Unity Presbyterian - Denver, Nc

Have you had an experience where you can’t imagine what comes next? Maybe your boss retires, and you can’t imagine what the new boss will be like. Or you are facing a divorce and the future seems very uncertain. We are looking at that Divine Disruption this week as Joshua takes over leadership after the death of Moses. He is filled with self-doubt, but God reminds him that he isn’t doing this alone. Do we need that reminder, too?

When life is disrupted by an illness, or a pandemic, or the loss of a loved one, what do you do? Do you stop and ask “what is God trying to show me” or do you go to bed and try to sleep off the misery? These divine disruptions can be painful, but can also be just the reset that you needed to send your life in a better direction. Pastor Dana takes a look at how we might remove the blinders from our eyes and use these moments as a catalyst for a brighter future. 

What advice did you get from your parents? Did it stay with you? We turn to the wisdom of Proverbs to hear what Solomon wanted his children to make sure to take with them - Godly wisdom that should be written on their hearts. 

The practice of Jubilee was already out of favor in the days of Jesus, but one of his first acts was to declare freedom in the name of the Lord. What does that look like for us in 2024? What does a Great Jubilee mean to us who are broken, held captive by our addictions, and self-doubts, and fears?

The idea of Jubilee meant freedom - land sold to pay debts was returned to the original owners, those sold into slavery were set free, and loans were forgiven. This was designed to create a society where people were openhanded and generous, knowing that all they owned was temporary and ultimately belonged to God. When we give generously, we tell others that they are valuable to God despite whatever hardships they face. This is a description of the type of Christian community God still wants us to create today. 

If you lived in ancient Israel, every 50 years a trumpet sound would mark the beginning of something new. A fresh start. A new opportunity. The Year of Jubilee. It was The Great Reset. We don’t celebrate years like this anymore, but can we apply some of the principles of Jubilee to our world today? Can we dedicate this next year to God as our own form of Jubilee?

He is Risen! It is still Easter, and Jesus is still alive! Easter isn't just one Sunday, but we continue to celebrate our risen Savior for the gift of eternal life. How does the power of the resurrection affect you? What does this mean to you, and how do you share that with other people?

Jesus did something! And he told Martha about it before it happened. Try explaining the resurrection now, and it is hard to believe. Eternal life? Death that cannot keep its grip on life? The hope of Easter is found in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ - do you believe? 

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week with sounds of "Hosanna! Hosanna!" We celebrate with Jesus and his disciples, but quickly turn toward the cross and reflect on the sacrifice of the cross. 

As we draw closer to the cross, Pastor David takes a look at Simon of Cyrene, who was literally asked to take the cross and follow Jesus. Like Simon, we don't often get to choose when our hard times happen. When we suffer, who is leading us through our trials? Are we ready to follow Jesus, even to the cross?

Do you find it hard to do the right thing when it goes against what everyone around you is doing? Is it easier to remain silent? What about when it goes against what your boss or your government has dictated to you? This week, we get up close to Jesus through the Man with the Withered Hand, who met Jesus on the Sabbath Day, when work of any kind, even healing, was forbidden by law. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath Day holy?

We live in a do-it-yourself society, where it is a sign of weakness to ask for help. But God tells us to rely on Him, and to not lean entirely on ourselves. What does it look like to reach out to God? Pastor David looks at this through the story of the bleeding woman who took a chance and touched the hem of Jesus' cloak to be healed.

Has an event in your life brought you in front of Jesus, maybe for one mistake you made that you became known for? Would you like to receive mercy and forgiveness instead of judgment for it? This week, Pastor David looks at the story of the adulterous woman, which reminds us that there is a judge, and it is not us. What rocks do we carry around that we need to put down?   

For the people who drew close to Jesus, everything changed. That is the premise behind our new preaching series: Up Close. Throughout Lent, we will study stories of individuals whose lives were changed when they were up close to Jesus. This week we begin with Nicodemus, who learns what it means to be born of the Spirit but is transformed into a disciple of Christ by his close encounter.

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? Have you encountered God so intensely that it left you changed deep in your soul? What happened? If we let them, those mountaintop experiences can leave us forever changed. Pastor Dana takes a look at Jesus’ experience on the mountain and how we can use those face-to-face encounters with God when we have to face our fears and anxieties back in the valleys of life.

We were created on purpose and for a purpose. With that knowledge in mind, what do we do when God calls us to work for His kingdom? Do we make excuses? What has been our objection to God?  Too young… too old? Too tired…not equipped? What stands in the way of you answering God’s call?

Have you ever needed a second chance? Second chances can change your life, if you let God’s grace into your heart. This week, we find Jonah obeying God and speaking to the people of Ninevah with miraculous results! Let’s see how a wayward prophet, a fish, and a second chance to do the right thing combine to save the people of this once-wicked city.

Have you found yourself at a breaking point where the mountains of stress, grief, or exhaustion are almost too much to bear? Have you cried out to God, or blamed God for your circumstances? This week, we find Jonah in the belly of the fish, having run from the directions that God gave him. Will he blame God, and complain about his situation, or will he trust in God and proclaim God's goodness?

Have you ever done the opposite of what you knew you should do? I'm sure we all have at one point or another. Pastor David takes a look at the most famous prophet who ran from God's calling and ended up in the belly of a fish. This week we begin a four-week series on the life of Jonah called, "Who, Me?" We will take a look at what we are called to do as well as hear from some of the amazing volunteers around Unity and why they do what they do. 

We made it through the holidays and into a new year! Did you experience something at the manger that made you want to do something new this year, to take your life in a new direction? We are talking about new directions this week as we embark on 2024 with all its potential ahead of us.