Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand will offer two opportunities to receive ashes Wednesday, March 2. From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., there will be an Ash and Dash. You can drive through the portico side of the church and receive ashes while staying in your car.
At 7 p.m. March 2, Trinity United Methodist will have an Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary, where you can receive ashes and Holy Communion.
Thursdays during Lent, from March 3 through April 7, Trinity will have a Lectio Divina service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Lectio Divina is translated as “sacred reading.” This is an ancient way to study Scripture. Those attending will explore a passage together and conclude with 20 minutes of Centering Prayer.
Please contact the church office at 386-734-4425 with questions.
Our transfiguration
On Sunday, Feb. 27, Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will address the deep question arising from Luke 9:28-36. Accompanied by disciples Peter, John and James, Jesus the Son of God undergoes a transfiguration when praying upon a mountain. “The appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning” (verse 29).
The men stunningly saw the transfigured Jesus, joined by Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glorious splendor to talk with Jesus about the imminent fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Now we might wonder whether or not Jesus really changed. Through Jesus’ appearance and interactions in the Scriptures, we see His unchanging character revealed!
Can the same be said of Christ-followers? Scripture assures us of transformation when we come to understand just who Jesus is and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
As we meet life’s challenges calling us to abide in our new Christlike formation, however, do we meet that opportunity to reveal who we have become in Jesus Christ? Luke recounts, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’” Do we stand ready to become transfigured?
This Saturday, Feb. 26, God’s Bathhouse begins at 9 a.m. to offer showers, fresh towels and some clothing, hygiene kits and fellowship near the First Presbyterian Church parking lot.
On Saturday, March 5, the church will again offer a Free Drive-Thru Food Distribution, beginning at 10 a.m. near the church pavilion. Visitors should approach the church on West Pennsylvania Avenue and follow guides to the food-box line.
At 6:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, March 2, in First Presbyterian’s sanctuary, the church will enter into Lent with the annual worship service with Bethel AME Church of DeLand. The Rev. Reggie Johnson of Bethel will deliver the sermon during the traditional Lenten service to prepare hearts and minds for Passover and Easter. This service is livestreamed and recorded, too.
During Lent, First Pres will undertake a daily devotional and sermon series titled “Lent in Plain Sight,” taking 10 common-day objects and using them to journey spiritually to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
First Pres welcomes all worshippers in this area to join in reaching out for Christ in all we do!
Director of Disciples of Christ retreat to speak at 1st Christian
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes the Rev. Mary Beth Harper to the pulpit at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Harper is the director of The Retreat at Silver Springs, the Disciples of Christ center for camps and conferences.
The retreat has transformed lives for 67 years through experiences with God in a beautiful, restful and transforming environment.
The Feb. 27 worship service will include Harper’s message, music by Christine Coulter, and Scripture, prayers and Communion. Communion is a revered part of every worship service.
On Friday, Feb. 25, the fellowship hall will be open once again for Family and Singles Bingo at 6:30 p.m. The proceeds support the church’s outreach ministry.
Child care is provided by Robin Ashton. Essie Miller, Janet Raney and Sue Brague are in charge of Bingo Night.
On Tuesday, March 1, the church is hosting dinner at The Bridge homeless shelter, 421 S. Palmetto Ave. in DeLand, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Dr. Phillip Lucas to discuss tantric Hinduism at Mosaic UU
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Feb. 27 service is “Tantric Hinduism: Using the Body and the World as a Pathway to Spiritual Liberation.”
Dr. Phillip Lucas will examine tantric spirituality in Hinduism and show how it presents a pathway to spiritual liberation that uses the body and the material world as gateways to union with the Supreme Reality.
Tantrism integrates the material and the spiritual, the body and the spirit, in a unique manner, making it accessible to Western seekers.
Worship leader Jane Bradford will lead everyone through the service. All are welcome.
