BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Unity Baptist Church - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://unitybc.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Unity Baptist Church
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260325T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260325T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260320T123425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T123425Z
UID:2536-1774396800-1774483140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 36 - Jericho: A Little Man with a Big Problem
DESCRIPTION:“Zacchaeus\, come down immediately” (Luke 19:5). \nHe was a little man with a big problem. Jesus was coming to town\, but the crowds kept Zacchaeus\, who was a short man\, from seeing Him. A familiar Sunday school tells the story: \nZacchaeus was a wee little man – and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree – for the Lord he wanted to see. \nAs the chief tax collector of Jericho\, he was not a popular man. Since he had cheated many people\, he had many enemies. So\, climbing up in a sycamore tree was both ingenious and prudent. The same Sunday school song explains what happened next: \nAnd as the Savior passed that way – He looked up in that tree\, and He said\, “Zacchaeus\, you come down! For I’m going to your house today – for I’m going to your house today.” \nZacchaeus climbed the tree because his heart told him he needed what Jesus had to offer. Deep inside he knew he needed forgiveness and new life. Jesus came to the house of the most hated man in town because He did not follow public opinion. He will eat with a Pharisee or a tax collector (or with anyone else\, for that matter) because He came to seek and to save the lost (v. 10). \nJesus made the first move (v.5). That’s grace. \nSalvation could not be simpler than this. When Jesus calls\, receive him gladly. Zacchaeus made a lifetime of mistakes and had many things to make right\, but he was smart enough to come to Jesus. The little man with a big problem turns out to be the smartest man in town.\nGracious God\, you are amazing! You save people who don’t deserve it. Thank You for making room for me in Your family. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-36-jericho-a-little-man-with-a-big-problem/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260324T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260324T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260320T122851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T122851Z
UID:2534-1774310400-1774396740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 35 - On the Road: No Turning Back
DESCRIPTION:“Still another said\, ‘I will follow You\, Lord; but first let me go back and say to my family.’ Jesus replied\, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’”\n(Luke 9:61-62). \nLet’s call this fellow the Divided Disciple\, which is a contradiction in terms\, if you think about it. \nIn military terms\, this man is a weekend warrior. He’s ready to serve the Lord but he wants to tie up some loose ends at home first. And his request does seem reasonable. All he wants to do is to say goodbye to his parents\, his friends\, maybe his girlfriend\, and so on. Maybe they will throw him a farewell party and make speeches in his honor. No doubt there will be tears shed and a few people will question his decision. But that’s to be expected\, isn’t it? So why can’t he go home and bid his family goodbye? \nEvidently this man wanted to keep the back door open. Perhaps he wanted to make a deal to protect his family. Certainly\, he wanted their approval. None of this is wrong in itself. But remember the words of Jesus in Luke 14:25 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother\, his wife and children\, his brothers and sisters – yes\, even his own life – he cannot be My disciple.”  You can check the word “hate” in the Greek and you will discover that “hate” is exactly what it means. But the “hate” of this verse doesn’t refer to personal animosity. Being faithful to Jesus Christ and following His call on your life may mean you will do things from time to time that seem to your loved ones as if you hate them. You don’t hate them at all\, but your obedience to Christ may cause them to think that you hate them. Such is the price we all must pay to be a disciple of Christ. \nThe real meaning of our text is quite plain. Following Jesus is the most important thing in life. Everything else pales by comparison. \nIt is not an emotional\, spur-of-the moment decision. \nIt is not a decision that can be postponed till later. \nIt is not a phase we go through while we keep our options open. \nFollowing Jesus means signing away the rights to your own life. You sign on the bottom line and let Him fill in the details. It means Jesus first. No conditions. No delays. No buts. No excuses. \nLord Jesus\, I pray for the courage to follow You without delay\, whatever it costs\, no turning back\, wherever you lead. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-35-on-the-road-no-turning-back/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260323T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260323T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260320T122450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T122450Z
UID:2532-1774224000-1774310340@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 34 - In the Villages: The Harvest is Plentiful
DESCRIPTION:“Then He said to His disciples\, ‘The harvest is plentiful\, but the laborers are few; therefore\, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his Harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38). \nThese verses have been translated into every language. The harvest is plentiful all over the world. Right now\, while you are reading these words\, the harvest is plentiful in Finland\, Slovenia\, Thailand\, Paraguay\, Bangladesh\, Iran\, Libya\, and yes\, the harvest is vast America. \nThe problem has never been with the harvest. The problem is with the workers. We don’t have enough of them. We’ve got good workers\, hard workers\, dedicated workers\, kind\, sincere\, Christ-loving\, gospel-preaching\, and spirit-filled workers. We just don’t have enough of them. So\, the harvest rots in the field because there are not enough of them. What should we do about it? \nOur way and God’s way are not the same way. We want to organize to get more workers for the harvest field\, but Jesus said\, “Pray earnestly.” \nFirst\, we pray. Then we preach. \nFirst\, we pray. Then we organize. \nFirst\, we pray. Then we go. \nPrayer comes first because the harvest belongs to the Lord. It is quite literally His harvest. He knows where the harvest is\, He knows when it is coming in\, He knows how many workers are needed\, and He knows who is needed when and where. \nAs we think about the worldwide harvest\, remember that Jesus is Lord of China\, He is Lord of the Ukraine\, He is Lord of Uganda\, and He is Lord of Vietnam. All nations are His. So\, then\, let us pray with great confidence to the Lord of the harvest that He might send forth more workers. While we are at it\, let’s ask the Lord to send us anywhere we might be useful to help bring the harvest in. \nLord of the nations\, we see the vast harvest before us\, ripening every day in every nation. Raise up workers for the harvest fields around the world. Send us anywhere you need us to help bring your harvest in. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-34-in-the-villages-the-harvest-is-plentiful/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260322T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260322T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260320T122027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T122027Z
UID:2530-1774137600-1774223940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 33 - A Solitary Place: Give Them Something to Eat
