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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Good Friday, April 3, 2026

A Note from Pastor Mary

Dear friends in Christ,

 

A blessed Good Friday to you this evening.  As we remember Jesus arrest, crucifixion, death and burial in the coming days I hope that you take time to reflect on the story and share with someone what Holy Week means to you. 

 

This Lent has been particularly meaningful to me, reflecting on the story with those who have come to the Unlikely Lent Bible study--we have had some great discussions--sharing some of my experiences in Italy in sermons and with those who have asked.  Thanks to those who have dropped by the office, shared your lives and love with me.  Thank you for all who attended our meal and Maundy Thursday service llast night.  To all who shared in that experience -- in the kitchen, serving, reading, praying, and listening, I am deeply blessed and thankful.  

 

This evening will be our Good Friday service in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM.  Surely he has bourne our griefs and carried our sorrows.  We will come together to reflect on the sacrifice of the cross. 

 

I cannot wait to see you on Easter Sunday morning  (10 AM - invite a friend) to celebrate that we ALL receive new life in Jesus Christ - because death has been defeated, he "breaks the power of cancelled sin" and HE LIVES.  We serve a RISEN SAVIOR, he's in the world TODAY.  

 

Jesus brings new life!    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.

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

Joys and answered prayers

Children's choir song Sunday was a real joy!
Charlotte Kenney's procedure went well
Dick Harper's heart surgery went well
We had a wonderful Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day on Sunday
Thank you, God, for the love of Jesus, for our church, our families, and our friends
We give thanks for God's grace and mercy
 
Prayers of Sympathy for the families of
Whitey Davis
Michael Randall 
Cris Irvine 
 
Current Prayer Concerns

Peace in my life, my family, with our neighbors, and throughout the world
For peace in Iran and in the Mid-East, and in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Cuba, and around 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, 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

 

Leach Family
James and Janet Shifflett
Shawn McGraw

Dick Harper

 

Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation

Grace Fishback

Betty Foley

Henry and Dorice Graham

Rodney Hildebrand

Deidra Hill

Judy Hulvey

Barbara Kiracofe

Chloe Leach

Dorothy Lion

Ray Michael

Shirley Creekbaum

Kim Miller

Mitzi Puffenbarger

Joanne Simpkins

Bonnie and Tom Snook

Sandra Stroud

Vic Taylor

Nancy Thomas

Gary and Marcia Tyeryar
Donald & Ginger Usry
Doris Waters

Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, April 5, 2026 (1st Sun)

 

Greeters                    Gloria Roller & Kathi Hemmis

Ushers                       Mark Kipps & Claude Martell

Reader                       Johna McFarland

Audio-Visual             Tony Mancari

Acolytes                    David Kipps

Sanctuary Servers    Laura & Tony Mancari

Bus Driver                 Fontaine Canada

To my church family:

Words can not express my appreciation to my church family for all their prayers, cards, texts, visits, and food during my recent illness.

I feel so blessed to have all the support from everyone, it was so humbling.

Please continue to pray for me to regain my strength.

Thanks again

Rodney

THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Wing Fellowship art opportunity drawing. We are grateful for all those who purchased tickets and donated money to make the fundraiser a success. Over $2300 was raised for the Wing Fellowship.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards, texts, calls, attending visitation and the memorial service, and other acts of kindness during the recent loss of our father. It has provided much comfort during this difficult time.

D.R. and Katrina Davis

Thank you from Shirley Creekbaum Michael: It is with deepest gratitude I thank the congregation for acknowledging my service as your Financial Secretary. It was my honor and privalege to serve in this role and wish Ann Teeter well as my successor. Many thanks for the lovely yellow tulips and gift card to Smiley's Ice Cream. My favorite food, ice cream!! My blessings to our church family.

Name Tags We encourage everyone to remember to wear your name tag for the sake of new members & visitors. Robin has made new name tags for everyone. They are on the board & alphabetized to help you find them easily.

If anyone still needs one, please contact Robin

Please contact the office if you have been trained and have a CPR certification. Also, If you are trained in using a defibrillator. This will be most helpful. We need to have a record of who is certified.

For those who help provide coffee and food for the 4th Sunday Coffee, please be aware of the schedule of which month your group is responsible for:

 

April - Handbell choir

May - Youth Ministry Team

June - Administrative Council

July - fellowship meal - Church Picnic

August - Educate and Equip / SS teachers

September - UWF Faith and Hope Circles

October - fellowship meal - Consecration Sunday

November - Men's breakfast group

December - Cantata Christmas cookie reception - Sanctuary Choir

January - Faith Bible SS class

February - GIFT class / New Beginnings class

March - SPRC

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

Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements

Youth Events Lunch, Hunt & Service

Sunday, April 19th Lunch & Scavenger Hunt (Valley Mall)

Join us for a fun afternoon together after church!

