Think back to when you were a kid. When the time came to choose players for kickball, how quickly were you picked? Were you one of the first or were you one of the last to be picked? All of us want to be included. The good news is God includes all who come to Him in faith. Paul reminded his readers that salvation through faith in Jesus is available to everyone. Read Romans 11:17-32 in your Bible and the comments for session 10 in your Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide. Think about how your relationship with Jesus affects how you view others.
For many, these past few weeks of social distancing have provided extra time at home. Many are putting that time to good use by trying their hand at something new. Have you learned any new skills? Taken up a new hobby? Most times, the simplest way to learn a new skill is to watch someone else complete it. As the old adage goes: Some things are more caught than taught. And Barnabas is someone worth watching. By his example, he showed us three ways we can encourage others. Join our discussion this week as we dig into Acts 9 and 11!
ZOOM Sunday School classes: 8:00am Men’s Sunday School (taught by Scott) 8:45am YOUTH Sunday School (taught by Pastor David) 9:30am Ladies’ Sunday School (taught by Stephanie)
CALL TO WORSHIP [Psalm 37:16-18 ESV] 16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;
Call to Worship + “Victory in Jesus”
“Great Are You Lord”
Worship Through Giving
In an effort to provide our church members and our supporters a convenient and consistent way to contribute, an online giving portal is now available. Thank you for your generosity!
BENEDICTION [Psalm 37:3-6 KJV] 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
[John 16:33 CSB] 33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
“The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment”
“May God open your eyes, may you see hope, may you act in boldness, and may your freedom to see those things result in great anticipation that there are greater days to come.”
Pastor David
Draw Near Academy— The Holy Spirit Sessions
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Sunday School
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People try all kinds of things to be right with God. In some cultures, sacrifices are offered to appease the gods. People bathe in sacred rivers and meditate on sacred mountains. Others bow down before statues and burn incense. Paul answered this age-old question. Salvation is available only to those who call upon Jesus. Our salvation is rooted in the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus and available only through His completed work on the cross. Read Romans 10:5-15 in your Bible and the comments for session 9 in your Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide. Consider what makes the idea of salvation through faith in Jesus being offered to all so wonderful and so difficult at the same time.
How have you seen someone sacrifice for another in these weeks dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak? Likely, you’ve seen one example after another. In times of crises, we do what’s needed for those we love. Jesus is our perfect example of this kind of sacrificial love. When we seek to love others the way Jesus does, our relationships are transformed. Join our discussion this week as we study John 15:9-14!
ZOOM Sunday School classes: 8:00am Men’s Sunday School (taught by Scott) 8:45am YOUTH Sunday School (taught by Pastor David) 9:30am Ladies’ Sunday School (taught by Stephanie)
CALL TO WORSHIP [Psalm 1:1-3 ESV] 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Call to Worship read by Calvin Campbell
“Build My Life”
“In Christ Alone”
Worship Through Giving
In an effort to provide our church members and our supporters a convenient and consistent way to contribute, an online giving portal is now available. Thank you for your generosity!
BENEDICTION [Psalm 37:7-9 ESV] 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
Benediction read by Jeanette Fricker
“Take one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”
― Billy Graham
[Mark 10:42-45 CSB] 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 “But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 “and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“God bring your God-ness here. Bring your righteousness your rule and your reign here to this place that is so steeped in darkness and death.”
Pastor David
Draw Near Academy— strategic church membership sessions
N.E.A.R.— Reward [STRENGTH] Matthew 6:9-14
Sunday School Material
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Unable to fulfill the law of sin and death, we were under its penalty. However, Jesus died on the cross as our sin offering, releasing us from the penalty of sin. Paul reminded us that we have no obligation to live according to the flesh. We are free to be guided by the Spirit. Read Romans 8:12-25 in your Bible and the comments for session 8 in your Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide. Reflect on the peace believers have in knowing their salvation is secure in Christ.
What invention or innovation has been a “game changer” for you? It’s hard to imagine navigating these unusual weeks in the midst of a global health crisis without streaming TV, social media, and online conferencing tools like Google Hangouts or Zoom. These daily staples shape how we navigate our daily tasks. This week we will study the defining event of Christianity for two thousand years. Jesus’ defeat of the power of sin and death is truly a game-changer for our lives—now and forever. Join the group discussion as we examine 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 54-58!
A ZOOM Sunday School class is being tested THIS morning by the Ladies’ Sunday School taught by Stephanie… pray for technology mercies as we research this option to make it available soon for Men’s Sunday School & YOUTH Sunday School.
In an effort to provide our church members and our supporters a convenient and consistent way to contribute, an online giving portal is now available. Thank you for your generosity!
We’ve been instructed to be by ourselves, what better thing to do when we are by ourselves than to be with the God of the universe, who sees all things, knows all things and is everywhere all the time?
Pastor David
Draw Near Academy— strategic church membership sessions N.E.A.R.— Accountability [MIND]— Hypocrisy Matthew 6:5-8
When we look to Palm Sunday we see the King of Kings enter Jerusalem as a humble lamb ready to be slain! What an upside down picture when compared to earthly kings entering the city gates! What no one on that day could imagine is the work that would be accomplished by Jesus. A few days later He would finish the greatest work ever undertaken in the history of the universe!!! When we sing this song we can be confident that IT IS indeed finished because Jesus conquered sin and death!
When we look at the historical event of Jesus entering Jerusalem we can be reminded that He is our perfect strength, deliverer, and comforter. Since we know the end of the story and its implications we can sing Hosanna with full assurance He will not fail us and He will lead us through all things faithfully. Let us sing together knowing the full weight and meaning of the Perfect Person and Work of Jesus Christ!
The word Abide is one not often used today. The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it like this: to remain stable or fixed in a state a love that abided with him all his days. What a powerful thought! Jesus promises to Abide in us and that we should abide in him! The good news is that “all his days” is eternity. When we need hope, when we need encouragement, when we need to celebrate; Abide in Him!
I hope these worship songs have been an encouragement and prayer for you this morning. I am continuing to pray for you all. I am patiently waiting for a time we can sing together again. I love each and every one of you! God Bless You, ~Minister Chuck
We like the idea of doing whatever we want, whenever we want. Freedom has another side—the freedom not to act. Faith in Jesus means we can be free from the bondage of sin and the guilt that comes with it.
If we were thinking our world is a perfect place, this latest coronavirus experience has sure set us straight. God has promised His followers a perfect home though, one that’s eternal, without sickness or pain. This week we’ll learn about this place God has planned for us!
“Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else.”
― Charles Spurgeon Mornings and Evenings
DBC Member Submissions
WAIT by Stephanie Catoe
“Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord” Psalm 27:14
When I sat down to read Psalm 27 today I was emboldened as I read in verse 1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear?, The Lord is the stronghold of my life, whom should I dread?” I felt any fear slip away as I was reminded that there is nothing to fear in Christ. I am not to fear financial struggles, I am not to fear the extension of a stay at home order, and I am not to fear a germ that I can’t see. I continued to read through this Psalm of David. In its verses I found hope and encouragement in the fact that the Lord would not abandon me, he would deliver me from my enemies and really there was nothing to fear.
Then I got to Verse 14.
WAIT.
I don’t like to wait. Instant downloads, 2-day prime shipping, the instant pot, even instant potatoes. I thrive in our instant high-speed society. I like the ability to send documents and pictures instantly across the country or across the world. I like instant replies to texts and emails. I find the 2 minutes to pop popcorn in the microwave a little too long. I like things to happen in my time, on my schedule. In other words, patience is not my best virtue. It is not the fruit of the Spirit that hangs plentifully from my branches.
When the first orders came to stay at home or limit our outings I began to feel uneasy. I liked that they put end dates to these orders. April 3rd. I can do anything for a set amount of time as long as there are clear start and end times. When the first church services were canceled to follow the recommendations, I needed to know exactly how many services we would be required to cancel and I needed a return date and I needed that return date to be soon. Then the orders were extended until April 30. Both our church and our family have so many activities and celebrations in April. This is lasting a little longer than I had originally planned. I, like so many of you, thought it was just preposterous to think that I wouldn’t be sitting in a pew at Danbury Baptist Church, on Easter Sunday. Yet here I find myself, preparing my heart to walk through Holy Week and celebrate Resurrection Sunday sitting on my couch in the living room, not the front pew at DBC among my church family.
WAIT
But the verse didn’t end there… it continues on to say wait for the Lord. This was the lesson my heart and mind needed today, to wait for the Lord. I am not waiting on a government official to sound the all-clear, I am not waiting on a cure for COVID-19, I am not waiting on a date on the calendar. I am called to wait on the Lord. He is at work in this. He is slowing down schedules and hearts to bring their focus back to him. He is exposing idols of busyness and distraction in our hearts. He is leading us to His word to drink deeply of its truths found therein.
So I continued to read as God’s word continued to encourage me to be strong and to let my heart be courageous. I recalled verse 1 where I was reminded that the Lord is my light and my salvation, there is nothing to fear… not even waiting. It does take courage for my heart to wait on the Lord and a strength that is not my own but only is made perfect in my weakness.
SO I WAIT
My heart is strengthened through prayer and my trust that the Lord is sovereign over all things. I find this courage for my heart to wait, in the pages of Scripture. I wait knowing the lessons learned in the waiting, the refining of my heart and mind to be more like Christ, the glorious day that we are able to be back together as a church family after a season of mourning being apart, all these things will be worth the wait!
We need to look at one of the hardest things in any strategy or mission— Are you ready?— it’s WHERE TO START… Matthew chapter 6 is going to tell us the FIRST thing that we need to be doing!
Pastor David
Draw Near Academy— strategic church membership sessions N.E.A.R.— Eternal Things [SOUL]— Strategy & Mission Matthew 6:25-34
In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. We know that this prayer is a model to use when praying ourselves. In that spirit let us begin our worship this morning just as we should start every prayer! Let us bless the Father by singing of His greatness and the greatness of His creations.
Our God is real, alive, and at works unceasingly from eternity past to eternity future! As Pastor David often says from the pulpit, “God is not surprised by (fill in the blank)!” This selection is a reminder that no matter where we are in our current circumstances, God is in control and is still good. His ultimate goodness is revealed in His son Jesus.
In times of Joy, Sorrow, Hardship, or Monotony we should always keep eternity in view front and center. Let us not forget that Jesus is worthy to enter the Heavenly places to advocate for our ETERNAL souls. As my friend, Pastor Charlie Larson, once said to me, “This life is but a hands breadth compared to eternity!” He said that to me when I was going through a tough time! This encouraged me to always put our focus on Jesus above all other things. This, brothers and sisters, is keeping our view on eternity-to look at He who is worthy!
I hope these worship songs have been an encouragement and prayer for you this morning. I am continuing to pray for you all. I am patiently waiting for a time we can sing together again. I love each and every one of you! God Bless You, ~Minister Chuck
At this time, we are finishing the setup of our online giving portal and beta testing will begin over the weekend. Pending any complications, you should have access to this new ministry resource next week at the latest.
“True wisdom is found in trusting God when you can’t figure things out.”
― Joni Eareckson Tada, The God I Love: A Lifetime of Walking with Jesus
DBC Member Submissions
Seek and Find by Rev. Mike Holman
Deuteronomy 4:29-30, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord Thy God, thou shalt find him. If thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the last days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice.”
How many times have you looked for God? Have you found Him or did He find you? In a time of trouble seek Him and He will hold you up. Maybe you just need guidance to make a decision. Again seek the Lord and hear His voice. So how do you seek the Lord? The Bible tells us to pursue Him wholeheartedly, diligently, continually, confidently and humbly. When you do, God will be there.
One other action must be prevalent and that means you must be diligent and disciplined in prayer. Speak what is on your heart and on your mind and he will hear you. Then be still and listen; God is talking. You don’t need to quote scripture; just talk to God as you would do with a friend, a father or mother or a very great counselor. God will listen, then He will guide you. Follow all of his instructions. I know you prayed and there still is guilt. Did you meditate with a receptive heart? Then look at all the circumstances. Do you need to make changes? Are you on the right path? Yes, we all have troubles and need help at times. Take a look at where you have been, where you are going and how you are traveling. Then maybe you need to have a change of heart.
God knows and sees all. He knows who you are, how you think and what you need to do. Open your heart and mind and seek God. When you do you will find peace, security, love, and comfort. He cares and He will provide for you. So seek Him, listen to Him and know in His time that things will work out. Trust Him. He knows who you are and what you need!
