E-Blast!

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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Friday, May 23, 2025

A Christian Memorial Day Prayer

Gracious God,

On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace.

In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe.

We ask this through your name.

- Author Unknown

Hello everyone!

Please take the time to read our E-Blast with Church news and opportunities for service below! We have information about the UWF (United Women in Faith) Spring Banquet, Water Wars at Oakdale Park for Children & Youth, Project Healing Waters Silent Auction, and much more.

Good news for our Upper Room fans!! If you have not already, pick up your May-June Upper Room! Both the large print and small print Upper Rooms have arrived and are near the entryway doors.

Tuesday E-Devotions coming... We will be starting a series of Tuesday devotions written by Joey Capuano called, "JesusTime." Be on the lookout for those in the coming weeks!

Children's Church - There will be no Children's Church this Sunday, May 25th. If anyone is willing to lead this time for our children in the months of June & July, please see Pastor Mary. It is from about 9:15 or 9:20 AM to 11 AM on Sunday mornings. (Our Children's Church staff is away for the summer.)

Remember that Easter wasn't the ending but the beginning!

Let's grow together in 2025! Blessings, Pastor Mary

Please continue to share the good news that our worship time is at 10 AM.

Keep inviting friends & neighbors to Sunday School at 9 AM & joyful, meaningful worship at 10 AM!

Joys and answered prayers

Stephany Plecker went back to work on Monday, May 19th.

Thank you God for the love of Jesus, our church, our family and our friends
We give thanks for God's grace and mercy

Prayers of sympathy for the family of:
Mary Jo Evans (Phil Evans' brother's wife)

Current Prayer Concerns:

Joe Biden

Donald Brownlee

Gregg Kiracofe
Ann Shower

Betty Wenzi

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Georgia Lee Byerly

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Henry and Dorice Graham

Casey Hartman

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Barbara Kiracofe

Dorothy Lion

Doris MacDaniel

Ray Michael

Stephany Plecker

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Luther Ramsey

Joanne Simpkins

Bonnie Snook

Sandra Stroud

Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas

Gary and Marcia Tyeryar

Donald Usry

Doris Waters

For the people affected by natural disasters and the people helping them

For our nation, the decisions of the new administration, congress and the courts; and may God bless America

For peace in Ukraine and the Middle East and for all of the people living there

May there be peace on earth, and may it begin with us

For Bridgewater UMC - for growth in spirit and faith

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

Our children and grandchildren and our families and friends

For college, high school, middle school and elementary students - for their learning and grades

For better health and more strength. For successful medical treatments

For patience. For strength to spread the gospel even when it's hard

Help us to put God first in everything we do

Those who think that God has deserted them in the midst of today's world circumstances

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

For less death in our family, for peace and grace in facing grief and loss

Those who are mourning or afraid and for all those fighting cancer

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, May 25, 2025 (4th Sun)

Greeters Leach Family

Ushers Dick & Janice Harper

Reader Shadrach Baako-Amponsah

Audio-Visual Sam Briggs

Acolytes Sydney & Reese Leach

Sanctuary Servers Don & Sue Gilkeson

You're Invited!
Celebrate Chuck & Dawn Kern
Sunday, June 1st-following the 10am Service for a potluck-style lunch in the BUMC Fellowship Hall
Join us as we celebrate Chuck & Dawn Kern and all the ways they’ve served and inspired our church community! While the Kerns are moving (not too far!), we know we won’t be seeing them quite as often—so let’s gather together to show our appreciation and love.
What to Expect:
• Potluck & Social Time – Bring a dish to share!
• Children’s Clothing Drive – In honor of Chuck & Dawn, we’ll be collecting new and gently used children's clothing for our Children’s Clothing Closet.
Let’s send the Kerns off with joy, gratitude, and full hearts. See you there!

Thank you from Don & Jo Ellen Bowman

Thank you to the church family for the prayers and lovely cards sent for the loss of our mother, Doris Bowman.

Thank you from the Pleckers
Dear Church family,
Thank you for all your prayers, cards, calls, love and support following Stephany's fall, hospitalization and recovery. We could feel the power of prayer and your support made a very difficult time a little easier. Thanks again,
Stephany and Dan Plecker

Thank You from Dorice & Henry Graham
We appreciate all of your cards and support through our recent move.

Our Community Place Donations for this spring's drive

Since the beginning of April, our congregation donated a total of the following supplies:

27 bottles of shampoo & conditioner

77 bars of soap & bottles of body wash

163 razors & cans of shaving cream

126 tubes of toothpaste & toothbrushes, plus 12 toothbrush covers

7 packs of stick/regular dental floss

38 tubes of lotion and lip balm

28 packs of feminine hygiene products

UMCOR Hygiene Kits for Conference

The United Women in Faith will be collecting items for the Hygiene Kits again this year. A box will be in the hallway until May 29th for your donations. Feel free to complete your own kits also. A list of items and how to assemble them is below and on the reading cart. The completed kits will be taken to Vision of Hope UMC in Harrisonburg for collection by UMCOR.

