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DaySpring Community Church in DeLand will have Vacation Bible School Wednesday, July 13, through Friday, July 15. The hours are 6-8:15 p.m. all three days. The theme is “HayDay – Growing in Friendship With Jesus.” There is no charge to attend.

Activities include crafts, music and snacks. The Friday, July 15, session is for the whole family and will feature a petting zoo, a taco bar, music, and other family activities.

DaySpring Community Church is at 902 S. Spring Garden Ave. in DeLand. For more information, call 386- 736-4808.

‘If Only We Could!’

On Sunday, July 10, Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will engage listeners at the 8, 9 and 11 a.m. services in a perplexing question arising from Jesus’ familiar story of the Good Samaritan, in a sermon titled “If Only We Could!”

In Luke 10, we read of a lawyer who tests Jesus with “…what must I do to inherit eternal life?” After the lawyer’s response to Jesus’ counter question, Jesus agrees that the Law says to love God completely and “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Then the perplexed lawyer asks Jesus the thorny, key question, “And who is my neighbor?” How can this lawyer love even a Samaritan whose name he would not even utter?

Today we Christ-followers echo the ideal of loving; however, we must also expand and stretch our minds to decide just who is our neighbor — friend, relative, everyone, even an acknowledged antagonist and enemy? Like this hated Samaritan who aids the man who fell into the hands of abusive robbers in Jesus’ story?

Through the allegory, Jesus teaches to show universal mercy and to put into practice the love of a neighbor as the Samaritan helped the robbed and beaten stranger whom others ignored and despised.

Now if only we can put into practice showing mercy — if only we could identify our neighbor as Jesus is teaching us to do in His parable.

On Saturday, July 9, God’s Bathhouse (every second and fourth Saturday of the month) will open at 9 a.m., near the pavilion behind the church, to provide needy and homeless people a free shower, clean items of clothing, hygiene kits, and fellowship.

First Pres will reach out to the community with another free drive-thru Farm Share food distribution 9-11 a.m. (or as long as supplies last) Saturday, July 16, at the pavilion behind the church. Free boxes of food are offered to anyone who joins the line in the church parking lot.

Note the nearing deadline of Friday, July 15, for reservations for the Single Women’s Group’s movie and dinner adventure on Tuesday, July 19, to Daytona Beach to view Where the Crawdads Sing. Ladies must RSVP to Alice at 386-734- 6212 by July 15! This outing on July 19 will involve independent transportation, so plan to carpool with friends, relatives and neighbors.

In accordance with First Pres’s vision to fully reach up, in and out as the hands of God, First Pres invites all to participate in the church’s Sunday services (live, livestreamed and recorded) and classes, and Bible studies.

You’re encouraged to visit First Pres’s website and see the Religion Directory in The Beacon.

Coping with grief

Journey into the wilderness online with Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation this summer for the 2022 Summer Sharing Series, based upon exploring the “Inward Journey” of Jan Phillips’ Visionary Thought series. This summer will focus on exploration of 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 10, the congregation will continue roundtable-style services, with facilitator Teresa Leary guiding everyone through a discussion about grief, a wilderness each must pass through to heal.

The reflection question for July 10 is “What have you learned about yourself from the grief you have suffered?”

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.

The importance of play

On Sunday, July 10, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand, Coleen Summey will present the program. Summey, who is claiming the role of Joy-Creator in her life today, will be sharing about the concept.

Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, “It is a happy talent to know how to play.”

Play is an essential part of a happy and healthy life mentally, physically and spiritually. But, how often do we take joy-filled activities out of our schedule to accomplish our to-do list, or how often do we allow our inner child to be the loudest voice in the room, telling us it is time to play?

For any questions, the church may be contacted through its website at www.uudeland.org.

‘Between Crisis and the Promised Land’

“Life is a big question that even Google can’t answer.” – Anonymous

Life has many challenges, brings along many questions, and often presents situations that are not easily resolved or answered. Many of us find ourselves living somewhere in the midst of these kinds of circumstances.

A new sermon series titled “The Land Between” begins Sunday, July 10, at First United Methodist Church of DeLand. This week, the topic will be “Between Crisis and the Promised Land.”

Sometimes we find ourselves wandering, like the Israelites, between the deliverance at the Red Sea and the entry into the Land of Promise. In this time of transition, we face many trials and tests of our faith and our commitment to God.

You and your family are encouraged to attend, in person or online, one of the services this Sunday, July 10, as members and visitors find God’s perspective on how to face these times in our lives.

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

1st Christian Church activities

Mark Bose, of Mark’s Pianoworks of Florida, is providing the music for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand’s Sunday worship at 10:45 a.m. during July. Donna Mozley is the song leader for congregational involvement.

Guest ministers provide the sermon; elders administer open Communion to all in attendance who are believers in Jesus Christ. Prayers and Scripture reading are part of each worship service.

Janet Raney and her youth-group members are offering the community the opportunity to attend the showing of a free movie at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. Call the church office at 386-734-0677 for reservations.

Bingo is at 7 p.m. Fridays, July 8 and 22, in the fellowship hall. Bingo profits for July are designated for The Retreat at Silver Springs’ summer youth/children camp program in 2023.

The Disciple Men will meet at Daisy’s Diner in DeLand for breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 9. Call 386-734-6078 for reservations. The Rev. David Cortes is the new president of the Disciple Men.

The Disciple Women, led by President Sue Brague, is meeting at 1 p.m. Mondays throughout July. The prayer group follows at 3:30 p.m.

Temple Learning Center Camp and the Summer BreakSpot Food Program (breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.; lunch noon-1 p.m.) continue through Friday, Aug. 5, in the fellowship hall.

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