Bahá’ís to host picnic in the park
At 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, area Bahá’ís will host “Food for Body and Soul,” a community potluck picnic at Earl Brown Park. Interfaith inspirational readings, prayers and an activity around the theme of “Search” will follow lunch.
Participants will gather in the south shelter of the park, nearest the Sanborn Center and big parking lot, at 750 S. Alabama Ave. in DeLand. All are welcome.
‘We Begin Again in Love and Power’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Jan. 15 service is “We Begin Again in Love and Power.”
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tireless commitment to the ongoing realization of social justice, how can we as smaller congregations — with limited members and limited resources — find ways to honor Dr. King’s memory by imagining ways that we can recommit ourselves to the cause of being the change we wish to see in the world?
Worship leader Kim Eddins will guide everyone through the service. All are welcome.
For more information on Mosaic, visit the website at mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
Called to become saints
In 1 Corinthians, verse nine, Paul writes, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, is faithful.” Why do we do what we do as followers of Jesus Christ? Are we just going through the motions?
On Sunday, Jan. 15, Pastor Michael Bodger will address the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand to ask these significant questions.
Paul greets the Christ-followers as those “called to be saints.” In fact, the apostle tells not only the Corinthians but all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — including worshippers today — that we are not lacking in any spiritual gift due to the grace given us in Christ Jesus. Are we faithfully responding to that call of the Living God? We are saints! As saints, do we live into our calling?
You can join worship at First Pres DeLand by livestreaming and recording or in person to seriously consider this spiritual perplexity. With contemporary or traditional worship music and praise, members and visitors are welcomed to a spiritual journey to become the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
The ministry called God’s Bathhouse is 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. For homeless local people, there are showers, hygiene kits and fresh clothing in the courtyard circle outside the Mission Room. God’s Bathhouse will meet again two weeks later, on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Led by Jane Christeson and Joe DeGaetano, the Chancel Choir and Praise Band are seeking musicians to join and expand the two groups. An integral part of all the worship services, the groups rehearse weekly, as do the Bell Choir and soloists (8 a.m.) in the chapel. You’re encouraged to come to these groups’ practices and consider joining! Check the website at fpcdeland.org.
The lively First Pres program offers multiple Bible studies, children’s and youth groups, fellowship, counseling, crisis response, service, family support, and foreign missions. A nursery for children age 2 and younger offers trained supervision during the church services.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez provides weekly biblical knowledge, spiritual inspiration and encouragement to his congregation and visitors at 10:45 a.m. Sundays at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand.
Kathy Porr will welcome the congregation and make announcements at the Jan. 15 service. Essie Miller and Sue Brague offer a warm welcome of beverages and pastries in the narthex starting at 10:30 a.m.
Barbara Polomsky, a professional musician, provides organ and piano music, and Donna Mozley is the leading vocalist.
The Rev. Fernando Morales and Brenda Velazquez Morales deliver the elements for Communion to all worshippers.
At 8:15 a.m. Sundays, Dr. Janet Raney leads a group for prayer, Scripture and Communion in the kitchen foyer area.
The Disciple Women will host bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, with Essie Miller as caller, in the fellowship hall. Proceeds after expenses go to community outreach.
The Disciple Men will meet at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, for breakfast at Daisy’s Diner. Call 386-734-6078 to make a reservation.
First Christian can be followed on Facebook: First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples, with the worship services live or watched later. Instagram is #fccofdeland.
Life
Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
What is the connection between being born again and health? This Bible lesson-sermon, to be given at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at First Christian Church, Scientist, of DeLand, will explore the passages about being born again from the New Testament Book of John; how Hannah prays for a male child from 1 Samuel; and the story of the Good Samaritan from the Book of Luke.
In addition, readings from the book Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy will give a deeper understanding about how health and longevity are related to being born again.
Sunday school and child care are also available on Sundays at the same time. 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, 111 E. New York Ave. in Downtown DeLand.
For more information, call 386-734-6547. All are welcome.
Stetson professor to speak about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Dr. Martin J. Blackwell, a visiting professor of history at Stetson University, will talk on “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Where to From Here?” at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, service at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.
Blackwell has published a monograph on the return of Soviet power to Ukraine after the Nazi occupation. He is working on a new book about the very beginnings of the end of the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev.
Blackwell has taught history at the college level for more than 20 years, and is especially interested in the role of study abroad in catalyzing the undergraduate experience. Next summer, he will lead a program for SRAS.ORG that compares the Baltics’ and the Caucasus’ experiences from the end of Soviet power until now.
If time allows, discussion may be included after Blackwell’s presentation.
Everyone will gather after the service for a social hour to share coffee, tea and conversation.
Those attending in person are encouraged to come at 10:15 a.m. for greetings before the service begins. Masks are discretionary but encouraged at this time.
Services are live and Zoomed, and all are invited. Zoom begins at 10:30 a.m., but come early for greetings. 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.
The need for faith
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “If you lose faith, you lose all.”
Faith is a vital part of life for those attending First United Methodist Church of DeLand. Sometimes it is challenging to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting God’s Word to guide and lead believers through various life experiences.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
This Sunday, Jan. 15, the focus will be on looking at the Children of Israel and their need for a “Dose of Faith.”
It is believed that without faith it is impossible to please God, and naturally, it is hoped that one’s actions, thoughts and words will be pleasing to Him.
According to Mark Todd, “‘Crazy Faith’ is thoughts and actions that lack reason but trust fully in what you cannot explicitly prove.”
Sometimes we all need a little help and encouragement as we embrace our faith. The community is invited to explore embracing and growing in faith.
There is in-person traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. in the Life Enrichment Center. Services are streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or they can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
There are a variety of opportunities to get connected with the church family throughout the week.
Call the church office for more information at 386-734-5113.
