Church guide

This Sunday, May 5th at 11 a.m., we will be having a very special inter-cultural service. We will be welcoming the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, DC to participate in a joint service at USBC. We will be sharing the stage together combining both our music and our message. It will be a great experience for our church and their church. Following our worship service, we invite all to stay for our special lunch serving authentic Chinese food. Don’t miss this exciting service, food, and fellowship!

Has Easter come and gone for you? The Easter egg hunt is over, the Easter meal has been consumed, and all the Easter services have past. As you look ahead, the Easter celebration fades away in the rearview mirror of life. But is Easter still real for you? This Sunday (4-28-19), we will continue our Easter celebration with a message entitled, “The Week After Easter” and it will focus on John 20:24-29. During out time together we will look at the events surrounding the week following Jesus’ resurrection. The focal point will be on the disciple called Thomas. Thomas was not present when Jesus first appear to the other disciples and this caused Thomas to doubt the testimony of his friends. In life, there are times that we too doubt the awesome power of God. So, join us Sunday as we will learn how to tap into the resurrection power of Christ. – Pastor Dennis

Easter Egg Hunt!

This may seem like a strange question, but have you ever had your grief turn to joy? I have seen this emotional shift take place in several incidences. For example, when a young child strays from the watchful eyes of their parent and becomes lost. Panic immediately sets in, but elation takes center stage when the child is found safely. This Sunday (4-21-19), I will be sharing an Easter message entitled, “From Grief to Joy” and it will focus on John 16:19-22. In this passage, Jesus is telling His disciples that He will be leaving them and this separation will bring them grief. However, He assures them that He will certainly return and then their grief will turn to joy. Today, we know that Christ was talking about His death and resurrection. So, join us Sunday as we examine closely how Jesus’ death and resurrection can turn our grief into everlasting joy. Happy Easter! – Pastor Dennis

Has there ever been something in your life that you cried over? Often, tears are shed when a relationship fails or when a loved one dies. Sad tears are an outward expression of the pain or hurt that is occurring on the inside. No matter how strong one tends to be, it is hard to hold back such emotional tears. This Sunday (4-14-19), I will be sharing a message entitled, “The Weeping Hero” and it will focus on Luke 19:37-44. This powerful message will center around Jesus’ last week before His crucifixion upon the cross. This period in Jesus’ life has been called Palm Sunday or Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. But one of the most striking events that occurred during this time was that Jesus wept. Jesus wept because they did not see Him as Savior. So, join us this Sunday as we take a journey together to recount the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. We will quickly see how Jesus, God Himself, cried over lost souls then and why He still weeps for you and me today. – Pastor Dennis

We learned about Dorcas making clothes for others. She became sick and died. Peter prayed to the Lord and she was raised from the dead and healed.

How many of you have been in a bad situation and wondered if you would ever make it out? In life, we can face struggles on many kinds. These challenging situations can occur because of poor decisions, but some happen due to no fault of our own. However it occurs, it can lead to fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. This Sunday (4-7-19), I will be sharing a message of hope entitled, “Life in the Lion’s Den” and it will focus on Daniel 6:7-22. Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den with real ferocious lions. By everyone’s account, he should have perished. However, in the midst of Daniel’s apparently hopeless lion’s den experience, he found hope. Today, our lion’s den may not consist of real lions, but the overwhelming experience is just as terrifying and real. So, join us Sunday as we gain Biblical insight in how to survive your own personal Lion’s Den. In addition, we will discover how we can find encouragement while in the Lion’s Den and we will learn how to develop a Christ-like attitude while enduring the Lion’s Den. – Pastor Dennis

What is your most terrifying experience in life? There are certain events in life that we have encountered that have frightened us to the core. Such traumatic episodes are seared into our memories forever. When our life has been impacted by such a fearsome moment, we learn from it so that we can hopefully avoid it from happening again. This Sunday (3-31-19), I will be sharing a message entitled, “Jonah: Food for Thought” and it starts with Jonah 1:1-3 and will focus on other passages in the book of Jonah. Jonah made a conscious decision to directly disobey God’s call to go to Nineveh. To express his total disregard for God, he boarded a ship to take him in the completely opposite direction from Nineveh. Eventually, he was thrown overboard and spent three horrifying days in the belly of a giant fish. This traumatic event impacted his life forever. Although Jonah brought his problems upon himself, we can learn from his terrible mistakes. So, join us Sunday as we examine Jonah’s life and learn how to avoid the pitfalls of life that can haunt us forever. – Pastor Dennis

Have you ever received a reward for doing something good? Maybe it was because you found and returned someone’s lost wallet or you found and returned someone’s lost dog. Because of your kind action, the owner of the returned property responded by giving you a nice reward. This Sunday (3-17-19), I will be continuing the 6-part sermon series, The Power of Love, with the fifth sermon entitled, “The Reward of Repentance”. This sermon will focus on 1 John 1:5-9. As we listen to this message and as we examine our lives, we will quickly discover that we are not exempt from doing wrong. When our choices in life contradict what God’s expectations are, we allow division to take place in this intimate relationship. So, join us Sunday as we learn together in how this relationship can be repaired. When we take the necessary steps to heal our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will discover that there is a wonderful reward awaiting us. – Pastor Dennis

Have you ever been away from a loved one and you have yearned to see them again? You count down the days in anticipation of being in their presence. When this encounter happens, you are overjoyed to once again share the hugs and to rekindle the relationship. This Sunday (3-10-19), I will be continuing the 6-part sermon series, The Power of Love, with the forth sermon entitled, “Returning to Your First Love”. This sermon will focus on Philippians 2:1-8. Often, there are distractions in life that move us away from Christ. Although this separation happens to many Christians, there is still hope to once again experience an intimate relationship with Christ. So, join us Sunday as we learn together what it takes to return to our First Love. Not only will we learn the steps it takes to return, but we will once again discover the beauty of a loving Savior. – Pastor Dennis

What mistake in life cost you a high price? Throughout life, we have to make many decisions. Some decisions payoff in a positive manner. However, some decisions that are made may come with a heavy price. This Sunday (3-3-19), I will be continuing the 6-part sermon series, The Power of Love, with the third sermon entitled, “The High Cost of Leaving”. This sermon will focus on Hebrews 12:5-11. During our time together, we will talk about the heavy cost that one will experience physically, emotionally, and spiritually when they walk away from the Lord. When we break our faithful commitment to Christ, God disperses His righteous discipline. He corrects us, not to hurt us, but to heal us. Our heavenly Father longs to restore our wayward relationship. So, join us Sunday as we discover the true purpose of Godly discipline. – Pastor Dennis

Have you ever played a film or video backwards? It can be very funny watching the event unfold in reverse. A person’s mishaps are easily corrected, the stability of person is once again restored, and this reverse action is entertaining. This Sunday (2-24-19), I will be continuing the 6-part sermon series, The Power of Love, with the second sermon entitled, “Going Backwards”. This sermon will focus on various passages in Hebrews (2:2-3; 3:12-13; 5:11-12; 10:23-25, 30). Unlike the entertainment of watching a video being played backwards, there is no joy when it comes to going backwards in our commitment to Christ. This sermon will reveal to you the indicators of going backwards and how to overcome such a struggle. So, join us Sunday as we learn how to stay focused on Christ and how to keep moving forward with the Lord at our side. – Pastor Dennis

Do you enjoy a good TV series? Growing up, I remember Starsky and Hutch, Happy Days, and the Love Boat. The Love Boat was an American comedy/drama set on a luxury passenger cruise ship. The series revolved around the ship’s captain Merrill Stubing, a handful of its crew, and several passengers who were seeking a romantic and humorous adventure. It was a series about finding true Love. This Sunday (2-17-19), I will be starting a sermon series entitled, The Power of Love. This sermon series will consist of 6 inspirational messages. The first three sermons will deal with the dangers of leaving our first Love, who is Jesus. The last three sermons will deal with the joys of returning to our first Love. We all have had our failures, but the love of God has the power to enhance and restore our relationship with Him. That is “The Power of Love”. To launch this sermon series, I will start with the message entitled, “Leaving Your First Love” and it will focus on Revelation 2:1-4. In this message we will learn of a church that served the Lord faithfully, but allowed their love for Him to die. Today, many churches are charged with this same behavior. Not only is this type of behavior found in the church, but can also be found in the life of a Christian. So, join us Sunday as we start our new sermon series and learn how to keep our love alive for the Lord. – Pastor Dennis

Do you enjoy a good love story? When you hear someone share their special moment of when they fell in love, it can make your heart melt. Love has the power to change the heart and the emotions of a person. But when love is lost, it can lead to a life of heartache. However, love can be restored. This Sunday (2-10-19), I will be starting a sermon series entitled, The Power of Love. This sermon series will consist of 6 inspirational messages. The first three sermons will deal with the dangers of leaving our first Love, who is Jesus. The last three sermons will deal with the joys of returning to our first Love. We all have had our failures, but the love of God has the power to enhance and restore our relationship with Him. That is “The Power of Love”. To launch this sermon series, I will start with the message entitled, “Leaving Your First Love” and it will focus on Revelation 2:1-4. In this message we will learn of a church that served the Lord faithfully, but allowed their love for Him to die. Today, many churches are charged with this same behavior. Not only is this type of behavior found in the church, but can also be found in the life of a Christian. So, join us Sunday as we learn how to keep our love alive for the Lord. Also, on Sunday, USBC will be having a special Valentine’s service. During our time together, numerous people will be sharing how they met their spouse and fell in love. It should be touching, informative, and intriguing. – Pastor Dennis

