West Volusia sings and eats its way through Lent

By Barb Shepherd
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Mar 10, 2009 - 5:06:58pm

Who said Lent was a time for deprivation? West Volusia churches are offering a feast of music, suppers, learning, celebration and more over the next several weeks. Witness:

The Hyssongs to sing

The well-known Southern gospel music family The Hyssongs will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at First Presbyterian Church of DeBary.

A fish fry is planned for 6 p.m., before the concert. All attending are encouraged to bring a dish to share.

A love offering will be taken during the concert.

45 years with Christ

Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeLand will be celebrating its 45-year-long walk with Christ with a special gathering 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 5.

Anyone who has attended Westminster in the past, or would like to witness the walk, is invited to take part.

"We are looking forward to a time of worship, fellowship and a renewal of hope. You are more than welcome," the church's invitation reads.

Dedication services at Macedonia

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in DeLand plans a Church Dedication and Church Anniversary service at 4 p.m. March 15, featuring Pastor L. Ronald Durham of Greater Friendship Baptist Church of Daytona Beach.

The Sunday service will be followed by special services at 7 p.m. each evening, March 16-20. Featured pastors will include Pastor Michael Mitchell of St. Paul Church in Holly Hill, Pastor Larry Chavers of St. James Baptist Church in Osteen, Bishop Eugene Collier of Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church in Winter Park, Elder Terry Brown of Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in DeLand, and Elder Norris Brinson of Hart's Temple Church of God in Christ in DeLand.

The week of celebration will conclude Saturday morning, March 21, with the laying of the cornerstone and a prayer breakfast, beginning at 9 a.m. The guest minister will be Pastor Leroy A. Lee of Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Sanford.

"We the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church family, will be looking forward to the fellowship with you and your family," Macedonia Pastor Melvin L. Young Sr. said. "Again, we say thank you. Please join us for one of these services as we celebrate the vision that God has given us to renew and restore the house of God."

Lenten suppers

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Orange City invites the community to three Lenten services that include supper.

There's a catch: You must call for reservations so the church can prepare the right number of meals.

The dinners are at 6 p.m. on three Thursdays: March 19, March 26 and April 2.

Call (386) 775-2462 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday-Friday to make reservations, and they'll save you a seat.

125th anniversary

Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Pierson will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a guest speaker, special music and a pictorial history presented at the 10:30 a.m. worship service March 29.

Edward Benoway, bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Lutheran Church in America will be the speaker. Susan Holmes, Tina Klaers and Pierson Rintz will present the special music. A catered dinner will follow the service.

Rummage sales

Area churches are raising money for all kinds of good work with rummage sales. Here are three:

Deltona Christian

Baked goods and all kinds of merchandise will be on sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, at Deltona Christian Church. Proceeds from the sale will benefit outreach efforts in the Deltona community. Good clothing, household items and small furniture pieces are among the sale items. Call (386) 574-2431 for more details.

First Methodist, Deltona

First United Methodist Church of Deltona will sell clothes, plants, tools, toys, linens, books and household items at a rummage sale planned 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 20, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 21.

Donations for the sale will be accepted 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the church breezeway March 16-18.

Trinity Methodist

The women of Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand are getting an early start on their spring cleaning, and you are the beneficiary.

They'll put their clothing, household items, toys and treasures up for sale 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 14, at the church.

In addition to shoppers who get great bargains, this sale will also benefit mission work locally and globally.

If you're spring-cleaning, too, and want to donate items to be sold, bring them to the church fellowship hall during normal business hours before March 14. Call Melissa Fuller for more details at (386) 736-4506.

Eggstravaganza

Egg-hunt time is just around the corner, and Pine Ridge Fellowship in Deltona has nine years' experience in this form of free family fun.

Pine Ridge Fellowship's 10th annual Easter Eggstravaganza is planned 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 4. In addition to egg hunts, this event offers face-painting, carnival games, prizes, cotton candy, a giant slide, snow cones, a moonwalk, door prizes and more.

Everything is free. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

New this year at the Easter Eggstravaganza will be two showings of Kidstuf, a family production that uses characters, drama, music, storytelling and multimedia.

Spring concert

The spring concert tour of North Central College Concert Choir includes a stop in DeLand.

North Central College, in Naperville, Ill., is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The 60-voice choir will stop in DeLand March 22, to sing a variety of classical and sacred pieces at the 8:25, 9:45 and 11 a.m. services at First United Methodist Church.

All are welcome.

Pageant of Crosses

For more than 40 years, the Garden Club of DeLand has been putting together a cross-inspired collection of floral designs to share with the community at Easter.

This year's Pageant of Crosses, the 44th annual event, will be open to the public 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at the Garden Club, 865 S. Alabama Ave.

According to Tiffany Freed and Emily Tait, who are helping organize this year's event, "The Pageant of Crosses is an organized exhibit of cross-inspired floral arrangements, submitted by the Garden Club circles, florists, and churches within the area. This display is open to the public on Palm Sunday to come view the arrangements, while enjoying live music and refreshments. All arrangements will incorporate a cross, fresh floral materials, and Palm — in honor of the day."

Where is God?

Everyone is invited to a free one-hour talk called "If God Is All, Where Is He at This Moment" at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at DeLand City Hall, 120 S. Florida Ave.

The talk will be given by John Q. Adams III of New York City, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

Adams is a lifelong Christian Scientist who was healed of a serious drug problem by reading the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy.

The talk is sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, DeLand, where all are warmly welcomed to enjoy church 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Corned beef and cabbage

Orange City United Methodist Church invites everyone to a scrumptious dinner of corned beef and cabbage, to be served at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Tickets for the dinner cost $8. The proceeds will support mission projects.

Call (386) 775-3068 to see if tickets are still available.

Soup and salad

The United Methodist Women will serve a Soup and Salad Luncheon after the 11 a.m. service March 15 at First United Methodist Church of DeLand.

The women will offer a variety of salads, cakes, beverages and four soups, including broccoli and cheese, chicken noodle, potato and vegetable.

The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 12, with a maximum cost of $15 per family.

Lenten Luncheon

The third speaker in the Lenten Luncheon series at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand will be Pastor J.C. Steele from Deltona Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The Deltona church was started as a mission of the DeLand church, and Steel has the distinction of having been pastor there longer than any other.

Steele's Lenten Luncheon talk will be at noon Wednesday, March 18, and all are welcome.

Prayer breakfast

Church Women United is gearing up for its annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, set this year for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand.

This annual event is a fundraiser for The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia. The cost to attend is $5.

West Volusia Church Women United President Jean Beard invites everyone to call (386) 734-6078 to make reservations for the breakfast.

WATCH for differences

Pastor Owen Stricklin is beginning a new study series, called "Denominational Differences," at the WATCH Night gathering at First United Methodist Church of DeLand.

Also at WATCH Night, Chad Hurta is leading a study of the Bible.

WATCH Night includes activities for children, middle-schoolers, high-schoolers and adults, and nursery care for the very young.

The evening begins with intercessory prayer at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m., and activities afterward.

Everything is free except the meal, which costs $4 for adults and $3 for children younger than 10, with a maximum charge of $15 per family.

Call (386) 734-5113 to make dinner reservations.

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