Hayes Center Union Congregational United Church of Christ

10/20/2024

02/11/2024

Sunday worship time at Union Congregational Church in Hayes Center will be at 10 instead of 9 for at least the next few weeks.

01/12/2024

No services at Hayes Center Union Congregational United Church of Christ on January 14 due to the forecasted extreme cold.

12/24/2023

Due to weather conditions 9 a.m. services are canceled. Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas.

06/21/2020

ISHMAEL

God Hears

Pastor Jean Miller

Genesis 21: 8-21 Romans 6: 1b-11 Matthew 10: 24-39



Ishmael- what a life! In today’s concept I guess we would say Ishmael came from a dysfunctional family. But according to that time it was an ordinary family. Ishmael is the son of Abraham and a servant girl named Hagar. The father, Abraham, is the Abraham that God called to be the founder of many nations.When Abraham and Sarah did not have children of their own, Sarah gave her servant, Hagar to Abraham so he could have an heir. Hagar became pregnant, and of course, this situation caused a lot of problems. Hagar became overbearing and felt she was better than Sarah, and was disrespectful to her. Abraham gave Sarah permission to punish Hagar. That punishment was very harsh, so Hagar ran away.Hagar ran out into the wilderness. God heard Hagar and sent an Angel to speak to her. The angel tells Hagar to return to Abraham and submit to Sarah’s authority. Already Ishmael’s life is in turmoil. To further encourage Hagar to return the angel promised that her son – to be named Ishmael, meaning God hears, would have descendents too numerous to count. Hagar obeyed God and returned to Abraham and Sarah, and Ishmael was born.When Ishmael was 13 God appeared to Abraham to tell him that Ishmael was not the son through which God’s covenant with Abraham would pass. You remember Abraham was to be the father of many nations. Wonder what Abraham thought upon hearing this? God said the promise would pass down through Abraham’s son Isaac. God says the baby will be born the next year, and so the next year Isaac was born. By the time Ishmael was 16, Isaac was 2. Sarah became furious at Ishmael and demanded Abraham disown Ishmael, and his mother. She was afraid the 2 boys would have to share Abraham’s inheritance. Abraham did not want to send Ishmael and Hagar away, but did when God instructed him to.Hagar and Ishmael wandered about in the wilderness until their bread and water ran out. Then Hagar put Ishmael under a bush to wait for death. Hagar went off aways to wait. Ishmael must have been some kid. He was a teenager. We aren’t told anything about his faith, but it must have been strong, and possibly God spoke to him often. Why else wouldn’t he have gotten up and run away? But once again God’s angel shows up and says to Hagar, God hears your son. Then the angel shows Hagar a well. Hagar draws water and returns to Ishmael giving him water.Hagar and Ishmael lived in the wilderness of Paran. Here Ishmael became and famed archer. His mother arranged a marriage for him to an Egyptian woman.

Ishmael returned from exile when Abraham died to help Isaac with the burial. Makes a person think there must have been some communication between these two, all those years. God did not forget his promise to Ishmael. Ishmael became the father of 12 princes and one daughter. Her name was Mahalath and she married Esau the son of Isaac. Ishmael lived until the age of 137.He was the founder of the Ishmaelites. They were a nomadic nation living in northern Arabia. Modern day Arabs claim descent from Ishmael. Muhammed the founder of Islam claims Ishmael as his ancestor, and so we are back to Abraham the father of many nations.

Abraham and Ishmael are credited with building God’s house in Mecca, called the KA’BA.

Ishmael went through a lot in his life and we only know a few details. Proving once again how God will use people from all walks of life for his purpose. Even you and me! Amen.

06/14/2020

MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN Exodus 19: 2-8a Psalm 100 Romans 5: 1-8 Matthew 9: 35-10: 8, (9-23)

Pastor Jean Miller

The reason for a name is so that we can be recognized. Each of us has a first name and a last name. Our name is important to us. My dad’s name was Robert. Of course, there are many nicknames for Robert, --- Bob, Robbie Rob, Bert to name a few. My dad always said he didn’t mind what he was called as long as it wasn’t –late for supper.

Our name is important to us and to God. When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we accept the name Christian. A Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ. In today’s scripture Jesus calls the disciples by name and gives them the job of apostles.

What is the significance of being a disciple or an apostle? A disciple is somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader. Define the leader as Jesus and we have a description of what it means to be a Christian. A disciple can also mean pupil or learner- we are able to keep learning from the life and teachings of Jesus. An apostle is a delegate, ambassador or messenger, someone sent on a specific mission on behalf of another.

Jesus called these 12 disciples by name and sent them out to continue his work---to proclaim the good news, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons, among other jobs. These 12 were already followers of Jesus and in His work throughout the community Jesus had seen the need for more leaders. So, Jesus calls these 12 and sends them out to work in His name.

