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

I'm sitting here thinking about the "path."  Doesn't it seem like almost every day there's a part of the path where the familiar ends and we are forging something new in the unfamiliar?  Not everything is unfamiliar, most of the path seems to be the one we've walked before, but then... there is a part to encounter that's "Huh.  I don't think I've been here before." -- "I'll go and ask questions and find out what's going on." -- "Dorothy, I don't think we're in Kansas any more!"    

Last week when one of our members came down from upstairs and said, "Well, I guess I better tell someone there's a squirrel in the building.  I just saw him taking off toward the Prayer Room."  Yep.  The path I could see had just ended.  Here was a place I had not been before.  I decided to take a paper box with a lid from the copy room (because after duct tape, a lot of things can be solved with a paper box) and investigate.  That's when I found myself up in the Prayer Room, praying for our church, a squirrel, and an idea.  

The ultimate solution was for Gregg and Edward to pick up the (small) couch up there and take it outside.  The squirrel had hidden in the couch and wouldn't come out, but when we put it out on the porch, it vacated the premises.  Thank you, God, for caring for one of your creatures.  And--hopefully--we have fixed the hole in the attic where the squirrel was getting in, too!

God's word and prayer can certainly help us when the path suddenly becomes unfamiliar--when life throws us an unexpected curveball or flying squirrel!  I was listening to Vespers by Pastor Adam Hamilton (pastor of UM Church of the Resurrection in Leawood KS).  He suggested to those listening that they pray the Sermon on the Mount texts in scripture (Matthew 5, 6, 7) every month or even every year to be more Christlike and to follow on the Jesus path.  These are Jesus' words and a lamp unto our feet.  Will you pray with me part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount?  

Lord, help me to be poor in spirit, 

Help me to be humble,

Help me to care for those who grieve.

Help me to comfort people 

Help me to be meek

Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for the things that are right.

Help me to be merciful, to be filled with compassion

and show mercy and compassion to others.

Help me to be more pure in heart, O God

Help me to be a peacemaker.

And help me, O Lord, to pray for those who wrong me...

Help me to be salt for the earth and light for the world... Amen

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

Joys and answered prayers

Collin Palmer received the Rotary Code of Ethics award and John Wayland ES

The BUWF contributed $650 to the Blue Ridge Free Clinic - thanks be to God

birth of Granville Holt Graham 5/25 - Ramona and Phil Evans great-grandson

birth of Ruby Anne Crickenberger 5/22 to Heather and Dalton Crickenberger

birth of Souther Saint Chiles - BJ Jenkins' great-great nephew

Yvonne Darden is doing well

We give thanks for God's grace and mercy

Prayers of Sympathy for the families of

Larry Martell, Jr.

Slim Hite

Current Prayer Concerns

For peace in the world, for all humanity.  For peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.

For the UMC General Conference, our church leaders, and those that feel far away from the General Conference.

For our church - its community service and its future.  For all churches around the world.

For our nation and all those in government.

People affected by natural disasters, storms and for those helping them

For BC and all college students, especially those needing financial aid.  For those making decisions on financial aid.

For all students, teachers and administrators in our schools.

For those with cancer and other illnesses and for their caregivers

For the health of our senior church family

For safe travels

For our children and grandchildren and our families and friends

For all of the active duty members of our armed forces and for military veterans

For families dealing with depression, anxiety, mental health and addiction

Ashley

Eve

Sheryl Meade

Bill Schoonmaker

Dana Shields

Bonnie and Tom Snook

Marcia Tyeryar

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Harold Burkholder

Marie Chaplin

Grace Fishback

Joanne Fisher

Betty Foley

Glen Goetz

Henry Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Bob Holden

Anna Keller

Barbara Kiracofe

Claire Leeper

Doris MacDaniel

Ray Michael

Shirley Michael

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Rev Luther Ramsey

Karen Ridder

Joanne Simpkins

Christie Smith

Nancy Thomas

Gary Tyeryar

Donald Usry

Greeters 

10 AM - Youth

Ushers

10 AM - Marisa Taylor, Colton McDorman, Braelon Steele, and Hayden Briggs 

Readers

10 AM - Clay Guyer

Communion Servers

10 AM - Reese Leach & Laney Steele

Audio Visual

10 AM - Tony Mancari

Acolytes

10 AM - David Kipps

Sanctuary Servers

10 AM - Laura & Tony Mancari

From Joan Kenney.  Check out the Silent Auction this weekend to support Project Healing Waters! 

**The action continues to June 1 and more items have been added!** 

Dear Friends of Project Healing Waters Mossy Creek Invitational,

Thank you for supporting the 15th Annual MCI event and fundraiser to be held on June 1st.  We are fortunate to have the dedicated staff, volunteers and donors that make this event a fun day of healing and a fund day to support continued healing.  

Please share this link with your family, friends and patrons as a way for them to participate in this great cause.  For every $50 raised, a wounded Veteran or service person is supported for a month in one of the nationwide local programs.  These programs provide the camaraderie of others while learning to tie flies, fish and experience the healing peace of being on the water.  

We will start the auction on Thursday, May 23^rd at 8 a.m. EST. Bidding will end on Saturday, June 1^st at 4 p.m. EST. Here is the link: https://live.classy.org/register/2024mciauction/3500f4f1-1f0d-4bc3-8c00-5fe2c99996cf

Again, thank you for all you have done and are doing to make this day a success.  

To Healing on the Waters, Joan Kenney PHW-MCI Volunteer

                        Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary May 30 - June 6

Happy Birthday to:

6-1 Noah Swartzendruber

6-2 Robert Kenney

6-3 - Dawn Kern

6-4 Shirley Michael

6-5 - Andrew Miller

6-6 - Sara Lynn McAlister

Community Notes

INTRODUCING LYFELYNC, A new non-profit in Virginia

Tour our proposed meeting/training space, and stick around for great food and great music!  We are a community-based organization that cares deeply bout he kind of brokenness that shatters relationships.  We promote healthy relationships and strong communities by creating safe spaces where we can tell our stories, support and learn from each other and unravel the impact of trauma, addiction and conflict.  In safe protective spaces, connection and restoration can occur.  Your gifts, including the proceeds from this event, go to support our work.

LyfeLynk Spring Fling Barbeque Fund Raiser

When:  3 pm - 8 pm on Saturday June 1, 20224

Where: 5421 Triple Z Drive Dayton VA  22821

More Information Available on the Community Board

SUN -  Youth Sunday & Graduate Recognition

ONE Service at10 AM at Bridgewater UMC

11:30 Lunch at  Dayton UMC, catered by Cosmic BBQ

MON - 6:30 Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall)

TUES - 6:30 Valley Radio Controlled Flying Club

WED - 9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library)

          Noon Lunch & Conversation at BRC (Shenandoah Room)

         7 PM Choir Practice

THU - 2:30 PM Staff Meeting (Library)

SAT - Fellowship Hall Reserved (Graduation Party)

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

Copyright 2024. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved.