E Blast
|
Call Us : 540-828-0890 Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
|
|
Bridgewater UMC E-Blast Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
|
|
A Note from the Pastor |
|
A Message from Rev. Richard Bensinger
Making Love Visible
Sometimes God’s love looks like a warm bowl of soup. Sometimes it sounds like a friendly voice on the telephone. Sometimes it is simply someone sitting beside us, reminding us that we do not have to face life alone.
That’s the heart of this week’s Sunday sermon, “Stewardship Is: Loving People.” Drawing on Matthew 6:21 and 1 Peter 4:7–11, we consider how loving God leads us to share God’s love with others. Stewardship is more than supporting a budget. It’s offering what God has placed in our hands to bless someone else.
Each of us has something to share. Perhaps you enjoy welcoming guests, preparing meals, teaching, listening, fixing things, or praying for others. Your gift doesn’t have to draw attention to make a difference. A small act of kindness can become a lasting reminder of God’s care.
We see these gifts at work throughout Bridgewater United Methodist Church. Our Reach and Relate Team extends a warm welcome. Our Nurture Team brings people together through Soup and You lunches, encouragement cards, and meals during difficult seasons. Our Congregational Care Team offers companionship through calls and visits, while our Prayer Team faithfully lifts others before God. Music, teaching, and countless quiet acts of service help make our church a caring community.
There’s a place for your gifts, too. Together, we can be more than a church in the community—we can be a church for the community, where neighbors find friendship, encouragement, and hope.
An Invitation: Our Commitment Cards
Commitment Cards provide a simple way to express our intended financial support for the church’s mission and ministry. They are not bills or membership dues, and they do not earn God’s love. They are an opportunity to respond to the love God has already given us.
Please prayerfully complete your Commitment Card, beginning not with a number, but with a conversation with God: How are you inviting me to grow, serve, and share? The prayer behind your commitment matters more than the amount. Your gifts, prayers, service, and generosity all have a place in our shared ministry. Commitment Cards are available in the Church narthex or let us know to mail one to you.
Let us pray: Loving God, thank you for the gifts you entrust to us. Open our hearts to our neighbors, guide our commitments, and help us make your love visible. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Grace and peace, Pastor Rich |
|
|
|
If you would like to try Spiritual Direction, contact Pastor Rich via phone (703-402-0287) or email (seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc. Written copies of the Sunday sermon are available. Just contact Pastor Rich via email (seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc. Please use the email seniorpastor@bridgewaterumc. |
|
|
Prayer List |
|
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 |
|
Joys and answered prayers Karen Ridder is doing well after hand surgery Thank you, God, for all your creatures, great and small 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 Chana Beers - Karen Cook's brother-in-law's niece
Current Prayer Concerns
Dayton UMC Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers... Ongoing Prayer Needs of our Congregation Dick Boyd |
|
|
Worship Volunteers for this Sunday, November 1, 2026 (1st Sun) Greeters B.J. Jenkins & Bettye Newman Ushers Ed Craun & Marc Craun Reader Christy/Mark Kipps Audio-Visual Tony Mancari Acolytes David Kipps Sanctuary Servers Don Gilkeson & Sue Rexrode Bus Driver Fontaine Canada |
|
|
Congratulations to Madelyn Gilkeson and her teammate for their FFA Third Place in the Nation Win in Agriscience fair division 2 Food systems!. |
|
|
|
|
'Tis the Season |
|
It's time to order poinsettias for Christmas! Order forms will be in Sunday's bulletins. They are due in by November 15th. Poinsettias are $15 each. Alternative giving options are the Backpack Ministry or the general fund. Of course, poinsettias and alternative giving can be in honor of memory of someone of your choice. |
|
|
It's also time for Kingsway's Apple Tree Campaign! Be on the lookout for the tree to be in the breezeway. Pick an apple and provide Christmas gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated. Donations to cover shipping costs are also appreciated. See the bulletin inserts for further information about this ministry. |
|
Reminder: Thanksgiving Potluck for the church is on Sunday, Nov. 22 following service. After dinner, you are invited to stay and help put up the Advent/Christmas decorations. |
|
|
Ladies, the United Women in Faith Christmas Celebration Lunch is coming up soon! Please sign up on the sheet in the breezeway. |
|
|
|
Are you interested in learning to ring Handbells, learning new ringing skills, or being a part of a handbell choir that is just for fun? Call or text Ramona Evans at 540-421-9340. |
|
|
|
Its Operation Christmas Child Time Again! |
|
|
BUMC is collecting items for Operation Christmas Child boxes. We are now collecting "Fun" Items. Items we need matchbox cars, small games, small balls, play dough, girls hair items, dolls, coloring books, card games - whatever will fit inside a shoe box. A collection area is set up in the breezeway. We appreciate everyones support for this important service project. Johna McFarland, OCC Coordinator |
|
|
Our Blessing Box is now fully functioning! Items needed for the Blessing Box: Dry Pasta and Pasta sauce ( note try to avoid glass jars during colder weather) Canned pasta items - Beef a Roni, Spaghetti, Ravioli etc. Canned Vegetables - Corn, Peas, Green Beans ( note French Cut do not go well!!!),Canned Tomatoes (Whole, Diced, Paste), Mixed Vegetables, Canned Beans, Chili Beans, Pork N Beans etc. Canned Fruit - Pears, Peaches etc. Canned soups- Tomato, Chicken Noodle, Vegetable (Beef) just basic soups Saltines Canned Meats- Tuna, Potted Meat, Vienna Sausage, Treet, Spam, Corned Beef, etc. Ramen Noodles - Variety of flavors SMALL containers of condiments - Catsup, Mustard, Mayo, Salt/Pepper Please think in terms of needing a variety of items rather than large quantities of one item. Also, if we are serving any homeless people, they may not have access to can openers or ways to heat food. |
|
|
The Circle of Love would like to thank everyone who attended the annual UWF Salad Supper on Monday evening. There was a lot of great food, good fellowship, and wonderful speaker, Susannah Lepley from Church World Service. We collected many snacks for the youth program and monetary donations of $540. I hope next year we can have more people attend. |
|
The Women's Bible Study. "The Women of the Bible Speak: the Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today" by Shannon Bream. Meets on Wednesday mornings from 10-11 AM in the New Beginnings Classroom |
|
Reminder: Prayer Group has moved to Tuesday mornings at 10 AM in the Library. Everyone is welcome to join us! |
|
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. We are currently studying the book of Joshua. Pastor Rich can provide the Zoom contact information and answer any questions. |
|
|
Harvest of Hope Phoebe Needles Camp in Riner/Callaway, VA November 6-8, 2026 |
|
|
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 Phoebe Needles Camp in Riner/Callaway, VA on November 6-8, 2026. The cost is $175/person. BUMC has scholarships available if needed. 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. |
|
|
|
|
Youth Event The Empty Bowl Supper at BRCC Thursday, November 5th *All youth tickets will be paid for by the youth account!* **Your ticket includes your very own handmade ceramic bowl to keep, soups, beverages, and dessert. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will have a short presentation. Friends and family are welcome. All youth, middle & high school aged, cost will be covered. Adults will need to register and pay for themselves. Call Rhonda Johnson with any questions: 540-421-6603. The event begins promptly at 6 PM, so we will leave from church by 5:15 PM or you may meet us at the college. Please sign up yourself and any youth friends you are bringing on the sheet below the youth bulletin board so we know how many tickets to preorder. |
|
|
Hi, BUMC kiddos, friends, and families! |
|
We have our Friendsgiving event coming up, on November 15 from 5-7. Please bring guests and your families! We will be asking people to bring in their favorite thanksgiving dishes and desserts. We will have some crafts and activities for everyone to take part in. Hope to see you there! |
|
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 and 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley, a 50-member professional choir led by Artistic Director Scott Zane Smith, presents its holiday concert, The Pure Imagination of Christmas, December 19-20 at Lindale Mennonite Church in Linville. (Please note the new location.) Performances begin at 3 p.m. both days. This one-hour concert features an inspiring collection that captures the spiritand magicof the holiday season. Make plans to attend, and bring your family and friends. For more information, find us on Facebook at @Chordially Yours of the Shenandoah Valley. |
|
|
|
November's Birthdays! |
|
1 Brinkley Jordan Bowman 3 Eva Jordan, Roger Joralemon, Caitlin Canada 4 Nate Miller II, Libby Bowman, Connor Linn 5 Derek Hemmis 6 Bob Puffenbarger 8 Ashley Intemann Klug 9 Taylor Ann Joralemon, Susan Gilkeson 11 Martha Canada 13 Olivia Perkins Walton 14 Nancy Thomas 15 Teagan Shifflett 16 William Kane 17 Christy Kipps, Andrea Capuano 18 William Leeper 19 Lynn Brubaker 20 Yvonne Taylor, Jeff Cubbage 21 Jim Harris 22 Carolyn Van Dyck, Don Gilkeson, Melissa Kenney 23 Samuel Oduro 25 Max Harper, Noelle Newman 27 Rodney Hildebrand 29 Dan Harris, Rhonda Johnson |
|
Our Calendar This Week |
|
THIS All Saints Day SUNDAY 9 AM Sunday School for all ages 10 AM Worship Service 6 PM Wing Fellowship Meal (Fellowship Hall) MON 6:30 PM Bridgewater Ruritan Club (Fellowship Hall) 7 PM Pastor Rich's Men's Bible Study (Library & Zoom) TUE 10 AM Prayer Team (Library) 6:30 PM Valley R. C. Flying Club (New Beginnings) WED 10 AM Women's Bible Study (New Beginnings) 6 PM Handbell Practice (Mt. Solon Commons) 7 PM Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) THU 10 AM Nurture Committee (Library) 5 PM Empty Bowl Supper (BRCC) NEXT 9 AM Sunday School for all ages SUNDAY 10 AM Worship Service Please note that the church office will be closed for Thanksgiving Wed, November 25 - Friday, November 27. We are grateful for our wonderful staff. Robin will also be out of office on Monday & Tuesday, November 30 & December 1. Please send Robin announcements for the Bulletin/Slides/E-Blast by Wednesday to adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com. Thank you! |
|
Contact Us |
|
219 N Main Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 |
|
Call Us : 540-828-0890 |
|
Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com |
|
Copyright 2026. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved. |
-
Location