowing Jesus.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series picks up in John 10:11-18, in which Jesus provides the metaphor of a good shepherd caring for and protecting his sheep to relay His purpose and God’s heart. The Good Shepherd is selfless, powerful, conscious, and determined. Jesus as the Good Shepherd helps us see the ways Jesus protects us in love.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series picks up in John 10:1-10, which follows Jesus healing a blind man on the Sabbath. The man testifies of the miracle and refuses to incriminate his Savior to the religious leaders. In our text, Jesus declares that He is the door (or gate) that invites us into a flourishing life. He is the only door that matters.
Pastor Cana’s Lenten sermon series picks up in John 8:12-20, where Jesus proves to the religious leaders of the temple that He is the light of the world, using their own legal arguments. When we feel that we are walking without support, Jesus, the light of the world, is a trustworthy guide for us.
Pastor Cana begins the Lenten sermon series in John 6:35-40, where a crowd who had witnessed Jesus feed 5,000 approach Him again, but Jesus tells them that they should not focus on physical bread, but true bread from heaven. He tells them that He is the bread of life and promises eternal sustenance. In this we learn that Jesus is sufficient, essential, and accessible for us in life and life eternal.
In 1 Samuel 1:9-18, Hannah prays in the temple, begging to be blessed with a son, and promises to give him to God’s service. The priest Eli, after mistakenly scolding her, gives her a blessing. Following in 1 Samuel 2:9-10, when she keeps her promise and places her son, Samuel, with the priest, she prays again in praise. Pastor Cana expresses that with God, our misunderstood prayers of desperation can me turned into praise.
Pastor Cana opens to Judges 6:11-17, where God calls Gideon to save the Israelites from oppression under the Midianites. God does not need you to be brave, important, impressive, or strong. God only needs you to say yes to His calling. Come see God’s calling in your life and the lives of others, regardless of qualification.
Pastor Cana introduces Psalm 81, which sees the author reflecting honestly on the challenges of sin, submitting to God, consequences, and God’s readiness to welcome us. Though our sin always brings consequences, submission allows us to be ready to receive God’s welcome.
Romans 6:1-11 lays out for the new Christians why continuing in sin is not the way to prove God’s power. Pastor Cana Moore elaborates that Jesus’ death offers us freedom from sin and raises us into new life. With this promise of new life, we are tasked with abandoning our old ways for the better freedom in Christ.
Pastor Cana takes us to Deuteronomy 28:1-6, which sees Moses, having taught the Israelites God’s law, address them with a blessing and promise of what their obedience to God would lead to. God’ blessings for obedience expect and accommodate human frailty. We receive God’s blessing without perfect obedience because of God’s intentional provision.
Pastor Cana shares Psalm 116, where the Psalmist suffers from an illness and calls of God for help and when they are saved from their suffering, they find themselves at peace and reflects on God’s truths. Even when we are suffering, God is our current salvation. In our suffering, we have comfort in confidently knowing that God is saving us.
The final fruit of the Spirit that Pastor Cana presents is the fruit of self-control, as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where his athletic metaphors apply to spiritual discipline. Prioritizing the Good News of God over ourselves teaches us self-control for our Christian witness.
We look at Revelation 7:9-17 with Pastor Cana to find that the author describes the saints that gather in God’s throne room outside of time to worship Him. God draws, unites, and shepherds all the saints together, so we rejoice by remembering the saints of past, present, and future.
John 1:1-14 gives us a poem/song reflecting on Jesus’ significance of His coming. Pastor Cana shows us in the scripture that Jesus, not the Bible, is the Word of God. With this information, we can look at all scripture texts through the interpretive lens of the Word of God.
When we look into Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 with Pastor Cana, we are left with the wisdom that God’s good gifts, the simple things, help us be freed to enjoy our lives without worrying about their impact and weight. We can give our lives less weight and make them instead more meaningful.
The author of Revelations 5 shares a vision for the Seven Churches of Asia. As Pastor Cana explains, for Revelation, God’s conquering and victory are about sacrifice, not slaughter. We are urged to worship a sacrificed Lamb as sacrificed people.
The author of Revelations 2:1-11 writes to the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna. As Pastor Cana explains, Revelation’s specific context and message to specific people can offer us similar comfort t and hope. Let us appreciate the struggles the ancient and modern churches share in common.
For this sermon, Pastor Cana takes to Proverbs 27:5-6, which advises the distinction between the harsh truths from our loved ones and the sweet lies our enemies tell us. Because God calls us to be righteous, we should be friends who receive and offer truth, even when it is painful.
The next Fruit of the Spirit in Pastor Cana’s sermon series is reflected in Proverbs 15:1, 4, and 16:24, which speaks of the consequences of righteousness and wickedness. Preparing for the fruit of gentleness in our hearts means mindfully considering our lives.
Isaiah 55:8-13 is a rebuttal to the idea of overwork and offers a balance to value rest when needed. Pastor Cana presents us with the idea that the purposes of God are God’s to bring about. We are encouraged to rest and rejoice in God’s ability to accomplish His purpose.
Matthew 26:47-53 describes Jesus Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and His response. Pastor Cana makes the case that Christ is firstly a peacemaker, living in a non-violent way and mindset, and it should shape our language and actions. We are encouraged to resist the violent language and conquering outlook of the world and choose to follow Christ the Peacemaker.
Matthew 7:13-14 describes the narrow gate and hard road to eternal life. Pastor Cana explains that the gate to God is narrow not to test us, but because living like Jesus is a challenging road. Our place is on the way because we have chosen it, living with compassion in a hardened world.
