The City of Daytona Beach is hosting a Gospel Extravaganza beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Daisy Stocking Park, 555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
This free event will showcase Emerald McIntyre, who performs a mix of gospel, classical, jazz, and rhythm and blues; Tim Bush, who comes from a Grammy Award-winning musical family; Sparrow Ministries, a local gospel band; CJ Jamison, who creates gospel rap music; and Gregory Byrd, a worship leader.
Food and drink vendors will be on-site during the concert. Attendees can bring their own lawn chairs. No coolers are allowed.
‘The Story of Choice’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the April 24 service is “The Story of Choice.”
When challenged by author Elie Wiesel and existentialist philosopher Martin Buber, a young disabled man chooses to have an adult bar mitzvah.
Andrew Meit will take everyone on a philosophical journey exploring choices and their effect on who we ultimately become. All are welcome.
For more information on Mosaic, see the website at mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
Worship and grow together
“The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” — Henry Ward Beecher
First United Methodist Church of DeLand is “The Family Place,” because members believe that each person there is a part of a united group of individuals doing life together as one family community as they seek to grow in God’s grace and love.
Each Sunday, members and visitors join in songs of praise, explore God’s Word to gain wisdom and guidance, and fellowship together to encourage and build each other up in the faith. You and your family are encouraged to come out and join the First Church family so that all can worship and grow together.
The church has traditional worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. A contemporary worship service is at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All three services are held in person, but they are also streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or they can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
First United Methodist also offers small-group Bible studies at various times during the week. Young adults meet on Sunday evening; youth groups meet at different times during the week; and there is a Saturday-morning men’s Bible study. If you’d like to get connected to a small group for fellowship and sharing, contact the church office for more details.
First Church offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Contact the office at 386-734-5113 for additional information.
On nature and spirituality
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes Leslie Kemp Poole, associate professor of environmental studies at Rollins College, to speak at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, April 24. The author of two books, the latest being the essay collection The Wilder Heart of Florida, Poole will share some spiritual insights and connections to the world around us. Masks are required at this time.
A Zoom meeting for a repeat of last week’s program will also be at 10:30 a.m., at the link 927 1881 9188 ID: https://zoom.us/i/92718819188.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community, where all are welcomed as they learn and search together. The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org.
First Congregational Church pledges support to mission projects
For many years, the congregation of First Congregational Church of Orange City has supported The Neighborhood Center’s food bank and, more recently, The Bridge, both of which are in DeLand. Currently, the church has pledged support for four additional mission projects, each of which reflects concern about different groups of people.
These projects include Grace House Pregnancy Center — items needed by new mothers and infants; children entering foster care unexpectedly — comfort kits containing age-appropriate hygiene items and small toys; families of needy Volusia County school students — gift certificates for food; and Ukrainian children — donations to UNICEF and/or UNHCR.
Anyone interested in participating in any of these projects can get more information from the church office at 386-775-2462.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Sammy Robles, a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary, is the guest minister for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand’s 10:45 a.m. Sunday, April 24, service.
Nancy Jones is greeter for the worship service; Kathy Porr will deliver announcements and give a welcome; and Charlaine Free provides worship and special music, with Donna Mozley as song leader.
Dr. Janet Raney and the Rev. Dr. Fernando Morales administer Communion to all.
The service can be viewed on Facebook at First Christian Church — DeLand Disciples live or watched later by clicking on the “video” tab or by looking on the news feed.
Those wanting a very informal gathering are invited at 8:15 a.m. Sundays for coffee, prayer, Scripture and Communion in the fellowship hall area.
A prayer encounter takes place at 3:30 p.m. every Monday in the church library.
The youth will be meeting with Dr. Raney at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April and May.
Bingo continues at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of the month in the fellowship hall, led by Essie Miller, Dr. Raney and Sue Brague, with Robin Ashton available for free babysitting. The next bingo nights are April 22, May 13 and May 27.
Yard Sale at St. Jude’s Episcopal
St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City is having a Yard Sale 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30. There will be many, many items to choose from, such as clothes, shoes, purses, kids’ items, electronics, household items and books.
Proceeds will benefit the women’s ministries and outreach.
Call 386-775-6200, email to Admin@stjudescentralflorida.org, or visit www.stjudescentralflorida.org. The church is at 815 E. Graves Ave. in Orange City.
Indoor Rummage Sale at Our Lady of the Lakes
An Indoor Rummage Sale will take place 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Deltona. The sale will be hosted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and by Knights of Columbus Council 6584, and will offer quality items at great prices.
All proceeds will go directly to benefit our community.
The church is at 1310 Maximilian St. in Deltona.
Dominion!
Earth Day! This coming Sunday, April 24, Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will be exploring the gift God gave to humankind to have dominion over creation, which God saw as very good. When we look around us, not just locally but also internationally, how are we living into the gift that God gave us?
What is our role as followers of Jesus Christ when it comes to creation and its care? Are we mindful of it? Is it simply a means to an end? The reality is, given the gift, we are to “till and keep it.” Every day is Earth Day!
Pastor Bodger will lead everyone through Genesis 1:26-31 at all three worship services April 24.
You’re encouraged to join church members and friends April 27 for First Pres’s “Fourth Wednesday” Cookout at 5 p.m. in the new pavilion, behind the church and off West Pennsylvania Avenue. Hot dogs, burgers, chips and water will be provided, and there will be line dancing!
Other upcoming events on the church campus include a Yard Sale being held by Boy Scout Troop 550 on Saturday, April 30. Also, First Pres’s next Farm Share Food Distribution will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in the parking lot behind the church. The food is free to all as long as the supply lasts.
Fish Fry at DeLeon Springs United Methodist
DeLeon Springs United Methodist Church, at 265 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., is hosting a Fish Fry 4-7 p.m. Saturday, April 23.
Tickets cost $9.
Call 386-985-4325 for more information.
