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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Monday, April 20, 2026

A Note from Pastor Mary

With Pastor Mary being out of town, she was unable to send this out on Friday.

She should be coming back into town late this Friday.

In her absence I thought I'd share a devotional I appreciated.

Robin

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

While I was waiting at the train station for my husband to pick me up, a young woman got out of a sports car and greeted me. "Hello, ma'am," she said. I smiled and asked, "How are you?" Expecting to hear the routine "I'm Fine," I was a little surprised when she responded, "I'm exhausted!" before continuing on her way. I quickly uttered a few words of encouragement and bid her a good evening.

A few days later, I got on an elevator and said hello to a young man I didn't know. He immediately shared with me that it was his first day back at work after paternity leave and he was concerned about leaving his wife at home alone with their three-month-old twins.

What struck me about those two encounters is that both people had told me, a total stranger, just how they felt or what was going on with them. Jesus is certainly no stranger to me, but do I always tell Him exactly how I feel? Truth be told, not always. Maybe it's because I know He already knows what's happening, so why repeat the obvious? Perhaps it's because I think I shouldn't complain. But just as I was willing to listen and encourage two complete strangers, wouldn't Jesus do the same for me? I want to take every opportunity to honestly seek His guidance, help, or strength. Or just bare my soul. Whatever it is, Jesus is near and ready to listen.

-Barbara Lumpkins Walls

Thank you Lord that you want us to share all that is going on with us and how we are feeling, good or bad, with you and that you listen to it all and support us with your love not matter the circumstances. Amen.

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.

In my distress I called upon the Lord;

to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

~ Psalm 18:6

Joys and answered prayers

Russell Wilson Carter was born on 4/9. He is Tony & Laura Mancari's grandson

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

Carla Reams—friend of Gloria & Rodney Hildebrand

Dorothy Ravenhorse

Current Prayer Concerns

Peace in my life, my family, with our neighbors, and throughout the world
For peace in Iran and in the Mid-East, and in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Cuba, and around 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
For those dealing with mental illness and addiction and those who care for them
For our families and families in our community in crisis or struggling with estrangement
That this day be good and tomorrow better

Nathaniel, Andrea, and Joey Capuano

Marie Chaplin
Dick Harper

Jonathan Hassler

Casey Hartman

Jim Tongue

John Vest

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Henry and Dorice Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Judy Hulvey

Barbara Kiracofe

Chloe Leach

Dorothy Lion

Ray Michael

Shirley Creekbaum

Kim Miller

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Joanne Simpkins

Bonnie and Tom Snook

Sandra Stroud

Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas

Gary and Marcia Tyeryar

Donald & Ginger Usry

Doris Waters

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, April 19, 2026 (3rd Sun)

Greeters Jim & Judy Tongue

Ushers Don & Jason Gilkeson

Reader Shadrach Baako-Amponsah

Audio-Visual Mark Kipps

Acolytes Madelyn & Nolan Gilkeson

Sanctuary Servers Kathi Hammis

Bus Driver Chuck Rexrode

SPRC Announcement:

In late June, we will say goodbye to our dear Pastor Mary with prayers as she answers Gods call to minister to St. John UMC in Buena Vista. A blessing breakfast will be held in June. Details to come soon.

At the beginning of July, we will welcome Pastor Richard Bensinger (Pastor Rich) and his wife, Rebecca Musgrave to Bridgewater UMC. The SPRC will be discussing ways for the church to meet and get to know them. Look for information in future church communications. Below is some information about him and Rebecca.

Pastor Rich is a third generation UMC pastor. He heard his first calling while in middle school. Life intervened and he spent 25 years in the Air Force, and another 20 in the Aerospace industry before going to seminary. He has a daughter, Alison who lives in the Boston area and is an emergency room RN.

