Weekly News & Updates: May 19, 2023 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us for morning Worship this Sunday, May 21, 10am.
It's Ascension Sunday. We remember that "Jesus ascended to heaven where he took his rightful throne as Lord of the whole earth. Though he is not bodily present, he continues to love us." Click here to learn more.
Enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
*The next in-person worship service that will be broadcast live on Facebook is TBA.
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Children are Welcome
Our Children's Church* takes place each Sunday during worship, following the children's message. Children ages 3 through 5th grade meet down the hall from the sanctuary for an age-appropriate Bible lesson, and craft or activity.
Our nursery* is available for children through age 3.
*Our professional workers are CPR certified, and our staff and volunteers are fully background checked.
*Children's church and nursery are optional. You are welcome to keep your child(ren) in worship with you, if you prefer. Activity bags and rockers, if you wish to use, are in the back of the sanctuary. A baby changing station is in the lobby.
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Online Worship Service - Sundays
If you can't worship in person, join us for Plugged In, our succinct online worship service posted at noon to our Facebook page. View it alone or with friends and loved ones gathered together.
To view the "Plugged In" bulletin, click here!
* The next in-person worship service that will be broadcast live on Facebook is TBA.
Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
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Used Book Sale and Parking Lot Fundraiser
This Weekend, May 20 - 21
Our book sale is Saturday, May 20, 10am - 5pm.
Tell your friends and neighbors to shop our book sale. We have great prices!
Book sale guests are welcome to rest in the sanctuary, too. You might also hear community organists playing our beautiful Casavant organ!
Click here to view the volunteer schedule and online sign up.
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Welcome Concert at Larchmont UMC
Everyone is invited to Larchmont United Methodist Church to welcome their new Music Director, Dr. Heekyung Lee. They will be featuring her, the Larchmont Choir, and members of the Virginia Symphony in a glorious welcome concert.
The event is Sunday, May 21 at 4pm. Free admission and a reception following! Click the picture for details.
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Pentecost Sunday, May 28
Next Sunday, May 28, is the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is one of three main festival days of the church, the others being Christmas and Easter. However, in churches that tend to lean towards a more protestant or evangelical tradition, Pentecost gets left behind.
However, Pentecost is considered the “birthday” of the church: the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and the reversal of the separation of peoples at the tower of Babel. All heard the Gospel in their own languages that day. The power of God was unleashed. The church celebrates Pentecost fifty days after Easter, and the liturgical color is red. Not only will you find the hangings and altar adorned in red, but many encourage members to wear red that day, and the church is awash in a sea of celebratory red!
I encourage you to wear red next Sunday, as well. Our music will reflect the festive nature of the day and Brad will be playing the organ full force!
Hail thee, festival day! - Nellwyn Beamon, Minister of Music
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We are asking for themed toys or decorations (to borrow or keep) or ideas for decorating our children’s church room to match the curriculum theme each month. May’s theme is Super Heroes; June is Building Blocks; July is Vacation at Home; and August is Natural Wonders of the World. Thank you in advance for helping us to create a more interactive and engaging environment for our children this summer!
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Attend a small group
One of the gifts the church offers is community, specifically small groups where participants can gather to experience acceptance, belonging, and nurturing, as well as challenge and encouragement, for the journey of faith. Contact the church office for more information on any group.
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Children's Church
This group for ages 3 through 5th grade is on Sundays during worship, following the children's message. It includes a Bible lesson, and craft or activity.
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Youth Group
The next MS/HS youth group meeting dates and times are TBA. Led by Pastor Ryan, we are a fully inclusive faith community, welcoming to all.
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Adult Sunday School
Weekly Bible discussions are in the back of the sanctuary on Sundays, 9 - 9:45am, using the Standard Lesson Quarterly series. Enter through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
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Bible Study
Join Pastor Ryan on Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Zoom for a Bible study using Rob Bell's book, "What is the Bible?" This study is for those exploring, as well as those sharpening their knowledge of, the Bible. For our class on this upcoming Tues., May 23, we will review chapters 23-25. But, feel free to join in the discussion without having read the book!
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Get involved with mission work
We seek to live lovingly and justly as servants of Jesus Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being a compassionate presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel.
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Open Table
GUMC is licensed to host The Open Table which is a model in which an at-risk person creates relationships with a small group of community volunteers to help meet their goals. Full training is provided. Read a brochure about The Open Table or watch a video.
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Homeless Committee
The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC meets quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness. The next Zoom meeting will be in late summer or early fall.
