Special services and other activities in churches this week include the following:
Apostles Lutheran
While physical worship services at Apostles Lutheran Church, Gloucester, are suspended, the Christ the King worship service will be held via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. An invitation to join the Zoom service will be sent to the congregation via email and can also be accessed on the church’s website at apostles-elca.org. The book study will be held after the service at 1 p.m.
Bellamy United Methodist
Bellamy United Methodist Church, Gloucester, will offer in-person worship on at 10 a.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. There is limited seating; contact the church office if you desire to attend or you may register by completing Health Screening form at www.evc.vaumc.org/open/worshipregistration/Page1.cfm. Masks will be required. The service will be posted to the church’s YouTube and Facebook pages in the afternoon and will continue to be available each Sunday.
We are monitoring the latest guidelines from the Commonwealth and the Virginia Annual Conference regarding safe practices. If a change in our ability to worship in person occurs, it will be posted on its website, Facebook pages, and the office answering machine message, a release said.
Bethany United Methodist
The sermon title of Pastor Mike Derflinger of Bethany United Methodist Church, Gloucester Point, at 10 a.m. Sunday will be “Jesus’s Thanksgiving.” Masks are required.
Bethel Baptist
Bethel Baptist Church, Gloucester, continues to hold worship services online or via conference call. The sermon title of the Rev. James Harris, at noon Sunday will be “Trusting God in the Midst of the Storm.” The service can be accessed by logging onto https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/929136757 or call 1-312-757-3121 and using Access Code: 929-136-757#. Sunday school will start at 10 a.m. using the same access information and Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
The church will have a Thanksgiving drive-thru from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. They will collect non-perishable food items that will be donated to those in need during the Thanksgiving sesaon.
Bethel United Methodist
Bethel United Methodist Church, Onemo, will hold Bible study groups, “Responsive Love,” at 10:05 a.m. Sunday. Worship service will begin at 10:50. Everyone is asked to wear a face covering and to social distance; a short health form needs to be filled out.
The United Methodist Women of the church are collecting winter hats, gloves and mittens to take to Mathews Social Services for the community. They are also doing a reverse Advent Calendar for Social Services of non-perishable items to bring by Dec. 13; a list is available.
The church is collecting shoeboxes that can be delivered to church by Sunday. This year they will be delivered to children in Mathews.
Central United Methodist
The sermon title of the Rev. John Choi, pastor of Central United Methodist Church, Mathews, at 9:15 a.m. Sunday will be “The Sheep and the Goats.” Face coverings and social distancing are required. The service will also be offered on the church’s YouTube channel, which can be accessed through the church’s homepage at www.centralumcmathews.org.
Church of the Living Word
The sermon title of Lead Pastor Melvin Epps of Church of the Living Word, Hayes, at the 10 a.m. Sunday service will be “Relaxing with Purpose.” The Gospel of Matthew will be the topic for the 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible study via Zoom.
Emmanuel United Methodist
Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Bohannon, continues to hold a non-perishable food drive for Thanksgiving dinners for those in the community who need a little extra support. A bin is on the front porch of the church and there is also one inside the sanctuary. Gift cards to local grocery stores are also in great need to purchase perishable items. This will be the last Sunday to donate for Thanksgiving.
Pastor Jennifer Mercer asks that everyone read Psalm 65 for this pre-Thanksgiving service at 11 a.m. Sunday. All attending must wear face coverings and social distancing is observed. A short health form needs to be filled out prior to the service or at the door.
First Baptist, Ordinary
The virtual Facebook sermon title of Pastor Ward Warren of First Baptist Church, Ordinary, Sunday will be “Facing your Difficulties With God.” Sundays virtual Sunday school begins at 9 o’clock. Wednesdays virtual Bible study is 6:30 p.m. The call in number is 1-605-313-5111 pin #122000.
Gleaning Baptist
Gleaning Baptist Church, Gloucester, will not have its Good Samaritan Food Ministry on Wednesday, Nov. 25. It will resume the following Wednesday, Dec. 2 from noon-2 p.m.
There will be no Park and Praise service on Sunday, Nov. 29.
Gloucester Point Baptist
Gloucester Point Baptist Church will hold its in-person Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. Face coverings will be required. The sermon title of Pastor Bud Goude will be “A Prayer of Thanksgiving.”
Grace Covenant Presbyterian
The devotion title of Warren Deal at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service in Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Gloucester, will be “Am I a Publican or a Pharisee?”
Groves Memorial Presbyterian
The sermon title of the Rev. Barry Phillips of Groves Memorial Presbyterian Church, Glass, at 10 a.m. Sunday will be “Be Thankful.” This will be his last Sunday at the church. He and his grandson, Tray, will sing a duet.
Gwynn’s Island Baptist
Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church will hold a drive-in service at 10 a.m. Sunday around the gazebo across from the church. Parking will begin at 9:30. The sermon topic of Dr. Ed Jordan, pastor, will be “Living Gratitude.” Special music will be provided by Autumn Jenkins and Frances Atherton. Bundles of this year’s Advent book will be distributed to worshippers for distribution as they leave the service.