Thank you for your support of this important mission!

Hygiene Kit Materials
• One hand towel (15 x 25 –17 x 27 inches)
No kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels
• One washcloth
No kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels
• One comb
Must be sturdy with at least 4-7 inches of teeth.
No pocket combs or picks
Rattail and combs without handles are acceptable but must have at least 4-7 inches of teeth.
• One toenail or fingernail clipper
No emery boards or metal nail files
• Bath-size soap (3 oz. bar or larger)
No Ivory or Jergen’s soap
Do not remove from packaging.
• One adult toothbrush
Do not remove from packaging.
Personal advertising not acceptable
• 10 adhesive bandages (¾ by 3 inches)
Common household bandages acceptable
• One one-gallon size re-sealable bag
*Do not add toothpaste when assembling kits

Assembly Instructions
• Lay hand towel flat on a table.
• Lay the washcloth in the center of the hand towel.
• Place all remaining items on top of the washcloth (except the plastic bag).
• Fold the sides of the hand towel to cover the items.
• Grasp the bundle tightly and roll over the remainder of the towel.
• Place the tightly rolled bundle in the plastic bag, remove air, and seal.
Important Notes
• All items must be new.
• Do not wash any of the items as they will no longer be considered new.
• Do not include any personal notes, money, or additional materials in the kits.
• Contents of kits or the containers of kits should not be imprinted with cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols.
Packing Instructions
• Please send a single check to the Sager Brown Depot or the affiliate warehouse that will receive your donation of hygiene kits.
• The check amount should cover the total number of kits times $2.00 for the cost of toothpaste and shipping.
• Do not place check inside the box of hygiene kits. Please mail under a separate cover. On the memo line indicate that the funds are a donation to cover costs associated with relief supply kits.

Camp Overlook Reminder It’s time to register for camp! Call or email: (540) 269-2267 or campoverlook@gmail.com, or visit campoverlook.com. There are a few brochures left under the BUMC Kids bulletin board

We love to celebrate the achievement of our graduates! If you or someone in your family is graduating from High School and beyond (associates, college, university, grad school, trade school...) please let us know! We would like to have the grad's name, relationship to you, their contact information, name of their school, the degree, and a picture. Please provide the information to Robin in the church office. Congratulations, grads!

BUMC Youth Group Presents:
Water Wars & BBQ - Coming May 31st

Hey Bridgewater/Dayton UMC Youth!

Bridgewater UMC Presents: Water Wars & BBQ!
Date: Saturday, May 31
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Bridgewater Community Park (Oakdale Park)
Get ready for a splash-filled afternoon of fun!
Join us for:
• An epic water balloon fight
• Slip-n-slide kickball
• All-out super soaker battle
• Games and Music
• Food
After the fun, enjoy a BBQ-style dinner for all guests—families, kids, and friends welcome!
Bring:
• Swimsuits or clothes you don’t mind getting soaked
• Towels
• A fun and friendly spirit!

Zoom Check-in Every Sunday at 7 PM

Don't forget our check-in Sunday evenings at 7 PM. Contact Jomo if you need the link!

Blessings, Jomo Johnson (240) 328-5847 dumbumyouth@gmail.com

Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families!

BUMC would like to welcome Gracen Kelley as the Children's Minister beginning July 1, 2025! You will already recognize Gracen as a familiar face as she is currently in charge of our children's church/nursery program here at BUMC. Gracen has made great connections with the children of BUMC and we are excited to welcome her into this additional role within our church!

Gracen can be contacted through the BUMC Kids Group Me.

Don't Miss This Year's Grand Finale:

The Mossy Creek Invitational Auction!

This year's grand finale celebrates fifteen years of the Mossy Creek Invitational, a heartfelt celebration of our nation’s Veterans. From shared meals among friends to unforgettable moments on the banks of Virginia's idyllic Mossy Creek, the spirit of unity and healing is palpable. This annual tradition wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our long-time supporters and sponsors, including you!

From guided fishing with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, custom art series fishing gear from Ross Reels and Scott Rods, a range of modern and desirable fly rods, to authentic sports memorabilia from Capital Region pros (like a rare Washington Capitals Military Appreciation Night jersey signed by the team!), there's some great gear and opportunities up for grabs!

This year's auction is live now, and is an excellent way to benefit the Mossy Creek Invitational, Project Healing Waters programs nationwide, and our Nation's Veterans!