Spiritual Side: All are invited to a Movie Matinee Saturday, Dec. 9

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Spiritual Side: All are invited to a Movie Matinee Saturday, Dec. 9

Holy Presence

Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand invites the community to a Movie Matinee at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Showing will be His Only Son, the story of Abraham and Isaac.

A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.

Because You Were Here, a grief workshop, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6.

Lessons and Carols at St. Barnabas

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand will present Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, in the sanctuary. This special event will feature the Adult Choir, Handbell Choir and Children’s Choir.

A freewill offering will be received, and a reception will follow in Canterbury Hall.

Follow the light

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand will have Advent services at 1 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. The sermon will be “Follow the Light.” A potluck dinner will take place 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Easy and not-so-easy star crafts will follow both services.

Also, there will be a free Spaghetti Dinner 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Dec. 16. Those wanting to attend must call the church to register at 386-734-2791.

Celebrating the birth of Jesus

Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona invites everyone to anticipate and celebrate the upcoming birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During the month of December, there will be three special midweek services in addition to Sunday Advent worship services. Midweek services are at 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

‘Messiah: Heaven’s Glory’

The Candlelight Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand presents “Messiah: Heaven’s Glory” at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. This will be a free concert, and tickets are not required. There will be a reception following the concert.

The members of Trinity United Methodist hope you will celebrate the Christmas season with them by enjoying beautiful music and candlelight.

Where the wild things are

On Sunday, Dec. 10, Pastor Michael Bodger will continue his Advent sermon series “Where We Belong” at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand. Focusing on Isaiah 40:1-11, he will teach in his sermon “Where the Wild Things Are” about God’s offering. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.”

The Chancel Choir Candlelight Evensong Concert is at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, in the sanctuary. This always-reverent and -joyful gift from the Chancel Choir, with Stetson Choir Scholars and Bell Choirs, will include Dr. Boyd Jones at the pipe organ, violinist Isabel Palmer and Vicki Fey at the piano. Led by Jane Christeson, First Presbyterian’s director of music ministry, Evensong will offer diverse music, singers, instruments and featured soloists.

Those interested can now pick up the anticipated Advent Devotional 2023 at worship events and the church office. A collaborative project of the Adult Discipleship Team and artist Cathy Campbell, this booklet has grown from writers in our own church community. Each year, a new version provides a fresh collection of personal spiritual messages.

For the Second Wednesday Cookout at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13, everyone will gather in the pavilion for a Christmas Cookout with provided picnic food and fixin’s, with volunteered side and dessert dishes. Whether or not you bring a contribution, First Pres hopes you will attend for fellowship and Christmas cheer.

God’s Bathhouse in the courtyard will be 9-11 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 23, for showers, clean clothing, and friendly support for homeless people.

The 2023 calendar has caused First Pres to adjust worship services Sunday, Dec. 24, since both Christmas Eve and the fourth Sunday coincide that day. To balance that full Sunday, First Pres will have a single combined fourth Advent Sunday service in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m., without a potluck lunch, which usually follows the monthly combined service.

The evening of Dec. 24, Advent will culminate in two candlelight Christmas Eve services. Outside at 4 p.m., the praise-music service will begin. Then at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary, the traditional service will offer worship with Chancel Choir and organ.

‘Star of Bethlehem’

“Signs of Christmas” is the new sermon series for the holidays at First Church DeLand. On Sunday, Dec. 10, Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “Star of Bethlehem.”

First Church invites you to share in the wonder of this bright star that led people to the Christ Child. A beacon for all who saw, it was intended to light a pathway to the divine birth of our Savior.

On Sunday, Dec. 24, First Church DeLand will offer a blended service in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. The Christmas Eve services will be at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, 5:30 p.m. in the Life Enrichment Center for families, and 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

First Church DeLand is always bustling with new energy that has produced so many opportunities for families, youth and young adults to get involved in. There are a Parish Nurse Ministry, Parents Night Out, a weekly grief group, the Christmas Choir, decorating for Christmas, weekly Bible studies, and so much more!

Ghosts, Goblins, Aliens and Entities: What’s Going On?

Rick de Yampert returns to First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand to talk about this question.

A surprising number of everyday folks, who have no great interest in the supernatural, nevertheless have reported encounters with otherworldly entities: ghosts, spirits of their deceased beloveds, Virgin Mary apparitions, UFOs, Bigfoot or other strange beasties, and more. What’s going on?

This program explores some of the theories that attempt to explain the “contactee experience,” and how these experiences figure into the world’s spiritual and religious traditions.

De Yampert is a freelance writer, sitar player, artist and lecturer on sacred and metaphysical subjects. He has been following a Pagan spiritual path since the early 1990s. His book Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth and Magic will be released in March 2024 by Llewellyn.

‘Peace’

The Rev. Carlos Perez welcomes all to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand on the second Sunday in Advent at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 10, with a theme of “Peace.”

Peace begins in our hearts and embraces family, community, country and world. When this is achieved, we can praise the Lord for a peaceful kingdom.

Other church activities include bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 8 and 22, with Essie Miller as caller. The December proceeds after expenses will be donated to the Salvation Army and Second Harvest.

Disciple Women have the Christmas Market set up in the church hallway, with donations given to children for youth camp scholarships; it is open before and after 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sundays, and 1-3:30 p.m. Mondays, until Monday, Jan. 1.

A special shoutout of appreciation to Karen Robbins, who has donated six baskets that are offered as a silent auction.

Disciple Men meet at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Big Rig 2. For reservations, call 386-734-6078.

Pastor Perez and elders will provide worship and Communion at Villa Health and Rehab Center at 10:45 a.m. Thursdays, Dec. 14 and 28, with all welcome to attend.

Prayers are offered up every Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the church library, with requests and individuals welcomed.

— For church locations, worship times, group meetings and contact information, check out the Religion Directory on Page 2B. Send church news to margie@beacononlinenews.com.

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Raised in Miami Beach, Margie moved to DeLand after graduating from Florida State University. She has a master's degree in community mental-health counseling, and retired after 12 years in substance-abuse treatment. Having worked at the DeLand Sun News during the 1980s, Margie came to The Beacon in 2002 in search of a second career. She helps the reporters; compiles obituaries, the calendar of events and religion news; and deals with a mountain of emails each day. Margie is the proud Nana to two grandchildren, Sophia and Alex.

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