Parish Feast Day
Holy Dormition Church, at 17 Buckskin Lane in Ormond Beach, invites the public to a celebration of the Parish Feast Day – The Dormition of the Mother of God at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15.
The celebration starts with the Office of Consolation to the Blessed Mother, followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 10 a.m.
The service concludes with the blessing and distribution of f lowers. Worshippers are also invited to bring a basket of flowers to be blessed.
There will be a special covered-dish luncheon.
Tours of the church with an explanation of Eastern Catholic churches and the ancient art form of iconography will be offered.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Elizabeth Carrasquillo will recognize the Disciple Men at the 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, service at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand. The sermon will be a continuation of Bible Bios, with “Gideon, Man of Might and Valor.”
Paul Ashton, president of the Disciple Men, is the Scripture-reader for the day, reading Genesis 5:12-24.
The service includes open Communion for all believers, songs of praise and special music by Christina Coulter, plus prayers from the congregation.
The Disciple Men meet for their monthly breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. Leave a message for Lee Gartside at 386-734-6078 to get location information and to make a reservation.
Those who want to see the service online can follow on the Facebook page First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples. It can be seen live at 10:45 a.m., or watched later by clicking on the “video” tab, or look on the news feed. Dorothy Ashton provides the video.
At this time, First Christian is observing social distancing and encouraging masks during the worship service.
1st UU to focus on 3 Marjories who changed Florida
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will continue to host virtual services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays until Sunday, Sept. 5. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to log in over Zoom 10:15- 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins.
The Zoom ID for Sunday services is the same every week: Zoom ID: 927 1881 9188.
On Sunday, Aug. 15, the message will be “The Three Marjories and How They Changed Florida,” presented by Leslie Kemp Poole, associate professor of environmental studies at Rollins College. Poole is a fourth-generation Floridian.
This presentation will focus on the work of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, scientist and activist Marjorie Harris Carr and Everglades patron saint Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Through the writings and activism of these three women, the eyes of people in the United States were opened to the natural beauty and ecological importance of Florida.
Poole’s work focuses on the important conservation activism of Florida’s women, which is included in her book Saving Florida: Women’s Fight for the Environment in the Twentieth Century.
Poole has co-edited the new book The Wilder Heart of Florida, which contains essays about different writers’ connections to the natural world. Both books are available from Amazon and the University Press of Florida, but try your local bookstore first, please.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community, where all are welcomed to learn together.
‘Filled With the Spirit’
Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will explore how Paul cautions the Ephesians and us to live “Filled With the Spirit,” at services Sunday, Aug. 15. He will use the text Ephesians 3:15-20 at the 9 a.m. contemporary and 11 a.m. traditional worship services. First Pres invites all to partake of Holy Communion, celebrated weekly.
Paul cautions that the “days are evil,” challenging believers to live careful lives as wise people “filled with the Spirit” and in a relationship with the Living God.
By discerning God’s will, the wise do not allow the world to draw them into its offerings to move through each day. Instead, Christ-followers will abide with gratitude at all times for everything that God has done, is doing and will do. In today’s environment, people must strive to fill themselves with the amazing spirit of God.
Praise music will punctuate the worship at 9 a.m., while at the 11 a.m. service, the congregation, led by the choir, will join in singing two old hymns, “Love Lifted Me” and “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus.”
All school students will want to attend the “Back to School Blessings” celebrated during both services Aug. 15 in conjunction with the new school year, in public schools, private schools, and First Presbyterian School.
Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention precautions require any worshippers in attendance, as well as any visitors, to wear masks and practice careful interaction on the church campus regardless of vaccination status. First Pres requests that you do please submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
Another important church activity is God’s Bathhouse 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 28. Homeless and needy folks are welcomed with showers, clean clothing, hygiene kits, and fellowship on each second and fourth Saturday.
Children’s Church takes place at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays for children ages 4-10, with a nursery available for infants through age 3.
The youth group meets 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays in the One 2 One House under the guidance of Alyssa Faron and Elendea DeGaetano.
For further information, go to the Religion Directory in this issue of The West Volusia Beacon, or to the First Pres Facebook page or the church’s website. You’re invited to “Come join us in reaching up, in and out in the name of Christ!”
‘Bringing Back the Glory’
There is an old saying that states “All good things must come to an end.” And for many educators and students, this saying might hold a grain of truth, as the summer break is ending and the start of a new school year looms on the horizon for some, and has already begun for others. While it is true some good things must end (like summer vacation), not necessarily all good things must end.
Members and guests at First United Methodist Church of DeLand believe that the things of God are eternal. Things like love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, hope, joy and even peace, when it is found in God’s presence and provision.
Sometimes our attitude or perspective can cloud our perception of what is good and how we experience the events and activities that comprise our daily lives.
At morning services this Sunday, Aug. 15, First United Methodist will be examining the idea of “Bringing Back the Glory.” With God’s help, we might see less of the end of good and more of a perpetuation of the blessings of God impacting our everyday lives. You’re encouraged to join in as the church explores this possibility together.
The church provides in-person traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and an in-person contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All three services are streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or they can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
First Church offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 386- 734-5113.
Exploring ‘Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. On Aug. 15, the congregation will be continuing the Summer Sharing Series of roundtable-style services exploring the Sources of Unitarian Universalists’ living tradition.
This Sunday, the congregation will explore the Sixth Source: “Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.”
Teresa Leary will lead everyone through this service, which is designed to allow participants to share their thoughts if they choose to do so.
For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
