Save the date
Lake Helen United Methodist Church, at 121 W. Delaware Ave., is celebrating its centennial, and will have a program at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11. At that event, Lake Helen Mayor Cameron Lane will present a proclamation. This will be followed by an old-fashioned ice-cream social and hymn sing. Everyone is welcome.
On Sunday, June 12, the 10 a.m. morning service will feature a visit from the Rev. Whitworth, Lake Helen United Methodist’s first minister, impersonated by Lowell Moore, and mini-sermons from several former pastors. Following the service, there will be dinner on the grounds with an anniversary cake.
Photos and memorabilia will be available to view, and those attending can take a tour of Outside the Gates Food Pantry. The event will conclude with burying a time capsule. Period 1920s dress is encouraged.
Activities at First Pres
This Sunday, May 29, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Pastor Michael Bodger will lead an exploration of John’s Gospel, Chapter 17:20-26, at the three services on-site, livestreamed and recorded.
In this Gospel message, we hear Jesus praying for the world, “… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me …. even before the creation of the world.”
Today, division and differentiation pervade and dominate so much of our living on this Earth. John’s Gospel suggests all should seek love, acceptance and tolerance instead of the conflict resulting from our not seeing “eye to eye” with others.
May and June bring a variety of church-related events. First, on Saturday, May 28, God’s Bathhouse begins at 9 a.m. in front of the Mission Room. Open to all, the church offers showers, hygiene kits, fresh clothing and fellowship.
Volunteers will support The Bridge by providing free in-place or carryout meals at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at 434 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs with green beans, supplied and prepared by First Pres, this week’s hosts.
At 7 p.m. Friday, members and guests are invited to come to fellowship hall to enjoy an evening of fun playing bingo. Invite friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers for a free evening of engaging fellowship!
Call the church office or use the online registration for First Presbyterian’s Vacation Bible School, which will run for four days beginning 9 a.m.-noon Monday, June 20. The theme “Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness,” will take children through a creative and joyful journey of learning and fun, greatly popular each summer with local children post-kindergarten through post-fifth grade. VBS has enrollment open to all, with no fee.
Katie Rives, First Pres’s ministry intern, will soon begin a small-group study for both First Pres attendees and non-attendees. The Art of Marriage, for all married and thinking-about-marriage couples, begins 6:30- 8 p.m. Friday, June 3. For six weeks, the class will approach “Getting to the Heart of God’s Design” through videos, group discussion, and a workbook of great information for each participant (but no homework!).
Child care during the marriage study is available upon request; registration costs $25 a couple. Email Katie Rives at krives@fpcdstaff.org or text her at 352-551- 5850 for questions and information.
Rummage Sale
Greater Faith AME Church is hav ing a Rummage Sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 28. There will be a variety of items to choose from at great prices, and lots of parking space.
The church is at 800 Deltona Blvd. in Deltona. Call 386-507-6853 with questions.
Rev. Samuel Robles to speak at 1st Christian Church
The Rev. Samuel Robles, author of I Am Onesimus: A Trek Toward Self-Affirmation, a Walt Disney World musician and podcast host, is the guest minister for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand at the 10:45 a.m. Sunday, May 29, service.
Elders Nancy Jones and Brenda Velasquez- Morales will administer Communion to all believers. Christina Coulter provides music for the service.
Worship services can always be viewed on Facebook at First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples or watched later by clicking on the “video” tab.
At 8:15 a.m. each Sunday, a small group meets outside the kitchen for Scripture, prayer and Communion.
Prayers will be lifted up for those requesting them at 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 30, in the church library.
John Parrish is inviting any bluegrass musicians to join him in the First Christian back parking lot at 7 p.m. on the first and third Fridays to jam.
Essie Miller’s flower-arranging class continues in the fellowship hall at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Call 305-469- 6241 to register and get information.
Dr. Janet Raney will meet with the youth at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, for their last organized meeting this school year. Youth will continue projects and activities during the summer; one is landscaping back beds of the church.
Activities at 1st United Methodist
Do miracles still happen today in our modern world? If they do, have you witnessed one?
Hans Christian Andersen wrote, “The world is a series of miracles, but we are so used to them we call them ordinary things.”
So does it require something supernatural that defies explanation for us to identify an event or occurrence as a miracle?
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand, members and friends believe God is still in the miracle-working business, and that He still performs miracles all around us each and every day.
On Sunday, May 29, in the sermon series “Encounter: Jesus Makes All Things New,” the church will be examining a miracle that occurred for “The Grieving Widow.” Her only son had died and, during the funeral procession, they had an encounter with Jesus. The outcome was nothing short of miraculous.
Do you ever find yourself in need of a miracle? Or do you ever wonder if some of the things you have witnessed occurring around you could be considered miraculous?
You’re encouraged to attend First United Methodist this Sunday, May 29, or find the church online and discover what miracle might be waiting just around the corner.
This year, First Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School, with the theme “Monumental – Celebrating God’s Greatness.” VBS will be 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 20-24. Call the church at 386-734-5113 for registration information.
‘I and Thou’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Sunday, May 29, service is “I and Thou.” Andrew Meit will provide a taste of Martin Buber’s famous Ich und Du (I and Thou). He will help clarify and explain what Buber was trying to teach us in 1923, and that his work qualifies as a UU source.
Worship leader Judy Raymond will guide everyone through the service. 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.
Navigating change
The Rev. Sensei Morris Sullivan will speak at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, May 29, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.
In these times of disruptions and profound change, we all need the wisdom and tools to maneuver safely and calmly through our daily lives. Sullivan will share insights from a Buddhist perspective.
For those attending in person, masks are discretionary at this time, as First UU continues to monitor circumstances concerning the CDC recommendations for safety in the church’s setting.
Zoom meetings for a repeat of last week’s program will also be at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. To view, visit https://zoom.us/i/92718819188.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, freethinking, openhearted, spiritual community where all are welcomed as everyone learns together. Discussion may be included after every presentation.
The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.
Yard Sale to benefit Ukraine
A reminder that Faith Lutheran Church in DeLand is having a Yard Sale to benefit Ukraine 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 4. Hot dogs, baked goods, drinks and other refreshments will be served for donations.
The church is asking that the public assist by donating items, which can include jewelry, plants, linens, toys, tools, small furniture, knickknacks, and just about anything in good shape. Donated items can be delivered to the church Sunday mornings after the 9:30 a.m. church service, or during the week on Wednesday or Friday, provided you call the church office first at 386-734-2791 or Deborah on her cellphone at 386-848-3631.
At 11:30 a.m. June 4, all unsold items will be 50-percent off.
Every nickel collected will provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine via Lutheran World Relief, an arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This organization is boots-on-the-ground in the worn-torn nation.
Faith Lutheran Church is at 509 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in DeLand.
