Snapshots of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2025

DCCC members Sunshine Raines and Rick Freeman led a special prayer featuring the Indian flute and Ojibwa language at the July 26 service. Sunshine delivered the prayer in the native language of the Chippewa, with English translations on slides. She added explanations and words of recognition of her proud Chippewa heritage. Rick Freeman, know as Great Bald Eagle in the language of the Pawnee, played the flute. The prayer with the flute as background set the beautiful tone for the opening of the service.

For the July 26 sermon, Pastor Steve focused on Matthew 13: 31-33, wherein Jesus tells the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast: 

 He (Jesus) told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Pastor expanded on the verses quoted above by noting that, “We are all specially created and lovingly positioned in this world by God.”  Pastor Steve juxtaposed the ideas of salvation through faith and salvation through works by pointing out that Christians don’t do good works because we need to work to get to heaven, but rather we work because we are going to Heaven.  Pastor went on to elaborate on the Grace of God and the nature of His forgiveness, marveling with the congregation that God gives us a fresh start each day through His mercy.  He added that, as disciples of Jesus, it’s arrogance if we think we achieve the Kingdom of Heaven through our own actions and fear if we think we haven’t earned it . In Ephesians 2: 8-9, the Apostle Paul advises, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Pastor Steve concluded that, as Christians, we serve God with grateful hearts for all that God and our Savior have done for us.

The question of the day is, “To weed or not to weed?” joked Pastor Steve as he began his sermon for the July 19 Holy Communion Service. He noted that the message and Biblical text was centered on Jesus’ parables about agriculture.  Reviewing the meaning of the verses from Matthew 13: 24-30 and 36-43, Pastor Steve asked one main question that arose from reading this Biblical passage, “What does it mean that some people are sown from the good seeds and some from the bad?”  He elaborated on the meaning and encouraged those present to remember that patience is needed when dealing with weeds. In today’s gospel lesson, he explained, we are dealing with two types of folks in the world: evil is represented by weeds and good is represented by wheat. Jesus directed the harvesters not to pull the weeds before the wheat is gathered. The danger of early weeding was inadvertently pulling the good wheat stalks along with the weeds. Jesus was clear in his parable that it was up to God to identify the unwanted plants. Pastor added that he was personally thankful that God gives us all ample time to grow into good seedlings and plants through the Grace of God. Pastor Steve concluded by focusing on how blessed we all are that Jesus called us to be Sowers of good seeds and died on the cross to save us from our sins. The Good News of the Gospel, he said, is that being saved through our Christian faith is glorious because we can be reconciled to God on the basis of what’s been done for us by His Son Jesus Christ.

Pastor introduced the scriptural focus on June 12 and then told the congregation, “If you look at a parable from Jesus and it seems simple with nothing difficult to interpret then it’s time to read the parable again.”  He continued, saying, Jesus’ parable were intended “to dislocate us from what’s comfortable…” and to remove us from “our familiar patterns and usual ways…,” explained Pastor Steve.  Jesus preached, lived among us, and advised us to listen. Today’s gospel message is Jesus telling a parable in Matthew 13:1-9 (NIV) :

In The Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells his listeners,

 A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Every single one of us are called upon to spread the good news that Christ came down to live among us. We plant and we water but it’s God who gives the growth. Pastor advised the congregation to never underestimate the power of a seed.

The inspirational story about the life of Revolutionary War Drummer Boy Thomas Harrington, a character based on actual sacrifice and service, was told by Frank Gagliardi and Oliver Fox at the Independence Weekend Service. It was a good reminder of the many sacrifices made to maintain our freedoms. Both children and adults have given their all for the freedoms we enjoy today in America. 

Guest Speaker Jim Snodgrass spoke about the founding of American and the importance of George Washington in The Revolutionary War. President Washington was a devout Christian and Patriot who observed The Sabbath as a day of prayer, refused pay for his service to the country and paid for many needed items during the war out of his own pocket. The guest speaker delved into the background and history of George Washington as a Founding Father and went into some of the  reasons that this President is often call the "Father of the Country."  The guest speaker concluded with a warning about recent societal trends of scrubbing religion from state affairs and education in American schools. 

"The Book of Micah gives readers warning and hope," said guest speaker Dan Parsley. Speaker Parsley went on to note that roughly 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Micah pointed to the coming of the Messiah.

Micah 5: verses 2 and 4, are prophetic: 

But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be rule rover Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times... He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

"After reading Micah, Parsley said, "we can answer confidently that there is no God like our God." 

He encouraged everyone in the pews to delve into this book and read it.

Pastor Steve opened the special Father’s Day Holy Communion Service with a prayer for fathers and families. He prayed:

“Heavenly Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Today, we ask you to bless all fathers.. Lord, today we ask you to please keep our children safe and to keep them from suffering..  Guide fathers today to be the role models..."

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Pastor Steve pondered the idea that sometimes it’s better to reverse a question. He suggested that, “Instead of asking what is God doing to make our own lives better maybe we should ask: What am I doing to make God’s world better?" 

Pastor then delved into various scriptures that highlighted how God is always with us, regardless of the situation. Pastor Steve referred to how gardeners rejoice in the transition of daffodils and other bulbs from winter's withering to Spring's blossoms. He suggested that acknowledging that our true home in heaven is much how we should view our time on earth and to celebrate the transition of human life from earth to Heaven.  

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.