Call Us : 540-828-0890                Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

And Mary said,

 Luke 1:46-50 (selected verses)

It's still Unlikely Advent!  Hope, Peace, Love, Joy - What are you expecting this Advent season?  Where are you looking for Jesus to appear?  Have you seen God in an unlikely or unexpected place?  

This Sunday will be the Third Sunday in Advent - the Sunday of Joy!  Our scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 and Luke 1:46-55  We will focus on Mary, the unlikely choice to bring God's son into the world and her unlikely song!

Wild West Christmas!  This Sunday at 7 PM our children will present "Wild West Christmas" n the Sanctuary.  Come discover what's going on out there in the barn!  It will be a HOOT!  Reception to follow.  Directed by Whitney Reusser; Music by Ramona Evans

Caroling at BRC!  Join us for Christmas Caroling at Bridgewater Retirement Community on TUESDAY, Dec 19th at 4:00 PM.  Meet in the Birch Parking Lot (look for us), wear something festive, and let's spread some good news of great joy!  Contact Pastor Mary or Joey Capuano

Our Return to the Light Service will be Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary.  This is a reflective candlelight service for those needing support during the holidays.  All are welcome.  Music by Ramona Evans and Karen Chamblee

Next Sunday is (already) Christmas Eve!!  We will worship at 8:30 AM, 11 AM, 4 PM & 11 PM.  Our early services will be Advent-themed for the Forth Sunday in Advent.  The evening services will be Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services.  See below for more information!       

Join us this Sunday in person or online!  You can access our live stream from the website (www.bridgewaterumc.com).  Click on "Sermons" and then "Live Steam."  You may also join us directly on YouTube at Bridgewater UMC Virginia and click on the LIVE tab.

Seeking God with you in unexpected places,

Pastor Mary

Greeters 

8:30 AM - Gloria Hildebrand

11AM -  Karen Chamble & Kari Palmer

Ushers

8:30 AM - Adam & Jason Gilkeson

11 AM – Jim & Stephanie Higgs

Readers

8:30 AM –  Gloria Hildebrand

11 AM -  Karen Chamblee

Audio Visual

8:30 AM  - Scott Ritter

11 AM – Mark Kipps

Acolytes

8:30 AM - Madelyn & Nolan

11AM -  Collin & Connor Palmer

Bus Ministry

8:30 AM -TBD

11AM - TBD

Reverse Advent Calendar

Be a “particitater” and pick up a flyer for the Reverse Advent Calendar.  Each day in Advent, there are suggestions of food to give to mark the days until Christmas.  Bring your box to church ANY Sunday in Advent or Christmas Eve and we will deliver to the Bridgewater Interfaith Food Pantry.

Christmas Caroling at Bridgewater Retirement Community! TUESDAY 4:00 PM.  Meet at the Birch Parking Lot at BRC and let's make a joyful noise to share come Christmas cheer!! 

Christmas Coat Drive

for the Children's Clothes Closet

until Dec 31

The Hope Circle is collecting new or gently used coats for girls and boys in sizes 2 T - XL (18/20) during the Christmas season. Place them in the marked shopping cart in the hallway.  Thank you for supporting this mission outreach project!  Contact Dawn Kern 540-246-9478  Return by Dec 31st.

Also, a HUGE thank you to the Cracked Pillar (owners Tim & Patti Landes) for teaming up with us through their "Giving Tree" covered in 100 gift tags for coats, socks, underwear, sweatshirts, sweatpants, diapers & wipes for the Clothes Closet. The response has been incredible!  We are very blessed to live in such a caring and generous community!

Card Showers

Ray Michael is turning 90 on December 20!  Let's shower him with cards wishing him a very happy birthday.  He moved just before Thanksgiving.  His new address is: 

Mr. Ray Michael

BRC, Concord House, Room 251

302 North 2nd Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Ann Keels - Ann's last day with us at BUMC will be December 21, so I know you would like to join me in sending her your thanks and best wishes.  We will miss Ann greatly, but are happy that she will be able to fully enjoy her retirement in the new year ahead.  You can drop off cards at the church (Ann works T, W, Th 9AM - 3PM) or send them to the church to her attention.  Thank you!  Dawn Kern, SPRC Chair

BUMC Financial Snapshot Month End (Nov)

Year to Date, Month End 11-30-2023

General & Designated Income $368,676

General & Designated Expenses $381,423

Difference ($12,747)

We are still running a deficit for the year.  We are behind $6,948 on paying in full our Virginia Conference Apportionments.  Your continued support is greatly appreciated.  Please pray that we can have a strong December offering to finish up the year and give as you are able!  

I ran across an excellent series of videos produced on YouTube by the Virginia Annual Conference called "Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow: God's Vision for the Next Chapter of the United Methodist Church."  The videos are approximately one hour long.  All of them are conversation with our Bishop, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, and leaders in the UMC.  Here is the link to the first one: https://youtu.be/ippI1Fgopb8?si=OBUftCrHHUk2hDrG

Video 1 - "Unrelenting Grace" with Bishop Ken Carder, Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference

Video 2 - "Early Methodists and the Methodist Movement" with Dr. Ashley Bogan, Secretary for Archives and History

Video 3 - "How Do United Methodists Approach Scripture?"  with Dr. Paul Chilcote and Dr. Steve Harper

Video 4 - "What Conversations do we need to Have?" with Dr. Byron Thomas DS in the North Georgia Conference and Rev. Dr. Vance Ross, a pastor in the N. GA Conf

Video 5 - "The Current Movement in the VA Conference" - Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page and Dwayne Stinson, VA Conference Directors of Connectional Ministries

Pastor Mary

                                  Happy December Birthdays - December 8th  15th

Happy Birthday to:

Claire Lescanec   (15)

Brenda Jenkins (16)

Betty Fol3y (19)

Ada Robinson (20)

Bob Rieman (20)

Ray Michael (20)

Erin Gardner Davidson (20)

Reilly Breeden (26)

Gavin Higgs (26)

Georgia Lee Byerly (27)

Eric Miller (28)

D.R., Davis (30)

Abby Miller (30)

Happy Anniversary to:

Wilton & Becky Fansler   (18)

Our Old Doors are Available

Large Hardwood doors from our church painted RED.  If anyone interested in the old front doors call Gregg Kiracofe on (540) 479-0764. 

Bridgewater UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!  

219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

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