Community-outreach event at Living Springs Church

Living Springs Church, at 138 Dirksen Drive in DeBary, is hosting a community-outreach event 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 12. There will be a used clothing and toy giveaway, a bounce house, games, hot dogs, drawings, music and fellowship. Everything is free.

To learn about the church, visit the church’s website at   

livingspringsdebary.com.

Easter Egg-stravaganza

Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand is having an Easter Egg-stravaganza 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 12, on the church property at 1338 W. Plymouth Ave. in DeLand.

There will be an egg hunt, crafts, games, photo opportunities and more, designed for children 3 years old through fifth grade. This is a free event!

Bring a basket for the egg hunt, and get ready for fun!

Also, Whit’s Frozen Custard will be offering frozen custard for $3 a cup.

For more information, visit the church’s website at www.trinitydeland.org, or call the church office at 386-734-4425.

1st Christian Church activities

The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand invites the community to the fifth Sunday in Lent, April 6. Disciples make the observance of the Lord’s Supper a significant part of every worship service, coming immediately after the sermon.

To make the Lenten season more meaningful, award-winning pianist Donald Valencia and song leader Dorothy Ashton provide music enhancing the congregation’s experience.

For those not able to attend in person, on the Facebook page  First Christian Church – DeLand Disciples, the service can be watched live or later by clicking on the “video” tab or looking on the news feed.

First Christian continues outreach in the community by assisting The Bridge homeless shelter on the first Tuesday with dinner, helping St. Peter Catholic Church with showers on Thursdays, and offering the Joy Club on two Wednesdays a month under the direction of Marge Jones.

On Thursday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Perez and some elders bring worship to the Villa Health and Rehab Center.

On Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall, Essie Miller and the Disciple Women host bingo to support the Good Samaritan Health Clinic.

Every Monday at 3 p.m., Jane Price, Emma Hille and Sue Brague host a time to pray for others.

On Saturday, April 12, at 8 a.m., the Disciple Men meet at Big Rig 2 for breakfast. Call 386-734-6078 to make a reservation.

Love is like a box of chocolates

Members of Unitarian Universalists of DeLand broach the subject of love at the Sunday, April 6, service. Love can be such a confusing word in our language, meaning a lot of different things to a lot of different people. People experience love differently, even love that might look the same on the outside.

The service leader will be longtime UU member Linda Newman. A Unitarian Universalist since 1989, Linda has been an active member of the UU DeLand congregation since 2004, serving as president and vice president, and chairing the Social Justice and the Program committees. Now Linda leads the Congregational Life Committee, which includes membership, caring and hospitality.

In commemoration of new beginnings and creating a brave space village over this past year, the Truthseekers: Black History Class, normally taking place at UU DeLand, will be celebrating Palm Sunday at The Temple of God Church of DeLand, at 820 S. Adelle Ave., at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 13. All are welcome!

Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome, as everyone learns and searches together for truth.

An abundant life

Jesus famously said that he came so that we might have life — and have it abundantly — to the fullest extent possible! What does it look like to live a full life of faith?

On our journey of faith and during this season of Lent, what might we leave behind so that we can more fully receive the abundance of love, grace and beauty that are markers of God’s reign? What might we discover as we examine the Scriptures that point us to abundant life?

On Sunday, April 6, at 11 a.m., New Covenant Baptist Church’s pastor, the Rev. Abby Thornton Haley, will use text from Isaiah that speaks of God about to “do a new thing” along with the Gospel story of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus as she points out how abundant beauty is a part of an abundant life of faith.

On Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m., New Covenant will join in Table Worship during a simple shared meal around tables to remember Jesus’ final meal with his friends. “Maundy” comes from the word “mandate,” as Jesus gave us the mandate to “Love one another as I have loved you.”

April 18 is Good Friday, a day to remember Jesus’ Crucifixion and death. New Covenant, at 1350 S. Blue Lake Ave. in DeLand, will be open 10 a.m.-noon for quiet reflection. A guide for individual meditation will be available.

New Covenant Baptist Church is a different kind of Baptist church that is building a supportive community where all who search are welcome, where all are free to find their own relationship to God, and where it is safe to question what it means to follow Christ.

