On December 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary hiatus of the war for the celebration of Christmas. His suggestion wasn’t held as important but his prayer was. God did something that will be forever remembered. On Christmas Eve, many German and British troops fighting in World War I sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.
There’s a wonderful mix of worship, praise, fun, prayer, giving and loving happening at church through the season! There are also multiple ways to participate as we continue to try to keep everyone safe and healthy. Join us in the JOY of the Christmas Season!
Empathy & Hope is our new Grief Support Group that will kick off on Monday, December 7, 2020 and will meet each Monday at 7:00 PM at South Daytona Christian Church. We will not meet on December 28th though due to the holiday week. It's a natural thing to struggle with the loss of a loved one. A group like this can offer support and comfort. It's a safe place for someone going through this kind of loss.
*Share memories of your loved ones
*Learn more about grief
*Meet others who understand
*Personal testimonies
*Judgement free environment
What a year! And, even though you might not believe it, there's still so much to be thankful for! As you consider your blessings, please also consider helping with this project and sharing it with others. Helping others to have a good meal for Thanksgiving can really make a positive impact on a family. Thanks in advance for being so kind as to help! We are also collecting items for the Food Pantry Christmas Store. New or gently used items that our patrons can buy at very low cost (no clothing) will be accepted through the first week of December.
We're getting closer every week to our goal and it's exciting! Just in case you haven't heard . . . We've had to postpone our trip to the D.R. this year to build a house with Casas por Cristo. But, that doesn't mean that God's work will be postponed! It is our goal to raise $10,000 by the end of October to still build a house for a needy family. The Casas group (and our own Ian Dugger) will make sure it gets done! Yes, that's a big goal, but we have a big God! We will have some really cool t-shirts to give to anyone who donates $20 or more!
How will you let our wonderful Pastors; Bobby, David, Scott and Tami know that you are grateful for their ministry efforts? Not sure if you know this, but for most of this year they have been scrambling at warp speed to regroup and provide for our people at a time when NOTHING could be done in a normal way. Lots of late nights and hair pulling to get “new things” in place, not to mention the countless hours of “care to people” who’s lives had been turned upside down over night.
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The Return is a movement, an appointed time, and a specific day set apart for one purpose – the return to God by coming before His presence in humility, in sincerity in prayer, and repentance.
As I reflect on how much we've had to learn since all this started; on how often we've had technical difficulties and issues that make our online efforts hair pulling moments, I am reminded that we are not here to put on a show. We're not here to entertain for entertainment's sake. And though we do our best to provide quality services in these difficult times, it is really "our best" when things don't go perfectly, yet we still manage to point people to Jesus. It turns out that way because every single week we come prepared to do our best.
We've all been reminded, in a big way, recently that "the Church" is not a building. It's God's people. It's been great to see the outpouring of the love of Christ to others as we've navigated these strange times. Way to go church!
THIS Sunday is Mother's Day and we want to help you make it special! We're having a Mother's Day Drive-Through Celebration at South Daytona Christian Church! It's a time to come by the church to say hello, celebrate mom, take a picture for her or with her at our photo stop, donate to Resources for Women or take a (sterilized) baby bottle to fill with change (cash & checks fit in there, too), drop some non-perishable food off for the pantry, or just drive by and wave. Whatever you're comfortable with. And . . .
How to Pray for America
WHY PRAY FOR AMERICA?
God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we are able to tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. He stands ready to respond to our needs when we humbly ask for divine intervention in the affairs of men.
Whether you believe this chart or that graph, think it's too soon to open up or way past time, don't believe those numbers or that expert, it is really up to you. But, don't expect everyone to agree with you. (Whoa! Wait a minute! What are you saying?) Yep, I'm saying it. We're going to have to love each other through this and show some grace no matter which side of the road we stand on. If we don't, that nasty architect of evil (Satan) will surely take advantage and start a seek and destroy mission. I love this excerpt from an article by Costi Hinn.
What a strange time we are living in! Every day brings news of pandemic statistics and the best ways to stay safe. Our world is a bit sideways and our days are not filled with the usual things. Some are on edge, some are raging with blame, some are downright terrified. I've also seen and heard tell of many who are encouraging, helping and inspiring others. Some are actually finding a peace and closeness with God and family that had been shoved to the back of busy days prior to this time. Many things are different for our families. But, there are things that remain steadfast and true.
Share this with anyone who might want to join us for Worship!