When does life begin? For some, this can be a challenging question to fully answer. Just to grasp the concept of life, several elements of understanding must be considered. To give a true answer to this question will involve ethics, philosophy, theology, and personal beliefs. Although this is an age-old question, it is still relevant and even controversial today. This Sunday (2-3-19), I will be sharing a message entitled, “Choose Life!” and it will focus on Psalm 139:13-16. Yes, it will address the controversial topic of abortion. The entire premise of abortion is centered around the question of “when life begins.” To answer this contentious question, we will be looking at the reality of abortion. In doing so, we will see what the legal community has to say and how science addresses the issue. But more importantly, we will seek to understand what God has to say about this controversial subject. So, please join us Sunday as we talk about this painful subject. In preparation for this message, I ask that you come prayed up. As Christians, we are not here to condemn, but to love one another and to help mothers who have had or who are dealing with the reality of abortion. – Pastor Dennis

Do you enjoy being sick? I believe and hope your answer would be “NO!” Being sick is no fun at all. Sickness brings about pain, discomfort, and leave us feeling miserable. Our body aches, our stomach hurts, our head reels as the sickness takes hold of our body. This Sunday (1-27-19), I will be sharing a message entitled, “We Make God Sick” and it will focus on Revelation 3:15-16. This message will address a reality that we often neglect – We can make God sick! We don’t often think about God getting sick. However, in the Book of Revelation, God reveals to us that He has a weak stomach. His stomach sickness has nothing to do with eating spoiled food or catching a nasty bug. His stomach virus is directly related to our behavior. So that we do not make God nauseous, we need to learn to live a healthy and obedient life. So, join us Sunday as we learn how to keep ourselves spiritually healthy so that we do not give Jesus a bad stomach bug. – Pastor Dennis

Due to the inclement weather, USBC will be canceling all Sunday activities on January 13, 2019. Please stay safe during this snowy weather.

Do you believe that the Word of God has power? Everyday, we encounter power from various sources. When we turn on a light switch, we experience the power from the electric company. When we accelerate in our car, we feel the power of the engine. When the sun breaks the horizon in the morning, we witness the power of the sun. However, the most powerful thing in the universe in the Word of God. This Sunday (1-13-19), our very own Tom Shuggars will be sharing a message entitled, “In the Beginning Part 1 – The Word” and his message will begin with John 1:1-4, 10-14. In preparation for this message, Tom shared that “This foundational message is based in John chapter 1. It will touch on Jesus, the living word, the second person of the Trinity active in the creation, but also in the world. We will also discuss the power of the written and spoken Word of God, and its effect on different people recorded in the scripture.” So, join us Sunday as we learn together how the Word of God can change our lives forever. – Pastor Dennis

Do you enjoy the snow? This question generates mixed opinions. When snow cascades from the sky it is a beautiful sight to behold. As it coats the barren ground it adds beauty and sparks the imagination. Snow paints a wonderful picture of how God works in nature. This Sunday (1-6-19), I will be sharing a message entitled, “White as Snow” and it will focus on Psalm 51:7. During out time together, we will quickly learn that God loves snow. In the Bible, snow is a symbol of how He takes the dirtiness of our lives and cleanses us to make us white as snow. This message is designed to bring hope to everyone. It is to assure us that no matter what we have done, God is still willing to clean us, purify us, and to make us white as snow. So, join us Sunday as we put on our snow gear and get ready for a spiritual snowstorm. – Pastor Dennis

"The Wednesday Evening Boys" (Pastor Dennis Felder, Tom Shuggars, Brian Altman & Bill Tj) singing "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

Thanksgiving Video

Brian Altman, Tom Shuggars, Pastor Dennis Felder & Bill Tj's special music was awesome today!

Honoring Our Veterans - Thanks!

On Christmas Day, hearts will be filled with unspeakable joy, wonderful excitement, glorious peace, and many warm embraces. However, what will the heart of God be experiencing? This Sunday (12-25-16), I will be bringing a touching message entitled, “From the Cradle to the Cross” and it will focus on Matthew 1:18-21. In this inspirational message, we will get a glimpse into what God was feeling on that first Christmas Day. As our Heavenly Father looked into the cradle and seeing the precious face of His only son, Jesus, His heart was stirred with many emotions. I invite you to worship with us this Christmas Day as we discover the real REASON FOR THE SEASON! – Pastor Dennis

On Christmas Day, hearts will be filled with unspeakable joy, wonderful excitement, glorious peace, and many warm embraces. However, what will the heart of God be experiencing? This Sunday (12-25-16), I will be bringing a touching message entitled, “From the Cradle to the Cross” and it will focus on Matthew 1:18-21. In this inspirational message, we will get a glimpse into what God was feeling on that first Christmas Day. As our Heavenly Father looked into the cradle and seeing the precious face of His only son, Jesus, His heart was stirred with many emotions. I invite you to worship with us this Christmas Day as we discover the real REASON FOR THE SEASON! – Pastor Dennis