Returning to the Fruit of the Spirit, Pastor Cana opens to Genesis 15:6-18, where God makes a promise to Abram/Abraham that his descendants will suffer, but ultimately be rewarded. The fruit of faithfulness in Abraham is only possible because of God’s faithfulness. In us, God’s faithfulness will form our faithfulness during the long life of faith.
Pastor Cana opens to Psalm 84, which comes from the family of Korah, who well understand of the house and place of God. They knew that to be in the presence of God was better than being anywhere else. Our joy comes from the fact that God’s presence provides us a best place to be.
In tradition to highlight Christians of history, Joanne Tramel speaks of abolitionist Harriet Tubman (born in slavery as Araminta Ross in 1822). A traumatic brain injury sustained in her youth brought her visions from God. After escaping slavery, she was encouraged by God to help others find freedom through the Underground Railroad, then during the Civil War in the Union army. In every accomplishment, she gave God the credit, which we can apply to our own lives.
For Transfiguration Sunday, Pastor Cana opens to 2 Peter 1:12-19, which lays out the important final thoughts from the wise apostle Peter to those in need of guidance. Christ’s confirmed glory in His transfiguration is a light for us in a dark place that we can rely on as a centering point of our lives.
Pastor Cana concludes the summer sermon series on prayer with Jeremiah 32:16-25, in which the prophet Jeremiah prays after he and his people abandoned God and faced the consequences of their choice. Yet, God provided a promise. We, like Jeremiah, can pray in hope that even when we don’t keep faithful to God, we can rejoice that God’s faithfulness is greater than human abandonment.
The next prayer of Pastor Cana’s focus comes from 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, where Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, while struggling to defend the nation against Moab, turns to God for rescue as their only hope. When we do not know what to do, Jehoshaphat’s prayer teaches us to look to God and trust Him when we are in impossible situations.
Picking up in the Fruit of the Spirit series, Pastor Cana opens to Romans 12:9-21, where the author pushes the Christians of Rome to be servants to one another, to serve in their giftedness and not seek to be someone else, and reminding them that God’s will can be revealed in their work together for God’s kingdom. God gives us community in which the Spirit can grow the fruit of goodness.
For the fourth prayer in the sermon series, Pastor Cana goes to 1 Kings 8:22-30, where King Solomon prays publicly on behalf of Israel. Praying to God in a formal way as a community can draw us to a single focus and give us a chance to declare what we believe together.
For the third prayer in the sermon series, Pastor Cana goes to Exodus 3:11-14 and 4:10-15, which gives us the example of Moses speaking to God with honesty as he is given the task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Because God knows our hearts and minds, He hears our casual prayers just as well as any other prayer. We know that praying honestly can mean praying in our own voice and in genuine reflection of our hearts.
A break from sermon series, Pastor Cana brings us to Acts 9:36-42, where Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek), is resurrected by God’s will that her community may learn from her life and imitate her as she imitates Christ. God can give our work and lives impact, even in small and quiet action. We are encouraged to live our one life for God’s impact.
The next prayer in the summer sermon series, Pastor Cana brings us to Joshua 7:6-13, where Joshua, Moses’ successor, leads the Israelites against their enemies, but the broken covenant results in their defeat. Joshua prays in anguish. God responds when we speak to Him honestly, even after defeat and we can take inspiration that God is with us whether we win or lose.
Kicking off the summer sermon series on prayer, Pastor Cana opens to 2 Kings 19:14-19, where King Hezekiah of Judah prays for deliverance as Assyria brings threat of conquest, swords VS. Judah’s faith in God. God can deliver His People and we can pray to ask Him for it.
Pastor Cana uses 1 Peter 3:8-14 to introduce the 5th Fruit of the Spirit, kindness. God’s Spirit grows kindness in our hearts as a response to the love we have been given by God. We are asked to choose kindness over niceness (there is a difference!) and to prepare for the Spirit to grow kindness in us through true awareness of self and others.
Jennie Straight uses Matthew 5:17-23 to discuss the fulfillment of the law and anger. Jesus came to fulfill the law of God, which is not the same as the laws of the pharisees. For instance, God’s law of “do not murder” not only prohibits killing, but also consuming, unrighteous anger. Our anger should be from injustice to others or dishonoring God. Are we twisting God’s law for our desires? We are challenged to consider our reasons for our anger.
This Pentecost, Pastor Cana reads from John 16:4-15, which shows Jesus telling His disciples of greater things when the Holy Spirit comes to them. Because of Jesus’ departure, the Holy Spirit is present to teach and guide us in the way of truth.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 gives instructions to pre-nation Israel for how to be God’s people, specifically, giving to those in need and cancelling debt in the Sabbath (seventh) year. Pastor Cana explains that the chain of generosity begins with God and it is our responsibility to continue the chain and help the poor willingly and without judgement, whether with our money, resources, time, skills, or emotional support.
The fourth Fruit of the Spirit Pastor Cana is focusing on brings us to James 5:7-11, where James writes to Christians struggling with social exile to assure them that their endurance and patience will pay off when the Lord comes again. God’s compassion guarantees if we are patient, there will be blessing.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text, John 21:1-13, in which the resurrected Jesus greets His fishing disciples as they begin to return empty-handed and tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. After an abundant catch, Jesus invites them to breakfast. Christ our Host offers us what we need and beyond.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text, Luke 14:15-24, in which Jesus tells a parable of a host whose invited guests make excuses, so he calls on the poor, disabled, and strangers to fill his banquet. Christ offers us a welcome to an extraordinary feast beyond our ability to earn.
For the third Fruit of the Spirit, Pastor Cana reads into Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, and Ezekiel 13:10, 16 and focuses on false peace, those who proclaim it, and how to seek the peace of the Spirit. God desires true peace, not lies about peace when there is none and we are to share those values.
Pastor Cana takes to 2 Timothy 2:22-25, in which Paul tells Timothy about the challenges but necessity of dealing with corrupt teachers. We consider how we handle disagreement, what God wants for us, and how communities can help lead us in a better way.
This Easter Sunday, Pastor Cana brings us to Mark 16:1-8, where, following Jesus’ burial, the two Mary’s are greeted by a holy messenger who tells them to inform the disciples than He has risen and will meet them in Galilee. In resurrection, Christ goes ahead of us into all our unknowns and from that, we may gain peace.
For Palm Sunday, Pastor Cana turns to Psalm 118:21-28, which is a part of the proclamation shouted by the Jews of Jerusalem as Christ entered the city. The larger truth to learn is that by the arrival of Christ into our lives, we are blessed by God. It is our calling to be people of blessing in God’s name to other people.
Concluding the Lent series on baptism, Pastor Cana takes us to Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 15:3-10 to help us understand God’s response to our repentance and baptism. Our Lord responds with joy each time we correct course, heed the Spirit, acknowledge our sin and repent. We are encouraged to repent together and share the joy of God.
The next Fruit of the Spirit for Pastor Cana’s series of the year is the Fruit of joy, illustrated in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8, where Paul tells the church of Thessalonica that they received the Word with joy from the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to share the joy we received as an example of God to others.
Betty Rupp turns to Matthew 11:28-30 and Psalm 19:7-11 to show us what we can do when our lives leave us tired and frazzled. We are encouraged to turn to God, to learn from Him by reading, meditating, and studying the Word to gain wisdom and strength to deal with stress and anxiety.
For Lent, Pastor Cana takes us to Galatians 3:27-28 and Acts 2:37-39, which teaches us that in Christ, all who believe are baptized into one baptism. We have peace to know that our baptism circumstances nonetheless guarantee us baptism into Christ.
For Lent, Pastor Cana takes us to 1 Peter 3:21-22, which tells us why baptism is the Christian practice for cleansing. Jesus’ power in baptism can offer believers a cleansing for salvation and a new spirit because of His power of all things.
For Lent, Pastor Cana opens to consider baptism through Ephesians 1:13-14, which tells the Christians of Ephesus that they have been brought into God’s family as they received the Truth. Baptism is our covenant, pledge, and seal by the Holy Spirit as Christians. Our baptism and the Holy Spirit’s presence marks us as believers.
Beginning the Fruit of the Spirit 2024 sermon series, Pastor Cana refers to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 and Galatians 5:22-23 to introduce us to the fruit of love. Love can be the primary marker of a transformed life and we are encouraged to investigate how love shows God’s work in our lives.
Pastor Cana reflects on Psalm 143:5-12, a psalm of survival and transformation, where the writer communicates the distress they feel, what they need from God, the only one who can do what they can’t do for themselves. When we feel as helpless as the psalmist, we can take comfort in knowing we can call on God for help and receive rescue.
Pastor Cana brings us to 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, which teaches it’s wrong for Christians to overemphasize sinfulness and wicked nature and offers new perspectives to reframe our minds. Our sin is not our defining feature as people who have been redeemed by God so we can reconsider our central identity in Christ.
Pastor Cana brings us to John 12:20-33, where some Greeks seek Jesus, who then speaks on His death. We learn about the cross and what Jesus tells us before His death that might help us understand what is brough about by His death for God and each of us.
For Epiphany Sunday, Pastor Cana opens to Matthew 2:1-12, where the Magi find the child Jesus and present Him with gifts in recognition of His role as King. These foreign figures teach us that the message of Jesus is universal and God’s work in the world comes however He chooses. We can know that anyone can perceive God’s truth but recognizing His presence requires being open to God’s impossible ways.
For Christmas Eve, Pastor Cana’s homily focuses on the Holy Birth. Jesus’ incarnation means transformation and is done out of love for creation. Christ’s choice to be embodied was to bring us into the divine love of God.
For the next part of this series covering creation in Advent, Pastor Cana brings us to Isaiah 11:1-9, which imagines a new future person in power for the people of God. In a world of conflict and distress, a peaceful kingdom is promised with Christ as its head. Today, we can imagine and participate in that peaceable kingdom.
For the next part of this series covering creation in Advent, Pastor Cana brings us to Romans 8:19-25, which describes the groaning of creation for redemption. As part of creation, we also groan in pain because we are not yet redeemed to perfection. Our groaning is not in isolation, and we will receive redemption.
To begin this series covering creation in Advent, Pastor Cana brings us to Colossians 1:15-19, in which the author clarifies that Jesus, firstborn of creation, has been a Creator since the beginning and created all things. We are encouraged to create, mindful of our own createdness.
Pastor Cana turns to Haggai 2:1-9, where the Temple of Jerusalem is in ruins and Israel believes it’s impossible to return to its former glory, but God promises that their work isn’t pointless. The glory to come will be even greater. For God’s kingdom, things are not as they were, and by working with God, we can be a part of the later, greater glory.
Pastor Cana takes us through Psalm 32:1-7, a song whose movements speak of freedom and joy, the writer’s unconfessed and unforgiven sins, the weight of sin, and promises of God’s goodness. God forgives our sin and guilt when we ask for it. This week, our calling is to ask God for forgiveness and to experience God’s blessing
Pastor Cana dives into 2 Samuel 6:12b-19, where King David and the people of Israel celebrate the arrival of God’s sacred seat, the Ark of the Covenant. David’s undignified method of rejoicing reminds us that we can be freed from our social/cultural hesitancies when celebrating God. We are invited to release our inhibitions out of the joy of knowing God.
