Trinity United Methodist Christmas activities

You’re invited to come and spend your Christmas season with Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, there will be a community candlelight Christmas cantata called Celebrate the Wonder: His Promised Arrival, led by Trinity UMC’s Minister of Music Conya Hartman and by Joyce DeLoach, music director at First United Methodist Church of DeLand; this will be at First United Methodist, 115 E. Howry Ave.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, there will be another performance of the cantata, at Trinity United Methodist Church’s current location, 1401 W. New York Ave. in DeLand. Both concerts are free!

On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, there will be a 7 p.m. service, combining Trinity’s service with that of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, and all are welcome.

There will be a service at 9 a.m. on Christmas morning, Sunday, Dec. 25. Before the service, starting at 8:30 a.m., there will be a time of fellowship.

Most Trinity United Methodist events are at 1401 W. New York Ave. in DeLand. Have a blessed Christmas season!

1st Christian Church activities

Senior Pastor the Rev. Carlos Perez leads worship at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand. On Dec. 18, the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Advent candle of love will be lighted. The service begins at 10:45 a.m.

Betty Davis will greet visitors and members during fellowship time prior to the service.

In worship, Edna Cortes and Dr. Janet Raney, elders of the day, offer Communion to all present. Barbara Polomsky provides inspirational music for the Advent worship service, with opportunities for joyous singing by the congregation.

After the service, Janet Raney, board chairwoman, invites everyone to the fellowship hall for lunch.

Other activities later in the day, Dec. 18, include Disciple Women packing cookies for the homebound, starting at 3 p.m. All who enjoy singing Christmas songs are invited to the east parking lot to join in a musical caravan, beginning at 5 p.m.

The Disciple Women’s monthly meeting is at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, in the church library, with designated charities for 2023 being decided. Funding comes from Friday-night bingo, with the last opportunity to play in 2022 being at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, in the fellowship hall.

The prayer group continues each Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the library. Those wanting prayer or to participate are invited to attend.

First Christian is delighted to have the Combined Community Christmas Choir, directed by Conya Hartman, present the cantata Celebrate the Wonder: His Promised Arrival by Marty Parks at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the sanctuary. The public is invited to attend.

‘The Longest Night Service’

The holidays are not joyous for everyone.

The holidays can be difficult for many, especially if they have lost a loved one recently, or are not able to spend the holidays with those they care about.

Glenwood Presbyterian Church invites all to its “The Longest Night Service,” a service of remembrance, healing and uplifting designed to help those who feel sadness during the Christmas season due to the loss of a loved one or other circumstances, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21. The service takes place on the day of the year that has the least number of daylight hours, in recognition that for some of us, emotionally, there are many long nights during the holiday season.

More traditionally, the church’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is at 7 p.m., and Christmas Day Traditional Worship is at 10:30 a.m.

What do you want for Christmas?

First Presbyterian Church of DeLand welcomes the Rev. Donna McClellan as guest preacher on the fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 18. Using Luke 1:26-38, she will ask the question, “What do you want for Christmas?”

The depth of McClellan’s message will include “What do you want?” and “What are you willing to receive?” followed by, most importantly, “How are you preparing to receive?”

The Rev. McClellan will also refer to Psalm 61:5-8, which speaks about praising the name of God who “hears us.”

Are you searching for a welcoming church this holiday season? You’re encouraged to come to First Presbyterian Church of DeLand for traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., or for contemporary worship at 9 a.m.

Various adult Sunday-school classes meet during the 10 o’clock hour, and the nursery (for children up to 3 years old) is available from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Pastor Michael Bodger returns for the Christmas Eve services on Saturday, Dec. 24. Worship service times are 4 p.m. for contemporary worship outside, and 6:15 p.m. for a traditional candlelight service in the sanctuary.

The offering on Christmas Eve will follow the church’s tradition of collecting White Gift canned goods (unwrapped) to benefit The Neighborhood Center and Family Renew Community in West Volusia.

Worship on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, will be at 10:30 a.m.

Service at First Church of Christ, Scientist, of DeLand

“Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?” This is the topic for the Sunday, Dec. 18, service at First Church of Christ, Scientist, of DeLand.

What do light in the Book of Genesis, the virgin birth of the baby Jesus in the Book of Luke, and the new Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation have in common?

During the sermon, passages from the Bible and Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy will reveal how the universe, and men and women, are created spiritually, not materially. This topic is one of 26 rotating topics, created by Mary Baker Eddy, which reflect the revelation of spiritual truths from the Bible.

All are welcome to join DeLand’s Christian Scientists on Sundays to enjoy this lesson and the 25 others, and to discover the blessings these teachings impart. Each service is at 10:30 a.m. at 111 E. New York Ave. in Downtown DeLand. Sunday school and child care are also available. Testimony Meetings are at 5 p.m. Wednesdays.

The Christian Science Reading Room, where literature is sold, is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the same location. For more information, call 386-734-6547. All are welcome.

‘Mysteries of Light’

The Program Committee of First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will present a special celebration for the holiday season at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, titled “Mysteries of Light.” With the arrival of winter’s low dark sky, communities around the world look to the miracle of light as a sign of rebirth and a source of hope.

The congregation will celebrate the promise of new life and recommit to the protection of everyone’s right to his or her own radiant humanity. Shared will be the many different traditions, music and stories of this season from around the world.

If time allows, discussion may be included after the presentation. Following the Sunday service, all are welcome to share a cup of holiday cheer in the Social Room, along with coffee and treats!

Those attending in person are encouraged to join the group at 10:15 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are discretionary but encouraged at this time.

The services are also Zoomed, which also begins at 10:30 a.m. The Zoom Sunday-service ID is the same every week: https://zoom.us/i/92718819188. 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.

‘Stories and Songs’ at Mosaic Unitarian Universalist

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Dec. 18 service is titled “Stories and Songs,” Mosaic’s traditional service of holiday songs and stories. Congregants will share stories of their holiday experiences, interwoven with the joyful noise of traditional holiday music. Everyone is welcome!

Worship leader Jan Holloway will guide everyone through the service.

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.

‘Jesus Comes to Us From a Story’

Everyone has a story to tell. Each life represents a story told or a story in the making. It is important to most that these stories be told.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou

As First United Methodist Church of DeLand continues through the Advent season with the sermon series “Roots,” the focus this week will be on the topic “Jesus Comes to Us From a Story.”

John Barth wrote, “Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story.” This is especially true of Jesus. His story was foretold in the prophecies of the Old Testament, and His life story definitely had an impact on the lives of those around Him during His life, as well as the impact on us now.

First United Methodist provides in-person worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary; these are traditional services. The church also has a contemporary service 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 would like to get connected to a small group for fellowship and sharing, contact the church office for more details.

The holiday season is here; save these dates for upcoming holiday events: On Saturday, Dec. 24, there will be three services for Christmas Eve: at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. services will be traditional, while the 5:30 p.m. service will be a family service based on the theme “Joy Story,” a Christmas spin on the familiar characters from the movie Toy Story.

There will be one service at 10 a.m. Christmas Day in the sanctuary; and one service at 10 a.m. New Year’s Day in the Family Life Center.

First Church offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 386-734-5113 for more information.