OUR FIRST YEAR
RECENT SERMONS
1-4-26 Pastor Tom
A link to our livestream is posted to our Facebook page prior to 10am each Sunday morning.
Previous sermons are available on Facebook Video, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
GET INVOLVED
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know it takes dozens of people each and every Sunday morning to make our worship service happen? Did you know we have ministries that serve our congregation and communities outside of Sunday mornings? Regardless of how long you've been going to church, whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, whether you're 9 or 90 - we really do have something for everyone!
A couple of our more urgent needs are highlighted below. To learn more about other opportunities to serve at The Bridge please click here.
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.
HOSPITALITY TEAM
Our hospitality team is in need of new members! The hospitality team works to provide a welcoming environment to our church family and guests. This ministry includes a variety of roles - including greeters, ushers, valet, and those who prepare and serve our coffee and treats. If you can hold a door open and say "Good morning" you're qualified! Time commitment is approximately one Sunday per month.
For more information on joining our hospitality team please contact us!
WELCOME PASTOR MARY!
It is with great pleasure that we announce the hiring of Pastor Mary Runge as our “Interim Visitation Pastor”. With Pastor Tom going to a part-time pastoral status until his retirement on June 30th, it was recognized that we would need a qualified individual to help him with the congregational care needs of The Bridge. Pastor Mary will start her services on January 12 and will be working alongside Pastor Tom and the Congregational Care team. To learn more about Pastor Mary, please click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUN JAN 11 | 09:00 AM
FAMILY WORKSHOP - BAPTISM
We have another Family Workshop coming up on Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 AM. This time we’re learning about Baptism!
Let us know you’re coming by calling the church office at 309-306-1544 or emailing kids@thebridgeumc.org.
SUN JAN 11 | 04:30 PM
JAM - JESUS & ME
We have another Family Workshop coming up on Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 AM. This time we’re learning about Baptism!
Let us know you’re coming by calling the church office at 309-306-1544 or emailing kids@thebridgeumc.org.
SUN JAN 11 | 06:30 PM
YOUTH GROUP
6th through 12th graders are invited to join us for our youth group meeting on Sunday January 11th from 6:30-8:00 PM. We'll have lots of fun activities planned so invite a friend!
We'll be meeting in the youth space at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington.
E-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
TUE JAN 13 | 11:00 AM
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDY
Join us Tuesday mornings at 11:00 AM for a weekday Bible study led by Pastor Tom. We'll be working our way through the book of Mark. This is a pop-in Bible study so it's never too late to join - just join us as you're able!
We will be meeting at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington.
WED JAN 14 | 06:00 PM
YOUTH: MIDWEST FOOD BANK
We're bringing one of our favorite service projects to Bridge Youth! We'll be serving at Midwest Food Bank in Morton on Wednesday January 14th from 6:00-7:15 PM. If you've served at Midwest Food Bank before you know it's a great experience - fast paced and rewarding. We hope you'll join us!
Meet us upstairs in the youth space at the Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington - at 5:30 PM, we'll be returning around 7:45 PM.
Please e-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
WED JAN 14 | 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).
SAT JAN 17 | 09:00 AM
YOUTH PARENT MEETUP
This will be a special meetup just for the parents of Bridge Youth! Come get a cup of coffee and talk with Megan our youth director and other youth parents.
We'll be meeting at The Blend in Washington. Megan will be available from 9:00-11:00 AM. This is a very informal event, just drop in at your own convenience and stay as long as you'd like.
SUN JAN 18 | 09:00 AM
ASK: YOUNG ADULT STUDY
Bring your burning questions! Young Adults over 18 are invited to join ASK for a study on the questions surrounding Christianity and hell, as we compare four different interpretations of scripture.
We meet in Room 412 at 9:00 AM each Sunday. The first meeting for this study will be on Jan. 18!
For more information, contact Becca Gorman or Taylor Fleming
WED JAN 21 | 06:00 PM
YOUTH: MID-MONTH HANGOUT
6th through 12th graders are invited to join us for our mid-month hangout on Wednesday January 21st from 6:00-7:30 PM in the youth lounge at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington.
This is kind of an informal event - come hang out with us, we'll have board games, video games, snacks, and more. Invited a friend or two and we'll see you there!
You can e-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
SUN JAN 25 | 09:15
YOUTH: SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School for youth (6th-12th grade) will start back up on Sunday January 25th from 9:15-9:50 AM in the youth space at CIS. We'll meet each week through February and then take a few weeks off.
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 the way!
You can e-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
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!
SUN FEB 01
MONTHLY COLLECTION - LULA
Our collection for the month of February will go toward supporting LULA, an organization that passionately supports and advocates for the unhoused population in the Peoria area.
Unlike most services, which rely on people to come to them, LULA takes their services to the people. This allows them to build personal relationships and trust with their clients (whom they call friends). Many of them are among the most vulnerable - those who can not, for whatever reason, consistently make it to a food pantry, soup kitchen, shelter, access medical care, etc.
On February 1st we are asking you to help provide the foundation for a "sack lunch" by bringing a package of paper lunch bags, plastic sandwich bags, peanut butter, jelly, and/or chicken/tuna in a pouch.
You can also give at any time by visiting their Amazon WishList.
SUN FEB 08 | 03:00 PM
POVERTY SIMULATION
Harvest Hope Collaborative will be providing a poverty simulation to help people grow their compassion and understanding for those who are living in poverty. The room will be set up as a town, you will be given a role (name, family, and a life situation) and go through a 4 "week" journey. Many non-profits will be present to help run the simulation, and there will be a chance to learn about those as well. Ages 16+.
This event is being hosted by our good friends at Willow Hill UMC - 304 E Far Hills DR in East Peoria and will take place from 3:00-5:00 PM on Sunday February 8th. If possible, please let us know you plan on attending by clicking here.
SUN FEB 08 | 06:30 PM
YOUTH GROUP
6th through 12th graders are invited to join us for our youth group meeting on Sunday February 8th from 6:30-8:00 PM. We'll have lots of fun activities planned so invite a friend!
We'll be meeting in the youth space at The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington.
E-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
FRI FEB 27 - SAT FEB 28
YOUTH: WINTER RETREAT
Our first Winter Retreat will be February 27th and 28th at East Bay Camp at Lake Bloomington! We will be staying in The Wesley Lodge and will have food, fun, games, swimming, a campfire, and will learn how to rest in God in these chaotic times.
This retreat is open to 6th-12th graders and, as always, kids are encouraged to invite friends!
E-mail our youth director at megan@thebridgeumc.org with any questions, to volunteer for this event, or to receive links to the signup forms.
BRANCHES OF WASHINGTON
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 also provides 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 would love to have your help!