New Covenant Baptist Church seeks to be an open, inclusive, welcoming and affirming community, offering spiritual and educational services and programs, in person and online, focusing on love and service to all as we journey together. Visit the website at newcovenantbaptist.net.

Fish Fry Fundraiser at St. Peter Catholic Church

The last Fish Fry Fundraiser this Lenten season will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, at St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand, hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

The menu includes mild white cod, either fried, blackened or grilled, with Tater Tots, hush puppies, coleslaw and applesauce and beverages. The cost is a donation of $12 per meal and $3 for beer or sangria. All proceeds will go to the church.

Fish Fry in DeLeon Springs

Christian Family Worship Center of DeLeon Springs will host its quarterly Fish Fry 5-7 p.m. Saturday, April 12. All proceeds are used to support the Residing Hope Children’s Home in Enterprise, and other work of the church’s Men’s Group.

The cost for adults and children age 10 and older is $10. Children age 9 and younger eat for free.

Palm Sunday service at Lake Helen Methodist

Palm Sunday service at Lake Helen Methodist Church will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 13. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed

Him by waving palm branches, marking the start of Holy Week.

Good Friday service is at 3 p.m. Friday, April 18. It will be a solemn worship ceremony commemorating the Crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, reflecting on His suffering and sacrifice.

Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 20. This service will be the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after His Crucifixion … the great hope of the Gospel. The Lord Has Risen!

Hands Off National Day of Protest

Saturday, April 5, DeLand Quakers will join people across the United States in the “Hands Off National Day of Protest” sponsored by the 50501 National Organization. This is a peaceful movement to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach.

Participants will gather at the corner of New York Avenue and Woodland Boulevard in Downtown DeLand with signs and enthusiasm. Everyone is welcome to join the group.

A Meeting for Worship for Business will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6. At this meeting, members will discuss the upcoming Yearly Meeting with Quakers all over Florida, social-justice concerns, and possibly hosting a Central Florida Quaker meeting.

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

Greatness

Jesus Christ explains to his disciples, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve ….”  (Mark 10:45)

Greatness comes with power, finances, elitism, fame, services by others …  or so the world says. When He responds to a request by James and John in Mark 10, he turns greatness on its head!  In the Kingdom of God, those truly great serve others. Today’s Christ-followers seek to remain available to those around us, to uncover apparent needs in our midst, and then to help assuage those, seeking no credit.

Christ came to Earth as a servant for all. As his disciples, He calls us to do likewise.

As First Presbyterian Church of DeLand meets for its three worship services Sunday, April 6, we are anticipating beginning Holy Week on Sunday, April 13, the day after Passover.

Trevor Hudson’s devotional Pauses for Lent has guided us over the past weeks through spiritually pondering the daily words, by considering Jesus’ definition of greatness and more words from Hudson, we will continue our preparation for Easter’s celebration of the historical Resurrection.

Eggsperience ahead! Annually, First Pres invites families to join together for free spring fun. On Saturday, April 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. all over the First Pres campus, there will be age-grouped egg hunts, face painting, arts, crafts, food, carnival games, a dunk tank, and all-around good times! Children, bring along your Easter basket, and gather for fun with your friends and loved ones!

Palm Sunday will be celebrated at all three services Sunday, April 13.

Also regular activities continue: The Bridge free dinner on first Thursdays will take place 5-7 p.m. today, April 3, at The Neighborhood Center; bingo can be played on first Fridays (April 4) 7-8:30 p.m.); Bee-Attitudes begins at 5 p.m. Friday, April 4.

If registered, women will spend the annual Women’s Retreat aimed at “becoming your best self” at San Pedro Center in Winter Park. We pray for the spiritual growth so often evolving from our retreat!

The family of First Pres warmheartedly asks the public to join us for the worship services of Holy Week: Palm Sunday, April 13, at 8, 9 and 11 a.m.; Maundy Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m.; Good Friday, April 18, at 6 p.m.; and Easter Sunday, April 20, at 7 a.m. for Sunrise worship (with breakfast for all), 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

‘I Thirst’

First Church DeLand continues with the series “Famous Last Words” Sunday, April 6. Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title is “I Thirst.” John 19:28-29

Few things are more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of orange juice on a hot, humid, Florida day. It is well-known that keeping hydrated goes hand-in-hand with good health; however, many of us wait until we are thirsty to get something to drink. Unfortunately, by the time our bodies thirst, we are already dehydrated.

