Call Us : 540-828-0890                Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

Devotion for this Week

Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.  ~ Mark 9:30-37

Mark 9:30-37 is in the lectionary for this week.  In our sermon series on Nehemiah, we have seen how even children were recognized as some of the builders and restorers of Jerusalem.  Here we see Jesus also recognizing the children that were near him when others overlooked them.

In the larger story, the disciples admit that they have been arguing about who is the greatest.  Jesus had tried to tell them that he would be crucified and to rise again, but scripture says they didn't understand.  Were they listening or were they arguing?  Michael W. Smith sang about this as Jesus' "secret ambition."   He sang, "Nobody knew his secret ambition was to give his life away."  It sounds like the disciples were acting like children--arguing back and forth and not listening to what Jesus is saying. 

In Jesus' day, children were very vulnerable. Think about the children that we hear about in scripture that Jesus is called on to heal.  Jesus heals several children that were seriously ill.  Children were considered a little more than property and had very difficult lives. Through the Backpack Program and through the Children's Clothing Closet, members of our church work with some kids and families who are vulnerable in our community.   

At the beginning of the school year, our Backpack Ministry started again for the 2024-2025 season.  Each week, we shop for, pack, and deliver about 50 packages of food for children over the weekend. These meals go to children who rely on school breakfasts and lunches for their food for the week and would otherwise have little or no food resources over the weekend.  We provide cereal, soups, pudding and jello, mac and cheese, snacks and more.

Scripture teaches us, and Jesus leads us, that we must pay attention to the vulnerable among us.  This could be children, people with disabilities, the elderly, or those who are sick.  It could be people who Americans or from another country.  And we don't need to be afraid to ask our hard questions.  Jesus shows us the way. 

Pastor Mary 

Worship Notes

Our Worship time is changing to 10 AM!  Your responses to the Worship Committee's survey were very positive for the 10 AM service and, after discussion, our Church Council adopted the Worship Committee's recommendation that we continue to worship together at 10 AM.  Thank you for your input and support! 

THIS SUNDAY, September 22nd, our guest speaker will be Jomo Johnson, our new DUMBUM Youth Director!  Jomo holds a Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary.  He combines his theological training with a passion for youth ministry.  Jomo, we look forward to hearing you preach!  Pastor Mary will be away for the weekend and will return on Monday!

Looking Ahead, October 6th will be World Communion Sunday!  

We are praying that all of the events and activities will be uplifting to you, your family, friends, and our community as we together lift Jesus high and spread his name and his love to all that we meet.  

We welcome you to join us this Sunday in person or online!  You can access our live stream from the website (www.bridgewaterumc.com).  Click on "Sermons" and then "Live Steam."  You may also join us directly on YouTube at Bridgewater UMC Virginia and click on the LIVE tab.   

To God by the Glory!  Pastor Mary

Thank you to everyone who made our Steel Candey Brass Band Concert & Cookout a success!  Thank you especially to Wyatt Smith and the Steel Candey Brass Band!  We had about 100 people in attendance with church members and guests!  Thank you for supporting our BC students (and one alumni)!  Thank you to everyone who donated food and funds.  We also raised some money for immediate community needs.  

Joys and answered prayers

Jonathan Lamb's mother and father are doing much better

Marriage of Anna Kern and Mikey Towson on 9/14

Honor Flight 9/28 for Kemper Dadisman (Vietnam era Vet)

We give thanks for God's grace and mercy

Prayers of sympathy for the family of:

Elmer Michael  (9/14)

Current Prayer Concerns

For peace and civility in our country and in the world, for all humanity.  For peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.

For the United Methodist Church and BUMC - its community service, its leaders  and its future.  For all churches around the world.

For our nation and all those in government.

People affected by natural disasters and for those helping them

For BC and all college students, especially those needing financial aid.  For those making decisions on financial aid.

For all students, teachers and administrators in our schools.  Students and staff at Harrisonburg, Rocktown, Luray (threats)

For those with cancer and other illnesses and for their caregivers

For the health of our senior church family

For safe travels this summer

For our children and grandchildren and our families and friends

For all of the active duty members of our armed forces, military veterans and for our first responders.

For families dealing with depression, anxiety, mental illness and addiction

Beverly

Tommy Jenkins

Charlotte Lawrence

Scott Ridder

Stan Shifflett

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Danielle Bennington

Harold Burkholder

Grace Fishback

Joanne Fisher

Betty Foley

Glen Goetz

Henry and Dorice Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Bob Holden

Anna Keller

Barbara Kiracofe

Doris MacDaniel

Ray Michael

Shirley Michael

Rev Luther Ramsey

Karen Ridder

Joanne Simpkins

Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas

Marcia and Gary Tyeryar

Donald Usry

Greeters 

Leach Family

Ushers

Dawn & Chuck Kern

Reader

Dan Plecker

Audio Visual

Sam Briggs

Acolytes

Sydney Leach & Reese Leach

Sanctuary Servers

Jim & Judy Tongue

Our Administrative Assistant, Michelle Weaver, completed her time with us this week. The BUMC SPRC presented her a gift on behalf of our congregation, but I know that many of you would like to send her your thanks and good wishes as well. You can send your cards to her at 2633 Fadley Road Bridgewater, VA 22812. Thank you! - Dawn Kern, SPRC Chair

With Michelle Weaver's departure, the SPRC is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant serves as the assistant to the pastoral staff in all areas of ministry, acting as the voice and face of the church to all of its public encounters. The Administrative Assistant manages all activities of the church office and performs administrative duties related to the church's mission and ministry. Hours are 9 AM - 2 PM (2:30 PM if a lunch break is taken) Monday - Thursday for a total of 20 hours/week. Additional hours may be required on occasion to attend staff meetings or Church Council meetings. For additional information or any questions, please contact Dawn Kern, SPRC Chair, at dfkrdms61@gmail.com. Thank you.

