E Blast
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast Thursday, July 30, 2026 |
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A Note from Pastor Rich |
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A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger
The Long Walk of Christian Perfection
Scripture: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on…” — Philippians 3:12
There is a long walk that belongs to every disciple of Jesus. It is not a hurried sprint toward religious achievement, nor a wandering path without direction. It is the daily journey of grace, where God patiently forms the heart, orders the desires, and teaches the soul to love more completely. Step by step, the believer learns to walk with Christ, not merely admire Him from a distance.
This is generally what John Wesley meant by “going on to perfection.” Wesley did not teach that Christians become flawless, beyond mistake, or untouched by temptation. Rather, he understood Christian perfection as a heart increasingly filled and governed by holy love. It is love for God with the whole heart and love for neighbor that becomes more than an ideal; it becomes the settled direction of life.
The long walk of sanctification is continuous because grace is continuous. God does not simply forgive the past and leave the future untouched. The Holy Spirit keeps working within us, cleansing what is disordered, strengthening what is weak, and awakening what has grown dull. Each day offers another step: a selfish motive surrendered, a harsh word restrained, a wound forgiven, a temptation resisted, a mercy quietly shown.
Many believers become discouraged because perfection sounds impossible. But Wesley’s vision is not meant to crush the soul; it is meant to lift our hope. Christian perfection is not cold performance. It is mature love. It is the life of Christ taking deeper root in ordinary places: the home, the workplace, the difficult conversation, the hidden thought, the private prayer. Holiness is love made visible.
On this long walk, we shouldn’t measure progress only by dramatic moments. Much of God’s sanctifying work is quiet. We may not notice how patience has grown until irritation no longer rules us. We may not recognize purity of intention until we find ourselves wanting God’s will more than our own praise. The Spirit often perfects love through repeated small obediences.
So, press on. Don’t wait until you feel holy enough to begin again. The journey itself is the place where grace meets you. Christ walks before you as the pattern, beside you as the companion, and within you by the Spirit. The goal is not spiritual pride, but a heart so filled with love that every thought, word, and action is increasingly offered to God.
Prayer: Holy God, keep me on the long walk of sanctifying grace. Purify my intentions, deepen my love, and shape my life after Christ. When I grow weary, remind me that You are still working. Teach me to press on in faith until Your love rules all I am and all I do. Amen.
Be blessed today and every day! Pastor Rich
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Prayer List |
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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 |
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Joys and answered prayers 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
Current Prayer Concerns
For those affected by the earthquakes in Japan and Venezuela, and the fires around the world, 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
Yvonne Flory Camille Young Kevin & Marie Menard
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 TyeryarDonald & Ginger Usry
Doris Waters
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Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, August 2, 2026 (1st Sun)
Greeters Gloria Roller & Kathi Hemmis Ushers Mark Kipps & Claude Martell Reader Johna McFarland Audio-Visual Tony Mancari Acolytes David Kipps Sanctuary Servers Laura & Tony Mancari Bus Driver Dick Harper |
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Reminder: Starting this week Prayer Group is moving to Tuesday mornings at 10 AM. Everyone is welcome to join us! |
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Special Music This Sunday! We will have a local vocal group, the Vocal Chords, joining us for this Sunday's 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 Schrader [pianist]. |
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The Nurture Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the picnic on Sunday evening. We had 59 attend and lots of wonderful food and fellowship, plus the weather was perfect.
The Nurture Committee will have the first Soup and You on September 16th, so mark your calendars now. |
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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. |
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There one more small group session left to meet with Pastor Rich to get to know him better. The sign up sheet is in the breezeway if you wish to participate in this group meeting. There are still a few openings on August 11 at 10:30 AM at the Walton's |
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UWF Reading Program
Its almost time to turn in Reading Reports for this year. Youll have until August 25th to turn in your report, but theres still time to read another book. There are so many great books on the reading cart. The 2021 books will be getting taken off the reading carts soon, so grab one while theyre still available.
You dont have to be a UWF member to read these wonderful books. You also dont have to participate in the Reading Program. Check out some of the new childrens books on the cart. There are some really good ones, and they count toward your Reading Program if you are participating.
If you have any questions, just ask Kathi Hemmis. Shes happy to answer them. |
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Harvest of Hope Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center September 25-27, 2026 |
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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. |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Update & Thank You
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! |
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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. 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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This event is taking place at the Bridgewater Retirement Community on September 12 |
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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 at 4 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 |
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August's Birthdays! |
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1 Dwight Campbell 5 Paige Hiserman 9 Jerry Swecker, Andy Smith 12 Collin & Conner Palmer, Michael Hill 13 John Johnson, Spenser Davis, Brad Powell 14 Carolyn Miller Johnson 17 Maggie Byler 18 Betsy Craun, Emmanuel Aniety 20 Mark Kipps 21 Laura Gilkeson 23 Samuel Briggs, Maisie Stone Davis 24 Ella Kate Kane 26 Jon Higgs 30 Ryan McAlister 31 Henley Miller, Frank Vetting |
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Our Calendar This Week |
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THIS 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service 6:45 PM Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Check-in
MON 6:30 PM Bridgewater Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall) 7 PM Pastor Rich's Men's Bible Study (Library & Zoom)
TUE 10 AM Prayer Team (Library) 6 PM Worship Committee Meeting (Library) 6:30 PM Valley Radio Control Flying Club (New Beginnings)
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. |
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