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Little Library / Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed to help monitor/ fill our church's Little Library / food pantry on Raleigh Ave. Please sign up to help on one or more weeks. During your "week," at least once, please stock the little library using items from the collection box that is inside the church. Click here to sign up and get details.
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Food Donations Needed
We collect non-perishable food and hearty snacks to place in our little library / food pantry. The food is to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness. Place your offerings in the basket by the altar on 4th Sundays or contact the church office to make arrangements for drop off.
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Music Ministry
All are welcome to join our Music Minister, Nellwyn Beamon, in the music ministry of the church. Contact Nellwyn Beamon for more information.
Worship Singers Singers are always welcome to help lead the songs in worship each Sunday.
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Organ Music at GUMC
Brad Norris will play our organ for our 10 a.m. worship service on May 28 (Pentecost).
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Gathering Jam
Once a month, usually on 2nd Sundays, all ages are invited to bring an instrument or use one of ours and play along during the gathering part of our service at 9:45am. The next jam is scheduled for Sunday, June 11.
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Other Spiritual Disciplines
In addition to joining a small group, participating in mission work or music ministry, we are encouraged to pray, care for one another, and read our Bible.
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Daily Prayer Starter
"Holy God, I give thanks this day that your Son ascends in the core of my being and his presence arises new life in me…"
Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion.
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Congregational Care
In response to Christ's call to love one another, we want the members of our congregation to care for one another. In-person visits, prayers, phone calls, and mail are examples of the ways we reach out to one another.
To send a prayer request to our pastor and congregational care team, Click here.
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Resources
Re-energize your prayer life with a new practice. Learn more.
Read The Upper Room daily devotional. Click here.
Click here to find the resources you need to explore the Bible.
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Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
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Preschool
This week GUMP had parent - teacher conferences. Pretty soon, the Pre-K class will be graduating!
Ghent UM Preschool teaches toddlers to children in Pre-Kindergarten. For more information, contact Director, Ann Robertson.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting date is Sunday, June 18, 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary after worship. All are welcome to attend.
A Zoom link will be made available. Contact the church office if you need the link.
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UMC Continues the Call to Dismantle Racism | |
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The United Methodist Church has stated that we will no longer remain silent nor complicit about racist acts against African Americans but we must act now to become anti-racist individuals and churches!
The Long Haul The UMC is committed to the long haul when it comes to anti-racism work. Read the story.
What Can You Do to Help?
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START with prayer. We are asked to pray for Dismantling Racism efforts, as well as, all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice, oppression, and white supremacy. Click here for the daily prayers.
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The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) has a compiled a list of 8 things church leaders and members can do to help anti-racism progress. One way is to denounce false notions of “two equal sides.” Click here to learn more.
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Listen to individuals share how they are creating daily life with God in the face of racial injustice and the trauma induced by racial inequity in the U.S. Click here to listen.
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Giving News
Our giving represents an act of worship in which we thank God for our blessings and acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God. Click here to learn about the various ways to give.
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UMC Market - iGive
Shop thousands of stores, any time, to support Ghent Church. UMCmarket, powered by iGive, helps you generate a donation to Ghent United Methodist Church when you shop online at thousands of retailers. Click here to join and shop.
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local | |
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UM Black Caucus draws closer to African partners. Learn more.
Historian urges bishops: Take inspiration from John Wesley, submit to being "more vile." Read the story.
Listen to an "Igniting Imagination" podcast interview of The Rev. Michael Gienger, a champion of "improbable friendships" and church innovation.
Virginia Conference 'Hatchathon' sees beginning of new ministries Learn about them.
Listen to recent episodes on the VA UMC Connection:
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*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan for all in-person Ghent UMC Happenings (Updated March 23, 2022) Our call is to love our neighbors and to do no harm.
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Jesus is for everyone. No exceptions.
A Word of Welcome from Ghent UMC
Ghent United Methodist Church is called to the affirmation of the sacred worth of all people. We embrace as a gift the diversity of our neighborhood and the world. We acknowledge our human family's diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, language, age, faith history, theological orientation, economic status, education, marital status, abilities, and any other defining feature, real or perceived. Click here to read the message in its entirety.
Click here to read former Pastor's, Melody Tanner, special message for our church and community.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
The new church office hours are Monday-Friday, 9a.m. to noon. Rev. Ry is in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-12pm. You may also make an appointment, if needed.
Click here to access email addresses or call the church office at 757-622-2843.
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