Save the dates
Michelle Fitzpatrick will be presenting her original play Excuse Me, I Don’t Have Time For Nonsense! at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 North U.S. Highway 17-92 in DeBary.
The play, which will be directed by Fitzpatrick, is a Christian dramedy about a recent widow trying to raise her two kids in this crazy thing we call life. Hidden secrets emerge, and a wild bunch of characters in and out of the church are part of their journey to sanity. Warning: There will be laughter!
Hearts are broken and wounds are healed for Elizabeth’s family, who are learning to renavigate life without her husband. Elizabeth and her two children (played by Jahadii K. Spain and Yamirelis Toro) turn to their church for guidance, and all the while they are exposed to the exuberant personalities of the community. It’s a journey through hardship leading to God’s love, as this family learns to find their way through pivotal struggle, peer pressure, friendships made and heartwarming moments.
This play has a PG-13 rating, due to graphic themes such as gun use and violence.
Tickets cost $20 for evening performances and $10 for the Saturday matinee. To purchase tickets, call 386-668-5553 or visit www.gatewaycenterforthearts.org.
‘The Disciplined Pursuit of Less’
A free workshop titled “The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” will be presented at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at DeBary-Orange City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Are you overwhelmed and spread too thin? What about being overworked but not fulfilled? Time is the currency of life; what kind of time steward are you?
This free interactive workshop on the gift of time is open to the public; no reservations are necessary.
Free concert series announced
The Chancel and Bell choirs of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand announce their 2023-24 concert series that is free and open to the public.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, in the sanctuary, the choirs will present A Concert of Spirituals. The historical music, a combination of secular and sacred pieces, will celebrate Black History Month.
Also, the Presbyterian Women group is hosting its annual “Dedication of the Birthday Offering” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. First launched in 1922, this year’s celebration begins with a breakfast buffet in the fellowship hall. For $5 at the door, attendees can enjoy brunch, fellowship, birthday cake and a short program. The committee asks you to RSVP to the church office to ensure appropriate planning.
Shrove Tuesday observance at Church of the Holy Presence
The Rev. Dawn McDonald invites all to observe Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 13, with a Pancake Supper 5-7 p.m. at Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand. Observers make a special point of doing some self-examination, considering what wrongs they need to repent and what areas of spiritual growth for which they especially need to ask God’s help.
Also called “Fat Tuesday,” this marks the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. Congregations observe the day by hosting pancake breakfasts or dinners and ringing church bells to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent.
Churches also burn the palms distributed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday liturgies to make the ashes used during Ash Wednesday.
Activities at St. Ann’s Catholic Church
St. Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary is having a Super Bowl Bunco Party in the Parish Hall beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Doors open at 4:45 p.m.
Presented by the church’s Council of Catholic Women, the event’s proceeds benefit CCW charities in Volusia County.
There will also be drawings, a 50/50 and food. Tickets cost $15, and include a barbecue sandwich, chips, water or soda and dessert.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 386-668-1417 or 386-668-8270, or at the church after Masses.
In addition, the international “Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles of the World” will be on display at the church. The exhibition, fashioned by the Servant of God Carlo Acutis, describes a selection of Eucharistic Miracles recognized by the Roman Catholic Church that have occurred over the centuries in countries throughout the world.
Acutis (1991-2006), who is in the final stages of being canonized a saint and will be the first millennial recognized as a saint, designed and created the exhibition consisting of more than 166 panels before dying of leukemia at the age of 15.
Beginning Ash Wednesday and continuing through Easter, St. Ann’s will display limited panels on a rotating basis outside the church in the covered gathering area Saturdays and Sundays, and inside the church during the week. More information about the exhibition can be found at the St. Ann’s website www.stannsdebary.org and by visiting the online exhibit at www.miraculieucaristici.org. Everyone is welcome to view the exhibition.
‘Yale Devereau: A Personal Black History’
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes Navy nuclear-submarine veteran and engineer Yale Devereau to the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Feb. 11, to present “Yale Devereau: A Personal Black History.”
Reared in Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1950s and ’60s, Devereau served aboard nuclear-powered submarines as a reactor operator during the Vietnam era.
After obtaining an applied mathematics degree from California State University, he became a reactor engineer with Bechtel Power Corp., building nuclear power plants around the globe.
