1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Dr. Fernando Morales, church elder and a hospice chaplain, brings the message to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.
Barbara Polomsky, organist/pianist, and Donna Mozley, song leader, provide music for the service. Elders Brenda Velazquez- Morales and Dr. Janet Raney assist the Rev. Morales in giving Communion from the Lord’s Table to all believers.
Sue Brague hosts Sunday coffee fellowship time starting at 10:15 a.m.
A very informal gathering for Scripture and Communion is at 8:15 a.m. each Sunday in the fellowship hall area.
Prayer time is open at 3:30 p.m. each Monday in the church library.
Bingo proceeds, after expenses, from the 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, games will be given to HOPE (Helpers of People Enslaved). HOPE has established an annual grant awarded to a selected organization supplying housing to people who have escaped enslavement. It is believed that there are more people living in slavery in the United States now than before the Civil War.
HOPE’s annual golf tournament will be Saturday, Sept. 24, at DeBary Golf & Country Club to raise funds. Sponsors include the Disciple Women of First Christian Church.
Who/what do we search for?
On Sunday, Aug. 28, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Pastor Michael Bodger will take a look at Bible verses from Jeremiah (known as the weeping prophet), chapter 2, verses 4-13.
In these verses, we hear a lament from God. After all God has done, the people from top to bottom reject God. They reject God our Creator and instead search for aspects of the created to worship.
We see it today in our own society — all the myriad gods that become the focus of our worship. The Scripture from Jeremiah says we just make them all up. “They are not gods at all.” How do our lives tell the story of whom we worship and service?
Come and hear, come and see. All are welcome to the worship services at First Pres and the fellowship that follows. There is plenty of parking behind the church, and you’ll find that First Pres is a welcoming congregation. Worship times and family details are all on the Religion Directory page in The Beacon.
For lots of fun, there’s a family-friendly game of bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.
The church office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, for the Labor Day holiday.
GriefShare classes are on-going at 11 a.m. Wednesdays.
Divorce Care and corresponding Divorce Care 4 Kids classes begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. Call the church office for details at 386-734-6212.
To sleep — perchance to remember?
Dr. Camille Tessitore King will speak at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. She is the chair and professor of psychology and a behavioral neuroscientist at Stetson University.
Dr. King brings to the congregation a presentation that will take a look at some classic and contemporary studies on the connection between sleep and memory. She plans to talk about how this connection may shed light on why forgetfulness is common in older populations.
Those attending in person are encouraged to join 10:15-10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are discretionary, at this time.
First Unitarian Universalist’s services are live-Zoomed, and everyone’s invited to join the service, either in person or via the Zoom access. This begins at 10:30 a.m., with an invitation to join 10:15- 10:30 a.m.
The Zoom Sunday service ID is the same every week: ID: https://zoom.us/i/92718819188. Feel free to contact the church for help in getting connected at www.uudeland.org.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, freethinking, openhearted spiritual community where all are welcomed as everyone learns together. If time allows, discussion may be included after every presentation.
Regular group meetings continue on Zoom and in person. Special educational programs for children are available.
For more information about groups, attendance and church activities, contact the church at www.uudeland.org.
Focusing on the Cross
School is back in session, and our lives are settling back into those familiar school-year patterns of too much to do and too little time to get it all done. Sometimes as our lives get more hectic, it is important to stop and get back to the basics, so to speak.
First United Methodist Church of DeLand is doing just that, by focusing on some of the foundational components of faith that help to keep people rooted and grounded in their faith as they face the many challenges of daily living.
On Sunday, Aug. 28, the focus will be on “The Cross.” In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies: in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness.
The Cross and the events that transpired are so vital to spiritual and eternal well-being that it is indeed a foundation for people’s faith.
In-person traditional worship is at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and a contemporary service is 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.
First United Methodist also offers small-group Bible studies at various times during the week: Young adults meet on Sunday evenings; 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 at 386-734-5113.
‘Fabulously Magenta’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Aug. 28 service is “Fabulously Magenta.” Minister Teresa Leary will explore mysticism, offering what can best be described as a love letter to Unitarian Universalism.
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.
