November 25, 2020

In light of the increasing numbers of folks traveling for the holidays and with the rising numbers of COVID cases, we have decided to take a pause on in-person Sunday morning gatherings tentatively through January 10. This is not the result of an outbreak in our congregation nor a lack of faith – but rather out of an abundance of love and concern for our teams, our families, and each one of you! So, please continue to join us each Sunday morning where we'll worship together live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube!

Meanwhile, our staff and leaders are staying fully focused on all of our December and Christmas services, outreach efforts, creative programs, community engagement, and ministering to those who are going through a tough stretch in this season. You can find all of this information at ChristmasatDRCC.com.

We look forward to seeing you online this Sunday, November 29 at 10:00am - because we're better together!

Glynn Thompson, Amanda Morgan, Sue Vonk, Lisa Crow, Glenn Vonk

October 30, 2020

Download the latest COVID-19 data which was prepared by the Coronavirus Advisory Subcommittee for the Elders of Damascus Road Community Church.  It represents the best information we have at this time.

Jason Earle, Armando Lopez, Michelle Rader

September 03, 2020

Members from our Executive Team have heard you - and here's what's next for weekend gatherings this fall.  Want to learn more or have questions?  View the response on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/454158615

Join the team for a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, September 9 at 7pm to learn more from our COVID-19 response team and to get your questions answered. Register: https://damascus.infellowship.com/Forms/444563

Jason Earle

June 22, 2020

As you may be aware, the Governor officially announced the state’s transition to phase two for those counties that are ready. Frederick County also moved to phase two allowing retail businesses and personal services to operate up to 50% capacity (with masking and 6-foot distancing). Religious facilities are able to accommodate 50% capacity, up to 250 people. The gathering rule of 10 or under is still in effect for meetings/gatherings in social settings.  

As a church leadership team, our desire to ensure we prioritize the safety of the congregation. As we consider whether to reinstitute in-person services, we also have to weigh the quality of the experience which would currently need to include masking, six-foot distancing, no or limited singing, no Children’s Ministry, and no fellowship in the lobby. In essence, the worship service would be very different from the experience we all know and love.  

At this time, we’re going to continue to devote our effort to delivering high-quality online services and events. God has allowed us to reach many more people with the gospel message. The soonest we would institute in-person worship services would be early fall. Another update will be provided in late July.  

We will be holding a drive-in event on campus on July 18th which will feature worship and a message. More details to come. Small groups are encouraged to meet outside if every member of the group is comfortable, otherwise, continue to meet over Zoom. If you are comfortable with hosting a worship service watch party on your lawn or in your home, feel free to invite friends and neighbors. Let’s use this time to re-discover the art of neighboring and look for ways to build relationships with our neighbors. For a resource with ideas on reaching your neighbors, click here: Neighboring Toolkit.  

Please check out the website for ways to serve: www.damascus.com/events and to join a new online small group small group catalog.

We miss seeing your faces! While it’s hard not being together in-person, we trust that God is growing us and still using us to build His Kingdom. After all the Church isn’t a building, it’s an unstoppable movement!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Rajendra Pillai, Armando Lopez, Jason Earle

May 15, 2020

On Wednesday, Governor Hogan announced the “safer at home” phase, lifting the stay-at-home order and transitioning the state into phase one. This new phase allows retailers, some personal services (hair salons) and houses of worship to operate up to 50% capacity with masking and social distancing. However, the Governor made clear that the application of gradual re-opening is determined by county government officials and the Frederick County Executive recently announced that the stay-at-home order will be effective until May 29th.

As the county moves forward, our leadership teams are actively looking at all options on ways we can meet while ensuring safety for everyone. This would translate into new ways of doing community. Watch for more information on this in the weeks ahead.

As we anticipate moving into phase one in a few weeks, we will explore the feasibility of a “drive-in” event as well as how smaller ministry teams may be able to meet outside while maintaining social distance.

Join us in praying for our state and local leaders as none of this is easy. Whatever steps we take, we will do so with the objective of protecting the health and safety of our congregation in alignment with local guidelines.

In these moments, we remember the words of Jesus to His disciples in Luke 21:13 – “this will be an opportunity for you to testify.” We are planning to double-down on our mission to proclaim Christ and present everyone mature in Him! (Colossians 1:28).

Michael Yudt

May 04, 2020

Parents, we would ask that you head to the Kidventure Korner blog right after the online service each weekend to enjoy a Children’s Ministry experience with your kids.

Glynn Thompson, Amanda Morgan, Glenn & Sue Vonk

April 23, 2020

Download the latest COVID-19 update from the Coronavirus Advisory Subcommittee for the Elders of Damascus Road Community Church.

