E-Blast!
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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E-Blast Friday, April 12, 2024 |
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The Resurrection Celebration Continues! Christ is risen from the dead and alive! We can share the good news that "we have seen the Lord!" I remember watching a little girl at her first Easter Egg Hunt. She was maybe 2 years old and had come with her grandparents. It was amazing watching the discovery on her face as she found the first egg. Her grandparents encouraged her to put it in her basket and go and look for another one... but she had other ideas.
She was so happy that she had found just one colorful egg. She looked at it and smiled. She showed off her prize to them and giggled. She looked at it again and was so happy that she had found just that one egg. She began to examine it and noticed that it would open. She wanted to see what was in this one. She wasn't bothered by the other children's activity of gathering up all the other eggs -- or what any one else was doing. She was in a world of love herself.
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 John 3 says, we are God's children. We are beloved of God as sons and daughters of God. I have a pastor friend that uses a benediction to emphasize this. She says "Beloved, be loved, be..." And it's not just us that are beloved. It's those around us and the whole of creation around us. Loved of God.
What does it mean to you to be named and claimed as a child of God? What does it mean to you that "that person over there" is also beloved of God? Then we remember, "Beloved, let us love one another. for love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4: 7
Beloved, be loved! See you along the journey!
Pastor Mary
Memorial Service for Cora G. Hinkle: On Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 AM our church will host a memorial service for Cora Hinkle in the Sanctuary. A reception and time to greet the family will be held afterward in the Fellowship Hall. Her obituary is on the website of Johnson Funeral Service www.johnsonfs.com
Called Church Council Meeting: There will be a called Church Council and Finance meeting at 9:45 AM this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall to approve a proposal for maintenance for our church building.
I will be away with the Confirmation Class and then Vacation: Next Sunday, April 21st, we will have a guest speaker. Rev. Debra Lucas will be back with us. I will be traveling with the Confirmation Class to Washington DC on retreat. After we return, I will take some vacation. I will be out of the office April 22 - 26. If you need pastoral care, please contact Karen Chamblee and she will refer you to the pastor on call, as needed.
Soup & You Fans: The next Soup & You will be April 24th - next week.
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
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Joys and answered prayers Eileen Phillips' shoulder is doing "fantastic" God's unconditional love, grace and mercy
Prayers of Sympathy for the families of Cora Hinkle Norma Landes Alan MacNutt
Current Prayer Concerns For an end to the wars in Israel and Gasa, in Ukraine and Russia, Haiti and Yemen. For innocent civilians whose lives have been upended by war. Prayers for Christian Churches around the world and for an end to terrorism and persecution of Christians. 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 all students, teachers and administrators in our schools. For our neighbors at BRC and all of us coping with the challenges of aging For those with cancer and other illnesses For all those dealing with COVID and respiratory diseases For clarity and understanding For safety for those who are travelling For our children and grandchildren, parents and grandparents - that we will all grow to love God and in respect for each other For strong family connections - more more quality time together For families dealing with depression, anxiety, mental health and addiction
Judd Baldwin (Scott Ridder's brother's F-I-L) Yvonne Darden (friend of BJ Jenkins) Harold Burkholder Wayne Kipps (Mark Kipps' father) Jennifer Conley (Tim Leach's step-sister) Frieda Mack (friend of Pastor Mary's) Julie Shipe (friend of the Newmans)
Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Kemper Dadisman Grace Fishback Betty Foley Glen Goetz Henry Graham Rodney Hildebrand Alan Hulvey Anna Keller Barbara Kiracofe Claire Leeper Doris MacDaniel Ray Michael Shirley Michael Mitzi Puffenbarger Rev Luther Ramsey Karen Ridder Joanne Simpkins Christie Smith Nancy Thomas Donald Usry |
Worship Volunteers! Thank you for Serving!