How can we continue being disciples and apostles?

Here are some ways to do that.

1. Be a part of the group—be dedicated, do not be a by –stander on the fringe—one who wants the glamour and glitz but not the hard work. Jesus had followers like that too. Some that stayed on the edges, who came and went. Jesus said if you want to be my disciple take up your cross and follow me. He did not say come, pick up your gift bag and follow me. We must commit to Jesus for the rest of our lives.

2. All who follow Jesus should have a congregation, a small group, remember where 2 or 3 are gathered in Jesus’ name, a faith fellowship of some kind. There is a lot of energy and power in being together.

3. We should not forget that we are disciples—pupils of Jesus. There is always more to learn and new understanding to gain. When we stop learning we become a drag on the whole group.

4. We need to realize that apostleship is not a thing reserved for “special” Christians in ordinary times, but for ordinary Christians in special times. There are moments in everyone’s life when we encounter an opportunity to help someone else. That is when we hear Christ’s call to be an apostle. We are that apostle of Christ.

5. The success of God’s mission depends on those to whom it has been entrusted. In Acts after Jesus’ ascension, believers number 120. Think of it, 120 believers. Yet look what they did, empowered by the Holy Spirit. They took what they had learned and blessed the world with it. Remember the story about the Day of Pentecost and how the believers, these 120, rushed out into the streets to spread the good news and 3,000 people became believers that day? Only 120 people. They changed the world. And so, can we, one person at a time. Our name is Christian. There are others who want to know how they can be one.

To be a Christian, a person needs to know God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth to tell how God loves us. How God used Jesus’ death and the resurrection to give us forgiveness of sin and eternal life. How Christians are given the Holy Spirit to boost their lives.

Each one of us is a descendent of those 120 people. We are able with God’s help to do what those 120 did. Spread the Good News. Telling the Good News will let people know the purpose of our name. It identifies us as followers of Jesus as disciples and apostles. Amen.

06/06/2020

The Great Commission

Gen. 1: 1-2: 4a Psalm 8 2 Cor. 13: 11-13 Matt. 28: 16-20

Pastor Jean Miller

The last verses of Matthew 28 give us our instructions as followers of Jesus Christ. These verses are also called “The Great Commission”. The disciples are gathered on a mountain when Jesus appears to them. He tells them He has been given authority over all things in heaven and earth.

Jesus then proceeds to give these instructions: Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches them to obey everything He has commanded of them, and to remember He is with them always, to the end of the age.

Jesus says-

Go therefore- do not stay on this mountain, move yourselves into the surrounding areas.

Make disciples- teach others the way of Christ. Teach them to love one another.

Of all nations- Christ’s word was not to stay in close quarters. Even though we are to restrict our movements, we can reach out to others through our many modes of communication.

Baptize them- the actual baptism of people is a clergy function, but baptism means belonging. That means we who are already members open our hearts and arms to others, letting them know we really care about them. Even though we are not to hug others right now, by talking to them we can let them know we care about them, that we care and are not just giving them lip-service.

Teach them- Now, not all of us have the talent for teaching but that shouldn’t stop us from telling Jesus’ story. You do not need to know everything in order to teach: only Christ’s great love for us.

With all of these instructions, Jesus follows up by reminding the disciples and us that He will be with us to the end of the age.

This means that God is not going to ask us to go anywhere or do anything that He isn’t going to be right with us. That is the reason we have received the Holy Spirit as a constant companion.

Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power (I Cor. 4: 20). This power is from the person, purpose and presence behind those words, God.

With the power of the Holy Spirit we will be given the words, the time, the situation to tell the story.

Remember God said in Genesis the light was good. That light is Jesus. As God goes with you, may you spread light to the rest of the world. Amen.

06/06/2020

The Great Commission

Gen. 1: 1-2,4a Psalm 8 2 Cor. 13: 11-13 Matt. 28: 16-20



The last verses of Matthew 28 give us our instructions as followers of Jesus Christ. These verses are also called “The Great Commission”. The disciples are gathered on a mountain when Jesus appears to them. He tells them He has been given authority over all things in heaven and earth.

Jesus then proceeds to give these instructions: Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches them to obey everything He has commanded of them, and to remember He is with them always, to the end of the age.

Jesus says-

Go therefore- do not stay on this mountain, move yourselves into the surrounding areas.

Make disciples- teach others the way of Christ. Teach them to love one another.

Of all nations- Christ’s word was not to stay in close quarters. Even though we are to restrict our movements, we can reach out to others through our many modes of communication.

Baptize them- the actual baptism of people is a clergy function, but baptism means belonging. That means we who are already members open our hearts and arms to others, letting them know we really care about them. Even though we are not to hug others right now, by talking to them we can let them know we care about them, that we care and are not just giving them lip-service.

