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"Be still and know that I am God." 

Psalm 46:10

This is the Bible verse that has been guiding the work of General Conference 2020, which concludes today, May 3, 2024.  Many decisions have been made. Some changes are effective now.  The majority of changes will not take effect until January 1, 2025.

There are many inspirational messages coming out of General Conference.  The Conference was live streamed and the videos are available.  The preaching and worship services are very inspiring.  We moved toward more closely working with the Episcopal Church.  The conference voted to give Deacons the authority to offer the sacraments within the ministry context where they work.  Videos and information can be found at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020

There are parts of General Conference that you most likely will want to learn about, pray about, think about and talk about.   There will be some time to do that.  My door is open and I'm available for appointments.  Let me know if you want to talk. 

This Sunday, we celebrate Holy Communion together and we will reaffirm that Christ invites us all to come to the table out of his love for each of us.  Jesus chose you and chooses you for the work of God and the Holy Spirit in the world.   What I know is that Jesus is still Lord.  There is still a lot of good to do in the world.  The church is still the church.  

You are invited to a Webinar - Thursday, May 9th at 7:00 PM

All are invited to come together and view the webinar together Thursday evening in the Fellowship Hall.  OR you may also want to join to watch at home.  Here is the registration link.

The Virginia Conference will host a post-General Conference Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. The panel will include Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson; Rev. Lindsey Baynham Freeman, head of the Virginia delegation; and delegates Rev. Mark Ogren, Marshall Bailey, and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing. Register for webinar at this link. 

We welcome you to 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.   

To God by the Glory!  Pastor Mary

Greeters 

8:30  AM - B.J. Jenkins & Bettye Newman

11:00  AM - Gloria Roller & Kathi Hemmis

Ushers

8:30 AM - Ed & Marc Craun

11 AM - Chuck & Dawn Kern

Readers

8:30 AM - Johna McFarland

11 AM -  Christy Kipps

Audio Visual

8:30 AM  - Scott Ridder

11 AM - Tony Mancari

Acolytes

8:30 AM - Madelyn & Nolan Gilkeson

11 AM - David Kipps

Sanctuary Servers

8:30 AM - Sue Rexrode

11AM - Laura & Tony Mancari

The Trustees have approved interior and exterior painting and repairs for the church with Black Brother's painting. The estimate for exterior painting is $13,000 and interior $5,600. This is at cost or $35 per hour. In addition a lift will be required at an estimated cost of $2,000.

Due to warmer weather and needing to be scheduled for the capital improvements this summer, a called Council and Finance also approved this project unanimously. The Finance committee provided that $18,681 is in the Building Fund and $1,160 is left in the Brick Restoration Funds to cover some of these expenses.

We still need to raise funds to complete this project. Anyone wishing to assist with this important church restoration, please designate to the Building Fund. Any questions can be directed to Gregg Kiracofe.

Blessings to you all,  Scott Ridder, Council Chair

We are now accepting RSVPs for lunch.  Lunch will be catered by Cosmic BBQ and served at Dayton UMC at Noon(ish).  Please give your name and head count to Whitney Reusser by May 19th!   Fill out the slips in the bulletin and put them in the offering plate on Sunday mornings!  

Kits for Conference

This year UMCOR will be collecting 3 kits:

     1)  Hygiene Kits

     2)  UMCOR Cleaning Kits

     3)  Menstrual Hygiene Kits

They will not be collecting school kits again this year, but I feel that we can send hygiene kits again this year.  If you would like to donate items for the kits, there will be a box in the hallway starting May 5.  We need to have our completed kits to Otterbein UMC on Saturday, June 1 for them to be picked up by UMCOR.

The kit contains:

     1 hand towel (15"x25" to 17"x27")

     1 washcloth (no cleaning or microfiber cloths)

     1 comb (sturdy with 4-7 inches of teeth)

     1 toenail or fingernail clipper

     1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. or larger)  NO Ivory or Jergens

     1 adult toothbrush in the package

     10 adhesive bandages (3/4"x3")

     1 one-gallon size re-sealable bag

If you would like to assemble your own hygiene kits, there will be instructions on the Reading Cart.

                               Thank you!   Kathi Hemmis

We received a letter from a 3-person Christian family (including a "special needs adult") who are relocating to the area and looking for a home to rent.  The letter and more information is on the Community Board.

The Circle of Love is selling carnations as their annual fundraiser. 

Purchase a carnation in memory (white) or in honor (red) of your mother or other special women in your life. 

There will be a table in the breezeway with order forms and envelopes.  Please place your order with payment in the envelope and place it in the basket.  The carnations are $2.00 each, paid by cash or checks made out to BUWF (Bridgewater United Women in Faith). 

May 8 is the last day you can order.  The carnations will be in the church on Mothers Day, May 12. 

Thank you. -Circle of Love

On May 3 at 5:00, Harrisonburg Baptist Church will be presenting "An Evening of Stories and Songs" featuring the Shenandoah Valley Biblical Storytellers and the HBC Choir.  The storytellers will present scripture orally from memory, as i first might have been shared, interspersed with hymns and other music.  There will be an open hymn sing of favorite selections chosen by the audience.  Refreshments will follow.

The Salvation Army of Harrisonburg Annual Dinner and Volunteer Appreciation

May 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Location:  First Assembly of God, 1310 Garbers Church Rr, Harrisonburg VA

RSVP no later than April 29 to (540) 434-4854

Thank you and Praise Report from the Children's Clothes Closet!

Thank you to everyone who supported the Children's Clothes Closet through the Great Community Give on April 17th. Donations totaling around $7,000 were given and we also received the Brunch Bunch Power Hour Prize of $700. These donations will help us to continue spreading the love of Christ through clothing, socks & underwear, shoes, diapers and other necessities for families in need in our community. As Artie, the director of the Closet, always says God does provide! 

Thanks again!   Dawn Kern 

We will soon be celebrating Confirmation with three of our young people on

Sunday, May 19th: Reese Leach, Sydney Leach, and Chloe Higgs!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for and supported our Confirmation retreat April 20 & 21.  We toured the Bible Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum on Saturday and attended worship at the National Cathedral on Sunday morning!  What an experience. 

Confirmation Sunday will be May 19th.  The service of Baptism and Confirmation will be at the 11:00 AM service ONLY.  The 8:30 service will be a renewal of vows service.

We'd love for you to help! 

--Pray for our Confirmation Class, their families, teachers, & mentors on this exciting journey! 

--If you would like to help with the celebration reception, please let Pastor Mary know. 

Blessings, Pastor Mary        

                        Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary May 5-11!

Happy Birthday to:

5  - Samuel Wright

7  -  David McAlister

8  -  Anthony Joralemon

9  -  Jennifer Runion

9  -  Fontaine Canada

10 - Evan Kiracofe

11 - Jessi Higgs

Happy Anniversary to:

11 - Drew & Rita Davis

SUNDAY Communion Sunday

                Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM

                Sunday School for All Ages

                Confirmation Class

MON         6:30 PM  Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall)

TUE           4:30 - 6 PM Mothers Day Gift Prep for children (Fellowship Hal)

                   5:15 PM  Worship Committee Meeting (Library)

                   6:30 PM Valley Radio Control Flying Club (New Beginnings Classroom)

WED          9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                  6 PM Handbell Practice

                  NO CHOIR PRACTICE

NEXT SUNDAY - Mother's Day!    

                 Worship at 8:30 & 11 AM

                 Sunday School for All Ages

                 Confirmation Class 

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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