How to apply for Operation Santa Christmas Assistance
The Orange City Sorosis Club will be collecting applications for Operation Santa Christmas Assistance noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, from those qualifying for help. Last year, the club helped more than 100 families.
Call 386-775-6814, email ocsorosisclub@yahoo.com or visit https://sorosiscluboforangecity.com.
‘Holiday Pops & Carols, With a Twist’
The Volusia Community Arts Symphony will present “Holiday Pops & Carols, With a Twist” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand.
Go on a journey that will take your favorite holiday carols through
the looking glass and on the dark side. There will also be unmistakable seasonal classics performed, and a selection composed by a local friend of the symphony.
Tickets cost $20 plus fees.
Wrap up 2024 by celebrating the true spirit of the season: community, gratitude, celebration and love.
Visit https://our.show/volusiacommunityarts/holidaypopsandcarols.
‘To Serve Humanity in Fellowship’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Nov. 17 service is titled “To Serve Humanity in Fellowship.”
We often hear talk of “fellowship” as being a goal that we are called to seek out and obtain. But just what exactly do we mean when we speak of fellowship? And, is it something that we can truly find by serving humanity?
Join the Rev. Matt Pargeter-Villarreal as Mosaic UU continues to look at the Affirmation Statement and how it speaks to us as Unitarian Universalists.
Jan Holloway will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
How to provoke?
A strange topic to be presented at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Typically, the word “provoke” carries a negative shadow from a worldly perspective. Its synonyms, among others, are to spur, arouse, incite, irritate, nettle and rile, which connote an unusually combative and hostile meaning! But Senior Pastor Michael Bodger turns it positive by reading from Hebrews 10:11-25, in which the author proposes that, “We consider how we may provoke one another toward love and good deeds.”
The writer of Hebrews seeks positive results and urges followers to make a better world. Learn how to provoke love and benefits in this world where trouble abounds and seek a positive spark in our space.
Operation Christmas Child at First Pres ends Wednesday, Nov. 20. On the church’s website, there is a list of suggested fillers, as well as a way to have boxes completed online for a fee.
Also on the website, look for the Advent Devotional 2024, written by brothers and sisters of First Pres, and illustrated by the children and youth of the church! Sunday, Nov. 24, begins distribution to the congregation.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand will lead the service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.
A special Thanksgiving Day offering will be collected this Sunday, Nov. 17, and also on Sunday, Nov. 24, to benefit colleges, universities, seminaries and divinity houses affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The offering helps to support 15 colleges and universities, plus seven seminaries and divinity houses. Disciples educate students to become leaders in the world and make a difference.
Those desiring baptism Sunday, Nov. 24, are invited to attend the Baptism class Nov. 17 after worship.
Other ministries and activities during the week include Disciple Women at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, followed at 3 p.m. by a Disciple Women’s meeting with Prayers For and With.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, Marge Jones will have a watercolor class.
At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Joy Club goes to The Bridge, and there is a Narcotics Anonymous meeting at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the church’s fellowship hall.
Thursday, Nov. 21, finds the church hosting a 10:30 a.m. worship service at the Villa Health and Rehab Center, followed at 1:30 p.m. by assisting St. Peter Catholic Church, who help with showers at The Bridge. Marge Jones hosts a Bible study 1-3 p.m. Nov. 21, with maps.
Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, with the proceeds donated to the Salvation Army Christmas Fund.
At 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, the church will host a Thanksgiving Dinner. Attendees must make a reservation and are encouraged to bring a side dish. Call 386-734-0677.
‘Spirit of Empowerment Gala’
The Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is hosting a “Spirit of Empowerment Gala” day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1112 Stevens St.
At the Information Booth, purchase tickets for 15-minute readings by camp-certified mediums for $25. Listen to speakers for $5 each or $25 for the whole list of speakers.
The speakers and times are 11 a.m. “Uplifted by Spirit” by Ilene Balentine; 11:30 a.m. “Exploring the Mystical Realm of Trance Channeling” by the Rev. Dr. Louis Gates; noon “Empowered Healing Through Movement” by Jenenne Valentino-Bottaro; 12:30 p.m. “Animal Totems” by Lori Carter; 1 p.m. “Power in Your Presence” by the Rev. Diane Davis; and 1:30 p.m. “Meditation 101″ by Cynthia Preston. The keynote speaker, Cara Cobb, will present “From Cult to Cassadaga” at 3 p.m.
Vendors will be lining the streets and selling crystals, jewelry, clothing, natural soaps and more, and there will be food trucks.
Neanderthal culture and spirituality
Join Unitarian Universalists of DeLand at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, as sociologist and anthropologist Dr. Heidi Brown talks about the Neanderthals, with highlights on females and spirituality. There will be a brief discussion of archaeology and physical anthropology to contextualize this extinct hominin species.
Anthropologists study the customs, traditions and expressions of culture and try to unravel the mysteries of cultures that no longer exist. Some goals are to reconnect our living cultures with those of our ancestors, understand how people lived and interacted with each other, and learn how ancient civilizations came to be and the mechanisms of their downfall.
Dr. Brown is a professor of sociology and anthropology at Stetson University. Her areas of interest are culture, deviance, inequality, gender and sexuality.
‘Grab an Oar Day’ at 1st Church DeLand
It is “Grab an Oar Day” at First Church DeLand! What can be more fulfilling than being a helping hand? “Dream Big, Our God Is Big” is the sermon title for Sunday, Nov. 17, that Pastor Mark Bitner will deliver.
The definition of “big” is to be of considerable size, extent, intensity, importance, immense and so forth. That’s an impressive word to use to acknowledge our God.
Big, as in He can do anything. Big, as in He can make dreams come true. Big, as in He can move mountains, separate rivers, heal people, bring the dead to life again. That is awesome!
The next time we have a dream, we need to remember just how big our God is. He is gargantuan!
“All things are possible through Christ Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
An early preview of what’s happening in December: On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Traditional Chancel Choir Christmas program will be presented at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services in the sanctuary. There will also be a Family Gingerbread Decorating Contest from 4 to 6 p.m. and Movie Night outside from 6 to 8 p.m.
Impact is every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., where the pastor and others offer insightful Bible studies.
