E Blast
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Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
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Bridgewater UMC E-Blast Thursday, July 16, 2026 |
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A Note from Pastor Rich |
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A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger
“Serving Christ at the Lawn Party”
I hope I’ve told everyone how much Rebecca and I love Bridgewater UMC and the community. Your presence and gifts last week at our welcome coffee meant so much to us. And now, the community is presenting us with more joy and some great opportunities.
Friends, one of the great joys of being United Methodist is that our faith is never meant to stay inside the sanctuary. It moves. It reaches. It serves. When we join the church, we promise to support its ministries with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness—not as five separate duties, but as one beautiful way of life shaped by grace.
The Bridgewater Lawn Party gives us a chance to live that promise in the heart of our community. When we volunteer—whether greeting neighbors, handing out water bottles, directing people to our clean restrooms, or simply offering a smile—we are practicing a very Wesleyan kind of holiness: faith made visible in love.
John Wesley taught that “the world is my parish,” and he meant that every street, every gathering, every ordinary place is an opportunity to bear Christ’s love. The Lawn Party may not look like a pulpit, but it becomes one when God’s people show up with servant hearts. Your presence becomes a prayer. Your labor becomes a gift. Your kindness becomes a witness. And your service becomes a living sermon—one preached not with words, but with compassion.
So, consider showing up at Bridgewater UMC at 5:30 on Friday and/or 4:30 on Saturday to help. You are not just helping with an event. You are embodying the gospel. You are showing Bridgewater what grace looks like on a non-Sunday. You are living out the vows we make together. And you are reminding our neighbors that the people of Bridgewater United Methodist Church are committed to loving God by loving them and being The Heart of Bridgewater.
May all we do—at the Lawn Party and beyond—be done in the spirit of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.
Amen. Pastor Rich |
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Prayer List |
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Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! ~ Psalm 4:1 |
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Joys and answered prayers Alastair Jackson Morrell was born on July 10 to Michelle and Andrew Morrell. Proud grandparents are Scott & Karen Ridder; great grandparents are Marcia and Gary Tyeryar and Linda Ridder. 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
Current Prayer Concerns
For those affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela and for those helping them For those affected by disease outbreaks - Ebola, measles, and Cyclosporiasis For protection for all Houses of Worship of all faiths For pastors and congregations with new congregations and pastors Peace in my life, my family, with our neighbors, and throughout the world
Gwen
Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Grace Fishback Betty Foley Dorice Graham Rodney Hildebrand Deidra Hill Judy Hulvey Barbara Kiracofe Dorothy Lion Ray Michael Shirley Creekbaum Kim Miller Mitzi Puffenbarger Joanne Simpkins Bonnie and Tom Snook Sandra Stroud Nancy Thomas Gary and Marcia TyeryarDonald & Ginger Usry
Doris Waters
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Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, July 19, 2026 (3rd Sun)
Greeters Gloria & Rodney Hildebrand Ushers Higgs Family Reader Gloria Hildebrand Audio-Visual Mark Kipps Acolytes Nolan Gilkeson Sanctuary Servers Laura & Tony Mancari Bus Driver Chuck Rexrode |
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Pastor Rich has an ongoing Men's Bible Study which he will be restarting on Monday, July 20. It will be held every Monday at 7 PM in the Library and is also available by Zoom. Join in and meet men with whom Pastor Rich has been meeting from other locations and participate in stimulating discussions. Pastor Rich can provide the Zoom contact information and answer any questions. |
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There is a proof copy of the new Church Directory available in the hallway on the table under the quilts. Everyone please take the time to check your information and write in adjustments as needed. This information will be in the new pictorial directory. |
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Our Church Picnic is coming up Next Sunday! Sunday, July 26, 5:30-7:30 PM at Oakdale Park Picnic shelter #3 Please put it on your calendar! The picnic is Pot Luck. Tableware and drinks will be provided. Presented by the Nurture Committee |
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There are small group sessions planned to meet with Pastor Rich over the next few weeks to get to know him better. Sign up sheets are in the breezeway if you wish to participate in one of these group meetings. |
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Harvest of Hope Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center September 25-27, 2026 |
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Harvest of Hope is a faith-based, experiential, service & learning opportunity that provides you and your group the opportunity to take action, get involved in hands-on activities, and rescue and share good food with people in need. There is an intergenerational Harvest of Hope experience occurring in Harrisonburg at Massanetta Springs Camp and Retreat Center on September 25-27, 2026. The cost is $175/person. Search for endhunger.org. Scroll down to Overnight camps and click on the picture for Harvest of Hope. The page will show you all the overnight camps in Virginia. click on Sign Up for the event in which you wish to participate to register. |
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Mission Trip Opportunity 4 days in Philadelphia with our youth Open to everyone! |
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This trip starts on Monday! Please contact Jomo right away if you want to participate. |
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Subject: Pack Your Bags! Join Our Summer Mission Trip
Looking for a powerful way to put your faith into action? Come serve with us! Our upcoming summer mission trip to Philadelphia is officially open to everyone: parents, teens, and children alike. If you love Jesus and have a heart for working with kids, there is a place for you on this team.