A DeBary resident, Devereau will talk about his experiences living in the Deep South during the civil rights era.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
Revealed
“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’” (Mark 9:7)
Astonished, apostles Peter, James and John — alone with Jesus up a high mountain — felt so frightened seeing the clothes of Jesus transfigured into dazzling white as Elijah and Moses appeared before them. Then, “suddenly they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.” (Mark 9)
The terrified men don’t fully understand the revelation. Jesus orders them not to tell anyone what they have seen until Jesus has risen from the dead.
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Pastor Michael Bodger will take this reading to challenge listeners to ponder about how we reveal our “real selves” to others.
Do we have the courage and faith to disregard that the world would have us remain quiet? Actually, we already know to shout it out from the rooftops and let others know, as Peter confesses, “You are the Christ!” (Mark 8:29)
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, members of First Presbyterian and Bethel AME Church gather to begin Lent at their joint service at the AME Church, 226 E. Howry Ave. in DeLand. The annual event offers mutually enriching worship at 6:30 p.m.
‘Intimacy With All Things’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Feb. 11 service is titled “Intimacy With All Things: From Isolation to Co- Regulation.”
Join the Rev. Mariela Perez-Simons as she explores reclaiming sacred connections through animism and kinship.
Judy Raymond will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
Ash and Dash on Ash Wednesday!
Trinity United Methodist Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand will be offering an opportunity to receive ashes 7-8:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, as you dash off to work or start a busy day.
This will be a drive-thru event where attendees can stay in their cars. The pastors will be under the portico at 1401 W. New York Ave. to administer ashes.
Can’t make it in the morning? There will be a combined worship service at 6 p.m. that evening, and you can receive ashes during the service.
If you have any questions, call Trinity United Methodist Church at 386-734-4425.
‘Just Jesus’
“Just Jesus” is the sermon title Sunday, Feb. 11, at First Church DeLand. As we enter into the Lenten season, beginning on Ash Wednesday, we focus on Jesus, who spent 40 days in the desert, fasting and enduring temptation by Satan. We begin a period of prayer, abstinence and self-reflection, with our focus on Jesus. First Church says, “Please join us as we begin this religious observance.”
At 6:35 p.m. A sh Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the sanctuary, Pastor Mark Bitner will lead a recognition of this special day.
A reminder that the “Best Marriage Ever” workshop, which is slated for 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17; and 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 17, is a free event open to the public. This is an opportunity to enrich your marriage and enhance your relationship with your spouse. For more information and to register, visit www.bestmarriageever.org.
‘Morning Glory’
Start your day out right with coffee and Jesus at 8:30 a.m. Sundays at Glenwood Presbyterian Church. “Morning Glory,” a new casual worship service, includes music, meditation and inspirational messages from our pastor, the Rev. Larry Cuthill. Child care is available.
Service hours have changed. If you prefer a more traditional service, Glenwood Presbyterian has that also in the sanctuary at 11 a.m.
In between, there is Sunday school 9:45-10:45 a.m., and snacks and fellowship are 10:30-11 a.m.
Glenwood Presbyterian is a small, friendly, inclusive, Bible-based church, dedicated to spreading the Gospel and serving the community.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at Faith Lutheran
Faith Lutheran Church in DeLand is hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 13, with a Mardi Gras theme.
The Ash Wednesday service is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Anyone who lives within DeLand city limits and needs transportation can call the church several days in advance at 386-734-2791, to get a ride.
Every Wednesday, beginning Feb. 21 through March 20, a soup and bread dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Lenten service.
‘The Gospel on the Ground’
A new Bible study will begin 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at City Sanctuary Church in the Student Center. “The Gospel on the Ground” will run through Tuesday, March 26.
The study, led by biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland, focuses on the life of the early church in the Book of Acts.
For entry, use the parking lot on Aquarius Avenue.
To register, email kelliott@citysanctuary.church.
1st Christian Church activities
The Disciple Women of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand appreciate all the support the community gave to their annual Trash and Treasure Sale that benefits youth camp scholarships. They were given donations, many customers and volunteers from the community to help.
As always, we appreciate our partner church Trinity United Methodist Church.
Bingo is at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the fellowship hall.
The Disciple Men’s breakfast is at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Big Rig 2. Call 386-734-6078 for reservations.
The Prayer Group meets at 3 p.m. Monday, February 12.
Disciple Women will not meet until 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, for the final report on their Trash and Treasure Sale.