As of now, and for at least the next 2 weeks, there will be no Wednesday groups or activities meeting and no SAM or Celebrate Recovery on Fridays. We are trying to follow the guidelines being set by health officials during this time. Groups of less than 10 people may meet at your discretion. Our hope is that we will be able to adopt some online gathering options while we need to practice social separation. The Friendly Feud Fundraiser will be postponed until a time when it can be more effective, as will all other activities or events.
These are certainly unusual times we are living in! None of us have seen anything quite like the current conditions. But, don't think for one minute that God is not still in control or that He has left you. He is right there with each one of us whether we are at home and feeling isolated, still working and nervous about catching IT, or just trying to go out to find a loaf of bread or the coveted TP - HE is there. And, with Him by our side we should feel so much stronger; so much more hopeful and peaceful than those who don't know Him.
FRIENDLY FEUD FUN NIGHT Sunday, March 29th - 6 - 7:30 PM
This is a Mission Trip Fund Raiser for the Dominican Republic, Casas por Cristo trip. We now have all the families to compete, and it’s going to be a hilarious night! Besides the “game show” fun, there will be raffles, auctions and the café will turn into a “BAKE SHOP!”
Much of the world today is not silent, and it is not holy. It is a world of political, economic and social turmoil, standing on the brink of Armageddon. If there’s one word that seems to describe our world and its mood today, it is fear. It seems like every day the headlines scream of some new crisis in our world that threatens to plunge us into chaos. Just as real and just as tragic are the personal crises that never make the headlines. The marriage that is falling apart. The heartache of a broken relationship. The despair of a lost job. The threat of illness.
In a crowded, busy holiday season, it's common for people to feel weighed down by family relationships, financial pressure, regret, or failure. Our holiday sermon series will help people see that the weight they feel comes from things that God never asked them to carry, and His solution is simple: Let go of the baggage and travel light!
Light the Night has touched thousand of lives over the past years and once again we will provide this bright, safe place for families on what can be a very dark night. This year is particularly important to provide our community with THE LIGHT OF HOPE as the world continues to highlight negative and divisive things. Invite your friends and family to take part in this spectacular night! There will even be TRAIN RIDES along with all the other great carnival attractions like: Giant Inflatables, a great Local Band, Costume Contest sponsored by the City, Games, Food, Fun . . .
Need to find a group that will help you to grow in faith while building lifelong relationships? Take a look at our newest option:
We invite you to enter into our cosmos of conversation, caring, seeking, study, wonder and laughter; where Jesus is the center of it all. We’re a multi-generational group of singles and couples that meet at 9:00 AM every Sunday in the Starting Point room, just off the café. We will always welcome you just as you are. So, dive into The MIX and join our journey! God is here ready to connect with you in a fresh way!
The world we live in and the media often paint a negative picture of the church. It seems like many people think that the church is against everything and everyone. People often stay away because they think the church is against them. They don’t understand yet that we actually have the most inclusive message the world has ever seen.
How many times have you said: “I just need..., then I’ll be happy”? Being content where you are is easier said than done. We see highlights on social media from the lives of our friends and families and they all seem to have these perfect and wonderful lives. But they are just highlights, and they rarely reflect the true nature of those lives. I often have to remind myself: comparison is the thief of joy.
The National Day of Prayer (NDP) is a very special day in the calendar of the church year. Oh, Christmas and Easter are very special days that Christians around the world are celebrating and remembering in many different ways. But the National Day of Prayer (NDP) is unique in a number of ways. First of all, this is a day of prayer that all Americans are encouraged to participate in as we pray for our cities, county, state, and nation. The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
We gave out about 120 of these little Peep bunnies attached to invitations to our Community Egg Hunt and to Easter Sunday services. They went to all of our children's outreach efforts; like our preschool, after school and the elementary school Kidz Club. It struck me as quite appropriate as I thought about how many of these children have just been introduced to Jesus through these programs. They all knew about that hippity, hoppity egg hiding Easter bunny, but a great percentage did not know about God's great love for them. They do now!
Author Timothy Paul Jones tells the story of taking his adopted daughter to Disney World. I won’t ruin it for you, but for years she was denied going by her original adoptive parents. When she finally experienced the Magic Kingdom, here was her response:
“Daddy, I finally got to go to Disney World. But it wasn’t because I was good; it’s because I’m yours.”
"Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning." ~ 2 John 1:6