Digital Bulletin

July 26, 2026

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-5
11 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We are glad you are here! Please fill out a connect card:

Connect Card

New to First Church?   Pick up a Welcome Folder from an Usher. We're glad you're here!

About First Church
Connect Cards - Please fill out a paper or digital connect card each time you attend a service. First time visitors please get a Welcome folder from an Usher, we are glad you are here!

Welcome Center in LEC - There is coffee at the welcome center in the LEC after the 8am service and before the 9:30am service, please stop by and enjoy a free refreshment.

Prayer Requests - Romans 12:15 (ESV): "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." We are grateful to be able to pray with you for prayers and praises. Prayer request cards are available for your convenience and you can place them in the offering as it goes around or turn any in to an usher before or after service. Please see the list of Prayers and Praises in the bulletin and pray over them this week.

Volunteer Accelerator - Want to get involved?  Fill out the Volunteer Accelerator by tapping  HERE
Through a quick survey, this tool matches real things in life you like to do with the real jobs in the church where you can do them. It doesn’t automatically sign you up for any ministries, but gives you contact info for the ministries you match with.

Guest WiFi  - Network: Friend Password: allthetime

Service Order

Traditional Worship - 8 am & 11 am
JULY 26, 2026
As the Prelude begins, we gather in silence so that we can hear the voice of God.

PRELUDE                                            Prelude in Baroque Style                                     Mansfield
CALL TO WORSHIP
*INVOCATION
*HYMN                                                        Jesus Shall Reign                                                 No. 157
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                   The Apostles’ Creed                                               No. 881
*GLORIA PATRI                                    Glory Be to the Father                                        No. 70/71
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN                                                   His Name is Wonderful                                            No.174
SPECIAL MUSIC                                   Redeemer of My Heart                                            Martin
                                                                Barbara Anderson, soloist
OFFERTORY                                                   David’s Lyre                                             Southbridge                                                      
*DOXOLOGY                     Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow                           No. 95
SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                             John 1: 1-5
MESSAGE                                      The Word Became Flesh                           Pastor Mark Bitner
*HYMN                                          Christ Is the World’s Light                                               No. 188
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE                                                Allegro                                                                  Scarlatti

*If you are able, please stand with us.
All songs used by permission  ASCAP#19-147071237, WCA/BMI #1002133, CCLI #2270382
Alter Flowers
ALTAR FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
BY RICK & PAM RINTZ
Servants in Worship
8:00  Dennis Stark, Herb & Jan Jennings, Patty Umberger; Liturgist: Lorna Jean Hagstrom
9:30  Jeanne Fieser, Stephanie Weaver, Dianne McCormick, Sandy Patterson, Phil Goldthwait
11:00  Whitney & Mike Phillipps, Kevin & Tammi Swan; Liturgist: Sharon Weaver
Bread Delivery: Sheryl Murchison

Upcoming Events

Please be sure to check out all the upcoming events on the calendar below.

Calendars
Community Events Calendar
Overflow Youth
Life on Purpose - Young Adults
Kid's Ministry
First Church Women
Men of Faith
Bible Studies
We will be collecting backpacks and school supplies BY AUG 9 for area elementary schools. Supplies needed: crayons (24 pk), student scissors, glue sticks, washable markers and #2 pencils. CURRENT CLASSROOM TEACHERS: write your name, grade & school on the Connect Card or let Jessica know.
Mooving Up Back to School Bash will be from 10:30-12:30 on Sun, Aug 9. Activities include an ice cream bar plus games. We will be blessing the backpacks on this date as well during the services. Come out and enjoy some fun times with your church family!
August 9th at 2 pm in Rm 113 of Bldg 4/LEC is the next New Member class for those intending to join or seeking more information about First Church. Pastor Mark leads this class. Sign up on Connect Card, the office or online.
Our last Mobile Meals was Sat, July 18. Going forward, let Hollie or the office know of anyone who is in need of a meal and there will be some meals delivered personally on a needed basis.
Woven in the Word Women’s Group: A new Bible Study will begin Tues Aug 25 from 1-2:30 pm for women in the chapel of Bldg 6. Sign up by Aug 10 online under Aug events. Cost is $5. Kathy Bransford will lead this study.
The Men of Faith Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 10 am in Rm 113 of the LEC/Bldg 4. In celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary, they are exploring topics that mesh historical events & our faith foundation during July. All men are welcome!

Recurring Events

SUNDAY MORNINGS
8am Traditional Service
9:30am Contemporary Service
11am Traditional Service
Children’s Ministry and Nursery
Birth - 2 yrs: Room 130 in LEC - available during 9:30 & 11am services
3 & 4 yrs old: Room 124 in LEC - available during 9:30 service
K-5th grade: Room 121 in LEC - available during 9:30 service
Overflow Youth Bible Study: Resumes in August
IMPACT WEDNESDAYS
Prayer Meeting 4:31 pm in Sanctuary
THURSDAYS
Recovery Church 7:00 pm in Bldg 6
Join us as we worship, share testimonies, and walk together toward healing, freedom, and purpose - one day at a time. www.recovery.church/deland
FRIDAYS
Summer Office Hours 9 am - 12 pm
THURSDAYS
Recovery Church 7:00 pm in Bldg 6
Join us as we worship, share testimonies, and walk together toward healing, freedom, and purpose - one day at a time. www.recovery.church/deland
1ST & 3RD SATURDAYS - Will NOT meet July 4
Mercy Hour 1:30-4p: Free showers, haircuts and resources
Mobile Meals 4p: Free meal on Georgia Ave, behind the LEC
EMMAUS WALKS
Walk to Emmaus Dates: Men - Oct 1-4; Women - Oct 8-11
Contact Rob or Denise Miller

Church Announcements

USHERS FOR 9:30 & 11 AM SERVICES
We are looking for more volunteers. Note this on the Connect Card or let Melissa Brown or the office know.

Ways to Serve

WHEELCHAIR MINISTRY- We need volunteers to help those with mobility issues at the 8 & 11 services. See Dave Dayton if interested.

Donation Requests

MINISTRY FOCUS BROWN BAG  SUNDAY
Our ministry focus this week is for Judy’s Pantry & Children’s Hunger. They need canned Hunt’s meat spaghetti sauce, chicken or beef stew and Chef Boyardee.
NEXT  WEEK COMMUNION SUNDAY
Donations go to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, helping those directly as needed.

Prayers and Praises

Please pray and praise with us throughout this week.

BIRTHDAYS: July 28th -Howard Adamy, Lorna Jean Hagstrom, Bud Stanford, 29th - Gary Smith, Kim Whitchard, 30th -Nancy Dillard, Colin Figenscher, Dianne McCormick, John Metts, Carol Parrish, 31st - Sandy Bertram, Aug 1st - April Clark, Debra Lee

ANNIVERSARIES: July 26th - Jim & Carolyn Mize, 29th - David & Patti Lapinsky, Randy & Lucy West, Aug 1st - William & Shelley Summers

HOSPITAL: John Bowdon

THIS WEEK’S CONCERNS: Mirander Chandler, Dagmar Campbell, Jeff, Sheila & Jaiden, Linda Chester, Jimmy Joiner, Bonnie Stam, Mary Anne Arico, Sharon Kurth, Nancy Wilson, Wendell Stewart, Gator & Carol Sue Pratt, Travis Ezell, Marion, Beth, Charlotte Burkholder, Joyce Parker, Kenneth Muir
 
ONGOING CONCERNS: Sarah Muir, Dan Neuenschwander, Jim Doucette, Nate Muro, Tony, Teeter Mauldin, Ken Brazmore, Wilma Richardson, James & Lily Baeur, Amy & Kenny Glascock, Ryan Nielsen, Zack, Nancy Scharf, Izzy Thrift, Shawn Gonzalez, Dave Evans, Donna Lopes, Clifford, Cathy & Robin Tovas; CANCER: Hank Babin, Dick Bailey, Barbara Brubaker, Danny Causey, Gaelen Donley, Barb Garich, Gary Barkley, Scott Haas, Ken Kirchenstiner, Frank Pocica, Carol Soliday, Sammi Theessen, Cathy Baum, Lexi Frisbee, Jill Walker, Otis Davis, Tim Luce, Paige Spiegel, Teresita Sabado, Valinda Brandow, Richie Cretella, Connie Nance, Corbin Underwood, Jeff DiRubio, Miriam Rogers, Mike Smith, Giovina Navela, Judy Warrenford, Dagmar Campbell, Corey Knapp, Pat, Carol, Bob Wood, Rich Kolbusz, Susan Cockron, David

