A message from Emmaus Lutheran Church:
“Emmaus Lutheran Church has had the joy of serving our Lord in Orange City for 45 years. Join us in prayers of thanks for this anniversary.”
For more information about planned activities, go to www.emmaus-lutheran.org.
A charge from God!
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and go deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
On Sunday, Sept. 1, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Associate Pastor Casey Riker will challenge listeners to become “doers” not just “listeners”! We hear the Word of God every Sunday. But what do we do about it?
James strongly admonishes believers to act! From the moment we hear the Word of the Lord, God is charging us to do something about it. From this Scripture, Pastor Riker will teach God’s charge to express our faith in our daily lives.
The Presbyterian Women’s Circles begin monthly meetings and Bible study. Details are in the monthly newsletter and at fpcdeland.org. The five circles welcome new members eagerly.
Having resumed weekly practices 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, the Chancel Choir is calling out to new singers. If you enjoy a diversity of musical styles and have a modicum of musical experience, this traditional group welcomes you to sing at 11 a.m. Sunday services and other special services.
Also, the Praise Band, which provides music at the 9 a.m. contemporary service, invites you to consider visiting Wednesday rehearsals 6:30-8:30 p.m.
On each first Thursday at The Neighborhood Center at 434 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand, The Bridge distributes boxed suppers to people in need of food support. On Thursday, Sept. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., First Pres volunteers and friends will serve the menu, always tasty and well-prepared.
Presbyterian Connection, a unique opportunity to explore the history, beliefs and leadership of Presbyterian Church, begins with classes Sunday, Sept. 15. To register for the four-week class, led by Mark and Ann Mizer, contact Barbara Hughes at 386-734-6212, ext. 112 or bhughes@fpcdstaff.org.
Love in our day-to-day lives
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Sept. 1 service is titled “Love at the Center.”
For the past two years, Unitarian Universalists have been hearing about putting love at the center of our UU faith. What does that mean in our day-to-day lives?
The Rev. Dr. Tracie Barrett will explore how we can use love as the lens through which we encounter the world and work toward justice and equity for all.
Jane Bradford will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
‘Meals as Presence’
As part of First Church DeLand’s new sermon series titled “Meals with Jesus,” Pastor Mark Bitner on Sunday, Sept. 1, will speak about “Meals as Presence.”
Oftentimes, we are so absorbed by meaningless situations or instruments that beg for our attention, that we fail to notice what is really important. Our cellphones tempt us away from conversations with friends, when we could be experiencing laughter and joy. Silly TV shows lure us into wasting time, when we could be learning a new craft or completing a list of items to take to a homeless shelter.
The list of temptations is endless. Perhaps we could focus on what’s really important in our lives more than once a week when we go to church. Spending time with Jesus is spiritually enlightening and certainly worth the effort.
First Church DeLand is exploring the need for a new cancer support group to start this fall. This would be for anyone having cancer or someone who has a family member(s) and/or friend(s) fighting cancer. Call the church office at 386-734-5113 for more information or questions. All are welcome.
Finding home: Connection and sanctuary as an act of resistance
Kathleen Moore will speak to the congregation of Unitarian Universalists of DeLand at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, service. The talk is inspired by a jewel of a book titled Sanctuary: A Meditation on Home, Homelessness, and Belonging by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel.
Seeking and understanding sanctuary becomes all the more critical during this time of global upheaval. Using our own experiences of “not feeling at home,” we will envision what we will need to create sanctuary as life shifts and changes.
Moore, a retired licensed clinical social worker, believes that we all continue to feel the effects of the recent pandemic. With a deep abiding belief in the human spirit and potential, she has worked in a variety of health care and hospice positions.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome, as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes all to worship and Communion at 10:45 a.m. each Sunday. Those who cannot are invited to follow the service on Facebook — First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples live on the church’s Facebook page — or watched later by clicking on the “video” tab or looking on the news feed.
The adult Sunday-school class is offered only face-to-face in the church library at 9:30 a.m. September’s theme is “Leaders Set Worship Example.” A separate leader for each Sunday in September is as follows: Abram Builds an Altar; Solomon Dedicates the Temple; Hezekiah’s Prayer; Josiah Celebrates Passover; and Moses and Miriam Lead in Praise.
First Christian’s community service and other activities are: Prayers for and with every Monday at 3 p.m. in the church library (even on Labor Day); Tuesday, Sept. 3, providing the 5 p.m. evening meal at The Bridge on Palmetto Avenue in DeLand; on Wednesdays at noon and 7:30 p.m., Narcotics Anonymous meets in the fellowship hall; on the first and fourth Wednesdays, Marge Jones has the Joy Club at The Bridge; and on the second and fourth Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Perez and elders provide a worship service at the Villa Health and Rehab Center on Chipola Avenue in DeLand.
