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Devotion - Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem[a] on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

                                                     --Deuteronomy 6:6-9--

When I was a teenager, my parents graciously let me decorate my bedroom the way that I wanted.  In my case, this meant nearly wallpapering the pink painted walls with posters, original artwork, lyrics to songs and other random things that inspired me.  There was a lot of scotch tape involved!  I remember I had this large poster of Opus from Bloom County, Far Sides, and other comic strips--Cathy, Garfield, and For Better for Worse.  Can you tell I was a teen of the 80's?  I wasn't in to rock band posters, those weren't there.  More likely, there would be drawings of trees a friend and I had created.

From the moment I first read The Prayer of St. Francis, it was posted on my bedroom door. Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 talks about scripture that should be "written on our doorposts." What are those scriptures that you have "as a sign on your hand"?  What about... 

Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my shepherd.  I shall not want."

Matthew 22:37 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 

This prayer has always inspired me - read, written, sung or prayed many times over.  It's a good one to let wash over us during this season in our nation and in our world.  Like scripture, this prayer continues to unfold meaning and action the more you let it sink into your mind, heart and soul.  So, here it is again...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

May we be blessed & continue to find ways to allow God to use us as instruments of peace in this season and in every season of our lives. 

Pastor Mary

Worship Notes

Please continue to share the good news that worship time is at 10 AM & invite friends and neighbors to Sunday School at 9 AM and joyful, meaningful worship at 10 AM! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Society of St Andrew hands-on mission project last Sunday.  We packed 250 envelopes of beet seeds. SOSA give the seeds to farmers who grow the beets and then share them with friends and neighbors (they don't sell them).  What a plan!  We also learned a lot about beets!  Chesley was amazing!

This Sunday, we begin our Stewardship Focus with a series of videos prepared by congregation members and our Stewardship Committee.  Our Stewardship theme is "Giving Back to Christ."  This is a 4th Sunday, and we will be having a 4th Sunday luncheon at 11:00 AM with hot dogs and "Church Auction BBQ."  Hope to see you there!  

Next Sunday, November 3rd is All Saints' Day!  If you have a loved one in your family who passed away since November 1, 2023, please let us know!  We will share in Holy Communion and remember our loved ones. 

Veterans Day is coming...!  We will honor and remember our Veterans on the second Sunday in November... if you have a Veteran in your family or active duty military member... please let us know!  We would love to recognize them!

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.  

To God by the Glory!  Pastor Mary

Dear Friends,

It is quite an honor and a privilege to serve as your Pastor!  Its so amazing to be part of a loving & active church that does so many things to reach out to our community and beyond!  I enjoy knowing you and the connections we have built these last few years.  Thank you for all the expressions of love I have received for Pastor Appreciation month.  What a mighty God we serve!

Thank you!  Pastor Mary

The Annual UWF Salad Supper will be held on Mon, Oct 21 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  All women of the church & guests are invited to bring a salad or dish to share.  Its an evening of good fellowship, good food, & door prizes.  Our speakers will be Paula Ford & associates of Kingsway Ministries. They will talk about their everyday work & the Apple Tree Project, which we support at Christmas.

Kingsway is collecting tubes of toothpaste (individually boxed 4 oz to 6 oz only) and also full sized bars of soap.  These can be brought to the Salad Supper.  Donations will also be appreciated.  Any checks can be made out to Kingsway Outreach.  

Hope to see you there!  ~ The Circle of Love

Hey everyone!

Halloween Youth Party!  
Date: October 31st     Time: 5 PM to 7 PM  

Location:  Dayton Fellowship Hall

Were looking for 10 teens to help host this exciting event! Join us for live music featuring a local band, uplifting gospel songs, delicious candy pizza, and an encouraging message. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed up and ready for a good time!

Important Reminder: Youth Retreat Sign-Up Deadline!
Date: November 7th  
Dont miss out on this amazing retreat! For more details, check out the link: https://vaumc.org/event/vaumc-youth-fall-retreat/). The sign-up fee is $150, but dont worryscholarships are available to help cover costs. Make sure to RSVP by emailing Dumbumyouth@gmail.com!

We cant wait to see you all at these events!

Blessings,  Jomo
DUMBUM Youth Group   (240) 328-5897          dumbumyouth@gmail.com

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

Sunday, October 26 2 - 4 PM: Bridgewater Community Halloween @ Oakdale Park

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

Ordinary Moments.  Extraordinary God.

Please join us as we grow in our understanding of our extraordinary God!

Event:  LIFT - Ladies Inspirational Fellowship Time

Place: Dayton UMC, 215 Ashby St, Dayton

Date: Sat, November 2, 2024

Cost: $20 per person, includes Breakfast and Lunch

Time: Doors open at 8 AM, Program from 9 AM to 2 PM

Bring a gift to put in a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. 

Annual Fall Festival at Emmanuel Church of the Brethren

411 Emmanuel Church Rd, Mt Solon

Saturday, October 26  8 am - 1 pm 

Crafts, Vendors, Children's Activities

Breakfast and Lunch Served

For more info, call 540-350-2701

A evening of food, fellowship, testimonies, generosity, and music by Clymer & Kurtz

$65 per person, $440 for table of eight

Doors open at 4:30 for silent auction; dinner at 5:30 

Bluestone Vineyard, 4828 Spring Creek Rd, Bridgewater

RSVP by October 25 by purchasing a digital ticket or contacting Bridges of Hope

https://hr.bridgeofhopeinc.org/

Happy Birthday to:

27 - Patrick Landes

28 - Ansley Leach

29 - Marcia Tyeryar

30 - Becky Miller, Justin Aker

31 - Delaney Powell

\Nov 1 - Kirk Rainey

A couple last shot(s)... DUMBUMs at TA Football!!

SUNDAY         9 AM Sunday School for All Ages

                      10 AM Worship

                      11 AM Luncheon - Hot Dogs &  Church Auction BBQ

                                  OCC Shipping Fundraiser - Goal $1,000

                      1:30 PM Worship with White Birch

                      7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

WED              9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                      6 PM Handbell Practice

                      7 PM Choir Rehearsal

NEXT SUNDAY  All Saints Day

                   9 AM Sunday School for All Ages

                  10 AM Worship

                   3 PM Charge Conference Satellite Location (Sanctuary)

                   7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

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

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