1st Christian Church to celebrate Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday. To celebrate, the Rev. Carlos Perez will talk on the theme “Come Holy Spirit, Come,” at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand.
A special part of the 10:45 a.m. service will be a Music Makers performance of Fish Tales, directed by Conya Hartman of Trinity United Methodist Church. They will perform for Trinity United Methodist at 9 a.m., as the two churches share the same campus.
The Pentecost offering will be collected during the service. Supporting specialized ministry of new-church development through both regional and general programs is how this offering will be used. It will be divided between our region and the New Church Ministry at Disciples on the national level.
After Sunday worship, Bill McIntyre is inviting all to come celebrate Sue Brague’s 90th birthday in the fellowship hall. Sue has been a contributing member of First Christian for more than 40 years, as an elder, president of the Disciple Women, and chairwoman of many church ministries. Currently, she represents the church at The Bridge emergency shelter at a monthly dinner and Thursday showers. She is also involved with the HOPE (Helpers of People Enslaved) awareness activity on the street corners of Woodland Boulevard and New York Avenue in Downtown DeLand and the twice-a-month bingo games supporting community charities.
Sue also helps with the weekly church prayer group at 3 p.m. Mondays, and as an elder, assists Pastor Perez twice a month at the Thursday Villa Health and Rehab Center worship services. She takes people and plays bridge Wednesdays at the Sanborn Center, attends the Storytellers weekly meetings, and participates in many other church and community volunteer activities.
Many might say at 90 they can sit back and relax. Sue has learned that the gift of life and health depend on staying active, loving the Lord, and helping others. Many mornings, Sue and her daughter, Kathy Porr, walk the scenic streets of DeLand before or after they have worked in Sue’s beautiful flower garden.
FAITH LUTHERAN’S VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL COMING SOON — Don’t forget that it is rapidly approaching the time for Vacation Bible School at Faith Lutheran Church in DeLand. It will run 5:30-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 24-28. The theme is “Just Like Me” Garden, which focuses on inclusiveness and respect for one another’s uniqueness. It is open to those in kindergarten through adulthood. Dinner is provided by the church. Call 386-734-2791 to register.
Hope
On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, in his sermon titled “Hope,” Senior Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will focus on the familiar story from Ezekiel 37:1-14, which offers “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost” spoken by the discouraged and desperate.
As we journey through life in the present day, this thought might occur to us at various times; however, the spirit of God through the prophet Ezekiel issues a timeless encouragement to us from centuries ago: God exists within us and will never leave or forsake us. We just have to remember, in the midst of life, this truth of God’s word!
Saturday, May 18, the Drive-Thru Food Distribution of boxes of nonperishable and perishable food begins at 9 a.m. and continues as long as supplies last. Farm Share donates the provisions, and First Pres volunteers pack them into cars. Each box supplies approximately enough free food for a family of four for a week. Enter the line from West Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Presbyterian Women will have their annual “Ladies’ Tea and Dedication of Least Coin Offering” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25. This gathering will offer a buffet brunch for $5 at the door. Call the church office for reservations. There will be an installation of new officers for next year.
God’s Bathhouse is 9-11 a.m. on the circular drive Saturday, May 25.
Worship together and enjoy a potluck lunch Sunday, May 26.
Forming a friendship with God
First Church DeLand will begin a new series, “Life in Six Words,” this Sunday, May 19. Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “God.” His focus will be on our ability to form a friendship with God. First Church says, “Join us as we take steps toward the goal of a divine friendship.”
Bible study is at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.
‘And Service Is Its Prayer’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The May 19 service is titled “And Service Is Its Prayer.”
If you have been regularly attending a Unitarian Universalist church, you know that social justice is something in which UU congregations actively engage. What does it truly mean for us to make service a prayer? Is there a deeper meaning there? And, more importantly, how are we changed if that is true?
Join Rev. Matthew Pargeter-Villarreal as Mosaic UU continues exploring its Affirmation Statement for a discussion of what we mean when we say “and service is its prayer.” Jan Holloway will be the service leader.
UU The Musical
One day, in conversation between family therapist Nancy Jacobsen and Broadway actor Carol Swarbrick Dries, one said to the other, “Let’s do a service where we get Broadway songs that suggest the principles of Unitarian Universalism.”
If you’re up for some entertainment and potential enlightenment, come to First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19, for a rousing spiritual experience.
Dries has an extensive résumé, which includes Broadway roles in Side by Side by Stephen Sondheim, 42nd Street, Whoopee! and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. National tours include Mame, Hello Dolly!, Sweeney Todd and White Christmas. Television roles include The Jeffersons, Night Court, Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, General Hospital and Three Busy Debras. Film roles include Big Business, Dolly Parton’s “Christmas on the Square” and “Miss Lillian: More Than a President’s Mother.”
