Guest speaker Jim Gans spoke about the four pillars of joy, in reference to the birth of our Savior and the type of joy being celebrated during the Third Advent Service. Speaker Gans cited many biblical references to help shed light on the difference between spiritual joy and the idea of just being happy. He referenced the first pillar of joy as God's Creation, Jim related that  the second pillar of joy is The Word of God, the third pillar of joy was described as being found in the prophesy of Christ and our Savior's birth, with the fourth pillar of joy being the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. A variety of verses from the Old and New Testament were quoted by Speaker Gans to shed further light on biblical references to rejoicing in the Lord and the gift of His Son. Phillippians 4:4 was the scriptural focus of this message:

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, rejoice."

During the Second Advent Service, Pastor Steve pointed out to the congregation that, "What others see as worthless, God sees as worth saving…and dying for..." Pastor went on to explain that the question about whether God cares for us was answered on the cross at Calvary. He noted that Jesus laid down his life by dying for us,  but Jesus asks us to show our love by living for someone other than ourselves, by loving others, and by sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Pastor concluded that God’s love should lead us and guide us to the act of placing others before ourselves so that the Christian becomes the servant, the greatest among all.

Mark 20: 35-45 (NIV) Request of James and John
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

"We're told to be alert for the signs of new life, just as Spring follows Winter," Pastor Steve told the congregation at the First Advent Service.

Luke 21: 29-33:

He (Jesus)  told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Today's First Advent message was filled with hope and anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.

Jennifer Johnson, Oliver Fox, Jim and Laurel Snodgrass, and Don Hasbrouck led the congregation in singing at the Thanksgiving Service.

In this sermon, Pastor expands on Matthew 6, verses 25 to 33, and the importance of having a thankful heart whether living through good or bad times. The focus on being thankful, rather than feeling anxious about events or the future, are reinforced as we approach Thanksgiving and the Advent Season of Christmas. Matthew 25 , verse 33, counsels, "But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."  Pastor encouraged those in attendance to try and live by these verses of Matthew and to put control back in the hands of God.

.Frank Gagliardi as the "First Veteran" presented colors at the special DCCC Veterans Day Service with Gary Hackbart leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Worship. There was a special reading, songs, and prayer and Pastor Steve gave the sermon listed below.

Hebrews 11 was the focus of the November 10 service: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Pastor Steve's sermon highlighted how God is at work in each of us and he discussed the emergence of discipleship as a journey that disciples today set out on. Like the religious leaders we learn about in the Old and New Testament, including Paul, Sarah, and Abraham, boldness of faith and a truly loving relationship with God ultimately blesses us with a Christian faith that is wonderful and unstoppable.

The DCCC Candlelight Service included special songs, nativity for children, a sermon by Pastor Steve, and closing with all attendees singing Silent Night by candlelight. All guests received gifts of ornaments and cookies upon exiting. The children who helped with the Nativity received gifts as well. It was a beautiful night of honoring and remembering the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Please listen to Pastor Steve's sermon below.

Luke 2, verses 1-20, was the focus of Pastor Steve's Christmas Eve sermon, recounting the birth of Jesus (NIV): 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.²(This was the first census that took place while^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.)³And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehemthe town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to himand was expecting a child.⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.⁹An angelof the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.¹¹Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord.¹²This will be a signto you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peaceto those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Godfor all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

October 8 was Pastor Appreciation Day and love was in the air at DCCC.  The congregation enjoyed special songs, readings, video and a wonderful sermon by Pastor Steve. After the service, an Italian lunch and fantastic desserts, along with lots of laughter and fellowship, were the perfect end to the day. Pastor delivered a message about the rich young man who asked Jesus about the way to get into heaven. The price was too high for the rich young man and Pastor reminded everyone in attendance that having a lot of money does not buy love, happiness, or a ticket into God's good graces.