More by Rev. Mike
God Called a Meeting Jeremiah 24:6-7 If god called a meeting would you come? Or would you just say I don’t have time? A meeting with God would be a great eye opening experience. Hearts would be opened and… READ MORE
Caring Opportunities Luke 10:36-37 In Luke, Chapter 10, we see how men with many religious credentials did not know how to care… READ MORE
Compassion Colossians 3:12-13 Who is caring and who is compassionate? Some people appear to have both of these traits; while others don’t appear to understand what those words mean. Could it be their personality? Maybe… READ MORE
Choosing Contentment by Crystin Morris
I wrote and taught this study on contentment as part of a study of the book of Philippians in 2019. It challenged me at the time, as God’s Word always does, but I was writing and teaching it from a place of distance from the “trenches” of wrestling through the trials that I spoke of in the context of challenges to contentment in my own life. By that I mean that I had already been through the “worst” of my struggle with discontent in those particular areas, so I could speak about them with compassion and humility, but also with the perspective of having come out the other side. Fast forward to last week, and as I sat buried beneath my desire to control everything and my life-long battle with perfectionism, I came face to face with the idols that my heart is so efficient at creating, and I realized how tight the hold that discontent can have upon one’s heart. With new circumstances, new unknowns, new questions, new changes, and new difficulty, I found myself right back in the book of Philippians, letting God’s Word convict, change, and comfort my heart and turn it yet again towards contentment that is in Christ alone and not in the infrastructure of the world around us. I pray that these Scriptures, and notes, will encourage your heart in the same way. Praise God that our Hope isn’t in any of the things that seem to be crumbling around us. I love you all, and I am praying that the God of peace will continue to sanctify you wholly as you use this time to learn even more how to depend upon Him and that the word of Christ will dwell richly in you during this time.
In Christ, Crystin
Crystin’s submission has been formatted into 5 sessions, and we want to encourage you to work through them at your own pace… all at once, a few at a time, one-a-day or whatever suits your schedule.
Session 1— Contentment
To Ponder: What does contentment look like? What do you spend the most time in your day in pursuit of?
To Read: Philippians 4:10-23
To Know: We find Paul here expressing his gratitude for the care that he has been shown, and for the provision that God has provided through the love of the Philippian church. He then goes on to speak about sacrificial giving, contentment, trust in the Lord, bearing fruit, provision, and need. It is his words about contentment that have been most often quoted, preached about, and studied from this section of Scripture. The full context of “doing all things through Christ” becomes as rich and full as it should be when kept within the backdrop of …
Continue reading on the NEXT page(includes 4 MORE Read/Ponder/Know sessions)
GOOD MORNING! I hope you
and your family are well and zealous to worship our King.
The past several weeks have demonstrated that we live in an
unpredictable and unstable world
there are so many feelings of uneasiness and anxiety as we work our way through
this difficult season. Whether
our employment is moving to non-traditional forms of operations or members of our
families sick; there are myriads of new variables we are being forced to deal
with on a moment to moment basis.
The bible teaches that trials and hardships are a hallmark
of the Christian life. Even more it is
these times of trial that refine us and strengthen our faith to completion (James
1:2-4!) For non-believers there is no
real respite from these awful times of stress and struggle. For those born again, however, these times
serve as a reminder of the goodness of God!
This goodness is both for this world and the one to come (Revelation
21:1-4). We know and can be re-assured
that our hope is found in someone holy, perfect, and faithful – JESUS! Since we are the called out ones, the saints,
and the redeemed let us sing to our Lord this truth. During this time let us walk in a way that
draws lost peoples gaze to Jesus. Let
our lips be quick to proclaim HIM and to live for His glory even now amidst the
suffering of our present age!
Join with me in
singing with those in your home this morning:
This selection from Psalm 130 is a great reminder that our
God is faithful, trustworthy, and true.
It is He who we must cry when in need of help. More than anything this worship song reminds
us of the true pandemic that has only one cure, the pandemic of sin! The cure of which is the grace we receive
through faith in Jesus alone. Let us
not be short sited and focus only on our present needs but even more so let us
focus on our eternal ones!
As a Baptist church we believe in the triune God! We are also taught through the word of God
that when we are born again Holy Spirit God dwells within us. Christ teaches that He is the Helper and the
Advocate. Let us sing this song asking
from our heart for the Spirit’s guiding grace.
Regardless of our individual circumstances; good or bad, let
us declare what scripture teaches to be true!
Jesus IS BETTER than anything we can imagine.
I hope these worship songs have been an encouragement and prayer for you this morning. I am continuing to pray for you all. I am patiently waiting for a time we can sing together again. I love each and every one of you! God Bless You, ~Minister Chuck
SUNDAY SCHOOL Lifeway has provided a way for all Sunday School classes to access their lessons via Ministry Grid. Below are the “Easy Links” to your Sunday School curriculum.
John 10: 28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father,
which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out
of my Father’s hand.
What does it mean to be in God’s hands? Let us first look at those hands. God’s hands crafted the heavens. With His hands, he carpeted the mountains and formed the hills and valleys. Filled the oceans and planted all the trees and flowers. From the dust of the earth, He made man in His own image and breathed into him the breath of life. God holds the entire world in His hands and has control of all that He has created. His hands are filed with love and caring for the sparrow and every living creature on this planet. Jesus said, “My Father, which gave them (people, my sheep) to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29) Continued on the NEXT page
