GHENT
United Methodist Church
March 18, 2018
This Sunday
Worship 10:00a.m

Come and join us for worship service. 
 
Pastor Melody Tanner will continue her  sermon series entitled "What Makes a Hero?" It is based on the book by the same name by Matt Rawle.  The title of her sermon is "Haves and Have Nots. "  

You are encouraged to read What Makes A Hero? The Death-Defying Ministry of Jesus by Matt Rawle. Copies are currently available in our welcome center in the sanctuary. Suggested donation is $10; free for guests.

To read the scripture, click here. 
To listen to last week's sermon , click here. 

Everyone is welcome to stay after the service for fellowship.
Daily Prayer
Starter

Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes. This week's prayer starter is:

" O God, your Word tells me "I can do all things through him who gives me strength," yet no matter my circumstance, I find myself relying on my own strength, doubting you, and always longing for something or some day off in the distance.  Help me to be content no matter my circumstance through faith in you... "

For more information, contact Pastor  Melody  by  clicking here .
Holy Week
Begins March 25
  • We will begin Holy Week with our 
    Palm Sunday  service on March 25. We will gather in the lobby at 9:50am to wave palm branches and shout hosannas as Jesus rides our donkey into the sanctuary.
  • Volunteers Needed: Three volunteers are needed to lift and wheel the heavy wooden 
    donkey upstairs THIS SUNDAY  after church and take it back downstairs after worship on Palm Sunday. Please  click here
    if you can help.
  • Our Easter Service with Communion will begin at 10am on Sunday, April 1. Please bring fresh flowers for the Living Cross. Refreshments will be served after worship.
  • After worship at 11:30am, children of all ages are welcome to come to our Easter Egg Hunt in the garden in front of the church. 
Easter Lilies
Order by
Sunday, Mar. 25

If you'd like to place an Easter Lily on Sunday,  April 1 , in memory of or in honor of a special person, please fill out the order form on your Connection Card and drop it in the offering plate with your payment. Or you may contact the church office by  clicking here . 
Cost is now  $12.50 each. 
(Please make checks payable to Ghent UMC ).
Spring Bible Study
Fridays  at 10am
(No meeting 3/23)

Join us Fridays at 10am for a 10-week study by Beth Moore.    
A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David is an  in-depth look at the life of David. Beth Moore draws spiritual insight and understanding from a man who slayed a giant and saved a kingdom.

The workbook is $20. For questions, or to join, contact  Debbie Bonnewell. 
praying.jpg
People of Prayer Night
Good Friday
Mar. 30, 5-7pm

On Good Friday,  at 5pm, 
we will have a People of Prayer Night in  the fellowship hall where participants will learn varied ways of being in conversation with God including over supper.  This is a great opportunity for people to learn HOW to pray in a way in which we can connect with God best. There will be children's prayer activities as well.

We are looking for people to set up and clean up. Email Jennifer Gross-Statler for more information or to volunteer.
Lenten Photo Journey
Through April 1

This Lent, Ghent UMC invites you to join our Lenten Photo
Journey, as part of your time of preparation for the coming of Easter. Each day, we'll post a word with scripture verse and an invitation for you to post a photo related to that word.   The goal is to look for God in your everyday life and to help you seek to strengthen your relationship with God during this time of preparation and reflection.
 
Simply post your photo on any of our social media outlets using the hashtag #2018GUMCLentPJ . HELP US GO  VIRAL. Invite your friends to participate!
pile_of_old_books.jpg
Ghent Inspire Book Club
All are welcome

For our meeting on Mon., Apr. 9 at 7:30pm, we will discuss Iscariot: A Novel by Judas  by Tosca Lee  .

For more information or meeting location, contact  Melanie Cramer.
Mark Your Calendars
Members and Leaders
  • Children's ministry meeting will be Thursday, March 22nd at 10am.
     
  • Next Stakeholders meeting will be April 5.  (An additional meeting will be held Thursday, May 3 at 8am.)
  • Our Leadership Team meeting is every 2nd Sunday of the month. The next will be on Sunday, April 8.



All are welcome to join our Ghent UMC choir. Rehearsals are in the sanctuary - Sundays at 9:30a.m. and Wednesdays 7-8p.m.  All are welcome to come.

No choir rehearsal  April 4, 2018.

