Ash Wednesday at Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona

Join Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona March 5 as the congregation commemorates Ash Wednesday. To better serve the needs of the congregation and community, there will be two worship services, at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten journey. As the Holy Week begins with the Palm Sunday Service April 13, more details will be published in upcoming editions of The Beacon.

Ash Wednesday service at Lake Helen Methodist

Wednesday, March 5, at 6 p.m., Lake Helen Methodist Church will host its Ash Wednesday service. This service is a solemn reminder of our mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. It marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday at Faith Lutheran

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand is having a Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner at 5:30 p.m. March 4 and an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. March 5.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday at Trinity UMC

Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand will have a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5-7 p.m. March 4. This is a come-and-go event; donations will benefit our sister churches in Cuba. Come and enjoy a variety of delicious pancakes before the Lenten season begins!

On Ash Wednesday, March 5, Trinity United Methodist Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, who share a campus, will have an Ash and Dash from noon to 1 p.m. Drive through the portico, stay in your vehicle, and receive ashes to observe Ash Wednesday.

There will also be an evening Taize worship service at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. This will be a time of prayer, song, reflection and the imposition of ashes.

1st Presbyterian Church activities

On Sunday, March 2, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Senior Pastor Michael Bodger will teach from 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. The veil over Moses’ face in the Old Testament has gone as we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another!” (2 Cor:18)

Are we valid reflections of the Living God as we are living life? To do that, we need to see the Glory of God! Christ has removed the veil. Do we see Christ in each other?

This next week, on Wednesday, March 5, First Presbyterian of DeLand will join the congregation of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1878, for the annual joint Potluck Supper and Ash Wednesday Service at First Pres DeLand. Beginning with dinner at 5:30 p.m., the churches invite members and visitors to bring side dishes and desserts to accompany the church-provided main course. Join us, with or without sharing dishes!

Then at 6:30 p.m., attendees will move to the sanctuary to hear the Rev. Reginald Johnson preach about the spirit of Lent and preparation for our Lord’s Easter Resurrection. Bring family members, neighbors and friends to this Ash Wednesday Supper and Service. All will experience a reverent and engaging beginning of their Lent journey.

First Pres reminds readers of two vigorous ministries in the beginning of March. At The Bridge, which is part of The Neighborhood Center on South Woodland Boulevard, the church invites hungry people to enjoy a freshly prepared free supper of quesadilla casserole and accompaniments 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 6.

On Friday, March 7, 7-8:30 p.m., free family bingo games welcome members and guests to enjoy a night of gaming, prizes and surprises. Come for fun and fellowship with a diverse and friendly crowd at First Pres DeLand.

Yard, garage and bake sale

Forest Hills United Methodist Church, 31350 County Road 42, off West State Road 44, just after the bridge in Lake County, will have a yard, garage and bake sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8. Come out to shop; there will be something for everyone!

‘Love Your Neighbor as Yourself’

First Church DeLand continues with the series “Greatest Commandment” as Pastor Mark Bitner shares the sermon “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” on Sunday, March 2.

Sometimes it is a challenge to love a neighbor if he or she happens to be the town grouch. In such a situation, we must recognize that God loves the grouch as much as us. Hopefully, this person has people surrounding them who understand their peculiar habits and love this person anyway.

Sometimes the perceived, unlovable characteristics we see in another are a reflection of our own selves. Perhaps we need to ask forgiveness from the neighbor or forgive them, both difficult tasks.

We all have odd habits in other people’s eyes, so we must love our neighbor as ourselves, with all the bumps and bruises they possess. Why? Because they’re a child of God, just like us.

Don’t forget that the church is hosting a communitywide baby shower 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 8, outside, weather permitting. If not, the shower will be inside. All things cute and practical will be found for expectant mothers and new mothers, including strollers, car seats, diaper backpacks, high chairs, clothing, toys, etc. Representatives from various organizations that assist moms will be available. Come on out to the biggest baby shower in DeLand!

Loving our enemies

The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand continues his series “The Way of Jesus.” For Sunday, March 2, the Scripture is Matthew 5:38-48, which talks about loving your enemies. The Rev. Perez will highlight the following: How to respond generously and not hold grudges toward your enemies. Don’t resist evil, but turn the other cheek, pray for those who persecute you, and let your enemies bring out the best in you.

Following the sermon, Chairman of the Elders Brenda Velazquez-Morales, with the other elders, invites all to the Table of the Lord for Communion. Pianist Donald Valencia, recognized as the second-place winner in the Neil and Dolly Huhta Instrumental Music Competition at Stetson University Feb. 9, provides superb music during the service, with Dorothy Ashton as the song leader.

Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., adults are invited to participate in Bible study. The topic for March 2 is “A Kingdom of Priests, a Holy Nation” from Exodus 19:1-14.

Soil Communion at UU DeLand

Throughout human history, rituals and ceremonies have been integral to establishing and enhancing community relationships. This Sunday, March 2, Unitarian Universalist DeLand will engage in a new ritual: Soil Communion.

We know that the Earth’s soil nourishes plants to grow and provides shelter for ground animals. By recognizing and honoring soil, we hope to uncover how planting our spiritual roots in this common — yet essential — live-giving gift can help reconnect us to our true selves and nourish the life of our congregation and the greater community.

Attendees can bring a cup of soil from a place that is special, possibly a place of peace, where we feel our power and joy. We will add it to UU DeLand’s communal soil, which will be used to nourish plantings under the new church sign.

UU DeLand members Patti Rausch and Cheryl Kellogg will conduct the service, which will include special music, poetry, a homily and the communal joining of our soil.

Rest as resistance

The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The March 2 service is titled “Rest as Resistance.”

The news comes at us fast and is designed to overwhelm. It’s a tactic and, for many of us, it is working. The Rev. Tracie Barrett will share that in the midst of all that is happening, taking time to rest is not only necessary, it’s a type of resistance.

Jane Bradford will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!

DeLand Quakers activities

The DeLand Quakers (American Religious Society of Friends) meet Sunday mornings for silent worship with messages. This is not meditation, which is looking within oneself, but an outward seeking of the Light that is within all people.

Quakers believe that there is That of God or an Inner Light in all people; therefore, all people are equal in God’s sight, and we must view all people as equal, having equal rights regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, race, nationality, wealth, status or religious beliefs. This basic belief has led the Friends to be active in human-rights issues since the founding of the Friends Society in 1652, including the Underground Railroad, women’s suffrage, education and peace activism.

Before and after meetings, Friends gather for lively discussion on current issues and refreshment.

DeLand Quakers also meet Tuesday nights over Zoom to hear presentations and discuss current issues and spiritual growth. We have guest speakers join us. We are looking forward to a conversation with a member of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the lobbying organization associated with Quakers in Washington, D.C. We are preparing for the annual Action Assembly of FAITH – Fighting Against Injustice Towards Harmony at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.

For more information about these events or the DeLand Quakers, email delandquakers@gmail.com or call 386-337-5204.