Teach them- Now, not all of us have the talent for teaching but that shouldn’t stop us from telling Jesus’ story. You do not need to know everything in order to teach: only Christ’s great love for us.

With all of these instructions, Jesus follows up by reminding the disciples and us that He will be with us to the end of the age.

This means that God is not going to ask us to go anywhere or do anything that He isn’t going to be right with us. That is the reason we have received the Holy Spirit as a constant companion.

Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power (I Cor. 4: 20). This power is from the person, purpose and presence behind those words, God.

With the power of the Holy Spirit we will be given the words, the time, the situation to tell the story.

Remember God said in Genesis the light was good. That light is Jesus. As God goes with you, may you spread light to the rest of the world. Amen.

05/31/2020

Pentecost

Numbers 11: 24-30 Psalm 104: 24-35 Acts 2: 1-21 John 7: 37-39

Pastor Jean Miller

Pentecost has a long history. It is chronicled in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is preceded by the Feast of Unleavened Bread which begins on the 15th day of the month. It was a part of the celebration of Passover. During the Unleavened Bread Feast there was to be no manual labor. Strangers and native-born were both punished if they failed to keep this holy day. What would happen today if we punished people for not celebrating the holy days? There was a meeting to begin the feast. At the Feast of the Unleavened Bread only unleavened bread could be used. This lack of leaven commemorated the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. As the blood was drained from the sacrificial animal, so the life or the power of the leaven was removed from the bread offered to God during this celebration. Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks or The Feast of Harvest was observed early in the third month on the 50th day after the offering of the barley sheaf at the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The usual restrictions on manual labor applied here too. Many were invited to the Pentecost Feast- servants, sons, daughters, Levites, the fatherless, the widow and the stranger. The feast was to remind them of their slavery in Egypt.Pentecost was a gathering of Jews from many areas. Some of the Jews had fled Israel when the tribes were dispersed some 620 or so years before. These people had taken their religion with them, built synagogues, raised children, and learned the language of the places they lived. Many had never heard the Hebrew language before. Now these people are in Jerusalem, most likely just for the festival, but some may have actually moved back to Jerusalem. How did they feel in this place their religion called home? A place they had longed to be ---and yet they felt like strangers. The early Christians were gathered for this feast, and received the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit in a miraculous way. During this gathering all at once there was a violent wind, tongues as of fire appeared and rested on each of them. The Holy Spirit filled them. Each person there heard his own language being spoken. How could this be, that each could understand the person speaking in their own language? They were hearing about God’s powerful deeds. How could this happen? It happened because God caused it to happen. Some people were amazed, some bewildered, and some perplexed, some may have been intrigued about this event. Still others couldn’t accept this event and scoffed at the disciples, and called them drunks. But the disciples weren’t drunk. What was going on? The disciples were telling about God’s deeds of power. Maybe they were even recounting the story of the Exodus and God freeing them from bo***ge. They may have talked about the death and resurrection of Christ. Possibly they talked about repentance and new life in Christ. Some people might have mocked and scorned the disciples and their witness. Who were these people? Idealists? Dreamers? Still talking about love and peace in a world where violence and terror are the norm for many. This could apply to us as well today. Are we listening? Or are we too busy worrying about getting more money, meeting the “right” people, having the “right” status symbols? The crowd called them drunks, some thought they’d have to be to keep believing in Christ. Remember the disciples were witnessing to the power and deeds of God. But there were some then and still are some today who say, “ Whatever it is they are having ---that’s what I want! Amen.



Church Family, You have all helped us keep our Church alive. Thank you. It has been decided that due to the Covid 19 virus we will continue to remain closed for the month of June. You will continue to receive weekly sermons. Thank you for your help and continued support. God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand. Pastor Jean Miller

05/23/2020

GOING UP!

Acts 1: 1-14 Psalm 47 Ephesians 1: 15-23 Luke 24: 55-63

Last week we talked about waiting, and here we are together again---- waiting. You’re waiting to read what I’m writing, and I’m waiting to see your response. I like Ephesians 1: 18, Paul prays that God will give us wisdom so that, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know what is the hope to which He called us. The eyes of our heart enlightened. Isn’t that a great idea? The eyes of our hearts. We talk about listening with our hearts and not our minds or visa-versa----- but do we consider our hearts as having eyes? Maybe we should remember that the heart sees all we do also. The ascension of Jesus happened 40 days after Easter which this year would have been last Thursday, May 21st. At this time Jesus tells the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of God. They were to travel no farther than a “Sabbath day's journey”. A Sabbath day's journey was 2,000 cubits, or ¾ of a mile. This rule was based on the Old Testament rule in Joshua 3:4. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan river following the Ark of the Covenant, they were to stay 2,000 cubits away from the Ark. In Exodus 16: 29 we are told to honor the Sabbath, this was while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. They were to camp within the distance of 2,000 cubits so that they would always be able to walk to the tent that held the Ark of the Covenant for worship. Of course this law became harder to follow as people settled and lived farther from the worship center. Good thing some of these laws have been changed. Acts tells about the work of the disciples and records the accomplishment of Jesus’ work. Of course Jesus performed more deeds than are recorded in the Bible. We are just given a sampling.

