E-Blast!
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast Friday, March 13, 2026 |
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A Note from Pastor Mary |
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Dear friends in Christ,
Here's a reflection on our Gospel Lesson for Sunday from John 9:
As we were planning for our trip to Italy, we were buying tickets to so many art museums and scheduling so many churches, I began to feel like we would see so many things that my eyes would never recover!
At the Borghese Museum in Rome, we took a guided tour of their main art pieces. Among the first we saw was "Apollo & Daphne" by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Approaching the sculpture, (and being a "fan" of marble sculpture), I could see immediately that it was a masterpiece. But the guide helped us see something not obvious at first.
She explained that the sculpture was in the form of a spiral and as you walked around it, it showed different aspects of the story. The story of Apollo and Daphne is told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Here's a brief summary of the story: Apollo, a human, falls in love with Daphne, the daughter of a river god. Daphne is denied the love of humans and asks her father if she can be turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's desire. One side of the sculpture shows Apollo in love with Daphne. As you walk around, Apollo picks her up and she is seen in distress as he tries to steal her away and she resists. The third side shows her being rooted into the ground and leaves growing around her, her legs turning to bark as she turns into a tree.
It was an amazing and beautiful sculpture to see when I walked up to it, but as the guide explained the story to us and as we walked around it, it became even more meaningful. The guide also pointed out that no two of the leaves of the tree were the same. (Pictures of the sculpture at the end of the email and more information on the website of the Borghese Museum if you are interested.)
On Sunday, we continue our journey with Jesus in Lent, Our Gospel story is about Jesus healing the man who was born blind (John 9:1-41). John's Gospel explores many themes of blindness and seeing, including physical seeing and spiritual seeing. I think it is so amazing that in Jerusalem, we still have the archaeological site of the pool of Siloam where Jesus told the man to go and wash his eyes and his eyesight is restored.
In the story, there are people who both see and do not see what Jesus is teaching. There is the man who is healed, his family, the disciples, and the Pharisees. Jesus proclaims to them and to us to us, "I am the light of the world." May the different aspects and characters in the story open the eyes of our hearts and help us to see Jesus more clearly and see more clearly with the eyes of Jesus.
How does Jesus help you see other people and the world differently?
I "look" forward to seeing all of you on Sunday! Blessings,
Pastor Mary
Please continue to share the good news that our worship time is at 10 AM. Keep inviting friends & neighbors to Sunday School at 9 AM & joyful meaningful worship at 10 AM. |
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In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. ~ Psalm 18:6 |
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Joys and answered prayers We give thanks for God's grace and mercy Current Prayer Concerns
Peace in our lives, our families, with our neighbors and throughout the world
For our nation to step back from greed, injustice, fear, and hatred For our government leaders to act with love. For wisdom for all our leaders, especially our president For protection for our elected officials, to protect President Trump and his family For your will, Lord, not our will to be done For those who cannot read For those who are struggling with financial problems Help us to be servants to each other, our neighbors, and the world. Help us to become better people and Christians and to have more faith That our families will become closer to God and for clarity in seeing God's will For Bridgewater and other college students - for discipline and for those taking exams For safe travels for our families For strength and health and healing for our families, for those who are sick For victims of abuse of all kinds For comfort for those dealing with illness and loss and those awaiting surgery For those dealing with mental illness and addiction and those who care for them For our families and families in our community in crisis or struggling with estrangement
That this day be good and tomorrow better
Andrew Pam Abbott
Melody Baron Betty Coakley
Mary Ann Glendye
Ricky Jessee
Beverly Smith
Donald & Ginger Usry
Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Dick Boyd Grace Fishback Betty Foley Henry and Dorice Graham Rodney Hildebrand Deidra Hill Judy Hulvey Barbara Kiracofe Chloe Leach Dorothy Lion Tony Mancari Ray Michael Shirley Creekbaum Kim Miller Mitzi Puffenbarger Joanne Simpkins Bonnie and Tom Snook Edward Stoops Sandra Stroud Vic Taylor Nancy Thomas Gary and Marcia TyeryarDoris Waters
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Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, March 15, 2026 (3rd Sun)
Greeters Gloria & Rodney Hildebrand Ushers Higgs Family Reader Gloria Hildebrand Audio-Visual Mark Kipps Acolytes Madelyn & Nolan Gilkeson Sanctuary Servers Laura & Tony Mancari Bus Driver Chuck Rexrode |
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It's that time of year again! Easter Dedications can be made in made in Memory or in Honor and be in the form of lilies or tulips for $12 each, or donations toward the Backpack Ministry or the Roof Fund. Please see the order form in the bulletin. Order forms can by placed into the offering plate or brought to the office. Please have them in by Sunday, March 22. |
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Name Tags Pastor Mary has encouraged everyone wearing their name tags on Sundays for the sake of new members and visitors. Since a number of names were missing, I have made new ones to replace them and they are all on the board and alphabetized to enable locating them easily. If anyone is still missing a name tag, please let me know and I will make you one. Robin |
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Easter Candy Donations Needed For our Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day. (Details TBA) Please Bring your candy donations by Wednesday, March 25 and put them in the box on the lower shelf below the quilts. We will also need volunteers to help stuff Easter Eggs on Thursday, March 26, during office hours. Please let Robin or Pastor Mary know if you are able to help. Thank you! |
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District News -- Annual Conference is coming to JMU!!