In 2017, he met his wife, Rebecca Musgrave and began following his ministry calling. He attended Divinity School in Sioux Falls, SD and received a Master of Divinity and became a Certified Spiritual Director. His first church service was in Oklahoma and he then served in the New England Conference before returning to serve in Northern Virginia in 2022. In 2024 he was called back to SD to serve First UMC in Rapid City. Returning to Northern Virginia in late 2025 he currently attends Evergreen UMC and Mt Zion UMC in Leesburg. His spiritual gifts include congregational caring, theology and Christian education for all ages. Rebecca works alongside Pastor Rich as a congregational care and prayer leader.

Thank you to our wonderful church staff for leading the congregation and friends of the church through a blessed Lenten season, Holy Week and Easter. A new experience was the Maundy Thursday service that Pastor Mary with volunteers from the church family put together. The simple meal of soup and fruit was followed by communion and the reading of the events of Holy Week. There were several that shared their appreciation for this meaningful service.

Gracen, Rea and Malachi helped our youngest ones to learn about Palm Sunday, hear the story of Easter and celebrate with an Easter Egg Hunt and games. They brought college friends to help with the pizza lunch and festivities.

Easter Sunday is the holiest of the holy church days. Again, the staff made certain that the church would experience the unexpected joy that occurred when Jesus was not in the tomb. The Worship Committee brought the springtime season of new life through the living cross and flower arrangements. Your donations supported two important missions of the church offerings: the roof project and backpack ministries. Wyatt, James and Drew teamed up with the choir and community musicians with special this holy season. And our appreciation to Robin and Edward for the numerous ways that they kept the church informed and prepared for so many events.

This church is alive and serving the people. With so much momentum, lets keep the fire going!

Pentecost is coming! Invite friends and family to join us to be a part of living the greatest commandment.

God bless you in your journey with Christ.

Joan Kenney, SPRC Chair

We wish to recognize and thank the wonderful 10 piece band for their performance on Easter Sunday:

Trumpets : Wyatt Smith and Noah Buckwalter

French horns : Andy Moyer and Gray Smiley

Trombones : Christopher Campagna and David Brennamen

Tuba : Martin Stoner

Percussion : Brenden Bradbury, Josh Allen, and Jeffrey Robinson

Please contact the office or sign on the list in the breezeway if you have been trained and have a CPR certification. Also, If you are trained in using a defibrillator. This will be most helpful. We need to have a record of who is certified.

Please note that this event has been moved On-line.

See the district website above.

District News -- Annual Conference is coming to JMU!!

Virginia Annual Conference

June 17-20, 2026

Atlantic Union Bank Center (JMU)

Calling all Shenandoah Valley folks with gifts for kindness and hospitality:

We are searching for over 150 volunteers to help us host our first Shenandoah River District-area Annual Conference in Harrisonburg this year. We need many folks (even non-UMC!) with lots of kindness, knowledge and/or stories of the area to make this an unforgettable experience full of Shenandoah Valley hospitality for all.

If you are interested in partnering with us at this Annual Conference, please indicate your willingness, abilities, and availability. Our District Team will continue working with the Annual Conference Planning Committee to determine what jobs are available and then we will reach out and work with you one-on-one to find a job that suits you.

Thank you for your willingness, excitement, and energy. You will be the reason this is a magnificent experience for our Annual Conference members!

Some areas of help that will be needed are:

-- Help with set up of conference at the Atlantic Union Bank Center in the days before and take down after the event

--Help with golf carts as they arrive at the center in the days before AC

--Registration Table (signing in Laity and Clergy)

--Ushers (Wednesday through Saturday at noon)

--Hospitality

--Golf carts (driving and assisting persons into the arena)

--Tech Desk

The official sign up sheet is coming soon, but in the meantime, now is the time to be thinking about what you can offer by giving of your gifts and talents!. - Debbie Creech debbiecreech@vaumc.org

Sign up are online or Robin in the office can assist. Information needed is your first and last name, email, cell phone, shirt size, and area(s) of interest for volunteering, including: Registration, Directional Support, Greeters, Ushers, Parking, Transportation Support, and/or Conference Set Up/Take Down.

