Free cooking class
A free Watch-and-Taste Cooking Class with nationally recognized chef Mark Anthony will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at DeBary-Orange City Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2535 S. Volusia Ave. in Orange City.
Chef Anthony, who has been seen on 3ABN, Smartlifestyle TV, Goodnews TV and Betterlife TV, is also a motivational speaker who teaches healthy cooking, nutrition, and how to develop the most abundant life possible. He will demonstrate quick and simple recipes.
For more information, call 386-775-3722.
Concert by Kassie Tyers
The Christian Family Worship Center, at 265 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. in DeLeon Springs, is hosting a concert by Kassie Tyers at 6 p.m. Friday, March 28. Her songs tell stories of life, love, connection and the human need to belong. She sings from the heart with messages of hope and inner peace.
There is no cost to attend; however, a freewill offering will be collected.
Fish Fry Fundraiser
A Fish Fry Fundraiser on the Fridays of Lent continues 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand. The fundraisers are hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
The menu includes mild white cod that can be prepared fried, blackened or grilled, served with Tater Tots, hush puppies, coleslaw and applesauce, unsweet tea, sweet tea, lemonade or water.
The cost is a donation of $12 per meal and $3 for beer or sangria. All proceeds will go to the church.
‘God and Money’
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand invites all without a church family to attend at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 23, when the Rev. Carlos Perez delivers the sermon topic “God and Money,” based on Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus wants His followers to understand to invest in their future with him and not excessively in material objects for present pleasure.
After worship, “Conversations With Pastor” is in the fellowship hall, which will include a snack lunch shared around the table. Everyone is invited to attend.
Regular church activities include the 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, bingo games to benefit Coastal Choices Women’s Clinic.
But who?
On Sunday, March 23, Senior Pastor Michael Bodger of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will address two questions Jesus posed to his disciples while traveling to Caeserea Philippi:
“Who do people say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?”
In his sermon “But Who. . .?” Pastor Bodger will declare that there exists no bigger life-defining question than this direct and very personal question.
In his Lenten devotional Pauses for Lent, Trevor Hudson says that our response to this question will shape our lives more than any other question we face! If we affirm Jesus as the Christ, our lives will turn upside down!
This Saturday, March 22, God’s Bathhouse is open 9-11 a.m. welcoming people in need of private showers, clean towels and clothing, and friendly fellowship. In the courtyard on campus, church volunteers will offer manna bags and support to all comers.
Please note that the Chancel Choir is always looking for new members and hopes area musicians will consider contributing to First Pres’s music.
UU martyrs and heroes
Join the congregation of Unitarian Universalists of DeLand Sunday, March 23, as UU DeLand President Mel Browning talks about Unitarian Universalists the Rev. James Reeb and Viola Liuzzo, who died in Selma campaigning against segregation and for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He will also talk about Elliot Richardson, another Unitarian Universalist, who likely sacrificed a promising political career by doing the right thing during Watergate. This presentation contains violent themes and racist language!
Unitarians and Universalists have a long history of action in support of human rights. At times, this support resulted in the ultimate sacrifice.
The legacy of John Lewis
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The March 23 service is titled “Marching Forward: The Enduring Legacy of Congressman John Lewis.” Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown will illuminate the extraordinary life and legacy of The Honorable John Lewis, one of her mentors and one of the most revered and influential figures in American history.
She will explore the transformative role Lewis played in the Civil Rights Movement and his lifelong dedication to standing up against injustice. Weaving history, narrative, poetry and art, Dr. Shankar-Brown will discuss the profound impact of Congressman Lewis, honor his enduring spirit, and call on us to “get into good trouble” to advance justice and peace.
Judy Raymond will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
‘Here Is Your Son’
From the series titled “Famous Last Words” comes the sermon “Here Is Your Son,” delivered by Pastor Mark Bitner at First Church DeLand on Sunday, March 23.
As Jesus was nailed to the cross, He addressed His mother and the disciple He loved who was standing next to her at the foot of the cross. As if introducing them, he said to his mother, “Here is your son.” And to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
In those times, the eldest son was expected to take care of his mother. Jesus felt an obligation to protect His mother after He joined His father in heaven. In so doing, He selected His favorite disciple to care for His mother. What a precious son!
In today’s society, we are not as devoted to the care of our parents as Jesus was. Perhaps we should mirror Jesus’ example in caring for our mothers and fathers. Now is the time to repay their love by giving the gift of love.
Financial Peace University begins at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 26, and continues till May 21. Learn how to manage your money in this nine-week class that teaches God’s ways of handling money.
First Church DeLand is giving out free Mobile Meals on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 4 p.m. These community meals are for anyone and are available outside behind the church kitchen in the parking lot between Georgia and Alabama avenues. Drive by or walk up!
DeLand Quakers participate in FAITH organization
The DeLand Quakers (American Religious Society of Friends) are one of the 20 religious congregations that participate in FAITH (Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony).
FAITH congregations host house meetings each fall where members describe injustices they or their loved ones have suffered. Member volunteers then work with elected officials and community leaders to develop actions they could take to redress the injustices.
Every year, FAITH re-creates the Prophet Nehemiah’s “Great Assembly” in Old Testament Scripture by gathering thousands of people together to address public officials at the Action Assembly. At the assembly, public officials are asked to make commitments in front of their constituents to take the identified actions.
Through this process, FAITH has secured the creation of a health clinic for the uninsured, the expansion of public-transportation access, drug-addiction treatment in the jail, NARCAN for first responders, and First Step Homeless Shelter.
Current issues are diverting nonviolent youth offenders from arrest, establishing an affordable housing fund in Volusia County, and addressing flooding, which disproportionately impacts poor neighborhoods.
This year’s Action Assembly will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Port Orange.
Find more information about FAITH at faithvolusia.org or by calling 386-523-6905, and about DeLand Quakers at delandquakers.org or by calling 386-337-5204.
Comic play The God Account
The comic stage play The God Account, set within the wild world of a New York City ad agency, will make its world premiere today, Thursday, March 20, through Sunday, March 23, at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.
The play traces the frantic effort of the Josh Jacobson Agency to win a bid to produce ads for the Holy Land Travel Agency that will convince Americans to travel to Israel. Their ideas are a clever spoof on both ad-agency life and how secular people imagine “selling God.”
The God Account is directed by Jack Rose for the Positively Florida Theater Company, a Daytona Beach-based group which, since 2015, has made a reputation for offering plays outside the mainstream fare of local community theaters.
Tickets, which cost $20, are available online at https://positivelyflorida.com or in person at Aberrant Art Gallery, 118 N. Beach St. in Daytona Beach. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. March 20-22, and there are matinees at 2 p.m. March 22-23.
Community-services awareness event
Restore VC is hosting a community-services awareness event 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Westside Elementary School, 1700 Fifth St. in Daytona Beach. This event will focus on city, county, state and federal services available to the citizens of Volusia County. The special guest is Kevin Johnson. There is no charge to attend.
Restore VC is an outreach of Christians Merging Together Foundation Ministries in Daytona Beach. Founded by Pastor Sammy Jackson, Restore VC is birthed out of a passionate desire to get needed resources to those who really need them. Visit restorevc.org or call 386-220-5395 for more information.
