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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast

Saturday, April 11, 2026

A Note from Pastor Mary

Dear friends in Christ,

 

On Sunday, we had a wonderful bright celebration of Easter and God poured blessings from the sky (literally, in the form of rain)!  What a wonderful celebration of the truth that we know and proclaim -- Jesus is alive!  Resurrection is real!  We have seen the Lord!  Special thank you to the music ministry all around!  Wyatt Smith our new Director of Music and James Kiser our new Choir Director both inspired us leading beautiful music.  Special thanks to our amazing organist, Drew Davis, Easter Choir and the instrumental musicians who were with us. 

 

I was especially blessed by the little one who ran up the aisle with hands in the air and shouting, so excited to meet Jesus in Children's Time.  I thought surely Mary Magdalene was in our midst. 

 

Friends, there are so many signs of the GOOD things that God continues to do at Bridgewater UMC. 

 

I so look forward to being with you tomorrow in worship to keep on celebrating Jesus resurrection.  Jesus comes in the midst of us--in the midst of fear and doubt, when amazing things happen and hard things happen--and says to each of us, "Peace be with you."  I don't know about you, but I can always use the peace that Jesus brings.  Peace. And Joy.  And Hope.  And Love.  

 

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

Nathaniel Alan Capuano was born 4/3. Mom and baby are doing well
Casey Hartman's treatments have been successful
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
Cris Irvine - Nancy Thomas's sister-in-law's brother
Nancy Shugart - Karen Chamblee's cousin
 
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

 

Nathaniel, Andrea, and Joey Capuano
Jonathan Hassler

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 12, 2026 (2nd Sun)

 

Greeters                    Paul & Johna McFarland

Ushers                       Taylor Family

Reader                       Ed Craun

Audio-Visual             Marc Craun

Acolytes                    Taylor Family

Sanctuary Servers    Chuck & Sue Rexrode

Bus Driver                 Dwight Campbell

Thank you to our wonderful church staff for leading the congregation and friends of the church through a blessed Lenten season, Holy Week and Easter. A new experience was the Maundy Thursday service that Pastor Mary with volunteers from the church family put together. The simple meal of soup and fruit was followed by communion and the reading of the events of Holy Week. There were several that shared their appreciation for this meaningful service.

 

Gracen, Rea and Malachi helped our youngest ones to learn about Palm Sunday, hear the story of Easter and celebrate with an Easter Egg Hunt and games. They brought college friends to help with the pizza lunch and festivities.

 

Easter Sunday is the holiest of the holy church days. Again, the staff made certain that the church would experience the unexpected joy that occurred when Jesus was not in the tomb. The Worship Committee brought the springtime season of new life through the living cross and flower arrangements. Your donations supported two important missions of the church offerings: the roof project and backpack ministries. Wyatt, James and Drew teamed up with the choir and community musicians with special this holy season. And our appreciation to Robin and Edward for the numerous ways that they kept the church informed and prepared for so many events.

 

This church is alive and serving the people. With so much momentum, lets keep the fire going!

 

Pentecost is coming! Invite friends and family to join us to be a part of living the greatest commandment.

 

God bless you in your journey with Christ.

Joan Kenney, SPRC Chair

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 privelege 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.

We wish to recognize and thank the wonderful 10 piece band for their performance on Easter Sunday:

Trumpets : Wyatt Smith and Noah Buckwalter

French horns : Andy Moyer and Gray Smiley

Trombones : Christopher Campagna and David Brennamen

Tuba : Martin Stoner

Percussion : Brenden Bradbury, Josh Allen, and Jeffrey Robinson

Please contact the office or sign on the list in the breezeway 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.

Please note that this event takes place at two different locations.

Our Keynote speaker will present live at the Bridgewater location and will be watched via satellite at Macedonia.

 

We have noted which workshops will take place at which location.

 

BRIDGEWATER location:

Putting It All Into Practice

Full Circle Care to Bless Your Laborers

How the Church Can Reach and Help the Anxious Generation (19-30 year olds)

 

MACEDONIA location:

Discovering Our Gifts and Strengths for Ministry

Serving Christ Together: An Effective Approach to Cooperative Parishes

Art & Soul A Visual Arts Worship Design Workshop

 

If you wish to attend, sign ups are online or please give Robin in the office your first and last name, email, and special dietary needs, and your method of payment.

 

You will also need to select your event location*(required)

Bridgewater UMC (Main Site)

Macedonia UMC (Satellite Site)

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

Sign up are online or Robin in the office can assist. Information needed is your first and last name, email, cell phone, shirt size, and area(s) of interest for volunteering, including: Registration, Directional Support, Greeters, Ushers, Parking, Transportation Support, and/or Conference Set Up/Take Down.

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!

 

On March 29th, 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

 

This Week's Birthdays!

16 Kristen Landes Shifflett

Our Calendar This Week

THIS             Second Sunday of Easter

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

 

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)

 

THU              6 PM Bridgewater Historical Society Dinner (Fellowship

                                     Hall & Kitchen)

 

NEXT            9 AM Sunday School for all ages

SUNDAY      10 AM Worship Service

                     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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