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Greeters 8:30 AM - Paul & Johna McFarland 11:00 AM - Jim & Judy Tongue
Ushers 8:30 AM - Sara & Bill Walton 11 AM - Taylor Family
Readers 8:30 AM - Ed Craun 11 AM - Jim / Judy Tongue
Audio Visual 8:30 AM - Marc Craun 11 AM - Scott Ridder
Acolytes 8:30 AM - Madelyn & Nolan & 11 AM - Taylor Family
Sanctuary Servers 8:30 AM -Sara & Bill Walton 11AM - Jim & Judy Tongue |
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DUM BUM Youth News |
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This is the day that the Lord has made and boy, is it beautiful! I hope you all caught the eclipse or at least saw a picture of it! Super cool!
I have a very important mission trip update so please read below to find out more! _____________________ UPCOMING NEWS: Friday, April 19 @ 7-9pm: Friday Night Trivia Fundraiser!! Our second annual Friday Night Trivia Fundraiser is back! We will have childcare, food, and FUN!! SIGN UP HERE!!! We will be at Dayton UMC in their fellowship hall!! WE NEED MANY MORE HANDS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN so please sign yourself or your youth up!! Also- we need snack donations! Any individual bags of chips, candy, or cans/bottles of drinks would be HIGHLY appreciated. Please text me or email me if you would like to help out with snack donations! _____________________ FUTURE PLANS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! JUNE 2: Youth Sunday!! We are looking for theme ideas! Please share any theme or other general ideas for the service HERE!!
We are going to have one service at 10am at Bridgewater, followed by a catered lunch at 11:30 at Dayton! Both churches are invited, as are extra friends and family!
IF YOU HAVE A SENIOR: Start collecting pictures for our senior slide-show! Once you have 5-8 pics, please send them to me to include!
IF YOU ARE A SENIOR: Start planning for your testimony for Youth Sunday! We would love for you to speak! You can make it what you want- even just saying who you are, where you're graduating from, and what you plan on doing after high school! If you have questions, just email/text me! MISSION TRIP UPDATE Registration deadline has come and gone and we still have extremely low numbers. With our current numbers, it just would not be feasible to travel to Pittsburgh, so I am once again looking for other options to give our youth a chance at service this summer. One option that has come up is to have a shortened, local mission trip! Think Friday-Sunday, with Friday and Saturday being work days and Sunday being worship and maybe a final lunch together? We would partner with local organizations, get our own T-Shirts, hang out together as a group, and have a bunch of fun!! We would try to stay in Dayton's Fellowship Hall, where we would have our meals, sleep, shower, hang out, etc. I am trying to make this mission trip as accessible as possible for as many youth as possible. If this sounds like something you or your youth would rather do this summer, PLEASE email me or text me ASAP. If this is the direction the DUMBUM Youth is going to go, I have got to get crack-a-lacking on partnering up with organizations! :) PLEASE let me know by next Tuesday at the latest! It would still be the original planned week- June 21-23!!
And as always, what's coming up! LOOKING AHEAD: 4/19/24: Trivia Night Fundraiser!! 5/4/24: Hike and Picnic Lunch! 6/2/24: YOUTH SUNDAY!! (please plan on joining us this day- go ahead and mark your calendars!) 6/16-21/24: Mission Trip!
Whitney |
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The Children's Clothes Closet -- part of the Great Community Give Next Wednesday, April 17th! |
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On April 17th The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is hosting the Great Community Give. For the first time ever, the Children's Clothes Closet has been selected as one of their nonprofits!
As many of you know, this non-profit spreads the love of Christ by providing free of charge clothing (newborn through grade 12), diapers, and baby supplies to families in need in our community. Since its humble beginnings at McGaheysville UMC in 1994, the organization has expanded to a new facility where they currently serve close to 1,600 children. Their mission is sustained thanks to a team of compassionate, dedicated volunteers and donations from caring individuals, businesses, and civic/faith-based organizations in the community.
Check out Support Children's Clothes Closet - Mission Central Inc. | Great Community Give to learn more about how you can help the Children's Clothes Closet as well as other local causes on April 17th.
