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Call Us : 540-828-0890                Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com
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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Friday, October 24, 2025

Announcements from Pastor Mary

Hello everyone!

 

Just a pause to say... we are so blessed.  Really.  God is with us and we support each other in life and ministry. 

 

Thank you for Sunday's beautiful Laity Sunday & Consecration Sunday! It was great to hear from Karen Chamblee and Paul McFarland, our guest speakers.  Thank you for others who volunteered in leadership, all those who helped with our meal and prepared a dish to share.  We are the people of Bridgewater United Methodist Church!  We also received over $200,000 in pledges for next year!  Thank you!  By the way, if you would still like to turn in your Estimate of Giving for 2026, cards are available from the church office or in the back of the Sanctuary.  Glory to God and Thank you, Church!

 

See the rest of our E-Blast for what's coming up to praise God and bless those around us.  

 

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!

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their cry.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,

and rescues them from all their troubles.

~ Psalm 34: 15, 17

Joys and answered prayers

For all of the people that are Bridgewater United Methodist Church!!

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

Prayers of Sympathy for the families of

Chris Eaves (friend of Tim Leach in TX)

 

Current Prayer Concerns

Betty Coakley
Debbie Harter

Karen Kaufman
Charles Harold

 

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
Ray Michael
Shirley Creekbaum
Stephany Plecker
Mitzi Puffenbarger
Joanne Simpkins
Bonnie and Tom Snook
Sandra Stroud
Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas
Gary and Marcia Tyeryar
Donald and Ginger Usry
Doris Waters


Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for…
Federal employees, contractors, & others whose livelihood is affected by the federal government shutdown
People affected by fires & natural disasters, and the responders
Those affected by the mass shootings in the U.S., especially those injured & killed.
For the safety of all involved in the protests, ICE raids, & National Guard deployments around the country.
Peace in our cities & nation
For the United States, the decisions of the administration, congress & the courts; may God bless & guide America
A just peace in Ukraine & Middle East; for all living there
Continued action to provide food & medicine to those starving & suffering in Gaza.
Let there to be peace on earth; let it begin with us
Bridgewater UMC - for growth in spirit, faith, & love
All members of our armed forces, National Guard, veterans, & first responders
Our children, grandchildren, families & friends
All students - for their flourishing, learning, & grades
Better health, more strength, & successful medical treatments
Patience & strength to spread the gospel even when it's hard
Help us to put you first in everything we do
Those who think you have deserted them amid today's world circumstances
People & families dealing with depression, anxiety, mental illness & addiction
Less death in our family; peace & grace in facing grief & loss
For those who are mourning or afraid and for all those fighting cancer

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, October 26, 2025 (4th Sun)

 

Greeters                    Chuck & Sure Rexrode

Ushers                       Kathi Hemmis & Johna McFarland

Reader                       Dan Plecker

Audio-Visual             Mark Kipps

Acolytes                    Sydney & Reese Leach

Sanctuary Servers    Don & Sue Gilkeson

Bus Driver                 Dwight Campbell

Thank you to everyone who turned in their Estimate of Giving Cards for 2026. If you haven’t done yours yet it’s not too late. There are some available in the back of the Sanctuary or ask an usher.

Toothpaste for Kingsway Prison & Family Outreach

Kingsway Prison & Family Outreach serves people in Virginia who are incarcerated and their families.  For Christmas, they provide a small gift to each inmate including a 3 oz - 6 oz tube of toothpaste (individually sealed in a box).  We are collecting toothpaste to support this ministry or funds to purchase toothpaste.  If you would like to give, bring boxes of 3 oz to 6 oz tubes of toothpaste to church and place on the table under the quilts.  If you have questions, please see Karen Chamblee, Lay Leader.  

Thank you from Galen Dellinger
“Thank you to the church congregation for honoring me last Sunday on my 100th birthday. It was a wonderful day of friendship and a great honor for me and my family. I thank each one very deeply.”

BUMC Clergy Appreciation Coffee – Sunday, October 26 at 9am in the Fellowship Hall
Join us before worship on Sunday, October 26, for a special Clergy Appreciation Coffee Hour as we take time to thank our pastor for all she does!
We’ll have an Appreciation Board where you can leave a note or word of encouragement for Pastor Mary. A basket will also be available if you’d like to share a card or small gift.
Come enjoy coffee, treats, and fellowship as we celebrate and show our gratitude to our wonderful clergy!

Trick or Treat for Children's Clothes Closet

Clothes & Supplies Drive on Oct 26th

Please remember that diapers are a major need!

       The Children's Clothes Closet (CCC) is part of Mission Central and a ministry of the Shenandoah River District of the UMC.  Our CCC was recently recognized by the state of Virginia during Diaper Needs Week and in “Tell Me Something Good” on WHSV on Sept 29.
 