There is, however, another more serious need — the thirst of spirit! Similarly to our bodies, when our spirit is thirsty we may not know it right away. Perhaps our life does not feel quite right; maybe we busy ourselves with caring only for our bodies and not our spirit. This choice will leave us feeling empty and longing for something more meaningful. We may get so depleted, so emotionally dry, that we may feel we have nothing to offer.

On the contrary! Christ calls us to rely on God and squeeze ourselves a bit more and serve others. Giving and serving is a fulfilling act and we will receive it back tenfold.

“If you can pour yourself out for others and satisfy the desires of those in need, even as you find yourself in the desert, God will make you strong and satisfy your own desires.” Isaiah 58:10-11

When Christ was crucified, even when He was close to death, He continued thinking of us: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Similarly, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and continue to serve others, especially when we feel we have nothing to offer. One of Christ’s last words was “I am thirsty,” and He was given wine vinegar to drink, a bitter and sour drink right before his last breath. We, too, sometimes can be handed a bitter drink by life, but as Christ did not give up on us we mustn’t give up on ourselves or others. When we feel the most empty, Jesus can fill our spirit so we never have to thirst again. Jesus reminds us that “Whoever drinks the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

Rise up with Jesus at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at an interactive Easter experience! Learn what happened on the first Easter. There will be a children’s egg hunt, with refreshments provided at the end. Sign up at www.firstchurchdeland.org

Prepare for an emergency by taking the CPR/AED/First Aid training class in the Life Enrichment Center gym, Building 4, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 24. The cost is $30 per person, and you will be certified by the end of class! Sign up on the church’s website, or If you need more information, don’t hesitate to inquire at 386-734-5113.

‘Rise of the Resistance’

The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The April 6 service is titled “Rise of the Resistance.”

The Rev. Dr. Tracie Barrett will discuss how our faith and our calling to put love at the center compel us to resist tyranny and violence.

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

The meaning of Easter

Everyone knows that there is more to Easter than just flowers and candy. Why do we remember a man who was executed on a cross? Why do we celebrate that men and women found an empty grave? And what does all this have to do with you and me in 2025, especially during these times? We want to share the whole story.

On Easter, April 20, we are inviting you to join us at Deltona Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at 960 E. Normandy Blvd., for a look at the true meaning of this holiday and at the moment that changed history.

We are offering two services, the first at 7 a.m. in the Memorial Garden and the second at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Both services will conclude with a ceremony of Flowering the Cross, in front of the church. Everyone is welcome to learn more and to celebrate the good news about God’s love.

Holy Week begins with a Palm Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. April 13 at Lutheran Church of Providence, 1696 Providence Blvd. in Deltona. Celebrate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the Blessing of the Palms and Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday, the night when our Lord was betrayed, is observed at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17. The service will include the “Stripping of the Altar” and Holy Communion.

Good Friday is a solemn service that commemorates Our Lord dying on the cross for the forgiveness of the sins for all mankind, fulfilling Scripture. This service is at 7 p.m. April 18, and includes the Procession of the Holy Cross, the Bidding Prayer and the Tenebrae Sequence, the service of darkness.

Celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior on Easter morning at 10:30 a.m. April 20, with a complimentary breakfast at 9:15 a.m. Our joyous service is complete with Hymns of Praise and Holy Communion.

Community Egg Hunt in DeLeon Springs

First Baptist Church of DeLeon Springs is having a Community Egg Hunt for preschoolers through fifth graders 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. There will be games, crafts and refreshment.

The church is at 4995 Central Ave. Call 386-985-4281.

Holy Week services at Faith Lutheran

Faith Lutheran Church in DeLand announces its Holy Week schedule: a Foot Washing ceremony will celebrate Holy Thursday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m.; Good Friday will be observed at 6:30 p.m. April 18; and Stations of the Cross will take place noon-12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Come any time, and Easter Sunday, April 20, will be celebrated beginning at 9:30 a.m. Food, fellowship and an Easter Egg Hunt will follow.