OUR FIRST YEAR
CELEBRATE AND RELIVE!
THIS WEEK'S
SERMON
Sunday Sermon 11 16
A link to our livestream will be posted prior to 10am each Sunday morning on our Facebook page.
Archives are available on Facebook Video, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Every child of God is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, specially gifted to play a unique and valued role in the body of Christ. No one is without gift or purpose.
Spiritual gifts are not our talents or skills. They are the grace of God at work within us, empowering us to match our deep passions with the world’s deep need. The gifts are given to individuals, but they are given to build and strengthen community and to meet the needs of those around us.
Begin the journey. Discover your gifts. Talk about your gifts with others. Strive together to understand your gifts and how you can use them to serve God, neighbor, and world. You have been gifted. You have been given a purpose.
Interested in serving at The Bridge? Click here to find out more about the many ways you can get involved!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
FAITH BUILDERS
Sharing the love of God with the children in our church is a true gift. Helping them to grow in their knowledge and faith is precious. How lucky we are to have children to teach! But our children need your help. Please consider serving - on a regular basis or just once - as a teacher or helper in this important ministry. We can’t do it without you!
Have questions? E-mail Missy Zimmerman.
SUN NOV 23
STUDENT SUNDAY
Sunday November 23rd is United Methodist Student Day. This Special Sunday reminds us how our generosity can help students pursue their dreams of education and service. The offerings we collect on this day directly fund scholarships and grants for students within The United Methodist Church. These young people are our future pastors, leaders, and change-makers, and they need our support.
The Bridge will be making a donation on your behalf. If you would like to make an additional donation you can put a check made out to The Bridge UMC with "UMC Student Sunday" on the memo line in the collection basket or online through the UMC website here.
SUN NOV 23 | 09:15 AM
BRIDGE YOUTH: SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School for Youth (6th-12th grade) takes place from 9:15 until 9:50-ish (please note our later start time this year) each Sunday morning. This second chunk of our fall / early winter schedule resumes on November 9th. The youth space can be a little tricky to find, if you need assistance please ask at the welcome table just inside the main door and someone will be happy to show you!
This fall we'll be working through Can I Ask That 2 - a series that encourages students to ask tough questions about their faith even though there aren't always easy answers. Books will be provided for attendees.
SUN NOV 23 | 11:15 AM
ASK: FRIENDSGIVING
Attention: Young Adults 18 and over who are seeking community with others your age at The Bridge! ASK will be hosting a Friendsgiving lunch on November 23rd after worship (approx. 11:15 AM) at 108 Carlson Avenue in Washington. Sick of Thanksgiving food already? No problem! We will be eating some tasty Italian food. And all college students who are home on break are welcome (if you want an excuse to get out of the house for a few hours). But no need to worry, there is no need to bring anything besides yourself and your appetite (because Becca does not want a bunch of leftovers).
If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Becca Gorman becca.e.gorman@gmail.com or Taylor Fleming taylorfleming@me.com.
TUE NOV 25 | 11:00 AM
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDY
Join us for a weekday Bible study as we continue working our way through the book of Mark.
You need not have attended previous weeks to join us! This is a come as you're able study - whether that's just one week or every week. We'll be discussing chapter 9 on November 18th, chapters 10 and 11 on the 25th, chapters 12-13 on December 2nd, chapter 14 on December 9th, and chapters 15-16 on December 16th.
We meet at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington from 11:00-12:00 PM on Tuesdays.
WED NOV 26 | 05:30 PM
THANKSGIVING EVE COMMUNITY FEAST
On Wednesday, November 26th, our friends at Faith Lutheran Church are hosting a free Community Thanksgiving Eve Feast to celebrate God’s love and abundance with everyone. Jesus ate with everyone. And everyone is welcome to this Community Feast. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve.
The meal will be held from 5:30-7:30 PM (while supplies last) in the Faith Lutheran Community Room at 650 School ST in Washington.
If there is food left over participants are encouraged to help prepare "to go" meals that will be delivered to those in the community not able to spend Thanksgiving with their family - police, fire, gas station / fast food employees, etc.
To find out more, to RSVP to attend, or to volunteer - please visit their website.
SAT DEC 06
COOKIE WALK DONATIONS
The United Women in Faith will be hosting a cookie walk and that means we'll need lots of cookies! We no doubt have some fabulous (and generous) bakers at The Bridge! Please bring your homemade Christmas treats to The Bridge office at 401 Walnut ST in Washington on Saturday December 6th from 8am-11am.
If baking is not your thing and eating (or gifting) cookies is more your speed, please join us on Sunday December 7th for our cookie walk (more information on that just below). All proceeds will go toward supporting the missions of The Bridge's newly established United Women in Faith.
SUN DEC 07
THREADS HOPE & LOVE
One of our favorite collections is our Christmas collection for Threads, Hope, & Love. This year they are asking for NEW family games, puzzles, sports balls, books, and toys. They would also appreciate gift cards to local stores and restaurants.
The collection will be on Sunday December 7th. These donations bring so much joy to children and their families during the holidays. You can learn more about Threads, Hope, & Love by visiting their website.
SUN DEC 07 | 09:00 AM
ASK: ADVENT STUDY
Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people.
Young Adults over 18 are invited to join ASK for an Advent Study, “How does a Weary World Rejoice.” Join us in Room 412 at 9:00 AM each Sunday to acknowledge our weariness, find joy in connection, allow ourselves to be amazed, and most importantly, trust our belovedness.
Attendance is not required every week, so if you are a student home from college we would love you have you join the discussion even if it’s just once or twice. The first day the study meets is December 7.
For more information, contact Becca Gorman becca.e.gorman@gmail.com or Taylor Fleming taylorfleming@me.com.
SUN DEC 07 | 10:00 AM
ADVENT SPOTLIGHT: IMMIGRATION
The Christmas Story is full of movement. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are pulled from their home to Bethlehem by a strict government, then forced to flee the same government to Egypt. This Advent Season, The Bridge United Methodist Church is putting a spotlight on those who have come to America and the difficulties they face with: "Who is Counted?" An Advent Spotlight on Immigration.
Here is our schedule of speakers, we will hear from them at the end of each worship service:
12/7 - Reverend Curtis Brown: Representative for the United Methodist Church's Response to Immigration
12/14 - The Immigration Project
12/21 - Representatives from a group of Washington families who are supporting Ukrainian refugees in our area
Please join us and invite friends who are interested in learning more. We prepare our hearts for Christmas as we recognize those Christ loves in the world around us.
SUN DEC 07 | 02:00 PM
UWF COOKIE WALK
The United Women in Faith group at The Bridge would like to invite you to their first annual cookie walk! What is a cookie walk? It's the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit - fill a tin with mix and matched baked treats and support a good cause! They will also have cookie jars available - just add butter, egg, and vanilla once you're ready to bake!
The cookie walk will take place at Evangelical UMC - 401 Walnut ST in Washington - from 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday December 7th. All proceeds will benefit UWF missions. You can learn more about this event on its Facebook page or join the United Women in Faith at The Bridge Facebook group.
SUN DEC 07 | 04:30 PM
J.A.M. - JESUS & ME
JAM is back for the 2025-26 school year! JAM is our youth group like program for 2nd through 5th graders with a typical night consisting of activities and games, snack time, a large group lesson, and small group discussion. We'll also have some extra fun "theme nights" sprinkled in throughout the year.
We meet from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM in the youth lounge at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut St. in Washington.
Kids are encouraged to invite friends and everyone is welcome - you do not need to attend The Bridge for your child to attend JAM! To help us plan, please click here to let us know you're coming!
SUN DEC 07 | 04:00 PM
YOUTH: CHRISTMAS PARTY
6th through 12th graders are invited to join us for our annual Bridge Youth Christmas party! We're all about giving back to your community so this year we'll be incorporating a service project - delivering plants to our friends at Washington Senior Living.
You can meet us there at 4:00 PM, or if you need a ride, meet us at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington - at 3:45 PM. We'll then head back to The Bridge office for our party from 5:30-7:00 PM. Dinner will be provided.
Questions about this event can be sent to megan@thebridgeumc.org
WED DEC 10 | 06:30 PM
MISSIONS TEAM MEETING
At The Bridge we actively seek opportunities to support our communities - especially those marginalized and overlooked by society. We feel strongly that it's not only important to give but to do.
If you feel the same and have a desire to be involved we invite you to join us for one of our monthly missions team meetings. We meet from 6:30-7:30(ish) at the Washington Library at Five Points (when you enter the library we'll be in one of the meeting rooms on the right side).
THU DEC 11
YOUTH: HEART HOUSE
6th through 12th graders and their parents are invited to join us on December 11th as we help organize gifts for Eureka's Heart House’s “Tree of Hearts” Program. This is a great way to serve local families for the holiday season. To learn more about Heart House and how they serve their community please visit their website.
There are 2 after school time slots available right now: 4:00-6:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM. Sign up here or email Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) and she will get you signed up.
WED DEC 17 | 06:00 PM
YOUTH: ELEVATE
Youth in 6th through 12th grade are invited to join us for a very special mid-month hangout at Elevate in East Peoria from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday December 17th.
More information will be coming soon. E-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
SUN DEC 21 | 10:00 AM
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
We hope you'll join us on Sunday December 21st when Bridge Kids will put on their annual Christmas pageant! The pageant will take place during our regular worship service at 10:00 AM.
Practices have begun and we'll be meeting each Sunday morning at 9:15. It's not too late to join in, if you would like for your child to participate, or if you have any questions, please contact Missy Zimmerman at kids@thebridgeumc.org
SUN JAN 25 | 02:00 PM
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH KICKOFF
The United Women in Faith is a sisterhood of believers united by our love for Christ and our passion to serve others. Our mission is to show God’s love through action, compassion, and community outreach. Join us as we serve, connect, and make a difference together! We hope you'll join us at our kickoff meeting on Sunday January 25th from 2:00-4:00 PM.
Location and more details to come. You can stay in the loop by joining the United Women in Faith at The Bridge's Facebook group!
BRANCHES OF WASHINGTON
PROUD SUPPORTER
The Bridge UMC is proud to partner with several local churches and members of our community to form Branches of Washington. Our mission is to help the children and youth of our community arrive at school each day ready to learn.
Our primary means of accomplishing this is through our monthly Care Closets. Students who receive free or reduced lunch are given the opportunity to "shop" for free clothing and personal care products. Branches will also be providing breakfast and snack items for schools to distribute to those in need.
Care Closets are now being offered in all D50, D51, and D52 schools! This is a huge undertaking and we need your help!