       From the WHSV website: "Artie Frederick, the director of the CCC, said the service provides both new & used clothing in good quality to anyone in need, regardless of where someone lives or their income. The CCC provides clothes for children 0 - 18 yrs old.  However, for many of their clients, Frederick said, there is a greater need than just clothing.  Our main response from our clients when they walk in the door, most of them say, ‘Do you have Pampers?’”
 
Let’s Trick or Treat for kids & support this amazing ministry!
Please bring donations of:
 
• Children’s clothing & shoes (gently used)
• Pajamas
• Children’s socks & underwear (new)
• Disposable diapers (newborn through toddler)
• Baby blankets, lotion, shampoo, etc.
• Baby equipment (good condition & compliant with current safety regulations.)
 
Please bring your donations to the church on (or before) October 26th and we will bring them to the CCC.  Items may also be delivered to the CCC at 1704 Smithland Rd in H’burg.

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Don't Forget:

HOLYween Party 2025!
Sun, Oct 26th  5:30–7:30 PM


Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy an evening of music, worship, food, & exciting activities for all youth. Invite a friend! Please let us know you’re coming by texting Jomo or on the sign up sheet in the breezeway!  

 

Regular Sundays:

6:45 p.m. Prayer for Teens — Parents’/Adults Zoom Gathering 
Parents, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 6:45 p.m. on Zoom for prayer over our teens! Together, we’ll lift up their hearts, minds, and futures — asking God to bring them peace, strength, and rest as they grow in faith.

7:00 p.m. Youth Zoom Check-in!

 

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

Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families!

 

The Children's Christmas Play is coming!  We will present it in worship on Sun, Dec 7th.  Let Gracen know that you will be in the play.  We will be starting practice in Children's Church (and other dates TBA).  This is very special time for our children & church!

 

Our Church Bus will be in the Bridgewater Christmas Parade on Dec 6th!!  We are looking for families to represent BUMC in the parade!  If you want to ride the bus, let us know!  

 

Join us for Children's Church every Sunday!  Children’s Church is worship & Christian education for kids during part of the worship service. It is led by our amazing leaders Gracen, Rea, & Malachi.  Children may attend worship through the Children’s Message & then go to Children’s Church on the first floor with our leaders. ~OR~ Children are always welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their family.

 

Jesus loves you and so do we!!

 

~Gracen Kelley~  BUMC Kids Group Me,

email gracenkelley123@gmail.com or phone (call, text) 804-867-6143

Save the Date!

Packing party for Operation Christmas Child

Saturday, November 8 from 10 AM to 12 Noon

Time for Operation Christmas Child! 

October Collection is Fun Items

Our goal again this year is 100 boxes to include school supplies, hygiene items, and lots of other fun things for children in need. In October, we will be collecting fun supplies. We need:


Toys

Games

Jump ropes

Coloring books

Matchbox cars

Craft Kits

Girls' hair items

Stuffed animals

Water color paint sets

Puzzles

Card games such as UNO, Old Maid, etc.

Playdough or modeling clay

Small Lego-like sets

Small balls

Small dolls

Anything young children would enjoy playing with, but it needs to fit into our OCC shoebox

 

We have all of the health and hygiene items we need, but we are still short 25 pairs of scissors for school supplies.

 

We appreciate the church’s support for this important project for children!

Thanks, Johna McFarland

Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley, a 38-member professional choir under the direction of artistic director Scott Zane Smith, presents their holiday concert, “The Wonder of Christmas” on December 20th and 21st, at Linville Creek Church of the Brethren in Broadway, VA. Our one-hour concert consists of sacred and secular music, with many familiar tunes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Concerts both days are at 3 p.m. For more information, find us on Facebook @ Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley.

This Week's Birthdays!

October

26 Becky Wright, Karen Chamblee, Kevin Linn

27 Patrick Landes

28 Ansley Leach

29 Marcia Tyeryar, Shadrach Baako-Amponsah

30 Becky Miller, Justin Akers

31 Delaney Powell

 

November

1  Brinkley Jordan Bowman

Our Calendar This Week

THIS              9 AM Clergy Appreciation Coffee (Fellowship Hall)

SUNDAY        9 AM Sunday School

                      10 AM Worship Service

                      1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities

                      5:30 PM Youth Holyween Party & Dinner (Fellowship Hall)

 

WED             10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                      6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt Solon Commons)

                      7 PM Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

 

NEXT             All Saints Sunday

SUNDAY        9 AM Sunday School

                      10 AM Worship Service

                      6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

                      7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

                     

 

Please send Robin announcements for the Bulletin/Slides/E-Blast by Wednesday to adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com.  Thank you! 

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

Contact Us

219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

Copyright 2025. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved.