Save the date for a Classical Jukebox concert Wednesday, March 13, at Stetson Baptist Church, 1025 W. Minnesota Ave. in DeLand. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for drawings and a snack bar. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Get ready to be transported through time, as the talented musicians of the Volusia Community Arts Symphony bring classical rock to life.
Tickets cost $20. Go to www.volusiaarts.org and click the Event page to purchase them.
‘Hannah as the Underdog’
This Sunday, March 10, First Church DeLand invites everyone to hear Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon “Hannah as the Underdog.” This sermon is from the “God and the Underdogs” series.
Hannah was a loving woman who wanted a child, so she asked the Lord to grant her prayer. The Lord blessed her with a son. Once he was of a certain age, she returned him to God so he could live with Him permanently. Who would give her son away like that? One who is a fearsome woman who loves the Lord and child with all of her heart.
Vacation Bible School will take place June 24-28. The theme is “Scuba Diving Into Friendship With God. Those wanting to volunteer can register at https://www.firstchurchdeland.org/first-church-kids.
Women rise to the occasion
All are invited to First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand for the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, March 10, as member Deborah McShane celebrates Women’s History Month with the program “Women Rise to the Occasion.”
McShane will share a brief overview of the role women played in the early days of the DeLand area. She will be joined by Elizabeth Stetson (played by Sally Daykin) and Frances Dickinson (played by Caryn Long), who will share their struggles and achievements in the early days of building our community.
A retired English and theater teacher who recently directed the play Keepers of the Dream, McShane is helping to coordinate the DeLand House Players, a re-enactor troupe from the West Volusia Historical Society.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome, as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
Tables
Collectively during these 40 days of Lent, First Presbyterian Church of DeLand has been reading and reflecting over Pause, the devotional book by Elizabeth F. Caldwell. In her challenging musings for the fourth week of Lent, Caldwell says, “Thinking about this psalm [Psalm 23] during Lent provides us with the opportunity to consider new meanings as we make the journey through this season of faith.”
On Sunday, March 10, Associate Pastor Cassandra Riker will follow that author’s prompt to “Attend to Psalm 23”! The Rev. Casey will talk about one of the most popular and well-known of 150 Psalms.
Christians may think they know the message God sends in this comforting song of David. Pastor Riker, however, will lead a notable new dive into this psalm to discern.
First Pres continues its active ministry reaching within and without the church community during this busy season of Lent.
First, people in need of a good meal can go to The Bridge at The Neighborhood Center at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, where First Pres volunteers will prepare and serve free boxed suppers. The menu will include a chicken-broccoli bake, dessert and beverage.
The volunteers usually hand out these free meals to 80 to 100 guests.
Then this Saturday, March 9, God’s Bathhouse sets up in the church courtyard at 9 a.m. to offer individuals help with private showers, clean towels and clothing, fellowship and manna bags.
The monthly Second Wednesday Night Cookout meets 5:30-7 p.m. March 13, with the church kitchen providing the main dish. Bring a side dish or dessert to share if you can.
Next, on Friday, March 22, IDignity will help individuals whose personal information needs updating. Various local and state governmental agencies, as well as many community agencies, collaborate to restore dignity through documentation to underserved people, who will receive the essentials needed to access education, employment, health care, housing and other benefits.
The annual Eggsperience, a free community event for families, returns to the church 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, with arts and crafts, age-appropriate organized egg hunts, snacks, bounce houses, and more.
The month of March concludes with Holy Week from Palm Sunday, March 24, through Easter Sunday, March 31. During that week, First Pres offers services at 6 p.m. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday, a Sunrise Worship at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast open to all at 8 a.m. followed by the 9 a.m. contemporary worship and the traditional service and music at 11 a.m.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand invites all to worship for the fourth Sunday in Lent, March 10, at 10:45 a.m.
Lent is related to the 40 days Jesus was in the wilderness. For Christians today, it is a time to reflect on their spiritual life leading up to Jesus’ death and Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Plans are developing for the church’s community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 30.
Other activities in the church throughout the week include a prayer group with all invited at 3 p.m. Mondays; Narcotics Anonymous groups Wednesdays at noon and 7:30 p.m.; bingo to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank at 7 p.m. Friday, March 8; and the Men’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Big Rig 2, by reservation by calling 386-734- 6078.
Disciples of Christ in Florida have a Leadership Council that meets every three months to discuss important business and events concerning the churches in the Florida Region. Each congregation is encouraged to appoint a Regional Leadership Council Partner. The partner participates with voice and vote on the Leadership Council and helps guide the work and priorities of the Florida Disciples Regional Church. Paul Ashton has been the partner for First Christian in DeLand.
‘CHEW: Working for Inspiration’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The March 10 service is titled “CHEW: Working for Inspiration.”
If you’re on the fence about God but battle with sleep apnea, this one’s for you! In his groundbreaking book Breath, author James Nestor tries to fix his breathing and ends up teaching us about spirituality, evolution, inspiration and discipline. He makes a connection between breath and chewing.
Join the Rev. Ben Collins in exploring this connection and imagine a spirituality that can actually improve our “inspiration, presence, bliss, enlightenment and conscious contact with the God of our understanding” through some consistent practices that shape our life of inspiration.
Judy Raymond will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
— 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.