Well meet at the mall food court for devotion, lunch, then break into teams for an exciting scavenger hunt challenge at the Mall.

Time: 11:30 AM 1:30 PM

Location: Harrisonburg Mall Food Court

What to Expect:

Lunch with friends

Team scavenger hunt competition

Prizes & fun

________________________________________

Sunday, April 26th Lunch, Devotion & Mission Day

A meaningful time of fellowship and service.

Schedule:

Lunch at church

Devotion time

Local mission activity

Fun post activity* (Optional)

________________________________________

Sunday, May 31st Youth Service

Were inviting all teens to take part in leading this special service!

Opportunities to Participate:

Share a 3-minute year recap testimony from each youth

Join in 2 group songs

Serve as an acolyte

Read scripture

Perform a solo or duet

________________________________________

All teens are encouraged to participatebring a friend and be part of something powerful!

NOTE TO PARENTS SUMMER MISSION TRIP.
(I know that summer is super busy, but I want to share 3 options for shorter trips.)

 

1. Harvest of Hope - 4 day (July 12-15th)
2. Teens Opposing Poverty - Woodbridge, VA - 1 day with 1 day DC hangout layover. (So 2 days total)

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 
Parents, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 6:45 p.m. on Zoom for prayer over our teens! Together, we’ll lift up their hearts, minds, and futures — asking God to bring them peace, strength, and rest as they grow in faith.

7:00 p.m. Youth Zoom Check-in!

 

Blessings,  Jomo Johnson (240) 328-5847   dumbumyouth@gmail.com

Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families!

 

This Sunday, our children’s ministry celebrated Palm Sunday. We came together as a church and had lunch, played many fun games, and ended things off with an Easter egg hunt. It was an exciting and engaging time in our church!

Thank you so much for all of our volunteers that help put this together. We could not do it without you! Happy Easter!

 

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

Relay For Life for Harrisonburg-Rockingham 2026

- Festival For Hope

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.

All God's Children Camp needs your help!

 

Are you ready for a week that will change your life as much as it changes a childs?

 

We are gearing up for two incredible weeks of All God's Children Camp, and we need you to help make it happen! To ensure every camper has the support they deserve, we are looking for 15 female and 15 male mentors for each of our upcoming sessions:

 

June 14-19 at Camp Chanco on the James

August 9-14 at Camp Chanco on the James

 

As you know, camp isn't possible without our mentors. But "mentoring" is just a fancy word for being a friend. Youll spend the week walking alongside a camper, cheering them on as they conquer the zipline, create a masterpiece in arts and crafts, or brave the tubing run on the James River. Whether its diving into Bible study or cooling off in the pool, you are there to provide the leadership and encouragement they need to shine.

 

The Details:

Who: Folks ages 17 and up.

The Mission: A high-impact week of service right here in our own backyard!

Bonus: This is a fantastic way to earn service hours, and its even better with a buddy. Bring a friend, a family member, or your whole small group!

This is an urgent call to actionwe cant open the gates without a full team. If youre looking for a summer experience filled with hope, laughter, and purpose, this is it.

 

https://www.agccamp.org/

Click the link above to our website and scroll down to download a mentor application today! Or you can also download attached the application to this email.

 

Lets make this the best summer yet for these kids. We can't wait to serve alongside you!

Much love and peace,

 

Lori Smith, Executive Director

All God's Children Camp

P.O. Box 187

Fairfax, VA 22038

571-245-9591

www.agccamp.org

 

April's Birthdays!

1  Robert "Bob" Johnson

4  Taylor Hardy

6  Nate Flora, Liz McCammon

7  Angie Briggs, Kendall Newman, Lily Byler

9  Evelyn Flora, Laura Mancari, Marc Craun

10 Chloe Higgs

16 Kristen Landes Shifflett 

20 Hallie Dinkel

23 Colton McDorman

25 Nolan Gilkeson, Zach Davis

26 Rita Davis

28 Joey Ruliffson

Our Calendar This Week

THIS             Easter Sunday! Resurrection Celebration!

SUNDAY       9 AM Sunday School for all ages

                     10 AM Worship Service

                     6:45 PM Zoom Prayer for Youth

                     7 PM Youth Zoom Check-in

 

MON             Office Closed for Easter Monday

                     6 PM SPRC Meeting (Sanctuary)

                     6:30 PM Bridgewater Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall)

 

TUE              10:30 AM "An Unlikely Lent" Bible Study (Library)

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

 

WED            10 AM Prayer Team (Library)

                     6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons)

                     7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

 

NEXT           Second Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY      9 AM Sunday School for all ages

                     10 AM Worship Service

                     6:30 PM Wing Fellowship Meal (Fellowship Hall)

                     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!  

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

Contact Us

219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

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