‘Who are you looking for?’
First Church DeLand continues with the series “Famous Last Words,” with Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title “Who are you looking for?”John 20:11-18 for the Easter Sunday service, April 20.
Jesus was taken down from the cross, put in a new empty tomb and “following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’s body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.” Mary went looking for Him, but found His tomb empty. Then Jesus appeared to her and asked her “Who is it you are looking for?” but Mary did not recognize Him at first.
How often do we not recognize the Lord or the miracles He gives us? God is in everything … in the light that pierces through the clouds after a storm, in the warm wind on a spring day, in the song of the cicadas right before the sun sets. Where will you see God today?
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:12
The Stations of the Cross depict Jesus’ passion and death on the cross and reflect His journey through sacred art, prayers and reflections, ending with Communion. A self-guided tour begins in Building 2 and ends in Building 1, 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 18.
Rise up with Jesus at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, for an uplifting and interactive Easter experience! Learn about what happened on the first Easter through activities and experiences that are inviting and fun! At the end of the event, children will have an egg hunt and refreshments. Sign up to attend on the website.
The Easter Sunrise Service is at 6:30 a.m. April 20 in the Pumpkin Patch area. A light breakfast will be served.
Registration began Monday, April 14, for Vacation Bible School, which takes place Monday-Friday, June 23-27. Sign up on the church website.
At the Lunch Bunch meeting at noon Thursday, May 1, Lyssette Santiago, marketing and special-events coordinator for the Sanborn Activity Center, will talk about the activities, services and trips that are on the calendar at the center. A delicious lunch will be served for $8 per person. Sign up on the website so we know how much food to prepare. All are welcome.
In our midst
First Presbyterian Church of DeLand invites all to join the Easter celebration at its three services Sunday, April 20. Those attending the 7 a.m. Sunrise Service in the pavilion can share breakfast at that early hour. Two other services, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., as well as being livestreamed and recorded, give one ample possibilities to worship on this Resurrection Day.
“He is risen! He is not here.” Thus declares the angel to the alarmed women who have come, by Jewish custom, to the tomb to anoint the body of the crucified Christ. (Mark 16:1-8)
At Easter services, Senior Pastor Michael Bodger will repeat what the angel says, “He IS risen!” Then in his sermon, he will ask whether we live as we declare it?
The new and other way of life offered by Jesus includes anyone and everyone — no exceptions! Not a once-a-year phenomenon but an everyday reality! Pastor Bodger teaches that “in the midst” of our daily interactions with our world, let us live truly and tell the story of Jesus with our very own lives!
The Presbyterian Women offer two upcoming events. At the Sunday, April 27, service, the church will observe Presbyterian Women’s Sunday at our monthly Combined Service at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Enjoy a potluck lunch afterward, whether or not you bring a dish to share. We plan for guests!
Secondly, the Presbyterian Women will host the annual Least Coin Gathering and Ladies’ Tea at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3. The group will announce plans for next year, as well as install new officers.
More details to come about the Chancel Choir’s Music of the Easter Season at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 27, after the Combined Service and potluck.
Easter activities at Lutheran Church of Providence
Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona is having its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18. An Easter breakfast will be served at 9:15 a.m. April 20, followed by the Easter Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m.
Abundant life
Easter is a time of hope, of new life, and of new beginnings. Join the congregation of New Covenant Baptist Church in DeLand at 11 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 20, as the Rev. Abby Thornton Hailey helps us explore the story of Jesus’ Resurrection and the “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? 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?
New Covenant Baptist Church is named as such because the congregation is in a covenant relationship with God and with each other, striving to make love its aim and grow in the unconditional love God is giving us. We welcome all without regard to their class, race, sexual orientation or status in the community.
Looking for a new beginning? Visit newcovenantbaptist.net.
Easter Sunday at 1st Christian Church
The Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes all who have no church family to Easter Sunday worship and celebration at 10:45 a.m. April 20.
Coffee and refreshments are offered at 10:30 a.m. in the narthex. Pianist Donald Valencia provides inspirational music throughout the service, with Dorothy Ashton as song leader.