DESCRIPTION:“He said to them\, ‘Give them something to eat.’ They said\, ‘We have only five loaves of bread and two fish’” (Luke 9:13) \nThe location of this miracle is described in various ways: \n“A desolate place” (Matthew 14:13). \n“A solitary place” (Mark 6:32). \n“A town called Bethsaida” (Luke 9:10) \n“The far shore of the Sea of Galilee” (John 6:1)). \nFrom this we gather that Jesus and His disciple crossed the Sea of Galilee from west to east\, landing near the village of Bethsaida\, in a remote area\, near a hillside\, where thousands of people gathered to hear Him speak. The fact that 5000 men (not including the women and children who must have been part of the crowd) followed Jesus to this desolate area\, shows the magnetic appeal of our Lord to the masses. \nWhen Jesus said\, “Give them something to eat\,” the disciples were astounded and embarrassed because they did not have the means to meet such a request. No one could feed such a vast multitude! “Send them away\, Lord\, so they won’t starve here in the wilderness.” Jesus wants His men to realize their own inadequacy for the task at hand. As long as they think they can feed the crowds on their own\, why would they need Jesus? You only need a miracle when you can’t do it yourself. \nWe still need this lesson today. Without Jesus’ active involvement\, all our plans are doomed to fail. Until we see that our human resources are bound to fail\, we will depend on our money\, our organization\, our staff\, and our connections to make things happen. But when we at long last come to the end of our hoarded resources and cry out\, “Lord\, this is impossible. Help me!” all of heaven comes to our aid. \nThe twelve baskets left over tell an important story. If we will trust Jesus\, there will be plenty for those we serve\, and more than enough left over to feed us also. \nJesus is always more than enough for those who dare to trust in Him. \nLord\, thank You for showing us our weakness that You might show yourself strong to meet every need we have. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-33-a-solitary-place-give-them-something-to-eat/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260321T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260320T121216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T121217Z
UID:2528-1774051200-1774137540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 32 - Perea: What Camels Can’t Do
DESCRIPTION:“How hard is it for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! indeed\, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25). \nThey must have laughed when Jesus said it. \nCamels can’t go through the eye of a needle. Totally impossible. Not just difficult but totally\, absolutely\, 100% impossible. \nEqually absurd is the idea of a rich man going to heaven. \nWe are more like the rich ruler man than we would like to admit. Many of us would secretly agree with the fellow who said\, “It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor just so long as you have lot of money.” \nWe must not try to wiggle out of this. When Jesus says the eye of a needle\, He means the eye of a needle. Like the needle you do sewing with. When He says camel\, He means a big camel that rides across the desert. He says\, “Look at a camel and the eye of a needle. It is easier to get a big camel through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. \nWhy? Because rich people trust in their riches. A poor person says\, “if Jesus doesn’t come through for me\, I am sunk.” A rich man says\, “if Jesus doesn’t come through for me\, that’s okay. I have my pension. I have stocks and bonds. I have my options. I have my golden parachute. I have my safety net. If He doesn’t come through\, it doesn’t matter. I’m taking care of things myself.” \nBut even rich people can be saved if they will give up their trust in their riches. Money can do many things\, but it can’t take you to heaven. Once you realize that\, you can be saved. \nThis leads to two simple yet profound conclusions: \nFirst\, as long as you make money the measure of your life\, you will be empty and unfulfilled. \nSecond\, whenever you stop trusting in money and turn your life over to Jesus Christ\, then and only then will your heart be satisfied. \nUse your money but don’t fall in love with it. That’s the message for today. \nGracious Lord\, You have already provided everything I need. Thank you for a salvation that cannot be purchased with silver and gold. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-32-perea-what-camels-cant-do/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260320T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260320T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260316T232935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T232935Z
UID:2526-1773964800-1774051140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 31 - Sea of Galilee: When Christ is in the Boat
DESCRIPTION:“There arose a great storm on the sea\, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep” (Matthew 8:24) \nIn 1933\, Diertrich Bonhoeffer\, shortly before Hitler came to power took his text from Matthew 8:23-27\, the story of Jesus calming the sea. Jesus was asleep in the boat during the storm. When His disciples wake Him\, He rebukes them for their lack of faith and then calms the sea. As Bonhoeffer develops his sermon\, he makes the following observation: \n“When Christ is in the boat\, a storm always comes up. The world tries with all its evil powers to get hold of Him\, to destroy Him along with His disciples; it hates Him and rises up against Him. Christians surely know this. No one has to go through so much anxiety and fear as do Christians. But this does not surprise us\, since Christ is the Crucified One\, and there is no way to life for a Christian without being crucified.” \nThat first sentence really got my attention. We tend to think if Christ is with us\, things will go smoothly. \nWrong! When Christ is in the boat\, a storm always comes up. Is Christ in your boat today? Is He traveling with you\, walking with you\, present with you? Good! Get ready for trouble. Jesus can still the storm\, but He stirs it up first. \nJust a reminder for those hoping for a calm boat ride with Jesus. \nO Lord\, increase my faith to trust in You even when the waves rise and my little boat is about to sink. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-31-sea-of-galilee-when-christ-is-in-the-boat/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260319T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260319T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260316T232413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T232413Z
UID:2524-1773878400-1773964740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 30 - A Samaritan Village: Let Go and Move On
DESCRIPTION:“When the disciples James and John saw this\, they asked\, ‘Lord\, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them\, and they went to another village.” (Luke 9:54-56) \nLet’s be clear about one thing. \nThe Samaritans had a rotten attitude. \nThey hated the Jews so much that they didn’t welcome Jesus because He was on His way to Jerusalem. \nThat ticked off James and John (the “sons of thunder”). So\, they said\, “Let’s ask God to burn down this village.” \nWho looks worse? \nThe Samaritans with their prejudice or James and John with their spite? \nIt’s a pretty close call because both groups had stinky attitudes. \nBut these two brothers should have known better. After all\, they had been with Jesus for a long time. They should have remembered the Golden Rule\, “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). \nThe disciples looked worse because they knew better. Knowledge matters. If you know what is right and seek vengeance anyway\, you have greatly sinned against God. Note that Jesus doesn’t absolve the Samaritans of their unkindness. He did not say\, “That doesn’t matter.” He’s dealing here with His inner circle\, the men He had personally chosen and trained. James and John had just witnessed the Transfiguration. It’s almost as if Jesus is saying\, “Forget about the Samaritans. Your attitude is worse than theirs because you know Me so much better.” \nGod can deal with our enemies better than we can. Leave the job to Him. Let’s move on to the next village. Someone there needs to hear about Jesus. \nLord\, set us free from the need to get even with those who have hurt us. Give us grace to let go of our anger so we can keep on following You. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-30-a-samaritan-village-let-go-and-move-on/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T170000
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T034308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T034308Z
UID:2522-1773820800-1773853200@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 29 - Nain: A Funeral Interrupted
DESCRIPTION:“Then He went up and touched the coffin\, and those carrying it stood still. He said\, ‘Young man\, I say to you\, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk\, and Jesus gave him back to his mother”\n(Luke 7:14-15). \nOnly Jesus could do this. \nDeath has such vast power that we read this story of Jesus and the death of the son of the widow of Nain (a small village a few miles southeast of Nazareth)\, and we wonder if it could be true. \nOnly Jesus could do this. \nDeath frightens us because we have no power against it. No matter what we do to avoid it\, death lies at the end of the road for all of us. The statistics are sobering. One out of every one person dies. \nOnly Jesus could do this. \nWe are now just a little over two weeks from Easter. The end of our Lenten journey is in view. But the road to Easter goes through Good Friday. Before the Resurrection\, there is Crucifixion. Jesus Himself will soon experience what the widow’s son went through. He will fully taste death. But He will not stay dead. \nOnly Jesus could do this. \nHere is God’s final answer to the problem of death. He will enter the realm of death Himself and will come out on the other side. The world knows all about death\, and so does Jesus. But the world knows nothing about resurrection. Jesus will change all of that. \nFor the moment the widow of Nain rejoices with her son who has come back to life. “They were all filled with awe and praised God\,” and they concluded that “God has come to help His people” (v. 11). \nWhat a Savior! \nOn that happy day in Nain\, Jesus did what only Jesus can do. \nLord Jesus\, You even interrupt funerals because You have conquered death. Why should we fear anything now? Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-29-nain-a-funeral-interrupted/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260317T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260317T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T033855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T033855Z
