Spiritual Side: Churches offer summer events for children

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jul 28, 2012 - 9:54:46pm

Summer event for children

A summer kids’ event called “Sky” will be hosted at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand Sunday, Aug. 5, through Thursday, Aug. 9, with a covered-dish dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, to close the program. Registration is at 6 p.m. each night, with the program starting at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 8:45 p.m.

At “Sky,” faith and imagination soar as kids discover that everything is possible with God. There will be Bible-learning activities, catchy songs to sing, teamwork-building games, yummy treats to make and eat, electrifying Bible adventures to experience, Bible Memory Buddies to collect that will remind the children to trust God, and Sciencey-Fun Gizmos to test out and take home.

Kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with a Fly Away Finale — a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned.

Family and friends are encouraged to join in the ending activity each evening at 8:30 p.m. and to come Friday night for the finale in the Fellowship Hall, with a covered-dish dinner at 6 p.m.

There is no charge to attend. “Sky” is for kids ages 5-11; older youth may volunteer to help. Dorothy Ashton and Margaret Utting are the co-directors.

In addition, Dr. David Felty will celebrate “Christmas in July,” with a sermon topic related to Christmas at the 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services July 29. Music Director Julie Rechner and organist Mark Bose will lead the congregation in Christmas music.

For more information, call the church office between 8 a.m. and noon at 386-734-0677.

Vacation Bible School planned

First Baptist Church of Barberville will have “Storm Chasers” Vacation Bible School 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, through Wednesday, Aug. 8.

There will be crafts, games, prizes, food and Bible stories for children ages 4-18. There is no charge to attend.

Call 386-749-3928 for more information.

Churches combine for VBS

Two local westside Lutheran churches, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand and Emmaus Lutheran Church in Orange City, are combining to present “Sonrise National Park” Vacation Bible School 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, July 30, through Friday, Aug. 3, at Good Samaritan Florida Lutheran Retirement Center in DeLand. Bus service can be obtained from Emmaus by calling the church office at 386-775-9676.

Faith Lutheran’s Parent’s Night Out, which is every first Friday, will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3, in the fellowship hall. Parents are welcome to stay with their children, or have a night out by themselves. Children may eat pizza and ice cream, and view the Disney movie Up. The cost is $5; the baby-sitting is free. Free back-to school supplies will be given out starting at 6 p.m.

Also on Aug. 3, Pizza Hut is hosting a fundraising effort for the church all day by giving 20 percent of the bill back to the church’s Sunday-school program. Coupons are available at the church.

P. Robert Goodwill remembered

A memorial service for P. Robert Goodwill will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1313 W. New York Ave. in DeLand. A lay minister at the church, Goodwill died July 7, 2012, surrounded by his family in Warren, Pa.

Those wanting to share a memory of him are invited to attend. For more information, call the Rev. Joseph Gasper at 386-532-5536.

‘Sound is God’

Rick de Yampert will present a musical service “Nada Brahma” at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, July 29, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand. Nada Brahma is the ancient Hindu concept that “Sound is God.”

The Hindus don’t believe that God created sound. They believe that sound created the gods and goddesses.

During the service, de Yampert will play sitar and flute as he talks about the various meanings of the sacred Om chant. He will read from the ancient Hindu sacred texts known as the Upanishads, and will discuss the 1,000-year-old tradition of raga and how that plays into the spirituality of India.

Religious education for children of all ages is provided. For more information, visit www.uudeland.org or call 386-734-6499. To learn more about Unitarian Universalism, visit www.uua.org.

Celebrating mission work

The Women’s Mission of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Helen will celebrate Mission Sunday with a program at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 29. The theme for the program is “Work the Works of God,” based on John 6:25-29. The speaker of the day is Sister Sandra Graham of Emanuel Church of God in Christ in New Smyrna Beach. For more information, call Sister Alzada Fowler at 386-228-2440.

Vacation Bible School will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, through Friday, Aug. 10. The theme is “The Race: Experiencing God’s Amazing Power.” To sign up, call Sister LaSandra Liddell at 386-747-0315.

Back-to-school events

Faith Life International Church in Orange City will have an entire day of back-to-school festivities Saturday. Aug. 11.

“Give Life!” Health Fair and Blood Drive will be 1-4 p.m. Many area businesses and organizations will be represented. There will be self-defense demonstrations, free Zumba classes for adults and children, and giveaways.

The annual “School Is in Session” Back to School Bash will be 6-9 p.m. There will be a concert with musical entertainment, games, a giveaway of free school supplies, and more for children and teens of all ages. Christian-based clothing companies will be selling clothing and accessories. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

There is no admission charge, and the event is open to the public. For more information, call Kameela Walker at 386-456-5200, or e-mail her at FaithShuttle@Faithlife.tv.

Fostering volunteers needed

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, through its Open Hearts Family Services, and the Community Partnership for Children are reaching out to clergy of all faiths in an effort to help the children’s home find foster parents, of which there is a critical shortage.

Leaders from all congregations in Central Florida are asked to attend a free dinner Thursday, Aug. 30, to learn about the benefits and rewards of fostering or adopting children.

The dinner will be 6-8 p.m. at Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach. Registration needs to be completed by Aug. 8, by calling Lisa Smith at 386-738-3663.

Rabbi Lefkowitz to lead service

Temple Shalom of Deltona will welcome Rabbi Robert Lefkowitz as its guest rabbi to lead the 10 a.m. service Saturday, Aug. 4.

Two events offered

Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand is hosting two events.

On Sunday, July 29, the Sunday-school department will present a skit at the 10 a.m. worship service.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a Community Yard Sale. Renting space to sell items will cost $10 for a 10-foot-by-20-foot space, or two spaces will cost $15. Secure space by calling the church office at 386-734-5228. Proceeds from renting spaces will go to the Christian Education Fund.

Visit the church’s website at www.holypresence.com for more information.

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