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Weekly News & Updates

July 17, 2026

This Sunday - 10am

In today’s hectic, disconnected world, many people need or want a more personal and intimate worship experience. If you think that might be you or someone you know, come to our service this Sunday.

Our worship service will be in our basement hall. Enter through the door facing the parking lot. Look for the balloons!

Pastor's sermon will focus on the bonds of selfishness that have ahold of us and our call to live together through the Spirit who groans with us in our struggles.

Also, pianist Brad Norris returns. We always look forward to hearing him play as he leads us in song.

Scripture

Romans 8:12-25

Pastor's Pick for the Week

Most Loving Abba, you gather the perplexed and seek the lost: Shelter those caught in evil; free those in bondage; strengthen those who struggle to survive; in the name of God, our Mother, our Wisdom, and our Comforter. Amen.

* St. Hildegard of Bingen, 12th c.

What's Going On?

This Month's Musical Events

We have upcoming musical events in July.

This Sunday, July 19, Brad Norris returns. We always look forward to hearing him play (the piano or the organ) as he leads us in song.

Minister of Music Nellwyn heads off to Princeton for the annual Hymn Society conference. You can tune in to their four hymn festivals live starting July 19! Click this link to go the Hymn Society's YouTube channel.

Finally, on July 26, Kirsten Chambers will sing for us as a “thank you” before she leaves to take employment at Baylor University. We will miss her ebullient singing from the pews but wish her Godspeed!

*Nellwyn Beamon, Minister of Music

What's Your Favorite Hymn?

Because our Hymn Sing service was such a spirited-filled, musical blessing, we are continuing our hunt for your favorite hymns. Your chosen songs will be played during our worship services.

Please write your choice on the clipboard in the back of the sanctuary. Please add the hymn title, hymn number, and your name. Our Minister of Music Nellwyn Beamon will add them to her list.

You're Invited

Our Leadership Team is meeting this Sunday, July 19, at 11:30am in the library.

This will be a short meeting to catch up on what’s been happening around the church and receive updates. All are invited to join us!

Great News for Preschoolers!

Ghent United Methodist Preschool is still enrolling children ages 3 & 4 for the 2026-2027 school year! Learn about our program by going to GUMP's webpage.

For information contact the school's Director Ann Robertson at (757) 622-3239 or send email to director@gumppreschool.org.

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Music Ministry

All are welcome to join our Minister of Music, Nellwyn Beamon, in the music ministry of the church.

Contact Nellwyn Beamon, at music@ghentumc.org, if you have any questions or want more information.

Church Choir

Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room upstairs. Our choir is off for the summer and will start again Sunday, September 13. This is also Grandparents Day!

If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.

Gathering Jam Band

Each 2nd Sunday, 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. If you would like the music beforehand, contact Nellwyn. No band in August.

Organ Music at Ghent

Our Organist Brad Norris plays during our worship services. His next date is TBA.

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.

If you would like to volunteer or request a visit for someone, call or email the church office.

GUMP (Our Preschool)

Visit our webpage for more info about our school. Or set up a tour with Director Ann Robertson by calling (757) 622-3239.

GUMP earns $5 for each sale on its GUMP's Spirit Wear Store! Use the discount code WELCOMETOFIDGETY for free shipping on your first order.

Help GUMP when you buy groceries. Link your Harris Teeter Grocery HT Plus Membership account to GUMP (#5347). Ask your cashier to do it or link it online. For each linked account, Harris Teeter will send GUMP $10! Click this link for details.

Children are Always Welcome at Ghent UMC

Our Children's Church* takes place each Sunday during our worship service, 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 related craft or activity.

Children are welcome to remain in the service and utilize the activity bags in the back of the church.

Our nursery* is available for infants to age 3 beginning at 9:50am.

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 are in the back of the sanctuary, if you wish to use them.

A baby changing station is in the lobby. Go out the swinging door to the right of our Coffee Station. The changing station is near the staircase.

Ways to Give

To give securely online, click here.

To give by mail, send your checks to GUMC, 531 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507.

To give in person, put your donation in a basket on Sunday mornings or take it to the church office during the week.

Other ways to give include endowments and stocks. For more information, call the church office at (757) 622-2843.

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.

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Need to get in touch with us?

The church office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 12pm.

757-622-2843 office@ghentumc.org

Click here for the staff's contact information.