E-Blast!
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast Friday, November 28, 2025 |
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A Note from Pastor Mary |
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Hello Everyone,
On Sunday, we will turn our hearts and minds toward Advent! Advent is the liturgical season that marks the four Sundays before Christmas. In worship, we will light the first Advent candle, the candle of HOPE and remember the ancient prophets who longed for God's promises to come true. One of the promises about hope is found in one of my favorite Bible verses. Jeremiah 29:31 says, "For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future with hope."
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between hope and faith? Hope is the "what." Hope is what we desire. In the Jeremiah passage, the hope is a prosperous future when it didn't seem like those things were coming. Jeremiah is called the "weeping prophet," because he was called by God to share God's word in the kingdom of Judah and during the destruction of the temple by the Babylonian empire. Hope would have been hard to come by!
Faith is the foundation of hope. Faith is the "why." We have hope because we have faith in God. We have hope because we have faith that God's promises are true. Jeremiah had faith that no matter what God had called him and faith that God would provide him and his people a future. That's why this Bible verse is so powerful. In the face of hardship, Jeremiah still proclaimed the word. If Jeremiah can live in expectation of hope, prosperity and a future, we can, too!
How do you define HOPE and FAITH? Where are the places that you see hope in the world and in God's word? We'll explore more on Sunday morning!
Hanging of the Greens Intergenerational Sunday School class Sunday at 9 AM: We will also come together to think about PEACE. During the Sunday School hour, you may come to our intergenerational Sunday School class based on peace. There will be a brief lesson about peace, singing, assembling blessing bags for those in need around us, making peace flags and other crafts and decorating the children's Christmas tree. All happening in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 AM. There will also be snacks and coffee. We hope that everyone will be able to come!
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! |
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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 |
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Joys and answered prayers Prayer of thanks for the fellowship at 4th Sunday Coffee
Thanks be to God for Stephanie Plecker's full recovery
Thank you God for the love of Jesus, for our church, our families and our friends
We give thanks for God's grace and mercy
Current Prayer Concerns For the people affected by natural disasters and the people helping them.
For those affected by mass shootings around the country, especially those injured and killed and their families.
For peace in our nation and in our cities
For our nation, the decisions of the administration, congress and the courts; and may God bless and guide AmericaFor a just peace in Ukraine. For the Middle East and for food, medicine and shelter to those starving and suffering in Gaza.
For there to be peace on earth, and may it begin with us
For Bridgewater UMC - for growth in spirit and faith and love
For all of the active duty members of our armed forces, for the National Guard, for veterans and for our first responders
For our children and grandchildren and our families and friends
For all our students - for their flourishing, 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
For us to put you first in everything we do
For those who think that you 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
For those who are mourning or afraid and for all those fighting cancer
Shay Suter - 2 1/2 year old grandson of Mike and Dana Suter of Bridgewater
Davy Curry - friend of BUMC
David Curry - Davy Curry's father
Frank Mason - friend of Dan Plecker
Matthew Walton - back surgery 12/8, son of Sara and Bill Walton
Judy Capuano and husband Don - Joey Capuano's grandparents
Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Georgia Lee Byerly Betty Coakley Grace Fishback Betty Foley Henry and Dorice Graham Casey Hartman Rodney Hildebrand Deidra Hill Judy Hulvey Barbara Kiracofe Dorothy Lion Ray Michael Shirley Creekbaum Mitzi Puffenbarger Joanne Simpkins Bonnie and Tom Snook Sandra Stroud Vic Taylor Nancy Thomas Gary and Marcia TyeryarDonald and Ginger Usry
Doris Waters
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Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, November 30, 2025 (5th Sun)
Greeters Ruth Peters & Karen Chamblee Ushers Paul & Johna McFarland Reader Joey Capuano Audio-Visual Scott Ridder Acolytes Madelyn & Nolan Gilkeson Sanctuary Servers Sue Rexrode Bus Driver Dwight Campbell |
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Bridgewater women will attend on Tues Dec 2 Please sign up on the sheet in the breezeway, unless you are already on the list, or inform Robin in the office. |
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Kingsway Apple Tree |
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Kingsway Prison Ministry ministers to people in jail and who have been released from jail. One of their ministries provides Christmas gifts for children of inmates - a gift, a game, and a Christian book. The tree in the breezeway is filled with apples with gift requests for kids of various ages, boys and girls. There is an envelope for contributions for the games, books and shipping. The gifts should be returned UNWRAPPED to church during the month of November (11/30 deadline). Kingsway also can use donations of wrapping paper which is sent with the gifts to where the kids are living to be wrapped and ready for Christmas. Monetary donations can also be made to help with the inmate gifts (to 8600 prisoners in Virginia). Thank you for your support of this important ministry. For more information please contact Karen Chamblee. |
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Advent Bible Study begins Tuesday at 10 AM Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus |
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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Andy Langdon and Anne Langford Duncan will be our Advent bible Study. We will meet starting THIS TUESDAY at 10 AM in the Library. Look forward to seeing you to begin our Advent pilgrimage. Everyone is welcome! |
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NEW Sunday School Class in 2026 - "Joyful Journeys" |
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Join us on Sunday mornings beginning January 4th at 9:10am in the New Beginnings Classroom for an open, welcoming, all-ages NEW discussion group that explores how Scripture connects to real-world issues, everyday challenges, and modern life. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your coffee—this is a Sunday school class built on honest conversation, community, and practical faith. We hope to see you there! |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements |
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Every Sunday: 6:45 p.m. Prayer for Teens — Parents’/Adults Zoom Gathering 7:00 p.m. Youth Zoom Check-in!
Blessings, Jomo Johnson (240) 328-5847 dumbumyouth@gmail.com |
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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 |
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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. |
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December's Birthdays! |
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2 Dorothy Sharpe, Mary Hall 3 Tom Snook 5 Thomas Leeper 7 Tara Vetting 8 Kim Miller, Robin Wilkins, J. C. Smythers 9 Bettye Newman, Hazel Beasley 10 Pat Johnson 12 Sam Teeter 13 Debbie Harris 15 Clair Lescanec 16 B. J. Jenkins 19 Betty Foley 20 Ada Greer Robinson, Bob Rieman, Ray Michael 21 Erin Gardner Davidson 22 Claire Leeper 25 Charlotte Reese 26 Gavin Higgs 27 Georgia Lee Byerly 28 Eric Miller 30 D. R. Davis, Abby Miller |
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Our Calendar This Week |
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THIS First Sunday in Advent SUNDAY 9 AM Hanging of the Greens (Fellowship Hall) 10 AM Worship Service 12 PM Youth Event - Christmas Outreach 6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in
MON 6:30 PM Bridgewater Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall)
TUE 10 AM Advent Bible Study begins (Library) 11:15 AM UWF to Camp Overlook for Lunch (see above) 6:30 PM Valley Radio Control Flying Club (New Beginnings)
WED 10 AM Prayer Team (Library) 12 PM Lunch & Conversation (BRC Shenandoah Room) 6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons) 7 PM Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
NEXT Second Sunday in Advent SUNDAY 9 AM Sunday School for all ages 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! |
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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 2025. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved. |
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