Glenwood Presbyterian Church is hosting a fun evening of Trunk or Treating on Sunday, Oct. 30, with games, free prize drawings, hayrides and a costume contest. The event is 5:30-7 p.m., with the costume contest taking place at 6:30 p.m.
The church also hosts bingo at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month in the fellowship hall, at 3190 Grand Ave. The cost for a card package is $10; 60 percent of proceeds are paid in prize money, and the remaining 40 percent is donated to a variety of local and global mission efforts, most recently for disaster assistance in Kentucky and Florida. Come and have some fun and also support some good causes!
1st Christian and Trinity UMC to co-host Trunk or Treat
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand and Trinity United Methodist Church are joining together for a Trunk or Treat event 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at 1401 W. New York Ave. in DeLand.
Decorated cars offering treats will be parked in the south parking lot facing New York Avenue (West State Road 44). Children should be accompanied by an adult. Parking will be in the lot behind the church and on the east side of the church.
There will also be a pumpkin-carving party 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Bring your pumpkin and carving tools, and meet in the fellowship hall for carving fun. There will also be a potluck meal, so feel free to bring a dish to share. Also, Batty Spoon Awards will be handed out.
Community invited to fall festival
The community is invited to join the congregation of Orange City United Methodist Church for “Fall for All,” a community festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. There is no cost to get in.
There will be a bounce house and slide, laser tag, kids’ games and music. Food and crafts will be available for purchase. Orange City UMC encourages you to bring your chairs and sit under the church’s gorgeous oak trees for an afternoon of family fun.
For more information, call the Family Ministry director at 386-775-3068 or email to FamilyMinistry@ocumc.org.
Orange City United Methodist Church is at 396 E. University Ave., one block west of Orange City Elementary School.
Finishing the race
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” declares the apostle Paul in his final letter to Timothy, found in 2 Timothy 4:6-18.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Pastor Michael Bodger will conclude the meaningful seven-week series of journeying with Paul as Paul offers Timothy instruction and encouragement in leading the new church in Ephesus.
Recognizing that “the time of my departure has come,” Paul tells Timothy that Christ-followers will face all manner of trials. What counts is finishing the race and keeping the faith.
Earthly support will come and go along The Way. Paul admonishes believers — then as now — to hold fast and recognize that the Lord will stand by and provide strength. Christ Jesus has proclaimed this to all people to God’s glory. Thus, Paul proclaims to all, “Finish the race”!
This relevant and powerful message will reach listeners at the 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services in person and by livestreaming, and in recordings found on YouTube and First Pres’s websites.
The outreaching vision of First Pres takes the form of offering showers, clothing, a hygiene kit and fellowship Saturday, Oct. 22, at God’s Bathhouse. This opportunity, offered to any needy person, begins at 9 a.m. near the pavilion on the church campus and ends at about 11 a.m.
Come one; come all! The fourth Wednesday Cookout Conversations will be 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 26 in the pavilion. The church invites guests to join members for complimentary picnic food, including freshly grilled dogs and burgers. First Pres supplies water and welcomes any sides participants would like to share.
On Sunday, Oct. 30, First Presbyterian will celebrate two significant holidays, Reformation Sunday, to mark the birth of Protestantism in 1517, and Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan, started in the United States to honor Presbyterian roots in Scotland in the 1700s. First Pres invites all to attend the pre-11 a.m. procession of bagpipes, drummers, Scottish-clan wear, and banners, as the procession enters the sanctuary. With special music, readings and ceremony, this family and festive event will provide a spirited experience.
More reminders for the community include the ongoing Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection, as well as the church’s hands-on support of The Bridge kitchen on Thursday, Nov. 3, at The Neighborhood Center. The kitchen offers free eat-in or takeout meals for needy folk.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center, the 2022 Miracle on Plymouth Gala is a fundraiser for Good Samaritan Clinic. Email to gsdlgala@gmail.com for details.
Also, Boy Scout Troop 550 of First Pres announces a car wash 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 29, adjacent to the First Pres pavilion.
Bill Lazarus to speak about ‘Broadway and American Culture’
Bill Lazarus will present “Broadway and American Culture – Let’s Go to the Tony Awards” at the 10:30 31a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, service at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand. An author, retired educator, religious historian and welcome return speaker, Lazarus will explore the bright lights, the big city and the stars we have made.
His presentation is always lively, with lots of historical information shared with the congregation. This time, he will talk about one of America’s favorite pastimes — entertainment and how the culture informed the stage.
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, everyone will gather for a social hour to share coffee, tea and conversation.
Services are also live-Zoomed, and everyone is invited to attend the service at 10:30 a.m. — but come early for greetings. This is how the church includes those at home who are not ready to attend or are unable for any reason.
The Zoom Sunday-service ID is the same every week at 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.
‘Ace in an Allo World’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face to face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Oct. 23 service is titled “Ace in an Allo World.”
Asexual Awareness Week, or Ace Week, begins Oct. 23. Join seminary student Helen Scott as she explores asexuality, part of the “A” spectrum in LGBTQIA. She’ll discuss what asexuality means, what it doesn’t mean, and the challenges Aces face inour culture.
What does the existence of, and our cultural/religious responses to, asexuality say about what it means to be human? Why do we as a congregation and as UUs need to know about it?
Worship leader Teresa Leary will guide everyone through the service. Everyone is 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.
Activities at 1st UMC
Fall is well underway, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Soon we will be in the countdown until Christmas. Time seems to go so quickly.
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand, this is a busy time of year, and the church’s members and friends are so excited to see all the amazing activities and events unfold.
First United Methodist has its Fall Festival, a Pumpkin Patch, and special events throughout the holiday season, including a special combined Christmas choir concert coming in December, along with Christmas Eve services and a “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” missions fundraiser, to be combined with a “Chili/Soup Cook-Off” early in December. Watch for more details as these events draw closer.
This Sunday, Oct. 23, there will be a break from the sermon series “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” to enjoy a special guest speaker. Dr. Tim Holder, a presidential scholar who has written many devotional books, will speak at each of the morning’s services. Dr. Holder is a publisher, writer and former dean at Walters State Community College.
In-person traditional worship is at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. 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 evening, youth groups meet at different times during the week, and there is a Saturday-morning men’s Bible study.
The Pumpkin Patch is open and will remain open through the end of the month or until all the pumpkins are gone. The hours of operation are noon-7 p.m. Sundays, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. There are pumpkins of all sizes and photo setups for fall family pictures.
First Church offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call the office for additional information at 386-734-5113.