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August 21, 2026

This Sunday - 10am

Bring your children, grandchildren and all the teachers you know to our worship service this Sunday, August 23. It's our annual “Back to School” Sunday!

We are inviting teachers, staff, and students of all ages to bring their backpacks, school bags, work bags and digital devices to worship to be laid on the altar and prayed over.

And since it is the 4th Sunday, our Food Collection Sunday, please bring food to help the hungry in our community. Please put all donations in the basket near the altar.

Enter the door at the top of the large staircase facing Stockley Gardens (road).

Scripture

Romans 12:1-8

Pastor's Pick for the Week

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that

I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

“The Merton Prayer” from Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton, 1958

What's Going On?

New Members Sunday

Next Sunday, August 30, we will have four people join our church during service! This involves vows between these individuals and the congregation.

Please come with full welcoming hearts as we celebrate together.

If you are interested in a new small group about what it means to be a member of a United Methodist Church, then please contact David Bonnewell at d.bonnewell01@gmail.com or indicate your interest in the Connect Card and place it in the offering basket.

Do you want to become a member of Ghent UMC? Pastor Britney would LOVE to talk to you about what it means to join our church.

Please email her to set up a time to chat. Her address is btoner@VaUMC.org.

We're Still Praising the Lord

“Pardon our Progress in Process.” Our building is in a season of transition from the storm damage.

But, hallelujah, this is not stopping us from praising the Lord! Despite the challenges, we thank God that we haven't missed a Sunday, yet. See you Sunday at 10am.

Free Hymnals

Available immediately: copies of the 1964 edition of the Methodist Hymnal. Take one home for its devotional poetry, the Psalter, liturgical responses and writings.

Whatever is not claimed by August 30 will be discarded. For more info, email Nellwyn at music@ghentumc.org.

NEW Online Giving & Contribution Record Platform

Ghent UMC is upgrading our online giving platform from Ezekiel Giving / Ministry Brands Amplify to Servant Keeper to better serve our congregation and community. Accepted are debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, and bank transfer. Tip: If you are using your checking account, please consider giving a paper check or online giving from your bank. This saves the church the processing fees, especially for gifts greater than $1,000.

To transition, click here to go to Ghent UMC's Servant Keeper Online Giving platform. Follow the instructions on the screen to create your account. Please use the same email on file with the church office so you can view your previous contributions. For further step-by-step instructions on creating an account, click here; and/or for a video guide, click here.

By establishing an account, you can also view all of your financial and in-kind contributions to Ghent UMC whether or not you use online giving. A contribution statement may be downloaded at any time! Statements will continue to be mailed annually also.

For those of you who have been using Ezekiel Giving / Ministry Brands Amplify for recurring donations, please click here to discontinue them before setting up your new account with Servant Keeper. Please note that a record of all of your previous donations has been made in Servant Keeper, too.

Thank you for your continued support of Ghent UMC's ministries through your financial contributions and for your understanding during this transition. We look forward to serving you better through our new Servant Keeper Online Giving Platform. For questions or concerns, please contact the church office . The number is (757) 622-2843.

We're Enrolling for Preschool

Ghent United Methodist Preschool is enrolling children ages 2 - 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.

Want to Become a Member?

Do you want to become a member of Ghent UMC? Pastor Britney would LOVE to talk to you about what it means to join our church.

Please email her to set up a time to chat. Her address is btoner@VaUMC.org.

Sing for Peace

Click on the image below to see it larger.

Accepting Travel-Size Toiletries and Clothes

Ghent UMC is now collecting new and gently used men's and women's clothes. We are focused on collecting clothes that people can wear to work such as khaki pants, jeans, work boots and polo shirts. Please take a look in your closets and see what you have available to donate.

We are not accepting suits or dress up clothes. The donated clothes for women and men will go to Ghent Area Ministry.

We have also been collecting toiletries in travel sizes. Click here to see a list of suggested, TRAVEL SIZE toiletries.

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. It will start again Sunday, September 13, 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)

Teachers will return to school on August 24. The meet and greet is on the 28th.

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 Sunday School* takes place each Sunday during our worship service, following the children's message. Children, ages 3 through 5th grade, meet in the library (down the hall from the sanctuary) for an age-appropriate Bible lesson and related craft or activity.

If you prefer, your children are welcome to remain in the service next to you. They may also sit in the kids' area to read, draw or color. We have activity bags in the back of the church for them.

Our nursery is available for infants to age 3 beginning at 9:50am. It is also currently in our library (down the hall from the sanctuary).

Our professional workers are CPR certified, and our staff and volunteers are fully background checked.

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