Virginia Annual Conference June 17-20, 2026 Atlantic Union Bank Center (JMU)
Calling all Shenandoah Valley folks with gifts for kindness and hospitality:
We are searching for over 150 volunteers to help us host our first Shenandoah River District-area Annual Conference in Harrisonburg this year. We need many folks (even non-UMC!) with lots of kindness, knowledge and/or stories of the area to make this an unforgettable experience full of Shenandoah Valley hospitality for all.
If you are interested in partnering with us at this Annual Conference, please indicate your willingness, abilities, and availability. Our District Team will continue working with the Annual Conference Planning Committee to determine what jobs are available and then we will reach out and work with you one-on-one to find a job that suits you.
Thank you for your willingness, excitement, and energy. You will be the reason this is a magnificent experience for our Annual Conference members!
Some areas of help that will be needed are: -- Help with set up of conference at the Atlantic Union Bank Center in the days before and take down after the event --Help with golf carts as they arrive at the center in the days before AC --Registration Table (signing in Laity and Clergy) --Ushers (Wednesday through Saturday at noon) --Hospitality --Golf carts (driving and assisting persons into the arena) --Tech Desk
The official sign up sheet is coming soon, but in the meantime, now is the time to be thinking about what you can offer by giving of your gifts and talents!. - Debbie Creech debbiecreech@vaumc.org |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements |
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Subject: Upcoming Meeting: This Sunday!!!
Teen Outing: Lunch & Escape Room!
The Plan:
fellowship and devotion before the main event.
NOTE TO PARENTS SUMMER MISSION TRIP.
1. Harvest of Hope - 4 day (July 12-15th) 3. If any one knows of any other opportunities or ideas, please let me know.
Every Sunday: 6:45 p.m. Prayer for Teens — Parents’/Adults Zoom Gathering 7:00 p.m. Youth Zoom Check-in!
Blessings, Jomo Johnson (240) 328-5847 dumbumyouth@gmail. |
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Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families!
Join us for Children's Church every Sunday! Children’s Church is worship & Christian education for kids during part of the worship service. It is led by our amazing leaders Gracen, Rea, & Malachi. Children may attend worship through the Children’s Message & then go to Children’s Church on the first floor with our leaders. ~OR~ Children are always welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their family.
Jesus loves you and so do we!!
~Gracen Kelley~ BUMC Kids Group Me, email gracenkelley123@gmail.com or phone (call, text) 804-867-6143 |
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Relay For Life for Harrisonburg-Rockingham 2026 - Festival For Hope |
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It is Relay For Life season for our area for this year. I will share information weekly about our Relay, the American Cancer, what your donations do, and how you can get involved. If you have any questions or interest please contact Robin in the office. |
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Our Relay For Life's biggest fundraiser is our Auction! This year we are holding it as a separate event so that more Relay participants are able to participate in the auction, instead of setting up for Relay during it. It's going to be a fun event in and of itself, with food, baked goods, and Relay teams' setting up booths. |
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This week's Birthdays! |
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15 Grayson Byler 17 D. L. "Dick" Boyd 18 Josh Byler 19 David Kipps, Corbin Hess, Neal Snoddy, Gracen Kelley 20 Betsy Early 21 Dan Plecker, Scott Ridder |
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Our Calendar This Week |
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THIS 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 9:30 AM Children's Choir Practice (Choir Room) 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 AM "These Words of Mine" Bible Study (Fellowship Class - 2nd floor) 11:15 AM Youth Event 6 PM Wing Fellowship Meal (Fellowship Hall) 6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in
MON 2 PM UWF Hope Circle (BRC Smith Room) 6:30 PM Church Council & Finance Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 6:30 PM UWF Love Circle (New Beginnings Class)
TUE 10:30 AM "An Unlikely Lent" Bible Study (Library)
WED 10 AM Prayer Team (Library) 12 PM Soup & You (Fellowship Hall) 6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons) 7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
NEXT 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 9:30 AM 4th Sunday Coffee (Fellowship Hall) 9:30 AM Children's Choir Practice (Choir Room) 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 AM "These Words of Mine" Bible Study (Fellowship Class - 2nd floor) 1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities 6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in
Please send Robin announcements for the Bulletin/Slides/E-Blast by Wednesday to adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com. Thank you! |
Photos from the Devotion at the top:Apollo & Daphne sculpture by Bernini Pool of Siloam Archaeological site |
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Contact Us |
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219 N Main Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 |
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 |
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Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Copyright 2025. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved. |
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