Quakers activities
Don’t forget that Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. the DeLand Quakers are co-sponsoring the Tom Neilson concert at Unitarian Universalists of DeLand.
Sunday, Feb. 23, after silent worship, Friends will pack food and toiletry kits for the homeless. Also on that day, and on the last Sunday of each month, they fill bags with nonperishable food and toiletries to give to the local homeless population. Several Friends keep these bags in their cars and distribute them when they see a need. Other Friends actively seek out the homeless where they are staying around DeLand.
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., DeLand Quakers meet over Zoom for presentations and discussions on spiritual and community issues. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the focus will be on nurturing our spiritually seeking Divine Guidance to lead us in these unprecedented times. The teaching of Quaker mystic John Yunblutt will be central to our discussion.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand continues his series on “The Way of Jesus” at the Sunday, Feb. 23, service. The sermon is based on Matthew 5:33-37, when Jesus was forbidding oaths.
Jesus wanted Christians to be honorable and trustworthy, to be known as people of their word. Practicing deceit, then lying by adding an oath against truth and calling God to witness for it, is sinful, he said.
Following the service, everyone is welcome to attend “Conversations Over Lunch.” Participants will talk about the sermons presented during the month.
Each Monday at 3 p.m., the prayer group gathers to pray with and for those requesting prayer.
Families and individuals are invited to come and play bingo at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. Proceeds from this month’s bingo receipts goes to The Bridge Homeless Shelter in DeLand.
‘Love the Lord With Your All’
First Church DeLand will begin a new series this Sunday, Feb. 23, titled “The Greatest Commandment.” Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “Love the Lord With Your All.”
Jesus said, when asked which was the most important commandment, that the first commandment was the most important one. “The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.” Mark 12:28-30
Loving God really isn’t difficult to do if we consider He created us. He loves us no matter what happens in our lives, and He protects us each day. We can talk to God about everything and anything. And He will answer.
First Church will host a Communitywide Baby Shower 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 8. This is the largest baby shower in DeLand! All things tiny and cute can be found for expectant and new mothers. Representatives will be available from various organizations to assist moms.
‘Spiritual Wellness’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Feb. 23 service is titled “Spiritual Wellness.”
Spiritual wellness is partly a matter of cultivating healthy states of mind — like compassion, concentration, gratitude and contentment. It is also partly a matter of letting go — of releasing the things that keep us stuck in cycles of stress.
In this talk, Sensei Morris Doshin Sullivan will talk about the benefits of letting go and how to develop that skill.
Judy Raymond will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
Combined-service day Feb. 23
Sunday, Feb. 23, First Presbyterian Church of DeLand has planned an unusual and notable combined-service day, which happens on the last Sunday of each month. At 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, participants will worship in traditional and contemporary ways, along with weekly Holy Communion open to all.
Senior Pastor Michael Bodger will talk about Luke 6:27-38, in which Jesus directs his disciples to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke reports that Jesus, after having offered hope for paradoxical blessings and woes to both rich and poor in “The Beatitudes,” then urges his listeners to love their enemies and not to judge or condemn others. Bodger will discuss how this can make a difficult reading in this day and age. Yet he will affirm that what we call “The Golden Rule” remains timeless.
Following, all are invited to the potluck lunch, with a kitchen-supplied main dish and sides and desserts from willing volunteers.
At 1 p.m. that day, the Chancel Choir will present its annual Concert of Spirituals to celebrate Black History Month and its rich musical legacy. Along with narratives on the music and history, under Music Director Jane Christeson, the choir will enrich your spirit with beautiful and uplifting songs and instrumental accompaniment.
God’s Bathhouse returns to First Pres Saturday, Feb. 22, in the courtyard from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers provide private showers, clothing replacements, manna bags, refreshments, and friendly companionship to needy clients.
Forks in the road
Please join Unitarian Universalists of DeLand Sunday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 a.m. when renowned singer/songwriter Tom Neilson will talk — and sing — about the forks in the road our country has taken in the past, and which fork we might take in the future. Tom weaves stories about his world travels with songs about peace and politics. He will be accompanied by the talented singer Lynn Waldron.
Tom, known for his satirical stabs at hypocrisy and injustice, was nominated for the UN Nelson Mandela Award for Lifetime Achievement in Peace and Justice in 2015.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
