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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Thursday, June 18, 2026

A Note from Pastor Mary

While Pastor Mary is busy at Annual Conference, I thought I'd share a devotional with you. This is from "The Power of Being Thankful" by Joyce Meyer. -Robin

 

Holding on to Hope

 

And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and my expectation are in You.                                                                                    Psalm 39:7

 

  God's Word says that He wants us to be blessed (see Deuteronomy 29:9). It states we will be blessed in every way when we walk in God's will. Satan wants to keep people fearful and hopeless. Hopelessness steals our God-given peace and joy.

  The enemy tells people they will never have anything, their life will never change, and things will never get better. And when people believe his lies, they remain hopeless and discouraged. We receive what we believe, whether it is positive or negative, so it's vitally important for us to have faith in God constantly, like Mark 11:22-24 tells us to do.

  Refuse to be hopeless and put your trust in God's Word. Be like Abraham, of whom it is said that although he had no reason to hope, he hoped in faith that God's promises would come to pass in his life. As he waited, he gave praise and glory to God, and Satan was not able to defeat him with doubt and unbelief (see Romans 4:18-20). 

 

Prayer of Thanks

Father, thank You for the power of hope. I am grateful that no matter what the circumstances around me look like, I can place my hope in You and Your Word. I am at peace today because you are the source of my hope. 

Prayer List

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have given me relief when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

~ Psalm 4:1

Joys and answered prayers

We rejoice with Sue and Chuck Rexrode on the birth of their great grandson, Breaux Jacob. He was born June 2 to Evan and Becca Hanifee in Rockwall, TX.  He is welcomed by his sister Knox and brother Hayden. Evan is the son of Sean and Alison Hanifee of Bridgewater
We rejoice with Claude Martell on the birth of his grandson Edward Wheatley Martell. He born on June 10. Congratulations and best wishes to both families!
Chloe Leach has returned home after her semester in London.
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 family of
Granger Creech, Grandson of Rev. Stephen & Debbie Creech
Ruth Brown, Sam Teeter’s mother
Mark Bailey
Lori Dixon
 
Current Prayer Concerns

For those affected by the Ebola outbreak
For protection for all Houses of Worship of all faiths

For the UMC itineracy process in Virginia and for all the pastors and congregations affected by moves

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 government 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 grow in 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

 

Dan Greene
Joan Wilmer
Jerry Lam
Susie
Liang Han

 

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Dorice Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Judy Hulvey

Barbara Kiracofe

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, June 21, 2026 (3rd Sun)

 

Greeters                    Jim & Judy Tongue

Ushers                       Don & Jason Gilkeson

Reader                       Shadrach Baako-Amponsah

Audio-Visual             Mark Kipps

Acolytes                    Nolan Gilkeson

Sanctuary Servers    Kathi Hemmis

Bus Driver                 Chuck Rexrode

Celebrating Kits for Conference

 

The Shenandoah River District is heading into Annual Conference with something to celebrate. Thanks to the dedication and faithfulness of our churches, the district contributed 157 buckets, 2,360 health kits, and 176 feminine hygiene kits, totaling more than 2,500 kits that will go to people who need them most.

A special thank you to the volunteers who helped with loading across the Conference. This is the connectional church at its best.

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Bridgewater Youth Group – End of Year Update

 

Dear Parents, Teens, Volunteers, and Church Family,


As we conclude another wonderful year of youth ministry, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year meaningful and successful.


To our teens: thank you for your enthusiasm, participation, service, and willingness to grow in your faith. It has been a joy to walk alongside you this year.


To our parents: thank you for your support, encouragement, transportation, prayers, and partnership. Youth ministry is strongest when families and the church work together, and we are grateful for your investment in our students.


To our volunteers: thank you for the countless hours you have given to support our youth. Your service, patience, and dedication have made a lasting impact.


A special thank you to Pastor Mary for her leadership, encouragement, and support of our youth ministry. We are grateful for her faithful service and the many ways she has cared for our church family.


We would also like to warmly welcome our incoming pastor. We look forward to working alongside him during this transition and are excited about the opportunities God has ahead for our church and youth ministry.


Summer Plans


During the summer months, we will continue to stay connected through a Youth Zoom Gathering on the 1st Sunday of each month at 7:00 PM. This will be a time for fellowship, encouragement, discussion, and prayer.


In July, after meeting with our new pastor, I will also host a Zoom meeting for parents to discuss plans for the upcoming year and gather feedback regarding youth ministry opportunities.


One item we hope to discuss is the possibility of organizing a 2–3 day Youth Mission Trip. Our goal would be to partner with a small local church and/or sponsor teens to serve alongside us in a meaningful ministry project.


Potential mission trip dates include:


•    July 22–24
•    August 5–7
•    October 5–7


We will discuss these options with parents and church leadership before making any final decisions.


Thank you again for a wonderful year. We are grateful for all that God has done through our youth ministry and look forward to what He has in store in the months ahead.


Have a safe, joyful, and blessed summer!


In Christ,


Jomo K. Johnson
Youth Director
Bridgewater Youth Group

 

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!

Hello! Vacation Bible School is continuing! If you have any questions, please let Gracen Kelley know!
The dates are:
June 19
June 26
July 3rd

The time will be from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.

The theme is "jungle" to follow Moses through the "jungle" of the wilderness, matching physical survival elements with spiritual truths.

We are planning to provide dinner each night. 

 

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!

21 Curtis Glover

23 Curtis Shinaberry

24 Debbie Creech, Sue Rexrode

25 Alex Taylor, Stephen Davidson

26 Jace Davidson

27 Wanda Higgs, Rev. Luther Ramsey

Our Calendar This Week

THIS             9 AM Sunday School for all ages

                     10 AM Worship Service

                          Karen Chamblee, Lay Leader, Guest Speaker

                      6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

                      7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

 

MON            Robin Out of Office

                    Office hours: 1-3; Please call or text Edward at 

                        540 476-3725 when you arrive at church

 

TUE             Robin Out of Office

                    Office hours: 9-3; Please call or text Edward at 

                        540 476-3725 when you arrive at church

                     

WED            10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                     7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

 

FRI               5 PM Vacation Bible School

 

NEXT            9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY      10 AM Worship Service - Hymn Sing!

                     1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities

                     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!  

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219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

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