Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com
|
E-Blast Friday, April 19, 2024
|
Bears repeating: Take a deep breath. Pause.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his names sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. (Psalm 23)
There is that song that says, "Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes you're the bug."
There is a reason that people like that song! We identify with it!
There are times that we feel like the bug. Small. Insignificant. Trying to fly but stuff gets in our way or just smacks us in the face! I just opened my computer to send our EBlast and it said, "Working on updates... 0% there." Some days are "0% there" days. Right? Your brain is 0% there, your body is 0% there, you have 1,000 things to do and, try as your might, you are 0% there.
Thank goodness that sometimes we're the windshield, right? If I had to say, I guess that means that sometimes you are getting through "all the things" and the wind is breezing in your hair. Things are clear and you know which way you are going. Yes!
Thursday afternoon I was sitting in my office, just getting praise reports! It was a "windshield" moment.
Candy Martin (Cora Hinkle's daughter) texted me to say that Mark got a great report from the doctor and please thank the church for their prayers. "Because of your prayers..." Candy wrote.
I had a note on my desk from dear Philippa (one of our BC students attending our church) thanking our church for helping to her celebrate her Birthday recently!
Scott Ridder wrote to say that Gary Tyeryar came through surgery and would be headed home that night.
The Children's Clothes Closet raised $7,000 + in the Great Community Give! (see below)
And I was preparing for a mini-mission project with Blue Ridge Christian School. Yes, about that... This morning, we had 16 second graders and 5 teachers and parents come to do some weeding and cleaning out the window wells. They loved digging out the onions and were fascinated by a walnut that had split and sprouted a tree. We found a snail, a frog, earthworms, and an Easter Egg! We had a blast planting pansies and marigolds in front of the church. It was so wonderful to be with young people building a life of service.
AND our confirmands are off on retreat tomorrow to learn even more about their faith at The Bible Museum, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Cathedral. (Can you say a prayer for us? :) )
AND AND AND our church is gathering at General Conference next week to order the United Methodist Church for the future.
AND AND AND AND there are plenty more praise reports that didn't hear about or report.
Isn't it wonderful to stand on God's promises and remember that we are not "0% there" or small or insignificant and that no matter what we hear or see or read or watch, "The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need." and "Surely... SURELY goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..."
If you get caught up in it this week... take a breath. And give Psalm 23 a read.
A little course correction:
Last week, I told you about a friend of mine who used the benediction "Beloved, be loved, be..." I remembered that it goes like this, "Beloved, be loved, be love, be..." It comes from Rev. Kim Barker-Brugman who is a pastor in Lawrenceville.
Beloved, be loved!
Pastor Mary
I will be away with the Confirmation Class and then Vacation: This Sunday, April 21st, we will have a guest speaker. Rev. Debra Lucas will be 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.
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
|
Worship Volunteers! Thank you for Serving!
Sunday, April 21
|
Greeters
8:30 AM - Gloria Hildebrand
11:00 AM - Karen Chamblee & Kari Palmer
Ushers
8:30 AM - Don & Jason Gilkeson
11 AM - Stephanie & Jim Hiiggs
Readers
8:30 AM - Gloria Hildebrand
11 AM - Karen Chamblee
Audio Visual
8:30 AM - Scott Ridder
11 AM - Mark Kipps
Acolytes
8:30 AM - Madelyn & Nolan
11 AM - Davis Higgs & David Kipps
Sanctuary Servers
8:30 AM - Kathi Hemmis
11AM - Laura & Tony Mancari
|
Last week the Trustees Committee met and approved interior and exterior painting and repairs for the church with Black Brother's painting. The estimate for exterior painting is $13,000 and interior $5,600. This is at cost or $35 per hour. In addition a lift will be required at an estimated cost of $2,000.
Due to warmer weather and needing to be scheduled for the capital improvements this summer, a called Council and Finance meeting took place this past Sunday at 9:45 AM. The Finance committee provided that $18,681 is in the Building Fund and $1,160 is left in the Brick Restoration Funds to cover some of these expenses. The Trustees recommendation was approved unanimously.
However, we still need to raise funds to complete this project. Anyone wishing to assist with this important church restoration, please designate to the Building Fund. Any questions can be directed to Gregg Kiracofe.
Blessings to you all,
Scott Ridder, Council Chair
|
|
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:
We are hosting our own local mission trip!! Be on the lookout soon for sign-ups and what-to-expects as we start planning but mark your calendars for June 21-23 at Dayton UMC and join us!! More info to come!
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!)
6/21-23/24: Mission Trip!
Whitney
|
BUMC Financial Snapshot Month End
|
General & Designated Fund Income
|
General & Designated
Fund Expenses
|
As you can see, we are showing a positive balance at the end of the first quarter. This is being accomplished by holding back a portion of our Conference Apportionments in the amount of $6,888.
|
|
We received a letter from a 3-person Christian family (including a "special needs adult") who are relocating to the area and looking for a home to rent. The letter and more information is on the Community Board.
|
The Circle of Love is selling carnations as their annual fundraiser.
Purchase a carnation in memory (white) or in honor (red) of your mother or other special women in your life.
There will be a table in the breezeway with order forms and envelopes. Please place your order with payment in the envelope and place it in the basket. The carnations are $2.00 each, paid by cash or checks made out to BUWF (Bridgewater United Women in Faith).
May 8 is the last day you can order. The carnations will be in the church on Mothers Day, May 12.
Thank you. -Circle of Love
|
PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH SALE
to benefit Weekday Religious Education Bible Classes!
Saturday, May 18
|
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.
|
Thank you and Praise Report from the Children's Clothes Closet!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Children's Clothes Closet through the Great Community Give on April 17th. Donations totaling around $7,000 were given and we also received the Brunch Bunch Power Hour Prize of $700. These donations will help us to continue spreading the love of Christ through clothing, socks & underwear, shoes, diapers and other necessities for families in need in our community. As Artie, the director of the Closet, always says God does provide!
Thanks again! Dawn Kern
|
We will soon be celebrating Confirmation with three of our young people on
Sunday, May 19th: Reese Leach, Sydney Leach, and Chloe Higgs!
A significant part of the Confirmation journey is a spiritual 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!
|
Happy Birthday April 21-27!
Happy Birthday to:
23 -- Colton McDorman
25 -- Nolan Gilkeson
25 -- Zach Davis
26 -- Rita David
26 -- Laura hall
27 -- Chandler Wright
|
|
Our Calendar
April 14-21, 2024
|
SAT Confirmation Class Retreat in Washington DC
SUNDAY
Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM
Guest Speaker Rev. Debra Lucas
Sunday School for All Ages
Confirmation Class Retreat in Washington DC
THIS WEEK - Pastor Mary on vacation
If you have a pastoral care need, please call Karen Chamblee.
Karen can refer you to the pastor on call, as needed.
WED 9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library)
12 PM Soup & You
6 PM Handbell Practice
7 PM Choir Practice
NEXT SUNDAY Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM
Sunday School for All Ages
4th Sunday Coffee
Confirmation Class
New Member Gathering
|
Bridgewater UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
|
219 N Main Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812
|
Copyright 2024. {organization_name}, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
