Snapshots of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2024

In preparation for the full sermon that Pastor Steve will deliver on April 6, he read the text of the Luke verses about the parable of the Prodigal Son.   This was a short reading followed by the congregation singing "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling." The song reinforced the reading and the moral of the story that Jesus rejoices when he finds his "lost son" and is an analogy for men and women, all children of God, who lose their way but repent of sin and come home to God.

Luke 15: 11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son (NIV)

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.  ’So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Luke 13, verses 1-9, Jesus' parable about The Fig Tree,  was the focus of the March 23 sermon. Pastor Steve elaborated on these verses of scripture by talking about the second, third, and fourth chances that God gives his children to grow in spiritual faith and strength. Jesus tells the story but it is noteworthy that he does not give the listener the ending:
"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.  Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Pastor Steve used this story to expand on the Biblical truth that God never turns His back on us. God gives us new life after this imperfect life. We only need to rely on God’s Grace, Pastor explained. Pastor counseled those in attendance that, "Instead of looking outward for blame when things go wrong, Jesus counsels us to look inward." He drew the parallel that Lent is all about second chances and our God is about giving us second, third and fourth chances. The Apostle Paul advised in writings to the  Galatians and other churches of the time that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because God's perfect love does not hold grudges and His Grace forgets. 

Luke 13: 31-35 (NIV) Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

    At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

   He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’  In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

    “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.³⁵ Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’^]”

Pastor Steve expands on the verses above and took a deep dive into the historical accuracy and truth of both the Old and New Testament. Citing archaeologists, historians, and cross referencing biblical accounts along with writings of the disciples, this sermon gives Christians encouragement to share their faith with confidence. 

Pastor Steve concluded by reminding those in attendance that the greatest thing we can do is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love one another.

Guest speaker Jim Snodgrass delivered a message on the Book of Revelation and encouraged everyone to read Chapter 22. He discussed the 3 tools Satan uses: seduction, deception, persecution. He delved into the idea that much of the symbology is drawn from the Old Testament with imagery drawn from the old prophets so that readers and listeners of the time could better understand the writings.  The images and references are often confusing to the modern world but would have made sense to the readers who only had the Old Testament at the time. The speaker's message touched on many aspects and chapters of Revelation and sought to unwrap some of the mystery that confuses readers. Revelation is a complex book wherein the divine author of Revelation is Jesus and the writer is the Apostle John. Ultimately, the Book gives the faithful followers of Jesus Christ great hope for the future while clearly spelling out the influences and dangers of Satan and the forces that evil exerts on earth, both in present times and in the future. 

Pastor Steve's March 2 message focused on "The Transfiguration" as described in Luke 9.  Pastor noted to those in attendance that it is fitting to focus on the glory and wonder of God, reflected and magnified in the verses below, as we enter the holy time of Lent and prepare to rejoice and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter time.

Luke 9:28-36 (NIV)   The Transfiguration

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.  As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure,^[ which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)   

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

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.