WHO IS COUNTED?
An Advent spotlight on 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:
12/14 - The Immigration Project
12/21 - Representatives from a group of Washington families who are supporting Ukrainian refugees in our area
12/28 - Reverend Curtis Brown: Representative for the United Methodist Church's Response to Immigration (no in-person worship this day, a pre-recorded message will be available online)
We hope you'll join us for these special presentations. We prepare our hearts for Christmas as we recognize those Christ loves in the world around us.
OUR FIRST YEAR
CELEBRATE AND RELIVE!
THIS WEEK'S
SERMON
sermon 12-7
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.
TUE DEC 09 | 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 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 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 | 06:00 PM
HEART HOUSE
You 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.
We will be meeting at Heart House - 300 Reagan DR in Eureka - at 6:00 PM and will be serving until approximately 8:00 PM. Sign up here or email Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) and she will get you signed up.
SUN DEC 14 | 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 14 | 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. 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 DEC 14 | 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:
12/14 - The Immigration Project
12/21 - Representatives from a group of Washington families who are supporting Ukrainian refugees in our area
12/28 - Reverend Curtis Brown: Representative for the United Methodist Church's Response to Immigration (no in-person worship this day, a pre-recorded message will be available online)
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.
WED DEC 17 | 05:30 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! We'll be leaving from The Bridge office - 401 Walnut ST in Washington at 5:30 PM and will return at approximately 8:30 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
PEACE PARADE
This holiday season The Bridge is spotlighting immigration in our area. On Sunday December 21st we will be collecting a Christmas offering (which we've dubbed the Peace Parade) that will be split evenly between The Immigration Project, United Methodist Church Immigration Response, and families supporting Ukranian refugees in our area.
Checks can be made out to The Bridge UMC with "Peace Parade" on the memo line.
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 DEC 21 | 07:00 PM
BLUE CHRISTMAS
If the holidays feel challenging for you, or you are deeply missing someone special, our friends at Willow Hill UMC are inviting you to join them for a service of hope in the midst of darkness.
This Blue Christmas service will be held in-person at Willow Hill UMC - 304 E Far Hills DR in East Peoria - as well as online. E-mail Willow Hill UMC with any questions.
WED DEC 24 | 05:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
We will be celebrating the birth of Jesus on Sunday December 24th at 5:00 PM.
Please join us for a candlelight service at Central Primary.
The Bridge office will be closed from December 25th through January 2nd.
SUN DEC 28
WORSHIP IN OUR JAMMIES
To give our hard-working volunteers a much needed break, The Bridge will be worshipping remotely with a pre-recorded service on Sunday December 28th. There will be no in-person worship service at Central Primary - please join us on YouTube or our social media pages.
Interested in serving at The Bridge in the new year? Click here for more information!
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.
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 6:00-7:30 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!
More details will be shared as they become available. Please e-mail our youth director Megan (megan@thebridgeumc.org) with any questions.
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 | 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!
