E-NEWS |January 27th 2025 | | |
Dear Church Family,
This past weekend’s snowstorm brought significant accumulation and hazardous travel conditions. Above all else, I want to encourage you to stay warm, stay safe, and avoid unnecessary risks. Like many of you, I shoveled heavy snow several times, and my body is definitely feeling it! Please take care of yourselves. Your safety matters, and caring for our bodies is also one way we honor the life God has entrusted to us.
Because of the weather, we canceled in-person Sunday worship and offered a pre-recorded online service featuring the Wesley Bell Ringers, the Sanctuary Choir, and the Foundation Praise Team, along with prayers, a children’s message, and the sermon. Special thanks to our musicians for their excellent ministry through music, and to our staff who worked tirelessly to prepare this online service, especially our Media Ministry Coordinator, Dohee Woo. Thank you for serving our congregation with such dedication.
Even as we navigate winter weather, we are also carrying heavy news in our prayers. Many of you may have heard about a recent tragedy in Minneapolis, where Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot and killed during an ICE raid. This is the second person killed in Minneapolis in connection with ICE enforcement actions in recent weeks. We name this again as the tragic loss of another civilian victim. We mourn the death of an innocent person, and we grieve with all who loved him. We also pray for those who feel afraid, vulnerable, or shaken by what is happening in our nation.
In moments like these, Scripture invites us not to look away or turn numb, but to bring our sorrow honestly before God: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Church, this is a time for prayer, not only for one family and one city, but for our country as a whole. It is also a time to recommit ourselves to the kind of discipleship that refuses to separate faith from justice. The gospel of Jesus Christ is never indifferent to suffering. The Bible repeatedly teaches that God hears the cry of the vulnerable, defends the oppressed, and holds those in power accountable.
So we pray for peace in our communities, wisdom in our policies, and restraint in the use of power. We pray for those tasked with enforcing laws, and we also pray for those who feel threatened, unseen, or unsafe. We pray for leaders at every level that they would govern not with fear or cruelty, but with justice, humility, and moral courage.
And we pray with open hearts that God would make the church bold enough to be the church, not merely reacting to tragedies, but proactively living our faith through compassionate action standing in solidarity with immigrants, refugees, and those living in fear, refusing hateful rhetoric and dehumanizing language, strengthening community bonds that protect the vulnerable, and remembering that justice is not simply a political issue but a holy calling rooted in the heart of God.
As we face winter storms and painful national news, we hold fast to this hope that God is still present. Christ is still our peace. The church is still called to be a light. May we be a people who pray with honesty, love with courage, seek justice with humility, and show compassion without conditions.
With prayers for your safety and strength,
Rev. Jennifer
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Thank You to Our Unsung Heroes
Did you know that several faithful servants quietly came to church and cleared the sidewalks and front steps during the weekend of January 17–18? While many of us were staying warm at home and watching the snow pile up, these individuals were already thinking about the church family, the safety of our community, and the sacred work of helping God’s people gather for worship. This kind of behind-the-scenes care is one of the beautiful ways Christ’s love is made visible in our congregation.
On Saturday, January 17, Jim Bielefeldt came with his two grandsons, Austin and Micah, to shovel and clear the snow from our church grounds. Their work may have looked ordinary to some, but it was truly holy work. They gave their time, strength, and energy so that others could walk safely and confidently onto the property. What a powerful witness it is when one generation serves alongside the next.
Then on Sunday, January 18, Pat Hamilton arrived and cleared snow all by herself from the front area and sidewalks so that worshipers could come without fear of slipping, falling, or struggling to reach the entrance. Many people may never realize how much effort it takes to prepare the church building before worship begins, especially in the winter, but Pat quietly stepped in and did what needed to be done for the good of the whole community. Her dedication is one of those faithful gifts that make ministry possible, reflecting the heart of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.
I want to take a moment to recognize these unsung heroes of Bridgewater UMC. Too often, the kindest and most faithful acts happen quietly, without applause, without recognition, and without anyone taking a picture. Sadly, I don’t have photos to share, but I truly believe that God sees every act of love offered in humility. God notices every shovel lifted, every step cleared, and every moment of sacrifice that makes space for others to worship safely and freely. Thank you, Jim, Austin, Micah, and Pat, for your faithful, generous, and Christ-like service. You blessed your church family in ways you may never fully know. We are grateful for you, and we give thanks to God for the gift of your hearts. God bless you!
With deep gratitude,
Rev. Jennifer
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In-Person / Live stream
February 1st at 10:00 a.m.
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| A new sermon series, Beloved Community, begins this week as we seek God’s guidance for how we live with one another in challenging times. This series will explore what it means to become a community shaped by Christ’s love, where we learn to see others not as strangers or opponents, but as neighbors made in God’s image. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Cho will share her sermon, “When We See One Another,” based on Luke 6:27–36. Jesus calls his followers to love beyond what is expected, to practice mercy, and to live with the kind of compassion that reflects the very heart of God. Music will be offered by the Sanctuary Choir singing “Lovely Day,” and our Foundation Praise Team will lead us in joyful worship. Holy Communion will be served at the end of this service. | | |
Monday, Jan. 26
Finance Committee Meeting 7pm (Zoom)
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Drop In Bible Study (Room 25 & Zoom) 10am
Admin Staff Meeting tomorrow at 11:30 am via Zoom
Terrific Tuesday 5:30pm (Fellowship Hall & Choir Room)
Wednesday, Jan. 28
BUMC Youth Mtg. 6:00pm (Fellowship Hall & Youth Lounge)
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Thursday, Jan. 29
Thursday Prayer Group 10am (Zoom)
Wesley Bell Rehearsal 6:30pm
Bishops Day @St Johns in Hazlet NJ 7pm
Sanctuary Choir 7:30pm (Choir Room)
Foundation Rehearsal 8:30pm (Sanctuary)
Saturday, Jan. 31
Regional Foundation Day Training 9am (Zoom)
Sunday, Feb. 1
Adult Sunday School Class 9am (Room 25)
Sunday School (PreK-5th) 9am
Youth Sunday School 6-12 9am (Youth Lounge)
Sunday Worship Service (In-person/Live-streamed) (Sanctuary)10am
Festive Ringers 11am (Sanctuary)
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Souper Bowl of Caring
February 1st - 8th
Help us collect items for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County with our annual "Souper Bowl of Caring" starting on February 1st. More information will be forthcoming, but if you are able to help us sort and pack all items after the service on February 8th (approximately 11am) - the extra hands are appreciated!
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Bishop’s Day
Thursday, Jan.29 | 7:00 pm
Bishop Moore-Koikoi will be visiting the Raritan Shore
District, and clergy and laity are warmly invited to gather for worship on Thursday, January 29, at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s UMC in Hazlet. Worship will be followed by a brief question-and-answer time with the Bishop. All are welcome. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.
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Regional Foundational Day
Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 am to 12:30 pm
The Metro–Highlands Foundational Leadership Training 2026 will take place on Saturday, January 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This training is designed to equip participants with essential leadership principles and practical tools to strengthen service, communication, and effectiveness in leadership roles. All workshops will be held via Zoom. The register link will be shared shortly. Stay tuned!
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Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, Feb 17th | 5:00 pm
Join us for a fun and festive Mardi Gras style dinner with pancakes and sausage while listening to live jazz music! Kids activities will also be available. Seating is first come first serve. Tickets are purchased in person on every Sunday mornings, or by clicking below button. Proceeds from the event benefit the music ministries of BUMC.
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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.
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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!
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Chancel Guild
Would you like to honor a loved one’s birthday or anniversary with flowers on the credence shelf? Or you may like to remember the passing of a spouse, parents, or a loved one. The Chancel Guild ladies are happy to create a special fresh flower arrangement for you on a date on or near your special date. A sign up calendar is posted on the bulletin board leading to Fellowship Hall. A donation of $25 is requested to help defray the cost of the flowers, which are available to be picked up following the church service.
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Coffee Fellowship Hour Volunteers
Coffee Fellowship is resuming in Fellowship Hall. We are looking for volunteers to provide snacks for our coffee fellowship following the Sunday worship service. A new sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board tomorrow.
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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!
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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).
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We are currently migrating the BUMC website. The website will be unavailable while maintenance is in progress. All church updates will continue to be shared through E-News and Facebook, so please stay connected! We will let you know once the website is back up and running. Thank you for your understanding.
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Prayer Request
- Judy Kaminetzky
- Betty Brown
- Lou Stanicki
We keep prayer requests for two weeks unless you ask us to keep them longer. Thank you.
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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.
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