Orange City United Methodist Church will host an Egg-Cellent Adventure 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 9. The community is invited to join in for fun, food and fellowship.
For the kids, there will be face painters and a large bounce house with a giant slide. There will also be yards of candy-filled eggs for the kids to race and scoop up in the church’s Egg Hunt.
In supporting local businesses, Orange City United Methodist will have barbecue and ice-cream food trucks from which guests can purchase a scrumptious lunch and enjoy a picnic in the church’s shady grass area. Games and other activities are planned for families to enjoy an afternoon packed full of fun!
For more details, email Family Ministry Director Hidi Stephens at FamilyMinistry@ocumc.org.
Orange Cit y United Methodist Church is at 396 E. University Ave., two blocks west of Orange City Elementary School.
Keeping lust at bay
This Sunday, March 27, First United Methodist Church of DeLand will be looking at “Lust” in the ongoing sermon series “The Seven Deadly Sins.”
“Lust is to the other passions what the nervous fluid is to life; it supports them all, lends strength to them all; ambition, cruelty, avarice, revenge are all founded on lust.” – Marquis de Sade
Intensely longing for or desiring to have something that is not ours can cause people to do some unsavory things. King David’s desire for Bathsheba caused him to lie and commit murder.
Lust can be a very destructive force if it is not tamed and kept in check. The March 27 sermon will look into this overwhelmingly destructive deadly sin, and will look at God’s plan for helping to keep it at bay and keep it from causing destructive behaviors in our lives.
Looking ahead to Easter, First Church will be hosting a special musical presentation “Amazing Grace,” to celebrate the Easter season, at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, in the church’s Family Life Center. This will be a choral event performed by singers from various choirs in the area.
It’s a free concert. A love offering will be taken to benefit the work at The Bridge in DeLand.
Call the church office for more information at 386- 734-5113.
Annual memorial service at Glenwood Cemetery
The Glenwood Cemetery Association, after its spring cleanup March 19, will have its annual memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27, in the cemetery’s gazebo. The cemetery is at 2155 Guava St. at Rogers Road.
During the service — which honors the buried and their families — Volusia County Council Member and former longtime Sheriff Ben Johnson will present appreciation plaques to Eagle Scouts Nathan Mann and Conner Gilmore, and to local Boy Scout troops, for their extensive help improving cemetery grounds.
Buddhism and spiritual wellness
On Sunday, March 27, First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes back the Rev. Morris Doshin Sullivan, who returns to share the wisdom and principles of the Buddha.
Doshin Sullivan is a spiritual leader in the community. If you attend, you just might hear something you need at this moment.
The service is at 10:30 a.m. March 27. Masks are required at this time.
A Zoom meeting for a repeat of last week’s in-person program will also be at 10:30 a.m. This “Second Chance” meeting for Sunday service uses the same ID every week: 927 1881 9188. ID: https:// zoom.us/i/92718819188.
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.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez from Orlando is the guest minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 27.
Essie Miller and Sue Brague welcome everyone at 10:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries. The service includes Kathy Porr’s welcome, the Rev. Perez’s prayers and message, Charlaine Free’s special music, and elders Janet Raney and Nancy Jones administering Communion to all.
The public is welcome to follow the church on Facebook, First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples, live, or later by clicking on the “video” tab or the news feed. Instagram is available at #fccofdeland for news and inspirational posts.
The adult Sunday-school class at 9:30 a.m. has the topic “Free Because of the Lord,” based on Deuteronomy 8. This class meets in the church library.
Bingo is being played on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. The next game is at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, in the fellowship hall. Free child care is provided by Robin Ashton.
Marge Jones offers her fourth class in watercolor painting 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 29. Each class is independent, with participants producing a finished picture each time. A cost of $10 covers supplies. Register at 386-734-0677.
the pews. The event was hosted by First Pres’s the Rev. Michael Bodger. Also participating were pastoral student intern Katie Rives of First Pres, the Rev.
Reginald Johnson and the Rev. Betty Martin, both of Bethel AME Church, Hugh Ash Manor Chaplain the Rev. Laura Walters Baskett, retired minister the Rev. Bob Anderson and former Army chaplain the Rev. Shane Gaster. The opportunity to be a collective force through prayer helps those in our
community trying to deal with the suffering of women and children being shown constantly in our daily news.
PHOTO BY MARTIN O’CULL
Stop or go?
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand on Sunday, March 27, Pastor Michael Bodger will extend the Lenten journey by challenging listeners with the question “Stop or Go?” presented in two Scriptures. Guided by the devotional “Lent in Plain Sight,” by Jill Duffield, the church continues its daily Lenten journey.
Pastor Bodger will reflect on Exodus 3:1-6 and Mark 6:6b-13 to demonstrate these seemingly contrary instructions from God. “Remove your sandals,” God says to Moses. “Wear your sandals,” Jesus tells his disciples as they set out to spread His word. The circumstance of wearing and not wearing shoes hearkens back to Ecclesiastes, which tells us there is a time for everything under heaven.
God tells Moses to take off his sandals before the burning bush, to feel the earth beneath his feet and remain grounded in that holy moment. By contrast, shoes mark just about the only thing Jesus wants his disciples to have for their journey. No money, no bag, no extra clothes — just sandals and a staff. Jesus wants them to move, to walk, to go from town to town as they proclaim the Good News.
This Lent, is God calling his followers to stop and listen or to get moving and step out in faith? Or is it both?
As The Beacon’s Religion Directory says, First Pres meets to worship, with Holy Communion, in different styles at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. each Sunday. The directory as well as First Pres’s website tell of the diverse opportunities to join in worship, hunger and homeless support, music, Bible study, children/ youth/adult fellowship, environmental awareness, gardening family ministries, and varied study as part of the church’s vision of deep engagement in reaching up, in and out for God.
First Pres welcomes people to come to God’s Bathhouse at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9, in the pavilion. You will receive a shower, clean clothes, and fellowship at this event, offered without cost or obligation by the church.
First Presbyterian welcomes you to join the journey toward the Resurrection of our Lord!
