Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand has a busy calendar during the months of September and October.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Martin Chandler III and Betsy Chandler will present a concert using antique and rare wind instruments.
Back-to-Church Sunday is at 10 a.m. Sept. 18.
The Blessing of the Animals is Saturday, Oct. 1. The blessings take place at the church’s outdoor chapel; bring your pet(s)!
An Arts & Crafts Festival will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, the eight-week-long grief workshop “Because You Were Here: A Grief Workshop With a Twist of Joy” begins.
The church is at 355 N. Kepler Road. Call 386-734- 5228 for more information.
‘Adventures in Failing’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face to face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Sept. 4 service is titled “Adventures in Failing.”
We as a society have become accustomed to defining how far a person has come on their journey through life by the measure of the successes they have achieved. But, as much as we may not like to admit it, our failures also have a lot to say about how far we have come, and often they have more to say about how we view life than successes do.
You’re encouraged to join Matt Pargeter-Villarreal on a sermon journey through some of the failures that he has encountered and that have impacted his life, and why he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jane Bradford will lead everyone through the service.
Everyone is welcome! For information on Mosaic, see the website at https://mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
‘Repentance’
The rush and rampage of our hectic daily lives can sometimes lead us to have regrets over certain decisions made or actions taken. Sometimes these actions have little consequence, but more often than not, they tend to impact not only our lives but our relationships with those around us. This is true of our spiritual lives as well.
This week, Sunday, Sept. 4, in the ongoing sermon series “Foundations,”
United Methodist Church of DeLand will be examining the concept of “Repentance.” Bruce Wilkinson says of repentance: “Repentance means you change your mind so deeply that it changes you.”
Repentance is one of those concepts that many of us struggle with, and as a result, we imprison ourselves within our own emotional turmoil.
Boyd K. Packer wrote, “Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands and agency is ours to use it.”
You’re encouraged to attend one of First United Methodist’s services this Sunday, either in person or online, as members and friends learn how to find liberation and freedom through repentance.
In-person traditional worship services are at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and an in-person contemporary worship 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.
The church 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.
First United Methodist offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the office for additional information at 386-734-5113.
‘Screen Time and Health’
On Sunday, Sept. 4, Stetson University student Valen Brown will speak on the topic “Screen Time and Health” at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.
Brown doesn’t know what life was like before computers were a mainstay of every home, and he has spent a lot of time on them himself. As a result, he has an interest in the connection between the hours people spend looking at computer screens, on the one hand, and his life and others’ health, on the other. This has sparked a deep dive into the research and what the experts are saying. Those attending Sept. 4 will be hoping to hear the answer to the question “How can we maximize our health while staying connected?”
Those attending in person are encouraged to join 10:15- 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are discretionary but encouraged at this time.
First Unitarian Universalist’s services are live-Zoomed, and all are welcome. The service begins at 10:30 a.m., but come early for greetings. This is how those who are at home are included.
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.
First Unitarian Universalist is committed to being a part of the community, and the congregation participates in helping Interfaith Kitchen, The Neighborhood Center, and other community projects.
Regular group meetings continue on Zoom and in person. Special educational programs for children are available at the 10:30 a.m. service.
For more information about groups, attendance and church activities, please contact the church at www.uudeland.org.
1st Christian Church activities
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes the Rev. Sammy Robles Jr. back to the pulpit at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. The Rev. Robles is an ordained Disciple minister employed as a musician by Disney World, who loves being a relief minister on Sundays with congregations who love his inspirational messages.
Kathy Porr gives a joyous welcome each Sunday, and Sue Brague offers coffee and treats before the service begins. Essie Miller is the greeter at the front door.
Barbara Polomsky, organist/pianist, and Donna Mozley, song leader, provide music throughout the service. Elders offer open Communion during the service to all worshippers present.
A very informal worship gathering, called “Coffee With God,” is at 8:15 a.m. in the kitchen area.
Dr. Janet Raney invites youth for activities and dinner, provided by Sue Brague, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, with the program ending at 7 p.m.
First Christian will host dinner at The Bridge, 421 S. Palmetto Ave. in DeLand, 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. AdventHealth Fish Memorial is a co-sponsor of the dinner.
Bingo will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and Friday, Sept. 23, in the church’s fellowship hall. After expenses are paid, proceeds from bingo are designated for Good Samaritan Clinic, 136 E. Plymouth Ave. in DeLand. This is a faith-based clinic providing health care and dental services to those who go through the qualifying process.
The adult Sunday-school class meets in the church library at 9:30 a.m. The new study in September will be “God Calls Abraham’s Family.”
Who forms us?
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Pastor Michael Bodger’s sermon on Sunday, Sept. 4, will explore the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 18, verses 1-11, to continue his three-week sermon series.
As potters work on the wheel, they carefully form the clay. On the wheel of life, we too are formed. The question is, whom do we allow to form us? As the clay is turned one way or another to form and shape it, we too are turned.
Which way will we be turned, toward the living God or away? At any moment in time, the loving God can transform us. Do we stand open to that, or do we stand satisfied with what the world offers?
You’re encouraged to come hear the Word of God at one of First Pres’s three worship services. You’ll find the worship schedule in The Beacon’s Religion Directory. All are welcome!
Upcoming activities at First Pres include monthly cookouts on the fourth Wednesday and free family-friendly bingo on the first Friday of each month.
Presbyterian Women’s Circles resume in September. Each of the five circles meets monthly till May, with the 2022-23 study guide “Celebrate Sabbath” now available.
The 11 a.m. Chancel Choir has returned from summer break, and the church now welcomes back the Stetson University student-scholars who sing with the members of the congregation. With Dr. Boyd Jones at the organ and under the leadership of Choir Director Jane Christeson, the choir will sing the anthem “I See, I Hear, I Know,” by Craig Courtney.
Look to the website www.fpcdeland.org for all church information, or call the church office at 386-734-6212. The church office will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, in honor of Labor Day.