To conclude Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to John 17:1-8. In the text, Jesus shares thoughts, prayers, teachings and desires for His disciples and those who follow. When we work out of love towards knowing Jesus and His teachings, eternal life is granted to us.
In Pastor Cana’s study of Matthew 17:1-12, Jesus takes a few of His disciples onto a mountain to witness His Transfiguration, which reveals Jesus as divine and transforms the disciples into apocalyptic seers. We as Christians can show Jesus’ transformation with our lives.
For part 5 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Mark 3:20-21, 31-35. In the text, Jesus is engaging a crowd in a house when His mother and siblings come to restrain Him. For Christians, families are not created by biological bond but by Christ’s blood. We must embrace family in other forms to create welcoming homes.
Steve Tramel makes the case, evidenced by Acts 2:37-42, that Christians who exclusively seek spiritual fulfillment outside of church are not receiving curricular teachings, fellowship with other Christians, the Lord’s supper, or shared prayer. God is in nature, yes, but it is vital to a Christian life to also experience Him “where two or more are gathered” in His name.
First Baptist Church’s Pastor Chris Prater directs our attention to Luke 6:27-28. Because we serve a God of action, we are to be people of action and listen to (not just hear) Jesus’ instructions to love, do good, bless, and pray. Will you listen and act?
For part 4 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 5:4. In the text from Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount, we receive the Beatitude “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. Mourning is a reality of life, even in God, but so are blessings and comfort realities for those who mourn.
For part 3 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Luke John 10:7-10. In the text, Jesus teaches us about the possibility of a life of abundance that He offers. We can rejoice that we can come in, and go out, and find the pasture of abundant life by the voice of the Lord.
For part 2 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 18:23-33. In the text, Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant shows a king forgive a slave with an insurmountable debt, but the slave did not extend that mercy to one with a debt to him. What we learn is that God’s mercy is given so that we can offer it to others, and it is our responsibility to extend the mercy we’ve received.
For part 1 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Luke 6:27-36. In the text, Jesus gives His Sermon on the Plain and instructs listeners to live a life of love. Showing love to our friends and family is easy, but it’s when we love our enemies that we model Christ.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Genesis 50:15-21) shows Jospeh’s brothers, who sold him into slavery, beg him for forgiveness following the death of their father. In response, Joseph grants them forgiveness and promises to provide for them and their families. In a similar fashion, when we transgress against God and repent, God offers us the gift of full forgiveness.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Matthew 28:16-20) covers Jesus’ final statements to the Disciples before His ascension, giving us a chance to think about authority and power and ask what Jesus is saying. Jesus, God-of-God, has full authority to send, forgive, and teach humanity. We get to act in God’s triune authority to do the same.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13) shows Paul asking the divided church in Corinth to come together. After all, the Spirit’s work in the church is unity and the Spirit’s gifts make diverse unity possible. We have the ability to use our diverse gifts of the Spirit to unify our church community.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Luke 24:44-53) describes Jesus’s final teachings to His followers and His ascension into heaven. From this, we are taught about God’s presence, promise, and power and in our understanding, we can react as the disciples did: worship in joy and bless God.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Samuel 25:23-34) recounts Nabal’s refusal to provide David’s men, protectors of his shepherds, for the feast day. David’s wrath dissipates as Nabal’s wife Abigail offers gifts and reminds him that for his restraint, God will deliver His vengeance. Vengeance is not our place but God’s, because His is the better timing and judgement. We are to trust in His retribution.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Samuel 16:1-13) presents us with God’s prophet Samuel, who, following King Saul’s disobedience, seeks out a new king among the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite. As the youngest is brought forth, God proclaims that he is worthy to lead. God surprises and accommodates us in our misplaced expectations so we must be ready for and rejoice in God’s provision.
Pastor Cana’s sermon texts (Amos 9:7 and Isiah 19:25) teach that God’s people are not limited to Israel but include Israel’s enemies because they have also been created by Him. We can rejoice and believe that God sees all people as His beloved people, His handiwork, and His inheritance.
Pastor Cana’s sermon text, 2 John 1:5-9, expresses the significance of love and warns about those who would claim Jesus did not come in the flesh. Jesus’ physical presence is a demonstration of what it means to walk in love, so it is our task to follow His example.
Celebrating the ultimate defeat of death, Pastor Cana declares that Christ’s resurrection is a good physical reality. Matthew 28:1-10 sees the two Marys visit Jesus’s tomb, but they are met by an angel who declares that He has risen. Afterward, Jesus meets them and instructs them to deliver the Good News to the disciples in Galilee. By returning in with his scars, Jesus promises that resurrection power is for all of us, perfectly restored in imperfect bodies.
This Palm Sunday, Pastor Cana reflects on Jesus’ preparations for His death. Matthew 26 shows Jesus accepting a woman’s anointing and praying His full-bodied submission to God’s will. As we prepare for Jesus’ burial, we should reflect on His passion to learn how to wholly submit ourselves to God.
Joanne Tramel’s first sermon of the year highlights great Christians of history. For 2023, that figure is Clarence Jordan (1912-1969). Jordan made it his life’s purpose to fight against economic and racial inequality using his Koinonia Farm in Georgia, though terrorized by local white supremacists. His Cotton Patch Gospels provided modern retelling of the Bible and the later use of the farm for affordable housing paved the way for the founding of Habitat for Humanity.
This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the journey of a Christian life. Psalm 121 describes an ascent to Jerusalem but implies spiritual similarities. God promises direction and support as we go through life’s journey so we can be goers and trust God.
This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers our words and how they are connected to our hearts. Psalm 51:15-17 describes David’s anguish over his sin and speaks to repent. Our mouth is not only what we do and don’t say, but also a demonstration of our heart, so we should submit both heart and mouth to God’s desires.
This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the distinction between hearing (receiving information) and hearing (understanding). Psalm 40:1-6 explains what the Psalmist is going through and how God taught them to listen. God hears us and gives us ears to hear the Truth of who He is.
This Lent, Pastor Cana’s focus is in Psalms to consider what it means to belong entirely to Jesus. Psalms 139:1-18 rejoices in God’s presence and tells us how we can trust that He always knows us. Whether God is everywhere you look or nowhere to be found, our bodies are proof that God is intimately aware of us, so we can trust that our whole selves are known to Him.
Pastor Cana takes us through Colossians 3:12-17, in which Paul writes to the church in Colossae to encourage them to reflect on their actions and instructs them how to show their devotion to Christ. We as well can demonstrate our Christian identity and loyalty every day by clothing ourselves in the virtues of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and most importantly, love.
In John 20:19-31, the disciple we know as Doubting Thomas asks for proof that the Lord his friends met was the same Jesus that was crucified. When presented with that proof, Thomas’ faith grew stronger. Pastor Cana shares with us that hesitance to believe and asking questions are a part of a healthy faith.
Pastor Cana follows up with Esther in Esther 5:9-13, where Haman is enraged at the sight of Esther’s relative Mordecai. Haman’s revenge would mean the genocide of the Jewish people, but Esther’s actions lead to their salvation. God works in threatening circumstances for the good of His people. When you examine your life, to look for God.
Pastor Cana brings us to Esther 2:5-11, 15-18, where the story of Esther begins. Esther hides her Jewish beliefs to gain favor in the palace as King Ahasuerus seeks a new queen. God works in flawed people, including His own. Do you see God’s presence in hindsight when you thought you were working for yourself?
Pastor Cana muses on scripture (Jeremiah 23:1-4, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 2:12-18) describing both good and bad shepherds and leaders. Each of us has a responsibility to be shepherds for those around us, leading with support, grace, compassion, and generosity.
The text for Pastor Cana’s sermon is Psalm 2, where the Psalmist speaks about the worldly powers who conspire against God and considers humanity’s desire for power, which is God’s to distribute. His authority and control are not threatened. We find comfort that God will not let false powers last but will reign in love forever.
In this message, Pastor Cana reflects on God’s lightness, the light that is from God, and the light we share as people. The texts from John 1:1-14 and 1 John 1:1-7 prompts us to consider what God’s light tells us and how we can be people who walk in the light, sharing light with others. When we Join God in lightness and avoid double-mindedness, we receive fellowship in the light.
For the final sermon of Advent, Pastor Cana turns to Luke 2:8-20, where angels appear to the shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth and the shepherds become the first visitors and evangelists. Meeting a strange God means becoming a strange person sharing strange news, but we are encouraged to freely share the Good News.
For the fourth sermon of Advent, Pastor Cana turns to Luke 1:39-55, where Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, whose unborn son leaps in the presence of the unborn Son of God. Mary sings a song expressing joy, love, truth, power, glorification, and justice. Because of Jesus’ coming, we can join in Mary’s singing and believe that things will be better.
For the third sermon of Advent, Pastor Cana turns to Luke 3:7-18, where John the Baptist calls out a crowd of listeners for hypocrisy and provides them instructions for correcting their behavior. It’s not too late for us to act righteously instead of professing our beliefs without change. We can repent and allow that repentance to change our outward actions.
For the second sermon of Advent, Pastor Cana turns to Luke 3:1-6, where John the Baptist, son of Zachariah, received the Word of God and went out to pave the way for Jesus’ offer of salvation. It is up to us to do the same for the Savior’s Second Coming.
Advent is a season of waiting, which requires us to be on alert. For the first sermon of Advent, Pastor Cana turns to Luke 21:25-36, where Jesus teaches that signs are our signal to stay ready for the Second Coming of Christ and the redemption He will bring. To catch those signs, we need to pay attention and not be distracted.
Jennifer’s son Cody Urban delivers a message to us for the holiday, focusing on what thanksgiving is. Thanksgiving is essential for prayer, as expressed in the ACTS model (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication). It is also a peace offering, a means of having fellowship with God through a communal meal. Finally, it leads to generosity when we remember that all we have been blessed with belongs to God and is not ours to keep.
Pastor Cana looks to Ecclesiastes 3 and Job 38:1-7, 12-13 to convey that God cares about our concerns and isn’t threatened as we are when our life changes seasons. Because of this, we should feel confident rather than concerned when changes and challenges come our way.
For this Spiritual Discipline, Pastor Cana explains that fasting desires dependance on God and a spirit willing to live out God’s will. In Isaiah 58:6-9, God tells Israel that their insincere rituals of fasting are unacceptable and fasting must be taken to heart. There are many ways we can incorporate fasting into our daily efforts to nurture our relationship with God.
The secular holiday of Halloween is often controversial among Christians. In this message, Joanne Tramel traces the origins of the holiday and takes on the question “is it okay to celebrate?” Even a pagan holiday’s origins don’t always carry over into modern culture’s intent. Yes, Satan is real, but the Enemy is more likely to put his efforts into true evils such as hunger, drug addiction, and abuse. Only Jesus and modeling Christ-like actions can overcome Satan’s influence.
For Pastor Cana’s message, she takes us to Exodus 1:15-21, where Pharaoh commands the midwives Shiprah and Puah to kill newborn Hebrew boys so that the slave population could be controlled. However, these midwives dared to defy and deceive him so that many lives could be saved and eventually freed. God’s deliverance is often messy, but will offer us life if we hold fast and serve confidently.
Singing is one of the most common ways to worship, so Jennifer Urban discusses the role it has in our worship, why it’s so essential, and reminds us that Satan uses lies to keep us from singing. We must keep in mind that worship is not about us, but about our Savior.
(Contains writing by Tom Olson, Joe McKeever, Vivian Bricker, James Jack, and Jonathan Mcleod)
Pastor Cana explains context for 1 Corinthians 8:1-6, which finds the early church arguing over the rightness of eating food sacrificed to false idols, leading Paul to tell them that being right is far less important than love. We often struggle when we don’t agree with others and feel the need to be right, but to have true humility, we must love first. Love offers a willingness to humble ourselves for the sake of another.
Pastor Cana refers to Exodus 20:8-11, which lays out God’s 4th Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. On the 7th day of Creation, God rested, blessing the Sabbath day and consecrating it for our sake. We must take time in our week to set aside our work to focus on recharging our physical, mental, and spiritual being.
For this message, Pastor Cana brings up Titus 2:1-8, which builds a crossroads that acknowledges the gifts that young and old church family have to offer on another, while keeping in mind their responsibilities. It’s to our own benefit and growth to love, value, and learn from members of other age groups.
The next “Spiritual Discipline” Pastor Cana introduces us to is that of celebration. We reflect on Luke 7:31-35 and John 2 from the life and teachings of Jesus and see that knowing the invitation, location, and occasion for celebrating helps us understand the agenda and move ourselves to repeat the celebratory practice in our own lives.
Pastor Cana introduces us to one of the Psalms of Wisdom, Psalm 1, which teaches that living a life of goodness is connected to the company one keeps. It is for this reason that we are tasked to reflect on how the people we surround ourselves with affect our thinking and behavior and seek positive influences.
For this Labor Day message, Steve Tramel reminds us that work is natural, healthy, and God-ordained. Christians have 4 purposes for work: gain respect from outsiders, to not burden others, help the needy, and support ministries. We must also remember that work is a participation in what God has done for us in Christ.
(References: Gen. 3:17-19, 1 Thess. 4:11-12, Eph 4:28, 2 Thess. 3:7-9, Acts 20:33-35, & Eph. 2:8-10)
From the “Spiritual Discipline” series, Pastor Cana takes us through Philippians 2:5-11 to expand on the discipline of submission. Scriptures direct us to follow the perfect example of Jesus to freely yield to God’s will.
Pastor Cana concludes the “Prophets” sermon series with the ultimate prophet: Jesus! John 7:14-18 & 26-29 illustrates how, as God, our Savior serves as the most direct messenger of God’s Word. To honor our role as modern prophets, we must commit our lives to the glory of God.
The prophet Joel warns the Israelites of coming destruction, but in Joel 2:12-24 also presents the choices that God gives them. In this message, Pastor Cana explains that in end-of-the-world situations, God invites the community to return for mercy. Our world is in for troubled times. Recommit to a God who offers unending mercy.
Pastor Cana directs us to Judges 4:1-10 to learn about the judge prophet Deborah. The Israelites begged God to deliver them from the Canaanites and God sent Deborah to lead them. God’s good plans are undeterred by human actions and circumstances. Release your anxiety to God and be surprised by God’s unstoppable good plan.
Pastor Cana introduces the prophet Habakkuk, who anguished to God about the wickedness in society and God’s response was to send the fearsome Chaldeans to destroy the wicked. The Chaldeans were not exempt from God’s justice, though, destroyed by their violent ways. As the prophet concludes in Habakkuk 3:17-19, God dispenses justice in His timing, and we need only to wait and trust.
For this message, Pastor Cana introduces the next Spiritual Discipline with the words from John 12:20-26. There, as Pastor Cana explains, Jesus teaches that in order to be fruitful, we must first let go of the world and our lives, and God will honor those who serve Him as He calls us.
Pastor Cana’s next message in the “Prophets” series relies on Jeremiah 31:27-34, Jeremiah’s prophesy consoles the people of Israel and Judah. In it, we can infer a few things about God: God doesn’t wish for our destruction, He is swift to offer forgiveness, He promises to build and plant, and assures us that there will be a day that all people will know Him.
Pastor Cana’s next message in the “Prophets” series relies on Exodus 15:1-6, 13-18, Where the prophet Miriam, leads the recently freed Israelites in a song to remind them of their stories, hopes, and beliefs. We also have the ability to serve as prophets to remind our communities of God’s promises and hope.
Pastor Cana’s next message in the “Prophets” series relies on 1 Kings 18:16-24, where we find the prophet Elijah visiting King Ahab to challenge his and Israel’s divided loyalty to God and shows that God is more responsive to a single prophet than Baal to hundreds. Our choice should be clear. We can choose to live divided lives or respond to God’s call to act with sole loyalty to Him.
The text for our next Spiritual Discipline, silence, comes from Psalm 46:7-11. As Pastor Cana explains, we try to solve our problems with noisemaking, but God commands silence to allow us to release our problems to God. When we do, we give God space to work for us instead.
To begin her sermon series on the prophets, Pastor Cana looks to Numbers 11:25-29 to explain the qualifications of a prophet. God’s spirit of prophesy does not discriminate which means God’s prophetic spirit is for everyone, especially you.
In continuing our Spiritual Discipline series, Pastor Cana references one of Jesus’ parables from Luke 18:1-8. The parable describes a widow’s persistent request for justice from an unjust judge, who is worn down and eventually grants her justice. We can have hope because our God is just and will answer our prayers when we are persistent.
Pentecost is a day for Christians to celebrate the formation of the church through the Holy Spirit’s arrival foretold by Jesus before His ascension. Pastor Cana’s text for this message, Acts 2:22-28 explains that the Holy Spirit came to tell and affirm the story and truth of Jesus. Let us rejoice in the confirmation of the Word!
For this message, Pastor Cana preaches from Acts 1:3-11, where, 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus delivers His last words to the disciples and ascends into heaven. Jesus leaves them with the promise that He would return and gives them purpose to witness to the ends of the earth what they had seen.
Bethany Moore’s message is rooted in Amos 5, in which the prophet Amos calls out those who are eager for God’s justice on the Day of the Lord. They do not realize that because they are unrighteous, God despises their worship. We are to be mindful to keep our actions in line with our worship so that justice and righteousness may flow abundantly.
As we are told in John 5, there was a man at the Pool of Bethesda who had been ill for 38 years. Though Jesus could have healed him instantly, He gives the man agency in choosing to accept it. Pastor Cana Moore conveys that Jesus knows our needs and we are invited to collaborate with God in our healing and growth.
The people of Israel made their first idol while Moses was on the mountain with God, as described in Exodus 32:1-6. In this message from Pastor Cana, we learn how false gods (idols) differ from the true God, why idols are sinful, and how we may slip into worshiping abstract idols. Through self-examination and joining with God, we can be freed from our idols.
Pastor Cana’s text for the next spiritual discipline in this sermon series comes from Psalm 25:4-10, 20-21, which describes seeking God’s guidance in our lives. To be led by God, we must know that God is righteous and desires to give us direction. In addition, it is important that we are able to understand the ways He communicates that guidance with us.
Dr. Steve Tramel challenges us to view our world’s environmental problems with a Christian perspective. To do so, we must keep in mind that we are mere visitors to God’s domain and we are to treat the earth with respect so that following generations may thrive and continue to caring for its well-being.
Pastor Cana’s Easter message looks at Luke 24:1-12. We feel the weight of death and see it everywhere, but Jesus’ resurrection completely obliterates death’s power. Because of this, we are freed from death’s power in all it’s forms and rejoice in Christ’s defeat and everything that means.
For Palm Sunday, Pastor Cana speaks from Luke 19:28-40, Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people who celebrated His arrival with palm branches and coats laid in His path held expectations of His power that did not understand Jesus’ purpose as Messiah. Even we can fall into the trap of holding Him to our expectations, but we can be confident that Jesus is a ruler of power and peace.
Our guest speaker, Gary Finley from International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES), provides evidence from all sections of the Bible (the books of law, history, poetry, prophets, gospels, letters, and prophecy) that God desires for us to go out into the world and bring His offer of salvation to every nation.
Picking up the next Spiritual Discipline, Pastor Cana shows us Psalm 51 to learn from David’s example how we can confess our sins to reconnect with God. The discipline of confession encompasses acknowledging our sin, confessing that sin, and seeking God’s forgiveness. When we do, we are rewarded with an enriched relationship.
Picking up the next Spiritual Discipline, Pastor Cana shows us Psalm 51 to learn from David’s example how we can confess our sins to reconnect with God. The discipline of confession encompasses acknowledging our sin, confessing that sin, and seeking God’s forgiveness. When we do, we are rewarded with an enriched relationship.
Our guest speaker for this message is Mike Schrage, from Schrage Christian Mission. Mike Schrage’s inspiration comes from Matthew 15:8 and warns of the dangers of relying on religion to suffice for a relationship with God.
Focusing on the Lenten season, Pastor Cana draws our attention to Luke 9:28-36, the story of the Transfiguration following Jesus’ foretelling His death. After that spectacular scene, God’s command to listen to Jesus means following Him off the mountain to face His eventual destination on the cross. We are no exception to the call.
Joanne Tramel tells us about the life of Florence Nightingale and where her faith took her. Florence Nightingale was raised and educated in British high society and with her faith, drawn to helping those in need. She waited for God’s signal, visiting hospitals until meeting Dr. Blackwell, who encouraged her to act on her desires to help. From then on, she rose to become the mother of modern nursing. God has already called us to follow His example. When we do, we can bring great changes to the world.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 tells us that the spirit of our study is to keep scriptures close to our hearts. From the sermon series “Spiritual Disciplines”, Pastor Cana presents the second half of the “study” discipline by walking us through some of the strategies, questions to ask, and approaches to studying the Bible. To help in our personal pursuit of study, Pastor Cana has prepared a resource guide, available HERE.
Continuing the 2022 sermon series “Spiritual Disciplines”, Pastor Cana presents the first half of the case for studying the scriptures with Psalm 119:89-104. We can study the Bible to know God better, among several other priceless rewards!
Luke 8:40-56 tells of two people, a woman and a young girl, who needed Jesus. Through His healing, He gave them life and through His responses, He gave them hope. Pastor Cana conveys that Jesus is the giver of life and reminder of hope, no matter how unreasonable. We can respond to Him in faith.