Christ is meeting yet again with the disciples, giving them instructions about what is to come. Jesus tells them of the gift they will receive after the ascension----- the Holy Spirit. In the act of the ascension Christ opens the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Jesus also pleads on our behalf to God. Are the disciples seeing with the eyes of their hearts? Are we? Even these long 40 days after the resurrection the disciples are still expecting a new governmental rule, and that Jesus will be there as a human to take over, the Romans will be sent back to Rome, the other factions will be put down. But Jesus will not be living as a human any longer, He will be living in Heaven.

The disciples are to be eye-witnesses of the past, not prophets of the future. The ascension was to assure the disciples with an unmistakable sign that Jesus had entered Heaven. When Jesus had finished speaking to the disciples, he was lifted up and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Jesus ascended to Heaven. The disciples are looking up to Heaven, looking for Jesus.The disciples are waiting again----Jesus has been taken up to Heaven and they are to stay together in Jerusalem until God sends the Holy Spirit. I imagine they were to stay together to give each other comfort, and support.

There are many good-byes in our lives; it is generally hard to let loved ones go, for whatever the reason. Whether it is someone going to college, moving aross the state, someone dying, friends parting, it is still a difficult time. How hard was it for the disiples to see Christ disappear? I think it would have been very hard. But we know that Christ lives in Heaven at the right hand of God, and also here on earth with each believer. If we remember to look with the eyes of our heart, we will be much more likely to act as Christ would have us do. I hope that each of us will keep the EYES OF OUR HEARTS OPEN. Amen. Pastor Jean Miller

05/17/2020

WAITING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 17: 22-31 John 14: 15-21 Psalm 66: 8-20

Pastor Jean Miller



Do any of us ever have to wait? Do we like waiting? Are we patient, thinking kind thoughts, using that time wisely? Or do we get impatient, start complaining, and waste that time? What do you think the disciples had been doing, since Christ’s resurrection? They went home to Galilee to resume their fishing, Jesus appeared to them. They don’t understand Jesus’ timetable, but they are trying too. Isn’t that what we are doing right now? Waiting. We are worried about the Covid 19 virus. What should we do? How long will it last? Do we think we are suffering by having to wait? Maybe we need to remember that Jesus was sent to save us and had also suffered, more than any of us. We can endure because Jesus did and He will help us to endure.I’ll bet the disciples were suffering also. They were still mourning the loss of Jesus even though He was alive and they had seen Him, but soon He would no longer be physically with them again. They didn’t quite know how He would be spiritually with them. Jesus was waiting to send the Holy Spirit to them so they would be Comforted. We can know today that the Holy Spirit continues Christ’s work on earth by indwelling in each Christian. The Holy Spirit helps us pray and prays for us at times when we are at a loss for words. I’ll bet the disciples didn’t truly understand all the Holy Spirit could do, and we don’t always understand either. How did they feel while they were once again waiting--- Jesus was going to leave them again after rising from death. Jesus told them to wait a few more days and He would send His Advocate. The persecution of Christians had not stopped, it wasn’t safe for them to be out and about. What should they do? I would imagine they did what most of us would do. Do their job, fishing , keeping a lookout and being careful what they said. How many times do we wait? How do we spend our time while we wait? Even though we may have already accepted Christ into our heart, there are many times we wait. That’s life! But seriously, we can use that waiting time to good advantage. Depending where we are and the circumstances

We can -----

1. pray for ourselves and others

2. read the Bible

3. visit friends and shut-ins

4. help someone

5. share our faith story with someone

6. continue our work

7. be thankful we have something to wait for--- eternal life.

We cannot do all of these things right now, but we can do several of these things during this time of waiting.

We received the Holy Spirit when we accepted Christ. Now the Holy Spirit works in and through us. Let us work to spread Christ’s work beyond our selves. Whether you are waiting for your wife to shop, your husband to buy parts, appointments, friends to arrive and children to grow, waiting for God to answer your prayers or what ever you are waiting for, there is much that can be done. Now maybe when you have to wait, for whatever reason, you can spend your time, not behind closed doors like the disciples in the story today, but our in the open spreading the Good News of Christ. Amen.