Whether you want to serve as a family or join as an individual, we would love to have you. Lets make a lasting impact together!
Interested? Contact Jomo Johnson at (240) 328-5847, dumbumyouth@gmail.com, or catch him after service this Sunday to secure your spot. Deadline to sign up is 7/14 |
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For more information check out the Promo video and link: https://canva.link/ |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements |
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BRIDGEWATER UMC MISSION TRIP Philadelphia, PA | July 20 – 25th
We're heading to Philadelphia to serve alongside St. Luke's Episcopal Church and their community, supporting their annual Child Spelling Bee and youth programs.
10 students, age 7 to 12. Philly Inner city 12pm to 3pm After: Free time for exploration, tour of Philly, and PRAYER WALK.
What's Included: • 4 nights lodging • Service work with St. Luke's Episcopal Church • Community engagement and youth mentorship • Meals and daily activities
Cost: $270 per person (parents, adults, and youth welcome)
This is a chance to build meaningful connections, serve a real need, and grow in faith alongside families from our church community. Whether you're new to mission work or a longtime servant, there's a place for you.
Interested? Contact Jomo Johnson with questions about dates, what to expect, or how to register.
Let's go serve together.
Jomo
Link to camp music video. https://canva.link/
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.com |
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Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families! |
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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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Open Auditions for Chordially Yours Love to sing? Wed love to meet you. Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley, a community based SATB choir led by Scott Zane Smith, is welcoming new singers. Our 35 member ensemble performs two major concerts each year and will tour Austria in 2027. Open Auditions Saturday, August 8 14 p.m. Anthony Seeger Hall, 821 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg Drop in anytime for a friendly, informal auditionno registration required. Expect light vocalizing, pitch matching, and simple sight reading. If you have questions or would like to learn more about Chordially Yours, our trip to Austria, or about the audition itself, reach out on Facebook at Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley or email Scott at szanes@aol.com. Thank you again for your continued support! -- Sincerely, Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley Creative Council Greg Conway, Chair Scott Smith, Artistic Director |
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This Week's Birthdays! |
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20 Mitch Palmer, Scott Flora 23 Kari Palmer, Loretta Cubbage 24 Anslee Hardy |
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Our Calendar This Week |
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THIS 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service 6:45 PM Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Check-in
MON 7 PM Pastor Rich's Men's Bible Study (Library & Zoom)
TUE 6:30 PM Church Council & Finance Meeting (Fellowship Hall)
WED 10 AM Prayer Team (Library) 7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
NEXT 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service 1:30 PM Worship at White Birch Communities 5:30 PM Church Picnic (Oakdale Park shelter #3) 6:45 PM Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Check-in
Please send Robin announcements for the Bulletin/Slides/E-Blast by Wednesday to adminasst@bridgewaterumc. |
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Bridgewater UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! |
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