St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City will have its annual Strawberry Festival 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Part of the festivities include spaces for vendors to sell their merchandise or advertise their businesses.
Tables are not furnished by the church, and no food is to be sold at vendor areas unless packaged for home use. Each space is approximately 10 feet by 10 feet. The donation to secure a vendor space is $35. To register, visit http://www.stjudescentralflorida.org.
Networking event in Deltona
New Hope Church in Deltona, the African American Association of Deltona and Black Biz Volusia are hosting a Meet and Greet Networking Event 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at The Center at Deltona, 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Area business owners can learn about resources available to them through these organizations, and can talk about the support needed for success.
The event is free. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP via text at 386-315-1071. Visit BlackBizVolusia.com.
‘A New Teaching’
January’s single service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand. The congregation invites the community to join the worship service with both classical and contemporary music and Holy Communion open to all.
Also, the people and visitors of First Pres will enjoy a potluck luncheon in the fellowship hall immediately afterward. While the church kitchen will supply an entree, attendees are asked to bring accompanying dishes to share. This is not mandatory. The kitchen will receive the dishes at its door before the 10:30 a.m. service.
Pastor Michael Bodger will read Mark 1:21-28, and speak on the topic “A New Teaching.” When Jesus preached in the synagogue in Capernaum, the people “were amazed at his teaching … asking each other, ‘What is this new teaching — and with authority?’”
What happens when we are exposed to a new idea? How do we react? Are we willing to embrace what Jesus is saying?
The Apostle James tells us in his letter, “faith, without works, is dead!” What do others see when they encounter us?
During the service, Pastor Bodger will introduce and install church deacons and elders, who now begin their essential term of spiritual leadership at First Pres.
The Saturday, Jan. 27, God’s Bathhoouse will begin at 9 a.m., offering showers, fresh towels and clothing, manna bags, and hygiene kits in the courtyard circle area. Volunteers will assist all people who need this help until about 11 a.m.
There are two important events next week involving First Pres DeLand volunteers and maybe you as a member of our community. On Thursday, Feb. 1, The Bridge at The Neighborhood Center on South Woodland Boulevard will prepare and serve takeout meals for needy comers 5-7 p.m. The menu will offer chicken casserole and accompaniments.
Also in the fellowship hall 7-8:30 p.m. first Friday, Feb. 2, the church shares an evening of funny prizes, snacks and fellowship at free bingo for all ages.
On Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 18-20, women will gather for the 2024 First Pres DeLand Women’s Retreat at San Pedro Center in Winter Park as either day or residential participants. Led by Associate Pastor Casey Riker, this time apart will celebrate spiritual sisterhood by connecting with God and other women. Registration remains open at the church office until Thursday, Feb. 1, with some financial aid available. “She Is Called” will relax, revive, refocus, bless, and perhaps transform you!
The First Pres DeLand Team will feel grateful for the community’s support for ME STRONG to benefit Florida Cancer Specialists. Participants and donors can register for the FPCDeLand Team at mestrong.net.
Building community
A program titled “Stone Soup: Building Community” will be presented by Nancy Jacobsen and Patti Rausch at the Sunday, Jan. 28, service at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.
This service relates a familiar story of two strangers who coax an entire village into realizing the power of sharing and giving. When it feels as though we’re living in a time of scarcity, how can we act from a place of abundance?
The service also encourages the congregation to be aware of opportunities to notice grace and practice random acts of kindness.
‘Shadow Work’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Jan. 28 service is titled “Shadow Work.”
Deanna Leary will dive into the topic of shadow work, a practice that has taken pagan circles and psychology circles by storm. She explains both through the Jungian and spiritual lens, and invites us to accept the aspects of ourselves that we usually banish in our shade.
Everyone is welcome!
‘The Goose and the Gander’
“The Goose and the Gander” is the title of the sermon Pastor Mark Bitner will deliver Sunday, Jan. 28, at First Church DeLand.
The saying “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” dates back to 1670. At that time in history, the meaning was if something is good for one, it should be for the other.
Biblically speaking, this saying refers to how we represent Jesus to others. Every day, we set examples of good Christian conduct — or not — for others to follow. This sermon will make us mindful of how our actions and reactions affect other people.
You’re encouraged to attend Bible study at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Pastor Mark will lead an Apologetic study.
“Best Marriage Ever,” an opportunity to enrich your marriage and enhance your relationship with your spouse, is a free event open to the public. The times and dates are 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, with a meal provided; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, with a meal provided; and 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 17. For more information and to register, go to www.bestmarriageever.org.
“Life on Purpose” is the theme for the Young Adults Ministries. These young people work to find God’s purpose in their life as they go through the transitional stages of life, such as post-high school or college, early career or marriage. This Sunday-night Bible study is in Building 6 at 7 p.m., where dinner is provided.
— 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.
