WHAT IS LENT?
Lent is a season of preparation leading up to Easter. It is the forty days plus the six Sundays before Easter. It is a time for self-reflection and prayer. This Lent at First United Methodist Church of Belmont, we’ll focus together on the things that keep us from holy and whole relationships with God and how God invites us to deepen our faith and live more fully as disciples of Christ.
Sundays in Lent: Jesus is the Question — The Questions Jesus Asked
How often do we hear or see the phrase “Jesus is the answer.” While that might be the case, before he is the answer, Jesus is the question. Reading the Gospels, we find that Jesus asks over 300 questions. He answers only 8 of the 180+ he is asked. Join us this Lenten season as we explore the questions Jesus asks to move beyond a faith of quick fixes and easy answers and into a deeper, more profound relationship with Christ.
February 11 (Transfiguration Sunday) – Mark 8:27-9:9, Who do you say that I am?
February 18 (First Sunday in Lent) – Mark 1:9-15 and Mark 5:1-20, What is your name?
February 25 – Mark 4:35-41, Why are you afraid?
March 3 – Luke 6:27-38, If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
March 10 – Matthew 15:29-38, How much bread do you have?
March 17 – Luke 7:36-50, Do you see this woman?
March 24 (Palm/Passion Sunday) – Mark 15:34, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
March 31 (Easter Sunday) – Luke 24:36b-48, Do you have anything to eat?
GROW IN YOUR FAITH
Adult Small Groups – February 21st through March 27th
Register for adult small groups here.
Lenten Devotional Booklets
Our annual Lenten Devotional, The Sanctuary for Lent, new again this year, will be available for pickup on Sunday mornings beginning February 11th. In addition, we will also be offering copies of Sacred Space for Lent, produced by the Irish Jesuits. We hope these offerings will enrich our relationship with God and draw us deeper into the Lenten journey.
Adult Sunday School
Sundays | 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Disciple Class: If you want to grow your faith and are just beginning to study the Bible this is the class for you! They start with the children’s Bible intentionally – to ensure everyone starts with a basic understanding of the scripture and then explore all the questions children and adults would ask. Located in Old Fellowship Hall. Led by Brandon Martin.
Route 66 Class: Traveling & growing together through God’s 66 books! The class selects life application bible studies by such authors as Hamilton, Ortberg, Lucado, and others. Studies are facilitated by our class members. The class begins at 9:45, for social time and is held in room 304.
Wanderers Class: Praying and studying God’s word together. Studies include life application bible studies to include books and DVD lessons. Authors include James Harnish, Adam Hamilton, William Willimon, and others. Led by John Tria and Doreen Eager. Class is held in room 503.
LENT BEGINS
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes
Tuesday, February 13th | 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a traditional pancake supper on the night before Lent begins. Why a pancake supper? Pancakes were a good way to use up ingredients like sugar and butter not needed during Lenten fasts. It’s a time of feasting and celebration before the season of penitence begins. Sponsored by our Family Life Team and Church Youth, join us for a night of fun and fellowship, including Pancake Races!
Ash Wednesday Services of Worship
Wednesday, February 14th | 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This moving service includes the Imposition of Ashes, a reminder of our penitence and mourning, and a time of recommitment to our relationship with God. The 6:30 pm. service will be live-streamed.
SERVING AND GIVING
Stock the BCO Sunday
February 4th and March 3rd
We will be collecting canned goods and staples for the Belmont Community Organization (our local food pantry) as we do the first Sunday of every month. Place your FUMCB grocery bag in the black collection bin near the Carpenter Hall doors labeled BCO.
Clothing Drive for AGAPE Ministries Every Sunday in March 
FUMCB is committed to working with Project AGAPE for the purpose of providing assistance and hope to the people in Armenia. During the month of March we will be collecting new and gently used clothing for children and teens. We will be accepting any style or type of clothing from newborn to size 16-18 (no shoes). Look for a drop off tub in our narthex. Don’t forget to shop at your local Goodwill store for deals.
