Cornerstone Church in Deltona is hosting a Pumpkin Patch this year from Sunday, Oct. 2, through Monday, Oct. 31. The hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

Cornerstone Church is at 2813 Howland Blvd. in Deltona.

1st Christian Church activities

On Sunday, Sept. 25, the Rev. Carlos Perez, prospective senior minister for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, brings the 10:45 a.m. worship message. Disciples welcome all to the Table of the Lord, with the presiding minister and two elders delivering the elements.

Music is an essential part of Disciples of Christ worship services. Organist and pianist Barbara Polomsky enhances every worship service with her professional performance. She is assisted by Donna Mozley as the song leader. Frequently, John Parrish joins them with his violin.

Scripture is read at each service, and prayers are lifted up for those in need.

A dedicated group prays for those in need at 3:30 p.m. Mondays in the church library.

To support outreach, the Disciple Women host bingo at 7 p.m. every second and fourth Friday in the fellowship hall. For September, the proceeds, after expenses, benefit Good Samaritan Clinic.

Grief Workshop at Church of the Holy Presence

Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand is hosting a grief workshop beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. “Because You Were Here: A Grief Workshop With a Twist of Joy” will last eight weeks.

A “Blessing of the Animals” will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the outdoor chapel. Bring your pet(s)!

The church will host an Arts & Crafts Festival 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Church of the Holy Presence is at 355 N. Kepler Road in DeLand. For more information, call 386-734-5228.

Fall Festival at St. Peter Catholic Church

St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand is having its Fall Festival Friday, Oct. 7, through Sunday, Oct. 9. There will be bingo games each day, food trucks, a silent auction, bounce houses and kids’ games, and a pancake breakfast on Oct. 9.

For more information, visit www.StPeterFallFestival.org.

Multifaith event at Blue Spring

You’re encouraged to join St. Johns Riverkeeper on Saturday, Oct. 8, for a Paddling Pilgrimage at Blue Spring. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the West French Avenue boat launch in Orange City, which is at the end of the dirt road. Everyone will then paddle to the Blue Spring State Park spring run, then paddle up the run to the head spring, and slowly float back down.

On the way back down, participants will gather at the confluence of Blue Spring and the St. Johns River to do a discussion and spiritual blessing of the waters, thankfully honoring the life-giving Creation of Clean Water.

This is a multifaith event, and anyone’s belief system will be welcome. You are invited to read a poem or a phrase that connects you to the earth and waters.

Everyone will then paddle back to the landing via the oxbow tributary across from the launch. The whole paddle will be only 2 miles, unless you want to continue down the river, and will last approximately two hours.

Attendees should bring a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, drinking water, a hat, a personal flotation device, a whistle, and any other necessities for safe paddling. Registration is not required. Please email gabbie@stjohnsriverkeeper.org with any questions.

Celebrate Christ, a multimedia concert, Saturday, Nov. 5, in Orlando

Celebrate Christ, an inspirational night of music, hope, unity and celebration for those of all faiths, is coming to Addition Financial Arena at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. The arena is at 12777 Gemini Blvd. North in Orlando.

Tickets are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster.com and the Ticketmaster App.

Celebrate Christ is a multimedia concert featuring uplifting performances by some of Christian music’s most distinguishable voices, including singer/songwriter Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts; The Voice Season 9 winner Jordan Smith; top Billboard artist Blanca; and the most awarded a cappella group in history, Take 6. A pre-show performance by pop rock artist Ofi will also be taking place on Addition Financial Arena’s plaza.

Concert guests are encouraged to support the Light Orlando Community Food Drive by donating nonperishable food and candy upon entry for local charities as they prepare for the holidays.

A constant battle

This Sunday, Sept. 25, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will turn their focus to “A Constant Battle,” a sermon based on 1 Timothy 6:6-19. During the three Sunday-morning services, including open Holy Communion, Pastor Michael Bodger will reveal that Paul’s letter to Timothy in Ephesus, so many years ago, bears amazing relevance in our modern world.

