‘Four Things You Should Know About Tithing’
The Rev. Elizabeth Carrasquillo of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand continues the Stewardship Message “Four Things You Should Know About Tithing,” at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29.
During the service, Janet Raney will read Mark 12:41-44; Elders Olga Palmer and Janet Raney will provide Communion for all believers; and prayer requests from the congregation will be received by the Rev. Carrasquillo.
The worship service can be followed live on Facebook at First Christian Church- DeLand Disciples at 10:45 a.m. or later by clicking the “video” tab or looking on the news feed.
Adult Sunday school is available in the church library at 9:30 a.m.
Those wanting to participate in a Monday Prayer Gathering can come to the church library at 3:30 p.m. or send in a prayer request to 386-734-6078 on Sunday night.
Dr. Janet Raney is providing elementary- and secondary-school tutoring in the church library 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays starting Sept. 2. Sue Brague will be assisting.
A youth group is starting 5:30-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays in the youth room, with an entrance by the church office. Dr. Raney will be guiding the group, led by Arianna Dutton and Shayla Kopsa. Middle-schoolers and high-schoolers are welcome to attend the group starting Sept. 1.
‘What Did Jesus Look Like?’
On Sunday, Aug. 29, First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will present Bill Lazarus, who will discuss “What Did Jesus Look Like?”
Scholars and religious folks have tried to come up with answers to this question for centuries. Today they are closer. It really matters.
Bill Lazarus, religious historian, author and educator, will share some interesting information, as well as some visual renderings.
As always, Lazarus will present an interesting talk with a great discussion afterward, including lots of great information. This is a discussion not to be missed!
First Unitarian Universalist continues to host virtual services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to join over Zoom from 10:15 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins.
Regular group meetings continue on Zoom and in person: The Book and Poetry clubs each meet monthly; the Covenant Group and a discussion group meet every two weeks; and the Men’s Group meets weekly.
Special education programs for children are available.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community where all are welcomed to learn together. The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.
Activities at 1st United Methodist of DeLand
There are so many demands for our time and attention; sometimes it becomes difficult to commit wholeheartedly to anything. There are the day-to-day demands from our families and our jobs, as well as our friends, and then there are all the extra activities like fitness and pleasure that can cry out for our time and attention. There is also the need for us to carve out time to foster and maintain our spiritual health and well-being.
First United Methodist Church of DeLand recognizes the challenges that we all face in meeting these demands, and also realizes that often our spiritual commitments and our relationship with God are among the most difficult to maintain and prioritize.
First United Methodist is exploring this topic in the sermon series “Jeremiah: Faith During Opposition,” examining how to go about remaining faithful to God even when others around us are not.
On Sunday, Aug. 29, the church will be looking at the idea that God wants your whole heart. The first commandment with promise tells us that we are to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, all of our mind, all our body and all our strength.” This can be challenging in our world, where making commitments can pull us in many directions.
You’re encouraged to attend this Sunday as First Church explores from God’s perspective how we should go about accomplishing committing to Him first and foremost, and how doing so can help strengthen our other commitments as well.
In-person traditional worship is at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and a contemporary service is 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.
‘Pathway’ class at Mosaic Unitarian Universalist concludes
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. This Sunday, Aug. 29, the two-part “Pathway” class will conclude with a discussion among participants.
Those wishing to participate (participation is always voluntary) will discuss such questions as “Why bother with a spiritual community in the first place?” “What path am I on, and why do I follow it?” and “What does it do for me?”
Judy Raymond will lead everyone through this service.
For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
Listening is not enough!
On Sunday, Aug. 29, Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will begin a five-week sermon series on the Book of James. Pastor Bodger will use James to present a quite simple challenge to believers: Put words into action.
The world makes all sorts of promises, which prove empty! Addressing the scattered 12 tribes of Israel, and today’s scattered Christ-followers, James contends that we can also fall short, contradicting the Gospel with deeds and actions as we live life.
Pastor Bodger will confront the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. congregants with the fact that faith becomes a reflection in our daily living, thus witnessing our changed lives.
Confrontational and challenging, this call for commitment reflects our espoused Christian values. In this first week’s reading from James 1:17-27, listeners in the church and those on the Facebook and YouTube sources will hear that, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak,” and doers not merely hearers of the word planted in them.
Sometimes, we do not want to hear these words; however, we ignore this wisdom to the detriment of the “good news” of the Gospel. “Listening is not enough!”
In these times of COVID, the church requires all people on campus to wear masks to maintain safety. If you cannot attend the Sunday contemporary service at 9 a.m. or the traditional service at 11 a.m., you’re encouraged to join worship on First Pres’ Facebook or website sources.
All those present and all those at home are welcomed to partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during both services.
In this issue of The Beacon, the Religion Directory offers much detail about First Pres’ opportunities. An important one offers God’s Bathhouse 9-11 a.m. this Saturday, Aug. 28, on the church basketball court as an opportunity to shower and receive hygiene kits and fresh clothing.
You’re invited to join the congregation in its vision to become a church “Fully Engaged in Reaching Up, In, and Out” with the Gospel.
DeLand Quakers to continue in-person worship
With the surge of the delta variant and the risk of infection despite being vaccinated, like other religious groups the DeLand Quakers have been questioning whether it’s safe to continue Sunday-morning worship in person.
After weighing the pros and cons and not knowing when and if herd immunity will be achieved, the group has decided that worshipping in person instead of via Zoom is vital to their spiritual growth as a community, and is an act of faith and commitment.
To act responsibly and accommodate members who feel especially vulnerable, they decided that everyone attending the meeting for worship will wear N95 masks, which are less prone to leakage. The masks will be given to all who attend, and a spaced-out seating arrangement will continue. Those who still feel it is too risky to come will be called regularly so they know they are being thought of and cared for.
So, Quakers will continue to meet at 10:30 a.m. Sundays for in-person worship. Visitors who are fully vaccinated (please bring a vaccination card) and are willing to wear the N95 mask provided are welcome. The Quakers meet at the Dreka Theater, 112 E. New York Ave. in Downtown DeLand.
