In This Edition of Lake Deaton Happenings...
Scroll Down for these articles or click on their link, (if provided) to go directly
for more information on our webpage.
A Message From Your Pastors

Don’t you love an awesome Sunset or Sunrise? I see pictures that people put on Facebook of the most amazing Sunsets and they bring joy to my heart. I confess that I am not awake at Sunrise often, but when I happen to be awake, I marvel at the beauty of the light drifting to every corner, extending through the distance on the horizon, and ultimately ushering in a new day. Even now I think of all the people in the path of the terrible storm and icy weather this week. Many of them hope for the warmth the sun brings. Our love and prayers for those without electricity goes out to them. 
 
As I think of the many sunrises and sunsets I have experienced, I think of the ebb and flow of darkness at night, yet the assurance of the morning light. Darkness and light… darkness and light. As we begin this Lent season, it sort of feels that we have walked in darkness for nearly a year. We confess, it has been difficult, and it has tested our faith. Some of us still feel isolated. We miss our family, and we miss our church family. As we read the gospel of John, we observe a Messiah that came to a people that lived in darkness, oppressed by a foreign power and even by their own leaders. Yet, John speaks words of hope… “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5). Lake Deaton UMC let us embark in this Lent season in being that light. Extending ourselves to the horizons, filling the corners of our neighborhoods with light, sharing Christ with friends, family, neighbors; wherever we walk, the light walks in and dissipates the darkness. Come and drink in the light! Go and share the light!

See you this weekend,
Couch Talk
Take a moment each week to watch.
The pastors and staff members weekly record Couch Talk.

Couch Talk is full of useful announcements for the coming weeks.
Our couch talk is always linked on our  Facebook  page &  YouTube  page.
Lake Deaton Store is online!

Re-Vision Process
Listening for God!

Many people have already shared about how they have been blessed by praying the Prayer of Jabez for themselves and for Lake Deaton. One person is keeping a written journal of the insights God brings during her prayer time. Another person shared that she had always been hesitant to talk to her neighbors about God and church and that, after praying this prayer for several days, she felt more peace about sharing her story with others! Another person spoke about how they had never felt worthy of asking for God’s blessings for them. They surrendered the burden they had carried as they hung their hurt on the tree in our worship center and picked up a butterfly, a symbol of God’s steadfast love and hope. Now they are praying for God to bless them knowing that “when I am blessed I can bless others.”

Our Re-Vision Team would like to hear from you during this listening period if God reveals something to you about Lake Deaton in your prayer time. You can email us or drop off a note to the church office. As you pray, if needed here are some questions to provide a focus upon:

  •  Do I believe God wants to bless me? Bless Lake Deaton?
  •  What blessings is God sending for my life? For Lake Deaton?
  • How does God want me to “enlarge my territory and borders”? For Lake Deaton?
  •  Do I trust God to “keep me from evil”? Keep Lake Deaton from evil?
  • What in my life needs to change so that I “may not cause pain” to others? What does Lake Deaton need to change so it may not cause pain to others?
For more information about our Re-Visioning process, click here.
Outreach & Missions
The BIG RED BUS is Coming !!
Mark your calendar now! Get on the bus March 7th @ 8:30am - 12:30 pm. Click here to sign up!!
Note: If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine there is no waiting period to donate blood or platelets after receiving these vaccines and you can donate now. However, if you receive the COVID-19 vaccine from any other manufacturer you will need to wait two weeks before donating.
Future Dates: June 6, September 9, and December 5 .
We ALL have HURTS, HABITS and HANG-UPS

Fridays: Doors open at 5:30, Service starts at 6:00.
Temperature checks, masks and social distancing required
If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact Jill Beck or call 352-553-7489
Flutter By Garden Update

The dream of having a Butterfly Garden and Prayer oasis here at Lake Deaton is becoming a reality.
Phase 1: Butterfly Garden
  • Installation of irrigation will be (February 18-19)
  • Amendment of soil to provide a good start for the plants February 26-28
  • Purchasing a variety of host and nectar plants   (Week of March 8th)
  • Planting begins by mid-March (come join us to play in the dirt)
  • Dedication of The Lake Deaton Flutter By Garden (TBD)
For more information, click here.
Thank you for your support of the Garden/Prayer Area. Be on the lookout for more information to come. If you would like to make a donation please make out a check to Lake Deaton UMC and put Butterfly Garden on the memo line. Please email LuAnn Gilbert with any questions.
Volunteer Highlight

Get to Know: Susan Cosmai - Operation Christmas Child Coordinator/ Outreach & Missions Team

Susan Cosmai grew up in Tappan, New York, but lived in Southern California 21 years before moving to The Villages 8 years ago with her husband, Bob. They have been married 46 years and have two daughters and three grandchildren.
 