Clay Ellis Family of Mt. Solon, VA will present a program of Gospel Music

September 29, 2024 - 11 AM

Emmanuel Church of the Brethren

411 Emmanuel Church Road, Mt. Solon, VA

A Carry-In Meal will Follow the Program

You are Invited!!

Court Square Theater & JoeBob Productions present

"Can't Feel At Home"

an original play by Dr. John T. Glick

Adapted and Directed by Stanley W. Swartz

October 3-5 @ 7:30 PM

October 5th and 6th @ 3:00 PM

The story of families displaced from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1930's

to allow for the construction of the Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive

Tickets:  $25 advanced, $30 at door

courtsquaretheater.org

Your gift is already helping our hungry brothers and sisters!  Thank you for your $600 gift.  Already, your gift provided health and hope while putting healthy, nourishing food on the tables of individuals and families who are struggling to get by.  Partnering with The Society of St. Andrew, you engage volunteer gleaners in hands-on mission and service; you help send truckloads of fruits and vegetables to areas where they are most needed; you support local feeding agencies in every area of the country; and you reduce food waster -- all as you follow Jesus's command to feed the hungry.

Call for Youth and College Volunteers!

Dayton Days is Coming October 5th! 

Join us for the Dayton Days Soup Fundraiser on October 4th and 5th and be part of something special! We will be making soup at Dayton UMC on Friday evening, October 4th.  Then, we will sell jars of soup at Dayton Days on Saturday, October 5th!  We're looking for energetic volunteers to help make our Soup Fundraiser the best yet.

Select a 3-hour shift and lend a hand!  
Friday, October 4th: 4 PM - 7 PM  
Saturday, October 5th: Shifts available from 6 AM - 5 PM

This is a great opportunity to serve, meet new people, and support a good cause... youth missions!

  
Text Jomo, our youth director, at 240-328-5847 to sign up and schedule your shift. 

Let's make Dayton Days amazing together!

**Youth: Don't forget our zoom check-in Sundays at 7:00 PM!**

Hi, kiddos and family! Joey here! Thank you for joining and welcoming me to our Children's Ministry! I just wanted to share what is coming up for us!

THIS Sunday, September 22, 11 AM:  Fall Art & Pizza

11:00 am - 12:00 pm, fall art, cards, and Dominos Pizza!  

Come out as we make fall posters to decorate our Church, make cards for people on our Prayer List, and eat some Dominos Pizza together!

Saturday, October 12: Potato Bar Dinner & Cider & S'mores

Before the Church Cider & S'mores event, kids and family are invited to come to a baked potato bar dinner in the Fellowship Hall! Kiddos will get to help serve family members at our baked potato bar, and then enjoy the meal themselves! Then, everyone is invited to go out and enjoy Cider & S'mores!

Bridgewater Community Halloween, Sunday afternoon at Oakdale Park: (date TBD)

The Children's Ministry Team and Pastor Mary will be teaming up to wear costumes and host a table where we can pass out candy to community members! Our kiddos can walk around the track to get candy and then help pass some out at our table if they want!

Looking ahead to our Children's Program for Christmas!

We will be having our Children's Christmas Program as part of a Service for a Sunday in Advent. We will rehearse with the kiddos during the Sunday School hour for a few of the weeks in November and early December, leading up to Christmas. More details are coming!

Thank you, and may God bless us, everyone!  Joey

Happy Birthday to:

22 - Debbie Robinson

22 - Christopher Landes

23 - Brockie Hall

23 - Angela Carrier

24 - Chris Runion

24 - Brian Kenney

25 - Tony Mancari

25 - Brook Hemmis

25 - Davis Higgs

26 - Cheryl Rieman

26 - Athena Hess

28 - Dakota Higgs

**Please Note our Worship time at 10 AM**

SUN     8:30 AM Fourth Sunday Coffee

             9 AM Sunday School for All Ages

             10 AM Worship - Jomo Johnson, Guest Speaker

             11 AM Pizza & Fall Art - Children's Event

             11 AM Youth to Kline's with Jomo

              1:30 PM Lead Worship at White Birch

              7  PM Youth Zoom Call

MON      8 AM - 2 PM Kitchen / Fellowship Hall Reserved

WED     9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library)

              6 PM Handbell Practice

              7 PM Choir Rehearsal

NEXT SUNDAY

          9 AM Sunday School for All Ages

         10 AM Worship 

          7 PM Youth Zoom Call

Bridgewater UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!  

219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

Copyright 2024. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved.