|
Connection E-News
September 24th, 2024
| |
|
Beloved Community - An Antidote to Extremism
A Pastoral Letter to All United Methodists
Christ is our peace. . .With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. (Eph. 2:14 CEB)
Dear United Methodists:
Polarization and hatred are dividing nations, communities, and even families. We are losing our ability to speak with humility and treat others kindly. We know this is not how God intends us to live. All are beloved children of God, who beckons us to care for not only those we love, but those God loves, even those we may not know or whose lives are different from our own.
Climate change, global migration, growing economic disparity, and other factors are causing us to feel more vulnerable and alienated. This can increase the appeal of authoritarian leaders who rely on rhetoric and policies that divide, creating a fearful environment that dampens participation in civic life and gives rise to political violence.
...
| |
|
In-Person / Live stream
Connection Sermon Series - Week 4
September 29th at 10:00 a.m.
This Sunday, Rev. Jennifer will share her sermon, "Go Down & Go Up!"
This week's scripture reading will be taken from Philippians 2:5-11.
The music will be provided by the Sanctuary Choir, "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation," and our Foundation Praise Team will lead us in song.
| |
Calendar of Events over the this week | |
|
Tuesday, September 24th
● Tuesday Drop-in Bible Study at 10 a.m. (Room 25 and Zoom)
● Cherub and Lyric Choir Rehearsals at 5:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall and Choir Room)
● Confirmation Class at 5:30 p.m. (Youth Lounge)
● Festive Ringers at 6 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Wednesday, September 25th
● RIM (Residency in Ministry) Gathering at 9:30 a.m. (Sanctuary and all rooms)
● BUMC Youth Meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Youth Lounge)
| |  |
|
Thursday, September 26th
● Thursday 30-minute Prayer at 10 a.m. (Zoom)
● Wesley Bell rehearsal at 6 p.m. (Sanctuary)
● Sanctuary Choir rehearsal at 7 p.m. (Choir Room)
● Foundation rehearsal at 8 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Sunday, September 29th
● Sunday school (Pre-K to 12th Grade) at 9 a.m.
● Adult Sunday School Class (Leader: Andy Donnell) at 9 a.m. (Room 25)
● Sunday Worship Service at 10 a.m. (Live-Stream available)
● Adult Sunday School Class (Leaders: Kathy & Don Schulz) at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
| |
This E-Newsletter will have a new layout starting this October. We will share the pastor’s monthly article, devotions from various writers, and all church/conference news and announcements in different areas: Worship, Calendar of Events, Spotlights, Children & Youth, Grow, Serve, and Connect. | |
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.
| |
|
Saturday, Oct. 26 at 9 a.m.
The 2024 Church Conference will be held in person on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 9 a.m. at our church. This year, there will be a cluster conference, where worship will be at 10 a.m. Each church will meet separately at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. All chairs of ministry teams and committees, please submit your annual report to the church office by Sept. 29. Thank you.
| |
Welcome to BUMC Small Groups! We are ready to kick off a new season this fall and the first class will start on Sept. 22. Please check the following classes and register as soon as possible. Please join us and study the Word of God together! | |
|
Tuesday Morning Prayer Group
Every Thursday at 10 a.m.
Leader: Rev. Jennifer Cho
Meet via Zoom
This group meets for about 30 minutes to pray over prayer requests, church needs, the community, and the country, whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to pray. It is a group of faithful believers who meet regularly to pray and praise the Lord's name where everyone has a chance to participate. All are welcome.
| |
| |
|
|
Adult Sunday School Class
Sunday Morning @ 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.
Meet In-Person. No reading required.
Book: To be Announced.
Starting Date: Sept. 22 @ Room 25
Leader: Andy Donnell
We meet every Sunday at 9 a.m. in-person.
| |
|
Adult Sunday School Class
Sunday Evening at 7:30 p.m.
Book: Questions Jesus Asked
Leader: Don & Kathy Schulz
Starting Date: Sunday, Sept. 22
Meet via Zoom at 7:30 p.m.
