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

Thursday, July 23, 2026

A Note from Pastor Rich

A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger

 

Come to Church Sunday and get the FULL message of

“On Earth as it is in Heaven”

 

Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven often begins in small, hidden ways: a mustard seed planted in the ground, yeast worked into dough, treasure discovered in a field. God’s kingdom does not always arrive with noise or spectacle. Sometimes it begins with a quiet act of kindness, a patient word, a choice to forgive, or a heart willing to be changed. We may wonder whether such small things matter, but Jesus reminds us that God delights to work through what the world overlooks.

 

Every time we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking God to make His life visible among us. But that prayer is not only about the world around us; it is also about the world within us. The Spirit grows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in ordinary people like us. These are not merely private virtues; they are signs of God’s reign taking root in daily life.

 

A home marked by patience, a conversation shaped by gentleness, a church known for mercy, and a community strengthened by kindness all become glimpses of heaven touching earth. The kingdom becomes visible whenever God’s people choose love over pride, peace over resentment, and faithfulness over convenience.

 

This week, look for one small place where God’s kingdom can take root through you. Plant a seed of mercy. Be leaven in a tense conversation. Treasure Christ above resentment, fear, or pride. Ask God to show you one person who needs encouragement, one place where forgiveness is needed, or one habit that needs to be surrendered. Awakening begins when we stop asking only for God to change the world and begin praying, “Lord, let it begin in me.”

 

The good news is that we do not do this alone. The same God who plants the seed gives the growth. The same Spirit who calls us to bear fruit also forms that fruit within us. So begin small. Begin honestly. Begin today. God’s kingdom is still growing, and by grace, it can grow in and through you.

 

Prayer: Lord, plant Your kingdom in my heart and let Your love grow through my life. Amen.

 

Be blessed today and every day!  Pastor Rich

 

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

Alastair Jackson Morrell was born on July 10 to Michelle and Andrew Morrell. Proud grandparents are Scott & Karen Ridder; great grandparents are Marcia and Gary Tyeryar and Linda Ridder.
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

Ray Michael - His Memorial Service will be this Saturday at 11 AM at BUMC

 

Current Prayer Concerns

For those affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela and for those helping them

For those affected by disease outbreaks - Ebola, measles, and Cyclosporiasis

For protection for all Houses of Worship of all faiths

For pastors and congregations with new congregations and pastors

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 a good, safe, and productive summer
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, those awaiting surgery, and those having treatments 
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

 

Baby Thomas

Janet Barker

Kevin Meade

Yvonne Flory

Camille Young

 

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Dorice Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Judy Hulvey

Barbara Kiracofe

Dorothy Lion

Shirley Creekbaum

Kim Miller

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Joanne Simpkins

Bonnie and Tom Snook

Sandra Stroud

Nancy Thomas

Gary and Marcia Tyeryar
Donald & Ginger Usry
Doris Waters

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, July 26, 2026 (4th Sun)

 

Greeters                    Leach Family

Ushers                       Dick & Janice Harper

Reader                       Joan Kenney

Audio-Visual             Sam Briggs

Acolytes                    Sydney & Reese Leach

Sanctuary Servers    Don & Sue Gilkeson

Bus Driver                 Dwight Campbell

Pastor Rich's ongoing Men's Bible Study will be will be continuing every Monday at 7 PM in the Library and is also available by Zoom. Join in and meet men with whom Pastor Rich has been meeting from other locations and participate in stimulating discussions. Pastor Rich can provide the Zoom contact information and answer any questions.

Our Church Picnic is coming up THIS Sunday!

Please join us for our annual time of good food and great fellowship!

5:30-7:30 PM at Oakdale Park Picnic shelter #3

The picnic is Pot Luck.

Tableware and drinks will be provided.

Presented by the Nurture Committee

There are two small group sessions to meet with Pastor Rich left to get to know him better. Sign up sheets are in the breezeway if you wish to participate in one of these group meetings. There are still openings on August 11 at 10:30 AM at the Waltons

Harvest of Hope

Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center

September 25-27, 2026

Harvest of Hope is a faith-based, experiential, service & learning opportunity that provides you and your group the opportunity to take action, get involved in hands-on activities, and rescue and share good food with people in need.

There is an intergenerational Harvest of Hope experience occurring in Harrisonburg at Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center on September 25-27, 2026. The cost is $175/person.

Search for endhunger.org. Scroll down to Overnight camps and click on the picture for Harvest of Hope.

The page will show you all the overnight camps in Virginia. click on Sign Up for the event in which you wish to participate to register.

Look Whats coming up:

We will have a local vocal group, the Vocal Chords, joining us for the August 2 service. This local ensemble debuted in April 2010 as a quartet [The Valley Brethren Four]. They later doubled in size [2016] and renamed as The Vocal Chords. Members include: Jim Benedict [director], Joe Crockett, David Holl, Jim Miller, Wil Nolen, Curtis Nolley, Richard Phillips, Grayson Preece, Dick Stutzman, Fred Swartz, with Kathy Scrader [pianist].

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

BRIDGEWATER UMC MISSION TRIP

 

The mission trip to Philadelphia to serve alongside St. Luke's Episcopal Church and their community, supporting their annual Child Spelling Bee and youth programs was this week. We will look forward to an update about how the trip went.

Stay Tuned!

 

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 event is taking place at the Bridgewater Retirement Community

on September 12

Open Auditions for Chordially Yours

Love to sing? Wed love to meet you.

Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley, a community based SATB choir led by Scott Zane Smith, is welcoming new singers. Our 35 member ensemble performs two major concerts each year and will tour Austria in 2027.

Open Auditions Saturday, August 8 14 p.m. Anthony Seeger Hall, 821 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg

Drop in anytime for a friendly, informal auditionno registration required. Expect light vocalizing, pitch matching, and simple sight reading.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about Chordially Yours, our trip to Austria, or about the audition itself, reach out on Facebook at Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley or email Scott at szanes@aol.com.

Thank you again for your continued support!

--

Sincerely,

Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley

Creative Council

Greg Conway, Chair

Scott Smith, Artistic Director

This Week's Birthdays!

July

27 Haley Kenney

28 Gloria Hildebrand, Quinn Newman

29 Allen Ruliffson

30 Chloe Kiracofe, Ami Higgs, James Kane

August

1  Dwight Campbell

Our Calendar This Week

THIS          9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY   10 AM Worship Service 

                  1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities

                  5:30 PM Church Picnic (Oakdale Park shelter #3)

                  6:45 PM Prayer for Youth

                  7 PM Youth Check-in

 

MON          7 PM Pastor Rich's Men's Bible Study (Library & Zoom)

 

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

 

WED         10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                  7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

 

NEXT         9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY   10 AM Worship Service 

                  6:45 PM Prayer for Youth

                  7 PM Youth 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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