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Weekly News & Updates
February 27, 2026
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Second Sunday of Lent - 10am
Join us tomorrow for the 2nd Sunday in Lent and Communion.
We’re continuing our "Wandering Heart" series as we journey through Scripture and Art with the disciple Peter toward Easter. *“As a new disciple, perhaps Peter wants to prove himself. Boldly, in the middle of a storm, Peter steps out of the boat to join Jesus who is walking on top of the waves. He, too, walks on water until the wind shakes his trust and he begins to sink. Many of us know what it feels like to be thrown off balance, to feel as if we’re sinking. Maybe this looks like doubt, unexpected change, too-busy seasons of life, devastating grief, or distance from God. In this story, we empathize with the desperation Peter feels as he cries out, and we pray for God to save us when we sink.”
There are books on a table in the back of the sanctuary for you to borrow during this season.
Enter the building at the top of large staircase that faces Stockley Gardens (Rd).
* sanctifiedart.org; Image: "Lift Off" by Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda
Read the artist’s statement.
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Pastor's Prayer for the Week
Affirmation of Faith
I believe in a God who moves toward me when storms rage.
I believe in a God who invites me to be brave.
I believe in a God whom the wind and waves obey.
I believe in a God who knows my name.
I believe in a God of love. I am not afraid.
Amen.
* "The Will to Dream" Series, © 2025 Illustrated Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Hymn Festival with Tom Trenney This Sunday
You're invited to attend a Hymn Festival with Tom Trenney at Monumental UMC in Portsmouth on Sunday, March 1, at 3:00PM.
I am singing in the choir. We did a program with Mark Hayes last year this time and it was great fun. I have sung under Tom Trenney before, and he is not only a fine musician but a fine human being. Please come out for a wonderful afternoon of music.
Thanks, Nellwyn Beamon, Minister of Music
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Donations Requested for Winter Shelter
The winter shelter at Freemason Street Baptist Church, in conjunction with Christ & St. Luke’s, will be from March 8-15.
They are welcoming financial support for incidentals and meals. If you would like to make a donation, please send your gift to Christ & St. Luke’s designated as Winter Shelter. If you need more information, please get in touch with The Rev. Jared Grant at 757-627-5665 (Extension 3) or by email jared.grant@christandstlukes.org.
Thanks for your willingness to step up, Nellwyn Beamon, Minister of Music
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Palm / Passion Sunday at 10am
Highlight your holiday season by coming to our Palm Sunday worship service. We'll commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Organist Brad Norris will be playing.
Be sure to arrive on time so you don't miss "Jesus" riding our donkey into the sanctuary while everyone in the congregation waves palm branches and sings hosannas! This, as always, is a service for all ages.
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Annual Egg Hunt, Sunday, March 29
We are also excited to invite you to our annual, Egg Hunt following our special, Palm Sunday service. All children are welcome to the free, egg finding fun!
Gather your little ones at the front of our church facing Stockley Gardens. Ages 3 and under will hunt in our side garden, while ages 4 and above will be in Stockley Gardens across the street. Please BYOB (bring your own basket).
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Good Friday Service
Bring someone to our Good Friday worship service at 6p.m. on April 3.
Good Friday is holy and makes us holy because God is drawing the world to God's self in Christ. We reflect on God's purpose of loving and redeeming the world even in the face of human rejection and cruelty through the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Easter Sunday Morning, April 5
Join us for worship on Easter Sunday, April 5. Rev. Britney Toner will lead our celebration of The Resurrection and to deliver the sermon.
Organist Brad Norris will help us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Please bring fresh flowers from your gardens to adorn the Living Cross!
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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.
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Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room upstairs.
If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.
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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. Next Jam Band will be Sunday, March 8.
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Organ Music at Ghent
Our Organist Brad Norris plays during our worship services. His next dates will be Palm Sunday and Easter.
Violin Music at Ghent
Chris Taylor will play the violin during our worship service, Sunday, March 15.
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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.
If you would like to volunteer or request a visit for someone, call or email the church office.
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GUMP (Our Preschool)
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Our Spring Resale event is March 20-23! Get details. We are still collecting paper bags.
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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.
Want to 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.
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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.
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Ways to Give
- 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.
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