Area churches host holiday services
•City Sanctuary Church, 401 E. Taylor Road, DeLand. 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service; 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day service
•St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 319 W. Wisconsin Ave., DeLand. 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Eucharist with nursery available; 10:30 p.m. Choral Music; 11 p.m. Festive Choral Eucharist. Christmas Day – 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist
•New Covenant Baptist Church, 1350 S. Blue Lake Ave., DeLand. Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols 5 p.m.
• Stetson Baptist Church, 1025 W. Minnesota Ave., DeLand. Christmas Light Show 5:30 p.m through Dec. 31; 4 p.m and 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service
•Emmaus Lutheran Church, 2500 S. Volusia Ave., Orange City. Christmas Eve Candles, Carols and Communion service 4 p.m. 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day service
•St. Peter Catholic Church, 359 W. New York Ave., DeLand. Christmas Eve services – 3 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Christmas Music, 10 p.m. Midnight Mass. Christmas Day service 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in English, and 12:45 p.m. in Spanish. New Year’s Eve service (Holy Day of Obligation) 5 p.m. vigil. New Year’s Day services 10 a.m. in English, 12:45 p.m. Spanish
•Deltona Presbyterian Church, 2300 Howland Blvd. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 4 p.m. Christmas Day service 10:30 a.m.
• First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, 1401 W. New York Ave. Christmas Eve Service – 7 p.m. Christmas Day Service 10:45 a.m.
•Trinity United Methodist Church, 1401 W. New York Ave., DeLand. Christmas Eve service 7 p.m. Christmas Day service 9 a.m.
• Glenwood Presbyterian Church, 3190 Grand Ave., DeLand. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7 p.m. Christmas Day Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m.
•First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, 724 N. Woodland Blvd. Christmas Eve services 4 p.m. contemporary worship outside, 6:15 p.m. traditional candlelight service in the sanctuary. Christmas Day service 10:30 a.m.
• First United Methodist Church of DeLand, 115 E. Howry Ave. Christmas Eve services 3:30 p.m. traditional, 5:30 p.m. family service based on the theme “Joy Story,” a Christmas spin on the familiar characters from the movie Toy Story, and 7:30 p.m. traditional. Christmas Day service 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. New Year’s Day 10 a.m. in the Family Life Center.
• Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 811 Orange Camp Road, DeLand. Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service 7 p.m.
•First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia, 116 S. Clara Ave., DeLand. Christmas Eve service 5 p.m. No Christmas Day service.
•All Saints Church, 155 Clark St., Deltona. Christmas Eve caroling 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Christmas Day service 10 a.m.
•Lutheran Church of Providence, 1696 Providence Blvd., Deltona. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 5 p.m.
Christmas at 1st Christian Church, Scientist, of DeLand
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (Isaiah 9:2). In this quote from Isaiah, what is the “light” referring to?
This lesson sermon at First Christian Church, Scientist, of DeLand, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, will explain how Christ Jesus brought the light of understanding of how divine Principle, or God, operates. This light was revealed in the birth of Christ Jesus in Luke, in the healing of those who were blind, dumb and maimed in Matthew, and Christ Jesus healing the woman who had a spirit of infirmity (Luke 13).
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, explains in her book Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures how divine law and faith coincide. This sermon will include citations from this book as well as from the Bible.
All are welcome to join DeLand’s Christian Scientists on Sundays to enjoy this lesson. Sunday school and child care are offered at the same time.
The Christian Science Reading Room, where literature is sold, is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Testimony meetings are at 5 p.m. Wednesdays.
For more information, call 386-734-6547
Two churches offer Christmas Eve service together
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand and Trinity United Methodist Church are jointly providing a traditional Christmas Eve service, at 1401 W. New York Ave. in DeLand. On Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m., both congregations joyfully welcome their own church families, as well as anyone who does not have a church family. Special music, Scripture, a message, prayer, Communion and a candlelighting are all part of the service.
The church sanctuary is beautifully decorated with an enormous tree, lights, the Advent wreath, and many live poinsettias, all to give glory and honor to the birth of Jesus.
The narthex has a large display of the Nativity, showing Bethlehem with the Holy family, shepherds and wise men, donated by Carmen and Williemae Ungaro.
On Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, First Christian has worship service at 10:45 a.m., with the Rev. Carlos Perez delivering the Christmas Day message and the Christ candle being lit in the Advent wreath. Those serving Communion are elders Edna Cortes and Olga Palmer; and Julia Taylor will provide a greeting.
Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. in the church library, with study of Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s Song, also called the Magnificat.
Other activities during the current season include bingo at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23, with proceeds going to the Salvation Army in West Volusia; and a prayer gathering at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26. The Christmas shop (in the hallway east of the sanctuary) is open 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, for those seeking decorations at the last minute. Everything is priced by donation for local nonprofits.
‘Happy Birthday, Jesus’
Following traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of DeLand, and a Family Service at 5:30 p.m. in the Life Enrichment Center titled “The Joy Story,” there will be only one service on Christmas Day, at 10 a.m. in the main sanctuary.
The focus for Christmas morning will be the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus. The sermon title is “Happy Birthday, Jesus.”
“Happy Birthday Jesus.
I’m so glad it’s Christmas.
All the tinsel and lights make the holiday nice,
But the real gift is you.”
Consider spending an hour with the church family to celebrate this year and to express gratitude and love for the greatest gift ever given.
This service will be streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or it can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
First Church offices will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 in observation of the holiday season. Call 386-734-5113.
Christmas Eve service at Immanuel Presbyterian
Immanuel Presbyterian Church in DeLand warmly invites the community to its Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. The service of lessons and carols will include Christmas carols, Scripture readings, and a Christmas message from Pastor Deren Harper.
Learn more about Immanuel at immanuelpca.com.
Celebrations of the Christmas season at 1st UU
As members of First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand celebrate this season, the congregation will gather together for a holiday-morning brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As many people are not sitting on the floor helping little children open gifts, folks can take the time to enjoy coffee, tea and food in a community of love, also sharing the warmth of many December holiday memories. The group will share the path to the Unitarian Universalist ideal of an open, liberal search for our own truths.
Christmas Eve service will be at 5 p.m., and will include carols, stories and candles. The sanctuary doors will open at 4:30 p.m. All are welcome.
No in-person or Zoom services will be held Christmas Day.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!
First Presbyterian Church of DeLand celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with two services of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24: 4 p.m. outside in the pavilion with contemporary music; and 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary with candlelight and traditional Christmas music led by the church’s Chancel Choir.
The nursery will be available for children up to age 4 by reservation only. Call the church office at 386-734-6212, or email to edegaetano@fpcdstaff.org.
Bring canned goods to share! The Christmas Eve White Gift Offering will benefit The Neighborhood Center and Family Renew, both of West Volusia.
On Christmas morning, there will be worship at 10:30 a.m. with joyous music and a Christmas message from Pastor the Rev. Michael Bodger.
On Sunday, Jan. 1, there will be one service at 10:30 a.m. combining contemporary and traditional worship styles and music.