Before retiring, Susan had her own Interior Decorating business for 20 years. When Lake Deaton was built, Susan was the lead interior decorator on the decorating committee. Susan serves as a Reception Volunteer and is the coordinator for Operation Christmas Child (part of the Outreach & Missions Team). She is very passionate about this project! In 2020 (during COVID) she and her team distributed 500 shoeboxes and our congregation returned 463!
 
Susan enjoys playing pickleball and golf.
Prayer and Care Ministry
We believe that meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our church and neighbors is what showing the love of Christ is all about. If you are facing a challenge, have a prayer request, or want to serve as a volunteer, please let us know. In case of a death of a loved one or a hospitalization, let us know so a Care Minister can support you through this time.

For Prayer and Care Ministries needs, please email Denise Herzberg by clicking here.

We are now able to visit congregants in the hospital! Please let us know by calling the Care Department when you, a relative or a friend is in the hospital. We will schedule a visit from one of our pastoral team.
Prayer Concerns

Prayers of peace and comfort for Loraine Rainer as she undergoes heart catherization.

Prayers of comfort, peace, and healing for Betty Danofsky whose surgery is
scheduled for February 23rd.

Prayer of comfort and healing for Maria, friend of Catherine DeLawder,
as she receives treatment for cancer and collapsed lung.

Prayers for the Altemirano Family, in Connecticut, friends of Dagne Sollid, as they recover from COVID, and their father, Rolen, who received serious injuries from a violent attack.
 
Our heartfelt condolences to the Family of Pastor Keith Duncan.
Prayers of comfort for his family, friends and congregation of Church @ The Springs. 
In-Person Prayer Group

If you have been waiting to get together with a small group to pray, you don’t have to wait any longer! Join us in our Chapel (Class Room 1) for a half hour of prayer for our congregation, our community, our nation and our world. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, come and experience the power of prayer. Every Tuesday from 3:30-4:00 p.m.
Respite Program Launch
March 1, 2021

We are so excited to announce the formal launch of our “Sonrise” Respite Program for persons with memory issues on March 1, 2021!!! We will be meeting every Monday from 10 am – 2 pm in classrooms 5 & 6. A hot lunch will be served. All precautions will be taken for the safety of volunteers and participants. The purpose of the program is to provide socialization and stimulation (plus a lot of FUN) for those who struggle with memory problems, and to offer some personal time for care givers. The daily fee is $40 and includes lunch and all materials. If you know of anyone who might be interested in or benefit from our program, please contact Jan McCoy, Director, by clicking here or calling 321-501-6673. Please be in prayer for this amazing ministry.

Want to learn more about our Sonrise Respite program? visit our website for more information.
Prayer Service

Take time to pray. This is a 15 minute video for self-guided prayer.

Click on image and learn with Rev. Kris Schonewolf how to connect with God in prayer
Discipleship & Connecting
Are you interested in becoming a member or learning a little more about Lake Deaton UMC?

Sign up is open for February and March Coffee with the Pastors class. Our February class will be held Tuesday, February 23 at 6pm. The joining weekend for this class is February 27/28. Sign up today!
It's not too late to sign up for our Lenten Devotional!

New Classes Being Offered!!
We have great classes available online! Check them out - Click here to see!



Click here to see our many oppotunities!
Men and Women
Wesleyan Way Clean Up

The Journeymen of Lake Deaton will be holding another Wesleyan Way clean-up on Wednesday, February 24, at 9:00 immediately after the Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Several men have already volunteered. If you would like to join us for some great camaraderie and a chance to perform a community service, email Stan Hoover or call (410) 353-6624 .
You Can Make A Difference
Join us by the Sea of Galilee Tuesday, March 9@ 10am in person, (like we have safely done for our in-person worship, wearing your mask) OR view it LIVE on Facebook, YouTube or the website (just like online worship). 
You can make a difference by supporting Lowell Oasis Prison. Please bring: toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo and other personal items (not hotel size please). There is no fee. Registration is required.  Click here to register.
Recreation
Interested in a fun outing? Please come and join us for a Night Golf Outing at Escambia on Wednesday, March 10, the time TBD as related to the sunset time. Because The Villages charges for this reservation, the fee will be $3 per person.

A few rules per The Villages Golf:
1). No walkers allowed 2). All players must be residents 3). “Reasonable Accommodations” are not permitted for safety reasons. 4). Please purchase your own ‘glow ball’.

 Please contact Donna Baker to register for this fun event.
Yoga will be online only for the month of February. Click here to access our weekly yoga exercise.
Worship
Worship Statistics

Sat. Feb 13, 5:00 pm - Total: 78
Sun. Feb 14, 9:00 am - Total: 226
Sun. Feb14, 10:30am -Total: 132
Celebrate Recovery - Total: 27

Weekend Total with CR: 463

Please Make Sure You "Sign In" on the Connection Pad. Just click this link!
Our church calendar is now LIVE on our website. Check it out by clicking here.
Connect with Us

Mailing Address: 
6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785

Lake Deaton Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm 

Office: Call 352-571-4665