Fourth of July Heritage Festival
Greater Faith AME Church in Deltona is hosting the first annual Fourth of July Heritage Festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, July 4.
The After Hour Band will provide entertainment, and Dr. Patrick Coggins will be the heritage speaker.
There will also be church choirs, dancers, and a presentation on church history. Shannon’s BBQ & Seafood food truck will be selling food at the event, and various other organizations will be on hand.
The public is welcome, and there is no charge to attend.
The Rev. Dr. Caroline Shine is the pastor of Greater Faith AME Church. Other leaders of the church are Bishop Frank Madison Reid III, presiding prelate; Marlaa Hall Reid, Episcopal supervisor; the Rev. Lorenzo Laws, presiding elder; and Gertrude Laws, district consultant.
Greater Faith AME Church is at 800 Deltona Blvd. in Deltona.
Celebrating our freedom
“Let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains.
“Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain.
“Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key.
“We can be free and we can sing, let freedom ring.” – William and Gloria Gaither
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand, members and friends are looking forward to celebrating our freedom as we gather together this Fourth of July weekend. We give thanks for our freedom to assemble together and worship the one who gives us freedom from the eternal consequences of our sinful natures.
“Your freedom is the most expensive thing you own, even if you didn’t pay for it yourself.” – Anonymous
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul; the other died for your freedom.
As your family makes plans for this Fourth of July weekend, you’re encouraged to celebrate all of our freedoms and those who make these freedoms our reality.
First United Methodist provides in-person traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and has a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All three services are streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or they can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
The church also offers small-group Bible studies at various times during the week: Young adults meet Sunday evening; youth groups meet at different times during the week; and there’s a Saturday-morning men’s Bible study.
If you’d like to get connected to a small group for fellowship and sharing, call the church office at 386-734- 5113.
Freedom and the internet
On Sunday, July 3, worshippers at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will learn whether we really can say anything, anywhere, anytime. Now, with the addition of search engines, Google, Facebook, Twitter and the next hot platform, what’s the real story of our rights?
Former broadcaster Mel Browning will share some important facts about where we are and how we got here, and some ideas and discussion about what we now should consider with the wide-open access we have to all these venues of the internet.
Those attending in person are encouraged to join 10:15- 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the 10:30 a.m. service begins. Masks are discretionary at this time.
The Zoom meeting, now live with the service, will also be available at 10:30 a.m., with an invitation to join between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This is a work in progress to include those at home not ready to attend or unable to attend for any reason. This Sunday Service ID is the same every week: 927 1881 9188. The ID is 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.
First Unitarian Universalist is committed to being a part of the community; the congregation participates in helping at Interfaith Kitchen, as well as 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.
Activities at 1st Christian Church
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand has a guest minister and musical accompanist for the 10:45 a.m. Sunday, July 3, worship service.
The Table of the Lord is open to all believers; the elders provide prayers and the elements. Sue Brague offers coffee and treats at 10:15 a.m. in the narthex, for those wanting to fellowship before the worship service.
At 8:15 a.m., the informal service “Coffee With God” is open in the fellowship-hall area, with Scripture, prayer and Communion.
The adult Sunday-school class meets in the church library at 9:30 a.m. to study the Gospel of John 1:1-14, “The Word Becomes Flesh.”
Those wanting prayer may submit requests by calling 386-734-6078 for the small prayer-group meeting at 3:30 p.m. Mondays, including July 4.
The Disciple Women will continue meeting at 1 p.m. Mondays, July 11, 18 and 25, for service in preparing the McDowell Education Building for Trinity United Methodist Church’s office relocation.
Voloria Manning continues Temple Learning Center Summer Camp 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the fellowship hall.
First Christian Church is a provider of the Summer BreakSpot Food Program, with breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m. and lunch noon-1 p.m.
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation to discuss the act of receiving
You’re encouraged to journey into the wilderness online with Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation this summer in the 2022 Summer Sharing Series, based upon exploring the “Inward Journey” (Jan Phillips’ Visionary Thought Series).
This summer, the congregation is exploring the integration of mind, body and spirit. These services are designed to allow participants to share their thoughts if they choose to do so. Sharing is always voluntary; active listening is welcome, too.
This Sunday, July 3, the congregation will continue roundtable-style services, with facilitator Tracy Lunquist guiding everyone through a discussion on receiving. It is as important to receive as it is to give.
The reflection question for this Sunday is: “How do you feel when it is your time to receive?”
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.
Breaking news: The Kingdom of God has come near!
Ancient Scripture found in Luke, Chapter 10, reports that Jesus commissions 72 followers to prepare every town and place to which He plans to travel. He instructs them to tell those they visit and heal that “The Kingdom of God is near you.” So we modern Christ-followers receive that significant news and wonder what we do with the stunning information.
During First Presbyterian Church of DeLand’s three services this Sunday, July 3, Pastor Michael Bodger will charge listeners to recognize that living Kingdom. If we recognize and accept the Gospel, it radically changes who we are, how we behave, and what we say!
If others do not accept the Gospel, how must we respond as we interact with them? Not influenced by those who reject the message, we continue to share that God’s Kingdom stands near! We do not worry about how others live; we live our life in the manner of the calling by the Living God.
July’s calendar brings to First Pres continued Sunday services, Bible studies on weekdays and Sundays, Sunday-evening youth get-togethers, and Children’s Church and nursery during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday services.
On the second and fourth Saturdays (July 9 and 23), God’s Bathhouse meets near the pavilion 9-11 a.m. for free showers, hygiene kits, fresh clothing and fellowship.
Also, a free drive-thru Farm Share food distribution on Saturday, July 16, starting at 9 a.m. near the pavilion, will offer boxes filled with a week’s food. Come to join the lineup from West Pennsylvania Avenue.
If you enjoy bingo, meet in the fellowship hall at 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, for some fun, fellowship and competition. All members and visitors are welcome to vie for silly non-monetary prizes.
The Single Women’s Group of First Pres invites members, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, and friends who live the “single life” to join this newly formed group for food and fellowship on Sunday, July 3, following the 11 a.m. worship service. The get-together will be at Cook’s Buffet Cafe Bakery, at 704 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand. To help plan, you’re asked to RSVP by July 1 at 386-734-6212.
Ladies, save the date of Tuesday, July 19, for a movie and dinner, with the time to be announced, to see Where the Crawdads Sing at CMX Daytona Luxury 12 Theatres (formerly Cobb Theater) in Daytona Beach. RSVP at 386-734-6212, and plan to carpool with friends.