For more information about Mosaic, visit the website at mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
Envy
“Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate.” — William Arthur Ward
Envy can become such a green-eyed little monster in the midst of our lives that its impact often destroys lives as well as relationships.
On Sunday, Feb. 27, as part of the ongoing series “The Seven Deadly Sins,” First United Methodist Church of DeLand will be looking at how envy impacts our lives.
You’re encouraged to attend this Sunday and learn how to understand the impact of envy, how it creeps into our lives, and how we can overcome it and not allow it to have any impact or influence over us or our family and friends.
The men in the congregation will be hosting a special day Saturday, March 5, to express appreciation for our first responders. The men and women in our community who give so much to keep us safe and healthy deserve to know that they are valued and appreciated. First Church hopes you will take part on this date in finding a special way to let some first responders know how much you appreciate their service.
For more information, call 386-734-5113.
The wedding vows at the Lord’s marriage
Recorded at the end of the Book of Revelation, the wedding vows exchanged between the Lord and His wife signal the beginning of a new partnership between God and the human race.
We the people are the Lamb’s wife when we love Jesus, repent and live by His commandments. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Everyone is invited to enter into a personal and rational marriage relationship with God that will bring peace and blessedness to our lives and into the world around us. Our world needs you!
At the 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, service at Chrysalis Church, Pastor Terry will share what God unveiled in His second advent about His new marriage partnership with the human race as written in the Book of Revelation.
Chrysalis is still meeting at the church’s temporary gathering place, 145 N. Euclid Ave. in Lake Helen. The service is followed by fellowship and light refreshments. All are welcome!
Symposium on spiritualism March 4 and 5 at Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp
Mystical music and a spiritualism symposium (with an art expo) are scheduled for Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, at the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp.
Legendary Native American singer John Two-Hawks is scheduled to perform “Of Mist and Stone Concert – Musical Mysticism” 7-9 p.m. March 4 in Colby Memorial Temple, 1250 Marion St.
You’re encouraged to take a journey into the sacred, as John Two-Hawks performs enchanting music with a Native American flute that draws the listener into a mystical space where ancient, unseen power can be experienced. His music has earned him Grammy® and Emmy® nominations and Platinum Awards, and has been featured in movies by Fox Searchlight, films by HBO, and programs by The History Channel.
Tickets cost $30 in advance or $40 at the door. You can also purchase a special VIP ticket for $90 that includes a meet-and-greet with the musician at 6:30 p.m., front-row seating and a gift bag valued at $40.
Attendees will be able to learn more about spiritualism at a “Day of Spiritualism,” which will be 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, in the Andrew Jackson Davis Educational Building, 1112 Stevens St.
Lectures with question-and-answer sessions will be at 10 a.m. “Ancient Spiritualism,” with the Rev. Steve Adkins; at 11 a.m. “History of Modern Spiritualism,” with the Rev. Jerry Moore; at noon “Physical Phenomena,” with the Rev. Don Zanghi; at 1 p.m. “Natural Law,” with Pauline Gold; at 2 p.m. “Spiritualist Healing,” with the Rev. Claire Van Cott; and at 3 p.m. “Mediumship.” This event is livestreamed as well. A $5 donation is appreciated for each lecture, with a discount for an all-day pass.
In addition, an exhibit of the arts (paintings and books) by Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp members will be on display and for sale.
Also, starting at 5 p.m. March 5, John Two-Hawks will be the guest speaker at the Talking Stick Circle.
The all-day pass for “Day of Spiritualism” and the concert can be found at https://southern-cassadaga-spiritualist-camp.square.site.
For more information on the events, go to www.Cassadaga.org.
Dan Gribbin talks about Richard Wright
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will host, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, Dan Gribbin, who will present the story of Richard Wright, a literary giant and author of Native Son and many other novels, short stories, poems and nonfiction works.
Literary critics believe Wright’s work helped change race relations in the United States in the mid-20th century.
Second Chance Sunday is held on Zoom at the same time, presenting last week’s program.
The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.
