Unity Presbyterian - Denver, NC

March 24, 2024 - Palm Sunday

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. 

March 17, 2024 - Carry Your 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?

March 10, 2024 - Stretch Out Your Hand

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?

March 3, 2024 - Reach Out

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.

February 25, 2024 - Drop Your Stone

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? 

 

February 18, 2024 - Up Close - Nicodemus

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.

February 11, 2024 - Get Up and Don't Be Afraid

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.

February 4, 2024 - Answering the Call, or Making Excuses?

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?

January 28, 2024 - Second Chances

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.

January 21, 2024 - From the Belly of the Fish

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?