Through services in person, recorded, or live-streamed, listeners will learn from Pastor Bodger’s seven-week series on the “Pastor Letters.” This week, he focuses on the text “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

The battle between beneficial sufficient contentment and foolish harmful desires, if lost to this evil, can “plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy: 9) For example, among many others, the television show American Greed readily exposes time and time again the evil some people will exhibit due to a love of money.

Paul cautions Timothy to avoid being drawn into the love of money, but to “fight the good fight of faith.” (v 11) Money, in and of itself, is not evil. Paul charges Timothy to exhort the rich not to become haughty, relying on their riches, but instead to rely on God.

Christ-followers, whether wealthy or poor, will do good, act generously and share willingly. In that way, they will take hold of the valid life God provides, and not allow worldly life to take hold of them.

“Cookout Conversations” will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the pavilion. The monthly event invites all to fellowship and a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, and covered dishes, brought by attendees, if they wish.

With a serious focus, but certainly interesting and informative, for everyone, member or visitor, First Pres is offering a “First Connections Class.” You can learn about the Presbyterian heritage at large, as well as the organization and beliefs of First Presbyterian of DeLand in a four-week series led by the Rev. Donna McClellan and Lynelle Tucker. The class begins 10:10-10:50 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, in the Eastminster Room.

“The Sacred Music of Schubert,” a concert by the Chancel Choir, which was supposed to take place Sept. 25 has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. The concert will include with several solo and choral pieces, under the conducting baton of Jane Christeson, director of music at the church. Dr. Boyd Jones, organist for First Pres as well as professor at Stetson University, will accompany the music on the Wicks Organ Co. pipe organ. Installed in the sanctuary in 1958, the organ holds 17 ranks.

The concert will present several solo songs with sacred or biblical texts and often unacknowledged religious themes found in Schubert’s repertoire. To complete the program, the ensemble will present the complete Mass in G Major.

‘Traversing the Darkness’

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face to face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Sept. 25 service is titled “Traversing the Darkness.”

Everyone, at times, has traversed darkness in their lives. Join Minister Teresa Leary as she shares a geeky perception of her path through this battle. From goblins to dragons, come along on this warrior’s odyssey back to the light.

Worship leader Tracy Lunquist will guide everyone through the service. All are welcome!

For information on Mosaic, visit the website at https://mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.

‘Jesus’ Church’

Foundations and fundamental principles are so important in defining who we are and what we stand for. In the sermon series “Foundations,” First United Methodist Church of DeLand has been exploring the fundamentals of what makes United Methodists who they are as a church and as Christians. The final sermon in this series, given Sunday, Sept. 25, is ‘‘Jesus’ Church.”

Henry Ward Beecher wrote, “The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” Part of the fundamental foundational beliefs is that people need Jesus to become more than what they are and to be enabled to be the best that they can be. The foundation of all that we are is established in the belief that our lives as Christians and as the church are built upon the truth of Jesus Christ.

The annual church Pumpkin Patch will open this year on Sunday, Oct. 2. The hours of operation are noon-7 p.m. Sundays, and 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. There will be pumpkins of all sizes, and the Pumpkin Patch will be open through Monday, Oct. 31, or until the pumpkins are gone.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the church will host its annual Fall Festival, which will be a great day for family fun. Be watching for more details in the next couple of weeks.

Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown to speak on trauma and healing

Stetson University professor Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown will return to First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, to present “Trauma-Informed Care and Healing-Centered Engagement.”

Masks are discretionary but encouraged at this time for those attending in person.

First Unitarian Universalist’s services are live-Zoomed, and all are invited. This begins at 10:30 a.m., but you’re encouraged to come early for greetings at 10:15 a.m. This is how the church includes those at home who are not ready to attend or who are unable for any reason.

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.

An ingathering breakfast is planned for Sunday, Oct. 2, before the 10:30 a.m. service for members and friends to celebrate returning to gathering in the church’s social room. On future Sundays, First Unitarian will be returning for the regular after-church coffee, tea and conversation hour.

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 — discussion groups, book club, a men’s group and conversation groups — 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.