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: The WORK OF THE CROSS
Throughout history, Christians have understood the cross in different ways—each offering a unique glimpse into the mystery of God’s saving love. But the story doesn’t stop at Golgotha. Christ’s work continues through us, as the Church is called to carry on the work of the cross in the world today. This Lent, we’ll explore five historic understandings of the atonement:
- How Christ defeats the powers of evil
- How Jesus shows us what love looks like in action
- How God absorbs violence and offers mercy instead
- How Christ restores what sin has broken
- How we’re transformed to become more like Jesus
Each Sunday, we’ll ground ourselves in scripture, explore the theology, and ask the practical question: How does this shape the way we live? No complicated theology. Just honest questions and practical faith for everyday life. Join us starting February 22 as we journey toward Easter with new eyes and open hearts.
FEBRUARY 22 – Victory (Colossians 2:8-15)
MARCH 1 – Example (John 13:1-17)
MARCH 8 – Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
MARCH 15 – Restoration (Luke 7:36-50)
MARCH 22 – Transformation (John 1:1-14)
GROW IN YOUR FAITH
Adult Small Groups – February 25 – April 1, 2026
“What Makes a Hero?” by Matt Rawle It will coincide with the youth small group study. Rawle looks at culture’s definition of a hero versus God’s. Learn how Jesus turned the concept of hero on its head. We will examine how good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and overcoming adversity are at the core to how we as Christians understand salvation. Led by Danielle Preisach and Barbara Lange
Kate Bowler’s “Life Together Apart: While it was Yet Dark” (No book) Learn practices that will help you to find hope in the midst of uncertainty. In life we have limited agency, interdependence, hope, community, and joy—the very things we need to sustain us in the midst of uncertainty and fear. Led by Doreen Collins
“The Cross and Us: A Lenten study.” (No book) Our worship services will explore five different ways Christians have understood what Jesus accomplished on the cross—from Christ’s victory over evil to how his life transforms ours. Want to go deeper? Join us for a 5-week small group where we’ll study the same scriptures, ask hard questions together, and discover what the cross means for our daily lives. No theological background needed—just bring your questions and an open heart.
Register for 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 15th. 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 will examine the red letter words of Jesus in the Bible. There will be facilitated questions to start conversations about what we believe as Methodists and how we respond to people who think differently. Located in room 503 off of the Old Fellowship Hall. Led by Brandon Martin.
Route 66 Class: Traveling & growing together through God’s 66 books! For Lent they will be studying “The Final Days; A Lenten Journey” by Matt Rawle. They will examine the ways each of the four Gospels explains Jesus’ journey to the cross. The class begins at 9:45, for social time and is held in room 304.
Salt and Light Fellowship: A place to have real conversations and build relationships. They begin with Scripture and then discuss how God has moved in their lives that week. Class is held in the Narthex meeting room. Class led by Stephanie Beaty.
Wanderers Class: Praying and studying God’s word together. For Lent they will be studying “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” by Adam Hamilton. How did Jesus’ death save us and exactly why did he have to die?. Led by Larry Kimel, John Tria and Doreen Collins. Class is held in room 504 off of the Old Fellowship Hall.
LENT BEGINS
Ash Wednesday Services of Worship
Wednesday, February 18 | 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- March 2nd and April 6th
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 in the narthex.
Feed the Children April 15th, 18th, 21st, and 24th
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.
Soup for the Soul
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.
Community Cafe’ Thursdays
Come for a delicious lunch in Carpenter Hall which is prepared by Dahlia Grove in our kitchen every Thursday from 11:45-1:15. Specialty sandwiches, salad and child friendly meals will be on the menu. Donations will support the women in the Dahlia Grove Community who are survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, or addiction. Bring a neighbor and dine with us!
LENT AND EASTER WITH CHILDREN
40 Day Challenge: Small Groups for First Kids will be offered on Wednesdays, February 25-April 1, from 6:30-7:30 for children in PreK-5th grade. Each week we will be challenged to grow our faith through practices of prayer, Scripture reading, serving, giving, sharing and praising. Childcare is also available.
40 Day Challenge for Families: If your family cannot attend small groups on Wednesday nights,
email jennifer@fumcbelmont.org to get a 40 Day Challenge Family Lent Tracker sheet.
Lent Car Talk
Back by popular demand! Sign up to receive daily texts during Lent that will prompt you with a Bible verse, thought-provoking question, and prayer. 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.
Easter Quest (March 22 at 3:00) Families will follow the map to learn about the events of Holy Week. Discover fun and adventures around every corner!
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.
Service
March 6th and 7th we need youth and parents to volunteer their time at our annual pine needle sale. This fundraiser benefits mission and programs or the youth. Please sign up today by clicking HERE.
Wednesday Small Group Bible Study
Our small group youth Lent Study will be offered Wednesday, February 25 through Wednesday, April 1. “What Makes a Hero”-We will look at pop culture heroes and others through the lens of faith. Author Matt Rawle shows how Jesus turned the concept of hero on its head. We will examine how good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and overcoming adversity are at the core to how we young Christians understand salvation. We will spend time understanding how the Bible tells quite a different victory story–where Jesus is the ultimate hero claimed through humility, obedience to the cross, and an empty tomb. Join Elizabeth Boney, Tracee Pearson, and Quanna McAlister at the Youth House each Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30.
Sunday School
Our youth Sunday School Lent Study will be offered February 15 through March 29. We will study “The Final Days” by Matt Rawle. Join Kim and Tresca for this important study that explores each gospel’s perspective of Jesus’ final days. We meet each Sunday at 10 in the Youth House.
Register for small groups here.
HOLY WEEK
Palm/Passion Sunday
April 13 | 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.
Stations for Prayer and Reflection
April 16 -20
Stations will be set up in the in the Narthex, meeting room, and prayer room. This will give you an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and ultimate sacrifice for us. Stations will be interactive and there will be stations for children too. 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, April 17 | 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, April 18 | 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, April 18 | 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, April 20 | 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, April 20 | 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!”