We have selected 3 time slots or "Power Hours" where the impact of your donation can be increased as cash awards will be given to the nonprofits that raise the most dollars between these times. Our times are 7 AM - 8 AM, 11 AM - 12 PM and 5 PM - 6 PM. We appreciate your donations at any time though from 6 AM - 8 PM if these times aren't convenient for you.
Thank you and God bless! ~ Dawn Kern |
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PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH SALE to benefit Weekday Religious Education Bible Classes! Saturday, May 18 |
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The details: Saturday, May 18, 2024 Price $4.00/each Pick up at Shady Oak (next to Weavers Mennonite Church) or Delivery by Board Member Orders are due by Friday, May 10 Phone/Text Order to Ginger 540-908-7169
If you would like to help, assembly is at 8:30 at Shady Oak, next to Weavers Mennonite Church. Everyone is invited to help. |
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A note to Kingsway from an Apple Tree recipient
Thank you for your kindness, time, and compassion. We are so blessed to have people like you all around. You made Christmas brighter for my children and eased their father's mind knowing he was able to provide for his kids through you. Thank you and God bless, ~~A Thankful Mom
From Donald and Ginger Usry
One again we are reminded how our church family continues to lift us up through their prayers and many examples of caring. We've enjoyed each and every Easter greeting we received this year!! Thank you so much for continuing so be there.
From Gloria Amankwah (student at Bridgewater College)
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the help you have provided me with Your thoughtful gesture truly touched my heart, and am incredibly grateful for your kindness. I will always remember what you and the church has done for me. May God bless you. Thank you.
From Rhonda Johnson
Thank you for your generous donation of food for the Bridgewater College students during break while the dining hall was closed. Your giving above what was asked for blessed those students!! Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity!! |
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We will soon be celebrating Confirmation with three of our young people on Sunday, May 19th.
Our church has traditionally offered those on this faith journey a class for learning and a Confirmation Retreat. This year, there was no confirmation retreat that fit our needs; therefore we are planning to travel to Washington DC on April 20 & 21. We will tour the Bible Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum on Saturday and worship at the National Cathedral on Sunday morning. All of these hands-on experiences directly relate to learning about our Christian faith.
We will also be planning a celebration dinner & rehearsal on Saturday, May 18th for confirmands, their families and their mentors
We'd love for you to help! --Pray for our Confirmation Class, their families, teachers, & mentors on this exciting journey! --If you would like to help with the dinner on Saturday, May 18th - let Pastor Mary know! --If you can support our retreat financially, gifts are welcomed.
Blessings, Pastor Mary |
Birthday & Anniversary Blessings! |
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Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary April 14-20! Happy Birthday to: 16 -- Kristin Landes Shifflett 20 -- Hallie Dinkel
Happy Anniversary to: 17 --- Jon & Jessi Higgs 17 -- Tracy & Becky Wright |
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Our Calendar April 14-21, 2024 |
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SUNDAY Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM 9:45 Called Council Meeting (Fellowship Hall) Sunday School 10 AM 10 AM Confirmation Class (Library)
MON 2 PM Hope Circle (New Beginnings Classroom) 3:30 PM Creation Station Activity for Children (Fellowship Hall) 6:30 PM Love Circle (New Beginnings Classroom) 7 PM Faith Circle (Amanda Taylor's home)
WED 9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library) 6 PM Handbell Practice 7 PM Choir Practice
FRI 9 AM Front Lawn Work Day with Blue Ridge Christian School Students 7 PM DUMBUM Youth Trivia Night! Location: Dayton UMC Fellowship Hall
SAT Confirmation Class Retreat in Washington DC
NEXT SUNDAY Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM Guest Speaker Rev. Debra Lucas Confirmation Class Retreat in Washington DC |
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Contact Us |
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219 N Main Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 |
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 |
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Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Copyright 2024. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved. |
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