Haydenville Congregational Church UCC

“Calling” — Final Sermon from Rev. Mereschuk — January 14, 2018

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:23:20 -0400

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.

“Beloved” — Rev. Mereschuk — Baptism of Christ — January 7, 2018

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:05:08 -0400

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.

“A Gift That Will Last” — Rev. Mereschuk — Christmas Eve — December 24, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 10:24:34 -0400

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.

“A Divinely Absurd Christmas” — Rev. Mereschuk — 4th Advent — December 24, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 09:58:21 -0400

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)

“Signs” — Rev. Mereschuk — Second Sunday of Advent — December 10, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:14:52 -0400

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.

“Sheep & Goats” — Rev. Mereschuk — November 26, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 15:11:01 -0400

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.

“Service of Gratitude” — Men’s Fellowship — November 19, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 16:51:46 -0400

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.

“Thoughts & Prayers” — Rev. Mereschuk — November 12, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 15:48:30 -0400

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.

“Forming Clouds” — Rev. Mereschuk — All Saints Sunday — November 5, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 10:19:00 -0400

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.

“A Plentiful Harvest” — Rev. Mereschuk — October 29, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 13:49:05 -0400

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.

“God in the Rearview Mirror” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - October 22, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 15:54:00 -0400

Moses longs to see God face-to-face, but God will only permit Moses to see God’s back - - yet God’s presence is promised to Moses and to us. We too might want to see God’s face, but must instead look for evidence of where God has been, where God has passed by. (Exodus 33:12-23)

“Joy Insurance” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - October 15, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 09:35:17 -0400

Paul counsels the Philippians to rejoice, rejoice, and rejoice again in all circumstances, holding on to the things that bring them joy. How do we notice and celebrate joy in the midst of suffering and hardship, and why is it important to do so? (Philippians 4:1-13)

“The Steel Calf” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - October 8, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 14:31:19 -0400

The Israelites traded the God who led them from the Land of Bondage for an idol forged from their remaining wealth: the Golden Calf. In the United States, we have done the same — but ours is the gun god idol of the Steel Calf. But that Steel Calf idol can be melted down and forged into tools to dismantle our Culture of Death and build a Culture of Life (Selections from Exodus 19, 20, and 32).

“On Bended Knee” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - October 1, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 17:12:53 -0400

Paul reminds the Philippians that Jesus had every right to cling to his high titles and privlieges - - yet he took on the form of oppressed humankind and dwelt among us. Jesus sufferd the trials and indiginites of oppressed humankind, and was brought to his knees on prayer. We, too, are on bended knee today. (Philippians 2:1-10, 13)

“Considering Forgiveness” - - Heather King and Rev. Mereschuk - - September 24, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 14:50:40 -0400

The call to forgiveness runs throughout the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. It is a rich and complex topic, and one that is often misunderstood. Listen in as Deacon Heather King and Acting Pastor Chris Mereschuk reflect on the various forms, blessings, and challenges of forgiveness, guided by Psalm 32 and Mpho and Desmond Tutu’s “Prayer Before the Prayer.”

“Convictions of Conscience” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - September 17, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 09:12:07 -0400

The Apostle Paul instructs the Romans to set aside disagreements about dietary laws and holy days, and to reserve judgement against believers who observe or do not observe them. Such judgement can be a “stumbling block” that prevents both the one who judges and the one who is judged from “walking in love.” But is there ever a case where judgement is warranted? (Romans 14:1-12)

“Community and Covenant” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - September 10, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 15:09:10 -0400

Jesus knew that being in community meant that sooner or later there would be conflict. How a community - - and the individuals in the community - - handle conflict tells us a lot about the strength and health of the relationship. What does it mean to be part of a covenant when you are faced with conflict? What does Jesus have to say about direct and loving confrontation? (Matthew 18:15-20)

“Harboring Hope” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - August 27, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:15:31 -0400

When Pharaoh commanded that all male Hebrew infants were to be killed, Moses’s mother set him afloat on the Nile River - - the unknown dangers of the Nile seemed somehow safer than his remaining at home. Countless parents from war torn countries have faced the same heartwrenching decision in the ongoing global refugee crisis. As people of faith, our scriptures demand that we care for refugees. Note: This sermon podcast is followed by a performance of “Would You Harbor Me?” written by Yasaye M. Barnwell.

“Watch Your Mouth!” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - August 20, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 10:34:15 -0400

Jesus teaches his Disciples that it’s not what goes into a person’s mouth that makes them unclean (food), but what comes out of it (words)! How do the words we speak reflect the truth that is in our hearts? And when is the right time to keep silence? (Selections from Matthew 15:1-20, Common English Version)

“Get Out of the Boat” - - Rev. Mereschuk - - August 13, 2017

Haydenvilleucc — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:02:00 -0400

The nauseating reality of white supremacist terrorism has bubbled to the surface of our collective consciousness. We might believe that it is “impossible” that such a thing could happen in our country - - but it is happening now before our eyes and in our towns. Witnessing the terror, violence, and fear, we might believe that it is “impossible” to overcome and dismantle such evil - - but we will. The impossible will take a little while. Jesus sent his Disciples off on a boat into stormy seas (Matthew 14:22-33), and then walked atop the crashing waves (impossible!) and called Peter to step out of the boat. We, too, are called from our boats to step into the raging waters, taking Jesus by the hand.