The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Jan. 7 service is titled “New Year’s Meditation.” Join the Rev. Tracie Barrett as we start the new year letting go of things we don’t need to carry forward and finding our own word to guide us for the new year.

If you can, have a light-colored stone with you that you can write on with a marker (or a stone that you can hold and a piece of paper to write on). Judy Raymond will facilitate the group.

Everyone is welcome!

Happy 2024!

First Church DeLand wishes each of you a new year filled with love, peace and kindness. The previous year held many blessings and likely some situations where things could have been better.

As we focus on this new beginning, let us become more aware of the bright moments in our lives, those so-called coincidences. These are God winks, and He’s letting us know that He’s listening. We have the opportunity to create something new through Christ. Pray about this. When you receive your answer, grab an oar and get busy!

First Church Academy is opening in the fall of 2024-25. This will be a hybrid blend of both in-school and at-home instruction. Come take part in an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in the Life Enrichment Center.

First Church DeLand is planning a plethora of opportunities for 2024. Families have many exciting activities ahead to be involved in. Youth and young adults will have an active schedule, plus there is a Parish Nurse Ministry, Parents Night Out, a weekly grief group, the First Church Choir, the Praise Team, weekly Bible studies, a women’s group, a men’s group, and so much more!

God’s presence

On Sunday, Jan. 7, Pastor Michael Bodger, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, will speak about Chapter 1:4-11 of Mark’s Gospel – Emmanuel, God With Us.

We have just celebrated the fact that Christ came as an infant, and we do a pretty good job of compartmentalizing God. When we do, we water down God. Put God into manageable chunks, so we can try to figure out and fathom God. We can’t!

We do God a disservice when we try, but sometimes it’s all we have got. How do we embrace the unfathomable God? The One we so often try to help out, the One we weaken in order to understand, the One who is beyond our comprehension. The One of whom St. Augustine said, “If you think you understand, it cannot be God.” This is our God; dare we believe?

First Pres DeLand continues to celebrate 2024 and our community by hosting the monthly Second Wednesday Cookout at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Hamburgers, hot dogs and chips are provided.

For those in our community in need of a shower, God’s Bathhouse will be on our campus at 9 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 13 and 27.

Assistance to the hungry of DeLand will come Saturday, Jan. 20, as we host a free, drive-thru Food Drive that begins at 9 a.m. Thank you to Farm Share (farmshare.org to see their events calendar) for providing the food. Cars line up in our parking lot before the event begins, so plan to arrive early!

January birthdays will be celebrated with cake following each worship service this week.

Dr. Michael Rickman to provide music at 1st Christian Church

The Rev. Carlos Perez, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, welcomes all to the Table of the Lord in 2024 Sunday, Jan. 7. Dr. Michael Rickman, retired Stetson professor of piano, and Steinway artist, is providing music for the worship service. Donna Mozley is the congregation’s song leader.

Other activities for the week include Adult Sunday School Class, “Faith and Righteousness,” “Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” Hebrews 11, 9:30 a.m. in the church library; bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, benefiting a local charity; and the Men’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Big Rig 2 restaurant (call 386- 734-6078 for reservations).

The Disciple Women meet at 1 p.m. every Monday in preparation for their Trash and Treasures Sale taking place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3.

Miss Lillian: more than a president’s mother

Carol Dries, a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand, will discuss the inspiring life of Lillian Carter, the mother of President Jimmy Carter, on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Born in the Deep South in 1898, Carter always believed in equal rights, and participation in community and government. A nurse, at the age of 68, she joined the Peace Corps and asked for an assignment in a place where white people were the minority. She figured she might learn more about all people that way. She cared for the sick, no matter their race, religion, education or means to pay.

Save the date

DeLand Church of the Nazarene welcomes Evangelist Pastor Lane Loman for special revival services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, and at 6:30 p.m. Monday- Wednesday, Jan. 22-24.

Loman served in pastoral ministry for 23 years. He has now traveled for 37 years in itinerant revival ministry, speaking and singing in 15 denominations and 62 different denominational and independent camp meetings.

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