Announcements
Holy Week at Carter Memorial UMC
We invite you to walk with us through the story of Holy Week as we remember Christ’s love, sacrifice, and resurrection. Join us for worship and reflection during this sacred season.
Palm Sunday Service
Let us celebrate together, shouting Hosanna and waving palm branches as we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This joyful service begins our Holy Week journey.
Maundy Thursday Service
Hear the stories and reflect on Jesus’ last night with His disciples. This moving service offers a meaningful time of worship, remembrance, and preparation for the events of Good Friday and Easter.
Good Friday Service
This year, we will join Christ Episcopal Church, Needham Congregational Church, and First Parish Unitarian Universalist for a shared service centered on the Seven Last Sayings of Jesus. All are invited to gather in worship as we remember Christ’s death and the hope of resurrection.
Easter Sunday Service
Come and worship as we celebrate the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. Easter Sunday is a time of hope, renewal, and victory in Christ, and we would love for you to join us.
Easter Egg Hunt
Following the Easter Sunday service, children are invited to enjoy a fun Easter Egg Hunt in the front yard. It will be a joyful time for families as we continue celebrating the good news of Easter together.
Carter is a diverse community of faith grounded in scripture, experience, tradition, and reason. Sunday services are in our Needham sanctuary at 10:00 am and live-streamed on social media. Our service is a blend of both traditional and contemporary worship styles that we hope you find uplifting, fulfilling, and comfortable! To get a preview of what worshiping with us is like, visit our Sermons page to view an example of a recent service
Catch our services at the following times:
- Wednesday: 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
- Friday: 1:00 p.m.
- Comcast: 9
- Verizon: 29
- RCN: 15
Needham Cable Schedule
Sunday, March 15
4th Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. Bell Rehearsal
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:30 a.m. Rise Against Hunger Event
6:30 p.m. Al-Anon
Tuesday, March 17
10:00 a.m. Knitting Group
8:00 p.m. AA
Wednesday, March 18
9:00 a.m. CCC Professional Day
6:30 p.m. GPS
Thursday, March 19
7:00 p.m. PS96
7:45 p.m. Choir
Friday, March 20
6:30 p.m. AA, PM Hall
Saturday, March 21
7:30 a.m. CNS Indoor Sale
10:00 a.m. Piano Studio
6:00 p.m. Family Movie Night
Sunday, March 22
5th Sunday in Lent
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:30 a.m. Bell Rehearsal
6:30 p.m. Al-Anon
Family Movie Night
Join us Saturday, March 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room for a fun movie night! We will be showing the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch. Come enjoy a wonderful evening of fellowship, snacks, and a great film together.
Sundays at 10:00 a.m. - In-Person & Live-Streaming
Join us each Sunday morning for worship in our Needham sanctuary or from home via our live-stream. Our services blend traditional and contemporary elements, offering an uplifting and welcoming experience for all.
Worship with Children
Families are always welcome at Carter. Children (through 7th grade) remain in the sanctuary until the Time for Young Christians, after which they are invited to Sunday School. Children are also welcome to stay with you throughout the entire service if you prefer.
Worship Online
If you're joining us from home, you can watch live or view past services anytime. Visit our Sermons page, or find us on Facebook and YouTube to worship with us online.
Carter is a diverse community of faith grounded in Scripture, tradition, reason, and lived experience. We invite you to join us—whether in the pews or online—and discover the warmth of our community and the spirit of our worship.
Rise Against Hunger
On Sunday, March 15, we invite you to join us after worship for our annual Rise Against Hunger meal?packing event—a joyful, hands?on service opportunity for all ages. Before we begin packing, we'll share a pizza lunch together, and childcare will be available afterward during cleanup.
Carter Book Group has 3 selections for 2026
The Carter Book Group will be reading these books this year
- March 25: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
- May 27: A Gospel of Hope by Walter Brueggemann
- October 28: Rough Sleepers by Dr. Jim O'Connell.
There are a few copies of each book available to borrow from the Volunteer Room. We hope you can join us for our discussions at 9:30 in the Parlor. Please reach our to Lynn Rodman if you have any questions.
Carter Memorial United Methodist Church is pleased to offer two $1,000 Community Service Scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to continue their education at a college, university, accredited trade school, or alternative educational program.
Applicants must reside in Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Dover, Norwood, Westwood, or Newton. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and a desire to serve others.
These scholarships are funded through proceeds from the annual Carter Church Pumpkin Patch, as a way of thanking the community for its continued support.
View the Scholarship Application Form (PDF)
(document opens in a new window)
Completed applications must be submitted to the church office no later than noon on Thursday, May 14 and must include all required supporting documents.
Applicants will be notified of the committee's decision by Saturday, June 6.
For more information, contact the church office via our secure contact form.
— Carter Memorial UMC Missions & Service Team
LENTEN STUDY FOR ADULTS
Soup & Spirit: Lenten Study for Adults
Tuesdays, February 24 – March 24 | 6:00 p.m.
Carter Memorial United Methodist Church
Join us for Soup & Spirit, a meaningful Lenten study series combining warm soup, thoughtful conversation, and spiritual growth.
This year's adult study will focus on Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Rueben P. Job. In this insightful and accessible work, Job offers a modern interpretation of John Wesley's General Rules, calling us toward a deeper, more intentional daily walk with God.
Through the book and accompanying DVD teachings by the author, we will explore the simple—but challenging—guidelines:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.
Together, we'll reflect on how these timeless principles invite us into lives of mutual respect, unity, and faithful discipleship.
Books are available for $7 at the church.
Please click HERE to register if you plan to attend.
All are welcome — come nourish both body and spirit this Lenten season.
At Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, the Generic Ministry Drive is underway, inviting members and attendees to contribute essential items to support those in need.
A dedicated bin stationed in the narthex awaits donations.
Help Our Folks Stay dry and warm this season!
We are collecting high-need items in adult sizes, all in clean, usable condition, to help keep our neighbors warm and protected this season. Items needed include sweatpants, hoodies (no zippers), zippered waterproof winter coats, jeans (sizes 36 and smaller), belts, suitcases with working zippers and wheels, backpacks, and sleeping bags. A collection bin is located in the narthex for your donations. Thank you for your generosity and support.
Through collective generosity, the Carter Memorial community endeavors to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals facing various challenges.
We are offering a separate Sunday School class for older children. Meeting in PM Hall, we plan to offer more challenging and fun activities around the week's Bible lesson. We also need more teachers to staff this to keep up with our increasing number of children (Hooray!). Please see Tim or a member of the Children's Ministry Team. You can also sign up online to help.
Join us for Sunday School at 11:45 am
Our youth program at Carter offers a nurturing environment for kids in 6th through 12th grades to grow together in their faith and commitment to Christ. Weekly youth Sunday school offers a space for middle and high school students to engage Scripture, ask questions, share experiences, work through problems, and foster a personal, relevant faith.
Youth Group
In addition to weekly Sunday school, our youth have several opportunities to connect. One of the core tenets of our youth development approach is getting youth engaged in mission and outreach as a way to better understand and engage with the world around them.
"The yarn forms the stitches, the knitting forges the friendships, the craft links the generations."
The Knitting Group gathers on the first and third Tuesday mornings of each month from 10:00 am until Noon in the Volunteer Office.
Join in the fellowship and fun. All are welcome!
Questions? Call Cindy Vietor at 781-235-2090.
Bread of Life is Carter's meal ministry, offering a meal to any who comes. Whether needing food, fellowship, or community and the love of God, Bread of Life welcomed all to a home-cooked meal.
Before the pandemic, Bread of Life met on the first and third Tuesday evenings with a fellowship time, music, and service with a smile. Volunteers set up, cooked, served, and cleaned up each meal, including Carter members, community friends, and teens learning about community service. Costs were paid through free-will donations and Mission funds.
We are currently working to bring our kitchen up to the new requirements of Needham Public Health. When that work is done, we hope to restart the ministry.
If you would like to help with Bread of Life, please contact Beth Henrich at brhenrich@yahoo.com to volunteer. We will keep you all up to date on our progress and plans.