Pierson Methodist Church’s annual bazaar
Pierson Methodist Church is having their annual bazaar 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
For sale will be baked goods, jellies and pickles, along with crafts.
Christmas Candlelight Service in Cassadaga
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp will have a Christmas Candlelight Service 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Colby Temple. This is a free family-friendly, fun, holiday celebration, with music of the season, holiday poems, and complimentary mini-readings by certified mediums.
‘Experience the Gift of Love’
First Church DeLand’s choir will present a Choral Cantata during the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Sunday, Dec. 8, continuing with the recognition of Advent. “Experience the Gifts of Christmas” is the name of this series. Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “Experience the Gift of Love.”
We are called to love each other. Not just during the good times in our life, but every day and everyone. Loving others isn’t about buying the most expensive present either. Sometimes the least expensive gift is the one most cherished, because it was created with love by someone’s hands.
Also, on Dec. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be a Family Gingerbread Decorating Contest, with Movie Night outside from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where do we go from here?
Join Unitarian Universalists of DeLand’s 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Dec. 8, for a presentation on segregation.
The first student protest in Florida against segregated public facilities occurred on Feb. 9, 1960, in DeLand, when a group of Black students from a segregated high school quietly entered the Woolworth and McCrory stores on North Woodland Boulevard, sat at the lunch counters and requested service. The white waitresses put out a “Closed” sign and walked away. After a few minutes with no service, the students left.
Among those students was former County Council Member and state Rep. Joyce Cusack. She and Kathy Hersh will raise the issue of how segregated we still are and what we can do about it.
Advent Christmas schedule at St. Peter
St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand announces its Advent Christmas schedule. Due to the constraints of space, this column will cover Dec. 8-12, with more news coming next week.
An International Festival will take place 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. This event is a celebration of unity through our shared heritage and traditions, showcasing our diverse cultures with global cuisine, music, dance and family-friendly activities.
On Monday, Dec. 9, at 8:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mass will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, honoring Mary, conceived without sin, and her role in God’s plan of salvation.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., there will be a Baroque Quartet Concert performed by the Astralis Chamber Ensemble. This special concert promises to transport you with the timeless beauty of Baroque compositions, masterfully played by talented musicians. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable night of classical music in a serene and inspiring setting. All are welcome!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. This special Mass commemorates the Virgin Mary appearing to a peasant in Mexico on Dec. 12, 1531. Following Mass will be a beloved feast with music, food and fellowship, as we come together to honor the Patroness of the Americas.
Empathy, humility and justice
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Dec. 8 service is titled “Building Beloved Community: Cultivating Empathy, Cultural Humility and Justice.”
This presentation will delve into the transformative role of empathy and cultural humility in fostering beloved communities and advancing social justice. Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown, professor and Distinguished Chair of Social Justice Education at Stetson University, will connect historical and contemporary social and environmental justice movements from global, national and local perspectives.
Repent and follow!
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand Sunday, Dec. 8, Pastor Michael Bodger will charge his listeners to carefully examine themselves and profoundly change the way we see reality between Christ’s First and Second Coming. Pastor Bodger’s message will urge us to focus not on this world but instead on growing expectant and alert, serving as if that Kingdom were with us now. “Repent and follow” means to explore our faith, actions and reflection of the new life given in Jesus Christ. The significant goal of Advent — follow our Lord!
The annual Christmas Candlelight Evensong begins at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, with a musical procession by the Chancel Choir. Under the baton of Music Director Jane Christeson, the choir will present choral and solo Christmas music.
God’s Bathhouse will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and welcomes all needy neighbors to fellowship and free private showers, manna bags, fresh clothing and snacks.
That evening in the DeLand Christmas Parade will be a joyful float designed by and crowded with friends from First Presbyterian School, which sits on the campus of First Pres DeLand.
Music Makers to perform Dec. 8
On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Music Makers of Trinity United Methodist Church will be performing during Trinity’s 9 a.m. worship service as well as the 10:45 a.m. worship service of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, as they share a campus.
The performers are in grades two through five.
There will be a lot of singing, acting, dancing and more, as they tell the Christmas story of the “Uncertain Poor Shepherds.”
This musical looks at what the shepherds might have been feeling that night, including their questions and emotions. By the end, the characters will realize that from the very beginning of time, God has always had a plan for us.
Activities at 1st Christian Church
The Rev. Carlos Perez invites the community to celebrate the second Sunday in Advent at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, with the lighting of the Peace Candle at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand. This is a time of coming together to build a community of faith open to all. We are encouraged to restore broken relationships by focusing on the goals of peace in the home and community.
Other ministries during the week include a Christmas Market open before and after worship and 1-4 p.m. Mondays; Prayer With and For at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9; meetings of Narcotics Anonymous at noon and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Proceeds will go for buying Bibles for servicemen and servicewomen on active duty.
