Vacation Bible School at DeLand Seventh-day Adventist

Just a reminder that DeLand Seventh-day Adventist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School with the theme “Thunder Island” 6-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 22-26. The children, ages 4-12, will have five days of

Christ-centered activities that will help them see that God is always with us.

Families can register their children 5:15-5:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend.

Email delandsdachurch220@yahoo.com, or call 386-736-8833 for more info.

Needs

On Sunday, July 21, the members of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist will continue the Summer Sharing Series of roundtable-style services online at 11 a.m. This Sunday, the congregation will explore the subject of “Needs.”

The following are some questions to ponder before the gathering: What basic needs have you never had to worry about? How might you be more generous with what you have?

Facilitator Jan Holloway will guide everyone through the discussion. Consult the Religion Directory to learn how to take part. All are welcome.

‘The Meaning of Life’

“The Psalms of Summer” is the continuing series at First Church DeLand. On Sunday, July 21, Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title will be “The Meaning of Life.”

It is by our understanding of dependence upon the Lord that we learn what is important and that life can be simpler and easier. God is above all and in charge, even though we may think otherwise. We look to the Lord for answers and help.

What if we just turned all our problems over to God? Life would be so much simpler, wouldn’t it?

Herding sheep

On Sunday, July 21, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Associate Pastor Cassandra Riker will teach listeners about this promise the Lord made, that one day he will send a king of kings to gather up the lost sheep of the world. Jeremiah declares that God will raise up, “a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” His name will be “The Lord of our Righteousness.”

Christians have not always displayed the cleanest record when it comes to acting kindly to all of God’s sheep. How can we now mend the broken hearts of the people who were once hurt by the church? Can we listen to Jesus and become good caretakers of each other? How can we start living the promise of a beautiful future today?

First Presbyterian Church holds the vision of becoming the hands and feet of Jesus by “reaching up, reaching in and reaching out” to the world through our work as God’s church. While summer allows us to slow down a bit, much need for herding sheep exists in today’s world.

A reminder that Monday, July 22, begins Vacation Bible School, with the theme “SCUBA: Diving Into Friendship With God!” Rising kindergartners through rising fifth-graders will find a week of imaginative and spiritual joy 9 a.m.-noon through Friday, July 26. See the church website for free registration.

A POP-UP event is planned for 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at The Elusive Grape. This fun and informal event gives members and friends summer togetherness in local diverse settings.

Being your authentic Self

Join members of Unitarian Universalists of DeLand for the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, July 21, as Dr. Kyle Dickey talks about the benefits of becoming more in tune with your true self. He will describe ways to become more authentic.

Dickey is a visiting assistant professor of psychology at Stetson University. His research focuses on counterfactual (“what if?” or “if only…”) thoughts, and how individuals do (or do not) learn from past mistakes.

Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome as everyone learns and searches together for truth.

‘Get your life in line with what you believe’

The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, July 21, will conclude his sermon series on the Epistle of James.

Some people felt James advocated that works were more important than faith. With a clear study of the Epistle of James, it is evident that James believed a faith without works was “dead.” He gave a wake-up call to all Christians: “Get your life in line with what you believe.”