Snapshots of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2025

This fascinating sermon finds Pastor Steve contemplating the events leading up to and surrounding Jesus' meeting with the woman at the well in Samaria. “God is here! God is come! God cares for me!” Pastor Steve exclaimed to the congregation, reflecting on the feelings of amazement that must have filled the mind of the Samarian woman who encountered Jesus at the well. It was not a chance encounter, said Pastor, and it was so powerful that the woman at the well left this meeting with the belief and faith that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. She subsequently ran back to the city with so much excitement that she nearly ran into Peter and almost fell into the dirt while running, explained Pastor.  The woman shared all that she had seen and heard with all she met.  John 5, verses 39 to 42, tell us that many Samaritans came to Jesus after hearing her testimony:

 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.   And because of his words many more became believers.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

In John 3: 1-17, the scriptural focus for Pastor Steve’s March 1 sermon, Nicodemus visits Jesus to ask him questions. Pastor Steve elaborated on the passage, telling the congregation, “Nicodemus was a seeker, so he came seeking answers from Jesus.” Pastor made the observation that Nicodemus, a Pharisee, had a lot of knowledge in his head, but his heart was still seeking answers.  Pastor Steve explained to those gathered in the pews that, during their meeting, Jesus advised Nicodemus that change only comes through a personal relationship with God and being born again through the Holy Spirit. This response evoked more questions from the wealthy and wise Pharisee, who asked for clarification about how a person can be born again (Can he climb back into the womb?), with Jesus ultimately concluding their conversation with the words of John 3: 16--

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

As part of the introduction to his February 22 sermon, Guest speaker Jim Snodgrass asked the congregation, “What is temptation, why do we face it, and how do we resist it?  When does the devil come calling?” He noted that the temptation of Jesus, as related in Matthew 4, verses 1 to 11, teaches us that, “Temptation is not the end of the story but a part of the journey.”  The speaker quoted James 4:7 (NIV)—Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

This message emphasized the importance of reading scripture, attending church, enjoying fellowship with other believers, and studying the Word of God. Surround yourself with Godly people for we were not meant to fight temptation alone, counseled the speaker. Jesus encounter with the Devil illustrates that God is the answer to our battles with temptation.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV) Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness--

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ^“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[”

 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Pastor Steve focused on the description of the transfiguration of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 17, and reflected on what the disciples experienced. "For Peter, James and John, the view must have been dazzling...and they wanted to stay.”  Pastor said it would behoove those present to make a comparison of the disciples' experiences on that mountaintop with the highest points in our own lives; he recommended taking a a look at our own individual "mountain top" of moments that we don't want to end. "These moments sometimes are described as our closest moments to Jesus," he said.

Pastor then went on to reflect on how life is beautiful and yet life can be hard because it consist of mountains and valleys of experiences. "Most of us would rather stand on the mountain of transfiguration than stand in the valley of disfiguration," he exclaimed. 

Matthew 17: 1-9 The Transfiguration--

 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

 “’Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?’”  Pastor Steve submitted this question for the congregation to contemplate. He then went on to subsequently tie this question into the scriptural focus of the service and pointedly asked, “When someone looks at us, what do they see?” 

In Matthew 5, verses 14-16, Jesus tells those gathered:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Pastor elaborated on these verses and explained that one thing salt and light have in common is the very distinct impact they have. “Salt makes us thirsty and Jesus asks us to live our lives... in a way that will make others thirst… Just like salt flavors and enhances food, we to live our lives in a way that…attracts people to Christ.”

May Duck Creek Community Church truly be a place where God’s light is seen.

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 November 9 sermon focused on Luke 20. verses 27 to 38 (NIV).  Pastor noted that these verses relate Jesus' response when asked an insincere question by the Sadducees, based on a made-up situation. Pastor Steve’s sermon highlighted how Jesus turned around the question of the Sadducees.  After focusing on the scriptural text from Luke, shown below, Pastor Steve acknowledged all veterans. The 9th was also a special service honoring veterans prior to Veterans Day on November 11.

Luke 20:27-38 (NIV)  The Resurrection and Marriage

 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.  “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless.  The second  and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too.  Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’  He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

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.