Hays Christian Church

Ascension Sunday: Acts 1:3-11

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.

Justice and Righteousness: Amos 5:18-24

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.

”Do You Want to Be Healed?”: John 5:1-13

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.

Idolatry: Exodus 32:1-6

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 6): Guidance

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.

This Is My Father’s World

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.

Death’s Defeat: Luke 24:1-12

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.

Peace, Power, Palms: Luke 19:28-40

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.

Salvation for Every Nation

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 5): Confession

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.

Content of the Heart

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.

Transfiguration on the Mountaintop: Luke 9:28-36

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.

Florence Nightingale

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 4b): Study

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 4a): Study

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!

Healing of the Sick Woman and the Dead Girl: Luke 8:40-56

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 3) - Solitude

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.

Rebuilding the Walls, Rededicating the People: Nehemiah 2:2-9:38

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.

Holy Living in Unholy Places: Daniel 1:8-17

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.

Choosing Gratitude: Psalm 111

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.

Spiritual Disciplines (Part 2) - Simplicity

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.

Advent (Part 5) - Proclamation: Luke 2:8-20

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!

Advent (Part 4) - Fulfillment: Luke 2:1-7

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.

Advent (Part 3) - Preparation: Luke 1:68-79

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.

Advent (Part 2) - Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38

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.

Advent (Part 1) - Expectation: Isaiah 42:1-9

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.