Pastor Cana focuses on the second spiritual discipline, solitude. Solitude gives space to be with and hear God without distraction, as illustrated by Elijah in 1 Kings 19, and by Jesus in Matthew 4, 14, and 26. When we find solitude, we can truly prioritize our spiritual focus on God.
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, the Israelites under Nehemiah took on the challenge to rebuild their city and reaffirm their covenant with God. There may be areas in our life that are crumbling like the Holy City, but Pastor Cana Moore invites us to rebuild and rededicate ourselves to our spiritual efforts, the spiritual goals of the church, and the spiritual work of God.
In Daniel 1:8-17, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the royal Babylonian food, instead requesting vegetables and water. In this message, Pastor Cana points out that by sticking to the holy practices, they were rewarded with God’s protection. When we also refuse to succumb to the unholy standards of the world, God acknowledges our efforts.
Psalm 111 is one that publicly praises God’s wonderful works, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and justice. Pastor Cana points out that by cultivating gratitude in even the smallest areas of our lives, we can readily receive the good and the bad that comes our way.
Pastor Cana dives into the 2022 sermon series “Spiritual Disciplines” with the discipline of simplicity. Simplicity can set us free and honor God, as explained in Matthew 5:37, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:6-7, & Philippians 4:11-13. By pursuing simplicity, we clear up the complications of greed and consumption, making room for intention and God’s glory.
The Christ Candle is the last to be lit during Advent. For this message, Pastor Cana Moore takes to Luke 2:8-20, where the angels bring the Good News to the shepherds, who then rush to meet the newborn Savior. Afterward, they spread the Word of what they had witnessed to everyone they could. Join the angels and shepherds in proclaiming the wonderous birth of Jesus Christ, God incarnate!
The Candle of Love is the fourth lit during Advent. For this message, Pastor Cana Moore gives us several examples of God’s promises throughout the New Testament, where our sins consistently distance us from God. In Luke 2:1-7, we rejoice because God’s will to draw near to us is at last fulfilled through the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel.
The Candle of Joy is the third lit during Advent. For this message, Pastor Cana Moore reflects on Luke 1:68-79, where Zechariah speaks prophetically of John’s life and ministry, preparing the way for Jesus. Similarly, we must also prepare the way because He will come again.
The Candle of Love is the second lit during Advent. For this message, Pastor Cana Moore reflects on Luke 1:26-38, where the angel Gabriel brings God’s annunciation (announcement) to Mary that she would bring God’s Son into the world. When God’s annunciations are often disruptive to our lives, but if we welcome them, we will see great reward.
The Candle of Hope is the first one lit during Advent. For this message, Pastor Cana Moore reflects on Isaiah 42:1-9. For Israel in exile, the expectation of rescue is what God hopes will create transformation. We are not unlike Israel in our exile, but our expectation is that Christ has come and will come again. This season is not just about who is coming but who we are becoming.
Psalm 65:5-13 (and Sabbath Poem VII by Wendell Berry) describe the wonders of God’s creation, its dependence on God, the glory it gives God, and our own connection to the earth. Pastor Cana Moore encourages us to take in God’s creation with gratitude and honor Him through love and stewardship.
Luke 10:25-37 contains Jesus’ well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Cana Moore presents the less-studied point-of-view of the robbed Jewish man, who also offers an example to follow. Just as it is important to give compassion to those unlike us, we must also remember to accept the compassion offered to us, no matter the source.
The text for this message comes from I Timothy 4:6-10; 15-16, where Paul emphasizes to Timothy the necessity of practicing the spiritual disciplines. Pastor Cana Moore outlines what those disciplines are so that we can also put them into practice and grow spiritually.
In Matthew 6:5-13, Jesus gives us guidance on how to pray with intention through the example of what we know as “the Lord’s Prayer”. Pastor Cana Moore breaks up the prayer into its meaningful components so we can better understand how we can pray as Jesus did, with greater boldness, love, and desire for God and His will.
For this message, Pastor Cana looks to Luke 4:16-21 and 1:46-55 to show that Jesus and the Father side with the marginalized over the powerful. There is sin in clinging to power that and it is our duty to join the Trinity in being with and loving the marginalized.
In this message, Pastor Cana’s source verse is Proverbs 24:3-6, which speaks on wisdom. We learn what wisdom is and why it should matter to us. After understanding that, we can become wise Children of God who look to Him for the right knowledge, at the right time, and follow the right actions.
Among Jesus’ final words on the Cross is a quote from Psalm 22:1. Pastor Cana provides us with context explaining that Psalm 22 is ultimately about the comfort of God’s closeness to us through our deep grief and pain. He did not abandon Jesus on the cross, nor will He be far from us at our lowest.
Pastor Cana brings us to Ezekiel 37:1-14, where God illustrates to Ezekiel the power of the Holy Spirit through prophesizing: bringing dead, dry bones to life. To prophesy to dead bones is to hope for something to happen to them. We are called to prophesy where there is no hope visible and wait for God’s Spirit to come and breathe new life.
For this message, Pastor Cana Moore analyzes Psalm 73, in which the wicked succeed for a time, until they reap what they have sown, and the righteous will have the ultimate reward. It can be discouraging to see the unrighteous prevail, but rather than giving up goodness for evil’s immediate success, we as children of God may have hope in His promises and the lasting victories He has for us.
Pastor Cana Moore uses John 8:31-36 to remind us that if we are believers in Christ with our trust on God, we are free from sin. It’s just that simple! We might give focus to our past sin to keep it from getting in the way of our relationship with God, but we cannot allow that focus to become a sin itself and consume our focus on God. We have His permission to live as freed people!