Snapshots of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2025

Pastor Steve's inspirational Easter message focused on the good news that "Christ is risen! And he (Jesus) promises the same to us!" Citing various scriptural passages, Pastor reiterated throughout his message that God's love is unending and Easter shows us the enduring power of God's love. "God has more thoughts of us than the Pacific Coast has grains of sands," he exclaimed.  He counseled those present to live their lives open to the joy that Jesus promises us. Pastor Steve advised maintaining a close relationship with Jesus and reminded the congregation that, "It's man who creates the distance but it's Jesus who builds the bridge."

Pastor Steve noted that "everyone loves a parade and it was no different when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey" on Palm Sunday. He said that an estimated 3 million people were in the city. Throughout the Palm Sunday sermon, Pastor pondered the mix of emotions that Jesus must have felt on this day that was both joyful and sad. A crowd shouting "Hosanna" quickly turned into an angry mob shouting for the Messiah's death when the Savior didn't give them the results they wanted.  "Jesus experienced what we would experience with a dump truck of doubters around us," explained Pastor Steve.  "We all fall into that muddy puddle of doubt," Pastor observed, "...and Jesus  teaches us from that tender place of knowing our pain personally."  Pastor pondered the burden of mankind’s sin that Jesus bore for all of us and yet was free of sin himself. Our Savior "gave up the Crown of Heaven for a Crown of Thorns" marveled Pastor Steve. Pastor concluded the sermon noting that, "Christ’s death is a week of highs and lows. From the depths of grief to the indescribable joy of Easter morning. One cross plus three nails equals Four-Given."

“How is it that death glorifies the power of God?” This question was posed by Pastor Steve during a March 22 sermon that focused on the death and resurrection of Lazarus, as told in the verses of John 11: 1-45. Pastor elaborated on the story and the light it sheds on human character. He noted that Christians love God and trust Jesus but, he added, “There’s something about death that makes us doubt God’s presence."   “I am the resurrection and the life,” said Jesus, “and he who believes in me will never die.”   God calls us to live as new people in Jesus Christ and to be messengers of The Good News.

Guest Speaker Kevin Raines did a great job filling in for Pastor Steve and delivered the message for the March 15 Holy Communion Service. Written by Pastor Steve, the message focused on explaining the teachings inherent in the story of Jesus healing a blind man on the Sabbath. John 9, verses 1 to 41, provide a step- by-step account of the healing and Jesus’ explanation about the man’s affliction being “…so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  The moment and the miracle of healing were all to glorify God. The congregation was encouraged to think about this encounter in light of their own Christian faith and Biblical understanding of the power of prayer, faith, and miracles. Using Pastor Steve’s text for the sermon, Guest Speaker Kevin elaborated on the healing and the Pharisees’ determination to persecute Jesus for the healing.  One of the teachings of this text, as pointed out by Jesus in John 9: 35-39, is that the Pharisees suffered from spiritual blindness:

Spiritual Blindness

Jesus heard that they had thrown him (the blind man) out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service featured an uplifting message, voices raised in song in to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, a Nativity Felt Board activity for children, Holy Communion, and pews packed with attendees who sang "Silent Night" by candle light in celebration of our Savior's birth.  It was a beautiful evening service with small gifts passed out to all who attended. 

Pastor Steve's special Memorial Day sermon focused on John 14 and the assurance that Jesus gave the disciples, even before he was crucified, of his continued presence in their lives. Pastor highlighted Jesus' promise that he was going away but would still be present with them through the Spirit, which Jesus also referred to as his Advocate. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus wanted his disciples to know that they would not face the future alone after his crucifixion, and he makes the same promise to his followers today. "Peace be with you," Jesus said three times to his disciples after appearing following the resurrection, and Pastor highlighted the fact that Heaven's message is very clear: when everything changes God is constant. "Much has been sacrificed to make America great," said Pastor Steve as he shifted gears to a Memorial Day message. "We are a nation with a strong and invincible spirit and a determination to remain free... We must remember with Thanksgiving those who gave all that they have so that we may live in the land of the brave and that home of the free." Many other details about the founding of our nation on God and the sacrifices of our brave men and women in the military are included in this inspiring sermon. "May God bless America," concluded Pastor Steve.

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

Gary Hackbart and Frank Gagliardi opened the special Veterans Day Service on November 10, 2024.

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.

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.