E Blast

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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Thursday, August 13, 2026

A Note from Pastor Rich

A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger

When Your Faith Feels Tired, Tested, and Torn

Scripture: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

There are seasons when faith doesn’t feel strong and steady, but tired and thin. Prayer may feel heavy. Hope may feel delayed. The road that once felt clear may now feel worn by questions, grief, waiting, and wounds that no one else can see.

But hear the tenderness of Jesus: “Come to me.” He doesn’t say, “Come when you have it all together.” He doesn’t say, “Come when your faith feels brave again.” He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” The invitation is for the tired, the tested, and the torn. It is for the one who still believes, but only barely. It is for the one who keeps praying, even when the words come slowly.

Scripture reminds us that tired faith isn’t failed faith. Tested faith isn’t abandoned faith. Torn faith can still be held in the hands of God. Isaiah promises that the Lord “gives strength to the weary,” and the psalmist assures us that God is close to the brokenhearted. That means your weariness doesn’t push God away; it may be the very place where you discover how near He has been all along.

When faith feels tired, perseverance is often quiet. It may look like showing up again, whispering a prayer through tears, choosing mercy when your heart is bruised, opening the Bible even when your soul feels dry, or trusting God while the harvest is still hidden beneath the soil. God sees every small act of faithfulness. Not one weary step is wasted in His hands.

And if all you can do today is rest in His presence, that isn’t weakness. It is trust. The Shepherd who tends His flock also gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. God isn’t finished with what feels torn. In Christ, weary faith can be comforted, mended, strengthened, and made fruitful in due season.

Prayer: Gentle Savior, I come to You weary, tested, and torn. I don’t have to pretend before You. You know the weight I carry, the questions I hold, and the places where my heart feels thin. Draw near to me. Give strength where I am weak, rest where I am burdened, and hope where I have grown tired. Hold me close to Your heart, and help me trust that You are still working, still healing, and still bringing a harvest in Your time. Amen.

Be blessed today and every day! Pastor Rich

If you would like to try Spiritual Direction, contact Pastor Rich via phone (703-402-0287) or email (seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc.com).

Written copies of the Sunday sermon are available. Just contact Pastor Rich via email (seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc.com) and he will email it to you.

Prayer List

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:17-19a

Joys and answered prayers

Laura Mancari and James Kiser had successful foot procedures.

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

Current Prayer Concerns

Yvonne Flory
Camille Young
Kevin and Marie Menard
Betty Cramer
Jerry Long
David Backer

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers...

For those affected by the earthquakes in Columbia, 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
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, 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 all students preparing to go back to school

For Bridgewater and other college students - for a good start to the semester
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

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, August 16, 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

Its Operation Christmas Child Time Again!

BUMC will begin collecting items for Operation Christmas Child boxes this month. Since its back to school time, there are loads of good deals on school supplies right now, so well start again with collecting school supplies. While youre shopping for your students, please consider buying some extra of these supplies so we may include them in our Christmas boxes.

Were collecting: pencils, black ink pens, rulers, small note pads, markers, colored pencils, square erasers, glue sticks, stickers, small scissors, post it notes. A collection area will be set up in the breezeway.

We are planning activities to help us raise the money for shipping - more info is coming soon!

As always, we thank you for your help with this important mission project!

Johna McFarland, OCC Coordinator

Reminder:

Prayer Group has moved to Tuesday mornings at 10 AM.

Everyone is welcome to join us!

The Nurture Committee will have the first Soup and You on September 16th, so mark your calendars now.

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.

United Methodist Men's Opportunity

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.

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Interest Inquiry: Youth Ministry Fall Retreat

Bridgewater UMC Youth Ministry is interested if any families with teens would like to go to Massanetta Springs for a weekend of connection, faith, and intergenerational community!

Event Details

Dates: September 25–27
Location: Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center (Harrisonburg, VA)
Cost: $175 per person
Theme / Focus: Intergenerational Connection
Deadline to register: 9/4/26.

Interested in Joining?

If you or your youth would like to attend, have questions, or need more details, please reach out directly:

Contact: Jomo
Action: Express your interest by contacting Jomo as soon as possible to reserve a spot!

INFO LINK: https://endhunger.org/get-involved/overnight-camps/

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!

We are so excited for back to school season. On This Sunday, August 16th, we will have the blessing of the backpacks. Students of any age, teachers, and any school employees. Please bring your school bags on Sunday.

On August 30th after the sermon, our children’s ministry will be having a back to school brunch. There will be more information coming soon!

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