Spiritual Side — Easter services throughout West Volusia
PHOTO COURTESY TANNA GARTSIDE
Hosting prayer breakfast — Church Women United of West Volusia sponsored the 22nd annual DeLand Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast at first United Methodist Church of DeLand recently. Busy at the event were, from left, Jane Tedder from first Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, who was the musician for the event, and led the group in various musical selections; Barbara Holladay, secretary of Church Women United, from St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, who received the Valiant Women Award; Tanna Gartside, also from first Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, who was honored with the Human Relations Award for her work with Interfaith Kitchen and the DeLand Area Public Library, and as a counselor at St. Peter Catholic School; first Presbyterian Church of DeLand member Cindy Britt, chairwoman of the board of directors for the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, who spoke about how the center serves the community; and Church Women United President Jean Beard, who presided over the breakfast.
By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF WRITER
posted Mar 27, 2010 – 10:22:09am
Calling church choirs
Verizon Wireless is once again sponsoring the “How Sweet the Sound” choir competition, which could mean a $25,000 award for an area church. Thirteen cities from across the nation, including Jacksonville, will be home to the first leg of the competition. Choirs within four hours driving time of Jacksonville are eligible to compete by submitting an audition video of no longer than three minutes.
Videos will be judged by professionals, who will pick eight large and eight small choirs from each of the 13 regions of the competition. the videos will be posted for online judging at the “How Sweet the Sound” Web site.
Four choirs in each category will perform onstage at regional events, followed by a grand finale in a city to be determined. A People’s Choice Award will be given to the choir that captures the heart of the audience at the regional performances and at the grand-finale performance.
For more information, visit the Web site at www.howsweetthesound.com.
Come to Easter service
The public is invited to any of the four Easter services offered by first United Methodist Church of DeLand.
The day begins with a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at Bruce and Sylvia Crump’s Vo-LaSalle Farms in DeLeon Springs. Pastor Owen Stricklin will deliver the message. the farm is on Johnson Lake Road, off Lake Winona Road. those attending should bring a flashlight and a lawn chair or blanket on which to sit.
Traditional Easter services with music by the Chancel Choir will be at 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and the contemporary service with the Praise Band will be at 9:45 a.m. in the Life Enrichment Center. Holy Communion, which is open to everyone regardless of faith or age, will be served during the services.
Members of the choir and the Praise Band have begun rehearsing for the Easter drama the Son, which is to be presented Friday, April 9, in the Life Enrichment Center. the drama was written and directed by Joshua Smith, the church’s choir director and worship leader.
For more information, call the church office at 386-734-5113.
Yummy goodies for sale
Members of first Congregational United Church of Christ of Lake Helen will have a Bake Sale beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 3, in the Parish House.
Proceeds will go to the Church Improvement Fund.
Jesus’ last supper and egg hunt
Jesus’ last supper with his disciples will be observed at Glenwood Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, in the church sanctuary. the drama, with 13 men from the church, will portray this fateful evening. Communion will be served in conjunction with the drama. Music will be offered by talent from both the church’s contemporary and traditional services. Church pastor the Rev. Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff will officiate.
In the Presbyterian church, Communion is open to all who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the church invites all such believers to come and participate.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt given by the church will be at 9:15 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 4. Children will first gather in the Barnes Building, which is at the back of the church, off the parking lot. Mack the Puppet will tell the story of Easter to the children. then the children will go outside to search for eggs, which symbolize new life. When all the eggs have been found, the children will receive goody bags to take home.
For more information, call 386-734-8617 or visit www.glenwoodpc.org.
Easter schedule in Lake Helen
The public is invited to Easter services in Lake Helen.
A Good Friday Service is planned for 1 p.m. April 2, at Lake Helen United Methodist Church.
The Lake Helen Easter Egg Hunt will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3, and the Spring Carnival will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. that same day. Both events will be in Blake Park.
You can celebrate the Resurrection at the Sonrise Service at 7 a.m. April 4 on the banks of Lake Helen, at the intersection of Royal Park Road and East Michigan Avenue.
Easter at Westminster
Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeLand will begin observing Holy Week with Palm Sonday Worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 28. the choir will sing “The Palms,” preceded by a Procession of Palms by the children and choir. the pastor will present the sermon “The way Home.” Palms will be given to all worshippers.
On Maundy Thursday, April 1, there will be a 4 p.m. Communion service, followed by “The Objects of his Passion,” led by the Rev. Joseph J. Gasper and Elders Elsie and Pamela Buxton, Alan Horne, Thomas Crumpton, Walter Desmoise, Irene Davis, Fran Hirst and John Patterson, who will present items that were part of Jesus’ Passion, such as a crown of thorns, three nails, dice, etc. the choir, led by Pamela Buxton, will sing “Were You There.” Choir members are Fran Hirst, Carolyn Gilliam and Caylyn Gunby. All music will be accompanied by church organist/pianist Kay Manning. Special soloist Nick Pizza will sing “Watch the Lamb.”
At 10:30 a.m. on Resurrection Day, April 4, the choir will lead traditional hymns, with soloist Pamela Buxton presenting “The Holy City.” All music will be supported by guest violinist Christopher Gmuer. the sermon “God’s Greatest Miracle” will be given by the pastor.
Adult Sonday School is at 9 a.m., with Children’s Church following the Youth Message, and held during worship every Lord’s Day. call 386-532-5536 for more information. All are invited to attend all services.
Everybody welcome
The Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand invites the community to experience the Journey of Holy Week beginning with a service on Palm Sunday, March 28, at 10 a.m. the service will begin with the blessing of the palms, with fellowship following the service. Sunday school and a nursery will be provided for the children.
On April 1, Maundy Thursday will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. by participation in a servant ministry through a foot-washing ceremony, followed by Holy Eucharist and the Stripping of the Altar. All will be asked to leave the church in silence while a prayer vigil continues through the night. A nursery will be provided during the service.
Good Friday will be celebrated at noon April 2, with Eucharist from the Reserved Sacraments.
Saturday night, April 3, the Decoration of Easter Flowering Crosses in Downtown DeLand will begin at 10 p.m. at Pioneer Park.
The Celebration of Easter, at 10 a.m. April 4, will conclude the events of Holy Week. Families are invited to attend, and children will be able to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt following the service.
For more information, call 386-734-5228 or visit www.holypresencedeland.com.
Helping the needy
Ten needy families will be served dinner and receive gifts in a “Sharing God’s Love” program at first Baptist Church of DeLand at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, in the Family Life Center.
As part of an Easter celebration, church members have contributed baskets of breakfast items to be given to each family. In addition, the children will receive an Easter basket prepared by Sunday-school classes. There will be activities and games for children, following a time of praise and worship.
There will be a Unity Communion service in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, and the chapel will be open for prayer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 2.
Karen Ahlers to speak
Karen Ahlers, president of the Putnam County Environmental Council, will speak about “Ecology and Spirituality” at Mosaic Unitarian Universalist in Orange City at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 28. Ahlers will speak about why she does what she does.
The seventh guiding principle of the Unitarian Universalist faith is “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” Unitarian Universalists envision a world in which all people make reverence, gratitude and care for the living Earth central to their lives, and where the Earth’s abundance is shared with all. everyone is welcome to attend the service and the fellowship hour following.
At 3 p.m. March 28, the topic of the Mosaic in the Afternoon service will be “The Teachings of Jesus,” led by Lisa Stauffer. this informal service includes time for discussion and fellowship. All are welcome.
For more information, call 386-228-3130 or visit www.mosaicuu.org.
Learning about fellowship
On Sunday, March 28, the Rev. Jack Higgins will speak about “The Right Hand of Fellowship” at first Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.
In his monthly services, the Rev. Higgins provides meaningful insight into UU principles, values and perspectives. the service begins at 10:30 a.m., and religious education for children of all ages is provided.
For more information, visit www.uudeland.org, or call 386-734-6499.
Children and palms
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand will have a traditional Palm Sunday service at 10:45 a.m. March 28, with children carrying in the palms.
During Holy Week, Monday, March 29, through Thursday, April 1, there will be a prayer service 12:10-12:30 p.m. every day in the sanctuary, led by Interim Pastor Jack Barnes.
There will be no youth meeting Wednesday, March 31.
The Maundy Thursday service on April 1 will be at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary, with a portrayal of Jesus and his disciples in the Upper Room.
The Good Friday service will be at 1 p.m. April 2, in the sanctuary.
Nancy Jones and Rebecca Hodges are in charge of the services during Holy Week. Sue Beck is in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt for children up to fifth grade 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 3, in the Fellowship Hall. There will be special activities, the telling of the Easter story, an Easter Egg Hunt, and a light lunch.
All activities are open to the public.
— We value your religious group’s news items. Please submit information one week before the publication date by fax at 386-734-4641 or by e-mail at margie@beacononlinenews.com.
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