UID:2520-1773705600-1773791940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 28 - Down from the Mountain: Suspend Disbelief
DESCRIPTION:“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said\, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) \nThey called it one of the greatest upsets in the history of March Madness. \nIt happened on March 16\, 2012 when the Lehigh Mountain Hawks played the Duke Blue Devils. \nTo say Duke was heavily favored is putting it mildly. No one really gives Lehigh a fighting chance. Duke is a perennial powerhouse\, led by Hall of Famer Coach Mike Krzyzewski\, the number 1 winningest coach in the history of Division 1 men’s college basketball. But on that spring day Lehigh somehow managed to defeat Duke (75-70). \nAfter Coach Brett Reed’s team pulled the upset\, a reporter asked him what his pregame speech was. He said he simply asked them to do one thing and that was to: “suspend disbelief.” \nThat is good advice for basketball players and it is good advice for the followers of Jesus. Sometimes you have to suspend disbelief in order to believe. How else are we to understand the miracles of the Bible? How else will we face the overwhelming trials of life? \nAs Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration\, He was met by a man whose son had been under the control of a demonic spirit. When he asked the disciples to help his son\, they could not. Now he turns to Jesus as his last hope. Distraught over a hopeless situation\, the man bares his heart with a mixture of pain\, faith\, fear\, hope\, and doubt. \n“If you can do anything to help us\, have compassion on us” (v. 22). To which Jesus replies (partially quoting the man): “If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes” (v. 23). Then the father utters some of the most honest words any man ever spoke: “I believe. Help my unbelief!” (v. 24). \nIt is easy to look down on this poor\, tired father who saw no hope for his afflicted son. But he deserves our respect. The words “Help my unbelief” expose his inner turbulence. He believed\, but he also doubted. Hope and fear raged a fierce battle in his soul. When Jesus healed this man’s son\, he was made whole that very hour. It was a marvelous display of Christ’s power over demonic invasion and human despair. \nThe man got the miracle he sought because he willingly suspended disbelief. Sometimes we have to suspend disbelief in order to believe. When we do\, we discover that Jesus can change the most hopeless situations. \nLord Jesus\, may I reckon my problems in the light of Your power and my weakness in the light of Your strength. Help me suspend disbelief so I may trust you more. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-28-down-from-the-mountain-suspend-disbelief/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260316T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260316T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T032908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T032908Z
UID:2518-1773619200-1773705540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 27 - On the Mountain: More to Come!
DESCRIPTION:“And He was transfigured before them\, and His face shone like the sun\, and His clothes become white as light. Matthew 17:2 \nSometimes chapter division comes in bad places. This is a good example of that. \nAt the end of Matthew 16\, Jesus reveals to His disciples the truth about His coming crucifixion. \nPeter flatly denied such thing was possible. But soon they all would know the truth. We should read the account of the transfiguration in light of shocking news about the coming crucifixion. Jesus is transfigured as a sign to His followers that there was more to the story than they had ever imagined. \nWhen the early church fathers wrote about the transfiguration\, they stressed that Jesus did not cease to be human when He was transfigured. The light shining was light from within\, light that had always been there\, light that suffused His being from the moment of His earthly conception. \nJesus was always the Light of the World. \nDuring His days on earth\, that light was largely hidden from men so that He seemed to be just a man and nothing more. The transfiguration reveals the essence of His divinity that was always there but mostly invisible. \nThere is always a danger we will underestimate Jesus. On the mountain\, just for a brief moment\, the Father pulls back the curtain and says\, “This is my Son from heaven. Listen to Him!” \nWe need to hear this word today. Most days are like today\, a day of routine busyness. Off we go to do what we have to do\, checking things off our list one by one. But there is coming a day when “business as usual” will be no more. In that great day Jesus will return in great glory\, and the world will see Him as He truly is. \nThe Lamb of God will be revealed as the Loin of the Tribe of Judah. When authors write mystery stories\, they end each chapter on a cliffhanger\, as if to say\, “more to come!” On the mountain when Jesus transfigured\, God says\, “This is my Son. Do not take Him for granted. There is more to come!” \nLord\, open our eyes so we might see You as You are. Help us to live in great hope of Your coming glory. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-27-on-the-mountain-more-to-come/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260315T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260315T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T031832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T031832Z
UID:2516-1773532800-1773619140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 26 - Caesarea Philippi: Are You All In?
DESCRIPTION:“For whoever would save his life will lose it\, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35). \nBeloved\, you have to make up your mind sooner or later. \nThat is true always\, isn’t it? You can think about a job offer for a while\, but eventually you’ve got to say yes or no. You can interview at six or seven different colleges and be accepted by three or four of them and even agonize over your decision. But sooner or later you have to say yes to one and no to all the others. \nYou can dream about moving to Denver\, Seattle\, or Houston\, but somewhere down the line\, you’ve got to choose a city. \nYou cannot sit on the fence forever. \nThe same is true in the spiritual life. Jesus is meeting with His men at Caesarea Philippi\, a city outside the borders of Israel. There Peter makes the great confession: “You are the Christ\, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus then reveals the fact of His coming crucifixion in Jerusalem. What is left to say? Only one thing. \nWe all have just one life to spend. The challenge for all of us is the same. In the few years we have on planet earth\, what will we do with the life God gave us? \nYou can “save your life” now only to lose it later or you can “lose your life” by following Jesus only to save it in the end. Here is the kicker. You have got to decide\, and when you do\, everything will change for you. \nAt some point you have got to go “all in.” In the words of Jim Elliot the martyred missionary\, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep\, to gain what he cannot lose.” \nIf you live for your career\, what difference will it make ten seconds after you die? If you spend your life in the service of the Kingdom of God\, the road may not be easy\, but 10\,000 years from now you will never regret your decision. \nSo\, what is it going to be? Are you “all in” for Jesus? \nLord\, may we not be ashamed of You\, not even a little bit. Grant us courage to go “all in” on following You today. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-26-caesarea-philippi-are-you-all-in/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260314T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260314T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T031422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T031422Z
UID:2514-1773446400-1773532740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 25 - Pool of Bethesda: Do You Want to Get Well?
