Weekly News & Updates: April 19, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Celebrate the love of Jesus with us this Sunday, April 21. It is the 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday).
Bring your grandchildren and children with you! Rev. Ry will have a special message for them, and they can attend Children's Church, too.
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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Good Shepherd Sunday
Who is the ultimate Good Shepherd? It's, of course, Jesus Christ! In John 10, Jesus said, a hired hand will leave a flock of sheep when he sees a wolf approaching. He will run away to protect himself. The wolf will snatch the sheep and scatter them.
Jesus also said, "I am the gate for the sheep... whoever enters by me shall be saved... I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." Who wouldn't want a shepherd like that, someone willing to sacrifice himself for you?
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Please Pray for our VA UMC Representatives
The postponed 2020 General Conference begins next week on April 23. Please pray for each of the Virginia clergy and lay delegates and send them to Charlotte, N.C. with our prayers for them, their work, and the General Conference session. These individuals have shown up, worked hard, stayed engaged, and remained prayerful and hopeful UMs over the course of many years as our delegates.
To learn about each of them, visit the Virginia UMC website. Or visit the conference Facebook page. #UMCGC
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Get Messy on May 5th!
Update your calendar! May's Messy Church at Ghent fun will be the 1st Sunday in May and not the 2nd Sunday. We moved it because Mother's Day is on the 2nd Sunday. (By the way, write that date down, too.)
On Sunday, May 5th, at 4:30pm, we will have the activities for all-ages that you have come to expect. But, in May it will all be outside, if the weather cooperates. This Messy Session is filled with activities that celebrate cultures from around the world.
* Messy Church is a DIFFERENT kind of church! It typically includes a welcome, creative time to explore the Biblical theme through “getting messy” with crafts and activities; a short interactive celebration time involving a story, prayer, and music; and a sit-down meal together at tables. The entire experience is designed for people of ALL AGES! Take a look at our Facebook group page to see previous events.
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Food and Drink Donations Needed
Our stores have been depleted! Please bring non-perishable food, drinks and hearty snacks to place in our little library / food pantry outside our door.
Place your food offerings on the table near the church office or in the basket by the altar on 4th Sundays.
* Donation suggestions include tuna, cereal, hearty snacks, small-boxed milk/drinks, instant coffee, individual drink packets and bottles of water.
The food is to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness, families, or individuals.
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The Carnegie Hall Concert at Sandler Center
Saturday, May 18, 7pm
The Virginia Beach Chorale's Director, Dr. Don Krudop, has been asked to hold a residency at THE Carnegie Hall in June, and he and the Chorale would love to share some tunes of all genres that are fit for such an esteemed stage.
Join Dr. Krudop and the Chorale (including our office manager Valerie Reagh) for a night of celebrated and intricate music worthy of the Big Apple! Featuring music by Dan Forrest, Joseph Martin, Daniel Gawthrop, Ysaye Barnwell, Leonard Cohen, John Ness Beck, and more! This music filled evening at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach is not to be missed!
For tickets ($24 presale), please visit https://www.virginiabeachchorale.org/tickets or contact Valerie at valeriereagh@gmail.com.
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Help with Shipping Costs
Our Rise Against Hunger event was such an awesome success. We packaged 10,000 meals for people in need around the world.
Please help us reach our goal for shipping costs. Make a donation by using the QR code or clicking this UDPATED link.
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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
Our Youth Group is 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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Read the Book of Revelation with Rev. Ry
Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 8-9pm, on Zoom for book study. This session, we're reading the last book of the Bible - Revelation. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion! The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516483199
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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.
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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. Next date is TBA.
Violin Music
Violinist Chris Taylor plays during our 10am Worship. His next date is TBA.
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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 one is a Sunday, in May. Date TBA.
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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
"Good Shepherd, walk beside me, and remain with me, lead me in right paths and let me lie down in safety to restore my soul..."
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 | |
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
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 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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