We are coordinating with Gaston County Schools to make sure all the children in our community who lack food resources receive adequate food resources during the spring break. Volunteers are needed to pre-pack meals, cook, and deliver the food. If you would like to volunteer to serve please click HERE.
Two Saturdays a month we prepare a meal and make beds for our neighbors who are without houses and need emergency shelter. Contact Quanna or Chad McAlister if you want to learn more or participate email the McAlister’s by clicking HERE.
Persons are invited to join our team who will prepare homemade chicken noodle soup. This soup will be available for those in our community in need of a warm bowl of soup for comfort. If you know a person in need of comfort you are invited to pick up a quart of soup from our freezer and deliver it to whoever needs it. Please fill out the paper on the freezer door so we can track how many quarts are in our stock. If you want more information contact Debbie Thames the coordinator for this ministry by clicking HERE.
LENT AND EASTER WITH CHILDREN
Cereal: Bible Lessons Based on Kids’ Favorite Cereals small groups will be offered on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 for children in PreK-4th grade (with childcare also available). Commercials always tell us that cereal is “part of a complete breakfast.” This series will show kids that, unlike cereal, Jesus is all we need to have a complete and joy-filled life. Kids who participated in our January small groups are already registered, but new children can join by emailing jennifer@fumcbelmont.org.
Lent Car Talk
Are you looking for meaningful moments and conversation with your children but struggle to find the right time or consistency? Sign up to receive texts that will prompt you with a Bible verse, thought provoking question, and prayer each day during Lent. These are designed to be used while you are in the car with your kids- on the way to school, practice or even church! Sign up HERE.
Journey With Jesus: A Holy Week Celebration
Sunday, March 24 | 10:00-10:45 am
Children are invited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus through stations representing Holy Week. Children will rotate with their Sunday School classes and explore storytelling, crafts, and snacks. No registration required.
LENT AND EASTER WITH YOUTH
Connect
Youth in grades 6-12 meet on Sunday evenings 5:30-7:30 for fellowship, sharing in a meal and a time together in study
Encounter
Will continue to meet during Lent on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30
Engage
continue to meet during Lent on Sunday mornings at 10am to discuss Love in a BIG world.
HOLY WEEK
Palm/Passion Sunday
March 24 | 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Join us for worship as we remember Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of his final week leading to the cross.
Prayer Stations
March 27 – 31
Prayer stations will be set up in the Sanctuary and in the Narthex. This will give you an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and ultimate sacrifice for us. What God is calling you to let go of this season and how can you come closer to Him?
Maundy Thursday Service of Worship
Thursday, March 28 | 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday is named for the mandatum (Latin for “commandment”) Jesus’ gave on this night to love one another as he shared his Last Supper with the disciples. This year, we gather on this night to feast with him again in the celebration of Holy Communion. The service includes beautiful music and a “stripping” of the altar, removing ornamentation and color from the chancel to mark the solemnity of the occasion.
Community Cross Walk
Friday, March 29 | 12:00 noon | Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter
Join our brothers and sisters in Christ from around Belmont for a moving, socially-distanced walk through downtown Belmont, remembering Christ’s journey to the cross. The walk concludes at First Presbyterian Church.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Friday, March 29 | 7:00 p.m.
Our Tenebrae Service, or “Service of Shadows” retells the story of Good Friday through Scripture, music and a gradual dimming of the sanctuary to total darkness. The service will be live-streamed. We remember on this night what makes Good Friday good, for on this day God’s deepest love for us was revealed in the death of Jesus Christ.
Community Easter Sunrise Service
Sunday, March 31 | Greenwood Cemetery
We’ll gather as a community with our brothers and sisters from around Belmont to celebrate the resurrection.
Easter Sunday Service of Worship
Sunday, March 31 | 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Join us for Easter Sunday Worship with Holy Communion and special music. It will be a grand day as we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death and claim our place as God’s “Easter People!”