Weekly News & Updates: November 30, 2023 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us for Worship this Sunday, December 3.
Not only is it Communion Sunday, it is also the first Sunday of Advent!
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We will prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. We will light the Advent candle of Hope and have music. Find out more about candles on our Advent wreath.
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During worship, children will be invited to hang Chrismons on the tree, and we will have a Chrismon tree blessing.
Please enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
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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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Cards and Cookies for Christmas
We are collecting pre-packaged cookies, candy, and snacks, and making cards, for the Little Creek Command who will be in Israel during the holidays to help with humanitarian efforts. Look for the collection box and card making supplies in the preschool lobby during the week and in the back of the sanctuary on Sundays. Our collection ends this Sunday, Dec. 3.
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Poinsettia Orders Due this Sunday, Dec. 3
Dedicate a poinsettia in honor or memory of someone special on Sunday, Dec. 10.
To place your order, click on this link or contact the church office by Sunday, Dec. 3. Suggested donation: $15 each.
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Hanging of the Greens
All are invited to come to church Saturday, Dec. 2, at 9 a.m. to help with the greening of our sanctuary and to assemble the stable.
On Sunday, Dec. 3, during worship, children will be invited to hang Chrismons on the tree, and we will have a Chrismon tree blessing.
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Giving Pledges for 2024
Our Pledge Campaign will run through Sunday, December 17th. Please prayerfully consider making a Giving Pledge for 2024. Call the church office at (757) 622-2843. Or send email to [email protected].
You may also write your pledge/Tithe amount on a Connection Card and place in the offering basket.
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Musical Outing, Saturday, Dec. 9
The Virginia Chorale’s “Sing We Nowell” concert will be at Galilee Church, in Virginia Beach, on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30PM. Get details at www.vachorale.org/
Tickets for a group of 10 are $20 each. We would like to get a group together to go. If you are interested, please get in touch with Nellwyn at [email protected].
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Living Nativity and Open House at Ghent
Don't miss this blessed, annual event!
On Sunday, December 10, at 4:30pm, we will have our Annual Living Nativity and Open House. Invite your friends and neighbors to come with you to celebrate Christmas in our lobby with cookies, hot cocoa and cider.
Experience the wonder of our Savior’s birth in a life-sized stable across the street in Stockley Gardens, with Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and wise men in our Living Nativity! Angel and shepherd costumes are available for our littlest guests to wear. Be sure to pet the stable animals from Teeny Tiny Farm, too.
Help bring joy!! Sign up to help on the sheet in the back of sanctuary or by clicking here.
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The Wesley Center is 86!
The Coastal Virginia District announced a matching grant for Wesley Community Service Center in Portsmouth. The Wesley Center, the oldest non-profit in Portsmouth, is celebrating 86 years in ministry. The Coastal Virginia District will match donations given in honor of the Wesley Center's 86th year up to $10,000.
Individuals, churches, and groups are encouraged to donate at least $86. The funds will be used to renovate the educational wing in preparation for a Head Start program to start in June 2024.
You can mail your donation to Wesley Community Service Center, P.O Box 1396, Portsmouth, VA 23705, or at their website. Mark your donation with "86."
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Christmas Eve Services, December 24
This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday! We, of course, will have our weekly, 10am Worship service. Plus, we will also have our annual, Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at 5pm.
Worship with the family of God and come to Christ's table for Communion. Christopher Taylor will play the violin, as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our savior.
* Nursery care will not be available at 5pm.
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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 each Sunday 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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New Bible, Book Study
Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 8-9pm, on Zoom for a new Book study. Tonight, November 30, we will begin discussing "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion!
You can get the Zoom information by emailing the church office at [email protected].
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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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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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Homeless Committee
The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC meets quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness. The next Zoom meeting is TBA.
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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
Our Organist Brad Norris plays for our 10 a.m. worship services on Sundays during Worship. He will play again on Sunday, Jan. 7 for Epiphany.
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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 is scheduled for Sunday, December 10.
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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
"God of Mystery, help me to seek you in unexpected places, like a child in a stable, that I may know your presence is always with 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 to fill in our Connection Card.
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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
The students are preparing for Christmas.
Our Ghent UM Preschool teaches toddlers to children in Pre-Kindergarten. Learn more about our half-day program by visiting GUMP's page at ghentumc.org/connect/our-preschool/
Questions? Contact Director, Ann Robertson.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting date is TBA. It will be 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
The holidays are coming - prepare now.
Each new iGive member, who joins to support Ghent Church before 11:59pm (Central Time) on November 30 AND makes their first purchase within 30 days of joining, earns a $5 Bonus for Ghent Church! On top of the normal (or sometimes doubled!!) percentage donated.
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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*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.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
The new church office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am 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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