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Worship
Worship is at the heart of all we do here at Bridgeport UMC.
The beauty of our worship setting, enhanced by the wide variety of musical talent and choirs we have in this congregation, combine with the faithfulness of the people and the power of God's Word to make these celebrations memorable and deeply moving. During worship we seek to praise God and celebrate his love for the world in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Each weekend, worshippers can choose to experience God through any of three worship experiences.
Saturday evening at 6:15 p.m. we offer an informal service that is marked by a casual atmosphere. The Sunday 8:30 a.m. service of worship and the 10:45 a.m. service are more traditional. Child care is provided at each service.
We also offer special services including a monthly Taize, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday Communion Services,
Good Friday and Thanksgiving Community Services, Christmas Even Candlelight and Communion Services. Ushers and greeters are always visible to make everyone feel welcome.
Baptism
United Methodist believe in baptism by either sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.
Baptism is one of two sacraments of our church. Through baptism, God acts in a dramatic way to welcome infants and children into His church and to receive believers into His kingdom. Baptism means many things to different people. Yet, one thing is certain: it is something God does. Baptism is not what the church or the pastor does. It celebrates the fact that God is placing his seal of love on that child and welcomes him into the family of God. It is a permanent spiritual birthmark. Infant baptism reminds us that both the parents and the church are making holy promises to raise the child as a Christian in the church.
We believe in the baptism of both infants and believers.
If you as a parent would prefer not to have your child baptized, but instead wait so that he/she can make the decision for himself/herself, that is OK! We would rather a family wait than take part in a service with which they are not entirely comfortable. Because we believe so strongly that God acts in baptism, we discourage re-baptism. In other words, we do not re-do what God has already done.
Acts 2:38 declares: Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. "This is at the heart of believer baptism. In a symbolic sense, the water of baptism washes away the stain of sin and cleanses us from our old way and past sins.
Romans 6:3-5 tells us when a person gives his heart and life to Jesus and is baptized, he or she "dies" to self and rises again to new life in Christ.
If you wish to discuss baptism further, please contact one of our pastors.
When infants are baptized here at Bridgeport UMC, our quilters group presents a homemade quilt (for infants
under the age of one) to the family as a symbol of our love and commitment to nurture that child in faith.
Holy Communion
The sacrament of Holy Communion holds an important place in our worship.
We offer Holy Commuion at the 8:30 a.m. service of worship on the first Sunday of each month. We offer Holy Communion at the 10:45 a.m. service of worship less frequently, but at least quarterly. We also offer Holy Communion at numerous special evening services.
In the United Methodist Church all are invited to the Lord's Table who can respond affirmatively to the
invitation: "Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another."
Nursery Care and Children's Church
A paid nursery staff and numerous volunteers share God's love through smiles and hugs in a warm, safe
environment at Bridgeport UMC.
Nurseries are provided during all worship services and during Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Children's Church is held during the 10:45 a.m. service of worship for children ages 5-2nd grade. A children's activity and worship packet is also available for those of elementary school age during each worship service.
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