steve mauldin first united methodist church deland first rresponders appreciation
THANKS — Steve Mauldin, of First United Methodist Church of DeLand, in front on the right, leads a group in prayer during First Responders Appreciation Day March 5 in front of the AdventHealth DeLand hospital. The group visited all the floors in the building, spreading well-wishes and bags of goodies to every staff member they encountered. BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN

Holy Week at Trinity United Methodist in DeLand

Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand will offer several opportunities to worship during Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday, April 14, there will be a Tenebrae Service starting at 7:30 p.m. This is an ancient service that increases in darkness by gradually extinguishing candles to symbolize the coming darkness of Jesus’ death.

On Good Friday, April 15, the sanctuary will be open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for prayer. Self-guided prayer stations will be available, as this is a come-and-go event.

On Saturday, April 16, starting at 10 a.m., Trinity will have an Easter egg hunt on the campus at 306 W. Wisconsin Ave. This is a fun event for the whole family! All you need to do is bring an Easter basket to collect eggs. There will also be a special area for the littlest egg-hunters.

If you have any questions, call Pastor Caitlin at 386- 734-4425 or email to familymin@trinitydeland.org.

On Easter Sunday, April 17, Trinity will have three opportunities to worship. A Sunrise Service will begin at 6:30 a.m. It will take place outdoors on the church’s property at 1290 W. Plymouth Ave. After the service, a potluck breakfast will be available on the church’s 306 W. Wisconsin Ave. campus.

The church’s modern Easter service is at 9 a.m., and the traditional service begins at 11 a.m. Both services will take place in the sanctuary. Church members and friends are looking forward to worshipping with you!

1st Christian Church activities

The Rev. Patreza Newton returns to the pulpit of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand as guest minister for the second time at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, April 3.

The Rev. Newton will give a dynamic, spirit-filled message, along with Donna Mozley as song leader and Charlaine Free as the guest musician. The elders of the month will deliver Communion to all present in disposable Communion sets as participants come forward; those who are unable to stand can receive the elements while remaining seated.

First Christian Disciple Women will be attending the Florida Disciple Women’s Spring Enrichment Meeting at The Retreat at Silver Springs on Saturday, April 2. The Rev. Marilyn Williams will present the theme “When Women Connect.”

Marge Jones has her fifth Watercolor Class 10 a.m.- noon Tuesday, April 5. Each class provides a new technique, and participants can leave with a finished painting.

Janet Raney, Essie Miller and Sue Brague are providing bingo in the fellowship hall at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8. Robin Ashton will be present for any who need child care.

The youth continue to meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays for dinner in the fellowship hall and then go to the Youth Room with Janet Raney.

For up-to-date information on the church, follow on Instagram at #fccofdeland.

Oil: anointing and healing

On Sunday, April 3, Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will continue to explore thoughtful Lenten conversations guided by the congregationwide reading of author Jill J. Duffield’s Lent in Plain Sight. This week, the topic is “Oil: Anointing and Healing.” Scripture readings include Psalm 23 and Luke 10:25-37.

When we moderns hear the word “oil,” we jump to question the current gallon price or the favored type chosen for cooking. Messy and in most instances unwelcomed, oil presents a substance to avoid, but also to need. In Jesus’ day, people regarded oil far differently.

Through Scriptures, we witness oil to anoint chosen ones, honor an important guest, heal the injured, prepare a body for burial, and form worship. Anointing and healing are strong themes in the Bible’s history, used to convey closeness and relationship. Just as Jesus received anointing by a woman with oil from an alabaster jar, God deems us worthy of anointing, as sung in Psalm 23, “Thou anointest my head with oil.”

God’s Bathhouse welcomes people to enjoy a shower, fresh clothes, hygiene kits, fellowship — all without cost or obligation — in First Pres’s pavilion area at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9.

The church opens its grounds for an “Eggsperience” 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Local children and adults will enjoy a live petting zoo, bounce houses, egg hunts (organized fairly into age groups), snacks and more! All these activities will have supervision by friendly people on hand to register, guide and help parents and children.

April reminders: Workers meet in the Community Garden at 9 a.m. Mondays, on the 11th and 25th, and on Saturday, the 23rd; makers of sleeping mats for the homeless meet at 10 a.m. Thursdays in Room 11B.

To celebrate Jesus’ walk to His glorious Resurrection on Easter, Holy Week begins with services on Palm Sunday (April 10), Maundy Thursday (at 7 p.m. April 14), and Good Friday (at 7 p.m. April 15). A nursery will be provided.

The Easter Sunrise Service will be at 7 a.m. April 17.

Coming home to community

First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes back Unitarian Universalist minister the Rev. Tracie Barrett at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 3. If you join, you might just hear something you need at this moment.

Those attending in person are encouraged to join 10:15- 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are required at this time.

Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community where all are welcomed as everyone learns together. The congregation participates in helping the Interfaith Kitchen and other community projects.

Regular group meetings continue on Zoom and in person. Special educational programs for children are available.

The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.

‘The World We Have to Come Home To’

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the April 3 service is “The World We Have to Come Home To.” Many all over the world will be observing Palm Sunday April 10, which celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. But, with the effects of global warming and climate change that have wreaked havoc on our world, what would the Divine have to say of the world at which they would be arriving?

Join Matt Pargeter-Villarreal for a discussion of Unitarian Universalism’s seventh principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” and why it matters for Unitarian Universalists as people of faith and stewards of the environment.

Worship leader Kim Eddins will guide everyone through the service. All are welcome.

For more information, see the website at mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.

A look at gluttony

On Sunday, April 3, First United Methodist Church of DeLand will be looking at “Gluttony” in the ongoing sermon series “The Seven Deadly Sins.”

“Gluttony is harder than it looks. It’s listed as a sin, as something you give in to, when really it’s a skill, requiring not just hunger, but resilience.” — Tom Junod

Gluttony is usually thought of in relation to the consumption of food, when in reality gluttony is the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste.

When thought of from this perspective, it might be shocking to many of us how many things we have gluttonous attitudes toward and behaviors typifying gluttony.

This Sunday, April 3, First United Methodist will host a special musical presentation, “Amazing Grace,” at 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center. This will be a choral event composed of singers from various choirs in the area. It’s a free concert; however, a love offering will be collected to benefit the work of The Bridge in DeLand.

On Saturday, April 9, the First Church Choir will host a Stetson Student Concert at 3 p.m. in the main sanctuary, featuring a variety of music stylings performed by the church’s Stetson students. This is also a free concert, with a love offering collected to help support music scholarships.

Call the church office for additional information at 386-734-5113.

Fish fry at St. Jude’s Episcopal in Orange City

St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Graves Ave. in Orange City, is hosting a fish fry 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. For $12, patrons will get fish (of course), fries, coleslaw, hush puppies and a drink.

Proceeds will benefit the St. Jude’s Men’s Group and the group’s projects.

For takeout, call 386- 775-6200.

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