As with many events during COVID-19, the annual Mission ConneXion mission conference will not be meeting in-person in 2021. However, this has provided for a virtual conference opportunity that provides more access than before to teaching and resources, right at your fingertips. To learn more about Mission ConneXion, visit http://missionconnexion.com/mc.... ... READ MORE >
(previously published in DCC's weekly newsletter, 10/17/20) The leaves are falling, and the décor has changed. Fall is here, which means many of us have set our eyes on the holidays. Normally, by this time Damascus Community Church would be promoting both our annual Harvest Festival (October 31) and Thanksgiving Dinner (November). However, as with so many other... READ MORE >
New Sunday Morning Gathering Opportunities starting Sunday, October 4th Thanks to a recent conversation with the newly appointed Faith Liaison with the Oregon Health Authority, we have great news. We can now have multiple 50 person gatherings on our campus at the same time. But it does require that each gathering be separated from each other. So what does that... READ MORE >
Dear DCC Church Family - Due to the forecast for Sunday, we will be moving our 3 on-campus worship services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00am) inside to the Gym. Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, these will be livestreamed worship gatherings (broadcasting from the Auditorium to the Gym), and face coverings will be required during the services. If you have not... READ MORE >
We are now 5 months into our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic as we held our last in person worship service on March 8. And thanks to the Lord’s grace and protection, our church and school families we have been able to avoid much in the way of COVID cases for quite some time. And although we have not had a full-blown outbreak, we have definitely had reports... READ MORE >
Typically, the month of July ends with DCC participating in the community's annual Day in Damascus festival, which also marks the beginning of promotion for DCC's annual car show, the Cruise the Road to Damascus. In 2020, however, the Day in Damascus was canceled due to COVID-19, and recently the Cruise the Road to Damascus committee felt it was best to do the... READ MORE >
Regathering announcement Sunday morning, May 31 The staff and a “Regathering Task Team” has met and conferred by email to develop a plan to begin regathering. We have sought to listen to you, through survey and conversation, to authorities such as the CDC, and to other church leadership resources. We have had to walk in the tension between desire to gather... READ MORE >
Dear DCC Church Family – For the last few weeks, we have requested that you pray for our process of planning for regathering as a church body. Thank you for continuing to appeal to the Father for wisdom in moving forward. Here’s an update on where we are in that process. On May 6, the DCC executive leadership team formed a “Regathering Task Force” made... READ MORE >
Dear DCC Church Family, As you are certainly aware by now, there are plans being formed at both the State and local levels to begin reopening businesses and organizations. While the DCC elders and staff look to develop our own plan to reopen DCC in compliance with the guidelines and restrictions we are given, as leaders our greatest concern is serving and... READ MORE >
Some have asked about helping others with their Stimulus Check, as they have been blessed in not personally experiencing financial hardship due to the current pandemic. Among the many ways to help folks in need would be to use part or all of your check as a contribution to DCC, to the DCC caring fund, or the DCS tuition assistance fund for those facing financial... READ MORE >
It’s now mid-April, and unless you’ve been on vacation in a remote part of the country (like this Portland couple), it’s likely that you are quite familiar now with the phrase “social distancing.” The CDC defines “social distancing” as “keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.” The idea is to prevent, or at least to slow, the spread... READ MORE >
DCC missionary Tim Blycker has a special invitation for the DCC family: Here's the message from Phil Tuttle from Walk Thru the Bible: For details, visit https://www.walkthru.org/blog/step-into-the-story-live-stream-with-walk-thru-the-bible/ READ MORE >
My name is Andy. I’m a husband and a father, a son, a brother, an employee, and if you live in the Portland-metro area….I’m also your neighbor. And like you, I’m trying to figure out how to navigate all of those roles in a new COVID-19 world that I’ve never known. Before March of this year, I never knew what “social distancing” was, I had never... READ MORE >
The foster care community of Oregon benefits greatly from the service of Every Child Oregon, a local organization that cares for children in the foster system and supports foster families. Initiatives under the umbrella of Every Child include Embrace Oregon and Foster Parent Night Out; many DCC members volunteer with these initiatives. As a response to the current... READ MORE >
Over and over, the Scriptures testify to the faithfulness of God. That faithfulness endures in both times of joy & sorrow, strength & weakness, and pleasure & pain.So how has God been faithful to you? Giving testimony to God's hand at work in your life during this time is not only an act of worship, but can greatly encourage the body of Christ as a whole.Share... READ MORE >
The body of Christ, the Church, has something the rest of the world doesn't have, but can have....hope in Jesus Christ that endures beyond a Pandemic. In light of that, the love that we show to one another, and the care that we offer toward others, especially in dark times when their needs are greatest, gives us an opportunity to shine and share that hope. ... READ MORE >
As a body of Christian believers, we at DCC have the joy and privilege of caring for and supporting one another during times of crisis. This is a challenging, anxious time, and as we trust in the Lord we also have one another to lean on. Individuals that are at high-risk of serious complications from COVID-19 may need support. Currently, the State of Oregon and... READ MORE >
Uncle Mordecai asked recently ascended Queen Esther to speak up for her threatened people, encouraging her with the famous words, "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Of course, it is what God does! He raises up a Moses, or Deborah, or Elijah, or Daniel, or John--and so many others, for specific times,... READ MORE >
Damascus Community Church & Damascus Christian School update on COVID-19 emergency, March 19, 2020 In the midst of our new, ever-changing reality, the leadership of Damascus Community Church and Damascus Christian School want to encourage everyone to lean into the One who is unchanging. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is our rock in... READ MORE >
One way you can show love for those around you is by protecting them and yourself through what has become known as "social distancing." However, that can feel very isolating. As a church family, we have each other to connect with, but your neighbors may or may not have that option. Here are a few ways to reach out to your immediate community in the midst of... READ MORE >
A noted believer once asked a brother how he was doing, and when the reply was “doing OK under the circumstances”, he in turn replied: “What are you doing under there?” (Reader, if you can identify the author of that quote, please share with me). Right now, many of us are facing difficult circumstances. David faced difficult circumstances as he describes in... READ MORE >
In our attempts to disinfect our homes and places of work are we really doing a good job? I, for one, figured that wiping a surface one time with a wet wipe such as Kirkland Disinfecting Wipes would kill all the germs. Surprise, surprise! The label on the Kirkland wipes states: "To Disinfect: ...Treated surface must remain visibly wet for a full three (3)... READ MORE >
Before the 10 Commandments, there was Manna. Before the command to rest on the seventh day (Exodus 20:8-11) there was the command to gather twice the manna on the sixth day, and not go out on the seventh (Exodus 16:22-26). When you think about it, this was an exercise in trust, or believing that God would provide as he said. Just as he said, on the sixth day... READ MORE >
Dear DCC and DCS families. In light of Governor Kate Brown’s statement today (03/12/20) regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), ministry leaders are working on a plan to both comply with what the State has mandated, and to protect those within our communities. Further information on scheduled events is forthcoming. Please pray for wisdom as we seek to be those who... READ MORE >