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Dear Church Family,
As we move into the season after Pentecost, the church enters what is called Ordinary
Time. The paraments in our sanctuary will soon change from red to green, the color of
growth, life, and discipleship. Yet Ordinary Time does not mean unimportant time. In the life of faith, there is nothing ordinary when the Holy Spirit is at work.
Pentecost reminds us that God often works through ordinary people in ordinary
moments. The disciples were not powerful or perfect people. They were fearful,
uncertain, and unsure about the future. Yet the Holy Spirit filled them with courage,
hope, and purpose. Through them, God began transforming the world.
In many ways, our spiritual lives grow not only in dramatic moments, but in daily
faithfulness. In prayer. In worship. In quiet acts of kindness. In serving others. In
encouraging one another and carrying each other’s burdens. In trusting God one day at a time. The fire of Pentecost continues to shape us long after the flames disappear from the story.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing what is
right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Ordinary Time is the season when roots grow deeper. It is the season when faith is practiced quietly and faithfully in everyday life.
This weekend, we also pause to observe Memorial Day. We give thanks for the men
and women who gave their lives in service to this nation, and we remember the families who continue to carry both pride and grief. Jesus said in John 15:13, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” As we honor sacrifice, we also pray for peace in a world still marked by violence, division, and war.
As followers of Christ, we are called to become people who carry peace, compassion,
justice, and hope into the world around us. May this season after Pentecost be a time
when the Holy Spirit continues to form us, deepening our faith, strengthening our love
for one another, and reminding us that God is still at work through ordinary people like us.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Jennifer
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In-Person / Livestream Worship
New Member’s Sunday,
May 31st at 10:00 a.m.
Join us this Sunday as we reflect on Jesus’ promise in John 14:23–29 through the message, Spirit Makes a Home in Us. Together, we will explore how the Holy Spirit dwells within us, bringing peace, guidance, and the abiding presence of God into our daily lives. Come and be encouraged by Christ’s assurance that even in uncertain times, we are never alone, for God’s Spirit makes a home within us.
| | FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR REV. JENNIFER | | |
Rev. Jennifer Cho’s Farewell Reception will be held on Sunday, June 7, following the worship service. Rev. Jennifer has faithfully served Bridgewater UMC for the past 9 years, and we invite everyone to join us in expressing our gratitude and saying goodbye as she prepares for her new appointment at St. Andrew’s UMC in Spring Lake. Light refreshments will be served, and you are welcome to bring a dish or dessert to share. All are invited.
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Monday, May. 25
Memorial Day - Happy Summer All!
Tuesday, May 26
Tuesday Drop-In Bible Study 10 am In-Person & Zoom
Wednesday, May 27
BUMC Youth Mtg. 6 pm (Fellowship Hall & Youth Lounge)
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Thursday, May 28
Thursday Prayer Group 10 am (Zoom)
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm
Foundation Rehearsal at 8:30 p.m
Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31:
Youth Group Beach Retreat, Ocean City, NJ
Sunday, May 31
Worship Service 10 am
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Youth Ministry Relay For Life Duke Island Park
June 5th 5-11pm
Please support the BUMC Youth Group Team as they are participating in the Relay For Life of Bridgewater, a charity walk for the American Cancer Society. To support the group, go to the team site (https://secure.acsevents,org/goto/waluigi) to make a donation. You are welcome to join the team as the Relay for Life is a community event. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor or is currently battling cancer, come to the Relay as a guest of honor: you’re invited to the Survivor dinner (free) and you get the honor of the first lap of the Relay (the Survivor Lap). To join the team as a survivor, use the link above. Contact Glenn Buono at 732-762-4212.
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Young Family Pool Party
Saturday, June 27th 3-6pm
Kickoff the summer with a pool party at the Sydlowski house (47 Madison Avenue, Flemington)! Stay tuned for a RSVP/sign-up sheet to bring a side, dessert, etc. BUMC will provide burgers, hot dogs, and buns.
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Vacation Bible School - Save the Date
August 3-7th 9:00am-12:00pm
Save the Date for Vacation Bible School which will be held August 3-7, 2026 from 9am-12pm. Registration will open to BUMC members in June and expand to the general community in mid-June.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!! Youth going into 6th grade and older are able to help out and adults are needed to make sure that we stay in compliance with our Safe Sanctuary policy.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Veronica.
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May Lunch & Learn - THIS COMING SUNDAY!
Sunday, May 31 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for our Lunch & Learn on Sunday, May 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., featuring Amy Maritato, Community Educator with the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability. Amy will share helpful information about services, programs, and resources available for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities in our community. This informative and practical presentation will offer guidance on navigating support systems, promoting wellness, and accessing valuable county resources. All are welcome!
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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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Chocolate Jar Invitation
Many of you have discovered the jar of chocolate in the church office. It has quietly become a small place of joy for staff, volunteers, and visitors who stop by during the week. A simple piece of chocolate can brighten someone’s day. Because it is enjoyed by so many, it has been a bit difficult to keep the jar filled each week. So we would like to invite anyone who would like to help to bring a bag of individually wrapped chocolates to share. If you happen to be at the store and feel inspired, simply drop your chocolate donation by the church office. Your sweet gift will surely bring smiles to many. Thank you for helping us keep a little sweetness flowing at church!
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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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Young Family Ministries Coordinator
Start Date: Summer 2026
Bridgewater United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time Young Family Ministries Coordinator to nurture and connect young families in faith. Responsibilities include coordinating Sunday School, leading Vacation Bible School (VBS), planning young family events, supporting volunteers, and strengthening communication with parents. We are looking for a collaborative, organized, and faith-filled leader who is passionate about helping children and families grow in Christ. For more information or to apply, please contact the church office.
| | BETTY SCHWIGHTHARDT MEMORIAL SERVICE | | |
Our longtime member, Betty Schwighthardt, passed away peacefully at Morristown Hospital on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Route 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876. Rev. Jennifer will lead a short prayer service at 6:30 p.m., followed by words shared by family and friends.
OBITUARY HERE
We extend our deepest condolences to Betty’s family and loved ones. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Thank you.
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Prayer Request
- Judy Kaminetzky
- Ron and Mike Baughman
- Cindy DelSantro (friend of Kris Hurlbut)
- Theodore Spears (friend of Veronica Sydlowski)
- Prayers for our Youth Group
- John Neubauer (deceased brother in-law of member)
- Delores Neubauer (sister in-law of member receiving cancer treatments)
- Betty Schweighardt and Family
- All those suffering from war
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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