DESCRIPTION:“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time\, he said to him\, “Do you want to be healed?” \nIs this not a strange question? \nSurely\, he wants to be made whole (healed). Or maybe not. \nJesus had come to Jerusalem during one of the yearly feasts. Thousands of pilgrims came from throughout Israel. While He was there\, He paid a visit to a place called Bethesda\, “the house of mercy.” It was a pool near the Sheep Gate in the northeastern section of the city. Five colonnades (or porches) were built by the pool. As one writer puts it\, it was the Jewish Lourdes of that day. The Jews believed an angel would periodically come and stir the waters. The first person to enter the water after it had been stirred would be healed of his disease. \nSo\, hundreds of sick people gathered around the pool waiting and hoping for the water to be stirred. When Jesus passed by\, He met a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. When He found out how long the man had been paralyzed\, he asked only one question\, “Do you want to be well?” \nAt face value it seems to be a strange question. For what other reason would the man be there? Of course he wanted to be well. Was Jesus insulting his intelligence? No\, not at all. He was asking a very serious question. He was asking because it was entirely possible the man did not want to get well. \nChange is scary. Sometimes it is easier to stay the way you are. \nIt has been said that everyone wants progress. No one wants change. \nChange is hard even when we know we need to change. We get used to be dysfunctional and we cannot imagine life any other way. \nJesus is saying\, “Do you really want to be changed?” If the answer is yes\, then miracles can happen. If the answer is no\, even Jesus cannot help you. \nI Thank you\, Lord\, for being the Divine Disturber of Peace. Thank You for not leaving us as we are. We pray for courage to be changed by the Holy Spirit. For too long we have made excuses for the way we are. We want to get well. Heal us\, O\, Lord. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-25-pool-of-bethesda-do-you-want-to-get-well/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260313T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260313T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T031005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T031005Z
UID:2512-1773360000-1773446340@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 24 - Tyre: Crumbs for the Dogs
DESCRIPTION:“Yes\, Lord she said\, “but even the dogs eat crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matthew 15:27). \nThis episode takes place in “the region of Tyre and Sidon” (v.21)\, two Gentile cities located north of Israel in Phoenicia\, in modern day Lebanon. They were often condemned in the Old Testament because of their association with Baal worship. Those cities deserved their long-held reputation for idolatry\, but the God they had rejected had a heart for them\, nonetheless. The woman Jesus met proves the point. At first\, He refused her request to heal her demonized daughter\, saying that He had come for the lost sheep of Israel (v.24). But falling on her knees\, she begged the Lord to help her. Something about that desperate plea moved the Lord Jesus. When He compared the Gentiles to “dogs”\, He used a term that would have offended many people. \nBut when you need a miracle\, you can’t be choosy. Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table. By saying that\, she was in effect accepting that as a Gentile\, she was outside the covenant God made with Abraham. But she believed that somehow\, some way\, Jesus could heal her daughter. When the woman went home\, she found her daughter lying in bed and the demon gone. \nThis ought to give us great hope as we pray for the lost. We all have friends who seem to be living in “Trye and Sidon\,” apparently far from God. But that distance is only from our point of view. It takes no more grace for God to save an idol-worshiping pagan than to save someone raised in the church. Desperate times call for desperate prayers born of desperate faith. Ponder these words of J. C. Ryle: \n“We are sometimes tempted to think that we get no good by our prayers\, and that we may as well give them up altogether. Let us resist that temptation. It comes from the devil\, and pray on.” \nThese are good words for all of us today. “Let us believe\, and pray on.” \nLord\, give us the faith of this woman who received a great answer to her prayers. Grant us faith to believe\, and to pray on. Amen!
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-24-tyre-crumbs-for-the-dogs/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260311T030008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T030008Z
UID:2510-1773273600-1773359940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 23 - In the Villages: How Many Will Be Saved?
DESCRIPTION:“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages\, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him\, ‘Lord\, are only a few people going to be saved?”’ (Luke 13:22-23) \nWe can never tire of asking this question\, can we? \nThis last presidential election raised the question once again. The golden Trump has put that question before us again – so here’s my question for today “Is so and so a real Christian?” Or what is a real Christian? \nYou can fill in the “so and so” yourself because the question has been asked to every candidate. But as Jesus’ reply makes clear\, the issue is less “will so and so be in heaven?” but “will I be in heaven?” Before we get too focused on the salvation of certain public figures (a laudable concern\, to be sure)\, first take a look at the man in the mirror. That’s what He means when He says\, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door” (v. 24). Before we get so judgmental about anyone else\, let me make sure we have responded in saving faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. \nThe door of salvation will not be open forever\, and many religious types will find themselves left out on the last day (vv. 25-28). But verse 29 gives us some good news that a vast crowd from every tribe and every from nation will come to Christ and will one day stand before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). The “last” will be first (v. 30) are those who today seem to be very unlikely candidates for salvation\, and the “first” who will be last are those self-satisfied religionists who think their religion somehow substitutes for a genuine knowledge of Christ. \nWe must understand that everyone we worship with is not going to heaven. Please remember that You are in the sales department and not in the administration department. Let us be careful about passing final judgement on who will and won’t be in heaven. \nGod is able to handle that all by Himself. \nThe question is\, have you trusted Christ to be your Lord and Savior? \nAnd remember that God’s family is much bigger than we can imagine. \nFather\, we thank you that You have the whole world in Your hands. Thank You for Your Son who has made a way for anyone\, anywhere\, and at any time to be received by Him.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-23-in-the-villages-how-many-will-be-saved/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260311T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260311T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260306T051427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T051427Z
UID:2508-1773187200-1773273540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 22 - A Samaritan Village: One Thankful Man
DESCRIPTION:“Now one of them\, when he saw that he had been healed\, turned back\, glorifying God in a loud voice. He fell on his face\, giving thanks to Jesus. And he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16) \nThere were ten lepers cleansed Luke tells us\, but only the one came back to give thanks. The story goes on to say that he fell down on his face before the Lord. I believe we may even call it a “praise moment – concerning what had just happened\, why not? He had just been healed of leprosy. For twenty years he was a leper living in this remote corner\, separated from his family\, forgotten by his friends\, and cut off from his own people. \nSuddenly\, the disease vanishes and with it the twisted limp\, the crooked fingers\, and the atrophied muscles. In less time than it takes to tell the story\, the disease and all its ugly tentacles are pulled from his body\, with not a trace left behind. He stretches his arms high above his head and then picks up a stone to see how far he can throw it. He begins to walk and then runs and finally leaps into the air. \nHe is whole again. Healthy again. Clean again. No longer an outcast. No wonder he shouted. I would too! \nWhen Luke adds\, “He was a Samaritan.” The shock is such that we ought to read it this way: “Think of it – a Samaritan.” \nRemember\, Jesus was a Jew and the Jews thought Samaritans were half-breed traitors. To make matters worse\, he is a Samaritan with leprosy. To a Jew\, a more repulsive combination could not be found. He was from the wrong race\, he had the wrong religion\, and he had the worst possible disease. \nWas is it not ten unclean men made whole on that day – but only one came back to give thanks. With whom are you living – is it the nine or is it the one? Far too many of us take our blessings for granted and groan about duties. Does that sound like you? It doesn’t have to be that way. \nPraise is a choice. A thankful heart is a choice you make. No one is forced into bitterness. You choose the way you live. The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him. The secret of a thankful heart is a conscious choice and not to forget what God has done for you. \nFather\, please don’t allow me to take your blessings for granted. Let me always open my mouth so that others would know what you have done for me! Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-22-a-samaritan-village-one-thankful-man/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260310T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260310T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260306T051002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T051002Z
UID:2506-1773100800-1773187140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 21 - Samaria: The Place Jesus Must Visit
DESCRIPTION:“Jesus had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4) \nGeography helps us understand this story: \nIn Jesus’ day there were three regions stacked on top of one another. There was Galilee in the north\, Samaria in the middle\, and Judea in the south. The easiest and quickest way to get to Galilee from Judea was to go due north right through Samaria. Jesus according to John 4:4 said that He “had need to” go through Samaria. Lord why? Because He didn’t need go through because there was another way. Matter of fact\, the more pious Jews would go east cross over the Jordan River\, enter the region of Perea\, then go north\, and re-cross the Jordan River. Then they would be in Galilee. This was completely out of the way\, but it meant that they did have to through Samarian territory. \nSo\, why does Jesus “have to” go through Samaria when the Jews either did not go there at all or if they had to pass that way they traveled as quickly as they could. The answer is both simple and profound: Jesus went because He intended to meet with the woman at the well. He knew precisely the time she would be coming to the well and that He would be seated on the well when she arrived. Nothing happens by chance in this story. God has worked out every detail\, and all went according to His plan. Let us be clear\, the woman was not looking to meet Jesus. All she wanted was to draw her water and fill her pots because it was in the heat of the day. But Jesus is looking for her. If you are looking for Samaria\, then a good place to go is Samaria. He does not hurry through Samaria. He is seated on the well. She does not know it\, but she has a “divine appointment” with the Son of God. The principle important for evangelism is shown greatly here. Yes\, it is true\, reaching people for Christ is not always comfortable and at times it may be downright difficult. If we want to reach sinners\, we will have to go where sinners hang out. Comfort is not the issue. The Firefighter goes in the burning house to rescue those inside. He can’t stand outside the burning house and shout\, “Come on out before the house burns down.” Jesus intended to save this woman\, so He went to where she was. \nHe never takes the easy way out. He didn’t pander to the prevailing Jewish prejudice against the Samaritans. He “had to” go through Samaria because He wanted to reach this one woman\, and through her\, reach her village. \nWhat a great Savior we have! He loves the people the world loves to hate. \nThank You\, Lord\, for caring enough to find us when we were far from you. God\, please give me(us) a heart for the lost. Amen!