For more info, please contact the Director of Music Ministry.
Congregational Care
New Webpage

In response to Christ's call to love one another, Ghent United Methodist wants the members of our congregation to care for one another. To understand more about our Congregational Care outreach, click on the church's website here. 
Jennifer Gross-Statler
Director of Congregational Care/ Marketing 

Jennifer Gross-Statler, our  Director of Congregational Care and Marketing, is available to visit and counsel those in our church community who so desire. Ghent UMC wants the sick, the burdened, and the lonely to feel the love of Christ. If you'd like a visit from Jennifer, call the church office at (757) 622-2843 or email her at [email protected].
Volunteer 
Ghent UMC

All adults,  children, and youth are invited to help on Sundays before and during worship.  Also, please consider purchasing altar flowers to enhance our worship space.  Click here   to learn more about the volunteer opportunities and to sign up.  
   
F or more information or to help, please contact the church office by  clicking here .   
Useful Links

Ghent UM Church

Weekly Sermons  

Church Calendar

G.U.M.P. (Preschool)

Online Tithe/Giving

The Upper Room Daily Devotional

Elizabeth River District

Virginia Annual Conference
Worship With Us!

Adult Sunday School 
9a.m. 

Sunday Worship at 10:00a.m.
(Nursery Care Provided)

Children's Church
During Worship




Adult Sunday School
Sundays 9am

Adult Sunday School meets in the church library on the main floor.  All are welcome.
Donations & Volunteers Needed
Sunday, March 25

On Sunday, March 25th, we need 5 - 6 volunteers to stay after worship to help stuff candy bags or plastic eggs for the Egg Hunt. 

In addition, we are collecting candy donations for the Egg Hunt. Please bring individually wrapped candy to the church by March 25th. 

Thank you for helping to make this a fun and successful event for the children who will be participating! 
General Fund Pledging 
for 2018

Thanks to everyone who has pledged or already given! 

$149,690 has been pledged so far, but we need to reach, at least, $155,940 to meet our budgeting goals.

As I'm sure you know, this new chapter in the life of Ghent Church is refreshing. But, it needs your financial support. Please pray for God's guidance about your annual giving. Place your pledge card in the offering plate.

Sanctuary Campaign 
THANK YOU
Our pledge goal of $60,000 for sanctuary renovations and repairs has been met. Thank you to everyone for helping us to meet this goal. Please send in all pledge donations by August 31, 2018.

Your brother in Christ,
 
Bill Whitehurst
Chairman, Stewardship







New Small Groups
Meet Up

We have two groups with new names that you may want to attend.
  • Wednesday mornings, join Jennifer Gross-Statler for Coffee & Connections Small Group. Women of all ages meet on Wednesdays at 9:30am at Taste, 407 W. 21st St. in Ghent.
  • 1st & 3rd Thursdays, join Navy Chaplain Tom Statler for Chillin' with the Chaplain. It's open to all - especially those who no longer attend church or who have never attended a Christian church, but consider themselves spiritual. The group meets at 5:30pm at The Public House at 1112 Colley Ave. 
Click here to read details about these small groups. 
Volunteers Needed
Please Help
  • Three volunteers are needed to lift and wheel the heavy wooden donkey upstairs THIS SUNDAY after church and take it back downstairs after worship on Palm Sunday.
     
  • We need volunteers to be on the outside clean up crew. Can you help clear the church grounds of debris on a weekly basis, a monthly basis, or as needed?
     
  • GUMC needs parking lot greeters. You would greet people before Sunday worship services begin. 
If interested or for more information, contact the church office.
Join a Small Group
Community Building Opportunities

Children
  • Sunday mornings: Children's Church (details below)
  • Sunday evenings: Middle & High School Youth (details below)
Adults
  • Sunday mornings: Adult Sunday School
  • Monday evenings monthly: Ghent Inspire Book Club
  • Tuesday evenings: Young Family Small Group 
  • Wednesday mornings: Coffee & Connections Small Group 
  • 1st & 3rd Thursdays: Chillin' with the Chaplain - open to all 
  • Fridays mornings: Bible Study
Click here to read  details about our adult and youth small groups.  And for additional information,  please contact Jonathan Tanner, Discipleship Director at [email protected] or 757-622-2843.
GUMY (Middle and High School Youth)
Upcoming Activities

For more information about GUMY, please contact  Kim Kurtz by clicking here.
Volunteers Needed
Once a Month

During worship, we offer children's church for children ages 3 through 5th grade. During the scripture and sermon, they go to the library for a brief Bible lesson, activity or craft.

Please volunteer a few times per year to help educate our youth.
To sign up for a Sunday, click here.


Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView on Instagram