Pastor Perez will deliver a sermon from Luke 24:13-35, “It is True!” This Scripture gives the evidence of Jesus’ Resurrection when he speaks to two of His followers on the road to Emmaus after His Resurrection.
As Christian Disciples, the church celebrates Easter because it is a part of the redemptive plan of mankind. It causes our celebration, because with death overcome, the rising of Jesus proves that He is the Son of God. Easter is the fulfillment of God’s salvation plan for mankind.
After the Easter message, all present are offered Communion, with Elder Chairman Brenda Valquez-Morales guiding elders Sue Brague and Janet Raney and assisted by deacons Kathy Porr and Donna Mozley to serve guests and congregants.
An Easter offering will be accepted April 20 to support or assist the church’s general ministries: college students, global-mission partnerships, health and social-service ministries, the formation of new congregations, and care for pastors and chaplains.
EGGciting Easter Egg Hunt
First Baptist Church of DeLeon Springs invites the community to an EGGciting Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19, at 4990 Central Ave.
The Egg Hunt is for children in preschool through fifth grade, and jam-packed with games to play, crafts for kids to make and take, and refreshments! This is a free event.
For more information, call the church office at 386-985-4281. Eggciting adventures await!
Easter sunrise service
The 14th annual Easter Sunrise Service by the Lake, sponsored by Taylor Commandery No. 28 Knights Templar of Florida, will take place at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 20, lakeside at Fort Mellon Park in downtown Sanford. This is a public open-air ecumenical worship service in the park. This year, the message will be delivered by Pastor Meghan Killingsworth, and the music will be provided by Ryan Ganaban of First United Methodist Church in Sanford.
Limited seating will be provided; however, it is recommended that attendees bring lawn chairs or a blanket. It is advisable to bring jackets because there is often a cool morning breeze coming from the lake. Children are welcome to attend with their parents.
The philosophy of yoga
At the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, April 20, at Unitarian Universalists of DeLand, Ella Ran will be speaking about the philosophy of yoga and how the practice of the eight limbs of yoga helps us to move skillfully through life, in unity with ourselves and our souls, while dealing with the complexities of modern life.
During her time as a professional skydiver, Ran was injured in a skydiving accident (whiplash), which led her to the practice of yoga for its therapeutic aspects of pain management. Her classes offer an opportunity to explore awareness of body, breath and mind. She is passionate about sharing the gifts of yoga with others.
‘Helping Each Other Home’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The April 20 service is titled “Helping Each Other Home.” Join the Rev. Matthew Pargeter-Villarreal for an Easter reflection on how we can recommit ourselves to helping each other along our collective journeys through life and how, in the midst of everything that is going on in the world today, that may just be the source of hope that we need to help get through the most difficult of times.
Jan Holloway will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
‘Seeking the Wellspring of Audacious Hope’
Quakers from all over Florida are gathering this week through Sunday, April 20, at Dayspring Camp and Conference Center for the Yearly Meeting. This year’s theme is “Seeking the Wellspring of Audacious Hope.”
In addition, the yearly business meeting will be held in six plenary sessions. Daquanna Harrison will be the Walton Lecturer. Her lecture “Simple, Brave, and Outlandish: What Challenge Can Your Meeting Meet?” will be a call to action allowing meeting members to join in worship to consider how their meetings can be a source of audacious hope for their communities in these uncertain times. The program includes workshops, youth activities and recreational activities.
DeLand Quakers are planning to attend the DeLand City Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21, to support the Volusia Remembers Coalition’s proposal to install a historical marker where a Black man was lynched in 1891. Before he could come to trial, the victim, Lee Bailey, was kidnapped from the jail by a white mob, shot, then hung from a tree near West Rich and North Clara avenues. The intention of installing the marker is to acknowledge a past wrong in order to promote racial reconciliation in the community.
For more information about these events or the DeLand Quakers, email delandquakers@gmail.com or call 386-337-5204.