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-21-samaria-the-place-jesus-must-visit/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260309T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260309T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260306T050514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T050514Z
UID:2504-1773014400-1773100740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 20 - Korazin: The Danger of Knowing Too Much
DESCRIPTION:“Woe to you\, Korazin! Woe to you\, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon\, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes”\n(Matthew 11:21). \nOnce it was an important city\, but today it lies in ruins. \nIn Jesus’ day\, Korazin was part of the “Orthodox triangle.” The other two parts of the triangle were the nearby towns of Bethsaida (home to Peter\, Andrew and Philip) and Capernaum. Those three towns were filled with devout Jews who took the law seriously. \nThe Korazins knew Jesus\, and Jesus knew them. Jesus worked miracles in Korazin. Note the plural – miracles. Not just one but many. We do not know which ones because the New Testament doesn’t tell us. But this much we do know. They heard the words\, listened to His message\, knew who He was\, and they saw the miracles He performed. Yet they did not repent. \nHow is it that they knew so much and they believed so little. This is a warning for religious people for whom Jesus is optional. He is not an option. He is the Lord God of the universe. Bow down and worship Him! \nIt is better not to have a miracle than to have a miracle not repent. It is better to be sick and not cured than not give the glory to God. It is better not to experience God than to experience God and stay the same as you were. \nLord never allow me to take You for granted. May my knowledge lead me to belief worship. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-20-korazin-the-danger-of-knowing-too-much/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260308T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260308T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260306T050146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T050146Z
UID:2502-1772928000-1773014340@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 19 - The Temple Courts: Casting the First Stone
DESCRIPTION:“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they went on questioning Him\, He straightened up and said to them\, ‘If any one of you is without sin\, let him be first to throw a stone at her’”\n(John 8:6-7). \nIt is not known what Jesus wrote on the ground. \nThere are times when reading the Bible\, we really wish we had more information than the Bible reveals. The only time we have recorded that He wrote – what did He write with finger? After all the speculation is over\, we simply don’t know the answer. It could not be crucial because if it was\, He would have told us. The word “write” is only used here in the New Testament and can mean something like “doodle” or can mean to make a list. Some have thought He wrote the Ten Commandments to remind the men of their sins. Others have suggested He wrote the names of the accusers by the Commandments to remind the men of the Commandments they had broken: “Alvin – Adultery\,” “Michael – Murder\,” Cora –   Coveting\,” and so on and so on. Some have suggested that He wrote the names of the girlfriends of those who were making the charges. And that is why the area cleared so quickly. Intent matters – the words of Jesus are meant to remind them of the gravity of their accusation. In essence He is saying before you pick up that rock\, take a good look at the man in the mirror. Make sure you are morally qualified to put this woman to death. Make sure there is no malice\, no deceit\, no trickery\, no dishonesty\, and make sure you are not guilty of the same crime yourself. He is reminding them that if they maliciously or deceitfully accused her\, they are signing their own death warrant. \nThis story has much more to it meaning. But let us be content within ourselves with one simple thought. \nBefore you pick up the rock\, look in the mirror. Before you condemn\, do some confessing of your own sin. The world would be a better place if we cleared our own conscience before we start throwing stones. \nPlease show me the truth about myself so that I can deal honestly with my own self before I dare to examine the sins of others. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-19-the-temple-courts-casting-the-first-stone/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260307T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260307T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260306T044657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T045225Z
UID:2497-1772841600-1772927940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 18 - Capernaum: Right through the Roof
DESCRIPTION:“Which is easier: to say to the paralytic\, your sins are forgiven\,’ or to say ‘get up\, take your mat and walk’”? Mark (2:9) \nIs this a trick question? He was making His critics think and then think some more. “Your sins are forgiven.” It is easy to say those words. But it is another thing to have the power to actually forgive sins. The critics knew that He had healed the paralytic so they would have known He had power to forgive. \nThese teachers of the law were right on one point. Only God can forgive sin (6). If Jesus is not God\, then He is indeed a blasphemer and should be stoned. But if He is truly God\, then He can both heal and forgive. \nWhich is precisely what He does. \nThere are two miracles in this story – one visible\, the other invisible. It is good to heal a paralytic\, but it is far better to have your sins forgiven. The healed paralytic will die someday and go out into eternity to face the Lord. What then? \nIn that day it won’t be enough to say\, “Jesus healed me.” \nHealing of the body is temporary. \nHealing of the soul is forever. \nBy the order in which He does things\, Jesus is teaching a crucial lesson. Our greatest problems are spiritual\, not physical. As important as healing is\, it is not as important as forgiveness. \nIt is clear the physical healing had taken place. The four men who carried him to the roof top would testify how sick he was. The crowd would have to testify of what their eyes had seen. The healing was complete and this paralytic took his bed and walked and began to go home changed physically. The crowd let him pass and the point is clear that both healing and forgiveness flow from the word of Jesus. He has authority to do both because He is the Son of Man. \nHow does your heart answer this question? Who is this Man? Is this not Joseph and Mary’s Son or is He really something greater than we believe? Is He just another religious leader or is He the Son of God from heaven? \nIf He is a blasphemer . . . then join the crowd that crucified Him. \nIf He is the Son of God . . . then crown Him the Lord of your life. \nLord\, open our eyes and let us see Jesus as He really is. Allow us to give Him the honor that is due Him. Help us to crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen. \n 
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-18-capernaum-right-through-the-roof/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260306T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260306T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260225T223645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T223645Z
UID:2494-1772755200-1772841540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 17 - Levi’s House: Hanging with a Bad Crowd
DESCRIPTION:“Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house\, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them” (Luke 5:29) \nEvangelism\, discipling at its finest. \nJesus is being followed by the tax collector and entertained him. Plus\, he included his tax collector buddies to come on over. \nIt was a grand occasion. \nNaturally the super-religious types hated it. Why would Jesus associate with riff-raff like that? Surely\, He knew this man was a tax collector\, a cheat\, and he hung out with the wrong crowd\, and on top of all that\, he was a friend of the Romans. \nJesus however felt right at home. At ease with tax collectors and prostitutes. They seem to get along just fine with Him because He knew what they were like and He loved them anyway. \nHe enjoyed their company\, laughed with them\, listened to them\, and made Himself available to them. As for the religious and the super-religious types\, they viewed Jesus as a nuisance at best and as a threat at worst. Eventually they would conspire to kill Him. In the meantime\, they treated Him with low-grade hostility. That is why they peppered His disciples with questions and took every chance they had to trip them up. \nJesus loved the Pharisees and would have spent time with them. They however didn’t want to spent time with Him. So\, He spent time with those who welcome Him. Jesus explained all this in terms the Pharisees probably missed altogether: \n“It is not the healthy who need a doctor\, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous\, but sinners to repentance” (vv. 31-32). \nIf a man thinks he is healthy\, he won’t go to the doctor even though he has a tumor growing on the inside. As long as he denies his problem\, he won’t seek help even if it kills him. Jesus hung around with the wrong crowd. He always gets along well with people who know they need Him. \nThe first step in getting well is to admit you have a problem. That is why Jesus hung around with the wrong crowd. He always gets along well with people who know they need Him. \nFather\, take away from me a heart with a judgmental spirit. Let me never be ashamed of You or the people You came to save. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-17-levis-house-hanging-with-a-bad-crowd/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260305T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260305T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260225T222901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T222901Z