Kingston Episcopal Parish
Kingston Episcopal Parish, Mathews, will gather for an outdoor Holy Eucharist Rite II Christ the King Sunday service at 9 a.m. on the grounds of Kingston Parish. Services will be held on its Facebook page as well as on YouTube.com, available after 6 p.m. Saturday. To receive an email copy of the bulletin, call the church office at 804-725-2175. To join Zoom Coffee Hour on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., call the office for the ID number and pass code. Discussions of scriptures for each Sunday will be available the preceding Saturday on Facebook, offered by Wabingston.
Mathews Baptist
Mathews Baptist Church, Hudgins, offers in-person services: contemporary at 9 a.m. (also online) and traditional at 11 a .m. (also on CD on request). The sermon title of Pastor Brian Kramer will be “One Grateful Leper.”
New Mount Zion Baptist
The Food Bank Ministry of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Gloucester, will be open from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, drive-thru style.
The sermon title of Pastor Vincent Pryor for Sunday’s service will be “Thanking God.” Service begins at 1 p.m. via conference call. The call number is 978-990-5000; access code 932721.
New Point Friends
The sermon title of the Rev. Thomas Bunting, pastor of New Point Friends Church, at its 11 a.m. Sunday service will be “Count Our Blessings.”
Newington Baptist
The sermon title of Pastor Mike Gray of Newington Baptist Church, Gloucester, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the sanctuary will be “Unprecedented: Return of Christ.” Masks and social distancing will be required. Children, ages four through fifth grade, have the option of going to KidsWorship, a special time of worship, learning, fun, and snack during part of the adult worship service. Watch and chat with others on Newington’s Facebook page as the Sunday service is streamed live at 10:30.
Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child may be dropped off at Newington from 1-6 p.m. today-Sunday.
The Clothes Closet will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.
Olive Branch United Methodist
Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Gloucester, will hold an in-person service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. A virtual option will also be available every Sunday on Facebook page.
A benefit campaign for the American Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Charles Bristow is being held. Donations can be dropped off at Dutton Grocery, Woods Cross Roads.
Facebook Wednesday Bible study, “A Continued Journey Through Psalms,” will be at 10:30 a.m.
The church will be decorated for Christmas at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
RevGayle.Org Inc.
The sermon title of the Rev. Ronald Gayle at the 5 a.m. Sunday service on revgayle.com will be “What Thanksgiving Ought to Mean.” Previous sermons can be seen and heard online every day and every night.
Salem United Methodist, Gloucester
The sermon title of the Rev. Ann Tang of Salem United Methodist Church, Gloucester, at 11 a.m. Sunday will be “All Saints Day.” Children’s Church is back and will be offered during the worship service. The service is currently a hybrid of in-person and drive-in. Drive-in participants need to tune their radio to FM 88.7 during the service. A virtual option is also available on the Facebook page.
Drive-thru Thanksgiving food pantry will be open from 9-11 a.m. Saturday.
Facebook Wednesday Bible study, “A Continued Journey Through Psalms,” will be at 10:30 a.m.
The church will be decorated for Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Singleton United Methodist
Singleton United Methodist Church, Ware Neck, has in-person with face mask and social distancing and Zoom worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday. The sermon title of Pastor Calvin Griffin will be “Prayer.” The service can also be viewed on YouTube anytime. Email Calvin.griffin@cox.net for the Zoom invite.
Monday Bible study, “The Wonder of Christmas,” will begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on the Zoom platform.
Spring Hill Baptist
Spring Hill Baptist Church, Cobbs Creek, will continue with the second of the two-part message, “The Comfort of Our Lord’s Return,” at 11 a.m. Sunday. The passage, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, tells us that with a shout, a voice, and the trumpet of God, believers will be snatched into the Savior’s presence. Millions of people will vanish instantly, and no doubt there will be chaos and great concern left behind. The world will wonder at what has happened, a release said.
St. Matthew United Methodist
St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Peary, will have an in-church worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Everyone is asked to wear a face covering and to social distance; a short health form needs to be filled out.
The First United Baptist
The sermon title of Pastor E. Randolph Graham of the First United Baptist Church, White Marsh, for the 10 a.m. Sunday service will be “Thanksgiving: An Expression of Gratitude.” The service will be drive-up, simulcast and streamed via Facebook Live and Zoom.
Union Baptist
The sermon title of Pastor Jared Berry of Union Baptist Church, Achilles, at 11 a.m. Sunday will be “From Death to Life.”
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of The Rappahannock
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Rappahannock, White Stone, will hold a 10 a.m. Sunday outdoor service in the parking lot of UUFR, weather permitting. Bring a chair, social distance, and wear a mask. Call 804-761-3991 if the weather is questionable.
Westville Baptist
The sermon title of the Rev. Bob Huff of Westville Baptist Church, Mathews, at the 11 a.m. Sunday service will be “Where is Your Treasure?”
Wednesday Bible study, “Exodus,” will begin at 3 p.m.
Westville Christian
The sermon title of Pastor Tim Dice of Westville Christian Church, Mathews, at 11 a.m. Sunday will be “Give Thanks in All Things.” Bible Café will begin at 9:45.