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

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid;

for see—I am bringing you good news of

great joy for all the people: to you is born this day

in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 

~ Luke 2:8-11

This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve!  Wow! 

 Our 8:30 AM & 11 AM services will be Lessons & Carols with the theme "Come & See."  There will be lots of music and we will read the Christmas story together from the Bible.  Sunday School classes will not meet.  There WILL be Children's Time in the services.  We are not able to offer nursery or Children's Church.  We hope children will want to hear the story and sing with their families.   

Our evening services will be Candlelight Communion Services.  4:00 PM is our Family Service and 11:00 PM is a bit more formal.  Wyatt Smith will be with us both services to share trumpet music and our Handbell Choir will play at 11 PM.   (There will not be nursery for our evening services.)

Next Sunday is New Year's Eve!  We will worship at 8:30 AM & 11 AM.  

Wild West Christmas! was SO FUN!  Everyone did a great job!  Thank you to Whitney Reusser for putting everything together.  it truly was a hoot!  (See pictures below)

A note about Office Hours the Week after Christmas:  The office will be open on Wednesday and Thursday 9 AM - 2 PM.  The office will be closed on Monday (Christmas Day), Tuesday, and Friday.   

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.

Blessed & Merry Christmas to you, you family and friends!  Pastor Mary

Greeters 

8:30 AM - Chuck & Sue Rexrode

11AM -  Leach Family

Ushers

8:30 AM - Don & Sue Gilkeson

11 AM – Dawn & Chuck Kern

Readers

8:30 AM –  Don Plecker

11 AM -  Dawn Kern

Audio Visual

8:30 AM  - Scott Ridder

11 AM – Sam Briggs

Acolytes

8:30 AM - Madelyn & Nolan

11AM -  Sydney/Reese Leach

Bus Ministry

8:30 AM -TBD

11AM - TBD

Introducing Michelle Weaver

Our New Administrative Assistant

The SPRC committee is pleased to introduce our new Administrative Assistant, Michelle Weaver, who will officially begin working in this position on January 2, 2024.  Many thanks to Ann Keels for her help in orienting Michelle these past two weeks.  Also, thank you to everyone who sent Ann your best wishes as she leaves BUMC.

Here is a short bio about Michelle so you all can get to know her a bit better. Please feel free to stop by the office and introduce yourself and welcome her.

Michelle Weaver grew up on a dairy farm in Augusta County.  She now lives in Bridgewater on a farm with her husband, Wes.  She and Wes raise Holstein steers and baby calves.  In addition to the farm, Michelle likes to cook and bake, grow flowers and plant gardens, and loves music.  She also plays the piano and enjoys spending time with her extended family.  She is a member of Lebanon Church of the Brethren

Quick Reminders for Coat Collection

& Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes

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 quick reminder to bring your box of food to church so that we can deliver to the Bridgewater Interfaith Food Pantry!  Thanks!! 

Bridgewater United Women in Faith participates in Candleburning with UWF around our Virginia Conference in December.  Candleburning is the sixth channel of giving for UWF members.  (Kind of like second mile giving).  In December 2023, the three circles gave a total of $500 to Candleburning.

The Circle of Love gave in honor of: 

Grace Fishback, Linda Ridder,

Ginger Usry, Nancy Bryant,

Letitia Lam, and Yvonne Taylor

The Circle of Love gave in memory of:

Peggy Smythers, Bettie Calhoun,

Charlie Pennybacker, and Rev. Doug Gestwick

The Circle of Hope gave in honor of:

Becky Downey and the dedicated members of Hope Circle

The Circle of Hope gave in memory of:

Laura Hall and the members who have gone on before us

The Circle of Faith gave in honor of:

Dorice Graham, Ginger Usry,

Betty Foley, Anna Keller,

and Crystal Curry

The Circle of Faith gave in memory of:

Laura Hall, Zachary Taylor, and Jeannie Kemp

                                  Happy December Birthdays - December 20th  31st

Happy Birthday to:

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 have been claimed!  Thank you!

The waiting is almost over!  Christmas is nearly here!  Have you seen The Gift of  the Present?  Soon we will light the Christ candle and sing hymns of joy to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  I challenge you to reflect on the time, love and care that has gone into gifts that are now beneath your tree and gift.  How great a love is that?  Remember our love for one another is only a dim reflection of God's abundant love for us!  As you gather at the table today, invite everyone present to add a coin to your Society of St. Andrew coin box, in thanks and gratitude for those who love and care for you -- and in thanks and gratitude for the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, born this day in Bethlehem for all time and all people.  Amen.

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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