UID:2492-1772668800-1772755140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 16 - The Temple Courts: Jesus Makes a Ruckus
DESCRIPTION:“He made a whip out of cords\, and drove all from the temple area\, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of money changers and overturned their tables” (John 2:15)  \nThere is a time when the only thing you can do is clean house. \nThat is exactly what Jesus decided to do. He decided to clean His Father’s house. \nPassover in Jerusalem was a buzzy time for the Jewish pilgrims who came to town for their feast. Supported by the High Priests\, the local merchants decided it was time to put profit before worship. So\, they set up stalls near the temple where they changed exorbitant rates for the animals that were being offered for sacrifice. \nThe money changers inflated the exchange rate for temple currency in order to gouge the poor pilgrims who had no other option if they wanted to worship at the temple. Jesus cleansed the temple because its leaders were both corrupt and greedy. The priests made money off the backs of the poor people who had no other option. The house of prayer had been turned into a loud money-grubbing side show. \nJesus hated that. \nHe hated the businessmen who took advantage of the poor. He hated the priests who were in on the shake down. He hated those who acted justly while claiming to worship the God of justice. Jesus despised what these profiteers were doing. Injustice is always wrong\, but injustice in the Name of Jesus is doubly evil. Jesus would not stand for it. \nDr. Martin L. King said\, “without justice\, there can be no peace. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved as he who helps to perpetrate it.” Great words to ponder as we journey with Jesus toward the cross. \nAre we (you) a bystander as life passes by? \nOr will we care enough in Jesus’ Name to get involved? \nThank you\, Lord for forgiving us for being more concerned about ourselves and so neglectful of the hurting and the poor. Please open our eyes to see\, our voices to speak\, and our hearts to act. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-16-the-temple-courts-jesus-makes-a-ruckus/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260304T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260304T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260225T221250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T222441Z
UID:2488-1772582400-1772668740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 15 - Cana: A Quiet Miracle Saves the Day
DESCRIPTION:“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there\, and Jesus and His  disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” (John 2:1-2) \nThere are two facts that are key in this story of Jesus turning water into wine. Number 1 – Mary expects her Baby Boy to do something about the wine shortage. No doubt she has been waiting for a long time to let the world know her secret about her Son. She wanted everybody to know that He was not just some ordinary child. That He was the “Son of the Most High” who will one day establish a kingdom that would never end. But that appears to be secondary to the wine problem at the wedding in Cana. The wine ran out before the wedding was over. \nHer request is “My son\, do something about this\,” in other words she was saying “You have the power to do something about this problem.” Use Your power to solve this problem. I don’t know\, but was she expecting Jesus to work a miracle? If so\, she could hardly be faulted for wanting others to know the truth about her Son Jesus. \nSecondly\, we see in this miracle the reticence of our Lord. He does not create wine\, which would have been a greater miracle to create wine out of nothing. After the work was done He allowed the servants to announce it. Jesus during His earthly ministry was always conscious that His hour (the time for suffering) had not yet come. He would not reveal Himself unnecessarily nor was He willing to create a public stir. So\, He did not create wine\, He just simply turned water into wine. But He does make a public display like later as he fed the 5000. The first miracle adds to the joy of the wedding but does not distract from the purpose of the day. \nQuestion\, did the newlyweds know the wine was out and that Jesus had turned water into wine allowing the wedding to go on? Perhaps they did but we don’t know for sure. Did they become followers of Him that saved their wedding feast? Don’t know that either. But we do know that this miracle benefited everyone who was at the wedding. They drank “good wine” even if they did not know who made it possible. \nMary does live long enough to see her wish come true as many came to believe in her Son Jesus. The first miracle for now brings joy to a wedding feast. And to those who understand and believe in Him\, a “quiet miracle” saved the day at Cana. It is a harbinger of much more to come. \nThank you for giving me that joy that can never be taken away. Continue to open thou my eyes to behold Your wonderful works small and great. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-15-cana-a-quiet-miracle-saves-the-day/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260303T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260303T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260224T232926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T232927Z
UID:2486-1772496000-1772582340@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 14 - Gerasa: Go Away Jesus
DESCRIPTION:“When they came to Jesus\, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons\, sitting there\, dressed and in his right mind; and those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from the region. (Mark 5:15-17) \nThe story in Mark shows the greatest case of demon possession in the Bible. It is also one of the most amazing miracles Jesus ever performed. In His visit to Gerasa\, Jesus has an encounter with a demon filled man. \nAfter Jesus cast out the demons\, He permitted them to enter the hogs who committed suicide by running down a cliff and into the sea. Meanwhile the man sat at the feet of Jesus\, calm\, clothed\, and clothed in his right mind. The response of the townspeople is telling: “They were afraid” (v. 15). So\, they begged Jesus to leave their region. Jesus left and as far as we know\, He never returned. \nThink about just for a moment. After the greatest encounter with demons and deity had taken place\, the townspeople asked Him to leave. \nThere is no way the townspeople could deny that the man who was once full of demons had been miraculously healed. Evidently the pigs mattered more than the man. However\, to Jesus the man mattered more than the pigs. The townspeople could not handle the transformation. Instead of rejoicing\, they were afraid. Afraid of what? Of the man? Possibly. Of Jesus? Surely not. But they are definitely afraid! They were afraid of anyone with that kind of power. They were afraid of what He would do next. C. S. Lewis said\, if I may paraphrase him\, Jesus is not safe\, but He is good. And He does not always do what we expect Him to do\, but He what does is always for the best. \nHe was bad for the economy. They saw the miracle and asked Jesus to leave because He was bad for business. And they were right! When Jesus comes into your life\, it will never be business as usual again. \nHow many of us have prayed this – Lord save me but just not today! You are not the first to pray this prayer (Augustine) and you will not be the last. \nLord Jesus\, never allow me to be afraid of Your power to change me from the inside out even when it makes me uncomfortable! Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-14-gerasa-go-away-jesus/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260302T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260302T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260224T225811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T225811Z
UID:2484-1772409600-1772495940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 13 - By the Shore: Follow Me!
DESCRIPTION:“Then Jesus said to Simon\, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’ So\, they pulled their boats up on shore\, left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:10-11) \n“Fear not and follow Me.” \nFive words that sum up the call that Christ makes to all of us. Casting aside our concern about tomorrow and our fears about what others are going to say and think. Until we can do this\, we can never truly follow Jesus. \nFor Peter and the other disciples\, following Christ meant leaving behind the old life (including the incredible catch of fish)\, giving up everything\, their boats\, their nets\, and their livelihood\, and following Christ into an unknown future. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said – “They must burn their boats and plunge into absolute insecurity in order to learn the demand and the gift of Christ.” \nTurning loose everything must precede coming. Anything that hinders our walk with Christ must go. We must let somethings go in order that a better thing can come from the Lord. We cannot have it both ways. To follow means “to walk the same road.” That is what a disciple does – he or she walks the same road as Jesus. He gets on the “Jesus Road” and never leaves it and goes wherever it leads us. We get no guarantees\, no deals\, no special promises. We simply walk that road every day\, following in our Master’s footsteps. \nFear can never be the reason that we don’t follow Jesus. Never regret starting down the “Jesus Road.” The only regret that you will have is what took me so long to do it. \nAre you ready to follow Jesus wherever He leads? That is where it all begins. The rest is just details. \nGrant that my fears are replaced by faith\, allow me to gladly leave all to follow after You and let me hold nothing back. Not even a little bit! Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-13-by-the-shore-follow-me/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260301T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260301T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260224T224532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T224533Z
UID:2482-1772323200-1772409540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 12 - Under the Fig Tree - I Saw You There
DESCRIPTION:“I saw you while you were you still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (John 1:48). \nJesus saw Nathanael before Nathanael saw him. \nThis is a statement of a huge spiritual truth: Salvation is of the Lord. \nSalvation always starts with God. It never starts with us. It is God’s work from start to finish. We need this truth because it is easy to fall into a man-centered way of thinking. We often talk about “finding” the Lord\, and in a sense that is true. But it is equally true that if Jesus did not find us first\, we would never find Him on our own. \nJesus was moving to call Nathanael before Nathanael knew who he was. \nThis should give us great confidence in our prayers and in our evangelism. We play a part because God has fixed it that way and both work together to execute His plan here on earth. \nThe reason we pray for the lost is because we fully expect that God will work in their hearts long before they come to faith in Christ. We do not know how God is exactly going to do it or when He is going to do it or where He is going to do it. And we don’t need to know that part. It is enough to know that salvation is a gift of God\, and that every part of salvation is “not of ourselves” (see Ephesians 2:8-9). \nLet us look at it this way: Philip still had to say to Nathanael\, “Come and see” (v.46). \nNathanael still had to come. \nWhat a wonderful discovery that when Nathanael got to Jesus\, he discovered that Jesus had been watching him all along. This should be a source of encouragement that as we think of friend and family members who appear to be far away from the Lord. Jesus sees them as well. He is preparing them to respond so that when they are invited\, at just the right moment\, they will come to Christ. \nEach one of us have friends or a family member standing “under the fig tree” right now. If they seem unreachable\, remember Nathanael and do not lose heart. Jesus sees the lost\, He knows where they are\, and He calls them by the Holy Spirit. \nLet us keep believing\, and keep praying. We never know what He is going to do. And who is under the fig tree. \nLet us continue to have faith\, and believe in Your Word\, and that we continue to pray for our friends and families who don’t know You. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-12-under-the-fig-tree-i-saw-you-there/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260224T223653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T223653Z
UID:2480-1772236800-1772323140@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 11 - Nazareth: Can Anything Good Come from There?
DESCRIPTION:“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there? Nathanael asked” (John 1:46). \nThis was not a compliment. \nCan anything good come from Nazareth\, this little out of the way village on the hillside of Galilee? Every state and country has a place like Nazareth – a place so out of the way nothing could ever be going on there and no one of importance could come from there. Is that what Nathanael just said\, can anything good come from Nazareth?” It is highly unlikely that the Savior of the whole world would come from such a place like this. If you were looking for one thing the prophets talked about\, you would expect Him to come from Jerusalem. \nFor every Jerusalem\, there are a hundred places like Nazareth. The world is filled with unlikely places where nothing much ever seems to happen\, where there is no great university\, little towns without much commerce\, places off the beaten path\, tiny villages and hamlets where people live. \nNathanael represents the “big city” attitude that prevails today. He speaks for the people of Houston\, Frankfurt\, Tokyo\, and Melbourne. How could anything good come from Nazareth? \nOur God is not a front runner. He doesn’t design His coming around the prejudices of city-dwellers. Not that He has anything against big cities. God loves big cities\, but Jesus was not ashamed to come from Nazareth. \nBut notice what Philip said\, how he responded to Nathanael’s prejudice – “Come and see” (John 1:46). \nAt every point along the way\, God upends human prejudice and overthrows our preconceptions. He doesn’t play to our expectations. If you are willing to let go of your backward way of thinking\, you too can be saved. \nCan anything good come out of Nazareth? \nCome and see. \nOpen our eyes\, Lord\, to see You as You are\, and not as the world sees You. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-11-nazareth-can-anything-good-come-from-there/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260227T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260227T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185348
CREATED:20260224T210530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T210531Z
UID:2478-1772150400-1772236740@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 10 - At the Jordan: The Spirit Came Like a Dove
DESCRIPTION:“Like a dove” the Spirit descended down from heaven upon Him at His baptism. The dove is a particularly appropriate symbol because it is graceful bird. In Matthew 10:16\, Jesus told His disciples to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” The word dove implies a guileless\, open book\, “what you see is what you get” heart attitude. Applied to the Holy Spirit\, it means that the Spirit Himself is pure\, open and honest\, and He produces the same qualities in the people He touches. As the dove descended from heaven\, even so the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven to bless the people of the earth. Note that the dove rested on Christ\, symbolizing the peace that the Holy Spirit brings. \nThe fact that the dove came directly to Christ shows the personal relationship the Holy Spirit has with each believer. \nIn the end\, the dove resting on Christ shows the Father’s divine approval of the Son’s purpose on the earth. Immediately when the dove rested on Christ the voice spoke and said: “This my beloved Son\, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17) \nThe Trinity was present at the baptism of Jesus. This symbol of the Holy Spirit has a great deal to teach us about the effect of the Holy Spirit on our lives. When the Holy Spirit comes: (1) He brings peace to our souls; (2) He comes quietly\, without fanfare; (3) He establishes a personal relationship with us; (4) He produces gentleness within\, not a harsh and critical spirit; (5) He leads us toward purity\, honesty\, and a truly “harmless” life; (6) He brings God’s divine approval that we are indeed His children; (7) He leads us toward a beautiful\, grace filled Christian life. \nDr. Isaac Watts wrote a song based on this text called “Come\, Holy Spirit\, Heavenly Dove” and 300 years later we still sing it. \nCome\, Holy Spirit\, heavenly Dove \nWith all Thy quick’ning powers; \nCome\, shed abroad the Savior’s love \nAnd that shall kindle ours. \nCome now Spirit of the living God descend from heaven on us like You did on Jesus that we may be full of Your power. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-10-at-the-jordan-the-spirit-came-like-a-dove/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T170000
DTSTAMP:20261113T185349
CREATED:20260223T181513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T181513Z
UID:2475-1772092800-1772125200@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 9 - At the Temple: About His Father’s Business
DESCRIPTION:“After three days they found Him in the temple courts\, sitting\, among the teachers\, listening to them and asking them questions”\n(Luke 2:46) \nQuestion\, what was this boy Jesus like as child. \nThe Bible only gives the small look at His childhood – from the cradle to the beginning of His public ministry when He was 30 years of age. Luke speaks of this one incident in childhood of the Christ. There are many things we would like to know about Jesus as a young boy\, and as teenager\, but this text is all that is given. \nIt would be fairly easy to imagine a young boy might get out of place for a little while on this long trip from Jerusalem to Nazareth\, however\, dinner time comes and surely\, He would have shown up. He could have gotten mixed in with other family members. \nBut that is not what Jesus did. He stayed behind in Jerusalem to discuss weighty matters with the “doctors of the law.” They were the scribes and priests who had spent a lifetime studying the written law and the oral commentary. \nJesus’s reply to His worried mother reminds us about the higher priorities of life: “Didn’t you know I had to be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). We aren’t surprised when the next verse tells us they didn’t understand what He was saying. \nEven as a young lad Jesus was conscious of God’s divine call on His life. What at this point does Jesus really understand about His destiny? On the divine side\, He certainly He knew all things. On the human side\, He grew in knowledge as He grew up. Even at the age of twelve\, He knew He was not like other boys. He was called to His “Father’s business\,” and that must be attended to\, even if His parents did not understand. \nWe also must be about our Father’s business. Here is a good question we should ask ourselves: “Am I busy doing my Father’s business? Am I walking in the steps of Jesus? “As J. C. Ryle says\, “Never is a church in so healthy a condition as when its believing members aim high\, and strive in all things to be like Christ.” \nA. W. Tozer puts the matter this way: “To the question ‘What must I do to be saved?’ – We must learn the correct answer. To fail here is not to gamble with souls; it is to guarantee eternal banishment from the face of God. Here we must be right or be finally lost.”
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-9-at-the-temple-about-his-fathers-business/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185349
CREATED:20260223T180554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T180554Z
UID:2473-1771977600-1772063940@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 8 - Nazareth: Growing Up a Carpenter’s Son
DESCRIPTION:“He went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene’” (Matthew 2:23) \nNazareth appears for the second time in this Lenten series. There are handful of places that are mentioned on more than one occasion that have impact with Jesus’ life and ministry: Nazareth (where He grew up)\, Capernaum (the core of His Galilean ministry)\, Jericho (which on multiple occasions healed)\, Bethany (where He stayed with His friends Mary\, Martha\, and Lazarus)\, Jerusalem (the epic center of Jewish life)\, and the temple itself (the center of Jewish worship). \nThe boyhood dwelling places of Jesus was this little out of the way place called Nazareth. Recently\, archeologist have discovered the remains of a home in Nazareth from the time of when Jesus was there. About 50 houses made up this little village lived in by a population of poor Jewish families. There was one poor Jewish boy by the name of Joseph who made up one of its residents. He made an honest living by using his hands. Most likely he was poor all his life. Jesus was raised by a blue-collar laborer. Joseph no doubt taught Him how to spot a good piece of wood. I don’t know if He said this\, but a good carpenter loves to say\, “measure twice and cut once” (lol). By the side of His earthen father\, He spent hours learning how a hard day’s work paid off. He knew what it was like to be raised poor; it prepared Him for later years when His message would spread like wildfire among the common people of Israel. They loved Him because He was one of them. \nHis neighbors however had no use for Him. They kept Him in that “Nazareth box” – a box that He would not remain. \nThe greatest tragedy is to know Jesus so well\, that you don’t know Him at all. Please Lord\, let us not make that mistake or we will be as guilty as the people of Nazareth who did not know they lived next door to the Savior of the world. \nRich beyond all that we could imagination. You became poor so that You could dwell among us.  Forgive me when I have taken You for granted. Open my eyes\, Lord to see you as you are\, my Savior and my God. Amen.
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-8-nazareth-growing-up-a-carpenters-son/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T235900
DTSTAMP:20261113T185349
CREATED:20260223T175319Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T175320Z
UID:2471-1771891200-1771977540@unitybc.com
SUMMARY:Day 7 - In the Temple Courts: Simeon’s Song
DESCRIPTION:“Moved by the Spirit\, He went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the law required\, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God” (Luke 2:27-28). \nAnother young poor couple coming with their newborn son. Obedient parents ready to present their first born to the Lord. \nHowever\, the story changes as old man Simeon enters into the scene. Nothing is really known about him except the little we find in Luke 2. We don’t know his background\, his hometown\, education\, or his occupation. Another bit player in this drama around the life of Jesus. After he plays his part he fades back into the background\, and we hear from him no more. However\, when Simeon held the Baby Jesus in his arms\, he called him “a light of revelation to the Gentiles\, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). \nThis is big news and good news. He came to shed the light of God to every nation\, tribe\, and culture. He is Savior of Black\, White\, Hispanic\, Jew and Gentile\, German\, British\, American\, healthy\, wealthy\, and handicapped. He is the Savior of the whole world. Everyone was included in His coming. He left no one out. This has been another week for me with my big Sister Zenobia (February 13\, 2021). She is back in the hospital and it is times like these you realize what really is important. It is not money or fame\, career\, power\, or all that can be taken in a moment. All that truly matters is that we know about Jesus Christ. \nHe is Israel’s Messiah. \nHe is the Savior of the World. \nHe came for you and I. Do you know Him? \nJesus\, there is nothing more important than knowing You. Open my heart to welcome You as my Lord and my King. Amen!
URL:https://unitybc.com/event/day-7-in-the-temple-courts-simeons-song/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://unitybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/lent-2026.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR