Lake Helen Methodist Church will have a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Join Unity Performing Arts for a night of Christmas jazz!
Refreshments of baked goodies and hot chocolate will be available to purchase 6:15-6:45 p.m. and after the concert. There will be a “love” donation box in the narthex.
The Blue Christmas Service will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. For some, the holiday season is not a time of joy and celebration but a time of distress, anxiety, loneliness and desperation. This service will offer solace and support for these people, as they struggle to find peace while in a dark moment of their life.
A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. It will be an awesome time to celebrate our Lord and Savior’s birth.
Note: There will be a Sunday worship service on Christmas Eve at 10 a.m. There will not be a Christmas Day service.
‘Messiah: Heaven’s Glory’
Trinity United Methodist Church’s Candlelight Choir presents “Messiah: Heaven’s Glory” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. The choir is composed of singers from Trinity United Methodist Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, with whom they share a campus.
There will be talented musicians accompanying the singers, and the concert will close out with candlelight.
This will be a free concert, and tickets are not required!
There will be a reception following the concert; you’re encouraged to stay for refreshments.
Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Luncheon
The West Volusia Branch NAACP and the African American Association of Deltona again team up to present the annual Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Luncheon noon- 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at New Hope Baptist Church, 2885 Lake Helen Osteen Road, Deltona. The theme is “The Plight Continues.”
The Moores were instrumental in advancing the cause for Black voters in Florida, fighting for voting rights and the equalization of pay for Black teachers in Florida, along with their battle against racial violence and lynching.
After opening 64 chapters of the NAACP in Florida (beginning with the Brevard County office in 1934) and registering hundreds of thousands of Black voters, the Moores were murdered Dec. 25, 1951, when a bomb exploded directly under their bedroom at their home on the outskirts of Mims.
The master of ceremonies will be Pastor Ronald Durham. The guest speaker will be Deric C. Feacher. Tickets cost $20, and must be purchased in advance by calling Mike Williams at 386-804-6136.
Welcoming Congregation: Embracing DeLand Pride
Heather McLean of DeLand Pride will lead a discussion touching on some of the basic questions folks tend to have about the LGBTQ+ community Sunday, Dec. 17, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand. She will be joined by Scott Mena, Harlo Miner and Desiree Sylvester. The group will also talk about the importance of being a strong ally (and how you can help!), and answer questions.
McLean is the public information officer for DeLand Pride and vice president of the board of directors for Support Volusia. She has worked in digital marketing for more than 15 years, starting her career in the Greater Boston area.
Born in New York and raised primarily in Brevard County, she has lived in DeLand with her wife and son since 2020.
Activities at 1st Church DeLand
During the Christmas season, the sermon series at First Church DeLand is “Signs of Christmas.” On Sunday, Dec. 17, Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “Gifts of the Magi.”
Pastor Bitner continues the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, when the Magi follow the star to Bethlehem.
On Sunday, Dec. 24, there will be a blended service in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve services will be at three times: 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.
The weekly Bible Study with Pastor Mark is in the LEC at 6:15 p.m., and the Small Group study titled “Where Do We Go From Here?” is in Room 113 in the LEC.
‘Glimmers of Light and Hope’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Dec. 17 service is titled “Glimmers of Light and Hope.”
Many of our brothers and sisters in the Jewish tradition celebrated Chanukah during this week. It is a holiday about kindling a small flame that lasts in spite of insurmountable odds and continues to shine out for those who are in need of hope.
For many, Chanukah and Christmas are more difficult than the happy decorations would lead us to believe. People need that sense of light and hope to help get them through these hard times.
Join the Rev. Matthew Pargeter-Villareal for a discussion of the light and the hope present at this time of year, and how we all have a hand to play in kindling the flame for others in need.
Janice Holloway will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
Christmas Eve at DeLand Church of the Nazarene
Christmas Eve services at DeLand Church of the Nazarene are as follows: a regular Sunday-morning Christmas Eve service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 24, followed by a special Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. that evening.
A New Year’s Eve message will be delivered at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
Bahá’ís foster close neighborhood in Bill Dreggors Park
On Saturday, Dec. 16, at noon, area Bahá’ís will host “Food for Body and Soul,” a community potluck picnic, in the east pavilion of Freedom Playground in Bill Dreggors Park, 230 N. Stone St., DeLand. The theme of the day will be “Good Neighbors.”
Bahá’ís see humanity as one race and one global family. Conflict and contention are destructive to the global human family as they are to one’s own family.
The Bahá’í writings say, “The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
“Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can ensure the protection and security of all mankind. This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations. So long, however, as the thick clouds of oppression, which obscure the daystar of justice, remain undispelled, it would be difficult for the glory of this station to be unveiled to men’s eyes.”
Picnic participants will engage in an activity designed to expand their thinking on what it means to be a good neighbor.
All are welcome.
Jesus around the world
Jesus came to earth as Savior of all people from all nations. Over the years, His birth has been depicted in various ways. The way we usually view Him has been influenced by the country in which we have grown up. Nativity scenes have shown the culture that we come from as we honor His birth.
Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona is displaying Nativity sets from different cultures, countries, materials and ages. Church members invite everyone to come and view these 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.
Jesus is in all places at all times for all people. Come view these manger sets, and claim God’s gift of His Son for yourself.
Considering the meaning of Jesus’ name at Immanuel Presbyterian
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” So, Juliet dismisses the significance of Romeo’s name in Shakespeare’s famous play.
And while we might sympathize with the lovesick feelings that would give rise to such a question, we can’t follow her in throwing out the importance of names altogether. Because when God brought His Son into the world, He commanded Joseph to give the boy a particular name (Matthew 1:21). And He did so because through that name He wanted to highlight important truths about this holy child.
So what’s in Jesus’ name? And how is it relevant to us today? Immanuel Presbyterian Church in DeLand encourages you to attend at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, for a Christmas Eve service of Scripture readings, songs, and a meditation on the meaning of Jesus’ name.
‘Longest Night’ worship service at Glenwood Presbyterian
For those who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be a sad time. Join members of Glenwood Presbyterian Church for the Longest Night worship service, a candlelight service of remembrance and healing, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. The service is intended for those who have lost a loved one during the year, or in years past. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve services on Sunday, Dec. 24, will include a Traditional Worship Service at 10:30 a.m., a Live Nativity at 6:30 p.m., and a Candlelight Service at 7 p.m.
1st Christian Church activities
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand observes Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 17, under the leadership of the Rev. Carlos Perez. The candle lit in the Advent wreath is pink as the liturgical color of joy.
“Then the angel said to them (shepherds) ‘Do not be afraid for behold — I bring you good tidings of great joy,’” Luke 2:10.
The Advent candle is frequently called the Shepherds Candle, symbolizing a joyful anticipation journeying to see Jesus in Bethlehem. Barbara Polomsky, musician, and Donna Mozley, song leader, provide the joyful music to enhance Gaudete Sunday.
The worship service always includes Communion for all in attendance who wish to participate. Elders Paul Ashton and Eddie Wachter give the prayers for bread representing Christ’s body and fruit of the vine symbolizing Christ’s blood.
The other activities of the week include a Disciple Women’s meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, and prayers at 3:30 p.m.; Narcotics Anonymous groups at noon and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20; and bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, with proceeds after expenses benefiting the Salvation Army and Second Harvest.
Those wanting to have poinsettia plants dedicated need to call the church office immediately to arrange payment and honored names.
If a pledge was made on Christmas baskets, a Disciple Women’s member will make contact and the baskets can be picked up 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 18-22, with payment.
— 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.
