E-NEWS | February 25th, 2025 | |
|
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As we approach Ash Wednesday, the doorway to the sacred season of Lent opens before us. You are warmly invited to join our Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, March 5, at noon and 7 p.m., including the imposition of ashes and a reflective labyrinth walk.
Lent is not simply a season of solemnity; it is an invitation to reflection, renewal, and transformation through deepening our relationship with Christ. Ash Wednesday, marked by ashes, gently reminds us of our mortality: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). While humbling, these words carry within them the profound promise of renewal and redemption. Lent calls us to embrace vulnerability, honesty, and openness before God.
In these forty days, we journey with Jesus into the wilderness, confronting our own inner wilderness—the places in our lives where we feel isolated, tempted, or lost. This journey, though challenging, is grace-filled, allowing us to release burdens we have carried too long, whether they are resentment, pride, fear, or doubt. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of compassion, Lent invites us to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's sustaining grace.
Consider Lent as an opportunity to slow down and create space—space for silence, prayer, and intentional listening. Let us choose acts of kindness, forgiveness, and reconciliation, transforming our hearts and the communities around us. May our observance of Lent be not merely ritualistic but deeply relational, drawing us nearer to Christ and one another.
As we embark upon this sacred journey together, let our hearts be open, our spirits humble, and our actions marked by love. May this Lent be a profound season of grace, bringing renewal to our spirits and hope to our world.
I look forward to sharing this meaningful season with you, and I warmly anticipate seeing each of you at church.
Rev. Jennifer
| |
|
In-Person / Live stream
Transfiguration Sunday
Voice of the Saints (Hispanic)
Baptism Service
March 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
| |
We want to lift our saints and various music from different cultures. This Sunday, Rev. Jennifer will share her sermon, "Seeing Christ in One Another!" This week's scripture reading will be taken from Matthew 25:35-40. The music will be provided by the Sanctuary Choir, "Ayúdanos, oh Dios," and our Foundation Praise Team will lead us in song. | |
|
Tuesday, Feb 25th
• Tuesday Drop-In Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. (via Zoom and Room 25)
• Admin Staff Meeting at Noon (In-person)
• Cherub and Lyric Choir Rehearsals at 5:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall and Choir Room)
• Festive Ringers at 6 p.m. (Sanctuary)
• Lent Study Class at 7 p.m. (Zoom)
• Program Staff Meeting at 8 p.m. (Zoom)
Wednesday, Feb 26th
• Confirmation Classes at 5:30 p.m. (Youth Lounge)
• BUMC Youth Meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Youth Lounge)
| |  |
|
Thursday, Feb 27th
• Thursday Prayer Group at 10 a.m. (Zoom)
• Wesley Bell rehearsal at 6:15 p.m. (Sanctuary)
• Sanctuary Choir rehearsal at 7 p.m. (Choir Room)
• Foundation rehearsal at 8 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday, March 2nd
• Sunday school (Pre-K to 12) & Adult Sunday School Class (Room 25) at 9 a.m.
• Youth Sunday School at 9 a.m. (Youth Room)
• Sunday Worship Service at 10 a.m. (Live-Stream available)
| |
|
Lenten Small Group
This Lent, we invite you to reflect on the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love as we journey together in faith. This year, our Lenten study will focus on The Final Days by Matt Rawle. We offer a variety of small group meetings on different days to accommodate different schedules. If you'd like to participate, please sign up using the form on the bulletin board near the church office.
About the Book: The four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, each offering a unique perspective. While they differ in details, they all proclaim the same resurrection hope. Through The Four Gospels, Matt Rawle invites us to explore these distinct viewpoints, deepening our understanding of Jesus’ journey to the cross and the power of the empty tomb. Join us as we study these rich narratives and grow in faith together.
| |
|
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
on Tuesday, Mar 4th, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tickets are purchased in person on every Sunday mornings, or by clicking below button. Purchasing your tickets in advance will allow you to save $1 per ticket.
Tickets are priced at $8 (for children and seniors 60+) and $10 (for adults).
| |
|
Basic Lay Servant Class
Basic Lay Servant Class with Rev. Walt Kellen will start on March 3rd. You can register at the UMCGNJ website. If you have any questions, please contact Don Schultz.
| |
|
Weekend Food Bags Project
until March 9th (packing on March 10th)
The Friendship Circle will be collecting food for the Food Bank of Somerset County to help with the preparation of the Weekend Food Bags given to children in our county who are in need. The need for this is even greater than in past years. The Food Bank now delivers about 1700 bags per week to 22 schools in Somerset County. The Food Bank does not receive any money from the county. They rely solely on donations of food and money from our citizens. Items needed: Chef Boyardee Pasta Mini Meals: (Microwavable flip top 7.5 oz. cans) Ravioli, Spaghetti w/ meatballs, Beef-a-Roni, Lasagna, Mac & Cheese, Rice w/ Chicken and Vegs; Tuna or Chicken - 3 oz. flip top cans/ready to eat pouches; Milk – 8 oz. boxes; Juice Boxes – 8 oz. boxes; Cold Cereal – small and individual; Kraft Easy Mac & Cheese – Microwave packets or microwave Mac & Cheese in cups; Peanut Butter “To Go” (small individual); Ramen Noodle Chicken packets; Pudding cups, Applesauce cups, Fruit cups, etc.; Snack Sized: peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, pretzels, cookies, chips, goldfish, etc.
| |
|
Food Drive Donations
Thank you for donating food to our neighbors. Please bring your non-perishable/non-expired items to the church, and place them in our “Food Bank” containers.
If you would prefer, you can bring your items to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County located at 7E Easy St, Bound Brook, NJ 08805. Thank you very much.
| |
|
Used Clothing Drop-Off
BUMC will receive a small payment for each pound of clothing that is collected in the bin provided. Please support our church by donating your clean and lightly used clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, blankets, drapes, pillowcases, and stuffed animals.
(Not accepted: rags, fabric scraps, pillows, toys, books, or household goods.)
Thank you for your donations!
| |
|
Job Opening | Part-time Administrative Assistant
We are now looking for a part-time administrative assistant for our church office. If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to office@bridgewaterumc.org.
| |
|
Music ministry needs you!
We are looking for Foundation Singers, Sanctuary Choir members, and Bell Ringers. If you have a heart and passion for creating beautiful harmony together, you're welcome to join! If you have any questions, please contact Rok Choi(ychoi@bridgewaterumc.org).
| |
|
Media ministry needs you!
We are looking for volunteers, especially for live streaming during worship services. I need a text volunteer to manage subtitles and someone to control the camera during the live stream. Helping once a month is more than enough. Youth are also welcome, so if you're interested in volunteering, please contact Dohee Woo(dwoo@bridgewaterumc.org).
| |
|
Stephen Ministry
If you have found yourself struggling, or going through a particularly stressful life change, we invite you to meet with one of our Stephen Ministers. In meeting with a Stephen Minister, you will receive one-to-one, confidential, Christ-centered care. To be connected with a Stephen Minister, please contact Mary Beth Gruber.
| | |
|
|
Prayer Request
- John Reimer
- Scott Ash family
- Doug & Laurie Fontenello
| |
|
Your Support Matters! Your continued support is crucial for sustaining the ministry and outreach efforts of our church. We are grateful for your generosity and commitment to Bridgewater United Methodist Church.
Thank you for your support of BUMC!
You can use this QR code or click here for sharing gifts.
| | | | |
