Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona is postponing its Open House until January. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers and chips, and tours of the church and preschool.
Professionals will be on hand to help attendees with various aspects of their health and finances. There is no charge to attend.
The church is at 1696 Providence Blvd. in Deltona. Call 386-789-3300.
‘Candy Land Fall Festival & Family Blitz’
City Sanctuary Church in DeLand is hosting “Candy Land Fall Festival & Family Blitz” noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. This will be a day of family fun, with carnival games, rides, food and Live Family Blitz Shows.
The church is at 401 E. Taylor Road in DeLand. Visit citysanctuary.church, or call 386-734-7777.
Trunk or Treat
DeLand Church of the Nazarene invites families with special-needs children of all ages to a Trunk or Treat event 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, hosted by the Special Love Ministry and Fun Life, a Young Life special-needs group.
The church is looking for people who would like to decorate their cars and hand out candy.
To register by Tuesday, Oct. 25, visit Instagram @funlifewestvolusia or Facebook @DeLandChurchofNazarene. The church is at 913 E. New York Ave. in DeLand.
‘The Tactics of the Enemy’
Friends are a wonderful treasure in life, but sadly, those who have friends also often have enemies. Winston Churchill said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
While none of us desire to have enemies, we know that there is at least one enemy who is like a roaring lion, and he goes about seeking to destroy our soul.
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand, in the sermon series “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table,” the focus this Sunday, Oct. 16, will be on “The Tactics of the Enemy.”
The church recognizes that Lucifer, Satan, the devil, or whatever name you might call him, will always be against us. This week, learn more about his tactics and how to overcome what he means to accomplish against us.
Sri Chinmoy wrote, “I love my enemies for two reasons. They inspire me to recognize my weakness. They also inspire me to perfect my imperfect nature.”
Even Jesus was tempted by the devil. You’re encouraged to attend the Sunday service, in person or online, as church members and friends discover how to be more than conquerors against the enemy of our soul.
Save the date of Saturday, Oct. 22, as the church hosts its Fall Festival from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This will be a great day for family fun. There will be games, a petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, a train, food and more.
Admission to the Fall Festival is free, with activity tickets available for purchase in advance through the church office: Buy four for $1, and get one free. There will be a redemption center with prizes for the tokens won playing the various games.
Call the office for more information at 386-734-5113.
1st Christian Church activities
Kathy Porr welcomes everyone to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand’s worship service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. The elders offer open Communion at the Table of the Lord to all believers in attendance.
Barbara Polomsky, organist/pianist, with Donna Mozley as the song leader, provides inspirational music to encourage all in attendance to worship the Lord in praise and thanksgiving.
The congregation, with the family of Dale and Marge Jones, celebrate their 60th year of marriage Saturday, Oct. 15.
The Disciple Women will dedicate the proceeds after expenses from the Oct. 14 and 28 bingo games to Journey’s End Animal Sanctuary. Essie Miller, Janet Raney, Sue Brague and Tammi Stossel direct the games at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
Dr. Raney and Brague also welcome youth at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays for dinner and a program when school is in session.
First Christian is so appreciative of Trinity United Methodist Church for helping with the cleanup of the grounds after Hurricane Ian.
Working to build a beloved community
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face to face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Sunday, Oct. 16, service is titled “What Does It Mean to Be in a Beloved Community?”
How can we, as both individual Unitarian Universalists and part of the wider UU world, work to build a Beloved Community? Not just in our congregations, but also in the wider world. Join the Rev. Tracie Barrett Oct. 16 as she explores these questions.
Worship leader Jan Holloway will guide 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.
Itching ears
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, this Sunday, Oct. 16, Pastor Michael Bodger will further his exploration of Paul’s letters to Timothy through the reading of 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. This particular segment points our attention to listening.
Paul declares, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine … to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
Then, as now, people listened to those who tell us what we want to hear! Pastor Bodger will propose that this interesting mantra is becoming ever more prevalent in today’s society.
Like-minded people gather without considering their capacity to truly listen to others. Too often, the truth becomes simply a matter of degree.
Paul urges Timothy “to proclaim the message” and to stay consistent in what he, as the leader in Ephesus, says. That message should sound the same in all places Timothy finds himself, whether or not the listeners agree. Setting and circumstances do not matter; only The Truth counts.
First Pres announces the kickoff of Operation Christmas Child on Oct. 16. This international outreach will touch people all over the globe under Samaritan’s Purse. Find details of the journey of the shoebox gift at samaritanspurse.org. Begin gathering items to include in your box to submit by Sunday, Nov. 13.
Another outreach supported by First Pres occurs Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center in DeLand. Tickets to support the Good Samaritan Clinic Fundraiser cost $50 by reservation, which can be made by emailing to gsdldgala@gmail.com or calling 386-738-6990. Good Samaritan Clinic provides free medical and dental health care to the uninsured of West Volusia.
The next God’s Bathhouse will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, near the pavilion. Church volunteers begin preparations at 8:30 a.m. to serve needy community members with showers, fresh clothing, hygiene kits and fellowship. First Pres needs and values the church’s volunteers!
Open to all, Cookout Conversations will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. Combined with any dishes to share brought voluntarily by attendees, the free meal includes water, eating tools, and informal times for all comers. You’re encouraged to come take part!
On Sunday, Oct. 30, First Pres hosts a threefold celebration on the church’s historical All Saints’ Day, Reformation Sunday and The Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan.
Finding roots in 835 and 1517, the first two events have recognition in all three Sunday services, but the festive Kirkin’ happens before the third service, with a gala procession of bagpipes, drums and Tartan flags as the church celebrates the Scottish heritage of Presbyterianism and includes traditional music of that period. The musical ceremony emerged in 1943 in the U.S. to fete the Scottish reformers under John Knox, who defied the conquering British by daring to challenge their Act of Proscription, which forbade (under penalty of death) Scottish clansmen to display their tartans, weapons and traditions.
Speaker at 1st UU to talk about exploring his ancestry
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will host Mel Browning at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, service. Browning, a retired attorney and radio broadcaster, will share his personal exploration into his ancestry.
How many of us have taken DNA tests to explore our lineage? How many watch the programs about others who find out about their ancestors, wondering “What about my family?”
Browning had a base of who he believed his ancestors were. What he found out was that he was wrong. This is the story of finding the family that was and the one that wasn’t.
Those attending in person are encouraged to arrive at 10:15 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are discretionary but encouraged at this time.
After the service, folks will happily gather for a social hour to share coffee, tea and conversation.
First Unitarian Universalist’s services are also live-Zoomed at 10:30 a.m., and everyone is invited. Join in early for greetings.
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.
For more information about groups, attendance and church activities, visit www.uudeland.org.
