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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Thursday, November 12, 2026

A Note from the Pastor

A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger

 

Thank You for Your Faithfulness

 

As we conclude our Stewardship Campaign, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has participated in this year's journey. Over the past several weeks, we have reflected together on how stewardship is about far more than finances. Stewardship is about discipleship. It is about loving God, loving people, and making a difference through the gifts God has entrusted to us.

 

I'm pleased to share that the commitment cards received to date total $254,160, which represents approximately 80% of our planned 2027 budget.

 

That is remarkable.

 

In fact, across my years of ministry serving churches in four different United Methodist annual conferences, this is the highest percentage of committed giving relative to a proposed budget via a Stewardship campaign that I have experienced. That speaks volumes about the faithfulness, generosity, and commitment of the people of Bridgewater United Methodist Church.

 

Even more encouraging is the fact that commitment cards are still coming in. While the final numbers are not yet complete, the response thus far provides a strong foundation for ministry in the coming year and demonstrates a congregation that believes in the mission to which God is calling us.

 

What excites me most is not the number itself. What excites me is what that generosity makes possible.

 

Your commitments help sustain worship, discipleship, pastoral care, and outreach ministries. They support efforts such as the Missons outreach, Blessing Box, Wing Fellowship, Congregational Care, prayer ministries, community partnerships, and the many opportunities we have to share Christ's love throughout our Valley. They also help us continue exploring new opportunities for ministry and outreach that can impact lives for years to come, including the Christian daycare operation making its way through the permitting and licensing process.

 

Throughout this stewardship season we've embraced a simple mission:

 

Loving God. Loving People. Making a Difference.

 

The formal stewardship campaign may end, but that mission continues. The mission will guide our ministries, inform our decisions, and shape our witness in the days, months, and years ahead. By the way, Commitment Cards are always available in my office.

 

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, your service, and your faithfulness. I truly believe that God has placed Bridgewater United Methodist Church in a unique position to do great things in the coming year. I am excited to see where God leads us next.

 

Grace and Peace,

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.

 

Please use the email seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc.com to contact Pastor Rich about church matters.

Prayer List

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Joys and answered prayers

Birth of Charlotte Elizabeth Johnson born Nov 8 to Caroline and Travis Johnson,

  Kim and Nathan miller are grandparents
Thank you, God, for all who have served this country
Thank you for the work of Melissa Kenney - one of TIME magazine's 100 Most

  Influential Climate Leaders of 2026

Thank you, God, for all your creatures, great and small

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

Nancy Bryant
Sandi McGraw

Bonnie and Tom Snook
Annette and Sonny Tongue

 

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

For faith and strength to love God, love people, and to make a difference

For peace, justice and wisdom in our nation and in the world
For peace to come in Iran, the Mid-East, Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Cuba and around the world.
For our leaders to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for your will to be done
For the people of our nation to turn to God and pray for guidance
For those affected by natural disasters around the world and for those helping them
To bring forth ideas for your kingdom, like the Blessings Box
To bring forth hearts, minds and hands to implement them
For people who need love, compassion, hope and forgiveness to find God's love through our actions
For Bridgewater UMC to continue growing
For our new members and all of us to grow in faith
For foster parents and children in foster care
For healing for the sick and calm for the anxious
For peace and balance with work, family, and all of life
For comfort, peace, and strength for all who are grieving loved ones
For victims of abuse of all kinds, and for their abusers to change and learn
For comfort for those dealing with illness and loss, those awaiting surgery and test results, and those undergoing treatment
For those dealing with mental illness and addiction and those who care for them
For families crisis or struggling with estrangement
For safe travels for our families and friends, for health and safety during their trips
That this day be good and tomorrow better        (Galen Dellinger)

 

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Dick Boyd
Shirley Creekbaum
Grace Fishback
Betty Foley
Dorice Graham
Rodney Hildebrand
Deidra Hill
Judy Hulvey
Barbara Kiracofe
Dorothy Lion

Kim Miller
Mitzi Puffenbarger
Joanne Simpkins
Tom Snook
Sandra Stroud
Nancy Thomas
Gary and Marcia Tyeryar
Donald and Ginger Usry
Doris Waters

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, November 15, 2026 (3rd Sun)

 

Greeters                    Gloria & Rodney Holdebrand

Ushers                      Higgs Family

Reader                       Gloria Hildebrand

Audio-Visual             Mark Kipps

Acolytes                    Nolan Gilkeson

Sanctuary Servers    Laura & Tony Mancari

Bus Driver                 Chuck Rexrode

Its Operation Christmas Child Time Again!

OCC Packing Party

 

We greatly appreciate all of the congregation's donations this year for our Operation Christmas Child project. The time to pack the boxes is almost here!

 

We plan to pack the boxes on this Saturday, November 14 from 10-12 in the church fellowship hall. We'll have pizza and treats when the boxes are all packed. OCC box delivery is that next week. There is a sign-up sheet in the breezeway to let us know if you plan to help with the packing party.

 

Johna McFarland, OCC Coordinator
 

Our Holy-ween Party for the youth was a hit! We had 11 youth participate. Thank you to everyone who helped.

'Tis the Season

It's time to order poinsettias for Christmas! Order forms will be in Sunday's bulletins. They are due in by this Sunday, November 15th. Poinsettias are $15 each. Alternative giving options are the Backpack Ministry or the general fund. Of course, poinsettias and alternative giving can be in honor of memory of someone of your choice.

For anyone who has missed out on a Society of St. Andrew Harvest of Hope here are some pictures to show you what you're missing!

It's also time for Kingsway's Apple Tree Campaign! Be on the lookout for the tree to be in the breezeway. Pick an apple and provide Christmas gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated. Donations to cover shipping costs are also appreciated. See the bulletin inserts for further information about this ministry.

Reminder: Thanksgiving Potluck for the church is on Sunday, Nov. 22 following service.  After dinner, you are invited to stay and help put up the Advent/Christmas decorations.