CARE CENTERS: Alliance: Phyllis Keesler, Tim McCravey, Forrest Norton, Ann Sears, Thelma Vickers / Blue Palms: Bettie LeVeille, Bob Wolfe / Brookdale: Ann Farabee / The Gardens Daytona: Barbara Bailey / Grand Villa: Katie Diehl, Joyce Hawks, Myra Stone, Vern Westlake / Majestic Oaks: Imogene Newsham, Dorothy Smith / Oak View Suites: Frank Knight / Oak Manor: Ann Brandon / Paradise Point Ormond: JoAnne Jacobs / Villa: Betty Moffatt / Woodland Towers: Hank & Janice Babin, Shirley McCravey / Keystone Villa PA: Fred Eshleman / La Crosse WI: Neal & Leatryce Deyo / Greensboro NC: Sharon Johnson / Family Care: Vi Fogarty, Patricia Kadel, Janet Splawn, Carolyn Hatfield, Linda Chester, Kandice Mills, Jim & Marcia Applebee, Susan Jackson

MILITARY: Greg Brooker, Slade Brown, John Clausen, Jake Clayton, Jason Davis, Soren Evans, Mark Fain, Charles Germany, Joseph Giusseppi, Mason Giusseppi, Robert Grimes, Wesley Hamm, Chance Hart, Summer Hart, Raymond Haas, James Jackson, Makayla Mercier, Matthew Miller, Adam Mosley, Katie Onyundo, Caleb Oyler, Brian Privette, Austin Ridenhour, Erica Rix, Shawn Schulz, Nicholas Smith, Gabriella St. Angelo, Trae, Jakob Turnage, Brian Welch, Ben Zona

Bible Study Opportunities 

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Sun 9:15 am - Foundations of Faith SS Class
Meets in Bldg 2 following the 8 am service studying “Ancestry of Denominations”. All are invited.

 Sun 1:30pm/Bldg 4 - Young Adult Bible Study
Meets every other Sun and a fun day monthly. Check Instagram page on website for details.

Mon 6:30 pm/Bldg 4 - First Church Women
The 2nd Mon of each month is when the women meet for devotions, refreshments, and a special topic.

Mon 7:00 pm/Bldg 6
Studying GK Chesterton's “Orthodoxy”.  Open to anyone.

Tues 10 am/Bldg 4 - Men of Faith Bible Study
In celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary, will explore historical events & our faith foundation during July. Join us!

Wed 6-7pm/ LEC Gym
Will resume again in Sept.

Wed 6-7 pm/Rm 113/LEC
This small group will meet over the summer studying the Book of Acts. Join us!

Thurs 8 pm - Moms Bible Study
Rooted & Rested Bible Study for Moms on 3rd Thurs monthly. See Ashley Thomas for details or the office.

SELAH Women’s Bible Study -Rm 113/LEC
Will resume again in Sept.

Sat 7:30am - Men’s Bible Study - LEC Parlor

Last Week's Numbers

Attendance
In Person 313
Online 33
Giving
July
Actual: 44,710
Budget: 86,577

Year to Date
Actual: 501,872
Budget: 1,047,571

2026 Giving Cards: 90
Pledged Amt. $449,871

About First Church Deland

Office: 386-734-5113
Contact Church Staff:  https://www.firstchurchdeland.org/our-staff
APP: First Church DeLand
Church Merch
We now have various items with our church logo available to order, offered at cost and with color choices.  HERE

*The digital bulletin is updated weekly on Thursday.