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, August 6, 2026 |
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A Note from Pastor Rich |
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A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger
Spiritual Direction: Listening for God Together
One of the gifts God gives us for the journey of faith is the gift of companions—people who help us listen more deeply for the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Spiritual Direction is one way the church has long practiced that kind of holy companionship.
Spiritual Direction is not counseling, therapy, or advice-giving. Rather, it is a prayerful conversation in which a trained listener walks one-on-one alongside another person as they seek to notice God’s activity in daily life. A Spiritual Director listens carefully—both to the person and to God—and offers gentle questions, silence, prayer, and reflection. The goal is not to “fix” someone’s life, but to create sacred space where a person can become more aware of God’s love, guidance, invitation, and grace.
I am grateful to share that in addition to my MDiv, I graduated from a two-year Spiritual Director Certification program through Sioux Falls Seminary called “Listening People to Life.” The name itself captures much of what Spiritual Direction is about: listening in such a way that another person is helped to recognize the life of God already stirring within them. The program emphasizes discernment, prayer, spiritual formation, and the ministry of deep listening.
I want BUMC to know that Spiritual Direction is available with me by appointment. There is no charge for any Spiritual Direction session with me for members of the congregation. If you are sensing a desire to deepen your prayer life, discern a decision, understand a season of change, or simply pay closer attention to where God may be leading you, Spiritual Direction may be a meaningful gift for your journey.
Many people discover that Spiritual Direction becomes a powerful practice for understanding and pursuing their personal path of spiritual growth. In a world filled with noise, hurry, and distraction, it offers a quiet place to listen, reflect, pray, and become more attentive to God’s presence. It can help us name our longings, recognize patterns in our spiritual lives, and respond more faithfully to God’s invitations. I have a Spiritual Director myself that I meet with each month.
If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction, I would be glad to meet with you. Please contact me to schedule an appointment. It would be a privilege to listen with you, pray with you, and accompany you as you continue growing in the grace and love of Christ.
Prayer: Gracious God, quiet our hearts so that we may listen for Your voice. Open us to Your loving presence, guide us in wisdom and discernment, and help us grow more fully into the people You are calling us to become. May we walk with one another in grace, trust, and hope, following the path of Christ each day. Amen. Be blessed today and every day! Pastor Rich
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Prayer List |
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I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19a |
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Joys and answered prayers 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
Kevin & Marie Menard
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers... For those affected by the earthquakes in Japan and Venezuela, and the fires around the world, 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
Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Grace Fishback Betty Foley Dorice Graham Rodney Hildebrand Deidra Hill Judy Hulvey Barbara Kiracofe Dorothy Lion 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, August 9, 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 Fontaine Canada |
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Thank you to the Vocal Chords for a wonderful performance on Sunday! |
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Reminder: Prayer Group has moved to Tuesday mornings at 10 AM. Everyone is welcome to join us! |
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Please note for this week only Prayer Team will meet at 9:30 AM on Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict. |
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The Nurture Committee will have the first Soup and You on September 16th, so mark your calendars now. |
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Pastor Rich's ongoing Men's Bible Study will be will be continuing 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 one more small group session left to meet with Pastor Rich to get to know him better. The sign up sheet is in the breezeway if you wish to participate in this group meeting. There are still a few openings on this Tuesday August 11 at 10:30 AM at the Walton's |
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UWF Reading Program
Its almost time to turn in Reading Reports for this year. You'll have until August 10th to turn in your report, Please note the corrected date. There are so many great books on the reading cart. The 2021 books will be getting taken off the reading carts soon, so grab one while they're still available.
You dont have to be a UWF member to read these wonderful books. You also dont have to participate in the Reading Program. Check out some of the new childrens books on the cart. There are some really good ones, and they count toward your Reading Program if you are participating.
If you have any questions, just ask Kathi Hemmis. She's happy to answer them. |
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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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Bridgewater UMC Youth Announcements |
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Bridgewater UMC Youth Ministry is interested if any families with teens would like to go to Massanetta Springs for a weekend of connection, faith, and intergenerational community!
Event Details
Interested in Joining?
If you or your youth would like to attend, have questions, or need more details, please reach out directly:
INFO LINK: https://endhunger.org/
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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We are so excited for back to school season. On August 16th, we will have the blessing of the backpacks. Students of any age, teachers, and any school employees. Please bring your school bags on August 16th
On August 30th after the sermon, our children’s ministry will be having a back to school brunch. There will be more information coming soon!
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. 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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This event is taking place at the Bridgewater Retirement Community on September 12 |
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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 at 4 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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9 Jerry Swecker, Andy Smith 12 Collin & Conner Palmer, Michael Hill 13 John Johnson, Spenser Davis, Brad Powell 14 Carolyn Miller Johnson |
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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 6 PM Mission/Service Committee (Fellowship Hall) 7 PM Pastor Rich's Men's Bible Study (Library & Zoom)
TUE 9:30 AM Prayer Team (Library) (Please note for this week only Prayer Team will meet at 9:30 AM on Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict.)
WED 12 PM Lunch & Conversation (BRC Blue Ridge Room)
THU Robin out of office for training
NEXT 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service 6:45 PM Prayer for Youth 7 PM Youth Check-in
Please get everything needed for the bulletin and E-Blast to me by Tuesday next week due to my being out on Thursday. I must complete everything before I leave on Wednesday at 3 PM.
Please send Robin announcements for the Bulletin/Slides/E-Blast by Wednesday to adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com. Thank you! |
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