Outdoor living Nativity set for Dec. 22 and 23 in West Volusia

First United Methodist Church of DeLand will have three Christmas Eve services.

By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Dec 22, 2012 - 9:19:27am

Outdoor living Nativity

At the fourth Sunday in Advent service, Christmas Sunday, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, Pastor Dr. David Felty will lead the congregation in a traditional service of lessons and carols for both the 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services.

Following the 10:45 a.m. service, there will be a congregational luncheon in the fellowship hall to congratulate Dr. Felty on his retirement Dec. 31. He has served the denomination for more than 40 years, and will be retiring to South Florida, where he will assist with his mother’s care.

First Christian will have an outdoor living Nativity 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and Sunday, Dec. 23, on the church lawn.

Some church members will be Christmas-caroling starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 22. Guests are welcome to participate.

There will be two Christmas Eve services Dec. 24: A service at 4:30 p.m. will include an indoor living Nativity, and will be led by Lajunta Francis; and a candlelight Communion service at 10 p.m. will be led by Dr. Felty.

A jazzy Christmas Eve

Professional jazz organist Jonathan Brady will join New Hope United Church of Christ in DeLand at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve for a unique worship service of traditional “Lessons and Carols” in a whole new way.

There will be plenty of singing of carols that are well-loved, and Brady will bring his organ keyboard with him into the church.

New Hope is known for creativity in worship that appeals, with a combination of tradition and freshness. With the usual welcome banner out, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at New Hope!

Refreshments will follow the candlelight service.

Singing around the piano

Calvary Baptist Church in DeLand will have a family-friendly Christmas Eve service beginning at 6 p.m.

Participants will sing Christmas carols around the piano and listen to the Christmas story. Refreshments will be served.

O’ antiphons service

An O’ Antiphons Service will be part of the 10 a.m. worship service at Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand Dec. 23. The seven prayers in this service are a special ornament in the pre-Christmas liturgy leading to the recitation of the Magnificat.

Sung or recited, the O’ antiphons date from the very early church, perhaps as early as the fifth century, when they were chanted at vespers in the seven evenings before Christmas Eve. The sequence of the O’ antiphons begins before the creation of the universe, progresses through the messianic prophecies of Israel, and culminates with the incarnation and birth of Christ. Each highlights a title for the Messiah from the Old Testament, and each is a prophecy of His coming. The service brings intensity to Advent preparations.

A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Eucharist will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

An Intergenerational Service will be Sunday, Dec. 30.

Call 386-734-5228 for more information.

Candlelight carol service

Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeLand will celebrate its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Carol Service at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24.

Taking part in the service will be organist Kay Manning, and soloist Nick Pizza will present “O Holy Night” and read selected Christmas Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments.

Caylyn Gunby will accompany Pizza with a duet on “Mary’s Little Boy Child.” The Senior Choir, Fran Hirst, Richard Marchetti and Gunby will sing “When the Little Lord Jesus Came.”

The Children’s Choir, Osayuki, Nosa and Imani Ihaza will present “Away in a Manger.”

The congregation will hold lighted candles and sing “Silent Night.” Candles will be distributed by William and Frances Hirst. Joanne Spurgeon will be in charge of lighting. Ushers will be Jeorald and Leahdell Davis. The Rev. Joseph J. Gasper, pastor, will deliver a special Christmas Eve message “Traditions for a King.”

The community is invited to attend. Call 386-532-5536 for more information.

Family service and more

First Assembly-DeLand will have its Family Christmas Service at 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 23.

A Christmas Eve Service with Christmas carols and Communion will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24.

Festival of Lights

The 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, service at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will be a “Festival of Lights” service.

The Festival of Lights is a celebration of Yule, Hanukkah, Christmas and more through music, readings, hymns, and, of course, candle-lightings.

This is a very special service that explores and rejoices in the many different lights of the season, and finds commonality in their messages of peace, hope and love. Religious education for children of all ages is provided during the service.

For more information about the church, visit www.uudeland.org or call 386-734-6499. To learn more about Unitarian Universalism, visit www.uua.org.

Services for the season

A Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service will be at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 24 at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, with the re-creation of the Christmas story.

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 11 p.m.

Three services

First United Methodist Church of DeLand will have three Christmas Eve services.

Families with children can attend at 5:30 p.m. Each child will be invited to participate in the re-enactment of the birth of Christ. Wings for angels, robes and staffs for shepherds, and royal robes for the three kings will be provided.

During the 7:30 p.m. service, the Chancel Choir will sing “When He Comes,” written by Lloyd Larson and directed by Barbara Anderson.

Special music will also be presented at the 9:30 p.m. service.

Jonathan Smith will play guitar at all services, and Pastor Owen Stricklin will deliver the message at all services.

Brown Bag Sunday is Dec. 23. Those attending services that day are encouraged to bring canned goods, paper goods and staple food items for the various food pantries in the DeLand area. The food received is also taken to families in need.

For more information, call the church office at 386-734-5113.

Carols, Communion and more

A service of carols, Communion and candlelight will make up the Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Orange City.

Christmas morning service

A Family Christmas Eve Service will be at 5 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City, followed by a 10 p.m. Candlelight Service.

There will be a 10 a.m. Christmas Morning Service.

Busy Christmas calendar

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand has three offerings for Christmas Eve.

At 5 p.m. Dec. 24, there will be a Family Service of Holy Eucharist with a Children’s Pageant. Music for Christmas with Choir and Pipe Organ will be at 10:30 p.m., followed by a Festival Holy Eucharist (Midnight Mass) at 11 p.m.

A Christmas Day Service of Holy Eucharist will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 25.

Live Nativity

Glenwood Presbyterian Church will have a live Nativity on the church grounds at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24. A Christmas Eve Worship Service will follow at 7 p.m.

Family worship service

Christ Community Church in DeLand will have a Christmas Eve Family Worship Service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Time change

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand will have Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and not as mentioned in an earlier publication. A live Nativity will be repeated Dec. 22.

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