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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Friday, January 23, 2026

A Note from Pastor Mary

Snow.... Incoming!

 

Hello everyone,

 

We have already decided to close the church on Sunday, January 25th.  We will not be having Sunday School or worship service or 4th Sunday coffee.  Please stay home if you can, stay safe, and warm.  The cancellation has already been posted to WHSV to let everyone know.

 

Our Men's Prayer Breakfast will still meet tomorrow, Jan 24th in the Fellowship Hall.  The heat has been repaired (thank you Riddleberger Brothers!) so we should be warm.  Our guest speaker is Tim Leach, who is GREAT at encouraging people.  Tim, we look forward to hearing what you have to say! 

 

 - A Quick Devotion -

 

When we were kids, we learned how to fold paper and make snowflakes.  My friend and I had the best time making them... small and large, cutting them with all kinds of shapes triangles, squares, hearts, ruffled edges and rough edges--all different kinds of ways that we could imagine.  Sometimes we would color them with crayons or markers to have designs on them or to accentuate the cut outs.  I remember that her family had a big picture window in their family room and hung up some of the snowflakes on the soffit in the winter after Christmas.  It was so fun to see the creativity and care that went into each one. 

 

The anticipation of snow reminds me of God's handiwork.  We are about to see a whole bunch of snowflakes and none of them will be exactly like another one.   This reminds me of the wonderful creativity of our God, who also made all of us humans unique and special. Psalm 139:13b-14a says, "For you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

 

It reminds me that God cares about even the smallest things and the smallest details and cares about us. Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  

 

Snowflakes remind me, too, that small acts of kindness can make a big difference, small notes together can make a grand symphony, and sometimes even the smallest voices together can create change for good.  Romans 8:28 says, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him..." 

 

Looks like Sunday will be a snow day!  I wonder if you will have fun cutting out some creative snowflakes with children or grandchildren, or even for fun yourself.  I'm sure you can think of other God-lessons and God winks that snowflakes have given you.  Take time to listen to God, God of the snow, God of the storm.  God who calms the storm and cares for YOU. 

 

Thanks be to God, 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

Tony Mancari is recovering at home
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
 
Prayers of Sympathy for the families of
Billy Shifflett
Jere McDonald

Current Prayer Concerns
Peace in my life, my family, with our neighbors and throughout the world
For our nation to step back from greed, injustice, fear and hatred
For our government leaders to act with love.
For wisdom for all our leaders, especially our president
For protection for our elected officials, to protect President Trump and his family
For your will, not our will  to be done
For those who cannot read
For those who are struggling with financial problems
Help us to be servants to each other, our neighbors and the world
Help us to become better people and Christians and to have more faith
That our families will become closer to God and for clarity in seeing God's will
For Bridgewater and other college students - for discipline and for those taking exams
For safe travels for our families
For strength and health and healing for our families, for those who are sick
For victims of abuse of all kinds
For comfort for those dealing with illness and loss and those awaiting surgery
That this day be good and tomorrow better
For those dealing with mental illness and addiction

Austin Back
Lynn Fisher
Jeff Higgs
Chloe Leach
Mitch Leach
Ray Michael
Hill Norfleet
Terry Phillips
Jeff Phister
David Raynes
Gov Abigail Spanberger
Sarver family
Joan Wimer
Amber, Donna, Patricia, Bev
Joan (my aunt)
Tony Mancari
Edward Stoops

 

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Dick Boyd

Betty Coakley

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Henry and Dorice Graham

Janice Harper

Casey Hartman

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Judy Hulvey

Barbara Kiracofe

Dorothy Lion

Shirley Creekbaum

Kim Miller

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Joanne Simpkins

Bonnie and Tom Snook

Sandra Stroud

Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas

Gary and Marcia Tyeryar
Donald and Ginger Usry
Doris Waters

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, January 25, 2026 (4th Sun)

 

Greeters                    Leach Family

Ushers                       Dick & Janice Harper

Reader                       Karen Chamblee

Audio-Visual             Sam Briggs

Acolytes                    Sydney & Reese Leach

Sanctuary Servers    Don & Sue Gilkeson

Bus Driver                 Dwight Campbell

New Pictorial Directory is Coming!

Done by the Portrait Café

Please sign up on Sunday to have your picture taken for the pictorial directory. The sign-up sheet is in the breezeway.  There are only 5 openings left for pictures, all on the evening of February 23 (Monday)!!

Sign up for your slot before it's too late!

Souper Bowl Sunday is coming up February 8! Mark your calendars and start collecting change for our LOUD COLLECTION. As always paper money and checks (made out to BUWF) are most welcome. The donations will go to the Bridgewater Interfaith Food Pantry.

Celebrate Shrove Tuesday on February 17th with a delicious pancake fundraiser from 5:006:30 PM!


Enjoy freshly made pancakes, biscuits & sausage gravy, fruit, and warm drinks, all prepared and served by our amazing adult and teen team. Setup begins at 3:45 PM, so everything is hot & ready when doors open. Volunteers will be on hand to welcome guests, serve food, and help make the evening fun and festive. Come hungry, bring a friend, and support a great cause with every bite! Donations go to youth group general fund.

Sew Caring Stitchers Update


The Sew Caring Stitchers want to share with you that in 2025 they provided 9 dozen quilts to the people receiving services at the New Beginnings domestic abuse shelter, the Salvation Army, the Virginia Program for the Aging Services, Kingsway Ministry, the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, the DaVita dialysis center, and the Harrisonburg Health & Rehabilitation Center. You can see samples of their quilts hanging in the hallway between the office and library, with new quilts being displayed monthly. This is a ministry of our church which appreciates our support. Being down to four dedicated stitchers, they always accept new talent and need donations. To get involved please email Ginger Usry at usrygb@jmu.edu.

Thank you  from the Mission Central Children’s Clothes Closet
To the church family
Your service and support allowed the Clothes Closet to provide diapers and clothing to 735 families with 1,689 children, giving them items 5,047 times.

Our diaper count was 120,950. 607 coats were given to keep kids warm in winter.
Your church and its volunteers are truly God’s hands and feet. I look forward to serving along side all of you in 2026.  
Sincerely, Artie Frederick

NEW Sunday School Class - "Joyful Journeys"

Join us on Sunday mornings 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!

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Event Announcement 1: Weekend Fellowship & Sunday Outing
Save the Date: January 31st – February 1st! Looking for weekend plans? I’ll be at church on Saturday evening (1/31) and would love to connect or grab coffee—reach out if you're free! Then, join us on Sunday, February 1st, for a post-service outing. We’re leaning toward ice skating, but the final destination is TBD. Please save the date and stay tuned for the final details!
________________________________________
Event Announcement 2: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Fundraiser
Mark Your Calendars: February 17th! Get ready for breakfast for dinner! Our annual Shrove Pancake Fundraiser is happening Tuesday, February 17th. We’re gearing up for a night of great food and community support. More information on tickets and timing will be released shortly, but for now, make sure to clear your schedule for this delicious cause!

 

Every Sunday:

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!

 

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

This week's Birthdays!

25 Richard Phillips, Abby Davis Stone

28 Donald Usry

30 Phil Evans

Our Calendar This Week

THIS             9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY       9:30 AM 4th Sunday Coffee (Fellowship Hall)

                     10 AM Worship Service

                     1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities

                     6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

                     7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

 

MON            6:30 PM Trustees Meeting (Library)

 

TUE             6:30 PM Reach & Relate Team Meeting (Library)

 

WED            10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                     6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons)

 

NEXT           9 AM Sunday School for all ages 

SUNDAY      9:30 AM Children's Choir Practice (Choir Room)

                    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

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