This year, Easter looks a little bit different.

We would typically all gather at the Dowd YMCA, rejoice and sing loud with our community about the resurrection of Jesus, cheer as our friends get baptised, and soak up the afternoon at Latta Park around picnic tables of delicious food and a lawn full of colorful Easter Eggs. While that may not be the case this year, it does not mean we should celebrate any less. Christ is alive! The victory is won! There are plenty of ways to still make this Easter special and memorable, here are a few suggestions and we’d love to hear yours.

Just as in Daniel's situation - we find ourselves with a lack of words and paralyzed by fear from the dangers we face in this broken and corrupt world. However, scripture tells us to find understanding and to bear witness of our indomitable hope in God.

As Pastor Shawn was saying on Sunday, “The church was made for times of adversity.” Our hope and prayer is we use this time wisely and for the good of God’s Kingdom. We wanted to share some practical ways below how you can be a positive presence in a time of great uncertainty and fear.

After a crazy week, many of you may be asking the question: Who is in control?

God is in control. As we've seen from the beginning of Daniel, the be in the hands of evil King Nebuchadnezzar is not to be out of the control of God. Despite the health circumstances around us, he has been perfecting his plan from the beginning of time. We can trust Him especially in the chaos of life.

In Daniel 5, we see that we can learn from the sin and folly of others, and that God gives us many chances to repent. Nebuchadnezzar’s later successor mocks God and faces immediate judgment and intervention.
 
Are you living with an awareness of God’s judgment, and are you ready in every season to speak up about the character and holiness of God?
 

Our leadership is taking seriously the pandemic of the Coronavirus. The arrival of the Coronavirus to North Carolina has brought what was an international news story to our front door. Therefore, the following changes have been made for the safety and well being of others.

Thin, metal trellises adorn the concrete columns at the entrance of the Dowd YMCA. Each trellis supports a live plant, providing structure and direction for the vine to grow. I have enjoyed seeing these on Sundays – each one is a simple yet distinct reminder of the purpose and ministry of the church. Let me explain.

In Daniel 5, we see that we can learn from the sin and folly of others, and that God gives us many chances to repent. Nebuchadnezzar’s later successor mocks God and faces immediate judgment and intervention.
 
Are you living with an awareness of God’s judgment, and are you ready in every season to speak up about the character and holiness of God?
 

We’ve all heard Proverbs 18, “Pride comes before the fall,” but do we know why humility should be desired, and why it is a glorious expression of Christ-like character?
 
As we look at the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s life in Daniel 4 this Sunday, I want you to consider this one question: What is preventing you from radically pursuing the counter-culture world-shifting life of humility modeled after the life of Jesus?
 

If we are to live faithfully despite a culture of idolatry, we need to know the power of the presence of God in our lives. It unlocks how we confront idolatry, how we face criticism, how we do not conform to culture, and how we can stand ultimate tests of allegiance.