Jason Earle

April 15, 2020

I wanted to share a quick update on our local outreach efforts. Paul Foss, our Director of Outreach, has been working hard to connect us with organizations that are doing good work and meeting the highest priority needs. A blossoming partnership with Difference Makers Church in Damascus has emerged and we partnered with them to deliver meals to 50 families over the past week. We’re now working with them on-going to collect, sanitize and deliver food. We will continue to have a receptacle in the front of our building for food drop off.   

In partnership with Crossed Bridges, 100+ shoeboxes of food have been delivered to the Frederick County Meals on Wheels. In addition, our congregation donated trunk loads of lightly used clothing to be taken to homeless COVID patients in Baltimore.

It’s now estimated that our sewing teams have made close to 1,000 masks for healthcare workers and members of the congregation. On Monday, we catered lunch for the heroic staff at Pleasant View nursing home where they’re battling the coronavirus outbreak- they were very appreciative!

All of the opportunities to serve the local community can be found on our events page. Please share with others on social media. In addition, please check out the opportunities to see if there’s something you may be able to assist with.

As you know, we’ll be donating 10% of offerings from this week to help with local coronavirus relief efforts and to assist our global partners where need has emerged due to the virus.

Another reminder that the Church isn’t a building…. it’s a MOVEMENT….bringing hope and life to all those who are open to receiving it. Be praying for kingdom fruit through all of these outreach efforts!

Rajendra Pillai

April 11, 2020

Dear DRCC Family & Friends,

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As I mentioned in my Easter sermon, I want to encourage you to read Scripture over your home. This is not a magical mantra, but a declaration of radical trust in God. No matter what happens next, you are claiming, asserting, declaring your trust in God. He is sovereign and He has a reason so even when we don’t understand, we pray may His will be done, may His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. If you are single, do it with someone over FaceTime. If you are a couple, do it together. If you have kids, involve the children. Go around your home 7 times and read your favorite passages from Scripture and pray them to God, not because God needs reminding, but because you and I need remembering. If you want to use the passages Erika and I used, you can find them below. And it would be really cool if you took a picture of doing this and post them on our social media. Stay engaged!

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In Christ,

Pastor Rajendra

Rajendra Pillai, Senior Pastor

March 19, 2020

We have entered into what I believe is both a unique and what will be one of the finest chapters of our story as a church. I have outlined some thoughts in this short video and created a one-page document of seven things every follower of Jesus can do in this situation. You can download this by clicking the link below and put it on your refrigerator or someplace visible as a reminder.

I am looking forward to worshiping with you online this weekend!

Glynn Thompson, Amanda Morgan, Glenn & Sue Vonk

April 02, 2020

A COVID-19 update was prepared by the Coronavirus Advisory Subcommittee for the Elders of Damascus Road Community Church and is available for you to download. It represents the best information available during this time. Updates will be provided as the situation matures.

Rajendra Pillai, Senior Pastor

March 25, 2020

I hope you are taking care of yourself. In this video I am suggesting a slight addition to our God Before Phone ritual in the days ahead! In this season of our story, God is and will be opening doors in multiple ways to speak life and hope to many. Make sure you check out the 7 Things I am asking us to do as a church community.

You can also bless someone in your neighborhood by clicking on the Good Neighbor Card. Engage with the church online and I look forward to seeing you online this weekend as I walk us through one of the Bible’s biggest and most staggering claims about God and about us.

I will also lead us in communion. So if you could have some bread and juice (water is fine too) ready as you join in online, that would be great!

Jason Earle, Executive Director

March 16, 2020

Thank you for joining our first online worship services! We had close to 2,800 total viewers across the three services. We appreciate your engagement in the live chat and how many of you posted pictures from home on social media. We look forward to gathering online again this weekend.

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If you have a need for prayer or support, email us at pray4me@damascus.com or fill out the online connection card. To give online, you can click here: Give

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Be on the lookout for a message from Rajendra this week. We move forward together in faith, not fear. Remember, Jesus is in the boat!

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Classes

Connect with your class facilitator regarding any plans for connecting virtually.

Please note: Sister2Sister is exploring a potential virtual solution for their next session. More information forthcoming.

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Small Groups

Connect with your small group leader about any plans for connecting virtually. Looking for a virtual (online) small group? Contact taniag@damascus.com.

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Student Ministry

Worship and a message will be posted on youth social media pages during regularly scheduled program times (Middle School at 6pm, Sundays; High School at 7pm, Wednesdays)

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Children’s Ministry

See the Kidventure Blog for activities at home : https://www.damascus.com/kidventure-korner

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Haven (for those who are specially-abled)

Be on the lookout from our Haven Director regarding updates.

Jason Earle, Executive Director

March 13, 2020

We're looking forward to this weekend with church online!  Visit the Online Church page to watch an interactive church service, complete with the DRCC band leading worship and a special message coming to you from our senior pastor, Rajendra Pillai.  Online services will be shown at the same time as our regular worship services would have been: Saturday at 5:00PM, and Sunday at 9:00 & 11:00AM.