Jesus was fond of asking questions, many of which cut right to the heart of what it means to be human. Why are you terrified? What do you live for? Who do you say that I am? In Questions Jesus Asked, author Magrey deVega explores six of the most provocative questions Jesus posed to others and guides us in answering them for ourselves.
| |
| |
|
|
Men’s Small Group
Alternating Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
Leader: Rev. Dr. Brandon Cho
Starting Date: September 21 Meet via Zoom
Book: On Purpose by Magrey R. DeVega
We are hungry for a sense of purpose, direction, and calling in our lives. That's as basic an ingredient to the human experience as they come. We want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to participate in something that has eternal merit and lasting impact. We do not want to live a shallow, hollow existence. We yearn for deeper meaning, for deeper purpose within our lives.
| |
|
Tuesday Morning Bible Class @ 10 a.m.
Meet In-Person and via Zoom.
No reading required.
Leader: Rev. Jennifer Cho
Starting Date: Sept. 24 @ Room 25
Walk through the Bible’s earliest source for the life of Jesus with scholar Amy-Jill Levine as she examines John the Baptizer, the Little Apocalypse, the Transfiguration, and several of Jesus's most notable stories and parables. The Good News of the gospel message comes alive in this book as readers see Jesus as divine and human, powerful and weak, approachable yet mysterious. The book features an in-depth study of select passages and illuminates the Gospel in its historical context and as a source for the other gospels.
| |
| |
|
|
The Elijah Letters
Meet via zoom at 7 to 8 p.m.
Leader: Rev. Shawn Callender Hogan
October 1, 8, 15, 22
Join us as we engage some of the stories of the prophet Elijah. This four-session devotional gathering will involve reflecting on gentle journal prompts, letter writing, and finding our own lives within the life of God’s great prophet.
| |
|
Saturday, Oct 5th at 11 a.m.
We will hold our annual Blessing of the Pets on Saturday, October 5th at 11 a.m. Bring your pets for a special blessing and enjoy seeing God’s creation in our beloved best friends.
| |
Skylands Walk to Emmaus Retreat | |
|
October, Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Newton NJ
SWTE invites you! The Men’s Walk will be from October 3rd to 6th, and the Women’s Walk will be from October 17th to 20th. For more information, please contact Don Schulz or Doug Parvin.
| |
|
Thursday, October 10th at 6:30p.m.
Lydia Circle gratefully thanks the congregation for donating 45 backpacks to the Martin Luther Youth Center in Bridgewater. They were thrilled to receive them!
The next meeting for Lydia Circle will be Thursday, October 10th at 6:30pm at Linda Janci's home. All are welcome to attend.
We will bring items for "Operation Christmas Child Shoebox". Amazon has a list of items for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child delivers joy, love and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes.
| |
|
Trunk or Treat - Trunk Sign-Up
Sunday, October 27th at 3-5p.m.
We are looking for families/individuals to host and decorate a trunk for this year's trunk or treat. You can set up as early as 2:30pm and clean up at 5pm. Trunk hosts also need to provide at least 300 pieces of candy and/or non-food items (for those with allergies). Please click the link below to sign up to host a trunk!
| |
Volunteers&Choirs Needed! | |
|
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).
| |
|
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).
| |
|
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 unused 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!
| |
For Those In Need of Support | |
|
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.
| | |
|
- Prayers for Lawrence & Rebecca Ebert
- Prayers for William and Janet Ledbetter
- Prayers for Dan Higgins
- Prayers for Soonyea Yu (Mother of Rev. Jennifer Cho)
- Prayers for Micah Bielefeldt (grandson of Jim and Honda Bielefeldt)
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Sharing your gifts with Bridgewater United Methodist Church is extremely important. Without these gifts, BUMC would not be able to provide its programs and ministries for members and friends.
Thank you for your support of BUMC!
You can use this QR code or click here for sharing gifts.
| | | | |
