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Pastor's e-note

November 29, 2022

Dear BUMC Family and Friends,

 

As December comes along, we are gearing up to journey through the Advent-Christmas season. As for me, I am enjoying this season of waiting, anticipating, and hoping as much as celebrating the actual Christmas Day. 

 

I just love the sweet spirit in the air as I re-read the passages from Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets’ writings about the coming of the Messiah, the Gospel accounts around Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, and the birth of Jesus Christ. 

 

During this holy season, I pray for all of us that we can share in a new and refreshing way the coming of a savior who brings God’s good news – especially for the brokenhearted, displaced, marginalized, and strangers in our midst.

 

We are so blessed to journey together through this season of waiting and preparation for the coming of the Lord. Yes, the Prince of Peace is coming! 

 

Shalom!

 

Rev. Jennifer

This Week's Scripture - Isaiah 9:6

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This Sunday at BUMC

In-Person and Live Stream Worship

December 4 at 10:00 AM

This week, we will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. Rev. Dr. Jennifer Cho will share her message, "Do Not Be Afraid." The scripture reading will be Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, and we will share Holy Communion together. Jubilation Ringers, Lyric Choir, Foundation Praise Team and Sanctuary Choir will share their musical offerings. 

Join Us Online
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.
Prayer Requests

We offer special prayers for Fong Ark, who has gone on to God's eternal rest. We share prayers of comfort for Fong's wife, Loretta, and the Ark family.

Click here to submit a prayer request.

Coming Soon

2023 Pledges

There is still time to submit your pledge for 2023. Pledges are a wonderful way for you to share your giving intentions for the upcoming year so that the church may plan for its ministries and missions. Visit bridgewaterumc.org/give to submit your pledge.


Thank you to all who have already sent in their pledges for 2023.

Advent Small Groups 

Join us as we prepare for the season of Advent, a we come together to discuss Adam Hamilton's, Prepare the Way of the Lord. Together we will explore the Advent themes through the life and ministry of John the Baptist, and will discover how John call all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming. In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with that of his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to "prepare the way of the Lord." When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it makes us and our world ready to receive Christ. 


To purchase on Amazon, click here. To register for this year's Advent Small Groups, please click the link below. 

Click to register

Christmas Tree Lighting

Tuesday, November 29 at 5:00 PM

Join us near our BUMC sign on the corner of Van Holten and Country Club Roads to light our Christmas tree! We will enjoy fellowship and sing carols together.

Alternative Gift Fair

Sunday, December 4 at 11 AM

Rather than giving material gifts, make a donation to an organization. Those featured include:

  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Heifer Project
  • Nature Conservancy
  • UMCOR (Hurricane Ian Relief)

Poinsettia Orders Due

Monday, December 5

We invite you to purchase poinsettias in honor or in memory of loved ones. Poinsettias will be available to purchase until December 5th.  You may visit the table in the Narthex next Sunday, or click the button below to place your order.

Poinsettia Order Form

Festival of Music Sunday

Sunday, December 11 at 10 AM

On the third Sunday of Advent, we will come together to celebrate the season with song. We will enjoy performances by our bell choirs, children's choirs, Sanctuary Choir and Foundation Praise team. Mark your calendars for this special service.

Confirmation Classes

Beginning in January

Confirmation classes will be available for all students currently in 8th grade or high school, if they have not already confirmed. If you have a student who falls in this category, or know someone who might be interested, please keep reading for how to take part in this program.  


Prior to becoming a member of the church, students will learn one-on-one with a mentor, commit to community service, and truly understand what it means to dedicate their lives to Christ. We will begin meeting for lessons on a bi-weekly basis beginning the first week in January 2023. We will have a parent information Session early December. The course will end in October 2023 when students will officially make their confirmation.


To register, please fill out the form found by clicking the button below. Our leaders will send out more information in the coming weeks to those who are interested.

Click to Register

Celebrating the Birth

Christmas Eve Services

December 24 at 4:30 PM and 9 PM

We are excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with you on Christmas Eve! We will offer a Family Service at 4:30 PM and a Traditional Service at 9 PM. Both services will be live streamed on our You Tube Channel. 


We are looking for children to participate in our Family Service. To sign up, click the button below. Please note, you will need to be able to attend a practice one Sunday in December (12/11 or 12/18) to get comfortable using a microphone AND be at the church at 3:30pm on Christmas Eve to do a "dress rehearsal" of the service before it begins at 4:30pm.


Please note that the Church Nursery will not be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Children of all ages are welcome to join us in the sanctuary.

Click to Sign-Up to Participate in the Family Service

Christmas Morning Hymn Sing

December 25 at 10:00 AM

We will come together for worship on Christmas morning. In lieu of a sermon, we will ask you to share your favorite hymns so that we can sing them together.

News From the United Women in Faith

Blanket Drive Thank You

The Lydia Circle would like to thank the congregation for the support of their Blanket Drive. With your help, they were able to collect 25 blankets to be donated to SHIP.

Virtual Vendor Fair 

November 7 - December 10

The United Women of Faith of Bridgewater United Methodist Church (formerly UMW) is currently hosting their annual Virtual Vendor Fair. Each day a different vendor or crafter will be featured through their Facebook Group. For those not on Facebook, click here to find links for each vendor's page.

Click to join the Facebook Group

Lydia Circle Gathering

December 7 at 6:30 PM

Lydia Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30pm at Origin French Thai restaurant at 25 Division St in Somerville. All are welcome. Please rsvp to Holly at 908-938-6735.

Friendship Circle Gathering

December 12 at 10 AM

The December activity for the Friendship Circle is a brunch and White Elephant gift exchange. The group will meet on Monday, December 12, at 10 am at the home of Honda Bielefeldt. Please rsvp to Honda if you plan to attend.

Helping Others

Angel Tree Gift Collection

Gifts due Sunday, December 11

Each year, BUMC works with local agencies to help make the wishes of local children in need come true. To participate, please select a tag from the Angel Tree, found near the Mission Closet, or click the button below. Please return all gifts by Sunday, December 11th so that the gifts can be distributed in time for Christmas. 


Please remember to label your gift with the item number. You may include a gift bag with your item, if you wish. Gifts should not be wrapped, and you do not need to include wrapping paper. If the church building is open, please place your gift in the Narthex. If the church building is not open, it can be left in the vestibule in between the two glass doors. Please call or text Judy Kaminetzky at 908-500-2899 with any questions. Thank you for your support and generosity!

Sign-Up to Donate
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.

Volunteers Needed for SHIP Mission

You can make a significant difference in feeding local people in need by giving just a few hours of your time. The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) volunteers from BUMC are looking for more people to do the following: 

1) Shop for groceries and drop off in the church kitchen (a shopping list is provided and where to shop is provided). 
2) Prepare the meal in the church kitchen 9 AM-11:00 AM. 
3) Serve the meal in Somerville, 11.30 AM - 1:30 PM. 
BUMC is committed to provide a meal for lunch every second Friday of the month. Food expenditures are reimbursed. 
Please prayerfully consider helping to "feed the hungry" as we are commissioned by Christ to do. If you can help, or would like more information please contact Mary Hogarth.

Fellowship Time

Fellowship Time Hosts Needed

BUMC is looking for volunteers to host Sunday Fellowship Time immediately following the services on Sundays. A sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board outside the office, or you can email Lisa Kautz with the Sunday you would like to host. 


As the host, you would be expected to provide refreshments (3 dozen donuts or bagels or similar and some clementines and/or other fruit), set up 10 minutes before service ends and stay until approximately 11:30 AM for clean-up. All tablecloths, k-cups, creamer and paper products are provided. This is a time to catch up with fellow BUMC members and a time for fellowship that so many look forward to, so any Sunday that you can volunteer to host is greatly appreciated! 

Chancel Guild

We invite you to honor the special people in your life through a donation to our Chancel Guild and designating a date for commemorative flowers. This is a great way to celebrate events such as birthdays and anniversaries, and to honor the important people in your life who are no longer here with you. To participate, click here or visit the Chancel Guild calendar located near the BUMC office.


The suggested donation for sponsoring the Chancel Guild is $25. Please send your donation to the church, indicating "Chancel Guild" in the memo, or click the button below.

Thank you for supporting the Chancel Guild
Library News

Come browse the collections, located in Room 21, on Sunday morning or whenever the church is open. Be sure to sign out everything you borrow.


Search the online catalog to find wonderful books and media. Contact the librarian if you have questions.

Adult Collection

This Week's Featured Item

In the Manger, by Max Lucado

Prepare for Christmas with this collection of twenty-five inspirational selections for advent. Join Mary and Joseph inside a stable, beside a shepherd, and at the feet of the King in the manger as you celebrate the greatest gift of all.

BRIDGEWATER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
651 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • 908.526.1414
BRIDGEWATERUMC.ORG