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Youth Events Lunch, Hunt & Service

This Sunday, April 19th Lunch & Scavenger Hunt (Valley Mall)

Join us for a fun afternoon together after church!

Well meet at the mall food court for devotion, lunch, then break into teams for an exciting scavenger hunt challenge at the Mall.

Time: 11:30 AM 1:30 PM

Location: Harrisonburg Mall Food Court

What to Expect:

Lunch with friends

Team scavenger hunt competition

Prizes & fun

________________________________________

Sunday, April 26th Lunch, Devotion & Mission Day

A meaningful time of fellowship and service.

Schedule:

Lunch at church

Devotion time

Local mission activity

Fun post activity* (Optional)

________________________________________

Sunday, May 31st Youth Service

Were inviting all teens to take part in leading this special service!

Opportunities to Participate:

Share a 3-minute year recap testimony from each youth

Join in 2 group songs

Serve as an acolyte

Read scripture

Perform a solo or duet

________________________________________

All teens are encouraged to participatebring a friend and be part of something powerful!

NOTE TO PARENTS SUMMER MISSION TRIP.
(I know that summer is super busy, but I want to share 3 options for shorter trips.)

1. Harvest of Hope - 4 day (July 12-15th)
2. Teens Opposing Poverty - Woodbridge, VA - 1 day with 1 day DC hangout layover. (So 2 days total)

3. If any one knows of any other opportunities or ideas, please let me know.

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

Relay For Life for Harrisonburg-Rockingham 2026

- Festival For Hope

It is Relay For Life season for our area for this year. Our event is coming up quickly, on Saturday, May 9th.

There will be many fun events for everyone!

Along with the below, there will be other activities throughout the night. Plus many teams will be having activities and fundraisers at their sites!

All God's Children Camp needs your help!

Are you ready for a week that will change your life as much as it changes a childs?

We are gearing up for two incredible weeks of All God's Children Camp, and we need you to help make it happen! To ensure every camper has the support they deserve, we are looking for 15 female and 15 male mentors for each of our upcoming sessions:

June 14-19 at Camp Chanco on the James

August 9-14 at Camp Chanco on the James

As you know, camp isn't possible without our mentors. But "mentoring" is just a fancy word for being a friend. Youll spend the week walking alongside a camper, cheering them on as they conquer the zipline, create a masterpiece in arts and crafts, or brave the tubing run on the James River. Whether its diving into Bible study or cooling off in the pool, you are there to provide the leadership and encouragement they need to shine.

The Details:

Who: Folks ages 17 and up.

The Mission: A high-impact week of service right here in our own backyard!

Bonus: This is a fantastic way to earn service hours, and its even better with a buddy. Bring a friend, a family member, or your whole small group!

This is an urgent call to actionwe cant open the gates without a full team. If youre looking for a summer experience filled with hope, laughter, and purpose, this is it.

https://www.agccamp.org/

Click the link above to our website and scroll down to download a mentor application today! Or you can also download attached the application to this email.

Lets make this the best summer yet for these kids. We can't wait to serve alongside you!

Much love and peace,

Lori Smith, Executive Director

All God's Children Camp

P.O. Box 187

Fairfax, VA 22038

571-245-9591

www.agccamp.org

This Week's Birthdays!

20 Hallie Dinkel

23 Colton McDorman

25 Nolan Gilkeson, Zach Davis

Our Calendar This Week

THIS 9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service - Guest Speaker Jomo Johnson

6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

MON 2 PM UWF Hope Circle (BRC Smith Room)

6:30 PM UWF Love Circle (New Beginnings Classroom)

WED 10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons)

7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

SAT 8:30 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

10 AM District Training Day (On-line)

NEXT 9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY 9:30 AM 4th Sunday Coffee

10 AM Worship Service

6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

Please remember that Pastor Mary will be away April 19th through April 24th to attend a leadership conference at the UMC Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Our guest speaker on Sunday will be Jomo Johnson. If you have a pastoral care concern, please contact Karen Chamblee, our Lay Leader. She can direct you to the pastor on call, if needed.

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